The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Came into existence with the foundation of Rohan in III 2510
Location
Associated with the land of Rohan
Origins
Founded by Eorl the Young
Race
Division
Family
Ruled by the House of Eorl
Settlements
The chief city of the Rohirrim was Edoras; other notable settlements and fortifications include the former capital Aldburg, Dunharrow, Grimslade, the Hornburg, Underharrow and Upbourn
Pronunciation
rohi'rrim
Meaning
'Host of the Horse-lords'1
Other names

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 23 July 2004
  • Updates planned: 18

Rohirrim

The Horse-lords of Rohan

Hildor
The first Men
Wild Men
Edain
Middle Peoples
Northmen
The Éothéod
Rohirrim

The Rohirrim were descended from the so-called Middle Peoples, Men who shared an ancient kinship with the ancestors of the Edain. Note that the detailed descent of the Northmen is rather more complex than shown here, and according to some readings the Rohirrim were ultimately descended from the 'Edain' branch of this tree. See the entry for 'Northmen' for a detailed discussion on this topic.

The people of Rohan. Originally descended from the Éothéod of the North. When Eorl was granted the land of Rohan, his people became known as the Rohirrim, from the Elvish for 'Host (or People) of the Horse-lords'.


Notes

1

A rohir is a lord (hir) who rides a horse (roch); a word that could reasonably be translated 'knight'. In many languages, the word for knight makes specific reference to his steed, as in French chevalier or Latin eques, but this link has been lost in English. The Elvish word rohir appears in one other important place, the name of Elrond's son Elrohir, which means 'Elf-knight'.

See also...

Aglarond, Aldor the Old, Amon Anwar, Ashes, Athrad Angren, Bardings, Battle of the Field of Gondor, Battle of the Hornburg, Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Battles of the Fords of Isen, Beacons of Gondor, Brytta Léofa, Cair Andros, Caverns of Helm’s Deep, Ceorl, [See the full list...]

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 23 July 2004
  • Updates planned: 18

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