Gúthwinë

From Tolkien Gateway

Gúthwinë was the sword of Éomer.

History[edit | edit source]

When Gandalf and his companions arrived at Meduseld on 2 March T.A. 3019, Éomer had been imprisoned by Théoden on the advice of Gríma. Ordered by Théoden to set Éomer free, Háma returned Éomer's sword to Éomer at Éomer's request. Éomer knelt before Théoden and offered him his sword. At Gandalf's suggestion, Théoden took the sword and brandished it, and it seemed to those who watched that strength and firmness returned to his arm.[1]

Éomer carried Gúthwinë at the Battle of the Hornburg. When he and Aragorn led a sortie against the party battering the gate of the Hornburg, he drew the sword and gave the battle cry "Gúthwinë for the Mark!".[2] This is the only place in the text where the name of the sword appears.

At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, upon seeing the Standard of Elendil appear on the lead ship approaching the Harlond, Éomer cast his sword into the air and sang as he caught it.[3] It can be assumed that the sword was Gúthwinë.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name Gúthwinë is Old English,[4] representing a Rohanese word meaning "battle-friend".[5] Christopher Gilson and Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull suggest that it is a compound of guÞ ("war", "battle", "fight") and wine ("friend").[5][4] The word guþwine is translated as "comrade" in the online Bosworth-Toller Dictionary of Old English.[6]

References

Weapons in Tolkien's legendarium
 Arrows:  Black Arrow · Dailir · Red Arrow
Axes:  Dramborleg · Durin's Axe
Bows:  Belthronding · Bow of Bregor · Bow of the Galadhrim
Knives:  Angrist · Barrow-blades · Morgul-knife · Sting
Maces:  Grond
Spears:  Aeglos
Swords:  Anglachel/Gurthang · Anguirel · Aranrúth · Dagmor · Glamdring · Glend · Gúthwinë · Herugrim · Narsil/Andúril ·  Orcrist · Ringil · Sword of Manwë