The Three Hunters continue their pursuit across the plains, their hearts growing wearier due to the physical effects of Saruman’s opposing will. A new sunrise brings new counsel, and a chance meeting (if chance you call it) with an éored of Rohan’s finest; but the Riders are strong and bold, much like the cocon— er, horses they ride, and they don’t take too kindly to strangers in Elvish cloaks. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at our character voices, a sidebar on the history of Rohan, and a closer examination of just what Legolas’ elf-eyes see.
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I’m finally getting caught up with you all!
I was intrigued with the question of whether the Rohirim would be classified as light or heavy cavalry.
Thematically, they feel like a mashup of the chivalrous knights of legends and the Norse Vikings. The men are well armed and armored, including shields, and only piece of armor that might be called “light” are their helmets, which seem to be designed for better vision than a heavy great helm.
The horses are also described as large, powerful animals like the chargers that knights and heavy cavalry would use, but Tolkien makes no reference of barding, or horse armor, for them.
In summary, the Rohirim seem to be outfitted as Dragoons, but fight on horseback, and probably influenced as much by the writer’s imagination as on the Dragoon and light cavalry units that Tolkien himself served with in the Great War, creating a kind of anachronistic blend of Medium cavalry, creating one of the most iconic fantasy factions today.