Middle-earth

Army

Muster of Rohan

Also known as The Riders of Rohan, The Rohirrim Muster, The Ride of the Rohirrim

The host that Rohan raised at Dunharrow in the War of the Ring, which rode to the relief of Gondor and broke the siege of Minas Tirith.

Tolkien’s textsSupported by the narratives published in Tolkien’s lifetime.
Category
Army
Language
Rohirric, with Westron used with allies.
Muster of Rohan

What this is

In brief

An army, not a people or kingdom. The Rohirrim are the culture and Rohan is the state; the Muster is the specific body of riders gathered for war under King Theoden, and it disperses when the campaign ends.

Origins

The Muster was summoned by Theoden at Dunharrow after Helm’s Deep and the deliverance of Rohan, in answer to the Red Arrow and the beacons of Gondor. It gathered the riders of the Mark for a single great effort.

Culture

A cavalry host of horse-lords, organised by the eoreds and led by the king and his marshals. Its strength lay in shock, speed and the loyalty of riders to their lord.

Language

Rohirric, with Westron used with allies.

History

The Muster rode from Dunharrow through the Stonewain Valley and across the Anórien, gathering at the Grey Wood. Warned by the Wild Men of the paths, Theoden came to the Pelennor Fields on 15 March T.A. 3019, when the Muster charged into the siege and broke it. Theoden fell, and Éomer led the survivors in the subsequent battle and the march on the Black Gate.

Leaders

Settlements

  • dunharrow
  • edoras
  • harondor

Alliances

  • gondor
  • rohirrim
  • rohan

Conflicts

  • battle-of-the-pelennor-fields
  • battle-of-the-morannon
  • war-of-the-ring

Notable members

Sources

  • The Lord of the Rings · 1954–55

    Three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.

  • Unfinished Tales · 1980

    Expanded and alternative accounts of the First, Second and Third Ages.

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