Edoras

Edoras sits alone on a hill in the valley mouth below the White Mountains, in the south of Rohan, with Harrowdale and Dunharrow behind it and the open plains of the Mark stretching north. The Snowbourn runs past the hill on its way to join the Entwash. A dike and a wall of timber ring the town, and a single road climbs to the gate.

Brego son of Eorl built Meduseld, the golden hall, and made Edoras the seat of the kings in the second generation of the realm. The roof is thatched with gold, the pillars are carved, and the doorward Háma kept the custom that no weapon passed the threshold. The roof is described as glinting like gold when the sun catches it, and the hall can be seen from far out on the plain.

Two lines of barrows stand below the town, kings of the first line on one side and the second on the other, covered in the small white flower called simbelmynë. Every king from Eorl onward lies there.

On 2 March TA 3019 Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli rode to Edoras and were kept waiting at the door. Inside they found Théoden bent under the counsel of Gríma Wormtongue, who had been feeding him despair on Saruman's behalf. Gandalf drove Wormtongue out, Théoden took up his sword and rode out the same day. Éowyn was left in charge of the people, who went up to Dunharrow for safety.

Théoden came back to Edoras in a wain after the Pelennor and was buried in the eighth mound of the second line. At the feast that followed, Éomer was hailed king and Faramir and Éowyn were betrothed.

Events at this place

1. TA 2569 · Appendices

   Meduseld built

   Brego son of Eorl completed the golden hall at Edoras and made it the seat of the kings of the Mark.

2. TA 2758 · Appendices

   Wulf takes Edoras

   Dunlendings under Wulf seized the town in the Long Winter and killed Haleth son of Helm at the doors of Meduseld.

3. TA 3019, March 2 · The Lord of the Rings

   Gandalf frees Théoden

   On 2 March Gandalf broke Wormtongue's hold over the king. Théoden armed himself and rode west toward the Fords of Isen.

4. TA 3019, August 10 · The Lord of the Rings

   Burial of Théoden

   The king's body was brought home from Minas Tirith and laid in a mound below Edoras, and Éomer was acclaimed king.

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