Thengel
Men >
Kings
of the Mark > Fengel > Thengel > Theoden
Born 2905 T.A., died 2980. Reign began 2953.
Article: "Thengel" by Gandalf-(TV)
Article: "Thengel" by Anarion-(TV)
Thengel
Thengel was the sixteenth King of Rohan, son of Fengel
and father of Théoden.
Born in the year 2905 of the Third Age, he lived in Edoras for all his
childhood.
Upon reaching manhood, he went to live in Gondor, in part because of
his
father's lifestyle, his greed for gold and for food. It is likely he went
to
Gondor before the year 2925 of the Third Age. Once there, he earned
great
honor in the service of the steward, Turgon.
In the
year 2943 Thengel wedded Morwen of Lossarnach, younger than he by
seventeen
years. In Gondor, Morwen bore Thengel three children, of whom the only
son,
the second child, was Theoden.
When Fengel died, as all
men do, Thengel was recalled to Rohan where he became King. And even
though
he returned unwillingly, he became a good and wise leader. After his
return,
his respect for Gondor was made apparent as he used their speech in
his
house. With this some men did not agree.
Once back,
Saruman the wizard declared himself the Lord of Isengard and began to
trouble
the Rohirrim by infringing on Rohan's borders and by supporting her
enemies.
Morwen bore Thengel two more daughters of whom the
last, Théodwyn, was born in 2963. She was the fairest, though a
product
of his old age.
For seventeen years more, Thengel lived
in the Golden Hall in Edoras until he died at age seventy-five in the year 2980 of
the
Third Age. His cause of death is more than likely old age, but some
type
of sickness cannot be ruled out. His successor was Theoden, the last of
the
Second Line of the Kings of Rohan.
References: Lord of the Rings, Unfinished Tales
top
Thengel
As soon as Thengel reached manhood, he removed to
Gondor to fight
for the Steward Turin II. Marrying Morwen of Lossernach late on in
life, he had only one son, Théoden,
although he had five children altogether. When Thengel ascended to the
throne, he was unwilling to return to Rohan, but
giving in he made a good king and was popular.
However, the shadow began to return at this point
and Saruman declared
himself Lord of Isengard.
References: Unfinished Tales, Lord of the Rings,
Tolkien Quiz Book
Succeeded by Theoden
(Editor's note:
Turgon was the first Steward for whom Thengel fought;
Turin II became Steward 2852 and Thengel served him also. Ecthelion
became Steward the same year that Fengel died in 2953, so Thengel
either did not serve him or did so for only a short time.)
References:
RotK App. A II starting p. 1029 ff
RotK App B Timeline at the end of RotK
top