Éothain

From Tolkien Gateway
This article is about the Rider of Rohan. For the the boy, see Éothain (film character).
Éothain
Rohir
Decipher - Éothain.jpg
Éothain from The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game
Biographical Information
PositionRider in Éomer's éored
LanguageRohanese
BirthLate Third Age
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Éothain

Éothain was a rider of Rohan.

History[edit | edit source]

Éothain was a member of Éomer's éored that overran the orcs who had captured Merry and Pippin at the fringe of Fangorn Forest, and encountered Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli on 30 February, T.A. 3019. Éothain scoffed at the idea that Hobbits even existed, believing them to be nothing but a child's tale, and argued against the gift of horses to the three companions.[1]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

In one of the last drafts of The Riders of Rohan, Éothain was Éomer's squire,[2] whereas in a later draft of The Ride of the Rohirrim, he was the captain of Éomer's household éored.[3] No reference to Éothain's rank in Éomer's éored is made in The Lord of the Rings.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Éothain contains the Old English elements Éoh ("warhorse") and thegn ("warrior, chieftain"). It was a rendition of a Rohanese name that was never recorded, though the first element is likely translated from /loh, "war-horse".

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Éothain in Adaptations

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

John Livesey plays the part of Éothain. Almost the whole of Eothain's dialogue from the book is retained in this production.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:

The name Éothain was given to another character, but a Decipher Card identifies one of Éomer's riders as Éothain.

2012: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Éothain is Eomer's cousin. He is first met in the Entwash Vale town of Eaworth as part of Eomer's eored. He later returns to his home town of Aldburg where he tasks the player with preparations for its defence.

References