An heirloom of the Rohan royalty, Herumgrim was the sword of King Theoden. Although its origins are unknown, it was ancient at the time of the War of the Ring. The sword was long and its sheath was decorated with gold and green gems.
Etymology
As translated from Old English to Rohirric language, Herugrim means “extremely fierce or savage”. Although the name appears to be influenced by the word “herou” which simply means “sword”.
History
At the time when Gandalf and Aragorn point to the buried mounds outside Edoras, Legolas makes a statement claiming that red leaves had fallen in Mirkwood, in his house, 500 times since then. From this statement, it can be safely deduced that at the time of King Theoden, [1] Herugrim was at least five hundred years old. The sword was at last entrusted to Theoden, the last king of Rohan who claimed victory with the sword at Helm’s Deep. When Grima gained influence over King Theoden through leechcraft, Theoden passed on the sword to Grima Wormtongue [2] to keep it safe. Instead, he took the sword, hid it away, and let it go rusty. Once Gandalf releases Theoden from Saruman’s powers, Theoden retrieves the sword that Hama the door warden finds locked in Grima’s treasures. He takes the sword and rides to the battle at Hornburg and the Pelennor Fields where he was slain outside Minas Tirith while helping Aragorn II Elessar with his plight. After Theoden’s death, Herugrim was laid on his chest when he was buried in Barrowfield.
References
Categories:
Swords
