The Lord of the Rings trilogy is considered by many to be Peter Jackson’s masterpiece. It’s introduced countless fans to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, who may not have otherwise read the author’s lengthy tomes. And while the books are completely fascinating in their own right, it’s probably not too much of a stretch to assume there are still viewers out there who have not delved into the texts. As a result, they might not know as much about some of Tolkien’s most important characters — it’s understandable, though, considering the commitment.
For members of the movie-going audience who perhaps haven’t dived into Tolkien’s wonderful world more extensively, Éowyn’s fate and history may be more of a mystery. But, true to form, Tolkien crafted a story for her both before and after the events of The War of the Ring. Much of which is not depicted in The Lord of the Rings and remains largely unseen in Jackson’s adaptations.
Éowyn Was the Daughter of King Théoden’s Sister
Both Her Parents Died Tragically
In the movies, most of what was known of Éowyn was the basic facts. It was clear she was Theóden’s niece and that she and her brother Éomer had survived the death of both of their parents. But it was not clear on which side of the family they are connected to their uncle, the King of Rohan. When Théoden fell prey to the wiles of Saurman and his servant, Wormtongue, and her brother Éomer was banished from Rohan (and her cousin Théodred has passed), she Éowyn bereft enough to almost be soothed by the comforting words of Wormtongue — and its clear why.
In Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien tells of Théoden’s sister, Théodwyn, who «married Éomund of Eastfold, the chief Marshal of the Mark.» Éomund was slain fighting Orcs in the east marches when he and his band of men were outnumbered. Not long after, Théodwyn fell ill and died of an unspecified sickness and died.
Éowyn Married Faramir After the War of the Ring
The Theatrical Cut Totally Ignores Their Romance
Anyone who watched the movies as they were coming out may not have known that Éowyn eventually gets her happy ending in the romance department. Faramir and Éowyn were seen standing next to each other in a shot during Aragorn’s coronation ceremony in The Return of the King, but that’s all viewers got to even hint at their connection. However, the extended edition DVDs pulled scenes straight from the chapter «The Houses of Healing,» where Faramir and Éowyn convalesce together after The Battle of Pelennor Fields and fall in love. A sweet scene for two characters who have seen so much tragedy in their lifetimes.
In The Return of the King, in the chapter «Many Partings,» the scene in which Faramir and Éowyn join together in matrimony is depicted. Tolkien writes, «Faramir, Steward of Gondor, and Prince of Ithilien, asks that Éoywn Lady of Rohan should be his wife . . . And Faramir and Éowyn stood forth and set hand in hand; and all there drank to them and were glad.»
Éowyn Used an Alias When Disguised as a Man of Rohan
Her Pseudonym Was Not Revealed in the Films
Éowyn had a warrior’s heart. She was a self-proclaimed shieldmaiden of Rohan and longed to prove herself in battle. The lines she spoke to Aragorn in the films about fearing a cage are spot-on with the sentiments she expressed in the books. And she did not wish to languish behind with the women and children, but to ride into battle with the men.
In the films, she is shown riding into battle under the disguise of a male soldier of Rohan, along with Merry, but a false name is never mentioned. In the books, she goes by «Dernhelm,» which means «hidden protector» in Old English — the language on which Tolkien based Rohanese or Rohirric (the more popular terms with fans). It was under this moniker that she faced the Witch-king of Angmar.
Éowyn Was Called the White Lady of Rohan
She Would Later Be Known as Lady of the Shield-Arm
Certain characters in The Lord of the Rings often go by many names. Aragorn was also known as Strider, Gandalf went by Mithrandir and Stormcrow — some of which are mentioned in the films. But Éowyn’s other titles are only ever hinted at. Actress Miranda Otto was clothed in white garments when she first appeared in The Two Towers, which ties directly into Éowyn’s identity as The White Lady of Rohan. Named not so much for her complexion as the garments she wears.
In The Return of the King, in the chapter «The Steward and the King», Faramir refers to her by this title. One instance in particular was morphed into a line from a cut scene in the extended editions of the films. Faramir says to her: «Éowyn, Éowyn, White Lady of Rohan, in this hour I do not believe that any darkness will endure!»
Éowyn Ultimately Chose a Path of Healing Over Fighting
She Retires Her Sword After the War of the Ring
Éowyn sought more than anything to gain renown in battle and serve her people with her sword. In her youth, she was headstrong and determined to override her uncle the king’s wishes. She became a key member of the Riders of Rohan and earned one of the most glorious distinctions at The Battle of the Pelennor Fields when she and Merry defeated the leader of the Nazgûl. And perhaps this was enough for her in the end.
Once again, in the chapter «The Steward and the King» in The Return of the King, Éowyn speaks to Faramir of her plans for the future. When at least, she realizes she returns Faramir’s feelings, she says to him, «I will be a shieldmaiden no longer, nor vie with the great Riders, nor take joy only in the songs of slaying. I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren.»
Tolkien Originally Intended for Éowyn to Marry Aragorn
Éoywn Wasn’t Always Meant for Faramir
Éowyn made no secret of her love for Aragorn. Faramir even speaks with her about it in the books during their time together in the Houses of Healing. He makes it clear to her how much he cares for her, and she eventually discovers she feels the same way about him — moving past her love for the future King of Gondor. Her love story is hard-won, but rewarding.
Still, Tolkien did initially imagine he would pair Aragorn and Éowyn up in the end. In a collection of notes that were compiled into a book titled The History of Middle-earth, the author explained how she was meant to be Théoden’s daughter and, as a princess, would wed Aragorn. As it tends to go in the revision process, Tolkien eventually abandoned this idea and decided to rewrite Éowyn as Théoden’s niece and gave her the romantic ending with Faramir.
Finding Éowyn Felled in Battle Nearly Drove Éomer Mad
Karl Urban Captured Éomer’s Grief in a Deleted Scene
None of the Men of Rohan, aside from the Hobbit Merry, knew that Éowyn disguised herself as Dernhelm and fought in battle. When the dust clears, Éowyn’s brother Éomer is grief-stricken that his sister has died in the fight, or so he believes. This moment is captured in the extended edition of The Return of the King when Éomer, played by Urban, cries out and embraces what he thought to be the body of his fallen sibling. It’s possibly one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the entire trilogy.
In the books, Tolkien describes how Éomer experiences a temporary madness when he believes his sister is dead. When Éomer sees her lying seemingly lifeless on the battlefield, he charges at the enemy in a blind rage. Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth delivers the news that she is not dead but being tended to in the Houses of Healing.
Miranda Otto Almost Wasn't Cast As Éowyn
A Hollywood Heavy-Hitter Was First Considered for the Part
Australian actress Otto brought genuine sympathy and strength to her performance as Éowyn. She balanced the character’s vulnerability and determined nature in expert fashion. So much so that it is hard to imagine anyone else in the role. But similar to Aragorn’s recasting, Otto was not the first actress selected for the part of the Lady of Rohan.
In an interview on The Last Show with Stephen Colbert, Uma Thurman discussed why she turned down the role. She was a new mother at the time and could not see herself being able to leave her child — actress Maya Hawke — for an extended period of time. She said it was «one of the worst decisions ever.» With the talent that Thurman brings to any role she is in, no doubt she would also have done the role justice.
Éowyn and Faramir Had a Son Named Elboron
She and Faramir Only Had One Child
Éowyn and Faramir would inhabit Ithilien (a region of Gondor) following the War of the Ring. Aragorn, now King Elessar, granted the title of Prince of Ithilien and Lord of Emyn Arnen to Faramir. Elboron was born in the time of peace that followed the destruction of the One Ring. After Faramir’s death, he would take on the title of Prince of Ithilien.
Elboron’s descendant is potentially Barahir. Barahir is mentioned in the prologue to The Lord of the Rings in the section «Note on the Shire Records.» Tolkien states, «The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen . . . . is stated to have been written by Barahir, grandson of the Steward Faramir, some time after the passing of the King.» However, no mention of Elboron in present in this passage.
Éowyn Means "Horse Lover" in Anglo-Saxon
The Culture of Rohan Was Heavily Inspired by Anglo-Saxons
Rohanese was described by Legolas in The Two Towers as «rich and rolling in part, and else hard and stern as the mountains.» Éowyn can be heard singing in her native language in her Lament for Théodred upon her cousin’s passing (extended edition only), in The Two Towers film. The lyrics of the song were composed by screenwriter Philippa Boyens in English and translated by David Salo, a linguist and consultant on the film.
When creating the culture of Rohan, Tolkien was influenced by Old English epics such as Beowulf — as evidenced by the Golden Hall at Edoras. In Jim Allen’s 1978 book An Introduction to Elvish, the author describes how Éowyn’s name was a combination of her parents’ (Éomund and Théodwyn) and means «Horse-joy» or «lover of horses.» Fitting considering the prevalence of horses as a staple of Rohan’s society.
Summary
The Lord of the Rings is a long-running fantasy franchise created by J.R.R. Tolkien. The core series consists of four primary books: The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, the Two Towers, and The Return of the King, all of which have been adapted into films. The Lord of the Rings core franchise centers around Frodo Baggins, a living being known as a hobbit, and a group of heroes from the various kingdoms such as the kingdom of man, the kingdom of dwarves, and the kingdom of elves. Together with the great wizard Gandalf, the group will embark on a perilous quest across Middle Earth to take The One Ring to Mount Doom to destroy it, before it can corrupt anyone and return to the hands of the evil entity known as Sauron, hellbent on conquering all of Middle Earth. The original novel/prequel films, The Hobbit, stars Frodo’s uncle Bilbo Baggins as he embarks on a quest from the comfort of his home and seeks the treasure of a dragon known as Smaug. Bilbo stumbles upon The One Ring on his quest, and finds himself amidst a great war. The most recent media for the franchise is the currently airing The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, airing exclusively on Prime Video.
