Rohan, Middle-earth

Rohan
Middle-earth location
Artist's impression of the flag of Rohan[T 1]
First appearance	The Two Towers
In-universe information
Other name(s)	the Riddermark, Calenardhon, the Mark
Type	Adopted home of the Rohirrim
Ruler	Kings of Rohan
Location	North-west Middle-earth
Locations	Edoras, Dunharrow, Helm's Deep
Lifespan	Founded T.A. 2510
Founder	Eorl the Young
Capital	Aldburg, then Edoras

Rohan is a fictional kingdom of Men in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy setting of Middle-earth. Known for its horsemen, the Rohirrim, Rohan provides its ally Gondor with cavalry. Its territory is mainly grassland. The Rohirrim call their land the Mark or the Riddermark, names recalling that of the historical kingdom of Mercia, the region of Western England where Tolkien lived.

Tolkien grounded Rohan in elements inspired by Anglo-Saxon tradition, poetry, and linguistics, specifically in its Mercian dialect, in everything but its use of horses. Tolkien used Old English for the kingdom's language and names, pretending that this was in translation of Rohirric. Meduseld, the hall of King Théoden, is modelled on Heorot, the great hall in Beowulf.

Within the plot of The Lord of the Rings, Rohan plays a critical role in the action—first against the wizard Saruman in the Battle of the Hornburg, then in the climactic Battle of the Pelennor Fields. There, Théoden leads the Rohirrim to victory against the forces of Mordor; he is killed when his horse falls, but his niece Éowyn kills the leader of the Ringwraiths.
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