Eorl

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Eorl
Rohir
Jan Pospisil - Eorl the Young at Celebrant.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesthe Young
PositionLord of the Éothéod, King of Rohan
BirthT.A. 2485
RuleOf Éothéod T.A. 2501 - T.A. 2510
Of Rohan T.A. 2510 - T.A. 2545
DeathT.A. 2545
Family
ParentageLeod
ChildrenBrego
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Eorl

Eorl the Young (Third Age 2485 – 2545, aged 60 years) was the son of Léod of the Éothéod, and founder of Rohan.[1]

Life

Eorl was known as "the Young" because he became Lord of the Éothéod at the age of 16 and because he never lost his yellow hair. His father Leod was killed while trying to tame Felarof but young Eorl managed to tame him, and kept him as his steed for the rest of his life.[1]

In T.A. 2510, Borondir Udalraph came to the north seeking aid, as the South-kingdom was attacked by the Orcs and the Balchoth. On April 15th, Eorl came to the Field of Celebrant, and joined the battle. For his service to Gondor, he was granted Calenardhon to dwell in. As a return, Eorl and his descendants would have to come to the aid of Gondor when they requested; this was known as the Oath of Eorl.[2] This would be answered at least twice: once by Folcred and Fastred, and once by Théoden Ednew.[3]

Eorl died in battle against the Easterlings in T.A. 2545.[3]

Etymology

Eorl is an Old English word that can be roughly translated as "one of the nobility, earl". It was the highest of the ranks in North Germanic culture, not introduced to Britain until the late 9th century. The title was known as jarl in Old Norse,[4] and because of that, the Þórsteinn Thorarensen used this throughout his Icelandic translation of The Lord of the Rings, along with Hjálmur, Þengill, Þjódan and Jómar.[5]

Compare Ceorl, the second rank.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan"
  3. 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl", "The Kings of the Mark"
  4. Jarl in Sweden at Wikipedia
  5. Arden R. Smith, Transitions in Translations: Upphaflega íslensk heiti, published in Vinyar Tengwar 42, pages 35-37
Preceded by:
Léod
Lord of the Éothéod
III 2501 – 2510
Followed by:
none (abandoned)
Preceded by:
none
1st King of Rohan
III 2510 – 2545
Followed by:
Brego