Character Bios
Guthláf
Location(s):
Rohan, likely Edoras
Race/Species: Man
Type/Kind: Rohirrim
Title(s):
banner-bearer of Théoden, King of Rohan
Dates: died 15 March 3019
Description:
Guthláf is the standard-bearer of Théoden, and died with him at the Battle of Pelennor:
[Rising] in his stirrups [Théoden] cried in a loud voice...Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains.... Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it.
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 5, The Ride of the Rohirrim
Then one of the knights took the king's banner from the hand of Guthláf the banner-bearer who lay dead, and he lifted it up. Slowly Théoden opened his eyes. Seeing the banner he made a sign that it should be given to Éomer.
'Hail, King of the Mark!' he said.... And so he died....
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 6, The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
There Théoden fell, Thengling mighty,
to his golden halls and green pastures
in the Northern fields never returning,
high lord of the host. Harding and Guthláf
Dúnhere and Déorwine, doughty Grimbold,
Herefara and Herubrand, Horn and Fastred,
fought and fell there in a far country:
in the Mounds of Mundburg under mould they lie
with their league-fellows, lords of Gondor.
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 6, The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 3Aug06