Who Takes Over Rohan after King Théoden Falls? His Nephew Éomer, Of Course!
As a hardcore fan who knows way too much Tolkien lore, I was thrilled to dig deeper on who succeeded brave King Théoden after his tragic demise in battle. And the inheritance goes to…his beloved sister-son Éomer, Third Marshal of Riddermark! An obvious choice for us fans. 😉
See, Théoden had no living children. So by Rohan‘s inheritance rules, crown passes to the oldest nephew or niece.
Éomer‘s Total Credentials as Future King
Even before his uncle‘s death, Éomer had already proven himself as a courageous leader and beastly warrior! After getting unfairly banished and rebelling against Wormtongue, he brought a huge loyal army to turn the tide at Helm‘s Deep. That‘s some leadership right there.
We also know Éomer and his sister Éowyn were the children of Théoden‘s sister, born after her husband died. So pretty strong claim to the throne if you ask me!
Oh, and here‘s a juicy historical fact. Éomer‘s father Eomund was chief marshal of the Riddermark. So marshal skills clearly run in this bloodline! No wonder he rose up to become Third Marshal himself before taking the crown.
There‘s no questioning Éomer was 100% born for this destiny. Especially with that bond he forged with Aragorn right away. Major strategic move for Rohan!
Leadership Comparison: He Measures Up!
| Leader | Battle Record | Loyalty | Temperament | Alliance Building | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Théoden 👑 | Helm‘s Deep W | Beloved | Influenced in late reign | Gondor ally | Died in battle |
| Éomer 👑 | Multiple wins | Deep roots | Hot temper but matured | Strengthened Gondor bonds | Legendary years as king |
| Éowyn | Slayed Witch King | Respected | Yearned for glory | Found love in Gondor | Long life in Ithilien |
Look at how Éomer clearly measures up to (or exceeds) his uncle‘s rule! Rohan definitely chose right.
And while Éowyn proved her amazing quality on the battlefield taking out that Witch King, she decided to ditch any claim to Rohan‘s throne. Choosing instead her happily ever after with Faramir in Ithilien.
So nope, her husband Faramir never had any shot ruling over his wife‘s homeland. He became Prince of Ithilien after their forces retook the region, appointed by newly-crowned King Elessar.
But back to the real heir to Rohan – Éomer‘s dominance was ON DISPLAY from the moment Théoden died.
The Glorious Reign of King Éomer
Rohan‘s new sire led vicious charges breaking the enemy‘s ranks, fighting on relentlessly through tears and pain until final victory.
But unlike his heated temper in youth, Éomer showed wisdom and forgiveness too – even offering mercy to his old foe Gríma Wormtongue. Building unity was important for healing Rohan‘s divisions.
The Rise of Rohan‘s Warrior King
With brave Éomer at the helm, Rohan stood strong. He brought them into a new golden age! Allied with Gondor they crushed all unrest, punished raiders, and renewed the fortress at Helm‘s Deep.
His reign blessed Rohan with over 60 years of prosperity and no invasions according to lore I recently read in Unfinished Tales. Dang. Plus according to legend, Éomer lived until he was 102 years old before finally passing into great glory.
Four generations of descendants followed from Éomer and his son Elfwine. That includes some of the greatest shieldmaidens and marshals ever to walk the Riddermark!
And the bonds between Rohan and Gondor? Secured for all posterity thanks to Éomer‘s vision. Trade and support flowed freely, keeping both realms happy for ages to come.
So Rohan definitely lucked out with Éomer‘s quick rise to the throne after King Théoden‘s tragic loss at Pelennor Fields. It takes a special leader to follow a figure as legendary as Thengel‘s son Théoden. But Éomer more than lived up to the hype!
This super fan gives his sealing of approval – two big thumbs up! 👍👍 What do you think of Rohan‘s fortunes under Éomer? Share any reactions in the comments!
