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In {{TA|2754}} a man named [[Freca]], a Dunlending with Rohirric blood planned to have his son, [[Wulf]], marry the daughter of Helm. Freca rode to [[Edoras]] with a great force of men, planning to threaten the King to comply with his demands, but Helm Hammerhand smote him with his fist and Frecca died soon thereafter. Because of his great strength Helm was known as '''Hammerhand'''.
In {{TA|2754}} a man named [[Freca]], a Dunlending with Rohirric blood planned to have his son, [[Wulf]], marry the daughter of Helm. Freca rode to [[Edoras]] with a great force of men, planning to threaten the King to comply with his demands, but Helm Hammerhand smote him with his fist and Frecca died soon thereafter. Because of his great strength Helm was known as '''Hammerhand'''.


The men of Freca left Edoras, but in {{TA|2758|n}} they returned with a great force of Dunlendings, reinforced by enemies of [[Gondor]] who had landed in the south. Under the leadership of Wulf they overran Rohan; Helm fought them at the [[Crowwings of Isen]] but lost and withdrew into the [[Hornburg|Suthburg]] and there endured a long siege.
The men of Freca left Edoras, but in {{TA|2758|n}} they returned with a great force of Dunlendings, reinforced by enemies of [[Gondor]] who had landed in the south. Under the leadership of Wulf they overran Rohan; Helm fought them at the [[Crossings of Isen]] but lost and withdrew into the [[Hornburg|Suthburg]] and there endured a long siege.


Helm held the fortress during the [[Long Winter]]. He owned a great war-horn, and whenever it was blown Helm would break through the Dunlending ranks, clad in white, stalking men like a [[snow-trolls|snow-troll]] slaying many of their men with his bare hands. However, his sons [[Haleth (son of Helm)|Haleth]] and [[Háma (son of Helm)|Háma]] were slain and Helm grew gaunt because of grief and famine, but still his horn would fill the Dunlendings with fear each time it was heard. Once Helm died, apparently during one of his night sorties, his body was discovered frozen in the snow still standing and ready to fight.
Helm held the fortress during the [[Long Winter]]. He blew his great war-horn, and broke through the Dunlending ranks, clad in white, stalking men like a [[snow-trolls|snow-troll]] slaying them with his bare hands. However, his sons [[Haleth (son of Helm)|Haleth]] and [[Háma (son of Helm)|Háma]] were slain and Helm grew gaunt because of grief and famine; still his horn would fill the Dunlendings with fear each time it was heard. During one of his night sorties Helm died, apparently from famine and cold; his body was discovered frozen in the snow still standing and ready to fight.


He was succeeded by his nephew [[Fréaláf|Fréaláf Hildeson]], who defeated the Dunlendings.
He was succeeded by his nephew [[Fréaláf|Fréaláf Hildeson]], who defeated the Dunlendings.


There was a belief that his horn was sometimes heard in the Deep and that his [[wraith]] still wandered through Rohan, and defended the keep that would be renamed the Hornburg.<ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>
There was a belief that his horn was sometimes heard in the Deep and that his [[wraith]] still wandered through Rohan, and defended the keep that would be renamed the Hornburg.<ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Helm in [[Old English]] means "protection". The word is seen also in the names [[Elfhelm]] and [[Dernhelm]].
Helm in [[Old English]] means "protection". The word is seen also in the names [[Elfhelm]] and [[Dernhelm]].

Revision as of 17:38, 26 November 2013

Helm
Rohir
File:HelmHammerhand.png
Biographical Information
Other namesHelm Hammerhand
TitlesKing of Rohan
LocationRohan
LanguageRohirric and Westron
BirthT.A. 2691
RuleT.A. 2741 - 2759
DeathT.A. 2759 (aged 68)
Helm's Dike during Long Winter
Family
HouseHouse of Eorl
ParentageGram
SiblingsHild
ChildrenUnnamed daughter, Haleth and Háma
Physical Description
GenderMale
ClothingWhite
WeaponryNone
GalleryImages of Helm

Helm Hammerhand (Third Age 26912759, aged 68 years) was the ninth King of Rohan and last King of the first line.[1]

History

Helm became King at the death of his father Gram, during a time of crisis. His father had already fought open warfare with the Dunlendings, who operated from the captured fortress of Isengard.

In T.A. 2754 a man named Freca, a Dunlending with Rohirric blood planned to have his son, Wulf, marry the daughter of Helm. Freca rode to Edoras with a great force of men, planning to threaten the King to comply with his demands, but Helm Hammerhand smote him with his fist and Frecca died soon thereafter. Because of his great strength Helm was known as Hammerhand.

The men of Freca left Edoras, but in 2758 they returned with a great force of Dunlendings, reinforced by enemies of Gondor who had landed in the south. Under the leadership of Wulf they overran Rohan; Helm fought them at the Crossings of Isen but lost and withdrew into the Suthburg and there endured a long siege.

Helm held the fortress during the Long Winter. He blew his great war-horn, and broke through the Dunlending ranks, clad in white, stalking men like a snow-troll slaying them with his bare hands. However, his sons Haleth and Háma were slain and Helm grew gaunt because of grief and famine; still his horn would fill the Dunlendings with fear each time it was heard. During one of his night sorties Helm died, apparently from famine and cold; his body was discovered frozen in the snow still standing and ready to fight.

He was succeeded by his nephew Fréaláf Hildeson, who defeated the Dunlendings.

There was a belief that his horn was sometimes heard in the Deep and that his wraith still wandered through Rohan, and defended the keep that would be renamed the Hornburg.[2]

Etymology

Helm in Old English means "protection". The word is seen also in the names Elfhelm and Dernhelm.

Portrayal in adaptations

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:

As part of the decorations of the Hornburg, two statues were erected. One was destroyed beyond recognition, but the other was one of Helm. The warrior holds a hammer in his hand.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl", "The Kings of the Mark"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl"
Helm
House of Eorl
Born: T.A. 2691 Died: T.A. 2759
Preceded by:
Gram
9th King of Rohan
T.A. 27412759
Followed by:
Fréaláf