Meduseld: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 22:52, 26 October 2016

Meduseld
Hall
Jef Murray - Meduseld.jpg
General Information
LocationThe summit of Edoras
TypeHall
DescriptionA great "golden hall" (topped with straw roof, which made it appear golden from afar) upon a green terrace
RegionsRohan
People and History
InhabitantsRohirrim
EventsWulf's rebellion (T.A. 2759)
GalleryImages of Meduseld

Meduseld was the great Golden Hall that stood upon a green terrace in Edoras. It was topped with a straw roof, which made it appear as if it was made out of gold when seen from far off. Its walls were richly decorated with tapestries depicting the history and legends of the Rohirrim, and it served as a house for the King and his kin, a meeting hall for the King and his advisers, and a feast hall.[1]

History

After the Éothéod had settled in Rohan, the Second King of Rohan, Brego son of Eorl, built a great hall on top of the hill of Edoras. The hall was completed in T.A. 2569.[2]

In 2758 the Dunlending leader, Wulf, took Edoras and Meduseld and proclaimed himself king. Helm Hammerhand's son Haleth fell defending the doors of the great hall. Wulf was eventually overthrown by Fréaláf, son of Hild, in 2759.[3]

In the late Third Age, Meduseld was the home of King Théoden.[4] On 7 August T.A. 3019 Théoden's body was brought to Meduseld[5] where he lay until his funeral three days later.[6]

Etymology

The word Meduseld, in the Old English, means "Mead Hall" having a connotation of "Hall of feasts"; medu means "mead" but as a word it has connotations to "joy".

Inspiration

In many ways Meduseld is inspired by Anglo-Saxon poetry, particularly Beowulf, which contains the mead-hall Heorot — the "golden hall" of King Hrothgar.[7] The description of "the light of it shines far across the land" is one of the lines from this poem.

References