Eorl was considered the first King of the Mark. He was the leader of the Eotheod. His father, Leod, was killed while trying to tame a wild horse when Eorl was only 16. Eorl vowed vengeance and sought long for the horse that killed his father. When he finally found it he surprised the men he was with by not killing it; rather calling to it: "'Come hither, Mansbane, and get a new name!'" (p. 346, The Return of the King). To the wonder of all, save Eorl perhaps, the horse drew nigh to the youth. "Felorf I name you. You loved your freedom, and I do not blame you for that. But now you owe me a great weregild, and you shall surrender your freedom to me until your life's end" (p. 346, The Return of the King). There's something about the Rohirrim very manly folk (My operating definition of masculinity is: Rejecting passivity, Embracing integrity, Accepting responsibility, and Leading courageously).
The horse submitted to Eorl and allowed him to ride. Eorl rode only bareback with no bit or bridle all his days. It was said the horse understood all the words of men, would only allow Eorl to mount it, and was as long lived as men (as its descendants afterwords). "These were the mearas, who would bear no one but the King of the Mark or his sons, until the time of Shadowfax. Men said that Bema (whom the Eldar call Oromë) must have brought their sire from West over the sea" (p. 346, The Return of the King). The Eotheod delighted in horses and in all feats of horsemanship.
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2501-2502
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, page 346 and 344-345
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