Timeline Event
Helm besieged in the Hornburg in the Invasion of Rohan
Event Type: Military/Strategic
Age: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Years: 2758 ~ 2759
Description:
An event in the Invasion of Rohan from West and East; see that entry for an overview:
2758
Helm of Rohan takes refuge in Helm's Deep. ... 2758-9: The Long Winter follows. Great suffering and loss of life in Eriador and Rohan. ...
The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix B, The Tale of Years: The Third Age
Helm was driven back with great loss from the Crossings of Isen and took refuge in the Hornburg and the ravine behind (which was after known as Helm's Deep). There he was besieged. ...
Soon afterwards the Long Winter began, and Rohan lay under snow for nearly five months (November to March, 2758-9). Both the Rohirrim and their foes suffered grievously in the cold, and in the dearth that lasted longer. In Helm's Deep there was a great hunger after Yule; and being in despair, against the king's counsel, Háma his younger son led men out on a sortie and foray, but they were lost in the snow. Helm grew fierce and gaunt for famine and grief; and the dread of him alone was worth many men in the defence of the Burg. He would go out by himself, clad in white, and stalk like a snow-troll into the camps of his enemies, and slay many men with his hands. It was believed that if he bore no weapon no weapon would bite on him. The Dunlendings said that if he could find no food he ate men. That tale lasted long in Dunland. ...
One night men heard [Helm's] horn blowing, but Helm did not return. In the morning ... they saw ... Helm, dead as a stone, but his knees were unbent. Yet men said that the horn was still heard at times in the Deep and the wraith of Helm would walk among the foes of Rohan and kill men with fear.
The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: The House of Eorl
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 16Aug04