The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Dated back at least to the rule of Folcwine (ruled III 2864 - III 2903)1
Race
Division
Culture
Family
The guard of the King of Rohan, a descendant of the House of Eorl
Settlements
Stationed at Edoras
Other names

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About this entry:

  • Updated 25 December 2023
  • This entry is complete

King’s Riders

The personal guard of the Lord of the Mark

A detachment of the Riders of Rohan who formed a part of the King's Household, serving as guards, warriors or scouts as the need arose. This body of Men formed an éored, a force of at least one hundred and twenty Riders under the direct command of the Lord of the Mark. Also known as the King's Company, these Riders were accounted the leading éored of all Rohan's armies, and it was common for the heirs of young lords to spend time as officers among them.

A similar arrangement was also made for each of the Marshals of the Mark, the highest military authorities beneath the King himself. Like the King, each of the Marshals (who were usually three in number) had an éored of Riders under his own direct command.


Notes

1

The history of the King's bodyguard of Rohan is not recorded in detail. We do know, however, that it was considered the chief éored of the Riders of Rohan, and that the éored as it stood at the end of the Third Age had been established by King Folcwine (who ruled Rohan III 2864 - III 2903). Though the Riders of Folcwine's guard are not specifically identified as the 'King's Riders', they were at the very least a direct forerunner of the éored of that name.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 25 December 2023
  • This entry is complete

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