What this is
In brief
Origins
Rohan was the former Gondorian province of Calenardhon, granted by Steward Cirion to Eorl the Young and the Éothéod in T.A. 2510 for their help at the Field of Celebrant. The name means “land of the horse-lords” in the Elvish tongues.
Culture
A kingdom of open plains, horse-breeding and mead-halls, bound by oaths of loyalty. Its kings rule from Edoras and its great fortress is Helm’s Deep; the Rohirrim honour courage, kinship and generosity.
Language
Rohirric, with Westron for wider dealings.
History
Rohan endured raids by Dunlendings and Orcs and a long feud with Saruman at Isengard. In the War of the Ring Theoden broke free of Wormtongue’s counsel, fought at Helm’s Deep, and rode to Minas Tirith, dying on the Pelennor. Éomer succeeded him and renewed the alliance with the Reunited Kingdom.
Leaders
Settlements
- edoras
- helms-deep
- aldeburg
- dunharrow
Alliances
- gondor
- ents
- the-fellowship-of-the-ring
Conflicts
- battle-of-helms-deep
- battle-of-the-pelennor-fields
- war-of-the-ring
Notable members
CharacterThéoden
King of Rohan, aged prematurely by Gríma’s counsel, later restored and killed at the Pelennor Fields.
CharacterÉomer
Théoden’s nephew, a marshal of Rohan who becomes king after the war.
Éowyn
Théoden’s niece, who defied the prohibition on women going to war and slew the Witch-king at the Pelennor.
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.
Related entries
PeopleRohirrim
The horse-loving people of Rohan, descended from the Éothéod of the North, famed for their cavalry and their loyalty to Gondor.
PeopleMuster of Rohan
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.
Gondor
The great southern kingdom of the Dúnedain, long defended by its Stewards and finally restored under King Elessar.
LocationIsengard
Saruman’s fortress at the southern end of the Misty Mountains, ruined by the Ents in the War of the Ring.