Middle-earth

Location

Helm’s Deep

Also known as The Hornburg

The fortress of the Hornburg in the valley behind the Deeping Wall, scene of Rohan’s greatest defensive battle.

Tolkien’s textsSupported by the narratives published in Tolkien’s lifetime.
Type
Fortress
Region
Rohan
Age
The Third Age
On the map
36%, 56%
Helm’s Deep

On the interactive atlas

Coordinates shown here are approximate, marking this place on the shared atlas map for orientation rather than cartography. It sits on the Third Age layer.

View on the interactive atlas →

Geography

A narrow valley beneath the Thrihyrne, guarded by the Deeping Wall, the Hornburg and the fortress of Aglarond behind.

History

An ancient Númenórean work held by Rohan; besieged and nearly taken by Saruman’s host in 3019.

People & inhabitants

The fortress-guard of Rohan and, at the battle, the remnant of the Westfold.

Significance

The battle demonstrates Saruman’s industrial war-making and the arrival of dawn and the Huorns as a near-providential turn.

Events here

Figures of this place

Théoden
Character

Théoden

King of Rohan, aged prematurely by Gríma’s counsel, later restored and killed at the Pelennor Fields.

Aragorn
Character

Aragorn

The heir of Isildur, raised in Rivendell in secret, who becomes King Elessar and reunites the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor.

Gimli
Character

Gimli

The Dwarf of the Fellowship, whose friendship with Legolas becomes a symbol of reconciliation between their peoples.

Legolas Greenleaf
Character

Legolas Greenleaf

Son of Thranduil and the Elven archer of the Fellowship, whose friendship with Gimli breaks an old estrangement.

Éomer
Character

Éomer

Théoden’s nephew, a marshal of Rohan who becomes king after the war.

Gandalf
Character

Gandalf

A Wizard of the Istari, keeper of the Elven-ring Narya, and the chief architect of the resistance to Sauron.

Haldir
Character

Haldir

An Elf of Lothlórien who guides the Fellowship and later dies defending Helm’s Deep in the film adaptation.

Sources

  • The Lord of the Rings · 1954–55

    Three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.

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