⚔️Battle Tactics - The Fords of Isen

[Halasían]

The Fords were the one point where the River Isen was passable, so my thinking if the rest of the river was either too wide further toward the mouth, or the riverbanks too steep and the river quite turbid further up toward the source.

So it would be the central point of invasion from Dunland and Isengard, calling for the massing of strength at this critical point. But surely the Rohirrim knew that Isengard could dispatch a force, albeit a smaller and lighter 'recon' strength force through the descending slopes of the Misty Mountains above the (presumably underground) source of the River Isen.

After the 1st battle where Theoden's son Theodred was killed (which was the main purpose of that attack) the leadership of the Rohirrim became fragmented among the commanders (Erkenbrand, his 2nd in command Grimbold of Westfold, and Marshal of the East Mark Elfhelm). Elfhelm was wise to leave a screening force of mounted men to watch the flank of the Ford on the southern side of the river but they were no match for the Warg Riders of Isengard (To PJ's credit, this is where he pulled the Warg-Rider attack from for his Two Towers movie fanfic).

So my question is... Could there have been any other strategy?

 

[Alcuin]

There is considerable detail on “the Battles of the Fords of Isen” in a chapter of that name in Unfinished Tales. The degree of detail is unusual: as a rule, Tolkien does not delve into battle minutiae; the only other battles with such detail are (mostly from Aragorn’s perspective) in “Helm’s Deep” in Two Towers and Bilbo’s account of the Mirkwood spiders in Hobbit; both of these accounts hold more detail than the Siege of Minas Tirith, which despite its covering several chapters and the eventual repulse of a massive assault by many thousands of troops and engines of war, includes only one detailed encounter, that of Éowyn and the Witch-king.

The passage from Unfinished Tales is also recounted in brief in Reader’s Companion. Since Hammond and Scull have already boiled down the passage to its essentials, I cite their discussion and repeat their citations from their chapter on “King of the Golden Hall”.

In The Battles of the Fords of Isen it is said:

It was clearly seen in Rohan, when the true accounts of the battles at the Fords were known, that Saruman had given special orders that Théodred should at all costs be slain. At the first battle all his fiercest warriors were engaged in reckless assaults upon Théodred and his guard, disregarding other events of the battle, which might otherwise have resulted in a much more damaging defeat for the Rohirrim. When Théodred was at last slain Saruman’s commander (no doubt under orders) seemed satisfied for the time being, and Saruman made the mistake, fatal as it proved, of not immediately throwing in more forces and proceeding at once to a massive invasion of Westfold; though the valor of Grimbold and Elfhelm contributed to his delay. If the invasion of Westfold had begun five days earlier, there can be little doubt that the reinforcements from Edoras would never have come near Helm’s Deep, but would have been surrounded and overwhelmed in the open plain; if indeed Edoras had not itself been attacked and captured before the arrival of Gandalf. …

[At the Fords of Isen] the river was broad and shallow, passing in two arms about a large eyot. … Only here, south of Isengard, was it possible for large forces, especially those heavily armed or mounted, to cross the river. Saruman thus had this advantage: he could send his troops down either side of the Isen and attack the Fords, if they were held against him, from both sides. Any force of his east of Isen could if necessary retreat upon Isengard. On the other hand, Théodred might send men across the Fords, either in sufficient strength to engage Saruman’s troops or to defend the western bridgehead; but if they were worsted, they would have no retreat except back over the Fords with the enemy at their heels, and possibly also awaiting them on the eastern bank. South and west along the Isen they had no way home, unless they were provisioned for a long journey into Western Gondor.
​

A detailed account of the Battle follows. Saruman sent forces on both sides of the Isen and captured the eastern end of the Fords while Théodred was manning the eyot. Théodred fell just before reinforcements arrived and scattered the Isengarders. …

Erkenbrand of Westfold assumed command of the West-mark when news of the fall of Théodred reached him in the Hornburg on the next day. He sent errand-riders to Edoras to announce this…, adding his own prayer that Éomer should be sent at once with all help that could be spared. “Let the defence of Edoras be made here in the West,” he said, “and not wait till it is itself besieged.” But Gríma used the curtness of this advice to further his policy of delay. It was not until his defeat by Gandalf that any action was taken. The reinforcements with Éomer and the King himself set out in the afternoon of March the 2nd, but that night the Second Battle of the Fords was fought and lost, and the invasion of Rohan began.
​

In his description of the Ents’ attack on Isengard in “Flotsam and Jetsam”, Merry told Aragorn that Saruman had built a bridge over the Isen about a mile below the gates of Isengard, so the river was already in a deep enough channel that it required a bridge to cross. But Saruman’s offensive against the Fords involved attacking both sides of the River, cutting off the defenders, and in particular killing Théodred at all costs, who with Éomer was opposed to Gríma’s policy of delay. It seems to me that Théodred had chosen the best defence available.

I am no fan of Jackson’s adaptations of Tolkien’s tales. I cannot comment on the presumed Warg-riders.

 

[Halasían]

Thanks for that Alcuin. I found this write-up by ‘Tar-Thalias’ on a Facebook group. If that is anyone here’s profile, well done. 🙂


1st Battle of the Fords of Isen

During the War of the Ring a crucial series of battles took place at the Fords of Isen, the first took place on February 25, 3019 TA, Saruman attacked the Rohirrim army under Théodred, Grimbold and Elfhelm.

Saruman needed to control the Fords in his conquest to conquer Rohan. His agent Gríma had gained the influence he needed to control much of King Theoden's court during his declining health. It would be Theodred and Eomer who were devoted to the King and were high in the king's affections, as his only son and his sister-son.

They had done all that they could to thwart the influence that Gríma had gained. Yet Gríma made it his goal to bring his chief opponents into discredit with Théoden. But the steadfast loyalty of Théodred and Éomer to their king even in his apparent decline made it very difficult for Gríma to achieve his goal. Gríma therefore tried to play them one against the other in the mind of Théoden, representing Éomer as ever eager to increase his authority.

Saruman wanted the king's son dead and sent word to Gríma to make it happen. In his grand scheme he knew his advantage was he could send his forces down both sides of the Isen river, for the river Isen came down swiftly from the Misty Mountains above Isengard. In the flat land of the Gap of Rohan the river became deep and rapid and it could only be crossed at the Fords of Isen.

With events now in motion, Saruman launched his attack though it was not unforeseen, but it came sooner than expected. Théodred's scouts had warned him of a gathering of troops, at the Gate of Isengard (a strong gateway guarding the single arched tunnel in the wide rock-wall that surrounded Isengard and Orthanc), mainly on the west side of the Isen. He therefore manned the approaches, east and west, to the fords with sturdy men from the Westfold.

Théodred had left three companies of Riders, along with horse-herds and spare mounts, on the east bank. Théodred himself passed over with his main force of cavalry: eight companies and a company of archers, with the intention to overthrow Saruman's army before it was fully prepared to strike. Saruman however had not revealed his true intentions nor the full strength in his army.

Théodred encountered the enemy's vanguard some twenty miles north of the fords and overran them, scattering them. However when he attacked the main force of Saruman he found that his enemy was in fact prepared for the assault, behind trenches manned by pikemen. Now Théodred in command of the Éored (a division of the Rohirrim consisting of a considerable body of men, fully trained for war, in the days of King Folcwine a "full Éored" was defined as 120 men (including its captain) and was one hundredth part of the Full Muster of the Riders of the Mark) was brought to a stand and was almost surrounded by his enemy.

Théodred was comforted by the onset of companies coming up behind him. Yet when he looked eastward he was dismayed as he could see coming from the east of the river another force was now racing towards the fords. He now knew he needed to at once order a retreat. However the retreat was delayed, as the rearguard under Grimbold was now obliged to turn and drive back their pursuers. When the force finally reached the fords sunset was upon them. Théodred now put Grimbold in command of the garrison on the west bank, with fifty dismounted riders, for now the battle turned ill.

The rest of the riders and all the horses were now sent across the river, while Théodred along with his company manned the eyot in the midst of the river, to cover the retreat of Grimbold if he was driven back. This shift in tactics was barely completed when Saruman's eastern forces came down with great speed. The eastern force of Saruman was much smaller than the western force, but it was more dangerous. Among this force were Dunlending horsemen and a pack of wolf-riders. Behind them came two battalions of Uruks, heavily armed and trained to move at great speed.

The garrison of the east bank was swept back by the sudden attack and the riders who had just crossed the river were caught still in disarray, yet the Men of Rohan fought desperately to defend their lands and were driven from the fords with the Uruks in pursuit.

As soon as Saruman's forces gained the eastern end of the fords, a company of men and orcs appeared, and armed to fight. They now assail the eyot from both sides. At the same time Grimbold on the west bank was attacked by Saruman's forces on that side. When Grimbold looked eastward he was dismayed to see the axe-men driving Théodred's men from the shores of the eyot towards the low knoll in its centre.

Grimbold took a few men that stood near him and ran back to the eyot. So fierce was his onset that he cloved his way through the rear of the attackers, until with two others they reached Théodred standing alone on the knoll. Yet Grimbold was too late, as he came to Théodred, he fell, hewn down by a great orc. Grimbold in his fury slew the orc and stood over the body of Théodred, thinking him dead; and there he would himself soon have died, but Elfhelm came with his force.

Elfhelm had been riding in haste from Edoras, under his command was four companies to answer Théodred's summons. When Elfhelm reached the junction of the horse-road and the road down from the Deeping, his scouts reported that two wolf-riders had been seen abroad on the fields. His gut sensed that something was amiss, he did not turn towards Helm's Deep for the night as he had planned but instead rode with all speed towards the fords.

He knew his men and horses were weary but that did not stop them, as he came in sight of the east banks, he ordered his companies to charge. It was time to turn the tables as the Isengarders would be surprised but the sudden change in events. Few of the enemy stood their ground, as most fled northwards, pursued by two of Elfhelm's companies. The others he dismounted to guard the east bank, but at once with the men of his own company rushed to the eyot.

The axe-men were now caught between the surviving defenders and the onslaught of Elfhelm, with both banks still held by the Rohirrim. They fought on, yet before long the enemy was slain by the Rhohirrim. Elfhelm himself, however sprang up to the knoll and found Grimbold fighting two great axe-men for the possession of Théodred's body. Elfhelm at once struck down one, and the other fell before Grimbold.

When both Men stooped to lift the body of the kings son, they found that Théodred still breathed; he lived only long enough to speak his final words. A harsh horn sounded, and all was silent. The attack on the west bank ceased and the enemy had faded away into the darkness.

Elfhelm and Grimbold knew the battle was not over and holding the Fords would not come easy. Many of Théodreds men whom had been separated during the fight, returned to worn but battle ready. Elfhelm wanted to abandon the fords and wished to hold up the enemy on their eastern side. Elfhelm worried that Saruman would send his army down from Isengard on the east side of Isen, but Grimbold was not willing to abandon the fords.

—-

Second Battle of the Fords of Isen

The day after the end of the First Battle of the Fords of Isen, Erkenbrand of Westfold assumed command of the West-mark after he received a message of the fall of Théodred from a messenger. Erkenbrand then sent errand-riders to Edoras asking that Éomer be sent at once with all the help that could be spared. Unbeknownst was this request was not followed due to the influence of Gríma.

Grimbold commanded the army of the West-mark as Erkenbrand set forth to gather more forces at the Hornberg (Helms Deep) and ride for the Fords of Isen. Elfhelm wanted to abandon the fords and wished to hold up the enemy on their eastern side. Elfhelm worried that Saruman would send his army down from Isengard on the east side of the Isen river, but Grimbold was not willing to abandon the fords (due to Théodred's wishes).

Grimbold would therefore remain with the rest of his men on the eastern bank, while Elfhelm withdrew his Riders and took up his position east of the fords (thinking this the best tactic to take on another assault). On March 2nd of the Third Age that very night (seven days after the first battle and fall of Théodred), Saruman's army arrived at the fords, Grimbold had his men form a shieldwall (a formidable defensive tactic), which held for a long time against the Orc offensive. However, Grimbold, being severely outnumbered by Saruman's forces, eventually had to pull his men back, this was done to aid Erkenbrand, who would need as many men as possible during the oncoming assault.

Grimbold, realized that the shieldwall wouldn't last for long, which he realized that it was imperative for as many soldiers as possible to aid Erkenbrand, so he ordered his troops to retreat, even though he knew this might be seen as inglorious. In a sudden maneuver, purposefully breaking the shieldwall, Grimbold and his men scattered in the night, turning away from the road. So it was that the greater part of his men survived.

Grimbold's actions saved Erkenbrand, though the battle was yet once again lost, and Sauron now controlled the Ford's, the Rhohirrim would now retreat for Helms Deep, King Théoden believed his people would be safe there.

 

[Vardarianna]

There is considerable detail on “the Battles of the Fords of Isen” in a chapter of that name in Unfinished Tales. The degree of detail is unusual: as a rule, Tolkien does not delve into battle minutiae; the only other battles with such detail are (mostly from Aragorn’s perspective) in “Helm’s Deep” in Two Towers and Bilbo’s account of the Mirkwood spiders in Hobbit; both of these accounts hold more detail than the Siege of Minas Tirith, which despite its covering several chapters and the eventual repulse of a massive assault by many thousands of troops and engines of war, includes only one detailed encounter, that of Éowyn and the Witch-king.

The passage from Unfinished Tales is also recounted in brief in Reader’s Companion. Since Hammond and Scull have already boiled down the passage to its essentials, I cite their discussion and repeat their citations from their chapter on “King of the Golden Hall”.

​

In The Battles of the Fords of Isen it is said:​

​

It was clearly seen in Rohan, when the true accounts of the battles at the Fords were known, that Saruman had given special orders that Théodred should at all costs be slain. At the first battle all his fiercest warriors were engaged in reckless assaults upon Théodred and his guard, disregarding other events of the battle, which might otherwise have resulted in a much more damaging defeat for the Rohirrim. When Théodred was at last slain Saruman’s commander (no doubt under orders) seemed satisfied for the time being, and Saruman made the mistake, fatal as it proved, of not immediately throwing in more forces and proceeding at once to a massive invasion of Westfold; though the valor of Grimbold and Elfhelm contributed to his delay. If the invasion of Westfold had begun five days earlier, there can be little doubt that the reinforcements from Edoras would never have come near Helm’s Deep, but would have been surrounded and overwhelmed in the open plain; if indeed Edoras had not itself been attacked and captured before the arrival of Gandalf. …​

​

[At the Fords of Isen] the river was broad and shallow, passing in two arms about a large eyot. … Only here, south of Isengard, was it possible for large forces, especially those heavily armed or mounted, to cross the river. Saruman thus had this advantage: he could send his troops down either side of the Isen and attack the Fords, if they were held against him, from both sides. Any force of his east of Isen could if necessary retreat upon Isengard. On the other hand, Théodred might send men across the Fords, either in sufficient strength to engage Saruman’s troops or to defend the western bridgehead; but if they were worsted, they would have no retreat except back over the Fords with the enemy at their heels, and possibly also awaiting them on the eastern bank. South and west along the Isen they had no way home, unless they were provisioned for a long journey into Western Gondor.​

​

A detailed account of the Battle follows. Saruman sent forces on both sides of the Isen and captured the eastern end of the Fords while Théodred was manning the eyot. Théodred fell just before reinforcements arrived and scattered the Isengarders. …​

​

Erkenbrand of Westfold assumed command of the West-mark when news of the fall of Théodred reached him in the Hornburg on the next day. He sent errand-riders to Edoras to announce this…, adding his own prayer that Éomer should be sent at once with all help that could be spared. “Let the defence of Edoras be made here in the West,” he said, “and not wait till it is itself besieged.” But Gríma used the curtness of this advice to further his policy of delay. It was not until his defeat by Gandalf that any action was taken. The reinforcements with Éomer and the King himself set out in the afternoon of March the 2nd, but that night the Second Battle of the Fords was fought and lost, and the invasion of Rohan began.​

​

In his description of the Ents’ attack on Isengard in “Flotsam and Jetsam”, Merry told Aragorn that Saruman had built a bridge over the Isen about a mile below the gates of Isengard, so the river was already in a deep enough channel that it required a bridge to cross. But Saruman’s offensive against the Fords involved attacking both sides of the River, cutting off the defenders, and in particular killing Théodred at all costs, who with Éomer was opposed to Gríma’s policy of delay. It seems to me that Théodred had chosen the best defence available.

I am no fan of Jackson’s adaptations of Tolkien’s tales. I cannot comment on the presumed Warg-riders.

Thanks for that Alcuin. I found this write-up by ‘Tar-Thalias’ on a Facebook group. If that is anyone here’s profile, well done. 🙂


Battle of the Fords of Isen

During the War of the Ring a crucial series of battles took place at the Fords of Isen, the first took place on February 25, 3019 TA, Saruman attacked the Rohirrim army under Théodred, Grimbold and Elfhelm.

Saruman needed to control the Fords in his conquest to conquer Rohan. His agent Gríma had gained the influence he needed to control much of King Theoden's court during his declining health. It would be Theodred and Eomer who were devoted to the King and were high in the king's affections, as his only son and his sister-son.

They had done all that they could to thwart the influence that Gríma had gained. Yet Gríma made it his goal to bring his chief opponents into discredit with Théoden. But the steadfast loyalty of Théodred and Éomer to their king even in his apparent decline made it very difficult for Gríma to achieve his goal. Gríma therefore tried to play them one against the other in the mind of Théoden, representing Éomer as ever eager to increase his authority.

Saruman wanted the king's son dead and sent word to Gríma to make it happen. In his grand scheme he knew his advantage was he could send his forces down both sides of the Isen river, for the river Isen came down swiftly from the Misty Mountains above Isengard. In the flat land of the Gap of Rohan the river became deep and rapid and it could only be crossed at the Fords of Isen.

With events now in motion, Saruman launched his attack though it was not unforeseen, but it came sooner than expected. Théodred's scouts had warned him of a gathering of troops, at the Gate of Isengard (a strong gateway guarding the single arched tunnel in the wide rock-wall that surrounded Isengard and Orthanc), mainly on the west side of the Isen. He therefore manned the approaches, east and west, to the fords with sturdy men from the Westfold.

Théodred had left three companies of Riders, along with horse-herds and spare mounts, on the east bank. Théodred himself passed over with his main force of cavalry: eight companies and a company of archers, with the intention to overthrow Saruman's army before it was fully prepared to strike. Saruman however had not revealed his true intentions nor the full strength in his army.

Théodred encountered the enemy's vanguard some twenty miles north of the fords and overran them, scattering them. However when he attacked the main force of Saruman he found that his enemy was in fact prepared for the assault, behind trenches manned by pikemen. Now Théodred in command of the Éored (a division of the Rohirrim consisting of a considerable body of men, fully trained for war, in the days of King Folcwine a "full Éored" was defined as 120 men (including its captain) and was one hundredth part of the Full Muster of the Riders of the Mark) was brought to a stand and was almost surrounded by his enemy.

Théodred was comforted by the onset of companies coming up behind him. Yet when he looked eastward he was dismayed as he could see coming from the east of the river another force was now racing towards the fords. He now knew he needed to at once order a retreat. However the retreat was delayed, as the rearguard under Grimbold was now obliged to turn and drive back their pursuers. When the force finally reached the fords sunset was upon them. Théodred now put Grimbold in command of the garrison on the west bank, with fifty dismounted riders, for now the battle turned ill.

The rest of the riders and all the horses were now sent across the river, while Théodred along with his company manned the eyot in the midst of the river, to cover the retreat of Grimbold if he was driven back. This shift in tactics was barely completed when Saruman's eastern forces came down with great speed. The eastern force of Saruman was much smaller than the western force, but it was more dangerous. Among this force were Dunlending horsemen and a pack of wolf-riders. Behind them came two battalions of Uruks, heavily armed and trained to move at great speed.

The garrison of the east bank was swept back by the sudden attack and the riders who had just crossed the river were caught still in disarray, yet the Men of Rohan fought desperately to defend their lands and were driven from the fords with the Uruks in pursuit.

As soon as Saruman's forces gained the eastern end of the fords, a company of men and orcs appeared, and armed to fight. They now assail the eyot from both sides. At the same time Grimbold on the west bank was attacked by Saruman's forces on that side. When Grimbold looked eastward he was dismayed to see the axe-men driving Théodred's men from the shores of the eyot towards the low knoll in its centre.

Grimbold took a few men that stood near him and ran back to the eyot. So fierce was his onset that he cloved his way through the rear of the attackers, until with two others they reached Théodred standing alone on the knoll. Yet Grimbold was too late, as he came to Théodred, he fell, hewn down by a great orc. Grimbold in his fury slew the orc and stood over the body of Théodred, thinking him dead; and there he would himself soon have died, but Elfhelm came with his force.

Elfhelm had been riding in haste from Edoras, under his command was four companies to answer Théodred's summons. When Elfhelm reached the junction of the horse-road and the road down from the Deeping, his scouts reported that two wolf-riders had been seen abroad on the fields. His gut sensed that something was amiss, he did not turn towards Helm's Deep for the night as he had planned but instead rode with all speed towards the fords.

He knew his men and horses were weary but that did not stop them, as he came in sight of the east banks, he ordered his companies to charge. It was time to turn the tables as the Isengarders would be surprised but the sudden change in events. Few of the enemy stood their ground, as most fled northwards, pursued by two of Elfhelm's companies. The others he dismounted to guard the east bank, but at once with the men of his own company rushed to the eyot.

The axe-men were now caught between the surviving defenders and the onslaught of Elfhelm, with both banks still held by the Rohirrim. They fought on, yet before long the enemy was slain by the Rhohirrim. Elfhelm himself, however sprang up to the knoll and found Grimbold fighting two great axe-men for the possession of Théodred's body. Elfhelm at once struck down one, and the other fell before Grimbold.

When both Men stooped to lift the body of the kings son, they found that Théodred still breathed; he lived only long enough to speak his final words. A harsh horn sounded, and all was silent. The attack on the west bank ceased and the enemy had faded away into the darkness.

Elfhelm and Grimbold knew the battle was not over and holding the Fords would not come easy. Many of Théodreds men whom had been separated during the fight, returned to worn but battle ready. Elfhelm wanted to abandon the fords and wished to hold up the enemy on their eastern side. Elfhelm worried that Saruman would send his army down from Isengard on the east side of Isen, but Grimbold was not willing to abandon the fords.

Wow! Two wonderful overviews of the Battle of the Fords of Isen! I will admit to not having studied this critical battle much. I thank you Alcuin and Tar-Thalian via Hanasian for presenting this!

Why do I see this scene being a wonderful roleplay?

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

As a miniatures gamer, I've wanted to play this scenario out for years, but couldn't settle on a scale. I have seen it done at a con. A project for the future . . .

 

[Halasían]

Why do I see this scene being a wonderful roleplay?

As a miniatures gamer, I've wanted to play this scenario out for years, but couldn't settle on a scale. I have seen it done at a con. A project for the future . . .

Once upon a time some twenty six years ago, there was a wonderfully detailed roleplay of the Battles of the Fords of Isen on TORc. A half-dozen writers managing to keep the flow going and the battle was intense. Sadly, a server crash wiped out a lot of role-plays as the back-up failed to restore anything newer than two months before the crash date, so the role-play only had a couple starting posts. Sadly nobody thought to back up the thread, so it was all lost, and nobody had the drive to try and recreate it. Maybe it is time to try it again?