The Second Marshal of the Riddermark was the second such Marshal, the highest military rank among the Riders of Rohan, and title of the lieutenants of the King of Rohan.
The Second Marshal’s duties, like those of the Third Marshal of the Riddermark, were not fixed, but assigned by the King as the times demanded.
During the War of the Ring
Prior to the War of the Ring, King Théoden was under Saruman’s power and the influence of Grima Wormtongue, through whose voice the King’s orders were made. At this time, the Second Marshal was Théoden's son Théodred, whose command was based at Helm's Deep. Théodred, exceeding the authority of his post as Second Marshall, assumed general command and made orders concerning the Muster of Edoras, normally under the command of the First Marshal, the bulk of which he placed under the command of Elfhelm.
Théodred's men were defeated by Saruman's forces at the First Battle of the Fords of Isen, in which Théodred was slain. After that time, the traditional ranks were not strictly adhered to. At the Full Muster ahead of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Elfhelm became a Marshall of the Riddermark, commanding the Muster of the East-mark, however the title of Second Marshall was not given. After the War of the Ring, Éomer (formerly the Third Marshal of the Riddermark), became King and revised the old tradition of the three marshals, giving Elfhelm the new title of Marshal of the East-mark.[1]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Battles of the Fords of Isen", "Appendix (i)"
| Ranks of the Rohirrim |
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| First Marshal of the Riddermark · Second Marshal of the Riddermark · Third Marshal of the Riddermark · Marshal of the East-mark · Marshal of the West-mark · Underking |