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Tolkien character
AliasesTûrac (actual Rohirric name), Ednew
Lord of the Mark, King of Rohan
RaceMen of Rohan
Book(s)The Two Towers,
The Return of the King

Théoden is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings. The King and Lord of the Mark of Rohan, he appears as a major supporting character in The Two Towers and The Return of the King. When first introduced, Théoden is weak with age and sorrow and the machinations of his top advisor, Gríma Wormtongue, and he does nothing as his kingdom is crumbling. Once roused by Gandalf, however, he becomes an instrumental ally in the war against Saruman and Sauron.






At that sound the bent shape of [King Théoden] sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before: “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!”

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King




The appendices of The Return of the King explain that Théoden was the only son of King Thengel and Morwen of Lossarnach (a region of Gondor). He was the second-born of five children, and the only boy. Théoden was closest to his youngest sister, Théodwyn. He was born in Gondor, where his family lived until Thengel became king of Rohan. Théoden became king after the death of his father. Théodwyn lived with him in Edoras. He married Elfhild, but she died giving birth to their son, Théodred. After Théodwyn and her husband, Éomund, also died, he adopted their children, Éomer and Éowyn.

In his prime, Théoden was a strong and vital king, highly respected by his subjects. As with other Men of the Riddermark, Théoden was a skilled horseman. He acted as the First Marshal of the Mark after the death of Éomund, who had filled that position; as First Marshal he commanded the Muster of Edoras. (Théodred and Éomer were, respectively, the Second and Third Marshal.) His sword was called Herugrim.

Names and titles[edit]


"þeoden," an Old English word for "prince," "leader," "king"


Concept and creation[edit]



Portrayal in adaptations[edit]


In Ralph Bakshi's 1978 animated version of The Lord of the Rings, the voice of Théoden was provided by Philip Stone. Théoden also appears in Rankin/Bass's attempt to complete the story left unfinished by Bakshi in their television adaptation of The Return of the King, though he speaks little, and is voiced by Don Messick. His death is narrated by Gandalf (voiced by John Huston).


Peter Jackson adaption[edit]

Théoden is an important character in Peter Jackson's film adaption of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. As in the books, the character (played by Bernard Hill) first makes an appearance in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002). However, unlike in the books, the Lord of the Mark is actually possessed and prematurely aged by Saruman (Christopher Lee). Gandalf (Ian McKellen) releases him from the spell, instantly restoring him to his true age, after which Théoden banishes Gríma Wormtongue (Brad Dourif) from Edoras.

Though the character performs most of the same actions in the films as in the books, Jackson presents Théoden as a leader who is often unsure of himself and fears that he will never live up to the reputation of his forefathers. In the extended edition of The Return of the King (2003), Saruman derisively calls him "a lesser son of greater sires" after he refuses to side with the fallen wizard after the battle at Helm's Deep. In Tolkien's original novel, the phrase was uttered sarcastically by Théoden himself in dismissal of Saruman's flattering attempts to regain his loyalty. In the movie, it is a pointed insult that hits its mark.

Théoden's decisions leading up to the battle at Helm's Deep are also portrayed in a different light than in the novels. His decision to take his people to the relative safety of the mountain stronghold rather than confront Saruman's army in open battle is presented as a grave strategic misjudgement that is only rectified when Gandalf arrives with Éomer's army and the Huorns to save the day. In the books, Théoden rides forth intending to meet the army of Saruman on the plains of Rohan but reluctantly reroutes to Helm's Deep at the urging of Gandalf after receiving reports that the approaching foes were a vastly superior force. When the fortress seems on the verge of falling after a night of overwhelming attacks, Théoden is near despair in the film until Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) convinces him to mount his horse and lead a charge out of the Hornburg at sunrise. In the book, this recklessly valiant counter-attack is made at Théoden's initiative.

In the movie version The Return of the King, Théoden initially refuses to aid Gondor because they did not send help to Helm's Deep. (The film does not mention the Oath of Eorl, an ancient defensive pact between Rohan and Gondor.) Only after Gondor's emergency beacons are lit and Aragorn urges Théoden to act does he change his mind. In the book, Théoden does not hesitate to help Gondor, only pausing to gather as large a force as possible from across Rohan.

In both the book and film, Théoden leads the Rohirrim to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and arrives as Minas Tirith is already under siege. Their surprise flank attack on Sauron's army buys time for Aragorn to arrive with the Army of the Dead and turn the tide of battle, but Théoden's heroic and crucial charge ends in his fatal encounter with the Witch King. However, in the film, he speaks to Éowyn (Miranda Otto) in his last moments, whereas in the book he says his farewell to Merry and does not know that Éowyn had secretly joined the riders as well. Some of Théoden's film lines before and during his final battle (the rallying cry "To death!" and portions of his dying conversation with Éowyn) were spoken by Éomer in the book in response to Théoden's death.



  1. ^ Tolkien, J.R.R. (1982). Unfinished Tales. London, England: George Allen & Unwin. p. 355. ISBN 978-0048231796.
  2. ^ Wynne, Patrick H. (2006). "THEODEN". In Drout, Michael D. C. (ed.). J.R.R. Tolkien encyclopedia: scholarship and critical assessment (first ed.). Abingdon-on-Thames, England: Routledge. p. 643. ISBN 978-0-415-96942-0. 'the chief of a :þeod (a nation, people)'... His name as King, Theoden "Ednew," comes from the Old English ed-niowe, 'To recover, renew.'
  5. ^ Solopova, p. 22.
  6. ^ Solopova, p. 28-29.
  7. ^ Solopova, p. 70-73.

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