Old English scholar needed; Eomer and Eowyn's salutes - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Eothain Elfwine · 01-13-2004, 06:08 PM

In TTT, toward the end of "The King of the Golden Hall," Eomer says to Theoden, "Westu Theoden hal!" and later Eowyn says, "Ferthu Theoden hal!" I am guessing that these are in Old English, which was the language that Tolkien drew all of his Rohan names from, and I'm also guessing that they might be a quote from Beowulf or a common (ish) Old English salute, but does anyone know what they mean?

01-13-2004, 06:08 PM	#1
Eothain Elfwine Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Plains of Rohan Posts: 38	Old English scholar needed; Eomer and Eowyn's salutes In TTT, toward the end of "The King of the Golden Hall," Eomer says to Theoden, "Westu Theoden hal!" and later Eowyn says, "Ferthu Theoden hal!" I am guessing that these are in Old English, which was the language that Tolkien drew all of his Rohan names from, and I'm also guessing that they might be a quote from Beowulf or a common (ish) Old English salute, but does anyone know what they mean? __________________ I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.