Dates

Came into existence with the foundation of Rohan in III 2510¹

Location

Originated in the Éothéod in the far North, but the term most usually applies to these people after they settled in Rohan

Origins

The followers of Eorl the Young and their descendants

Race

Men

Division

Northmen

Culture

Rohirrim

Settlements

Eorl's original northern capital had been at Framsburg in the Éothéod; the seat of the Kings in Rohan was originally at Aldburg before being permanently settled at Edoras

Pronunciation

ea'rlings

Meaning

'Children or followers of Eorl'²

Other names

Éoherë, Eorlingas, Forgoil, Horse-boys, Horsebreeders, Horse-lords, Horse-men, Horsemen of the North, Horsemen of Rohan, Men of the Mark, Men of the Riddermark, Men of Rohan, Riders of Rohan, Riders of the Mark, Robbers of the North, Rohirrim, Sons of Eorl, Strawheads, Whiteskins

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Updated 28 May 2023
This entry is complete

Eorlings

The people of Rohan

Years of the TreesFirst AgeISecond AgeIIThird AgeIIIFourth AgeIV

A name taken by the northern people who resettled among the green fields of Calenardhon after the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. Calendardhon was gifted to them by Steward Cirion of Gondor, who had been aided by these people under their lord, Eorl the Young. It is from Eorl's name that the word 'Eorlings' is taken: it refers his followers and descendants (though in fact 'Eorlings' is a modernisation of the older and more common form, Eorlingas). These were the people better known as the Riders of Rohan or the Rohirrim.

Notes

The term Eorlings is usually used to describe the Men of Rohan, and Rohan came into existence in III 2510. Strictly speaking, it should be said that Eorl the Young became Lord of his people in the northern land of the Éothéod nine years before the founding of Rohan. So, in the broad sense of 'followers of Eorl', Eorlings had actually existed since Eorl became Lord of the Éothéod in III 2501.

The Old English ending -ing had various meanings, but attached to a personal name it usually meant 'children' or 'descendants'. In Rohan, however, Eorlings was used in a more general and figurative sense, to describe not just the literal descendants of Eorl the Young, but all the Men of Rohan, the people of the land that Eorl had founded.

Eorlings

The people of Rohan

Notes

See also...

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