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
| image=[[Image:J.R.R._Tolkien_-_Helm%27s_Deep_and_the_Hornburg.jpg|300px]]
| name=Helm's Deep
| name=Helm's Deep
| type=Valley/Stronghold
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Helm's Deep and the Hornburg.jpg|250px]]
| location=[[White Mountains]]
| caption="Helm's Deep and the Hornburg" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]], Later [[Rohirrim]]
| pronun=
| realms=Firstly [[Gondor]], then [[Rohan]]
| othernames=
| location=Northern side of [[White Mountains]]
| 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 [[Deeping-coomb|gorge]] in the north-west [[White Mountains]] on the far side of the Westfold Vale, below the [[Thrihyrne]]. It also referred to the whole defensive system, including the [[Deeping Wall]] and the fortress known as the [[Hornburg]].<ref name=":deep">{{TT|Deep}}</ref>
'''Helm's Deep''' was a large valley in the north-western [[Ered Nimrais]] (White Mountains) below the [[Thrihyrne]].  
 
==Geography and description==
The entire width of the valley was guarded by a trench and rampart called [[Helm's Dike]]; behind the Dike lay the [[Hornburg]]. A large rampart known as the [[Deeping Wall]] blocked the valley: it was a solid stone wall save for a wide culvert at the base that allowed the [[Deeping-stream]] to pass through. The [[Glittering Caves]] was located behind Helm’s Deep, under the Thrihyrne.<ref name=":deep" />


==History==
==History==
The valley was blocked over its entire width by the trench and rampart called ''[[Helm's Dike]]'' and behind that lay the fortress called by Men the ''[[Hornburg]]'', at the entrance to the [[Glittering Caves]].
In the [[Second Age]], the Glittering Caves behind Helm’s Deep were explored by [[Númenóreans]], although it is unclear exactly when and by whom.<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>


Originally the valley was home to a small [[Gondor]]ian regiment, but after [[Calenardhon]] became [[Rohan]] it became an encampment of the [[Rohirrim]], where the guards of the [[Fords of Isen]] lived.
Originally, the fortress was built by [[Gondor|Gondorians]] in the days of the glory of the Kings of Gondor. Later, after swathes of Gondorian regions, such as [[Calenardhon]], were depopulated, what was previously known as Aglarond was granted to the [[Éothéod]]; it became an encampment of the [[Rohirrim]] of the [[Westfold]], and was used in later years to guard the [[Gap of Rohan]].<ref>{{App|Eorl}} p. 1064</ref>


During the war with the [[Dunlendings]] under [[Wulf]], the Rohirrim under King [[Helm Hammerhand]] and many of his people sought refuge in the keep, where they held out during the winter of [[Third Age 2758]] and [[Third Age 2759|2759]].
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]]. After Helm’s death, the fortification was renamed Helm’s Deep.<ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>


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.  There also was a great tower the top of which consisted of the great horn of [[Helm Hammerhand]]. The Deep which stood next to the fortress was barred by the long Deeping Wall, which consisted of solid rock except for a small culvert which allowed water from the [[Deeping-stream|Deeping Stream]] to enter; this rendered a fresh supply in sieges of great length.  Access to the fortress from within the Deep was made possible by a long stair which led to the Hornburg's rear gate.
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. After the battle, the [[Huorns]] laid the slain [[Uruk-hai]] in a mound known after as the [[Death Down]]. The [[Dunlendings]] allied with Saruman were buried more honourably in a separate mound below the Dike.<ref>{{TT|Road}}</ref><ref name=":deep" />
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]''''' by [[Peter Jackson]]


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.
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>


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

Latest revision as of 06:14, 23 December 2023

"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
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 gorge in the north-west White Mountains on the far side of the Westfold Vale, below the Thrihyrne. It also referred to the whole defensive system, including the Deeping Wall and the fortress known as the Hornburg.[1]

Geography and description[edit | edit source]

The entire width of the valley was guarded by a trench and rampart called Helm's Dike; behind the Dike lay the Hornburg. A large rampart known as the Deeping Wall blocked the valley: it was a solid stone wall save for a wide culvert at the base that allowed the Deeping-stream to pass through. The Glittering Caves was located behind Helm’s Deep, under the Thrihyrne.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

In the Second Age, the Glittering Caves behind Helm’s Deep were explored by Númenóreans, although it is unclear exactly when and by whom.[2]

Originally, the fortress was built by Gondorians in the days of the glory of the Kings of Gondor. Later, after swathes of Gondorian regions, such as Calenardhon, were depopulated, what was previously known as Aglarond was granted to the Éothéod; it became an encampment of the Rohirrim of the Westfold, and was used in later years to guard the Gap of Rohan.[3]

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. 27582759. After Helm’s death, the fortification was renamed Helm’s Deep.[4]

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. After the battle, the Huorns laid the slain Uruk-hai in a mound known after as the Death Down. The Dunlendings allied with Saruman were buried more honourably in a separate mound below the Dike.[5][1]

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.[6]

References