Tolkien Gateway


Eorlingas was a name taken by the Éothéod who resettled among the green fields of Calenardhon after the Battle of the Field of Celebrant.[1] Calendardhon was gifted to them by Steward Cirion of Gondor, who had been aided by these people under their lord, Eorl the Young.[2] It is from Eorl's name that the word 'Eorlingas' is taken: it refers his followers and descendants. These were the people better known as the Riders of Rohan or the Rohirrim.

The word was used in a call to arms chanted by King Théoden when Gandalf had healed him:[3]

"Arise now, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Dire deeds awake, dark it is eastward.
Let horse be bridled, horn be sounded!
Forth Eorlingas!
― King Théoden

[edit] Etymology

In a manuscript, the form Eorlings also occurs.[4]

[edit] References

  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "The Appendix on Languages", p. 34 (§14)