Henneth Annun Reseach Center

Character Bios

Dúnhere

Location(s): Harrowdale, in the Westfold

Race/Species: Man

Type/Kind: Rohirrim

Title(s):
Lord of Harrowdale
Captain of the Riders of the Mark

Dates: died 15 March 3019

Parents: uncle: Erkenbrand

Description:

A valiant captain, nephew of Erkenbrand. By courage and skill in arms he survived the disaster of the Fords, but fell in the Battle of the Pelennor, to the great grief of Westfold. [Author's note.] - Dúnhere was Lord of Harrowdale (The Return of the King V 3).

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen: Notes, Note 13

Grimbold was aware suddenly that ... the assault had abated. He therefore at once mounted those riders for whom horses were available, not many more than half an éored, and placed them under the command of Dúnhere. The shieldwall was opened on the east side and the Riders passed through, driving back their assailants on that side; then dividing and wheeling round they charged the enemy to the north and south of the camp. ... Grimbold himself remained on foot with a rearguard of picked men..., and covered for the moment by these and the Riders under Dúnhere the remainder retreated with what speed they could.

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen

So the King of the Mark came back ... to Dunharrow.... There he found the remaining strength of his people already assembled; for as soon as his coming was known captains rode to meet him at the ford.... Dúnhere, chieftain of the folk of Harrowdale, was at their head.

'At dawn three days ago, lord,' he said. 'Shadowfax came like a wind out of the West to Edoras, and Gandalf brought tidings of your victory to gladden our hearts. But he brought also word from you to hasten the gathering of the Riders. And then came the winged Shadow.'

'The winged Shadow?' said Théoden. 'We saw it also, but that was in the dead of night before Gandalf left us.'

'Maybe, lord,' said Dúnhere. 'Yet the same, or another like to it, a flying darkness in the shape of a monstrous bird, passed over Edoras that morning, and all men were shaken with fear. For it stooped upon Meduseld, and as it came low, almost to the gable, there came a cry that stopped our hearts. Then it was that Gandalf counselled us not to assemble in the fields, but to meet you here in the valley under the mountains. And he bade us to kindle no more lights or fires than barest need asked. So it has been done. Gandalf spoke with great authority. We trust that it is as you would wish. Naught has been seen in Harrowdale of these evil things.'

'It is well,' said Théoden. 'I will ride now to the Hold, and there before I go to rest I will meet the marshals and captains. Let them come to me as soon as may be!'

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 3, The Muster of Rohan

There Théoden fell, Thengling mighty,
to his golden halls and green pastures
in the Northern fields never returning,
high lord of the host. Harding and Guthláf
Dúnhere and Déorwine, doughty Grimbold,
Herefara and Herubrand, Horn and Fastred,
fought and fell there in a far country:
in the Mounds of Mundburg under mould they lie
with their league-fellows, lords of Gondor.

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 6, The Battle of the Pelennor Fields

Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 3Aug06

Related Library Entries

Characters Search

      

View all Bios

Full Text Search