Hornburg is a large fortress of the Gondorians located at the mouth of Helm Deep. This strategically well-protected fortress of Rohan was a roost for the soldiers of the Fords of Isen.
Geography
The fortress was constructed on a rock hill amidst the northeastern White Mountains below the Thrihyrne. Behind the fort was the access to the Glittering Caves and the rear gate led to the Deeping Wall, Helm's Dike. The Deeping Wall was a rock twenty feet thick that surrounded the Deep. The fortress had enough space for stables and weapons. It boasted a massive hall on the rear side carved out of the mountains. The fort boasted a tall tower, with a spiral staircase, surrounded by two large rampart walls housing the most famous horn called the Helm Hammerhand, usually blown before any battle by the Rohirrim. A small culvert on the wall allowed water to flow into the valley from the Deeping stream. This stream that enabled freshwater supply in large amounts would later prove the cause of the fortress's destruction. The castle, which was built in the Deeping-coomb in northern Rohan, served as a guard to Helm's Deep entrance. Hornburg was considered a significant hideout for the Rohan compared to Edoras and Dunharrow.
History
This fortress was constructed by Gondorians during the Second Age, the most glorious period of Gondor. Both the forts, Angrenost (Isengard) and Hornburg, were constructed to safeguard the Fords of Isen. The fortress came under the realm of Rohirrim when Eorl the Young was given complete command of Calenardhon by the Steward Cirion. The fort was renovated by the Gondor masons, and the chief of Westfold resided there. [1] The remaining parts of the citadel were later redeployed to Isengard. The Rohirrim called this fortress Súthburg since the southern portion of the fort was a significant guard for the Gap of Rohan and the Fords of Isen. In the Long Winter of TA 2758 – TA 2759, the fortress served as an excellent refuge for the Rohirrim under the leadership of King Helm Hammerhand. This was during the Dunlendings' seizure of Rohan. The fort was then named Hornburg as King Helm would blow the Hammerhand horn before starting the war waged against the Dunlendings under the leadership of the Wulf. The horn would alert all his men in the Deep.
Under King Théoden, the fortress served as a stronghold for a few of the Rohirrim during the War of the Ring. The notable Battle of the Hornburg took place close to the fortress guarding Helm's Deep. This battle between the Saruman's army and the Rohirrim caused the destruction of the Deeping Wall due to explosives. Despite the heavy destruction of the fort, the Saruman's forces were evaded by Erkenbrand, who reached there, the morning of March 4, 3019. Thus, the fortress was a significant component in defending off the heavy attack from Isengard. The Dwarves aided the Rohan in reconstructing the partly destroyed Deepening Wall after the War of the Ring.
Portrayal In Adaptations
The Lord of The Rings Trilogy
The Hornburg plays a vital role in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers movie directed by Peter Jackson. The depiction of the fortress matches with the description in J.R.R. Tolkien's writing. In the film, it is often mentioned as the fortress of Helm's Deep.
Online Games
The Hornburg plays a significant role in the video game adaptations of the Lord of the Rings. It appears in the games' online versions: The Battle for Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings.
References
Categories:
Fortresses
Rohan
