“But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am Éomund's daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you are not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you if you touch him.”
– The Return of the King, “The Battle of the Pelennor Fields”
Éowyn was a shieldmaiden [1] and noblewoman and was the niece of King Théoden of Rohan. She was the second child of his younger sister Théodwyn, and Éomund of Easthold. Éomer, who was the Third Marshal of the Mark, was her older brother. She longed to prove her worth in battle but was relegated to the sidelines to watch her brother and the Riders of Rohan go off to fight and gain all the glory. Just as she asked Aragorn, “Too often have I heard of duty, but am I not of the House of Eorl, a shieldmaiden and not a dry-nurse?”
Éowyn has been described as tall, slim, and fair. She had long golden hair, pale skin, and gray eyes. She possessed a noble grace, and had a stoic yet sad demeanor, after sacrificing her own happiness for the care of her weakened uncle. She was a courageous young woman, also known as the White Lady of Rohan, and all of Rohan loved her.
Éomer lent them three horses to help them in their search. Later, to their surprise, they were reunited with Gandalf, who somehow survived his duel with the Balrog in the Mines of Moria. He told them that Merry and Pippin were safe with Treebeard and the Ents. They followed him to the city of Edoras, the capital of Rohan, to seek an audience with King Théoden. At Meduseld, they found Théoden weakened and under the sway of Grima Wormtongue, and that his son Théodred was slain in Isen. Gandalf freed the King from Grima’s influence and brought him back to his senses. Now restored, Théoden gave Grima the option to join the fight against Sauron or be banished from Rohan. Wormtongue’s desire for Éowyn was laid bare when Gandalf confronted him before Théoden.
This Éomer suspected all along and wanted to kill him. Gandalf asked Wormtongue if she was to be one of the prizes that Saruman had promised him for manipulating the King. Despite all of the evils that Grima wrought, Théoden allowed him to leave unharmed but warned him not to set foot on Rohan ever again. He vowed to help in the war against Sauron, but first, they had to deal with Saruman. Théoden was to lead a host that would ride from Edoras to the fortress Hornberg in Helm’s Deep. Before they left, he declared Éomer as heir to his throne. He left Éowyn in charge while he was away and instructed her to go with the people and take refuge in Dunharrow. Éowyn gave a drink to her uncle and wished him good health. She also offered it to their guests, including Aragorn. That’s when she started to fall in love with him.
Éowyn could only watch in sadness as the host of Rohan rode off to the West. They somehow managed to defeat Saruman’s orc army, which laid siege to the Hornberg. After that, they found Saruman’s fortress, Isengard, in ruins. It turned out to be the work of the Ents, along with Merry and Pippin. They eventually left Saruman holed up in Orthanc and were defeated. Théoden and the host soon set off for Dunharrow to get back to Éowyn and his people. Aragorn and the Grey Company arrived in Dunharrow early, and Éowyn was glad to see them safe. That night she and Aragorn talked at length with each other about the events that happened. Upon learning that he intends to ride to the Paths of the Dead, she feared for his life and pleaded for him to reconsider.
He told her that it was something that he must do. Without hesitation, she offered to ride with him into peril because she was tired of waiting around and wished to fight. Aragorn, however, reminded her that her duty was with her people. To this, she related her frustrations of being a woman not allowed to fight and can only wait at home for the dead or to care for the injured. The following day, when Aragorn and his Company were about to depart, she begged him on her knees to let her come with him. He refused and told her he had no right to bring her without the permission of her uncle and her brother, who were still away. He left her heartbroken and wondering if she will ever see him again. Soon the war shifted to Gondor. Théoden received a message from Denethor, The Steward of Gondor, asking for Rohan’s help as Minas Tirith would quickly come under siege.
Merry wanted to come with them, but the King would have none of it. Éowyn, who was disguised as a young man, introduced herself to Merry as Dernhelm. She offered to carry him on her steed, and he accepted. As Théoden promised to the messenger, he mustered six thousand of the Rohirrim to follow him towards the besieged city. Éowyn rode her horse as close to the King as possible. The battle took place in the Pelennor Fields outside the walls of Minas Tirith. There, they saw the Dark Lord’s massive horde had already breached the city’s main gate.
From the skies, the Nazgûl were riding on giant winged creatures and leading the assault. The host of Rohan joined the battle with Théoden and Éomer leading the charge, followed closely by Dernhelm with Pippin. The riders fought valiantly even when facing overwhelming odds. They slew a lot of the enemies and caused many of them to flee. The tide of the battle was turning in their favor. However, at one point, Théoden came under attack from the Lord of the Nazgûl and was mortally wounded. He was pinned under his horse and waiting for the final blow from the enemy. Thrown off their steed, Merry saw Dernhelm come by Théoden’s side and warned the Witch-King of Angmar to leave the dead in peace.
The Witch-King threatened him with a fate more horrible than death. The young man bravely told the Nazgûl Lord to do what he wants, but he “will hinder it” if he can. The Nazgûl scoffed and told him, “No living man may hinder me!” To this, Éowyn, who finally revealed herself replied: ”But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am Éomund's daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you are not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you if you touch him.” After a growing doubt, the Nazgûl Lord finally attacked her. Deftly, she beheaded its winged mount and killed it. The Nazgûl crushed her shield and broke her arm with a swing from his mace. Merry, who had been watching them, stabbed it behind the knee, giving her time to thrust her sword into its head and slay it before she collapsed to the ground. The King was still alive but died after saying his farewells to Merry and Éomer, who had found them there. He also saw Éowyn lying unconscious near them. Thinking that she too was dead, he left them to continue the fight.
Denethor’s son, Faramir, was gravely wounded in the retreat following the fall of Osgiliath. In a moment of madness at the height of the siege, Denethor tried to burn his unconscious son alive. Gandalf was able to stop him in the nick of time. Overcome with guilt and remorse, Denethor took his own life by jumping into the pyre and burning himself to death. They routed what remained of Sauron’s forces in Minas Tirith in what was to be known as The Battle of the Pelennor Fields. As it turned out, Éowyn was not dead, and her deeds in the battle began to spread throughout the city. As they carried Théoden’s remains and Éowyn into the city, all the people bared and bowed their heads in respect. They brought her to the Houses of Healing along with Merry and Faramir. There, they were tended to by Aragorn and Gandalf. Éowyn was left behind to recover in Minas Tirith as their combined forces marched to Morannon for the final battle. There, she met Faramir, and they both fell madly in love with each other.
– The Return of the King, “The Battle of the Pelennor Fields”
Éowyn was a shieldmaiden [1] and noblewoman and was the niece of King Théoden of Rohan. She was the second child of his younger sister Théodwyn, and Éomund of Easthold. Éomer, who was the Third Marshal of the Mark, was her older brother. She longed to prove her worth in battle but was relegated to the sidelines to watch her brother and the Riders of Rohan go off to fight and gain all the glory. Just as she asked Aragorn, “Too often have I heard of duty, but am I not of the House of Eorl, a shieldmaiden and not a dry-nurse?”
Éowyn has been described as tall, slim, and fair. She had long golden hair, pale skin, and gray eyes. She possessed a noble grace, and had a stoic yet sad demeanor, after sacrificing her own happiness for the care of her weakened uncle. She was a courageous young woman, also known as the White Lady of Rohan, and all of Rohan loved her.
Younger Years
Éowyn’s father Éomund was a devoted Marshal of the Mark in charge of defending the east marshes against orcs. When she was seven, he was slain by orcs during a battle in the Emyn Muil. In the same year, she and her brother became orphans when their mother, Théodwyn, suddenly fell ill and died soon after. Ever since then, they lived with their uncle, King Théoden, and his son Théodred in Meduseld. There, he raised and took care of them as if they were his own. For many years, it was her turn to care of her uncle, the King, who fell into decline under the sway of Grima Wormtongue. Unknown to their people, Grima was a servant of Saruman the White, who was out to control Rohan.War of the Ring
After the death of Boromir, it was only Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli that remained of the Company Aragorn was torn between finding Frodo, who left them to go into Mordor with Sam or follow the Orc tracks to rescue Merry and Pippin. They decided to rescue their hobbit comrades from the orcs. After four days of following their trail, they crossed paths with Éomer and the Riders of Rohan, who said that they had killed all the orcs they were pursuing.Éomer lent them three horses to help them in their search. Later, to their surprise, they were reunited with Gandalf, who somehow survived his duel with the Balrog in the Mines of Moria. He told them that Merry and Pippin were safe with Treebeard and the Ents. They followed him to the city of Edoras, the capital of Rohan, to seek an audience with King Théoden. At Meduseld, they found Théoden weakened and under the sway of Grima Wormtongue, and that his son Théodred was slain in Isen. Gandalf freed the King from Grima’s influence and brought him back to his senses. Now restored, Théoden gave Grima the option to join the fight against Sauron or be banished from Rohan. Wormtongue’s desire for Éowyn was laid bare when Gandalf confronted him before Théoden.
This Éomer suspected all along and wanted to kill him. Gandalf asked Wormtongue if she was to be one of the prizes that Saruman had promised him for manipulating the King. Despite all of the evils that Grima wrought, Théoden allowed him to leave unharmed but warned him not to set foot on Rohan ever again. He vowed to help in the war against Sauron, but first, they had to deal with Saruman. Théoden was to lead a host that would ride from Edoras to the fortress Hornberg in Helm’s Deep. Before they left, he declared Éomer as heir to his throne. He left Éowyn in charge while he was away and instructed her to go with the people and take refuge in Dunharrow. Éowyn gave a drink to her uncle and wished him good health. She also offered it to their guests, including Aragorn. That’s when she started to fall in love with him.
Éowyn could only watch in sadness as the host of Rohan rode off to the West. They somehow managed to defeat Saruman’s orc army, which laid siege to the Hornberg. After that, they found Saruman’s fortress, Isengard, in ruins. It turned out to be the work of the Ents, along with Merry and Pippin. They eventually left Saruman holed up in Orthanc and were defeated. Théoden and the host soon set off for Dunharrow to get back to Éowyn and his people. Aragorn and the Grey Company arrived in Dunharrow early, and Éowyn was glad to see them safe. That night she and Aragorn talked at length with each other about the events that happened. Upon learning that he intends to ride to the Paths of the Dead, she feared for his life and pleaded for him to reconsider.
He told her that it was something that he must do. Without hesitation, she offered to ride with him into peril because she was tired of waiting around and wished to fight. Aragorn, however, reminded her that her duty was with her people. To this, she related her frustrations of being a woman not allowed to fight and can only wait at home for the dead or to care for the injured. The following day, when Aragorn and his Company were about to depart, she begged him on her knees to let her come with him. He refused and told her he had no right to bring her without the permission of her uncle and her brother, who were still away. He left her heartbroken and wondering if she will ever see him again. Soon the war shifted to Gondor. Théoden received a message from Denethor, The Steward of Gondor, asking for Rohan’s help as Minas Tirith would quickly come under siege.
Merry wanted to come with them, but the King would have none of it. Éowyn, who was disguised as a young man, introduced herself to Merry as Dernhelm. She offered to carry him on her steed, and he accepted. As Théoden promised to the messenger, he mustered six thousand of the Rohirrim to follow him towards the besieged city. Éowyn rode her horse as close to the King as possible. The battle took place in the Pelennor Fields outside the walls of Minas Tirith. There, they saw the Dark Lord’s massive horde had already breached the city’s main gate.
From the skies, the Nazgûl were riding on giant winged creatures and leading the assault. The host of Rohan joined the battle with Théoden and Éomer leading the charge, followed closely by Dernhelm with Pippin. The riders fought valiantly even when facing overwhelming odds. They slew a lot of the enemies and caused many of them to flee. The tide of the battle was turning in their favor. However, at one point, Théoden came under attack from the Lord of the Nazgûl and was mortally wounded. He was pinned under his horse and waiting for the final blow from the enemy. Thrown off their steed, Merry saw Dernhelm come by Théoden’s side and warned the Witch-King of Angmar to leave the dead in peace.
The Witch-King threatened him with a fate more horrible than death. The young man bravely told the Nazgûl Lord to do what he wants, but he “will hinder it” if he can. The Nazgûl scoffed and told him, “No living man may hinder me!” To this, Éowyn, who finally revealed herself replied: ”But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am Éomund's daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you are not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you if you touch him.” After a growing doubt, the Nazgûl Lord finally attacked her. Deftly, she beheaded its winged mount and killed it. The Nazgûl crushed her shield and broke her arm with a swing from his mace. Merry, who had been watching them, stabbed it behind the knee, giving her time to thrust her sword into its head and slay it before she collapsed to the ground. The King was still alive but died after saying his farewells to Merry and Éomer, who had found them there. He also saw Éowyn lying unconscious near them. Thinking that she too was dead, he left them to continue the fight.
Denethor’s son, Faramir, was gravely wounded in the retreat following the fall of Osgiliath. In a moment of madness at the height of the siege, Denethor tried to burn his unconscious son alive. Gandalf was able to stop him in the nick of time. Overcome with guilt and remorse, Denethor took his own life by jumping into the pyre and burning himself to death. They routed what remained of Sauron’s forces in Minas Tirith in what was to be known as The Battle of the Pelennor Fields. As it turned out, Éowyn was not dead, and her deeds in the battle began to spread throughout the city. As they carried Théoden’s remains and Éowyn into the city, all the people bared and bowed their heads in respect. They brought her to the Houses of Healing along with Merry and Faramir. There, they were tended to by Aragorn and Gandalf. Éowyn was left behind to recover in Minas Tirith as their combined forces marched to Morannon for the final battle. There, she met Faramir, and they both fell madly in love with each other.
Later Years
After the Dark Lord’s defeat, Merry became a Knight of the Riddlemark at Éowyn’s behest. She attended her uncle’s funeral and her brother Éomer’s coronation in Edoras. Faramir married Éowyn, and they settled on the hills of Emyn Arnen in Ithilien. She bore him a son, and they named him Elboron.Tolkien’s Take
Tolkien’s original intention was for Éowyn to be Aragorn’s love interest but later deemed her too young for him. He also thought about Aragon regretting not marrying her and genuinely falling in love with her. At one point, Éowyn was supposed to gain redemption and revenge, but paying the price with her life. She ended up with Faramir, who was a late character addition.Portrayals
Nellie Bellflower lent her voice for Éowyn in the Rankin/Bass The Return of the King animation for TV in 1980. Miranda Otto played as Éowyn in Peter Jackson’s movie adaptation of The Two Towers in 2002, and The Return of The King in 2003.Éowyn family tree
References
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Feminine names
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Rohirrim
The Lord of the Rings
