Theoden son of ThengelTheoden, the uncle of Eomer and Eowyn, was the king of Rohan during the War of the Ring. Though he spent a long time under the influence of Saruman's spy, Wormtongue, he was saved by Gandalf. Theoden went on to fight bravely at both Helm's Deep and at the Pelennor Fields defending Minas Tirith, where he was killed by the Witch King of Angmar, despite the attempts of Eowyn and Merry to save him. Unlike Denethor, Theoden had a great love and respect for the hobbit who served him, and Merry looked up to him as a father figure.
Biography:King Theoden is the 17th King of Rohan. He fell under the spell
of Saruman due to the presence of Grima Wormtongue. He became withered
beyond his age. He could neither tell friend nor foe and the fire that
used to burn in his eyes were vanquished by the dark forces that held
him down. His sword Herugrim was hidden by Wormtongue as a sign that
the king had lost his real power over Rohan. Was released from Saruman's
spell because of Gandalf's intervention. When released from the spell,
Theoden once again regained his able body and wise mind and he got to
play with his sword again! Herugrim (his sword) is the symbol of his power. He died
during the Battle in Pelennor Fields. His horse's name is Snowmane.
Listen to the sounds of Peter Jackson's The Return of the King during Theoden's charge at the battle of Pelennor Fields
Theoden's RelativesHis father, Thengel, like all of his other forefathers(Sons of Eorl), were the greatest horsemasters of Middle-Earth and were formidable warriors repeatedly aiding Gondor in the wars waged against Sauron. His wife, Elfchild, died during the birth of their son Theodred. Theodred fell in battle at the Fords of the Isen during the War of the Ring. Theoden's sister, Theodwyn, bore two children, Eomer and Eowyn. Her husdand was killed by orcs and she died of grief afterwards. The tragedy in Eowyn's, Theoden's niece's life made her fear neither death nor pain. She continually tries to gain a chance to fight during the War of the Ring, but is refused by Aragorn and Theoden. She falls in love with Aragorn but is rebuffed. She disguises herself as a man to fight at the Pelennor, where she slays the Lord of the Nazgul, but not in time to save Theoden's life. She marries Faramir who becomes the prince of Ithilien. Eomer, his nephew, is a formidable warrior and rider and strong due to his harsh childhood experiences. He is named king by Theoden before he dies and fights at Helm's Deep, the Pelennor Fields and at the Black Gate where he forms a great friendship with Aragorn. After the War of the Ring and reconstruction of Middle-Earth he rules Rohan peacefully until his death.
See a clip of Theoden's Charge in Peter Jackson's The Return of the King.