Helm's Deep

From Tolkien Gateway
"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
People and History
InhabitantsGondorians, later Rohirrim
EventsBattle of Helm's Deep

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.

Geography and description

The valley was blocked over its entire width by a trench and rampart called Helm's Dike and behind that lay the great fortress Hornburg. A large rampart known as the Deeping Wall blocked the valley; it consisted of solid rock except for a small culvert which allowed the Deeping-stream (a small stream) to pass. The stream flowed out of the Glittering Caves, a large cave system and the later site of Gimli's dwarf colony.

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 high tower in the centre.

History

Originally the valley was home to a small Gondorian regiment, but after Calenardhon was ceded to the Éothéod it became an encampment of the Rohirrim of the Westfold, and was used to guard the Gap of Rohan.

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 Long Winter of T.A. 27582759. Helm and his horn gave their names to the features of the Deep.

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. After the battle, the Huorns laid the dead Uruk-hai of Saruman in a large mound known afterwards as the Death Down. The Dunlendings were buried more honourably in a separate mound below the Dike.

Portrayal in Adaptions

In The Lord of the Rings (film series) by Peter Jackson, the Rohirrim, along with Théoden and Éowyn go to Helm's Deep to the Hornbug, trying to escape from orcs ravaging the land. Éomer has been exiled but returns to Helm's Deep with Gandalf and an army to rescue the Rohirrim from the besieging orcs of Isenguard, sent by Saruman and aided by Gríma Wormtounge.