Théoden Ednew

Théoden Ednew was born in Minas Tirith in T.A. 2948. A Rohir Warrior, his father was Thengel and his mother was Morwen of Lossarnach. He succeeded his father as the seventeeth King of Rohan in T.A. 2980, and was the last of the Second Line of the Mark. Theoden's reign, like that of his father's, was plagued by the unfriendly presence of Saruman in Isengard. As the Wizard's power grew and his minions multiplied, the  Riddermark was increasingly threatened. Worse, Saruman used powerful spells and the convenient treachery of Grima  Wormtongue to weaken Theoden, and only the intervention of Gandalf saved Rohan from being completely subverted to the needs of the evil Istar. The crisis was at its worst in early T.A. 3019, in the midst of the War of the Ring. Theoden's mind was heavy when Saruman's armies attacked across the Fords of Isen (S. "Ethraid Angren"). Théodred, the Rohir King's only one child and heir, died in the first battle by the river, and the Riders were scattered in a later confrontation on the same spot. Doom appeared near, but the Grey Wizard's healing hand reversed matters. Theoden's strong allies and vassals, coupled with the fortuitous aid from Fangorn's Ents, provided the Rohirrim with their victories at Helms Deep and Isengard. Theoden and his army recovered to go to the aid of Gondor at Pelennor Fields. There, the King of the Mark led his Riders against the army of the Witch-king, scattering the Orcs north of Minas Tirith and driving the Haradrim southward killing their High-King Suladân. It was at the moment of his greatest victory that he perished, for the Lord of the Nazgul flew down upon Theoden and his horse, felling the charging Rohir and killing his mount. Although Theoden' s niece, Éowyn, slew the Ringwraith and his Fell Beast, the Rohir King could not be saved. He died after passing the Royal Banner of the Mark to Eowyn's brother Éomer. His body was laid to rest in Minas Tirith, where he was born. As Theoden's successor, his loyal nephew Eomer (son of Théodwyn) became Rohan's eighteenth King (T.A. 3019). He ordered Theoden's remains removed to Rohan and placed in the eighth barrow-tomb of the Second Line. Thus, the Rohirrim finally buried their fallen monarch outside Edoras.

Theoden's Principal Items:

 * Sword — (Herugrim) Orc-slaying broadsword of fine steel inlaid with delicate  patterns and designs wrought of gold.
 * Shield of the Mark — (Horse-lord's Shield)
 * Helmet
 * Armour
 * Banner of the Mark
 * Sceptre of Éorl