Helm's Deep: Difference between revisions

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{{disambig-more|Helm's Deep|[[Helm's Deep (disambiguation)]]}}
{{disambig-more|Helm's Deep|[[Helm's Deep (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location
{{location infobox
| name=Helm's Deep
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Helm's Deep and the Hornburg.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Helm's Deep and the Hornburg.jpg|250px]]
| name=Helm's Deep
| caption="Helm's Deep and the Hornburg" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| type=Valley/Stronghold
| pronun=
| location=[[White Mountains]]
| othernames=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]], Later [[Rohirrim]]
| location=Northern side of [[White Mountains]]
| realms=Firstly [[Gondor]], then [[Rohan]]
| type=Valley
| description=
| description=
| othernames=
| regions=[[Westfold]] of [[Rohan]]
| etymology=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]], later [[Rohirrim]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Battle of the Hornburg|Battle of Helm's Deep]]
| events=[[Battle of the Hornburg|Battle of Helm's Deep]]
| references=[[The Two Towers]]
}}
}}
'''Helm's Deep''' was a large valley gorge in the north-western [[Ered Nimrais]] (White Mountains) below the [[Thrihyrne]]. It was actually the name of the whole defensive system including its major defensive structure, the [[Hornburg]].
'''Helm’s Deep''' was a deep gorge<ref>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Helm's Deep'', p. 413</ref> below the [[Thrihyrne]] near the end of the northernmost arm of the [[White Mountains]]<ref name=Thrihyrne>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Thrihyrne'', p. 412</ref> on the far side of the [[Westfold Vale]]<ref name=Deep>{{TT|Deep}}, p. 528</ref>, which was named after [[Helm]]<ref>{{App|Eorl}}, entry for King Helm Hammerhand, p. 1066</ref>, the ninth [[King of Rohan|King]] of [[Rohan]]<ref name=Helm>{{App|Mark}}, entry 9. Helm Hammerhand, p. 1068</ref>.
 
==Geography and description==
==Geography and description==
The valley was blocked over its entire width by the trench and rampart called ''[[Helm's Dike]]'' and behind that lay the fortress ''[[Súthburg]]'', which extended to the [[Deeping Wall]] built across the entrance to the [[Glittering Caves]] and consisted of solid rock except for a small culvert which allowed water from the [[Deeping-stream]] (coming out from the Deep) to pass; this rendered a fresh supply in sieges of great length.
The deep gorge was located below the Thrihyrne at the head<ref name=Thrihyrne/> of the Westfold Vale<ref name=Deep/>. Caves,<ref name=Dike/><ref>{{TT|Deep}}, pp. 535, 537-38, 542</ref><ref>{{TT|Road}}, p. 546</ref> such as the [[Glittering Caves]]<ref>{{TT|Road}}, p. 547</ref> were located in the cliff walls of the gorge. The lower entrance of the gorge, [[Helm's Gate]],<ref>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Helm's Gate'', p. 414</ref> was fortified by the [[Deeping Wall]] and the [[Hornburg]]<ref name=Deep/>. A quarter of a mile below Helm's Dike, a high rampart made from earth behind a trench ran across the [[Deeping-coomb]] from one side of the valley to the other side.<ref name=Dike>{{TT|Deep}}, p. 530</ref> The [[Deeping-stream]] flowed through the gorge through a culvert at the base of the Deeping Wall, turned to flow along the feet of the Hornburg down to Helm's Dike<ref name=Deep/> where it flowed through a wide breach in the rampart<ref name=Dike/> down the Deeping-coomb and into the Westfold Vale<ref name=Deep/>.


A long causeway wound up to the great gate of the fortress itself. Inside the keep there were stables and an armoury, as well as a great hall in the rear which was dug out of the mountainside.
==History==
In the long distant days of the glory of [[Gondor]],<ref name=Deep/> at the height of their power,<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] [[King of Gondor|sea-kings]] of Gondor built a fortress at the entrance to the gorge,<ref name=Deep/> which they called the [[Hornburg|fortress of Aglarond]]<ref name=UT11c>{{UT|11c}}</ref>, which means "Glittering Caves"<ref>{{TT|Road}}, p. 548</ref> in [[Sindarin]]<ref>{{HM|N}}, note on ''Aglarond'' removed by Tolkien from the final Nomenclature, pp. 421 and 751</ref>. As a consequence, it is probable that [[Men]] from Gondor had already explored the gorge and its caves and named the fortress after the Glittering Caves.


==History==
When [[Ruling Stewards|Steward]] [[Cirion]] of [[Gondor]] granted the province of [[Calenardhon]] to King [[Eorl]] of the [[Éothéod]] (later referred to as the [[Rohirrim]] after they had helped Gondor in the war against the [[Balchoth]],<ref>{{App|Stewards}}, entry for Steward Cirion, p. 1053</ref> the fortress of Aglarond was repaired with the help of stonemasons from Gondor and handed over to the Rohirrim and the old hereditary guards of the fortress were transferred to the fortress of [[Isengard|Angrenost]], which remained under the control of Gondor.<ref name=UT11c/> The Rohirrim called the fortress the ''Súthburg'' and the caves ''Glǽmscrafu'' in their own [[Rohanese|language]].<ref name=UTFootnote>{{UT|11c}}, footnote relating to Aglarond</ref>
[[File:Jef Murray - Helm's Deep.jpg|thumb|''Helm's Deep'' by [[Jef Murray]]|left]]
 
Originally the valley was home to a small [[Gondor]]ian regiment, but after [[Calenardhon]] became [[Rohan]] it became an encampment of the [[Rohirrim]] of the [[Westfold]], where the guards of the [[Fords of Isen]] lived.
During the war against the [[Dunlendings]] and [[Wulf|Wulf's]] usurpation of Rohan, [[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]] took refuge in the keep, where they held out under siege during the [[Long Winter]] of [[Third Age|T.A.]] [[Third Age 2758|2758]]–[[Third Age 2759|2759]].<ref name=Helm/> After Helm’s death, the gorge was called Helm's Deep<ref name=Helm/> and the fortification was called the Hornburg<ref name=UTFootnote/>.
 
At the time of the [[War of the Ring]], Helm’s Deep became the refuge of some of the Rohirrim under [[Théoden|King Théoden]]. The keep fell under siege and was breached by [[Saruman|Saruman's]] Uruk-hai, and subsequently the [[Battle of the Hornburg]] was fought.<ref>{{TT|Deep}}</ref> After the battle, someone, probably the [[Huorns]],<ref>{{RK|Company}}, p. 777</ref> laid the slain [[Uruk-hai]] in a mound known after as the [[Death Down]].<ref>{{TT|Road}}, p. 553</ref> The [[Dunlendings]] allied with Saruman were buried more honourably in a separate mound below the Dike.<ref>{{TT|Road}}, p. 545</ref>


During the war with the [[Dunlendings]] under [[Wulf]], the Rohirrim under King [[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]] and many of his people sought refuge in the keep, where they held out during the [[Long Winter]] of {{TA|2758}}–{{TA|2759|n}}. Helm and his horn gave their names to the features of the Deep.
==Etymology==
The element ''Helm'' in the name ''Helm's Deep'' refers to Helm,<ref>{{HM|N}}, '''Helm's Deep, Helm's Dike, Helm's Gate''', entry, p. 772</ref> the King of Rohan who sought refuge in the Hornburg when his realm was invaded by the Dunlendings.<ref name=Helm/>


During the [[War of the Ring]] the fortress guarding Helm's Deep again became the refuge of some of the Rohirrim, now under King [[Théoden]], and the [[Battle of the Hornburg]] was fought there.
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]''''' by [[Peter Jackson]]


==See also==
The keep was filmed at [[Dry Creek Quarry|Dry Creek]], an active quarry in the Wellington region of New Zealand’s North Island.<ref>{{webcite|author=Shaw-Williams, H|articleurl=https://www.slashfilm.com/1125056/the-truly-epic-story-of-how-the-battle-of-helms-deep-was-filmed/|articlename=The Truly Epic Story Of How The Battle Of Helm's Deep Was Filmed|dated=|website=https://www.slashfilm.com/|accessed=22 December, 2023}}</ref>
*[[:Category:Images of Helm's Deep|Images of Helm's Deep]]


[[Category:White Mountains]]
{{References}}
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Rohan]]
[[Category:Valleys]]
[[Category:Valleys]]
[[Category:Rohan]]
[[Category:White Mountains]]
[[de:Helms Klamm]]
[[de:Helms Klamm]]
[[fi:Helmin syvänne]]
[[fi:Helmin syvänne]]

Latest revision as of 11:43, 4 April 2024

The name Helm's Deep refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Helm's Deep (disambiguation).
Helm's Deep
Valley
J.R.R. Tolkien - Helm's Deep and the Hornburg.jpg
"Helm's Deep and the Hornburg" by J.R.R. Tolkien
General Information
LocationNorthern side of White Mountains
TypeValley
RegionsWestfold of Rohan
People and History
InhabitantsGondorians, later Rohirrim
EventsBattle of Helm's Deep

Helm’s Deep was a deep gorge[1] below the Thrihyrne near the end of the northernmost arm of the White Mountains[2] on the far side of the Westfold Vale[3], which was named after Helm[4], the ninth King of Rohan[5].

Geography and description[edit | edit source]

The deep gorge was located below the Thrihyrne at the head[2] of the Westfold Vale[3]. Caves,[6][7][8] such as the Glittering Caves[9] were located in the cliff walls of the gorge. The lower entrance of the gorge, Helm's Gate,[10] was fortified by the Deeping Wall and the Hornburg[3]. A quarter of a mile below Helm's Dike, a high rampart made from earth behind a trench ran across the Deeping-coomb from one side of the valley to the other side.[6] The Deeping-stream flowed through the gorge through a culvert at the base of the Deeping Wall, turned to flow along the feet of the Hornburg down to Helm's Dike[3] where it flowed through a wide breach in the rampart[6] down the Deeping-coomb and into the Westfold Vale[3].

History[edit | edit source]

In the long distant days of the glory of Gondor,[3] at the height of their power,[11] the Númenórean sea-kings of Gondor built a fortress at the entrance to the gorge,[3] which they called the fortress of Aglarond[12], which means "Glittering Caves"[13] in Sindarin[14]. As a consequence, it is probable that Men from Gondor had already explored the gorge and its caves and named the fortress after the Glittering Caves.

When Steward Cirion of Gondor granted the province of Calenardhon to King Eorl of the Éothéod (later referred to as the Rohirrim after they had helped Gondor in the war against the Balchoth,[15] the fortress of Aglarond was repaired with the help of stonemasons from Gondor and handed over to the Rohirrim and the old hereditary guards of the fortress were transferred to the fortress of Angrenost, which remained under the control of Gondor.[12] The Rohirrim called the fortress the Súthburg and the caves Glǽmscrafu in their own language.[16]

During the war against the Dunlendings and Wulf's usurpation of Rohan, Helm Hammerhand took refuge in the keep, where they held out under siege during the Long Winter of T.A. 2758–2759.[5] After Helm’s death, the gorge was called Helm's Deep[5] and the fortification was called the Hornburg[16].

At the time of the War of the Ring, Helm’s Deep became the refuge of some of the Rohirrim under King Théoden. The keep fell under siege and was breached by Saruman's Uruk-hai, and subsequently the Battle of the Hornburg was fought.[17] After the battle, someone, probably the Huorns,[18] laid the slain Uruk-hai in a mound known after as the Death Down.[19] The Dunlendings allied with Saruman were buried more honourably in a separate mound below the Dike.[20]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The element Helm in the name Helm's Deep refers to Helm,[21] the King of Rohan who sought refuge in the Hornburg when his realm was invaded by the Dunlendings.[5]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by Peter Jackson

The keep was filmed at Dry Creek, an active quarry in the Wellington region of New Zealand’s North Island.[22]

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings", in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, entry Helm's Deep, p. 413
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings", in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, entry Thrihyrne, p. 412
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Helm's Deep", p. 528
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl", entry for King Helm Hammerhand, p. 1066
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl", "The Kings of the Mark", entry 9. Helm Hammerhand, p. 1068
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Helm's Deep", p. 530
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Helm's Deep", pp. 535, 537-38, 542
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Road to Isengard", p. 546
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Road to Isengard", p. 547
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings", in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, entry Helm's Gate, p. 414
  11. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Battles of the Fords of Isen", "Appendix (ii)"
  13. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Road to Isengard", p. 548
  14. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, note on Aglarond removed by Tolkien from the final Nomenclature, pp. 421 and 751
  15. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards", entry for Steward Cirion, p. 1053
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Battles of the Fords of Isen", "Appendix (ii)", footnote relating to Aglarond
  17. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Helm's Deep"
  18. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Passing of the Grey Company", p. 777
  19. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Road to Isengard", p. 553
  20. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Road to Isengard", p. 545
  21. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, Helm's Deep, Helm's Dike, Helm's Gate, entry, p. 772
  22. ↑ Shaw-Williams, H, "The Truly Epic Story Of How The Battle Of Helm's Deep Was Filmed", https://www.slashfilm.com/ (accessed 22 December 2024)
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