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Théoden in Tengwar

"Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!
spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
"
The Return of the King, Book V, Ch. V: "The Ride of the Rohirrim"

Théoden, son of Thengel and Morwen Steelsheen, was the seventeenth King of Rohan, last of the Second Line of the royal House of Eorl.

Biography[]

Early years[]

Théoden was the only son of Thengel, and became king after the death of his father in TA 2980. Théoden spoke Sindarin and Westron more often than Rohanese, due to the influence of his father, and spent a part of his youth growing up in the mountain vales of Gondor, his mother's homeland.[1]

His sister Théodwyn lived with him in Edoras, and after she and her husband both died he adopted her children Éomer and Éowyn as his own. He had a son Théodred, whose mother, Elfhild, died at childbirth.[1]

War of the Ring[]

By the time of the War of the Ring, Théoden had been king for nearly 40 years, and was becoming old and tired. He was increasingly misled by his chief adviser Gríma (or Wormtongue as most others in the Mark called him), who was secretly in the employ of Saruman the White. Gríma may even have been poisoning Théoden. In the last years before the War of the Ring, Théoden let his rule slip out of his hands, and Gríma gained an increasingly large hold over him. Rohan had been troubled by Orcs and Dunlendings since the time of his father and now by the new fighting Uruk-hai, who operated under the will of Saruman, ruling from Isengard.[3]

GRIMA ~1

Grima with Théoden, under a spell, in the Golden Hall of Meduseld

When Théoden's son Théodred was mortally wounded at the First Battle of the Fords of Isen with the Orcs of Saruman, his nephew Éomer became his heir. Éomer however fell out of favor with Wormtongue and was placed under arrest.

Theoden with Herugrim - TtT

Théoden upon reclaiming his sword, Herugrim

When Gandalf the White, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli appeared before him, Théoden initially rebuked Gandalf's advice to resist Saruman, but after being released from the effects of Gríma, he commanded Háma to release his nephew and bring him his sword. Théoden, under advice from Gandalf, advanced to face the invasion by the forces of Saruman. However on meeting Ceorl on the road and realising the strength of Isengard he rode instead to the fortress of the Hornburg, and shortly thereafter successfully defended the keep at the Battle of the Hornburg despite overwhelming odds. After this, he became known as Théoden Ednew, the Renewed, because he had thrown off the yoke of Saruman.

Following the battle, Théoden came with Gandalf to the ruins of Isengard, where he met Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. He soon had favor for Merry, and expressed great interest in hearing more about the Shire, especially Hobbit lore surrounding pipe-weed. Riding to Dunharrow by mountain paths, Théoden arrived to find the muster of the Rohirrim in full swing. That night, errand riders from Gondor arrived and presented him with the Red Arrow, a symbol of dire need and summons to fulfill the Oath of Eorl.

Théoden then led six thousand Rohirrim to the aid of Gondor at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, bravely charging the legions of Sauron, where he won great glory by defeating a chieftain of the Southrons along with the bearer of a banner depicting a black serpent.[5]


"Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a king of old"
Tolkien's description of Théoden charging the Orcs
Theoden's death

King Théoden dies

Théodren vs Southron, Kip Rasm

Théoden slaying the Harad leader, by Kip Rasmussen

He challenged the Witch-king of the nine Ringwraiths, and was mortally wounded when his horse Snowmane fell upon him after being spooked by the Witch-king's winged steed. He was quickly protected by Éowyn and Merry, both of whom had ridden to war in secret.[5]

Théoden's wounds were mortal and he perished on the Pelennor Fields. His body was preserved in the Hallows of Minas Tirith until Éomer returned with a cortege. Théoden was then buried in the Barrowfield outside Edoras, the last king of the second line.[6]

After his death, the Rohirrim minstrel Gléowine composed a song for him and the other Kings of Rohan.[6]

Out of doubt, out of dark, to the day's rising
he rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.
Hope he rekindled, and in hope he ended;
over death, over dread, over doom lifted
out of loss, out of life, unto long glory.

Etymology[]

The name Théoden is taken from the Anglo-Saxon word þeoden, meaning "lord". It is related to the Old Norse word þjóðann, meaning "leader of the people" (i.e. "King"). It might have been translated from the original Rohanese Tûrac, an old word for "king".[7]

In other versions[]

In one of J.R.R. Tolkien's early drafts of his The Lord of the Rings story, Théoden also had a daughter named Idis. She often appeared alongside her cousin Éowyn, but never spoke, and was always overshadowed by her.[8]

Quotes[]

"Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! Spears shall be shaken, Shields shall be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! Death! Death! Death! Forth Eorlingas"
Théoden at the Pelennor Fields, to his great army
"Farewell, my hobbits! May we meet again in my house! There you shall sit beside me and tell me all that your hearts desire: the deeds of your grandsires, as far back as you can reckon them; and we will speak also of Tobold the Old and his herb-lore, Farewell!"
Théoden departing from the Hobbits at Isengard
"We will have peace, when you and all your works have perished-and the works of your dark master whom you would deliver us. You are a liar, Saruman, and corrupter of men's hearts. You hold out your hand to me, and I perceive only a finger of the claw of Mordor."
Théoden
"Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountain... Like wind in the meadow. The days have come down in the west, behind the hills... Into shadow."
Théoden to Gamling at Helm's Deep
"We shall have peace. We shall have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold, and the children that lie dead there. When the lives of the soldiers, whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the Gates of the Hornburg are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet, for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace."
Théoden King to Saruman
"I will not end here, taken like an old badger in a trap. When dawn comes, I will bid men sound Helm's horn, and I will ride forth. Will your ride with me, then, son of Arathorn? At least...we may make such an end, as will be worth a song!"
Théoden

House of Eorl[]

   
   
Eorl the Young
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Brego
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Baldor
   
   
Aldor
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Éofor
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Fréa
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Fréawine
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Goldwine
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Déor
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Gram
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Helm
Hammerhand
   
   
Hild
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Fréaláf Hildeson
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Haleth
   
   
Brytta Léofa
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Háma
   
   
Walda
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Unnamed
daughter
   
   
Folca
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Folcwine
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Folcred
   
   
Fastred
   
   
Fengel
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Thengel
   
   
Morwen
Steelsheen
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Elfhild
   
   
Théoden
   
   
   
   
Théodwyn
   
   
   
   
Éomund

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Théodred
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Lothíriel
   
   
Éomer
   
   
   
   
   
   
Éowyn
   
   
Faramir
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Elfwine
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Elboron
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Barahir


In adaptations[]

Radio versions (1956)[]

In the The Lord of the Rings (1956 radio series), he was voiced by Valentine Dyall, and in The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series) he was voiced by Erik Bauersfeld, and in 1981 BBC Radio 4 adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, Théoden's healing is described in song rather than dramatised conventionally, which tends to lessen its impact. In this adaptation he was voiced by Jack May of The Archers fame.

Ralph Bakshi's Theoden

Théoden (1978)

Ralph Bakshi (1978)[]

In The Lord of the Rings (1978 film), Théoden was voiced by Philip Stone.

Rankin-Bass's Theoden

Théoden (1980)

Rankin-Bass (1980)[]

In The Return of the King (1980 film), Théoden was voiced by Don Messick.

The Lord of the Rings film trilogy[]

"Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? It has passed like rain on the mountain, like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the West, behind the hills, into shadow."
Théoden, to Gamling, in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Theoden at helms deep

Théoden at the Battle of the Hornburg

Théoden, portrayed by Bernard Hill, is a major character and secondary protagonist in Peter Jackson's film trilogy. He appears in The Two Towers and The Return of the King. Théoden is depicted as a considerate leader and mighty warrior who does not believe that Sauron can be defeated; however, he wishes to die with honor and make him and his people "worthy of remembrance."

In The Two Towers, Théoden is initially outright possessed by Saruman, in a deviation from the books. While under Saruman's spell, Théoden appears extremely aged, with grey hair and glassy eyes, and is unwilling to defend Rohan from the Dunlendings and Uruk-hai pillaging the Westfold. After Théoden's son Théodred is killed by Orcs, the new heir Éomer is banished by Wormtongue (on "orders" of the king) from Edoras; he takes with him some 2,000 Rohirrim riders.

Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas arrive in Edoras and Gandalf frees Théoden from Saruman's spell. The king recovers his sanity and a healthy appearance, and banishes Gríma (though originally desiring to execute the spy). Théoden mourns his son and decides that the best way to defend his people is to evacuate the people of Edoras to Helm's Deep, a decision Gandalf criticizes.

In The Two Towers, Théoden seems unsure as to whether his countrymen can fend off Saruman's hordes. Before the Battle of the Hornburg, he poetically expresses his belief that the world of men is soon to be destroyed. As the Uruk-hai overwhelm the fortress, he seems resigned to his fate; when he "rides out" with Aragorn on a final suicide charge, it is more so in order to die with honor than to actually defeat the Uruk-hai. However, Gandalf arrives during their charge and liberates Helm's Deep. The victors ride to Isengard to challenge Saruman, only to find the Ents have already defeated his forces and sealed him in his tower. Saruman attempts to persuade Théoden to make peace with him, but the king rejects him. Seeing Gríma atop Orthanc, he offers to grant him clemency, but as the former man of Rohan wavers, Saruman strikes him down. In revenge, Gríma stabs his master in the back before being felled by Legolas' arrow.

Théoden-LOTRO

Théoden in The Lord of the Rings Online

By The Return of the King, Théoden has become more confident in himself and his people. He boldly declares that Rohan will answer Gondor's call for aid once the Beacons of Minas Tirith are lit, and he assembles an army of 6,000 riders to liberate Gondor from Mordor's armies. Though he does not believe that his men can actually defeat Sauron, he inspires the Rohirrim to ride to Gondor's aid for the sake of honor.

At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Théoden leads the Rohirrim in their charge against the Orcish armies. The Rohirrim largely defeat the Orcs only to face a greater challenge in Harad's Mûmakil. Théoden's riders appear well on the way to victory when the Witch-king of Angmar arrives and throws Théoden from his steed. The king is crushed beneath his horse, and is about to be eaten by the Witch-king's Nazgûl-bird when Éowyn intervenes. Théoden lives long enough to witness his niece kill the Witch-king before succumbing to his injuries.

In the epilogue, it is implied that Éomer ascends to the throne of Rohan, although earlier in The Return of the King film, Théoden had suggested that Éowyn should rule if anything were to happen to him in the battle at Minas Tirith.

Video games[]

Voice dubbing actors[]

Foreign Language Voice dubbing artist
Czech (Czech Republic) Jiří Plachý
French (France) Roger Mollien
German Reinhard Glemnitz
Hungarian László Újréti
Italian (Italy) Stefano De Sando
Japanese Katsuhiko Sasaki
Portuguese (Brazil) (Television/DVD) Carlos Campanile
Spanish (Latin America) Rogelio Guerra
Spanish (Spain) Jesús Díez
Turkish Erhan Abir

Gallery[]

Translations[]

Foreign Language Translated name
Amharic ጥሄኦደን
Arabic ثيودين
Armenian Տհեոդեն
Belarusian Cyrillic Тhеоден
Bengali থথিওডেন
Bulgarian Cyrillic Теоден
Burmese သီအိုဒမ္
Chinese (Hong Kong) 希優頓
Georgian თეოდონი
Greek Θέοντεν
Gujarati થિઓડેન
Hebrew תיאודן
Hindi ठेओदेन
Japanese セオデン
Kannada ಥಿಯೋಡೆನ್
Kazakh Теоден (Cyrillic) Teoden (Latin)
Korean 세오덴
Kyrgyz Cyrillic Тhэодэн
Laotian ຕຫເໂດເນ
Macedonian Cyrillic Тхеоден
Marathi ठेओदेन
Mongolian Cyrillic Тhеоден
Nepalese ठेओदेन
Pashto طهېودېن ?
Persian تئودن
Punjabi ਠੇਓਦੇਨ
Russian Теоден
Sanskrit ठेओदेन्
Serbian Теоден (Cyrillic) Teoden (Latin)
Sinhalese තියොඩන්
Tajik Cyrillic Тҳеоден
Tamil ட்ஹெஒதெந்
Telugu ఠెఒదెన
Thai เธโอเดน
Ukrainian Cyrillic Теоден
Urdu ٹہیودان
Uzbek Тҳеоден (Cyrillic) Théoden (Latin)
Yiddish טהעאָדען
King of Rohan
Preceded by
Thengel
Théoden Succeeded by
Éomer Éadig
TA 2980 - TA 3019


References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: Annals of the Kings and Rulers, II: The House of Eorl
  2. The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, Book Three, Chapter X: "The Voice of Saruman"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Lord of the Rings, The Towers, Book Three, Chapter VI: "The King of the Golden Hall"
  4. The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B: The Tale of Years (Chronology of the Westlands), "The Great Years"
  5. 5.0 5.1 The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, Book Five, Chapter VI: "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"
  6. 6.0 6.1 The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, Book Six, Chapter VI: "Many Partings"
  7. The History of Middle-earth, Vol. XII: The Peoples of Middle-earth, II: "The Appendix on Languages"
  8. The History of Middle-earth, Vol. VII: The Treason of Isengard, chapter XXVI: "The King of the Golden Hall"
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