Herugrim

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Herugrim from the Noble Collection

Herugrim was the sword of King Théoden of Rohan.

History[edit | edit source]

When Gandalf and his companions arrived at Meduseld on March 2, T.A. 3019,[1] the sword was in the custody of Théoden's traitorous counsellor Gríma Wormtongue. After being healed by Gandalf, Théoden reclaimed the sword,[2] and rode with it to the Battle of the Hornburg and the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Herugrim is an Old English name meaning "Very fierce or cruel, savage".[3][4] It has been noted that herugrim is in the Mercian dialect of Old English (the spelling of the "standard" West Saxon dialect would have been heorugrim).[5][6] Heorugrim occurs in line 1564 of Beowulf, as an adjective applied to the hero in his fight with Grendel's mother; Tolkien translated it as "fell".[7]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years", entry for the year 3019, March 2, p. 1093
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The King of the Golden Hall", pp. 514-9
  3. "heoru-grim", Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary (accessed 31 October 2023)
  4. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 408
  5. Tom Shippey, The Road to Middle-earth, Chapter 4 A Cartographic Plot, The horses of the Mark, footnote after "All the Riders' names and language are Old English, as many have noted;", p. 112
  6. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 372
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien; Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary, "Beowulf" p. 58
Weapons in Tolkien's legendarium
 Arrows:  Black Arrow · Dailir · Red Arrow
Axes:  Dramborleg · Durin's Axe
Bows:  Belthronding · Bow of Bregor · Bow of the Galadhrim
Knives:  Angrist · Barrow-blades · Morgul-knife · Sting
Maces:  Grond
Spears:  Aeglos
Swords:  Anglachel/Gurthang · Anguirel · Aranrúth · Dagmor · Glamdring · Glend · Gúthwinë · Herugrim · Narsil/Andúril ·  Orcrist · Ringil · Sword of Manwë