The Battle of Hornburg, also known as the Battle of Helm’s Deep, is the first major battle of the War of the Ring. Here, King Théoden and the Rohirrim defended Hornburg from Saruman’s army. Helm’s Deep is a valley in Western Rohan, at the northwest side of the White Mountains. Its stronghold is Hornburg, which became the sanctuary of Rohan’s army, the Rohirrim. The name of the valley was derived from King Helm Hammerhand of Rohan when he and the people of Rohan went there to seek refuge from the Dunlendings. This battle was essential to the survival of Rohan. Had they failed, their nation would be obliterated, and they would not be able to participate in the War of the Rings.
Before the Battle Began
Gandalf freed King Théoden from the evil influence of Grima Wormtongue, his malevolent adviser who turned out to be a spy of Saruman. Théoden rode out to the Fords of Isen. There, Erkenbrand, the Lord of the Westfold and warrior of Rohan, was in a battle with Saruman’s orcs. Seeing this battle, Théoden realized that his army was too scattered to defend his lands properly. Gandalf advised him to send Rohan’s people to Hornburg, where the people of Westfold have gathered to take refuge in the Glittering Caves. The Glittering Caves was an extensive cave system that extended below the White Mountains. It consisted of different chambers, tunnels, and paths that ran for miles.
The caves were sealed and garrisoned, making them a safe refuge. Gandalf then set off to look for Éomer and the Rohirrim. He brought them to Hornburg to help defend the people from Saruman. However, they arrived by sunrise, and the battle was already taking place. Gamling the Old, a local captain, led the soldiers in Hornburg. The men were a veteran battalion of fit and able men and Eored’s multiple companies. Together, they reached a force of 3,000 men. The common folk of Rohan, women, and children meanwhile were sent to the Glittering Caves.
The caves were sealed and garrisoned, making them a safe refuge. Gandalf then set off to look for Éomer and the Rohirrim. He brought them to Hornburg to help defend the people from Saruman. However, they arrived by sunrise, and the battle was already taking place. Gamling the Old, a local captain, led the soldiers in Hornburg. The men were a veteran battalion of fit and able men and Eored’s multiple companies. Together, they reached a force of 3,000 men. The common folk of Rohan, women, and children meanwhile were sent to the Glittering Caves.
The Battle
Saruman’s army consisted of orcs, half-orcs, Uruk-hai, and the wild men of Dunland. They arrived in Hornburg at midnight on March 3 TA 3019. The first defense of Helm’s Dike was quickly defeated by the orcs. The orcs climbed on top of each other until they reached the top. However, they had a lot of losses in the process. Once the orcs moved past the dike, Saruman’s army sent arrows into the fortress. They did not get any response, which gave them the confidence to move closer to the fortress. As they did so, they were met with a volley of rocks and arrows. This caused the orcs to break ranks and scatter. However, the orcs were still able to get close to the gate. They attempted to bring the gate down with the help of tree trunks. However, Éomer and Aragorn’s team attacked them from a postern door that ran from the wall of the Hornburg. The unexpected attack caused the orcs to scatter again.
Aragorn and Éomer’s team retreated back inside when they saw a new group of orcs approaching. While fleeing, two orcs who were faking their deaths knocked Éomer down. Aragorn rushed back to rescue him, but Gimli arrived and chopped the orcs’ heads off to save Éomer. The orcs were Gimli’s first two kills in the battle. (It could be remembered that he and Legolas decided to make a game of the battle by seeing who gets the most kills). Saruman’s army started to bring out hundreds of ladders so that they can climb the Deeping wall. The defenders of the wall began to throw down the ladders, but they were starting to feel worn out as they were also being attacked from behind by orcs. These orcs were able to crawl through the gutter at the base of the Deeping Wall. Gamling the Old, Gimli, and a unit of men from Westfold tried to stop the orcs from using the gutter. They then got stones from the stream to block the gutter. Unfortunately, all efforts of defending the Deeping wall were in vain when Saruman released the fire of Orthanc.
This destroyed the blockage Gimli made and also destroyed a portion of the Deeping Wall. With the now larger hole, more orcs started to pour in. The army of Rohan tried to do its best, but they were outnumbered. In the end, the men, along with Éomer, Gimli, and Gamling the Old, had to retreat to the Glittering Caves. Aragorn and Legolas had to fight their way to get back inside the keep through a broad stairway that led to the citadel. During their retreat, Aragorn was overcome by the orcs. However, Legolas was able to save them, and a boulder cast down from the wall got rid of most of the orcs chasing them. In an attempt to stall, Aragorn called for a parley. He told the orcs that they would die unless they surrender. The orcs laughed and tried to shoot Aragorn down. The orcs reached the gate and used fire to destroy the arch.
Little did they know that Aragorn and Théoden were waiting for them behind the gate. They both led a cavalry charge out of the keep, blasting the great horn of Helm. The cavalry was followed by Hornburg’s defenders, who drove the remaining orcs away from the gate. While the cavalry rode out, Gimli and Éomer’s team were able to push the orcs out of the cave. It was at that moment that Gandalf showed up, riding his horse, Shadowfax. Behind him was Erkenbrand, who had a thousand soldiers under his command. They charged from the hill, trapping Saruman’s army between them and Théoden’s men. A forest of strange trees also appeared to arrive with Gandalf. The wild men of Dunland surrendered and dropped their weapons while the orcs ran towards the strange forest.
Aragorn and Éomer’s team retreated back inside when they saw a new group of orcs approaching. While fleeing, two orcs who were faking their deaths knocked Éomer down. Aragorn rushed back to rescue him, but Gimli arrived and chopped the orcs’ heads off to save Éomer. The orcs were Gimli’s first two kills in the battle. (It could be remembered that he and Legolas decided to make a game of the battle by seeing who gets the most kills). Saruman’s army started to bring out hundreds of ladders so that they can climb the Deeping wall. The defenders of the wall began to throw down the ladders, but they were starting to feel worn out as they were also being attacked from behind by orcs. These orcs were able to crawl through the gutter at the base of the Deeping Wall. Gamling the Old, Gimli, and a unit of men from Westfold tried to stop the orcs from using the gutter. They then got stones from the stream to block the gutter. Unfortunately, all efforts of defending the Deeping wall were in vain when Saruman released the fire of Orthanc.
This destroyed the blockage Gimli made and also destroyed a portion of the Deeping Wall. With the now larger hole, more orcs started to pour in. The army of Rohan tried to do its best, but they were outnumbered. In the end, the men, along with Éomer, Gimli, and Gamling the Old, had to retreat to the Glittering Caves. Aragorn and Legolas had to fight their way to get back inside the keep through a broad stairway that led to the citadel. During their retreat, Aragorn was overcome by the orcs. However, Legolas was able to save them, and a boulder cast down from the wall got rid of most of the orcs chasing them. In an attempt to stall, Aragorn called for a parley. He told the orcs that they would die unless they surrender. The orcs laughed and tried to shoot Aragorn down. The orcs reached the gate and used fire to destroy the arch.
Little did they know that Aragorn and Théoden were waiting for them behind the gate. They both led a cavalry charge out of the keep, blasting the great horn of Helm. The cavalry was followed by Hornburg’s defenders, who drove the remaining orcs away from the gate. While the cavalry rode out, Gimli and Éomer’s team were able to push the orcs out of the cave. It was at that moment that Gandalf showed up, riding his horse, Shadowfax. Behind him was Erkenbrand, who had a thousand soldiers under his command. They charged from the hill, trapping Saruman’s army between them and Théoden’s men. A forest of strange trees also appeared to arrive with Gandalf. The wild men of Dunland surrendered and dropped their weapons while the orcs ran towards the strange forest.
The Aftermath of the Battle
Dunlendings who surrendered were spared and given amnesty. The Dunlendings were told to retreat behind the River Isen and never cross the river with arms. Erkenbrand ordered them to repair the damage to Hornburg before they could be sent home. This surprised the wild men as Saruman told them that Rohan’s men are known to burn their enemies alive. The dead Dunlendings were entombed in a mass grave while the carcasses of the orcs were merely heaped to an area in the war and left there to decompose. The orcs who ran to the strange forest to seek refuge were never heard of again. It turned out that the forest was actually huorns, a living race of ancient trees that the ents took care of. It turned out that at night, the huorns killed the orcs and buried the in a hill, known to be Death Down. Gimli lost his helmet during the battle and was heavily wounded in the head. However, he found comfort in the fact that he had 42 kills in the end over the 41 kills of Legolas. A notable death in this battle is Háma, the captain of Théoden’s personal guard. He was also the doorman of Meduseld, the capital of Rohan.
Adaptation
Peter Jackson’s Film
In Peter Jackson’s version of the battle, there were some changes made. First, the elves of Lothlórien were in the scene as reinforcements. The people of Rohan were given more importance. The tactics and war technology of Saruman were also portrayed in great detail. The Battle of Hornburg was given a more exciting and climactic role in the story than what Tolkien probably intended. Before the battle began, the city of Edoras was abandoned as the people of Rohan evacuates to Helm’s Deep. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas gave their assistance to Théoden throughout the process. On the way, they were attacked by Warg-riders. Théoden gave instructions to Éowyn, his niece, to lead the people to Helm’s Deep while he and the riders of Rohan fought off the attack. Aragorn gets entangled with a warg’s harness and fell off a cliff with it. Upon arriving in Helm’s Deep, the wounded were treated, and the Rohirrim began to prepare for war. Aragorn, rescued by Brego, a horse, was able to arrive at Helm’s Deep and reported that Isengard had over 10,000 Uruk-hai marchings towards Helm’s Deep. This caused Théoden to order all men - old or young to prepare for battle.
They were then surprised by the arrival of Haldir, the march warden of Lorien. He brought with him an army of elves. They were sent by Elrond to aid the Rohirrim as a way to honor an ancient alliance between elves and men, thanks to Galadriel’s prompting. With the elves stationed at the Deeping Wall, every fortification of Hornburg was now manned. The Battle of Hornburg begins once the 10,000 Uruk-hai are formed in front of the castle. An old man, who was probably overwhelmed at the sight of the enemies, accidentally shot an arrow. This prompted the defenders to follow up with a volley of arrows, and the Uruk-hai started to charge forward. The events that followed were very similar to the book only that Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn’s role during the battle were expanded. In the film, Jackson shows how the battle turns against the favor of Rohan. The elves started to diminish in number, and Haldir was slain.
The Rohirrim had significant casualties, and Théoden was injured. They seemed to be at the losing side when Gimli noted that the sun was rising. Aragorn remembers Gandalf’s promise to return when the sun rises. Hopeful, he convinced Théoden to ride out the cavalry with him. As Gimli used Helm Hammerhand’s horn, Aragorn, Théoden, and the last of the Rohirrim rode out from the keep. They see Gandalf with Shadowfax on top of a high hill in the East. Behind him, Éomer and the riders of Rohan gathered. They then ran down the hill towards, trapping the Uruk-hai between them and the forces of Théoden. In a deleted scene, the Uruk-hai escaped to a forest of huorns in the north. The Rohirrim tried to pursue them, but Éomer put a stop on the pursuit. They ended up watching from afar as the huorns started moving, and the forest was filled with cries from the Uruk-hai who were being slain.
It was said that in the original script, Arwen led the elves and fought alongside Rohan. However, Jackson rejected this plot because this would change Arwen’s character into a warrior princess. He wanted Arwen’s role to be closer to what Tolkien envisioned, so he rejected Arwen’s involvement, but he kept the idea of the elves joining in the battle. Some Tolkien fans were disappointed that the film showed young boys and old men preparing for war and that none of the elves showed to have survived at the end of the battle. Despite what critics say, the Battle of Hornburg was mostly faithful to Tolkien’s work and was considered one of the best battle scenes in the film.
They were then surprised by the arrival of Haldir, the march warden of Lorien. He brought with him an army of elves. They were sent by Elrond to aid the Rohirrim as a way to honor an ancient alliance between elves and men, thanks to Galadriel’s prompting. With the elves stationed at the Deeping Wall, every fortification of Hornburg was now manned. The Battle of Hornburg begins once the 10,000 Uruk-hai are formed in front of the castle. An old man, who was probably overwhelmed at the sight of the enemies, accidentally shot an arrow. This prompted the defenders to follow up with a volley of arrows, and the Uruk-hai started to charge forward. The events that followed were very similar to the book only that Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn’s role during the battle were expanded. In the film, Jackson shows how the battle turns against the favor of Rohan. The elves started to diminish in number, and Haldir was slain.
The Rohirrim had significant casualties, and Théoden was injured. They seemed to be at the losing side when Gimli noted that the sun was rising. Aragorn remembers Gandalf’s promise to return when the sun rises. Hopeful, he convinced Théoden to ride out the cavalry with him. As Gimli used Helm Hammerhand’s horn, Aragorn, Théoden, and the last of the Rohirrim rode out from the keep. They see Gandalf with Shadowfax on top of a high hill in the East. Behind him, Éomer and the riders of Rohan gathered. They then ran down the hill towards, trapping the Uruk-hai between them and the forces of Théoden. In a deleted scene, the Uruk-hai escaped to a forest of huorns in the north. The Rohirrim tried to pursue them, but Éomer put a stop on the pursuit. They ended up watching from afar as the huorns started moving, and the forest was filled with cries from the Uruk-hai who were being slain.
It was said that in the original script, Arwen led the elves and fought alongside Rohan. However, Jackson rejected this plot because this would change Arwen’s character into a warrior princess. He wanted Arwen’s role to be closer to what Tolkien envisioned, so he rejected Arwen’s involvement, but he kept the idea of the elves joining in the battle. Some Tolkien fans were disappointed that the film showed young boys and old men preparing for war and that none of the elves showed to have survived at the end of the battle. Despite what critics say, the Battle of Hornburg was mostly faithful to Tolkien’s work and was considered one of the best battle scenes in the film.
The Lord of the Rings Online: Helm’s Deep
This is the fifth expansion to The Lord of the Rings Online [1] the game released in 2013. The game features the fortress of Helm’s Deep and its surrounding areas in Western Rohan. Here, the Battle of the Hornburg is a significant part of the game’s storyline.
References
Categories:
Conflicts of the War of the Ring
Sieges
War of the Ring
