The Lord of the Rings: The King of the Golden Hall [Part Seven]

Théoden invites his guests to take refreshment with him before they ride out. While outside heralds cry and horns blow, Théoden, Eomer, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas sit to eat, while Eowyn, the king’s niece, waits upon the king. ‘The others were silent while Théoden questioned Gandalf concerning Saruman.’ 

Gandalf can’t say when Saruman’s treachery began; at first he was not evil, and a friend of Rohan. But as his heart grew colder, he began plotting its ruin. With Wormtongue placed in the court it was easy. In fact, if Eomer had not disobeyed orders and gone after the Orcs, Saruman would have a great prize, ‘not indeed that prize which Saruman desires above all else’, but members of his company who know a great secret hope that he dares not even speak of fully now.

Théoden comments that he indeed owes much to Eomer and his rambunctious ways. ‘Faithful heart may have froward tongue.’ Gandalf matches his proverb: ‘… to crooked eyes truth may wear a wry face.’ 

The king admits that he also owes much to Gandalf. What gift will he take for his help? He reserves only his sword, which he will need in battle. Gandalf asks for Shadowfax, who had only leant to him before. But now he will need to take the horse into battle. Théoden freely grants it, praising the horse: ‘In him one of the mighty steeds of old has returned.’

He also offers the others helms and armor from his armory, since they will need them for the coming conflict. Aragorn and Legolas get shining mail and round shields set with small gems. Gimli already has his dwarf-armor, but he takes a helm and a small shield that bears the White Horse, the emblem of the House of Eorl, which was made for Théoden himself when he was a boy. Gimli thanks the king; indeed, he would rather bear a horse than be borne by one.

As they finish, Eowyn comes forth bearing a cup of wine and offers it to the king, with the words ‘Ferthu Théoden hal!’ He drinks, then she gives it to the others. When she comes to Aragorn she pauses, eyes shining. Her hands are trembling as she hails the warrior. Aragorn hails her back, but is troubled by her reaction, and cannot smile back.

They all go down to the hall doors. Outside are all the lords or chiefs who live nearby, along with the guards and heralds. Before them all he declares Eomer as his heir, since his son Theodred is dead. Since he and Eomer must ride forth, he asks them who they would have rule until they return. Hama leads the people with nominating Eowyn, as a member of the House of Eorl. Theoden agrees, and gives her a corselet of mail and a sword as a sign of her leadership. She will lead the people to the refuge of Dunharrow until the battle is over. There, even if the Riders fall, she can long hold off the enemy.

Gimli and Legolas watch the army prepare to leave. Gimli complains about having to ride a horse into battle and says that Men certainly take a long time to get into action. Eomer comes up to him, leading his horse, and begs him to put aside their quarrel about Galadriel, and ride with him on his horse, Firefoot. Gimli agrees if Legolas can ride by his side. Eomer agrees gladly and says that with Aragorn on their other side none shall stand before them.

Gandalf calls to Shadowfax from down from the ford, and he comes running gladly to the wizard. Theoden confirms his gift of the horse before all men and declares Gandalf to be a lord of the Mark and always welcome as long as their people last.

Gandalf jumps onto Shadowfax, casts aside his hat and grey cloak. Wearing no helmet or mail, his snowy hair flows free, and his white robes shine dazzling in the sun.

‘Behold the White Rider!’ cried Aragorn.’ The army takes up the cry ‘Our King and the White Rider! … Forth the Eorlingas! The trumpets sound, spears are clashed on shields, the king raises his hand and ‘the last host of the Rohirrim’ rides into the West.

‘Far over the plain Eowyn saw the glitter of their spears, as she stood still, alone before the doors of the silent house.’

Bits and Bobs

Well, first a few translations: ‘Eowyn’ means ‘joy of horses’; Theodred means ‘the people’s counsel’; Dunharrow means ‘the heathen fane on the hillside’; Ferthu Theoden hal means ‘May you go forth in good health, Theoden!’ And the word froward means ‘contrary’.

For a while Eowyn was at first considered as Aragorn’s ultimate mate, a drawing together of Gondor and Rohan into closer unity. That element was later changed, with Arwen Elrond’s daughter taking that place, and the story of Eowyn taking a different turn. This seems to have been quite a habit of Tolkien’s, to never abandon an idea but to rework it in the narrative.

Théoden’s horse, by the way, is named Snowmane. There’ll be more about him in The Return of the King.

The Lord of the Rings: The King of the Golden Hall (Part Six)

Hama comes back with Grima Wormtongue, who looks very white, cringing between two guards. Hama gives the King his ancient sword Herugrim, which Wormtongue had locked away in his chest and didn’t want to give up. Wormtongue protests that Theoden himself gave the sword into his keeping and tries to deflect things by saying it’s time to eat. Won’t he go to the table?

Theoden says certainly, and that those that Grima calls ‘irksome guests’ will join him. For the host will ride forth today. All who bear arms or can ride a horse must be off two hours after noon. And Wormtongue must ride with them. Grima whines that he doesn’t want to leave his side, and the King says that’s good, because he himself will be riding out. He bids Wormtongue join him to show his faith.

The counsellor quickly changes his tune. It’s a very noble desire for one of the House of Eorl, but shouldn’t he leave a faithful steward behind him to watch over the kingdom until his return … if he returns? Eomer laughs at him for trying to worm his way out of going, but Gandalf has had enough of Wormtongue’s temporizing.

With a terrible voice and piercing eyes, he accuses Wormtongue of being an agent of the traitorous wizard Saruman, working to weaken Theoden and Rohan. What was his price, the pick of the treasure and to take the woman he desired, Eowyn, the King’s niece? Eomer grasps his sword in anger, but Gandalf stays his hand, saying she is safe now. But, he advises Grima, he should probably return to his true master before Saruman forgets his bargain.

Wormtongue says he lies; Gandalf replies that he uses that word too often. The wizard turns to Theoden and says the choice is his. It isn’t safe to either take Wormtongue with him or to leave him; it would be just to slay him, but once upon a time he served him in his fashion. What is to be done? Let Grima choose, and by his choice judge him.

Theoden agrees and tells Wormtongue the choice: to ride with him to battle, or to leave to go wherever he wants. Theoden will not hinder him if he goes, but if they ever meet again, he will not be so merciful.

Wormtongue slowly rises and looks at them all, especially Theoden, assessing his chances. He opens his mouth as if to speak, but suddenly draws himself up, hands writhing, eyes glittering with malice. With a hissing breath he spits at the feet of the king, then turns and flees.

Theoden sends a guard after him, not to stop him but to keep him from harming anyone. He may take a horse (if any will have him, adds Eomer). The other guard goes out and brings water in his helmet and washes ‘the stones that Wormtongue had defiled.’ 

Bits and Bobs

What does Gandalf know about Wormtongue, and when did he know it? How does he know it? In the Bakshi movie, Gandalf sees Wormtongue at Isengard; in the Jackson films, he knows it from his connection to Saruman’s ‘spell of possession’. Both very cinematic. In the books, Gandalf seems to divine it from Grima’s actions, from his pressing a soft position on Saruman, from his very character itself. Whatever the case, when presented with his treachery, he cannot ‘worm’ his way out of it, and instead flees to his true master, revealing where his loyalties lie. His snake-like writhing, hissing, and spitting emphasize his poisonous character. All-in-all, Theoden is very lenient with him; perhaps he thinks his reception at Isengard after his failed mission punishment enough.

The name of Theoden’s sword, Herugrim, means ‘very fierce, savage. It had green gems on its scabbard. It is found sealed away in Grima’s chest, along with many other items men have missed; he is a thief as well as a spy. That he has had the King’s sword locked away in his keeping is an apt symbol that he has had control over his kingdom, his power, even his manhood - er, valor.

The Lord of the Rings: The King of the Golden Hall [Part Five]

Gandalf and Theoden look out over Rohan. It is dark with passing rain, but suddenly a shaft of sunlight stabs down, making the distant river shimmer.

‘It is not so dark there,’ said Theoden.’

And you’re not so old as some would have you think, says Gandalf. Cast aside your cane!

Theoden lets it drop and stands slowly to his true height, until he stands tall and straight, looking at the sky with clear blue eyes. ‘Dark have been my dreams of late … but I feel as one new-awakened.’ He wishes Gandalf had come before; he fears that now his kingdom will not stand long. What can he do?

Much, says Gandalf, but first of all to send for his nephew Eomer, who has been imprisoned on the word of his evil counsellor Wormtongue. Theoden calls for Hama, the doorwarden, to fetch him. While they wait for him to return, Gandalf leads him to a stone seat, sits him down, and begins encouraging him despite the darkness that surrounds them. ‘But see! You dream no longer! You live. Gondor and Rohan do not stand alone. The enemy our reckoning, at which he has not guessed.’

With Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas standing nearby, Gandalf quickly and quietly tells him of Frodo’s quest to destroy the ring. Theoden’s eyes grow brighter and he stands and looks to the east. ‘That way lies our hope,’ Gandalf says, and the other three turn their thoughts to Frodo and the slender thread from which hangs their hope.

Slowly Theoden sits down again, as if weighted down with weariness. His age is not only imaginary. Gandalf suggests that he would feel his old strength better, if he held his sword again. Theoden reaches to his side, but Wormtongue has long ago spirited it away and hidden it.

‘Take this, dear lord!’ said a clear voice. It is Eomer, with Hama; the warden, in his happiness, has already restored his weapon. Theoden sternly what’s going on here, and the two men are astounded to find him proud and erect. Hama, trembling, explains why he gave the freed Eomer his sword, which the warrior now offers to Theoden again.

The king takes it, and strength and firmness seems to flow into his arm. He raises the blade and gives a great cry, a chant in the tongue of Rohan, calling his army to war. His guards come in, amazed, and lay their swords at his feet. ‘Command us!’

Eomer expresses his joy, and Theoden hands back his sword, sending Hama to fetch his own blade from Wormtongue. The King asks Gandalf what his counsel would be now. Gandalf has a ready answer: what he’s doing now. Trust Eomer, cast aside fear and regret, destroy the threat of Saruman – if they can, and if they prevail, no rest but on to the next task. But first, he must send the women and children, and the old to a safe place.

Theoden agrees, and commands all his folk to be made ready. Meanwhile his guests should eat and have a place prepared for them to rest. But Aragorn says, ‘There is no rest yet for the weary… axe, sword, and bow’ shall ride with them that very day. Besides, he had promised Eomer that they should draw swords together, which pleases the young warrior who says that now there is hope indeed.

Gandalf urges Theoden to quickly lead his people to the refuge, but Theoden says that Gandalf’s skill in healing is better than the wizard thinks: the King himself will lead the army into the battle, ‘to fall in the front of battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better.’  Gandalf asks who then shall lead his people?

‘I will take thought of that ere I go,’ answered Theoden. ‘Here comes my counsellor.’

 

Bits and Bobs

The fact that Gandalf already trusts Theoden enough to tell him their ‘secret hope’ helps to further encourage the ancient king and stiffen his spine. Gandalf promises him neither sureties nor absolute success: even if they win against Saruman, it is on to the next task.

“In December 1954, [Hugh] Brogan wrote to Tolkien to criticize the archaic style used in The Two Towers. Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955 Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

“Tolkien dismissed Brogan's self-accusations of impertinency and sycophancy and said that anyone so appreciative and perceptive is entitled to criticism. That said, Tolkien did say that he felt pain when deliberate "archaism" is dismissed in an age when authors manhandle English in the name of art or "personal expression". "Tushery" was properly applied to bogus "medieval" stuff where those without knowledge inserted expletives such as tush, pish, zounds, and marry. Real archaic English is far more terse than modern and can say things that our slack and frivolous idioms cannot.

“Tolkien took one of Brogan's examples: "'Nay, Gandalf!' said the King. 'You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better.'" Real archaic English would have begun: "Nay, thou wost not thine own skill in healing…" In modern English it would become: "Not at all my dear Gandalf. You don't know your own skill as a doctor…I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties."

"Then what?" asked Tolkien. "Thus shall I sleep better" is not a modern idiom or thought. To express it in a modern way would be longer and more insincere: "I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home." The modern expression is more bogus that what seemed false archaism. Another example was Tolkien's description of the arming of the guests, which had upset Brogan. But such "heroic" scenes do not occur in a modern setting, so why not use the wealth of English that gives a choice of styles?”  - from Tolkien Gateway, quoting from The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien, Letter 171.

 

The Lord of the Rings: The King of the Golden Hall [Part Four]

The Tale

Gandalf asks Theoden if he will listen to him? He has counsel and aid to give, but it is not for those who despair. The wizard points to the high window, where the darkness seems to clear, showing blue sky. Not all is dark. Too long the king has sat in the shadows. Let him come out with Gandalf alone to look abroad and hear his private counsel.

Theoden slowly rises, and with the aid of the young woman by his side walks slowly down the hall. Wormtongue remains lying on the floor. Gandalf calls for the guards to open the doors and tells the lady to leave Theoden with him a while. ‘Go, Eowyn sister-daughter! said the old king. ‘The time for fear is past.’

Before she goes back into the hall she turns and looks back at her uncle with cool pity. She is very beautiful, slender and tall, strong and stern as steel. Aragorn looks upon her for the first time and sees that she is fair, but fair and cold, like a morning of pale spring. And Eowyn notices Aragorn: ‘tall heir of kings, wise with many winters … hiding a power she yet felt. For a moment still as stone she stood, then turning swiftly she was gone.’

‘Now, lord,’ said Gandalf, ‘look out upon your land! Breathe the free air again!’

Bits and Bobs

Not much to comment on from this little snippet. I meant to cover more ground today, but a number of circumstances is making it difficult.

I think what we can really take away from this passage is that Gandalf does not really use magic on Theoden. He may be controlling the weather, using dark and light, to emphasize his words, but he uses nothing more than encouragement, ‘short sharp bracing’ advice to shake Theoden out of his developed dark habit of thinking that had been re-enforced by Wormtongue’s guidance. There is no exorcism as in the Jackson films and not even a spell to restore him here unless you count ‘spell’ in the meaning of ‘news’. What Gandalf is doing here is more in the character of a good psychologist.

We are given our first real introduction to Eowyn (Anglo-Saxon ‘lover of horses’), Theoden’s ‘sister-daughter’ (i.e. his sister’s daughter, or niece). We also see the beginning of her warrior’s journey, and of her attraction to Aragorn and of his awareness of her and her dilemma.

According to The One Wiki to Rule Them All, in earlier versions “The character Éowyn had at first been the daughter of King Théoden. In another version, she had a cousin named Idis, the daughter of the King, who was later removed in the manuscript as her role was eclipsed by Éowyn's. Éowyn was initially intended to marry Aragorn. Tolkien considered that Aragorn loved Éowyn after her death, when she avenged the death of King Théoden. However, he later abandoned the concept, as he considered Aragorn to be "too old and lordly and grim". Éowyn was also once the twin-sister of Éomund.”

The Lord of the Rings: The King of the Golden Hall [Part Three]

Beyond the long hearth down the middle of the hall, on a three-stepped dais, in a great gilded chair sits Theoden, a man so bent with age he looks almost like a dwarf, a gold circlet on his head. His hair and beard are long and white. Behind him stands a woman clothed in white; on the steps at his feet sits a pale, wizened man.

The companions stop before the throne, and when the old man neither speaks nor moves from his chair, Gandalf addresses him: ‘Hail, Theoden son of Thengel! I have returned. For behold! The storm comes, and now old friends should gather together, lest each singly be destroyed.’

The old king rises to his feet, leaning on a short black staff, and they can see he must have been tall indeed when he was young. He greets the wizard, but does not welcome him. When Gandalf appears, Theoden claims, ‘troubles follow you like crows.’ He was glad when Shadowfax came back, but gladder that he had no rider. He was even happier when Eomer reported his death, but ‘news from afar is seldom sooth.’ And now he returns at an even worse time. ‘Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?’ He sits down slowly.

Grima Wormtongue does not even rise to his feet to chime in. ‘You speak justly, lord.’ What with the king’s son slain just five days ago, and with Eomer being untrustworthy, and the Dark Lord stirring in the East, now he comes begging to the throne. ‘Lathspell I name you, Ill-news, and ill news is an ill guest they say.’ Gandalf answers him softly, but Wormtongue presses his attack on the wizard even further. He only appears when he wants something, like Shadowfax. But has he ever brought help, like men, horses, spears, swords? Only three ragged wanderers in grey, and Gandalf the worst looking of the lot!

But Gandalf ignores him and addresses Theoden. There is less courtesy in the King’s hall these days. Haven’t his messengers announced his companions? No King of Rohan ever had such guests, and they have brought weapons as ‘are worth many a mortal man.’ They are clad in grey because they were clothed by the Elves.

Wormtongue takes the opportunity to slight Galadriel as ‘the Sorceress of the Golden Wood’ who ‘weaves webs of deceit … in Dwimordene [Lorien].’

Gimli (of course) takes a step forward at the insult, but Gandalf stops him with a hand on his shoulder. The wizard sings a soft song in praise of Galadriel, ‘more fair than thoughts of Mortal Men.’ Then his attitude changes.

The wizard casts aside his tattered and stands straight and tall. His voice is clear and cold. ‘The wise speak only of what they know, Grima son of Galmod. A witless worm have you become. Therefore be silent, and keep your forked tongue between your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crook words with a serving man till the lightning falls.’ He raises his staff and there is a roll of thunder. The eastern windows grow dark, and Gandalf stands there straight and white in the gloom.

They hear Wormtongue hissing in the dark that he told Hama to take his staff and that the door-warden has betrayed them. There is a flash like lightning, then silence, and Wormtongue goes sprawling on his face.

 

Bits and Bobs

Although Theoden is about 80 years old here, he comes from vigorous sires and a vigorous people, who keep their vitality well into old age. Tolkien (in Unfinished Tales) says it was held in Rohan that his infirmity was partly caused by subtle poisons given him by Wormtongue. Crows are of course carrion birds, and associated with battles and predation on the slain, along with ravens and vultures. To call Gandalf ‘Stormcrow’ is no compliment.

The King’s son, Theodred (theod = people, raed = counsel), was killed just five days before at the Battle of the Fords of Isen. It is plain that Saruman’s major plan for the battle was to kill Theodred to further demoralize Rohan and Theoden in particular, and that his Orcish troops particularly targeted the prince. Although Theodred’s last words of advice were to meet the foe again at the Fords rather than wait at Edoras, Wormtongue’s counsel kept delaying the King.

Lathspell, ‘Ill-News’, is almost the exact opposite of Godspell, ‘good news’ or Gospel as we pronounce it now.

There is no mention of Saruman in the woes that Grima lists; he is obviously trying to keep the King’s mind as far away from that subject as possible.

Dwimordene is the Rohirric name for Lothlorien. It translates to ‘Vale of Illusion’: dene = valley, and dwimor = phantom, illusion. Grima refers to Galadriel as a ‘sorceress’ who ‘weaves webs of deceit’, placing her powers in as negative light as possible, even perhaps down to her making the Elven-cloaks that they wear, which help hide and camouflage from enemy eyes. ‘Dwimor’ will also recur as an element in the name with which Eowyn taunts the Witch-King.

Gandalf calls Wormtongue by his full name, Grima son of Galmod, which is almost an insinuating insult as his nickname. At least Wormtongue might carry a meaning implying ‘wise or subtle’. ‘Grima’ means ‘mask’ or ‘specter’ in Old English, implying his double nature, while ‘galmod’ means ‘licentious, lustful’, hinting of his as-yet unrevealed desire for Eowyn.

But Wormtongue’s poisonous and lowly nature is emphasized by Gandalf again when he refers to him as truly a worm (‘snake’) speaking with a double, deceiving tongue. Grima’s words come hissing out of the darkness.

Gandalf proclaims he has passed ‘through fire and death’ on a more important mission than trading insults with a crooked counsellor. This can most probably be seen as a reference to his battle with the Balrog and his return, but might also (a more prosaic interpretation) be referring to his passage through a land at war.

The Lord of the Rings: The King of the Golden Hall [Part Two]

 

The guards challenge the travelers in the tongue of the Riddermark. ‘Stay, strangers here unknown!’ They ask their names and why they have come. They look at Gandalf with dark eyes. Apparently wizardly-looking people are under suspicion with Saruman acting up. Gandalf answers them in the same language. He understands their tongue, but few strangers do. What’s the meaning of this new procedure?

It is Theoden’s orders that no-one should enter who aren’t friends that know their speech, their own people or those from Mundburg (Minas Tirith). But who are they, that come riding on horses that look like their own, and so strangely clad? ‘Say, are you not a wizard, some spy from Saruman, or phantoms of his craft?’

Aragorn answers them in their own language. They are no phantoms, and these are indeed horses of Rohan they ride, as he suspects they already knew. But they have come returning the beasts that Eomer loaned them: ‘seldom does thief ride home to the stable.’ Hasn’t Eomer given word of their coming?

The guard looks troubled. Perhaps their coming is not totally unexpected. He will say nothing of Eomer, but it was only two nights ago that Wormtongue gave orders as if by Theoden that no stranger should pass the gates.

‘Wormtongue?’ Gandalf looks at him sharply. Their errand is not to Wormtongue, but to the King himself. Will he not announce them? He bends his gaze upon the man until he slowly agrees to go. But who will he say has come?

Gandalf identifies himself; he has returned, and Shadowfax is with him. And he brings Aragorn the heir of Kings, Legolas the Elf, and Gimli the Dwarf. Their purpose is to have speech with the King, if he will let them in his halls. Go now and tell him so.

The guard agrees but tells them not to hope too much; these are dark days. He leaves them with his fellow guards, and after some time returns. They may come in, but must leave all weapons behind, ‘be it only a staff.’ The doorwardens will keep them.

They leave the guard and climb the steps up to the entrance of Meduseld, under the alert eyes of the watchmen. When they reach the terrace at the top, they are greeted by Hama, the Doorward of Theoden. He asks them (courteously) to surrender their weapons.

Legolas gives him his knife, his quiver, and his bow; when Hama hears they are from the Lady of Lothlorien herself, he handles them a little fearfully. That land has a sorcerous reputation in Rohan. But Aragorn hesitates before surrendering his sword Anduril. It is his ancient heritage, from the line of the Kings of Gondor. He would, in courtesy, surrender any other sword, even it was only in a woodman’s hut, but not this sword. Hama says he must, if he would not fight alone against all the men of Edoras. Not alone, Gimli replies, fingering his axe. Not alone.

Gandalf defuses the situation with some diplomatic words and offers his own sword, Glamdring, to the doorkeeper. Aragorn slowly hands over Anduril, after threatening death to anyone who draws it besides himself. Gimli says that if it has Aragorn’s blade to keep it company, his axe can lay there too. They prepare to go in, but Hama stops them again.

“Your staff,’ the guard tells Gandalf. You have to leave that behind too. ‘Foolishness!’ said Gandalf. ‘Prudence is one thing, but discourtesy is another. I am old. If I may not lean on my stick as I go, then I will sit out here, until it pleases Theoden to hobble out himself to speak with me.’ Aragorn laughs. Everyone has something they find hard to part with! But Hama wouldn’t part an old man from his support?

‘The staff in the hand of a wizard may be more than a prop for age,’ said Hama. He looked hard at the ash-staff on which Gandalf leaned. ‘Yet in doubt a man of worth will trust to his own wisdom. I believe you are friends and folk worthy of honor, who have no evil purpose. You may go in.’

The guards lift the bars on the doors and swing them open. The travelers enter in. It seems warm and dim inside. The hall is long and wide, upheld with mighty pillars, its walls covered with tapestries and its floor with carved runes. Smoke, thin and wispy, rises up to the high louvre [‘an opening to allow ventilation’]. From the eastern windows a beam of sunlight falls on one particular tapestry, showing a young man with yellow hair on a spirited white horse.

‘Behold Eorl the Young!’ said Aragorn. ‘Thus he rode out of the North to the Battle of the Field of Celebrant!’

Bits and Bobs

Tom Shippey, in The Road to Middle-earth, points out the many parallels here in Old English works, especially from Beowulf. The ritual of challenge and response with the unnamed guard and later with Hama echoes the exchange between Beowulf and the coastal guard when he lands in Hrothgar’s Kingdom. In both the poem and here in LOTR the guards use their discretion (beyond their orders) to let the travelers pass.

The description of Meduseld, Theoden’s hall, also follows closely Hrothgar’s hall of Heorot. The only outstanding deviation is the use of a louver (a word and concept of French derivation). Tolkien likes to reproduce historical situations but includes some not historically unfitting upgrades.

We are teased with a slight introduction to Wormtongue. The element of ‘worm-‘ in the name refers to an older term used for ‘snake, serpent’. It implies that he is crafty and subtle, but possibly that his speech is also poisonous and devious, that he might indeed speak, in the old cliché, ‘with a forked tongue’.

While the name of Eorl, the first King of Rohan, is merely the Old English word for ‘one of the nobility; earl’.

The Lord of the Rings: The King of the Golden Hall [Part One]

Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas ride far into the night, only pausing a few hours as Gandalf keeps watch and lets the others sleep. They get up and ride again under the cold moonlight. As the sun rises they enter a land of grass and glens, flowing down from the dark mountains. Far away under the tallest peak they catch a gleam like gold flashing in the morning sun. Gandalf asks the far-sighted Legolas to tell them what he sees.

‘I see a white stream that comes down from the snows … Where it issues from the shadow of the vale a green hill rises upon the east. A dike and mighty wall and thorny fence encircle it. Within there rise the roofs of houses; and in the midst, set upon a green terrace, there stands aloft a great hall of Men. And it seems to my eyes that it is thatched with gold. The light of it shines far over the land. Golden, too, are the posts of its doors. There men in bright mail stand, but all else within the courts are yet asleep.’

Those courts are Edoras, and that golden hall is Meduseld, where Theoden son of Thengel is king. Gandalf warns that it may seem a sleepy place right now, but the Rohirrim are near war, and they are watchful. Don’t draw any weapons or speak any haughty words, at least until they before Theoden, seat.

As they ride in closer, they notice many signs of spring already in this southerly land. The plain is green and close to the flowing streams the willows are showing signs of blooming. At the foot of the walled hill there are mounds covered with white flowers like snow, seven mounds on the left and nine mounds on the right. These are the barrows of the Kings of Rohan. The white flowers are Simbelmyne, or Evermind, that ‘grow where dead men rest’ and blossom all year round. It was five hundred years ago they were started, just a blink of the eye to Legolas, but it seems a dim and misty age to mortal Men.

Aragorn chants  part of an old song of the Rohirrim, laden with the sadness of Mortal Men at the passing of time. ‘It is like the land itself; rich and rolling in part and else as hard and stern as the mountains.’ They pass the silent mounds and come to gates of Edoras. Many guards sitting there leap up and bar their way with spears. They look at Gandalf darkly.

 

Bits and Bobs

Tolkien, of course, was for twenty years the Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon. His lectures on Beowulf changed all scholarship on that epic poem ever after. Before that it had been seen as a rather childish primitive effort, good as a quarry for historical insights, but no comparison to Greek or Latin poetry.

Here in “The King of the Golden Hall” we get what Tom Shippey calls a ‘calque’ [‘loan translation’] on Anglo-Saxon culture. The Rohirrim are, of course, not Anglo-Saxon (this is feigned to be many years before that folk), but they are so close they can be ‘translated’ into that culture. Whenever you hear Rohirric names and language you are hearing Anglo-Saxon. Meduseld is the Old English for ‘mead-hall’; Edoras means simply ‘dwellings, houses’.

The song that Aragorn recites is in the form of the Old English poetry called by modern scholars ‘Ubi Sunt?’  “Ubi sunt (literally "where are... [they]") is a rhetorical question taken from the Latin Ubi sunt qui ante nos fuerunt?, meaning "Where are those who were before us?" Ubi nunc...? ("Where now?") is a common variant. Sometimes interpreted to indicate nostalgia, the ubi sunt motif is actually a meditation on mortality and life's transience.” – Wikipedia.