The Balchoth were a clan of Easterlings under the sway of Dol Guldur, who lived in Rhovanion, the lands southeast of the forest of Mirkwood. Traditionally, their leaders were friendly to Gondor (Eldacar even lived there, for a time, at the request of Rómendacil II, his father).[source?]
- Main article: Battle of the Field of Celebrant
However, in 2510 of the Third Age, they attempted, with the assistance of Orcs, an invasion of Calenardhon, a minimally populated northern province of Gondor. After pushing back the northern Gondorian army, they were repulsed by Eorl, who arrived with the Éothéod, after receiving the plea of Cirion late. The Balchoth were no match for the horsemen of the Éothéod, and were hunted down and utterly destroyed. In gratitude of this feat, Cirion rewarded Eorl and his horsemen the province, which was renamed the Riddermark, or Rohan as the citizens of Gondor called it.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan" (Note 24)