Things of Middle-earth
Marshals of the Mark
Type: Offices & Ranks
Other Names:
Marshals of the Riddermark
Description:
The highest military office in Rohan:
Marshal of the Mark (or Riddermark) was the highest military rank and the title of the King's lieutenants (originally three), commanders of the royal forces of fully equipped and trained Riders. The First Marshal's ward was the capital, Edoras, and the adjacent King's Lands (including Harrowdale). He commanded the Riders of the Muster of Edoras, drawn from this ward, and from some parts of the West-mark and East-mark 1 for which Edoras was the most convenient place of assembly. The Second and Third Marshals were assigned commands according to the needs of the time. In the beginning of the year 3019 the threat from Saruman was the most urgent, and the Second marshal, the King's son Théodred, had command over the West-mark with his base at Helm's Deep; the Third Marshal, the King's nephew Éomer, had as his ward the East-mark with his base at his home, Aldburg 2 in the Folde.
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen: Appendix
It is recorded that after Théoden's funeral, when Éomer reordered his realm, Erkenbrand was made Marshal of the West-mark, and Elfhelm Marshal of the East-mark, and these titles were maintained, instead of Second and Third Marshal, neither having precedence over the other. In time of war a special appointment was made to the office of Underking: its holder either ruled the realm in the King's absence with the army, or took command in the field if for any reason the King remained at home.
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen: Appendix
Notes
1 [West-mark and East-mark] were terms only used with reference to military organisation. Their boundary was the Snowbourn River to its junction with the Entwash, and thence north along the Entwash. [Author's note.]
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen: Appendix
2 [Aldburg:] There Eorl had his house; it passed after Brego son of Eorl removed to Edoras into the hands of Eofor, third son of Brego, from whom Éomund, father of Éomer, claimed descent. The Folde was part of the King's Lands, but Aldburg remained the most convenient base for the Muster of the East-mark. [Author's note.]
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen: Appendix
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 1Feb05, 21Mar05, 5Feb08
