Rohirrim: Difference between revisions

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{{cleanup}}
{{cleanup}}
{{race
{{people infobox
|image=[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Rohirrim.jpeg|250px]]
| name=Rohirrim
|name=Rohirrim
| image=[[File:Turner Mohan - The Riders of Rohan.jpg|250px]]
|dominions=[[Rohan]]
| caption="The Riders of Rohan" by [[Turner Mohan]]
|languages=[[Rohirric]]
| pronun=
|height=average
| othernames=
|length=
| origin=[[Éothéod]], [[Northmen]]
|skincolor=white
| location=[[Rohan]]
|haircolor=mostly blond
| affiliation=[[Gondorians]]
|feathers=
| rivalry=[[Dunlendings]]
|distinctions=
| language=[[Rohirric]], [[Westron]]
|lifespan=av. 70-80 years
| members=[[Eorl]], [[Helm]], [[Théoden]], [[Éomer]], [[Éowyn]]
|members=[[Eorl the Young]], [[Helm]], [[Théoden]], [[Éomer]]
| lifespan=c. 70-80 years
|}}
| distinctions=Horse-masters
The '''Rohirrim''', or the '''Horse-lords''', were a horse people, settling in the land of [[Rohan]], named after them. The name Rohirrim was mostly used by outsiders: the name they had for themselves was '''Eorlingas''', after their king [[Eorl the Young]] who had first brought them to Rohan.
| height=Tall
| hair=Mostly blond
| skin=White
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
The '''Rohirrim''', or the '''Horse-lords''', were a horse people, settling in the land of [[Rohan]], named after them. The name Rohirrim was mostly used by outsiders: the name they had for themselves was '''[[Eorlingas]]''', after their king [[Eorl the Young]] who had first brought them to Rohan.


The terms '''Riders of Rohan''' and '''Riders of the Mark''' are commonly used and refer specifically to their mounted soldiers. The '''King's Riders''' were specifically the Riders who formed the bodyguard of the King.
The terms '''Riders of Rohan''' and '''Riders of the Mark''' are commonly used and refer specifically to their mounted soldiers. The '''King's Riders''' were specifically the Riders who formed the bodyguard of the King.
==History==
==History==
The Rohirrim were descendants of the [[Edain]] of the [[First Age]]. They did not go to [[Beleriand]] like the Edain who were later rewarded with the island of [[Númenor]] by the [[Valar]]. The ancestors of the Rohirrim were known as the '''[[Éothéod]]''' (q.v.).
{{quote|Indeed it is said by our lore-masters that they have from of old this affinity with us that they are come from those same Three Houses of Men as were the Númenoreans in their beginning; not from Hador the Goldenhaired, the Elf-friend, maybe, yet from such of his sons and people as went not over Sea into the West, refusing the call.|[[Faramir]]}}
 
In reality, the ancestors of the Rohirrim were the '''[[Éothéod]]''', a tribe of the [[Northmen]]<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>. Those were [[Middle Men]], related to the [[Edain]] of the [[First Age]], who did not go to [[Beleriand]], like the other Edain, who were later rewarded with the island of [[Númenor]] by the [[Valar]].<ref name=atani>{{PM|Atani}}</ref>


The Éothéod were a race of [[Men]] that lived in the vales of the Great River [[Anduin]], but that removed to [[Calenardhon]] which was granted them in perpetuity by the [[Stewards of Gondor|Ruling Steward]] of [[Gondor]], [[Cirion]] in reward for the assistance that they offered Gondor at a time of great need, the [[Battle of the Field of Celebrant]].
The Gondorians described them as ''Middle Men'', that being inferior to the [[Númenóreans|High Men]] in both culture and descent, but superior to the ''[[Men of Darkness]]'' who had worshipped and served [[Sauron]].


At that time Calenardhon was renamed [[Rohan]] (''Horse-land'') after their many horses. By the Rohirrim themselves Rohan was usually called '''[[The Mark]]'''.
According to some more ''simplified'' views in [[Gondor]], the Rohirrim were perhaps directly descented from the [[House of Hador]].<ref>{{TT|IV5}}</ref> This belief was accepted by the Rohirrim themselves and strengthened their friendship with Gondor, and it comforted the Númenorean pride of the [[Gondorians]], who surrendered a large part of their kingdom to them.<ref name=atani/><ref>{{PM|XNotes}}, #61</ref> As such, The [[Gondorians]] believed that the Rohirrim were distantly related to them (having descended from the [[Atanatári]] of the [[First Age]]).


The [[Dúnedain]] of Gondor believed that the Rohirrim were distantly related to them (having descended from the [[Atanatári]] of the [[First Age]]) and described them as ''[[Middle Men]]'', that being inferior to the [[Númenóreans]] in both culture and descent, but superior to the ''[[Men of Darkness]]'' who had worshipped and served [[Sauron]].  
Long allies of Gondor, the Éothéod were living in the [[Vales of Anduin]], but removed to [[Calenardhon]] which was granted them in perpetuity by the [[Stewards of Gondor|Ruling Steward]] of [[Gondor]], [[Cirion]] in reward for the assistance that they offered Gondor at a time of great need, the [[Battle of the Field of Celebrant]].<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>


However, this was a piece of Númenórean fiction meant to satisfy the national pride of the people of Gondor for the surrender of the territory of Calenardhon -- in reality there had been no common ancestry between the people of Rohan and of Gondor.{{fact}}
Later Calenardhon was renamed [[Rohan]] (''Horse-land'') by the [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] [[Hallas]] after their many horses. By the Rohirrim themselves Rohan was usually called '''[[The Mark]]'''.


For the subsequent history of the Rohirrim as allies of Gondor see [[Rohan#History]]
For the subsequent history of the Rohirrim as allies of Gondor see [[Rohan#History]]
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==Culture==
==Culture==
The Rohirrim had had contacts with [[Elves]] in their ancient history, and knew of [[Ilúvatar|Eru]], but like the Dúnedain they did not worship him in any temples. They seem to have valued the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Oromë]] the Hunter highly, whom they called [[Oromë#History|Béma]].  
The Rohirrim had had contacts with [[Elves]] in their ancient history, and knew of [[Ilúvatar|Eru]], but like the Dúnedain they did not worship him in any temples. They seem to have valued the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Oromë]] the Hunter highly, whom they called [[Oromë#History|Béma]].  
They measured time with a calendar that came from the [[Men of the Vales of Anduin]] and had apparent similarities to the [[Shire Calendar|Calendars of the Shire]] and [[Bree Calendar|Bree]], and to that of the [[Dale]].<ref>{{App|D1}}</ref> These similarities were noted by [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] in his work ''[[Reckoning of Years]]''.<ref>{{FR|Records}}</ref>


They were ruled by a line of kings descended from Eorl the Young, who had first brought them to Rohan, and in time of war all able men rode to meet the Muster of Rohan.
They were ruled by a line of kings descended from Eorl the Young, who had first brought them to Rohan, and in time of war all able men rode to meet the Muster of Rohan.
===[[Horses]]===
===[[Horses]]===
[[Image:Peter Xavier Price - The Ride of the Rohirrim.jpg|thumb|right|[[Peter Xavier Price]] - ''The Ride of the Rohirrim'']]
[[Image:Peter Xavier Price - The Ride of the Rohirrim.jpg|thumb|right|[[Peter Xavier Price]] - ''The Ride of the Rohirrim'']]
Line 46: Line 58:
It was because of this close affiliation with horses, both in war and peace, that they received their now famous name. ''Rohirrim'' (or more properly ''Rochirrim'') is [[Sindarin]] for "Horse-lords," and ''Rohan'' (or ''Rochand'') meant "Land of the Horse-lords." These names were devised by Hallas, son of Cirion the Steward.
It was because of this close affiliation with horses, both in war and peace, that they received their now famous name. ''Rohirrim'' (or more properly ''Rochirrim'') is [[Sindarin]] for "Horse-lords," and ''Rohan'' (or ''Rochand'') meant "Land of the Horse-lords." These names were devised by Hallas, son of Cirion the Steward.


During the early days of the [[War of the Ring]], rumours were spread that the Rohirrim supplied Sauron's armies with horses. These rumours were obviously false: the Rohirrim valued their horses more than anything, and would never send them away, even as tribute.  Still these rumours had some effect, in that they obscured the fact it was Saruman who had fallen, rather than Rohan.  The basis of the rumour was that Sauron's [[Orcs]] on raids into Rohan stole their horses for use in Mordor's army, but this was outright theft that angered the Rohirrim against Sauron.
During the early days of the [[War of the Ring]], rumours were spread that the Rohirrim supplied Sauron's armies with horses. These rumours were obviously false: the Rohirrim valued their horses more than anything and would never send them away, even as tribute.  Still these rumours had some effect in that they obscured the fact it was Saruman who had fallen, rather than Rohan.  The basis of the rumour was that Sauron's [[Orcs]] on raids into Rohan stole their horses for use in Mordor's army, but this was outright theft that angered the Rohirrim against Sauron.


===Language===
===Language===
{{main|Rohirric}}
{{main|Rohirric}}
The Rohirrim spoke a language descended from that of the [[Éothéod]], related to that of the [[Northmen]] of  [[Rhovanion]]. In comparison to [[Westron]], it was mostly archaic and was not easily understood by the speakers of Westron.
The Rohirrim spoke a language descended from that of the [[Éothéod]], related to that of the [[Northmen]] of  [[Rhovanion]]. In comparison to [[Westron]], it was mostly archaic and was not easily understood by the speakers of Westron.
The lords of the Rohirrim used [[Westron]] freely, in the gracious, noble and antique manner of the [[Gondorians]].<ref>{{App|Men}}</ref>


The Rohirrim wrote with a [[Mannish]] version of the [[cirth]], although they did not have a literature, preferring oral tradition.
The Rohirrim wrote with a [[Mannish]] version of the [[cirth]], although they did not have a literature, preferring oral tradition.


== Important Rohirrim ==
== Important Rohirrim ==
*[[Kings of Rohan]]
*[[Kings of Rohan]]
* [[Théodred]]
* [[Théodred]]
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*[[:Category:Images of Rohirrim|Images of Rohirrim]]
*[[:Category:Images of Rohirrim|Images of Rohirrim]]
*[[Kings of Rohan]]
*[[Kings of Rohan]]
{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Northmen]]
[[Category:Rohirrim| ]]
[[Category:Rohirrim| ]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Sindarin demonyms]]
[[de:Rohirrim]]
[[de:Rohirrim]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hommes/rohirrim]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hommes/rohirrim]]
[[fi:Rohirrim]]
[[fi:Rohirrim]]
[[fa:روهیریم]]

Revision as of 11:36, 26 February 2022

"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.


Rohirrim
People
Turner Mohan - The Riders of Rohan.jpg
"The Riders of Rohan" by Turner Mohan
General Information
OriginsÉothéod, Northmen
LocationsRohan
AffiliationGondorians
RivalriesDunlendings
LanguagesRohirric, Westron
MembersEorl, Helm, Théoden, Éomer, Éowyn
Physical Description
Lifespanc. 70-80 years
DistinctionsHorse-masters
Average heightTall
Hair colorMostly blond
Skin colorWhite
GalleryImages of Rohirrim

The Rohirrim, or the Horse-lords, were a horse people, settling in the land of Rohan, named after them. The name Rohirrim was mostly used by outsiders: the name they had for themselves was Eorlingas, after their king Eorl the Young who had first brought them to Rohan.

The terms Riders of Rohan and Riders of the Mark are commonly used and refer specifically to their mounted soldiers. The King's Riders were specifically the Riders who formed the bodyguard of the King.

History

"Indeed it is said by our lore-masters that they have from of old this affinity with us that they are come from those same Three Houses of Men as were the Númenoreans in their beginning; not from Hador the Goldenhaired, the Elf-friend, maybe, yet from such of his sons and people as went not over Sea into the West, refusing the call."
Faramir

In reality, the ancestors of the Rohirrim were the Éothéod, a tribe of the Northmen[1]. Those were Middle Men, related to the Edain of the First Age, who did not go to Beleriand, like the other Edain, who were later rewarded with the island of Númenor by the Valar.[2]

The Gondorians described them as Middle Men, that being inferior to the High Men in both culture and descent, but superior to the Men of Darkness who had worshipped and served Sauron.

According to some more simplified views in Gondor, the Rohirrim were perhaps directly descented from the House of Hador.[3] This belief was accepted by the Rohirrim themselves and strengthened their friendship with Gondor, and it comforted the Númenorean pride of the Gondorians, who surrendered a large part of their kingdom to them.[2][4] As such, The Gondorians believed that the Rohirrim were distantly related to them (having descended from the Atanatári of the First Age).

Long allies of Gondor, the Éothéod were living in the Vales of Anduin, but removed to Calenardhon which was granted them in perpetuity by the Ruling Steward of Gondor, Cirion in reward for the assistance that they offered Gondor at a time of great need, the Battle of the Field of Celebrant.[5]

Later Calenardhon was renamed Rohan (Horse-land) by the Steward Hallas after their many horses. By the Rohirrim themselves Rohan was usually called The Mark.

For the subsequent history of the Rohirrim as allies of Gondor see Rohan#History

Description

John Howe - Rohirrim

The Rohirrim were tall, blond, and mostly had blue eyes. They prized their horses more than anything, and their entire culture was based around these. They had few cities, but lived in many villages on the plains of Rohan.

They are proud and wilful, but they are true-hearted, generous in thought and deed; bold but not cruel; wise but unlearned, writing no books but singing many songs, after the manner of the children of Men before the Dark Years. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Culture

The Rohirrim had had contacts with Elves in their ancient history, and knew of Eru, but like the Dúnedain they did not worship him in any temples. They seem to have valued the Vala Oromë the Hunter highly, whom they called Béma.

They measured time with a calendar that came from the Men of the Vales of Anduin and had apparent similarities to the Calendars of the Shire and Bree, and to that of the Dale.[6] These similarities were noted by Meriadoc Brandybuck in his work Reckoning of Years.[7]

They were ruled by a line of kings descended from Eorl the Young, who had first brought them to Rohan, and in time of war all able men rode to meet the Muster of Rohan.

Horses

Peter Xavier Price - The Ride of the Rohirrim

The Rohirrim are famous as skilled horsemen, masters and breeders. Among the horses of the Rohirrim are the famed Mearas, the noblest and fastest horses who have ever roamed Arda; Shadowfax was the greatest of all Mearas. There were very few Mearas left in Middle-earth at this point, but there were enough that a breeding population was present. The armies of Rohan are almost exclusively cavalry, divided into irregular units termed éoreds. Rohan's armies were more of a very well trained militia called upon in times of war, with the actual standing army relatively small. The professional career-soldiers of Rohan may have been limited to the royal bodyguard at Edoras.

It was because of this close affiliation with horses, both in war and peace, that they received their now famous name. Rohirrim (or more properly Rochirrim) is Sindarin for "Horse-lords," and Rohan (or Rochand) meant "Land of the Horse-lords." These names were devised by Hallas, son of Cirion the Steward.

During the early days of the War of the Ring, rumours were spread that the Rohirrim supplied Sauron's armies with horses. These rumours were obviously false: the Rohirrim valued their horses more than anything and would never send them away, even as tribute. Still these rumours had some effect in that they obscured the fact it was Saruman who had fallen, rather than Rohan. The basis of the rumour was that Sauron's Orcs on raids into Rohan stole their horses for use in Mordor's army, but this was outright theft that angered the Rohirrim against Sauron.

Language

Main article: Rohirric

The Rohirrim spoke a language descended from that of the Éothéod, related to that of the Northmen of Rhovanion. In comparison to Westron, it was mostly archaic and was not easily understood by the speakers of Westron.

The lords of the Rohirrim used Westron freely, in the gracious, noble and antique manner of the Gondorians.[8]

The Rohirrim wrote with a Mannish version of the cirth, although they did not have a literature, preferring oral tradition.

Important Rohirrim

Etymology

Rohirrim is a Sindarin name meaning "the host of the Horse-lords",[9] consisting of the element roch + hîr ("lord, master") + rĩm ("host").[10]

See also

References