An encyclopedia of Middle-earth in the Third Age
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An encyclopedia of Middle-earth in the Third Age |
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Brego and Baldor explored the valley of Harrowdale seeking a refuge for their people. There they found the Dark Door leading to the Paths of the Dead. It is said that an ancient man was sitting before the door. When Brego and Baldor tried to pass him, the old man said: "The way is shut. It was made by those who are Dead, and the Dead keep it, until the time comes." Baldor replied, "And when will that time be?" but the old man died without answering. (RotK, p. 71)
At the feast dedicating the newly built hall of Meduseld, Baldor made a rash vow to walk the Paths of the Dead. In 2570, he entered the Dark Door and was never seen alive again. Brego died of grief and Aldor became King of Rohan.
On March 8, 3019, Aragornand the Grey Company entered the Paths of the Dead. Deep inside the tunnels, they found Baldor's body in front of a locked door. He was still clad in his gilded hauberk, golden helm, and belt of gold and garnets, but his sword was notched and broken and he appeared to have been clawing at the door when he died. Aragorn said that no one would ever know what had befallen Baldor on the Paths of the Dead or what lay behind the locked door. However, in a later note, Tolkien wrote that the Dead had followed Baldor silently through the Paths of the Dead to the door of an evil temple hall, where they broke his legs and left him to die.
Other Names:
Also called Baldor the Hapless.
Etymology:
In Old English, Baldor is
a variation of Bealdor meaning "lord, prince, hero." The word beald
means "bold, brave." In Norse mythology, Baldur was the son of Odin.
Genealogy:
For the family tree of Baldor see
Eomer:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "The Passing of the Grey Company," p. 60-61; "The Muster
of Rohan," p. 70-71; "Many Partings," p. 255
Appendix
A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 349
Appendix
B of LotR: "The Tale of Years," p. 368
"The Rivers
and Beacon-hills of Gondor," by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Carl F. Hostetter,
commentary by Christopher Tolkien, in Vinyar Tengwar #42, July 2001,
p. 22 note 6 (on the locked door and Baldor's fate)
Old
English Made Easy
CeorlRider of Rohan. Ceorl fought in the Second Battle of the Fords of Isen on March 2, 3019. The Rohirrim were driven back across the Isen with great losses, and still more forces came from Isengard including both Orcs and wildmen of Dunland. While Erkenbrand gathered what Riders he could toward Helm's Deep, Ceorl was sent southeast as an errand-rider. Ceorl was exhausted; his helm was dented, his shield was cloven, and his sword was notched.On March 3, Ceorl encounted a group of Riders. He assumed they were led by Eomer, and he gave them news of the battle and told them they should turn back to Edoras. Then King Theoden revealed himself and Ceorl was overjoyed and knelt and offered his sword to the king. Ceorl was given a fresh horse and rode with the king to the Battle of Helm's Deep. His fate is not known. Etymology:
Sources:
|
New Line film  |
Etymology:
Déorwine may mean
"brave friend" or "brave knight" from the Old English déor
meaning "brave, bold, fierce" and wine meaning "friend" or "protector."
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields," p. 120, 125
Beowulf
Glossary
At the Second Battle of the Fords of Isen on March 2, 3019, Dunhere led half an eored in a charge against Saruman's forces that allowed most of Grimbold's men to retreat to safety. He survived the battle himself through his courage and skill at arms.
A week later, the muster of Rohan was held in Dunharrow. Dunhere greeted King Theoden when he arrived on March 9, 3019. He told the King that three days before, a Winged Nazgul had descended on Edoras and Gandalf the Grey had counselled the Rohirrim to muster in the valley rather than the open fields. Dunhere dined with the King and the muster was held the next day.
Dunhere was killed at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15. He was buried in the Mounds of Mundburg with the other Men of Rohan and Gondor who fell that day and his name was remembered in song. The people of the Westfold were deeply grieved at his passing.
Etymology:
The word dún means
"hill" in Old English. The element here may refer to the Old English
word meaning "army, host."
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "The Muster of Rohan," p. 66, 69; "The Battle of the Pelennor
Fields," p. 125
Unfinished
Tales: "The Battles of the Fords of Isen," p. 362-63, 366 note 13
Old
English Made Easy
Elfhelm |
Elfhelm
in the New Line film
|
Marshal
of the garrison of Edoras under
King Theoden;
Marshal of the East-mark under
King Eomer. Elfhelm
was given command of the garrison of Edoras
by King Theoden in 3012 and he served in this capacity until the War of
the Ring in 3019. His rank was that of Marshal. Theoden himself was the
overall commander of the Muster of Edoras and Elfhelm acted on his behalf.
Around 3014, Theoden fell under the influence of his traitorous counselor Grima Wormtongue, who issued orders in the King's name to members of his household including Elfhelm. As the threat of war from Saruman became apparent, Theoden's son Theodred assumed command of Rohan's forces.
In February of 3019, Theodred sent for aid from Edoras. Elfhelm led four companies to the Fords of Isen, but when he arrived on February 25, Theodred had been mortally wounded and Grimbold was defending his body from two great axemen. Elfhelm came to Grimbold's aid and slew one of the axemen while Grimbold killed the other. The rest of Saruman's forces were driven back by Elfhelm's companies and the First Battle of the Fords of Isen ended.
Grimbold was given command of the forces of the West-mark by Erkenbrand, and Elfhelm remained in charge of the forces from Edoras. The two commanders cooperated, but they were unsure of what their next move should be. Elfhelm advised that they should abandon the Fords of Isen and arrange their forces on the eastern side of the river to prevent Saruman's army from overrunning the Westfold and driving the defenders into Helm's Deep. Grimbold did not want to abandon the Fords for he feared that Saruman's army would thus be able to cross the river behind them. It was decided that Grimbold would defend the Fords while Elfhelm would align his forces on the eastern side of the river.
Elfhelm's assessment of Saruman's intentions proved correct. During the Second Battle of the Fords of Isen on March 2, Saruman unleashed a vast army 10,000 strong that came down both sides of the river. If Elfhelm had been in command, he would have withdrawn and joined the forces of Erkenbrand to strengthen the defense of Helm's Deep. But he remained in position until after midnight, when they were attacked by silent wolf-riders in the dark. Elfhelm's companies were cut off from Grimbold's men and Elfhelm was forced to retreat eastward. Saruman's forces overran the Westfold and proceeded to Helm's Deep.
Gandalf arrived on March 3 and gathered the scattered forces of the Rohirrim. Elfhelm's men buried the dead at the Fords of Isen. Elfhelm then led many of his Riders back to Edoras to guard against a possible attack by wolf-riders and plunderers. The rest of the forces followed Gandalf and Erkenbrand to Helm's Deep, where Saruman's forces were defeated at dawn on March 4.
When the Rohirrim rode to the aid of Gondor on March 10, Elfhelm became in effect a Marshal of the Mark and he commanded the first eored of the Muster of the East-mark. Elfhelm allowed a Rider called Dernhelm to join his eored. Dernhelm was actually the King's niece Eowyn in disguise, but if Elfhelm recognized her, he said nothing about it to the King. Elfhelm also purposefully ignored the presence of Merry Brandybuck in his company until he tripped over the Hobbit and mistook him for a tree root on the morning of March 13. Elfhelm explained to Merry that the Wild Men of the Druadan Forest had offered to lead the Rohirrim through the woods to Minas Tirith.
Elfhelm had been to Minas Tirith before and he was familiar with the approach to the City. On the night of March 14, scouts reported to Elfhelm that they had found the bodies of Hirgon and his companion – the errand-riders of Gondor who had come to Rohan with a request for aid. Elfhelm concluded that the errand-riders had never made it back to Minas Tirith with news that the Rohirrim were coming.
At dawn on March 15, the Rohirrim reached the Pelennor Fields. Elfhelm led his company on the right as the Rohirrim charged onto the battlefield. They rode among the siege-engines and attacked the Enemy forces, driving them into the fire-pits. King Theoden was slain during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, but victory was achieved after the arrival of Aragorn with reinforcements.
Elfhelm was left in command of the Rohirrim who remained in Gondor when Eomer rode to the Black Gate with the Host of the West. Elfhelm led 3,000 Riders to Anorien and routed the Enemy forces who had invaded that region and blocked the Great West Road.
On May 1, Elfhelm attended the coronation of Aragorn as King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor. Eomer had become King of Rohan, and he appointed Elfhelm as the Marshal of the East-mark.
Etymology:
At one point, Tolkien intended the
name of Aragorn's father to be Elfhelm, translated as Eldakar in
Elvish.
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "The Road to Isengard," p. 157
The Return
of the King: "The
Ride of the Rohirrim," p. 104-105, 109-11; "The Battle of the Pelennor
Fields," p. 114; "The Last Debate," p. 158; "The Steward and the King,"
p. 244
Unfinished
Tales: "The Battles of the Fords of Isen," p. 356, 358-69
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. VII, The Treason of Isengard: "The Great River,"
p. 366 note 18 (on Elfhelm/Eldakar as an early name of Aragorn's father)
Source:
Appendix
A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 351
Other Names:
Elfwine was known as Elfwine
the Fair.
Etymology:
Elfwine means "Elf friend."
The word wine means "friend" in Old English.
Sources:
Appendix
A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 352
Unfinished
Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 286
Eomund and his family lived at Aldburg in the Eastfold. Eomund was the chief Marshal of the Mark and was responsible for guarding the eastern marches of Rohan. One of his main concerns was protecting the horses of the Rohirrim against Orc raiders. Eomund was brave and fearless but he was also impulsive, and he often pursued Orcs with insufficient caution and few Riders. In 3002, Eomund followed a band of Orcs into the Emyn Muil, where he was ambushed and killed.
Theodwyn became ill and died shortly afterwards, and Eomer and Eowyn were taken in by their uncle, King Theoden. Eomer later became the King of Rohan.
Other Names:
Also called Eomund of Eastfold.
Etymology:
The name Éomund is
composed of the Old English eoh meaning "horse" and mund
meaning "guardian, protector."
Sources:
Appendix
A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 351
Unfinished
Tales: "The Battles of the Fords of Isen - Appendix" p. 357 (footnote)
Old
English Made Easy
Eorl the Young |
Tapestry
of Eorl the Young by Alan Lee
from the New Line film |
First
king of Rohan. Eorl was a wise and valiant man
and a great hero of his people. He had ruddy skin and blond hair that remained
golden throughout his life.
Eorl was born in 2485. His father was Leod, the leader of the people called the Eotheod who lived in the far north near the source of the Anduin. When Eorl was 16 years old, Leod was killed by a wild horse that he had tried to tame. Eorl captured the horse and named him Felarof. Felarof submitted to Eorl and became his steed and was the father of the mearas who were the steeds of Eorl's descendants.
Eorl succeeded his father as the leader of the Eotheod. They were a numerous people with many horses. They needed more room to roam, but there was nowhere for them to go.
On March 25, 2510 - when Eorl was 25 years old - an errand-rider named Borondir arrived with a message from Cirion, the Steward of Gondor. Gondor was being threatened by Men from the East called the Balchoth, and Cirion sought Eorl's help in defeating them. Eorl agreed to come, because he knew that if Gondor fell, all of Middle-earth would soon be conquered. He assembled his Council of Elders to prepare to ride south.
On April 6, Eorl rode forth with an eohere - or mounted army - of 7,000 fully armed Riders and several hundred mounted archers. Only a few hundred Riders were left behind to guard the women, children, and elderly. The eohere rode southward through the Vales of the Anduin - a journey of over 500 miles.
When they passed Dol Guldur in Mirkwood - where Sauron dwelled in secret - a darkness emanated from the fortress, and Eorl turned westward to avoid it. But then a white mist came from the woods of Lothlorien that stood across the River from Dol Guldur, and the Riders were hidden and continued safely on their way.
Eorl arrived at the Field of Celebrant on the morning of April 15. Gondor's army was being attacked on two fronts by the Balchoth and Orcs from the Misty Mountains. Eorl and his Riders attacked the enemy from the rear, slaying many and driving the rest across the River Limlight. South of the Limlight lay the province of Gondor called Calenardhon, and Eorl and his Riders pursued the surviving enemies until the land was free of them.
After the Battle of the Field of Celebrant, Eorl accompanied Cirion to the Mering Stream on the southeastern border of Calenardhon, where they parted company. Cirion asked Eorl to meet him there again in three months and committed Calenardhon to Eorl's care in the meantime.
When they met again in August of 2510, Cirion brought Eorl to Halfirien, the Hill of Awe, in the Firien Wood. There Cirion offered Eorl the land of Calenardhon as a new homeland for his people in gratitude for their service to Gondor. Eorl was deeply grateful for the Gift of Cirion, whom he admired. He accepted and he swore an Oath that his people would always come to Gondor's aid in time of need. Eorl realized that their peoples needed to remain allies in order to face the growing danger in Middle-earth.
Eorl left about half his force to guard Calenardhon and returned to the far north to gather his people and their possessions. He led them back to their new homeland, and it became known as the Mark. In Gondor, the new land of their allies was called Rohan.
Eorl was King of the Mark for 35 years. He chose the hill at the entrance to the valley of Harrowdale to be the site of the town of Edoras. But Meduseld, the Golden Hall, was not completed in Eorl's lifetime, and he dwelled at Aldburg in the Folde. Eorl's son Brego was born in 2512.
In 2545, Rohan was attacked by Easterlings. The attack was thwarted, but Eorl fell in battle. He was buried in a mound outside Edoras, and his horse Felarof was buried with him. His son Brego succeeded him as King of Rohan.
Rohan continued to be ruled by the House of Eorl, and the people of Rohan called themselves the Eorlingas, or the Sons of Eorl. The Oath of Eorl was not forgotten. During the War of the Ring, King Theoden of Rohan honored his ancestor's Oath and came to Gondor's aid at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. The Oath of Eorl was renewed by Theoden's successor King Eomer, who pledged continued friendship to Aragorn, King Elessar, of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor.
Names &
Etymology:
Eorl means "nobleman, lord"
in Old English. The title earl is derived from this word. Eorl was
known as Eorl the Young because he was only 16 when he became the
leader of his people, and also because he remained golden haired and youthful
in appearance until his death.
Eorl was called the Lord of the Eotheod and the Lord of the Riders. He became the first King of Rohan in 2510, but he was also called the King of Calenardhon - the original name for the region - and the King of the Mark.
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "The Riders of Rohan," p. 33, 38; "The King of the Golden Hall,"
p. 112, 116, 120, 127; "Helm's Deep," p. 142; "The Road to Isengard," p.
155; "The Voice of Saruman," p. 184-6
The Return
of the King: "The Steward and the King," p. 247; "Many Partings," p.
254-56
Appendix
A of LotR: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 334; "The House of
Eorl," p. 344-46, 349
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," passim
Old
English Made Easy
ÉothainRider of Rohan. Eothain was a member of the eored - or company - of Eomer, the Third Marshal of Riddermark. Eothain was present when Eomer's eored encountered Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli on February 30, 3019. He laughed at the mention of Hobbits, calling them legends from children's tales, and he suggested to Eomer that they leave the Three Hunters behind or bind them and take them before King Theoden. But Eomer listened to Aragorn's story and at length he agreed to lend horses to the Three Hunters. Again Eothain spoke, objecting to a horse of Rohan being given to a Dwarf. In the end, Gimli rode behind Legolas on Arod and Aragorn was given Hasufel.Etymology:
Sources:
|
in the New Line film  |
Erkenbrand |
Lord
of the Westfold in Rohan during the War of the
Ring. Erkenbrand was tall and strong and he bore a red shield and a black
horn. King Theoden said that the valor of the
legendary Helm Hammerhand lived again
in Erkenbrand.
In his youth, Erkenbrand was an officer in the King’s Riders. As Lord of the Westfold, Erkenbrand was the highest ranking lord in western Rohan. He lived in the Hornburg of Helm's Deep, across the Gap of Rohan from Isengard. As the threat of attack from Saruman increased, Erkenbrand repaired and strengthened the defenses of Helm's Deep.
Erkenbrand became the commander of Rohan's western defenses after the death of King Theoden's son Theodred at the First Battle of the Fords of Isen on February 25, 3019. When Erkenbrand learned the news the next day, he sent word to King Theoden and asked that Eomer be sent with all available Riders to help defend the Fords of Isen against an invasion by Saruman's forces. But help was delayed by the treachery of the King's counsellor Grima Wormtongue, who was secretly in the service of Saruman.
Erkenbrand's intention was to defend Helm's Deep in order to prevent Saruman's forces from continuing on to the capital of Edoras. Many of the people of the Westfold took refuge in the Glittering Caves behind Helm's Deep and food and supplies were gathered there. Erkenbrand left about 1,000 Rohirrim at Helm's Deep and he put Grimbold in charge of defending the Fords of Isen, while Erkenbrand himself went to gather the rest of the forces of the Westfold.
Erkenbrand was able to round up about 1,000 Rohirrim, including some of the best Riders in the Westfold. On the night of March 3-4, he was met by Gandalf the White and together they proceeded to Helm's Deep. They arrived at dawn on March 4. Erkenbrand sounded his horn as he and Gandalf descended into the Deeping-coomb, while King Theoden led a charge from the Hornburg. Saruman's forces were terrified: the Men surrendered and the Orcs retreated into a forest of Huorns sent by Treebeard and were never seen again.
Afterwards, Erkenbrand told the Men of Dunland who had fought for Saruman that they would be free to return home if they swore an oath never to wage war against Rohan again. But first he set them to work burying the dead and repairing the damage to Helm's Deep.
When King Theoden led the Rohirrim to the aid of Gondor, Erkenbrand was left in charge of the defense of Rohan. He was chosen because of his experience, dignity, and authority. Erkenbrand's nephew Dunhere accompanied King Theoden and was killed in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
After the War of the Ring, Eomer became King of Rohan and he named Erkenbrand the Marshal of the West-mark.
Other Names:
Erkenbrand was called both the Lord
of the Westfold and the Master of the Westfold as well as the
Lord
of the Deeping-coomb - the valley where Helm’s Deep was located. He
became the Marshal of the West-mark.
Etymology:
Erkenbrand means "precious
sword" from the Old English eorcan or eorclan meaning "precious"
and brand meaning "sword."
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "Helm's Deep," p. 132, 134, 136, 147; "The Road to Isengard,"
p. 148, 150
Unfinished
Tales: "The Battles of the Fords of Isen," p. 359-62, 364-66, 368-69
Old
English Made Easy
Fengel became the King of Rohan in 2903. He was not a popular King. Fengel was a greedy man; he was a glutton and he coveted gold. He fought with his Marshals and with his son Thengel, who left home for Gondor when he grew to manhood and did not return until after Fengel's death in 2953.
Names &
Etymology:
The Old English word fengel
means "lord, prince, king."
Sources:
Appendix
A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 350
Old
English Made Easy
Folcwine had four children. His twin sons Folcred and Fastred were born in 2858. He also had a daughter. His youngest son Fengel was born in 2870.
Rohan was strong during Folcwine's reign. Folcwine took the west-march of Rohan, between the Rivers Isen and Adorn, back from the Dunlendings. Folcwine also reorganized Rohan's military forces so that the full muster - called the eohere - was made up of 100 companies, and each company - or eored - had at least 120 Riders. Thus at full strength the eohere of Rohan could number about 12,000 Riders.
In 2885, Folcwine sent a force of Rohirrim to Ithilien to help Gondor stop an invasion by the Haradrim. In doing so, Folcwine fulfilled the Oath made by Eorl, the first King of Rohan, to support Gondor in time of need, and he also repaid Gondor for the aid they sent to Rohan after the Long Winter. Folcwine wanted to lead the army himself, but he was persuaded to send his twin sons instead. The Haradrim were defeated, but Folcred and Fastred were killed. The Rohirrim buried them on the banks of the River Poros in Ithilien. The Steward Turin II of Gondor sent Folcwine a weregild of gold as compensation for his loss.
Folcwine died in 2903. He was succeeded by his youngest son Fengel, who was a greedy and unpopular King.
Names &
Etymology:
Folcwine means "protector
of the people" or "friend of the people" from the Old English folc
meaning "folk, people, nation" and wine meaning "friend, protector."
Sources:
Appendix
A of LotR: "The Stewards," p. 335; "The House of Eorl," p. 350
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," p. 315 note 36; "The Battles of the Fords
of Isen," p. 364 note 4
Old
English Made Easy
Etymology:
Galmod may mean "Proud Heart"
from the Old English gál meaning "proud" and mód
meaning "heart, mind."
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "The King of the Golden Hall," p. 118
Old
English Made Easy
GamlingMan of Rohan. Gamling was from the Westfold. He understood the language of Dunland beyond the Gap of Rohan, and he was familiar with the hatred that the Dunlendings had for the Rohirrim.At the time of the War of the Ring, Gamling was an old man. Erkenbrand left Gamling in charge of the forces defending Helm's Dike - a fortification across the Deeping-coomb before the stronghold of Helm's Deep. Gamling's grandson was with him. In total, about 1,000 men had been left to defend Helm's Deep, though Gamling noted that most were very old or very young. On March 3, 3019, King Theoden arrived at Helm's Deep with reinforcements from Edoras. As Saruman's forces approached, Gamling and his men pulled back from Helm's Dike and entered the stronghold. Gamling heard Gimli's warning that Orcs had entered a culvert under the wall, and he led the Men of the Westfold in a charge that drove the Orcs back. Gamling then asked Gimli to help block up the opening, but Saruman's forces later breached the Deeping Wall using an explosive device. Gamling retreated into the Deep with Gimli and Eomer. There they defended the narrows before the entrance to the Glittering Caves until dawn, when Gandalf and Erkenbrand arrived and the Battle of Helm's Deep was won. Other Names:
Etymology:
Sources:
|
in the New Line film  |
Etymology:
The word gar means "spear"
in Old English; the word ulf or wulf means "wolf."
Source:
The Two
Towers: The Riders of Rohan, p. 42
Etymology:
The name Gléowine
is composed of the Old English gléo or glíw
meaning "music, mirth" and wine meaning "friend" or "retainer."
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "Many Partings," p. 254
Old
English Made Easy
Grimbold |
Rider
of Rohan who fought at the Battles of the Fords
of Isen and died at the Battle of the Pelennor
Fields. Grimbold was a lesser Marshal of the Westfold under the command
of
King Theoden's son Theodred.
Grimbold's home was
Grimslade in
the Westfold. He was a man of great strength and stature.
At the First Battle of the Fords of Isen on February 25, 3019, Grimbold covered the retreat to the Fords when the Rohirrim were surprised by Saruman's forces. Grimbold then commanded the defense of the west side of the Fords, while Theodred manned a small island in midstream. The Rohirrim were attacked from the east by Dunlendish horsemen and Orc wolf-riders plus two battalions of Uruk-hai.
A company of axemen who appeared to be part-Man, part-Orc attacked Theodred's position. Grimbold's position was also attacked, but he saw that Theodred was in trouble and ran to his aid. Theodred was struck down before Grimbold could reach him. Grimbold slew Theodred's killer and defended his fallen commander from the axemen.
Then Elfhelm arrived from Edoras with reinforcements. Most of Saruman's forces withdrew, and Grimbold and Elfhelm battled the axemen, each slaying one over Theodred's body. Grimbold and Elfhelm held the Fords through the night, and in the morning there was no sign of Saruman's forces.
Saruman did not proceed immediately with his invasion plans, due in part to the actions of Grimbold and Elfhelm at the Fords of Isen. If Saruman had not delayed, he would most likely have succeeded in conquering Rohan.
Erkenbrand, Lord of the Westfold, became commander of Rohan's western defenses after Theodred's death. He went to gather his scattered forces and left Grimbold in charge of the defenses at the River Isen, while Elfhelm remained in command of the troops from Edoras.
Grimbold and Elfhelm disagreed about their strategy. Elfhelm felt that the Fords of Isen were no longer of strategic importance. Grimbold wanted to defend the Fords as the Rohirrim had traditionally done, and he feared that if they abandoned the Fords, Saruman's forces would cross the Isen behind them and cut them off. It was decided that Grimbold would remain to defend the Fords while Elfhelm aligned his forces on the eastern side of the river.
At noon on March 2, Grimbold's position was attacked by a company of Saruman's best fighters. The Rohirrim were outnumbered, but they managed to hold out until sunset, when they were forced to withdraw to the eastern side of the river. Many of Grimbold's men were killed, but they had slain a greater number of Orcs.
Grimbold was resolved to defend the Fords for as long as he could before Saruman's army overwhelmed them. At midnight, the vanguard of Saruman's army forced the crossing of the Fords and surrounded Grimbold's camp. Grimbold's men formed a shield-wall that Saruman's forces could not breach. But the Rohirrim were trapped and Grimbold realized that he must abandon the Fords so that his men could survive to continue the defense of the Westfold elsewhere. To that end, Grimbold sent a company of Riders under Dunhere out through the shield-wall. They doubled back and attacked Saruman's forces, causing confusion and panic and allowing most of the Grimbold's forces to safely retreat.
Gandalf arrived on March 3, and he advised Grimbold and his men to head southward to join their lord Erkenbrand. At dawn on March 4, Erkenbrand and Gandalf led 1,000 men of the Westfold to help break the siege of Helm's Deep.
When the Rohirrim rode to Gondor to help fight the forces of Mordor, Grimbold acted in the capacity of Third Marshal of the Mark. He commanded the Muster of the West-mark in place of Erkenbrand, who remained in Rohan. At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Grimbold led his riders on the left flank as the Rohirrim charged onto the field. Grimbold was killed in the battle, and he was buried in the Mounds of Mundburg outside Minas Tirith along with many other Men of Rohan and Gondor.
Etymology:
The name Grimbold is composed
of the Old English word grim meaning "fierce" and the word bold.
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "The Ride of the Rohirrim," p. 111; "The Battle of the
Pelennor Fields," p. 124-25
Unfinished
Tales: "The Battles of the Fords of Isen," p. 355-66, 368-36
But then the Lord of the Nazgul descended on the field mounted on a Fell Beast. Theoden was slain and Guthlaf was also killed. The banner was given to Eomer, the new king. The bodies of Guthlaf and the other slain Riders were set apart from their foes and their spears were planted around them until they could be removed from the battlefield. Guthlaf was buried in the Mounds of Mundburg with other Men of Rohan and Gondor who were slain in the battle. His name was remembered in song in Rohan.
Etymology:
The meaning of Guthláf
is not certain. In Old English, guð means "battle, war." The
word láf is interpreted with various meanings including "remnant,
survivor, legacy, heirloom, sword." Thus, Guthláf may mean
something like "war legacy," "war sword," or, ironically, "survivor of
battle."
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "The Ride of the Rohirrim," p. 112; "The Battle of the
Pelennor
Fields," p. 114-15, 118-20. 124-25
A
Tolkien Dictionary by Robert Ireland
Old
English Made Easy
The
Riddle of the Remnant: The Solving of Laf by Phyllis Portnoy
Háma |
John
Leigh as Hama in the New Line film
|
Doorward
of King Theoden of Rohan
and Captain of the King's Guard. On March 2, 3019, Hama greeted Gandalf,
Aragorn,
Legolas
and Gimli when they arrived at Meduseld.
He told the travellers that they must leave their weapons outside the door
before entering the King's hall. Aragorn was reluctant to part with Anduril,
but Hama said that it was the will of King Theoden and that Aragorn must
put aside his sword or fight with all the Men of Edoras.
At last, Aragorn agreed but commanded Hama to prevent anyone from touching
Anduril. The others left their weapons, but Gandalf kept his staff. Hama
allowed this, saying:
"The staff in the hand of a wizard may be more than a prop for age. Yet in doubt a man of worth will trust to his own wisdom. I believe you are friends and folk worthy of honour, who have no evil purpose."With the aid of his staff, Gandalf was able to free King Theoden from the influence of his counsellor Grima Wormtongue, who worked for Saruman. Hama was summoned to release Theoden's nephew Eomer from imprisonment and bring him before the King. Eomer asked Hama to bring him his sword Guthwine, and Hama did as he was asked, for he was overjoyed that the young Marshal of the Mark was freed. Theoden was surprised to see Eomer armed and Hama confessed that it was his doing, but at length Theoden accepted Eomer's sword and his pledge of loyalty.
The Two Towers: "The King of the Golden Hall," p. 116
Hama was then sent to retrieve Theoden's own sword Herugrim from Grima and to bring the traitorous counsellor before the King. Grima was reluctant to give Hama the keys to the chest where Herugrim was stored, and when Hama opened it he found many other stolen items besides the sword. Two guards escorted Grima to Theoden and Hama knelt and presented the King with Herugrim.
When Theoden led the Rohirrim forth from Edoras to battle, Hama suggested that Eowyn, the King's niece, be left in charge of the people who remained behind. Theoden agreed and told Eowyn to lead his people to the refuge of Dunharrow.
Hama accompanied King Theoden into battle. During the Battle of Helm's Deep on the night of March 3-4, Hama was killed while defending the Gate. The attackers hewed Hama's body after he was dead. Hama was buried in a solitary grave in the shadow of the Hornburg. Theoden himself cast the first earth upon Hama's grave.
Etymology:
Háma may be derived
from the Old English word hám meaning "village, hamlet" or
it may come from the word hama meaning "covering, garment."
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "The King of the Golden Hall," p. 114-16, 120-23, 128; "The
Road to Isengard," p. 150-51; "The Voice of Saruman," p. 185
Helm Hammerhand |
Statue
of Helm Hammerhand
in the New Line film |
Legendary
9th King of Rohan. Helm was a man of great strength
and valor. He was born in 2691. His father was King Gram and he had a sister
named Hild. Helm had two sons - Haleth and Hama - and
at least one daughter. Helm became King of Rohan after the death of his
father in 2741.
In 2754, Helm refused to give his daughter's hand in marriage to Wulf, son of Freca - a Man of Rohan who was akin to the Men of Dunland. Freca was an untrustworthy man who sought power for himself and ignored the King's rule. He was enraged by Helm's refusal and insulted him. Helm responded by slaying Freca with one blow from his mighty fist. Thereafter he was known as Helm Hammerhand.
Freca's son Wulf invaded Rohan in 2758 and captured Edoras. Helm's son Haleth died defending Meduseld, the King's hall. After suffering a great defeat at the Fords of Isen, Helm and his people took refuge in the stronghold that became know as Helm's Deep. They were besieged there during the Long Winter of November 2758 to March 2759. After Yule their supplies ran low and they were starving. Helm's son Hama went out in search of food and never returned.
The loss of his sons and the need of his people made Helm grow fierce. He began go out alone, dressed in all white, to raid the enemy camps and kill any Dunlendings he encountered. Each time he sounded his great horn, and his foes fled in terror. The Dunlendings believed that Helm could not be touched by any weapon and that he killed with his bare hands, and they began the false rumor that he ate his victims.
One night in 2759, Helm left Helm's Deep and did not return. His men found him at dawn, standing frozen on Helm's Dike. When the Long Winter ended, Helm's nephew Frealaf drove out the invaders and became King of Rohan. Helm was buried in the last mound of the first line of Kings outside Edoras. The simbelmyne grew thickest on Helm's burial mound, covering it like a blanket of snow.
Etymology:
The name Helm is from the
Old English meaning "protector, defender." This root is also found in the
word helmet. Helm was called Hammerhand because of the great
strength of his fist, with which he slew Freca.
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "Helm's Deep," p. 136, 144, 146
The Return
of the King: "Many Partings," p. 254-55
Appendix
A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 346-49
Old
English Made Easy
Etymology:
The name Hild is from the
Old English meaning "war, combat."
Sources:
Appendix
A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 348
Old
English Made Easy
Thengel lived in Gondor for many years and became acquainted with their customs and language. He won honor in the service of Turgon, the Steward of Gondor. In 2943, Thengel married Morwen of Lossarnach, who was 17 years younger than he. They had five children altogether - four girls and one boy. The first three were born in Gondor, including their second child and only son Theoden in 2948.
In 2953, Fengel died and Thengel was summoned home. Thengel was reluctant to leave Gondor, but he returned to Rohan to become King. He was considered to be a good and wise ruler, though some of the Rohirrim disagreed with his continued use of the language of Gondor in his household.
During Thengel's reign, Saruman began to fortify Isengard, but the extent of the threat that the Wizard posed to Rohan was not apparent at that time. Aragorn came to Rohan in disguise under the name Thorongil and rode in the service of Thengel for a time.
Thengel's youngest child Theodwyn was born in 2963. Thengel died in 2980 and was succeeded by his son Theoden.
Names &
Etymology:
Thengel is from the Old English
þengel
meaning "prince, king, lord, ruler." He was referred to as Thengel the
Thrice-renowned (TTT, p. 184).
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "King of the Golden Hall," p. 127; "The Voice of Saruman,"
p. 184
Appendix
A of LotR: "The Stewards," p. 335; "The House of Eorl," p. 350
Old
English Made Easy
Théodred |
Paris
Howe Strewe as Theodred
in the New Line film |
Son
and heir of King Theoden of Rohan.
Theodred was born in 2978. His mother Elfhild died
giving birth to him. Theodred was an only child, but in 3002 his orphaned
cousins
Eomer and Eowyn
came to live at Meduseld and they
became like brother and sister to him.
In 3014, King Theoden began to fall under the influence of his counsellor Grima Wormtongue, who was secretly in the service of the Wizard Saruman. Grima tried to turn Theodred and Eomer against the King and against each other, but they remained loyal and steadfast. Saurman therefore decided that Theodred had to be eliminated because the King's son posed a threat to his plan to conquer Rohan.
Theodred was the Second Marshal of the Mark. He was stationed at Helm's Deep. He was responsible for the defense the western frontier and the Gap of Rohan, where Saruman dwelled in Isengard. After King Theoden became ill and ceased issuing orders, Theodred took it upon himself to assume command of Rohan's forces and organize the defenses. He realized that Saruman was planning to invade Rohan, so in February of 3019 he summoned reinforcements from Edoras led by Elfhelm.
Theodred's scouts had reported that troops were mustering at the gates of Isengard. On February 25, Theodred led his forces across the River Isen to meet them, but Saruman's army was larger than he expected, and Theodred was forced to retreat to the Fords of Isen.
At the First Battle of the Fords of Isen, Theodred and his eored manned a small island in the middle of the Fords, while Grimbold held the west bank and the main force of the Rohirrim crossed to the eastern shore. Saruman's forces attacked Theodred's position relentlessly, while elsewhere the Rohirrim were prevented from coming to his aid. It later became apparent that Saruman had given orders that the Theodred must be slain at all costs.
Grimbold managed to reach the island, but he was too late. Theodred was struck down by a huge assailant who appeared to be part-Man, part-Orc. Grimbold slew him and defended his fallen commander. Elfhelm's reinforcements finally arrived and defeated the attackers. The rest of Saruman's forces withdrew since their main objective of eliminating Theodred had been achieved.
Before he died, Theodred said to Grimbold and Elfhelm: "Let me lie here - to keep the Fords till Eomer comes!" (UT, p. 359) Theodred was buried with his fallen men on the island in the Fords of Isen. Their spears were planted in a circle around them, and Theodred's banner flew atop the burial mound.
King Theoden was left without an heir. He later named his nephew Eomer his successor, and when Theoden died at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Eomer became King of Rohan.
Etymology:
The name Theodred is composed
of the Old English words ðeod meaning "nation, people" and ræd
meaning "advice, counsel, wisdom."
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "The King of the Golden Hall," p. 117, 127; "Helm's Deep,"
p. 132; "The Road to Isengard," p. 156-57; "The Voice of Saruman," p. 185
Appendix
A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 351
Unfinished
Tales: "The Battles of the Fords of Isen," p. 355-61, 364-65, 367-69
Old
English Made Easy
Theodwyn married Eomund of Eastfold in 2989. They had two children: Eomer, born in 2991, and Eowyn, born in 2995. The family lived at Aldburg in the Folde. Eomund was the chief Marshal of the Mark responsible for the eastern marches. In 3002, Eomund was slain by Orcs. Soon afterward, Theodwyn became ill and died. Her brother King Theoden took Eomer and Eowyn into his home and raised them as his own.
Etymology:
Théodwyn means "People's
Joy" from the Old English ðeod meaning "people, nation" and
wynn
or wyn meaning "joy, delight."
Genealogy:
For the family tree of Theodwyn
see Eomer: Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 350-51
Unfinished
Tales: "The Battles of the Fords of Isen - Appendix" p. 357 (footnote)
Bright's
Old English Glossary
Etymology:
In Old English, wíd
means "wide, vast, broad, long" and wíde means "widely, far
and wide." The word faran means "travel, wander." Wídfara
may mean something like "far traveller" or "wide wanderer."
Source:
The Return
of the King: "The Ride of the Rohirrim," p. 110-111
Old
English Made Easy
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