In celebration of the upcoming Tolkien Reading Day and for Women’s History Month, Rediscovered Realms is honoring a fantasy hero of epic worth, Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan!
Hold on to your reins, because the vista on this ride is overflowing with incredible art and fun trivia.
artist: Nick Robles Art
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Faithful to her family & clan, Rebelling against the injunction to stay behind when the Riders of Rohan go off to war, Disguising herself as a man & riding off to battle, and Battling the Ringwraith leader - these are some of the glorious deeds of Éowyn.
(Giving Credit Where Credit is Due: in much of this article, I’m refashioning Éowyn’s Wikipedia article, teasing out the really interesting bits, copying/re-wording/re-arranging them, and interspersing A LOT of epic imagery.1)
“Éowyn Before the Doors of Meduseld” by Michael Kaluta
Raised in Tragedy:
When she is only seven years old, her father was killed fighting orcs, and her mother died of grief. Éowyn and her brother, Éomer, were then raised in her uncle's (Théoden’s) household as his own children.
artist: J Rafael Navarro
Old English was the language Tolkien used to represent his invented language of Rohirric. The word “eoh” means "war-horse" and “wyn” means "delight", so Éowyn can be translated "Delight in horses".
artist: Penfield06 on DeviantArt
"Very fair was her face, and her long hair was like a river of gold." - book 3, ch. 6 "The King of the Golden Hall"
Mirando Otto as Éowyn
"Slender and tall she was ... but strong she seemed and stern as steel, a daughter of kings." - book 3, ch. 6 "The King of the Golden Hall"
“Éowyn in Green” by Nicole Lokstedt
Éowyn longs to win renown in battle—especially since she is of royal blood, but being female, her duties are reckoned to be at home at Edoras.
“Éowyn in the Wind” by Liliane Grenier
Jessica Yates wrote that Éowyn meets all the requirements for a classic woman warrior:
a strong identity
skill in fighting
weapons and armour
a horse
special powers (seen when she turns the Ringwraith's prophecy of doom back onto him)
being modest and chaste
artist: Jeremiah Briggs
artists: RadishRanger (L) and Eilidh (R) on DeviantArt
Mirando Otto
Éowyn’s unconventional mask
Miranda Otto
In Old English “dern” means "secret, concealed", while “helm” is "helmet".
Maureen Thum writes that in Tolkien's narrative - having Éowyn ride to war pretending to be a man, under the name "Dernhelm" (meaning "secret helmet"), far more powerfully conveys her rebellious nature than would any explicit description of her thinking. - Éowyn’s Wikipedia article
In the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, she confronts the Witch-King of Angmar, Lord of the Nazgûl, after Théoden is mortally injured.
artist: Elena Kukanova
The Witch-King threatens that he will "bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shrivelled mind be left naked to the Lidless Eye".
artist: Brujo
He boasts "No living man may hinder me",whereupon Éowyn removes her helmet and declares:
“But no living man am I!
You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Éomund's daughter.
You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.”
“No man” by Donato Giancola
The Nazgûl leader's flying steed attacks Éowyn, but she kills it, cutting off its head with her sword.
artist: Erin Kelso (aka “Bluefooted”)
The Nazgûl then shatters her shield and breaks her shield-arm with his mace, but is distracted by Merry, who stabs him behind the knee with a barrow-blade.
“Éowyn vs. the Nazgûl Lord” Frank Frazetta miniature
Éowyn seizes the opportunity to strike the Nazgûl with a killing thrust "between crown and mantle".
Miranda Otto
Then, as her sword shatters, his withering form collapses, and he vanishes with a final cry of anguish.
artist: Denis Gordeev
You see, there was this pesky prophecy from of old:
"Not by the hand of man will [the Lord of the Nazgûl] fall" - Glorfindel
That smug Son of A Dark Rider thought he was invincible - what a Nazgul!
Here are some other evocative imaginings of that fateful battle (click/touch to expand):
Éowyn and the Witch King by Don Marquez
artist: Lamorien
Tolkien Reading Day is Tomorrow, March 25, 2024!
Find out why that day was chosen and experience the classic computer game, The Hobbit in last year’s Rediscovered Realms Tolkien Reading Day Newsletter:
Pretty epic, huh? Obviously, this scene sticks in the psyche of anyone who’s ever read or saw it. Universal & Powerful.
Fun Fact: Éowyn's appearance on the Pelennor Fields has been compared to that of the shieldmaiden Hervor in the "Battle of the Goths and Huns", as depicted in Hervor's Death by Peter Nicolai Arbo. - Éowyn’s Wikipedia article
“Battle of the Goths and Huns” by Peter_Nicolai_Arbo-Hervors
Originally, Tolkien intended for Éowyn to marry Aragorn. Later, however, he decided against it because Aragorn was "too old and lordly and grim".
Miranda Otto and Viggo Mortensen
Tolkien also considered having Aragorn truly love Éowyn - and then when he didn’t marry her, regret it after her death.
Miranda Otto is Back!
In Kenji Kamiyama's 2024 anime fantasy film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, a prequel to Jackson's films, Otto reprises her role as Éowyn, also serving as the film's narrator.
concept art for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Set 261 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The War of the Rohirrim tells the story of Helm Hammerhand, a legendary King of Rohan who must defend against an army of Dunlendings. He becomes the namesake for the stronghold of Helm's Deep.
concept art for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
The film is in post-production right now and will be released in the United States on December 13, 2024!!!!
Did You Know? Uma Thurman was slated for the role of Éowyn at one point when Peter Jackson was figuring out casting for Lord of the Rings!
Uma Thurman was almost Éowyn!
. . . but no, “The Bride” backed down when Miranda Otto threatened her with this here sword
"But am I not of the House of Eorl, a shieldmaiden and not a dry-nurse?" - Éowyn talking with Aragorn
Tolkien wrote: "Though not a 'dry nurse' in temper, she was also not really a soldier or 'Amazon', but like many brave women was capable of great military gallantry at a crisis."
artist: MellorianJ
In Mythlore, Melissa Hatcher wrote that The Lord of the Rings has as a central theme the way that "the littlest person, a hobbit, overcom[es] the tides of war": that the real power is that of healing, protecting, and preserving.
“I’ll heal ya, right after I stab ya”
Melissa Hatcher, writer of Mythlore, cited the philosopher Gregory Bassham's list of the six essential ingredients of happiness in Middle-earth:
Delight in simple things
Making light of one's troubles
Getting personal
Cultivating good character
Cherishing and creating beauty
Rediscovering wonder
She stated that these are all seen in Éowyn and the Hobbit Sam, the gardener who inherits Frodo's Bag End and restores the Shire, "but in very few others".
Thank you, Gregory Bassham! I think you just put into words the things I am most drawn to and most resonate with. Those are literally the goals of my life (and of Rediscovered Realms). I guess it’s time for me to get a tattoo.
Éowyn by Ilaria (AramisDream)
Éowyn is brought to the Houses of Healing, hovering near death from the effects of having struck the Nazgûl. There Éowyn meets Faramir, with whom she soon falls in love.
artists: Brothers Hildebrandt
Her outlook on life also changes:
"Then the heart of Éowyn changed, or else at last she understood it. ... 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."
After the demise of Sauron, Éowyn and Faramir marry and settle in Ithilien, of which Faramir is made the ruling Prince by Aragorn. - Éowyn’s Wikipedia article
Éowyn and Faramir (David Wenham)
Lament for Théodred, sung by Éowyn from The Two Towers:
“Faramir and Éowyn” by Ellaine (DeviantArt)
artist: Reine Haru
Melissa Hatcher noted that Éowyn tries the path of the warrior and then becomes a healer, and that some academics have interpreted her choice as weak submission.
Hatcher stated that instead, Éowyn is following Tolkien's "highest ideal: a fierce commitment to peace", embodying the "full-blooded subjectivity" that Tolkien believed necessary for peace.
She described Éowyn as "a complete individual who fulfills Tolkien's theme of peace, preservation, and cultural memory."
Éowyn, cupbearer of peace. Tolkien's text describes a genuine Germanic ceremony in which a woman embodied the weaving of peace. Movie audiences weren’t expected to appreciate this reference, and so the ceremony for Théoden scene is only in the extended cut.
I have to say that I love that Éowyn embodies the strong woman archetype without sacrificing her feminine qualities (like we see so much of in recent film and literature).
She is Strong and a Protector, she Speaks her mind and Bends the rules, yet she is Vulnerable & Relatable, she is full of Heart, is Self-sacrificing, Loving, Kind, and is not a 1-woman-stoic-tank-of-angry annihilation that needs no other.
And what a character arc! From Orphan to Servant to Warrior to Healer.
After the war, she is able to reorient, reinvent and reintegrate herself into society and culture, choosing to take on the role of wife and mother without resentment or hatred - fully empowered, embracing her accomplished ambition and her individualized feminine humanity2 without internal conflict.
She had become fully self-actualized by following her unique path - and damn near impossible not to fall in love with.
Raised in tragedy to become a Fulfiller of prophecy and Beautiful exemplar, let us raise our drinking horn to a true hero, Éowyn!
Which is your favorite Eowyn illustration? What’s your favorite part of her story? Make sure to comment below.
THANK YOU! Rediscovered Realms has surpassed 1,000 subscribers!
To celebrate, we are doing monthly giveaways this month and for the rest of the year! New & Classic fantasy merch are in store, including gamebooks, old school mags, books, artwork, RPG accessories, and more.
This month is 1 grand prize Tolkien Giveaway Contest (pictured above). Details & Rules3
You HAVE to check out these amazing Éowyn crafts (and other awesome fantasy-inspired stuff) made and sold by Illustrator, nikakrashen_illustrator on Instagram!
She is a fellow fantasy fan and incredibly talented artist.
Since 2003, The Tolkien Society has encouraged fans to celebrate Tolkien’s life and stories on this day. What are you going to read or watch?
There is SO MUCH other cool news to cover in the Fantasy, RPG, movie, and D&D 50th Anniversary space, but alas, my steed has run out of steam. But don’t worry, we’ll cover it and more in next week’s Rediscovered Realms newsletter!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to peel my eyes away from this screen for a while and go walk aimlessly around outside for a bit and see what adventures may come my way.
"Not all those who wander are lost" - J.R.R. Tolkien
I wish I had the cycles to spend (re-)reading, researching and collating all the different sources for Éowyn, but alas, I have a day job - and with a commitment to weekly newsletters, I must sometimes lean on the laurels of others! I spent countless hours finding and researching artwork and its sources for this article alone (not including the time for formatting the pics and verbiage), which was only made possible by having reference tools to draw on for the documented facts I would otherwise have to spend additional countless hours on. Idonate to Wikipedia regularly to support them for their outstanding resource. Thank you, Wikipedia!
To avoid any potential offense for those seeking it, I’m using “individualized feminine humanity” to mean it is my opinion that every individual should have the choice to follow the path they desire. There are plenty of female heroes (fictional & non) who’s character arcs don’t/shouldn’t have to end with wifedom and motherhood. I simply appreciate that Éowyn, through all her experiences & role-changes, remained true to herself.
In celebration of Tolkien Reading Day and RediscoveredRealms.com reaching 1,000 subscribers, you can win this $250 grand prize:
* Boxed Set of 4 books: The Hobbit and all 3 The Lord of the Rings (brand new, shrink-wrapped)
* Boxed Set of Fantasy Tales, including 4 books: the Tolkien Reader, The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (brand-new, shrink-wrapped)
* Boxed Set of The History of Middle Earth, including 5 books, The Book of Lost Tales pt. 1 and pt. 2, The Lays of Beleriand, The Shaping of Middle-Earth, The Lost Road and Other Writings (brand-new, shrink-wrapped)
* The Hobbit Graphic Novel (brand-new)
* Tolkien Calendar 2024, illustrated by Alan Lee (brand-new, shrink-wrapped)
* "Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien" hardcover book with slipcase (brand-new, shrink-wrapped)
Total Value: $250
"SO, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO WIN?," you ask.
Simple. Just be a subscriber at RediscoveredRealms.com by March 31st, 2024, and I will do a random drawing and announce the winner.
THE FINE PRINT:
* This contest is open to all countries. I will pay for the shipping.
* If the winner doesn't respond within 7 days, they will forfeit the prize, and a second winner will be drawn.
* You must be a subscriber on www.rediscoveredrealms.com (Substack newsletter) by 11:59 PM (PDT) March 31, 2024
* The items in the pictures are the exact items that you will receive (except for the map backdrop. That one is my . . . precious)
* Winner will be announced the 1st week of April, 2024 (and no, this is not an April Fool's joke!)
This is really great, J.Q. Eowyn had been the next character I had planned on doing an article on, but, like yourself, my day to day job has got in the way and will do for the next few weeks so anything long form will be on pause for a while
However, you have absolutely nailed this and perfectly captured her character arc and the artwork shown here, particularly that last one by Stephen Graham Walsh is stunning
Loved this comprehensive article on my all-time favorite fictional character! I’ve identified very, very strongly with Eowyn since I first read LotR at age twelve.
This is really great, J.Q. Eowyn had been the next character I had planned on doing an article on, but, like yourself, my day to day job has got in the way and will do for the next few weeks so anything long form will be on pause for a while
However, you have absolutely nailed this and perfectly captured her character arc and the artwork shown here, particularly that last one by Stephen Graham Walsh is stunning
Brilliantly done 👍🏼
Loved this comprehensive article on my all-time favorite fictional character! I’ve identified very, very strongly with Eowyn since I first read LotR at age twelve.