Dark haired Rohirrim? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

MatthewM · 05-18-2007, 08:31 AM

Does anybody know of any dark haired Rohirrim that Tolkien mentions in specific? Do you think Tolkien intended any dark haired Rohirrim? The same question could be asked about Gondor- did Tolkien ever mention any blonde Gondorians? I don't recall anything, it seems as though unless mingled in marriage, Rohan is blonde, Gondor is dark.

The Might · 05-18-2007, 09:21 AM

From what we know from the books the Rohirrim were tall, fair, pale, and had blond hair (which they wore long and braided) and mostly had blue eyes.
It could well be that this was because of their descent mostly from the House of Hador.

The Sixth Wizard · 05-18-2007, 03:22 PM

I'm sure I remember that Imrahil was blonde, but I guess he could be ousted as he is from Dol Amroth and they're all a bit different there.

I don't know why, but I also always picture Helm Hammerhand as dark-haired, though I'm probably wrong there.

Finduilas · 05-18-2007, 05:29 PM

I think Imrahil was dark-haired. Here was what I found on him...

Quote:

And last and proudest, Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth... And a company of knights in full harness riding grey horses; and behind them seven hundreds of men at arms, tall as lords, grey-eyed, dark-haired, singing as they came.

This doesn't say particularly(sp) but it seems to generalize in such a way that he would also be dark-haired.

It seems to me as if all Gondorians are dark, and all Rohanians are blond.

Formendacil · 05-18-2007, 07:23 PM

I can't remember if it actually says what colour Gríma's hair is... but I have never mentally pictured it as blond. If his hair colour IS specified anywhere, that could be taken as contrary evidence.

Anguirel · 05-19-2007, 12:02 PM

Isn't Grima portrayed as much older in the books? I always imagined a sort of stereotypical evil counsellor, a hunched old man with lank grey hair, and was almost pleasantly surprised by Brad Dourif's version which was more Mordred than Methuselah...

If he was grey haired, then his hair's original colour would be a moot point. I agree, it's hard (although quite satisfying for one as dark as I) to picture him blond.

MatthewM · 05-19-2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formendacil

I can't remember if it actually says what colour Gríma's hair is... but I have never mentally pictured it as blond. If his hair colour IS specified anywhere, that could be taken as contrary evidence.

I remember reading that Grima's hair colour is not mentioned anywhere. I could be wrong, but I believe his hair colour is just as much of a mystery as Legolas'.

05-18-2007, 08:31 AM	#1
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	Dark haired Rohirrim? Does anybody know of any dark haired Rohirrim that Tolkien mentions in specific? Do you think Tolkien intended any dark haired Rohirrim? The same question could be asked about Gondor- did Tolkien ever mention any blonde Gondorians? I don't recall anything, it seems as though unless mingled in marriage, Rohan is blonde, Gondor is dark. __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

05-18-2007, 09:21 AM	#2
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	From what we know from the books the Rohirrim were tall, fair, pale, and had blond hair (which they wore long and braided) and mostly had blue eyes. It could well be that this was because of their descent mostly from the House of Hador. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

05-18-2007, 07:23 PM	#5
Formendacil Dead Serious Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perched on Thangorodrim's towers. Posts: 3,326	I can't remember if it actually says what colour Gríma's hair is... but I have never mentally pictured it as blond. If his hair colour IS specified anywhere, that could be taken as contrary evidence. __________________ I prefer history, true or feigned.

05-19-2007, 12:02 PM	#6
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	Isn't Grima portrayed as much older in the books? I always imagined a sort of stereotypical evil counsellor, a hunched old man with lank grey hair, and was almost pleasantly surprised by Brad Dourif's version which was more Mordred than Methuselah... If he was grey haired, then his hair's original colour would be a moot point. I agree, it's hard (although quite satisfying for one as dark as I) to picture him blond. __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

05-18-2007, 03:22 PM	#3
The Sixth Wizard Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stuck under a rock in Valinor with Ar-Pharazon. Posts: 480	I'm sure I remember that Imrahil was blonde, but I guess he could be ousted as he is from Dol Amroth and they're all a bit different there. I don't know why, but I also always picture Helm Hammerhand as dark-haired, though I'm probably wrong there.