In his article entitled "The Social Context of Warfare in Anglo-Saxon England," Dr. Richard Underwood explains the significance of mathums, which in his modern text are referred to as gifts.

[Warriors were rewarded for their service with gifts, particularly of weapons and armour, and, after long service, with grants of land. These warriors were in no way mercenaries, however; the relationship between lord and his warband was long term and was considered to be honourable for both parties. Personal prestige was considered extremely important. The value of gifts given by the lord therefore lay not only in their monetary worth but also in the prestige they brought. Gift Giving was both public and formal, and reflected well on both the lord, who demonstrated his ability to provide gifts and the warrior who earned them.

In return for their lord's generosity the warriors accepted a number of social obligations. The most important of which was the duty to fight in the warband and, if their lord was killed, to avenge him or die in the attempt.”

…’The reason that Eomer is prepared to shower gifts (mathums) on Merry is that Merry had fulfilled the social obligation placed on him by entering into King Theoden's service (R.59; V.2), and by the previous bestowal of mathums of war gear (R.90;
3). When all the other King's men had been killed or carried away by their terrified steeds, Merry had indeed come forward fight with Eowyn as she stood between the Nazgűl and his prey, prepared to avenge Theoden's death, or die in the attempt 142-143; V.6). Merry's steadfastness in the fulfillment of his duty to the King had increased his honor and prestige beyond Eomer's ability to bestow a gift worthy of it.


The narrator concludes Tolkien's exposition on the tradition Gift Giving in this scene, with the explanation that "Merry took the horn, for it could not be refused" (R.316; VI.6). The gift not merely a kindness, but a traditionalized obligation that bound the bestower to present it and the recipient to take it.

Mark T Hooker, A Tolkien Mathomium, Llyfrawr, 2006