Éomer
| House / Order | House of Eorl |
|---|---|
| Race / Culture | |
| Status | Alive (at the close of the War) |
| Origin | Rohan |
| Born | Third Age 2991 |
| Died | Fourth Age 63 |
| Weapon | Sword; spear; cavalry of the Riddermark |
| Fate | Became the eighteenth King of Rohan after the War of the Ring; firm friend and ally of Aragorn |
| Portrayed by |
Éomer was a lord of the Rohirrim, Third Marshal of the Riddermark, nephew of King Théoden of Rohan, and after the War of the Ring the eighteenth King of his people. Bold, fierce, and honorable, he was among the great captains of the War and a steadfast friend of Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas.
Background
Éomer was the son of Éomund, a marshal of Rohan, and of Théodwyn, sister of King Théoden. When Éomer and his younger sister Éowyn were orphaned as children, their uncle Théoden took them into his own household at Edoras and raised them as his own son and daughter. Éomer grew into one of the foremost warriors of the Mark, given command of the king's cavalry as a Marshal of the Riddermark, charged with defending the realm against Orcs and the raids of Saruman's servants.
The War of the Ring
While King Théoden languished under the malign influence of his counsellor Gríma Wormtongue, Éomer chafed at the realm's paralysis and acted on his own initiative. Pursuing a band of Orcs that had crossed into Rohan, he and his éored destroyed them near the eaves of Fangorn, unknowingly freeing the captive Hobbits Merry and Pippin. There he first met Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, lending them horses and his trust. For acting without leave, he was briefly imprisoned by Wormtongue's contrivance.
After Gandalf freed Théoden from Wormtongue's spell, Éomer rode at the king's side. He fought in the desperate defense at the Hornburg, holding the breach through the night until the dawn arrival of Gandalf and the rallying riders broke Saruman's host.
The Pelennor Fields
Éomer rode with the host of Rohan to the relief of Gondor at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. In the heat of battle he came upon the fallen King Théoden and, believing his sister Éowyn also slain nearby, was seized by a battle-fury and led a furious charge against the enemy. He was hailed as king upon the field by the dying Théoden's wish. When he learned Éowyn yet lived, his grief turned to fierce resolve, and the Rohirrim and the men of Gondor together broke the army of Mordor. Éomer then marched with Aragorn to the Black Gate to stand in the last desperate battle that drew Sauron's eye while Frodo completed the quest.
King of Rohan
After the War, Éomer was confirmed as the eighteenth King of Rohan, called Éomer Éadig, "the Blessed," for the prosperity of his long reign. He renewed the ancient Oath of Eorl binding Rohan and Gondor in friendship, and he wedded Lothíriel of Dol Amroth. His sister Éowyn married Faramir of Gondor. Éomer remained a fast friend of King Elessar, Aragorn, riding to war at his side again in later years, and he and Gimli and Legolas kept their bonds of fellowship to the end of his days.
Character
Éomer is the very image of the noble warrior of the Mark: proud, plain-spoken, courageous, and fiercely loyal. Quick to anger and quick to trust, he judges men by their deeds, and his friendship, once given to Aragorn, never wavered. His reign restored Rohan to honor and strength in the early Fourth Age.
In the films
In Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings films, Éomer is portrayed by Karl Urban. His banishment by Wormtongue, his return at the Hornburg, and his role in the Pelennor charge follow the broad strokes of the books, though details are altered.