The Prancing Pony Podcast – Episode 362: "Follow Every Marshal" Summary

Release Date: March 9, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 362 of The Prancing Pony Podcast titled "Follow Every Marshal," hosts Alan Sisto and Matt dive deep into the intricacies of Rohan's military structure as depicted in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. This episode primarily explores the roles and historical significance of the Marshals of the Mark, drawing from sources like Unfinished Tales and The Battle of the Fords of Isen.

1. Philology Fair: Exploring "Marshal" and "Muster" [02:07 – 07:32]

Philology Fair segments are a favorite among listeners, and in this episode, Alan and Matt dissect the origins and meanings of the terms "marshal" and "muster."

• Marshal: Originating from Old French and Latin mariscalcus (originally meaning "groom" and later "commander of an army"), the term reflects the vital role of cavalry in medieval warfare. Tolkien's choice to use "martial" instead of a purely Old English equivalent like "thane of the mark" is attributed to aesthetic preferences, particularly alliteration ("Marshal of the Mark") enhancing the phrase's musicality.

  Alan Sisto [05:05]: "Marshal of the mark. And it’s got that sort of musicality to it. It does sound better than 'horse, thane of the mark.'"

• Muster: Borrowed later from Old French monstre, meaning "display" or "manifestation," it evolved to signify the gathering of troops. The term also connects etymologically to "monster," highlighting the mutable nature of language over time.

2. The Structure of Rohan's Military Command [07:38 – 16:58]

The episode transitions to a detailed reading and analysis of an appendix from Unfinished Tales, focusing on the Marshals of the Mark during the War of the Ring.

• Marshals of the Mark: Initially, Rohan had three Marshals responsible for different wards:

  • First Marshal: Governed Etterus and surrounding lands, including Harrowdale.
  • Second Marshal: Theodred, the king's son, commanded the West Mark from Helm's Deep.
  • Third Marshal: Eomer, the king's nephew, oversaw the East Mark from Aldburg.

• King Theoden: Ascended to the throne at 32, the youngest in Rohan's history, embodying vigor and martial prowess. His youth negated the immediate need for a first marshal, allowing him to personally command musters during peacetime exercises and parades.

• Challenges in Command:

  • As Theoden aged prematurely under Grima Wormtongue's influence, the chain of command became convoluted. Orders were funneled through Hama and Elfhelm via Wormtongue, causing resentment among the marshals.
  • Upon Saruman's threat in 3019, Theodred assumed general command without direct orders, strengthening the Westfold's muster by reallocating riders from Etterus under Elfhelm's leadership.

3. The Influence of Grima Wormtongue and the Decline of Central Command [16:58 – 34:21]

Grima Wormtongue's machinations led to a breakdown in Rohan's military hierarchy:

• Disruption of Orders: Theoden, influenced by Grima, bypassed direct communication with his marshals, issuing commands indirectly, which eroded trust and efficiency.

• Charges Against Eomer: Grima accused Eomer of:

  1. Disobeying orders to gather forces from the East Mark.
  2. Pursuing orcs into the wild world post-Theodred's death.
  3. Allowing strangers to roam freely and lending horses to them.

• Eomer's Dilemma: Faced with these accusations, Eomer struggled between adhering to royal decrees and acting on his sense of duty and vengeance. The underlying tension illustrated the complexities of leadership under corrupt influence.

  Matt [34:21]: "If nothing good happens, what we find out, the lesson is that very rarely if you change something that happens in Lord of the Rings, does it work out."

4. The Evolution of the Command Structure Post-Healing [34:21 – 54:41]

Following King Theoden's healing by Gandalf, significant changes occurred in Rohan's military hierarchy:

• Reinstatement of Eomer: Though not officially titled the first marshal, Eomer returned as a chief counselor and commander of the king's elite eored (troops).

• Appointment of Erkenbrand: Took command of the West Mark, inheriting responsibilities from Theodred and overseeing the defense against Saruman's forces.

• Elfhelm's Promotion: Elevated to Marshal of the East Mark, leading the former muster of the East Mark.

• Grimbold's Role: As a lesser marshal, Grimbold commanded the West Mark's muster without holding the prestigious title, maintaining Rohan's defense structure.

• Introduction of the Under King: A temporary role activated during wartime or when the king is incapacitated, ensuring continuity of command.

5. The Dunlendings and Their Enmity with Rohan [54:41 – 77:51]

The discussion shifts to Rohan's neighbors, particularly the Dunlendings, their history, and their antagonistic relationship with the Rohirrim:

• Historical Context:

  • Dunlendings: Descendants of the original inhabitants of the White Mountains and remnants of tribes akin to the Druedain. Their isolation led to cultural and linguistic divergences.

• Rise of Hostility:

  • Post the Great Plague (1636-1637) of the Third Age, the Dunlendings, weakened and embittered, began raiding Rohan's herds and lands, exacerbating tensions.

• Strategic Failures:

  • Gondor's focus on eastern threats neglected the western borders, allowing Dunlendings to infiltrate and occupy strategic locations like Isengard.

• Saruman's Intervention:

  • Saruman's takeover of Isengard initially appeared as a strategic alliance to strengthen Rohan's defenses. However, his eventual betrayal underscored the fragility of alliances and the dire consequences of neglecting strategic command points.

  Alan Sisto [71:00]: "It proved, indeed. Now we begin with a reminder of something that we saw time and time again in our six-week sidebar on Kyrrian and Aorl and in the Lord of the Rings."

Notable Quotes

1. Alan Sisto [05:05]:

   "Marshal of the mark. And it’s got that sort of musicality to it. It does sound better than 'horse, thane of the mark.'"

2. Matt [34:21]:

   "If nothing good happens, what we find out, the lesson is that very rarely if you change something that happens in Lord of the Rings, does it work out."

3. Alan Sisto [71:00]:

   "It proved, indeed. Now we begin with a reminder of something that we saw time and time again in our six-week sidebar on Kyrrian and Aorl and in the Lord of the Rings."

Conclusion

Episode 362 of The Prancing Pony Podcast intricately unpacks the military hierarchy of Rohan, emphasizing the pivotal roles of the Marshals of the Mark and the systemic challenges posed by internal corruption and external threats. Through meticulous analysis and passionate discussion, Alan and Matt provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of Rohan's strategic vulnerabilities and the consequential alliance dynamics with neighboring realms, setting the stage for deeper explorations in future episodes.