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The '''Oath of Eorl''', also called the '''Oath of Cirion''',<ref>{{VT|42a}}, p. 20</ref> was the alliance sworn between the nations of [[Rohan]] and [[Gondor]]. The Oath also stated that the province of [[Calenardhon]] would be forever of Rohan, and the borders of that kingdom were established.
The '''Oath of Eorl''', also called the '''Oath of Cirion''',<ref>{{VT|42a}}, p. 20</ref> was the alliance sworn between the nations of [[Rohan]] and [[Gondor]].  


Also agreed was whenever help was needed, the two kingdoms would aid each other. The signal that help was needed was the [[Red Arrow]], a symbol of danger. For faster communication between the two allies, the [[warning beacons of Gondor]] were used. These beacons were placed on seven hills along the northern ridge of the [[White Mountains]].
Also agreed was whenever help was needed, the two kingdoms would aid each other. The signal that help was needed was the [[Red Arrow]], a symbol of danger. For faster communication between the two allies, the [[warning beacons of Gondor]] were used. These beacons were placed on seven hills along the northern ridge of the [[White Mountains]].


== History of the Oath ==
== The Oath ==
The Oath was first sworn in {{TA|2510}} by [[Cirion]], the twelfth Ruling Steward of Gondor, and by [[Eorl]], King of the [[Éothéod]] (later first King of Rohan) following the [[Battle of the Field of Celebrant]].  They swore their oaths on the [[Halifirien]] hill at the site of the tomb of [[Elendil]].
[[File:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Oathtaking_of_Cirion_and_Eorl.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''The Oathtaking of Cirion and Eorl'']]
The Oath was first sworn in {{TA|2510}} by [[Cirion]], the twelfth Ruling Steward of Gondor, and by [[Eorl]], King of the [[Éothéod]] (later first King of Rohan) following the [[Battle of the Field of Celebrant]]. The Oath stated that the province of [[Calenardhon]] would be forever of Rohan, established its borders, and an alliance between the kingdomsThe two rulers swore their oaths on the [[Halifirien]] hill at the site of the [[Tomb of Elendil]].


Eorl spoke his oath in [[Rohirric|his own language]].  In addition to his oath, Cirion spoke an invocation in [[Quenya]] and the Common Speech, calling the [[Valar]] and [[Ilúvatar|Eru]] to witness the oaths that were taken. 
Eorl spoke his oath in [[Rohirric|his own language]]:


{{quote|Vanda sina termaruva Elenna-nóreo alcar enyalien ar Elendil Vorondo voronwë. Nai tiruvantes i hárar mahalmassen mi Númen ar i Eru i or ilyë mahalmar eä tenn' oio|Cirion}}
{{quote|Hear now all peoples who bow not to the Shadow in the East, by the gift of the Lord of Mundberg we will come to dwell in the land that he names Calenardhon, and therefore I vow in my own name and on behalf of the Éothéod of the North that between us and the Great Prople of the West there shall be friendship for ever: their enemies shall be our enemies, their need shall be our need, and whatsoever evil, or threat, or assault may come upon them we will aid them to the utmost end of our strength. This vow shall descend to my heirs, all such as may come after me in our new land, and let them keep it in faith unbroken, lest the Shadow fall upon them and they become accursed.|Eorl}}
 
In addition to his oath, Cirion spoke an invocation in [[Quenya]] and the [[Westron|Common Speech]], calling the [[Valar]] and [[Ilúvatar|Eru]] to witness the oaths that were taken. 
 
{{quote|Vanda sina termaruva Elenna-nóreo alcar enyalien ar Elendil Vorondo voronwë. Nai tiruvantes i hárar mahalmassen mi Númen ar i Eru i or ilyë mahalmar eä tennoio.|Cirion}}


Eru's name was very rarely invoked in oaths, and indeed had not been since the time of the [[Last Alliance]].  Among people of Numenorean descent, it was held that only the King could call upon Eru, but Cirion had that authority as Steward and regent for the King.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>
Eru's name was very rarely invoked in oaths, and indeed had not been since the time of the [[Last Alliance]].  Among people of Numenorean descent, it was held that only the King could call upon Eru, but Cirion had that authority as Steward and regent for the King.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>


==History of the Oath==
In {{TA|2710}} King [[Déor]] asked the help of [[Egalmoth (Steward of Gondor)|Steward Egalmoth]] to drive off the [[Dunlendings]] from the occupied [[Ring of Isengard]], but a renewed war against the Orcs prevented the Steward from fulfill the Oath.<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}</ref><ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref>
In {{TA|2710}} King [[Déor]] asked the help of [[Egalmoth (Steward of Gondor)|Steward Egalmoth]] to drive off the [[Dunlendings]] from the occupied [[Ring of Isengard]], but a renewed war against the Orcs prevented the Steward from fulfill the Oath.<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}</ref><ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref>


In {{TA|2885}}, when [[Ithilien]] was invaded in great strength, King [[Folcwine]] of [[Rohan]] fulfilled the [[Oath of Eorl]] and sent many men to Gondor. With their aid [[Steward]] [[Túrin II]] won a victory at the crossings of [[Poros]], though the princes [[Fastred (son of Folcwine)|Fastred]] and [[Folcred]] were slain.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref>
In {{TA|2885}}, when [[Ithilien]] was invaded in great strength, King [[Folcwine]] of [[Rohan]] fulfilled the Oath and sent many men to Gondor. With their aid [[Steward]] [[Túrin II]] won a victory at the [[Crossings of Poros]], though the princes [[Fastred (son of Folcwine)|Fastred]] and [[Folcred]] were slain.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref>


During the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Red Arrow]] was brought to King [[Théoden]] of Rohan by a messenger of Gondor while [[Minas Tirith]] was besieged by [[Sauron]].  
During the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Red Arrow]] was brought to King [[Théoden]] of Rohan by a messenger of Gondor while [[Minas Tirith]] was besieged by [[Sauron]].  
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{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category: Oaths and Prophecies]]
[[Category: Oaths and Prophecies]]
[[de:Eid von Eorl]]
[[fr:encyclo/evenements/3a/serment_d_eorl]]
[[fi:Cirionin vala]]

Revision as of 23:33, 13 May 2016

The Oath of Eorl, also called the Oath of Cirion,[1] was the alliance sworn between the nations of Rohan and Gondor.

Also agreed was whenever help was needed, the two kingdoms would aid each other. The signal that help was needed was the Red Arrow, a symbol of danger. For faster communication between the two allies, the warning beacons of Gondor were used. These beacons were placed on seven hills along the northern ridge of the White Mountains.

The Oath

Ted Nasmith - The Oathtaking of Cirion and Eorl

The Oath was first sworn in T.A. 2510 by Cirion, the twelfth Ruling Steward of Gondor, and by Eorl, King of the Éothéod (later first King of Rohan) following the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. The Oath stated that the province of Calenardhon would be forever of Rohan, established its borders, and an alliance between the kingdoms. The two rulers swore their oaths on the Halifirien hill at the site of the Tomb of Elendil.

Eorl spoke his oath in his own language:

"Hear now all peoples who bow not to the Shadow in the East, by the gift of the Lord of Mundberg we will come to dwell in the land that he names Calenardhon, and therefore I vow in my own name and on behalf of the Éothéod of the North that between us and the Great Prople of the West there shall be friendship for ever: their enemies shall be our enemies, their need shall be our need, and whatsoever evil, or threat, or assault may come upon them we will aid them to the utmost end of our strength. This vow shall descend to my heirs, all such as may come after me in our new land, and let them keep it in faith unbroken, lest the Shadow fall upon them and they become accursed."
― Eorl

In addition to his oath, Cirion spoke an invocation in Quenya and the Common Speech, calling the Valar and Eru to witness the oaths that were taken.

"Vanda sina termaruva Elenna-nóreo alcar enyalien ar Elendil Vorondo voronwë. Nai tiruvantes i hárar mahalmassen mi Númen ar i Eru i or ilyë mahalmar eä tennoio."
― Cirion

Eru's name was very rarely invoked in oaths, and indeed had not been since the time of the Last Alliance. Among people of Numenorean descent, it was held that only the King could call upon Eru, but Cirion had that authority as Steward and regent for the King.[2]

History of the Oath

In T.A. 2710 King Déor asked the help of Steward Egalmoth to drive off the Dunlendings from the occupied Ring of Isengard, but a renewed war against the Orcs prevented the Steward from fulfill the Oath.[3][4]

In T.A. 2885, when Ithilien was invaded in great strength, King Folcwine of Rohan fulfilled the Oath and sent many men to Gondor. With their aid Steward Túrin II won a victory at the Crossings of Poros, though the princes Fastred and Folcred were slain.[5]

During the War of the Ring, the Red Arrow was brought to King Théoden of Rohan by a messenger of Gondor while Minas Tirith was besieged by Sauron.

The Oath was renewed by Aragorn and Éomer upon their accessions to the thrones of Gondor and Rohan.

References