The Rohirrim, why horses? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Goldberry123 · 01-09-2010, 10:59 AM

The Rohirrim are defined by their love of horses, but why horses in the first place? What are their significance?

Thanks!

The Might · 01-09-2010, 11:17 AM

Their connection to horses can be traced back to their ancestors who lived in Rhovanion, having settled there some time before 1250 TA.
Living in an area of large, grassy plains it was useful for them to ride horses to get around quickly and perhaps also to use them for farming.

From them the Éothéod descended, whose name does mean horse-people. They moved north between the Langwell and the Greylin and later rode back south to the aid of Gondor and received Rohan in return.

Again, in Rohan it was useful to have horses since the large, grassy plains made it ideal to ride around.

Goldberry123 · 01-09-2010, 11:23 AM

I've done a lot of research over the past few days into the general significance of horses in LOTR but am drawing a blank.

In some instances they reflect the character of their rider, they can tell us a lot about a civilization. But is there more? Am I missing something?

I have many unanswered questions questions, for instance... Why does Shadowfax allow Gandalf, rather than anyone else, ride him?

Inziladun · 01-09-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldberry123

I have many unanswered questions questions, for instance... Why does Shadowfax allow Gandalf, rather than anyone else, ride him?

The answer to that must lie in Gandalf's nature as a Maia, sent by the Valar. The Vala Oromë could have been at work there, providing the leader of the fight against Sauron with the one horse that could bear him swifter than any other, and stand up to the terror of the Nazgûl.

Sarumian · 01-09-2010, 02:51 PM

Horses were of great importance for most of people living in steppe, whether they were Gots, Mongols or Cossaks. Tolkien is quite accurate in his reconstructions.

Morthoron · 01-09-2010, 05:39 PM

The Rohirrim have horses because the Anglo-Saxons lost to the Normans. Tolkien felt that if King Harold and his Housecarls had had a standing cavalry in 1066, they would not have lost the Battle of Hastings, and England, to the invading William the Bastard and his motley band of Norman barons and continental freebooters. Thus, the Anglo-Saxon monarchy would have retained sovereignity over England, and remained to subjugate, overtax and make lives miserable for the peasantry, rather than have foreigners do the same except much more efficiently.

01-09-2010, 10:59 AM	#1
Goldberry123 Newly Deceased Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 3	The Rohirrim, why horses? The Rohirrim are defined by their love of horses, but why horses in the first place? What are their significance? Thanks!

01-09-2010, 11:17 AM	#2
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	Their connection to horses can be traced back to their ancestors who lived in Rhovanion, having settled there some time before 1250 TA. Living in an area of large, grassy plains it was useful for them to ride horses to get around quickly and perhaps also to use them for farming. From them the Éothéod descended, whose name does mean horse-people. They moved north between the Langwell and the Greylin and later rode back south to the aid of Gondor and received Rohan in return. Again, in Rohan it was useful to have horses since the large, grassy plains made it ideal to ride around. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

01-09-2010, 05:39 PM	#6
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,510	The Rohirrim have horses because the Anglo-Saxons lost to the Normans. Tolkien felt that if King Harold and his Housecarls had had a standing cavalry in 1066, they would not have lost the Battle of Hastings, and England, to the invading William the Bastard and his motley band of Norman barons and continental freebooters. Thus, the Anglo-Saxon monarchy would have retained sovereignity over England, and remained to subjugate, overtax and make lives miserable for the peasantry, rather than have foreigners do the same except much more efficiently. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.

01-09-2010, 11:23 AM	#3
Goldberry123 Newly Deceased Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 3	I've done a lot of research over the past few days into the general significance of horses in LOTR but am drawing a blank. In some instances they reflect the character of their rider, they can tell us a lot about a civilization. But is there more? Am I missing something? I have many unanswered questions questions, for instance... Why does Shadowfax allow Gandalf, rather than anyone else, ride him?

01-09-2010, 02:51 PM	#5
Sarumian Wight Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 129	Horses were of great importance for most of people living in steppe, whether they were Gots, Mongols or Cossaks. Tolkien is quite accurate in his reconstructions.