The First Marshal of the Riddermark was the first such Marshall, the highest military rank among the Riders of Rohan, and title of the lieutenants of the King of Rohan.
The First Marshal's duty was to command the Muster of Edoras, comprising the Riders of the capital Edoras and the surrounding lands, including the King's Lands and Harrowdale. This contrasted with the duties of the Second and Third marshals, whose duties were assigned by the King as the times demanded.[1]
During the War of the Ring
Coming to the throne at a relatively young age, King Théoden, the seventeenth King of Rohan, led the Riders of the Muster of Edoras himself, so that no First Marshal was needed, even in times of war. When the King later fell under Saruman's power, Gríma Wormtongue worked to ensure that no First Marshal was appointed, leaving a vacuum of power for him to exploit. It was thus that at the time of the War of the Ring, there was no First Marshal of the Riddermark.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 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 |