Theoden's sisters' sons?

[The Mouth of Sauron]

If I remember rightly from my reading of the Appendices, Théoden had sisters. If they had produced any sons, wouldn't those sons have had a better claim to the throne of Rohan than Eomer?

[Nerwen]

Why, because the other sisters were older than Theodwyn?

-Also, maybe it's just the wording, Mouth, but you sound here as you think Eomer *wasn't* Theoden's sister's son, which is confusing me.

[Inziladun]

Since Éomer was in fact the obvious heir in Théoden's mind, it seems that none of the other children of Thengel produced male offspring.

[Mithalwen]

I have wondered about this and there arecavfew possible answers. Even in our own world, not all monarchies have a strict line of succession. Rohan's culture with its origin in Eorl's military succes rather than in exalted blood lines like Gondor would probably choose the fittest to rule over the one who was most senior if push came to shove. I think Theoden instructed that they should choose a ruler as seemed best should he and Eomer both not return.

If Eowyn had survived and her brother had not, she might well have had the personal authority to rule. She certainly had the loyalty of Elfhelm who would have by virtue of his military prowess been a prime candidate to fill a power vacuum.

However to get back to the book situation, we know Theoden had no brothers or paternal uncles. He did have aunts and sisters. However it was stated that the House of Eorl ended with Eomer and Eowyn. It is unlikely that none of Theodens aunts or other sisters had children. More than likely some of the lords of Rohan were cousins in some degree to the king, though it is possible that the elder Gondor born sisters remained or returned to Gondor to marry and were thus discounted.

So I think that the likeliest situation is that membership of the House of Eorl was by male descent and that Eowyn and Eomer counted because Eomund was descended from a son of King Brego,
presumably in direct male descent

This and their being de facto adopted children of Theoden would have placed them higher than the offspring of senior royal ladies married to lesser lords. However had Eomund's line also failed, heir children may have been considered.

[Tar-Jêx]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Since Éomer was in fact the obvious heir in Théoden's mind, it seems that none of the other children of Thengel produced male offspring.

Éomer had also proven himself as a leader, and was obviously quite popular. I don't think the people of Rohan would have objected him as their king even if it broke the traditions.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Since Éomer was in fact the obvious heir in Théoden's mind, it seems that none of the other children of Thengel produced male offspring.

Perhaps Eomer simply had any inconvenient offspring strangled -- a royal expedient often used in history.

[Tar-Jêx]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Perhaps Eomer simply had any inconvenient offspring strangled -- a royal expedient often used in history.

That would be such a plot twist. Eomer actually manipulating the political system of Rohan so he would inherit the throne.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Tar-Jêx

That would be such a plot twist. Eomer actually manipulating the political system of Rohan so he would inherit the throne.

Actually, it was Eomer who put Wormtongue in a position of power in the first place, and urged him to collaborate with Saruman, so that later he could use that to gain Theoden's trust and throne.

Oooh, maybe he even meddled with the Battle at the Fords to ensure a certain royal casualty!



But seriously, when Theoden prepared to leave for war, he asks his guards and noblemen whom the people trust, who should he leave in his place, and they reply the House of Eorl. Theoden says that he is taking Eomer to battle with him, and Eomer is the last of the House, at which point the people of course remind him about Eowyn. So If Theoden really does not think he has any such relatives that by blood or by virtue could be considered the House of Eorl, he probably didn't have any!