The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Founded sometime between III 2510 and III 25691
Location
Beneath the White Mountains at the northern end of Harrowdale
Origins
Founded by Eorl or his son Brego (see note 1)
Race
Division
Culture
Family
The seat of the Kings of Rohan, descending from the House of Eorl
Pronunciation
e'doras
Meaning

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About this entry:

  • Updated 15 November 2009
  • Updates planned: 1

Edoras

The Courts of Rohan

Map of Edoras
Map of Edoras and its surrounds (slightly speculative)2
Map of Edoras and its surrounds (slightly speculative)2

The chief city of Rohan and the seat of its Kings, under the northern feet of the White Mountains.


Notes

1

At first sight, the origins of Edoras seem straightforward to understand. Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings tells us that Eorl '...chose for his dwelling a green hill before the feet of the White Mountains that were the south-wall of his land.' It seems logical to assume that this describes the foundation of Edoras.

This is apparently contradicted, however, by a note in Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth, which tells us that Eorl lived, not at Edoras, but at nearby Aldburg in the Folde. According to this version, it was Eorl's son Brego, not Eorl himself, who established the Courts at Edoras. This version also gains support from the text of The Lord of the Rings, which contains an account of Brego's building of Meduseld, Edoras' great hall.

Resolving this conflict is awkward. One solution, though not an entirely happy one, is to assume that Eorl's 'green hill' was not in fact the site of Edoras, but the location where his house at Aldburg would be built, and that Edoras was founded by his son some decades later.

2

Most of the features shown on this map are well established, with the exception being Aldburg, the former capital of Rohan. That is not shown on any map; its location here is based on textual references, and may not be precise.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 15 November 2009
  • Updates planned: 1

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