Karl Urban as Éomer

Éomer is the nephew of King Théoden, a soldier and a captain of Rohan who fights at the Pelennor Fields with the Rohirrim. In the book Éomer is a Marshal of the Riddermark and he has an important role on the side of Théoden but in the movie his character has given room to others so his job is just to muster the Rohirrim to the war and fight with them.

King of Rohan
First of all Éomer is the future King of Rohan. Officially and clearly. Because Théoden’s son Théodred was killed, Théoden named Éomer his heir and now Théoden starts to call Éomer also his son: “But if you would take my counsel,” said Éomer in a low voice, “you would then return hither, until the war is over, lost or won.” …
“Nay, my son, for so I will call you, do not speak…”

And before Théoden dies at the Pelennor Fields he greets Éomer as the King thus making it official and Éomer immediately takes the part as the leader of his people in the battle field.

Slowly Théoden opened his eyes. Seeing the banner he made a sign that it should be given to Éomer. “Hail, King of the Mark” he said. “Ride now to victory! Bid Éowyn farewell!”

Éomer (to his men): “Mourn not overmuch! Mighty was the fallen, meet was his ending. When his mound is raised, women then shall weep. War now calls us!”

Éomer’s official place as the future king of Rohan of course makes his character more important because he’s not just another soldier among the others but it also affects his presence and actions overall.

But in the movie there isn’t a word about Éomer becoming the son or the King. In The Two Towers, Théoden talks how he should have loved Éowyn as a father but Éomer isn’t mentioned in this kind of association. In The Return of the King Théoden talks about the future arrangements when he leaves the command of Edoras to Éowyn in Dunharrow but Éomer’s part in the future of Rohan isn’t mentioned at any point. It does seem that Théoden doesn’t actually expect Éomer or anyone else to return from the war at all to take the rule but still, because Théoden talking to Éowyn is the only time when the future or Rohan is mentioned, almost the only clue that Éomer has to be the one finally taking the throne in Rohan is that in the end Éowyn hooks up with Faramir.


Peter Xavier Price – The Riders of Rohan

A great soldier
Now Éomer has lost his place as the son and King but his part as a soldier is diminished as well. He is a captain among the Rohirrim, he does fight fiercely in the Pelennor fields and he very skilfully kills an Oliphaunt rider by throwing his spear at him but still, he’s more or less only one warrior among the others while Théoden leads the Rohirrim. And after Théoden dies Aragorn comes with the King of the Dead and his army and the battle is over very soon. Éomer musters the Rohirrim at Edoras but other than that he just rides next to Théoden, takes orders from him and fights along the others.

But in the book Éomer actually has quite a big role in the Pelennor Fields and the battle is probably the most important moment for him in the book. Théoden is killed pretty soon after the Rohirrim arrive to the Pelennor Fields so the lead is left to Éomer when most of the battle is still ahead. Éomer takes the rule from Théoden and when he finds Éowyn wounded from the battle field thinking she’s dead, Éomer fiercely commands the Rohirrim to the battle, as the new King of Rohan. Éomer is the one leading the Rohirrim against the Mûmakil and when Aragorn arrives they fight long together before they get the victory.

Éomer and others
The relationship between Théoden and Éomer is close and important in the book. There aren’t any special moments of affection but Éomer is a son and heir to Théoden and his most important captain. They have councils about the upcoming battle and Éomer is almost an equal participant in Théoden’s decisions, for example when they are having a meeting with Ghân-Buri-Ghân. Éomer is also there grieving Théoden when he dies, as well as officially taking the place as the King.

But in the movie, besides Théoden not making Éomer his son or heir, Éomer doesn’t even have a noticeable relationship with Théoden. They don’t have any real conversations besides giving orders, not to mention that Théoden would take Éomer’s thoughts into consideration in his decisions. Éomer rides near Théoden but most of the time Théoden seems to talk with his other soldiers, or Aragorn. Éomer isn’t there when Théoden dies and all in all their relationship remains very formal and unimportant.

Apart from the lack of a real relationship between Éomer and Théoden, one important thing missing in the movie is the friendship between Aragorn and Éomer. In the book the mutual respect starts from their first meeting. Their friendship is mentioned many times and it seems to be an important thing for them during the battles. They are glad to see each other when they meet in the Pelennor Fields and together they fight the rest of the battle. After the war is over Éomer and Aragorn swear love and renew the old important oath between Rohan and Gondor. In the movie however, Éomer and Aragorn barely notice each other.

Éomer and Éowyn don’t have much interaction in the book and they don’t have that much in the movie either but at least Éomer’s affection and concern towards his sister can be seen in the movie in the few short moments they are together showing that they at least have a relationship. And when Éomer finds Éowyn from the battle field thinking she’s dead he’s heartbroken and he seems very concerned sitting aside Éowyn in the Houses of Healing when Aragorn is healing her.

But all in all Éomer doesn’t really have much real dealings with anyone in the movie. He has a few lines, commanding his men and a few occasional comments here and there, but his only longer line during the whole movie is convincing Éowyn that war is province of men.


Éomer (Karl Urban) talks about women and war in Dunharrow

Éomer’s role in The Return of the King
Éomer in the book truly is a soldier, a fierce and skilful captain, but that’s not all there is. In the movie however, his job is simply to fight. He’s an important leader among the Rohirrim and a stern, fierce and skilful warrior but aside of his concern towards Éowyn there isn’t much left in his character or nature of the book Éomer. He’s not the son and captain taking part to Théoden’s decisions, he’s not the one leading the Rohirrim at the Pelennor Fields and neither does the movie tell that after the war Éomer goes back to Rohan as the new King. The writers of the movie haven’t explained why Éomer was demoted from a King to a plain warrior but probably they needed the time for the real King of the movie, Aragorn, and for bringing a strong woman character into the movie, Éowyn. But this only means that in the Return of the King Éomer is merely hanging around with the others without any special role and he’s lost in the crowd.

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Related Information
Related Books vs. Movies Articles:
- Éomer in TTT by elenluin

-3.08. The Road to Isengard by Rosearialelven
- 3.11. The Palantír by Figwit
- 5.03. The Muster of Rohan by Rosearialelven
- 5.05. The Ride of the Rohirrim by Rosearialelven
- 5.06. The Battle of the Pelennor Fields by Ingold
- 5.08. The Houses of Healing by elenluin
- 6.05. The Steward and the King by elvishmusician


Interesting Links:
Our Gallery has has screencaps of the theatrical version, as well as the extended edition. There are also seperate galleries for Karl Urban and Éomer.

A transcript of 'The Lord Of the Rings: The Return of the King' can be found in our Film Fun & Facts section.

A summary of 'The Lord Of the Rings: The Return of the King' can be found in Elrond's Library.

In our Film, Fun and Facts Section you can find biographies for Karl Urban.

Some articles that are related to Éomer Éomundson:
- Our Middle-earth Section has a family of the Kings of the Mark, an article about The History of the Rohirrim (by Nienna-of-the-Valar) and Théoden son of Thengel.
- Under Literature Studies you can find an article about Rohan culture and Eorl's Hymn by Figwit.
- The Weaponry Section has articles about The Battle of Helm's Deep and
The Fighting Styles of the Rohirrim.

Forum threads related to Éomer & Karl Urban:
- The Movie Forum has a thread which ponders the question Does Éomer ever smile?
- The Casting Forum has threads about Éomer and Karl Urban. You can also vote for Karl in the Favourite Male Voice/Accent thread.

Take a look at how some artists saw Éomer in 'The Return of the King':
- Sons of Rohan by Jenny Dolfen
- Éomer son of Éomund by Michael Green
- Rohirrim Soldier by John Howe
- Eomer, son of Eomund by Magsby