Helm's Dike: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
No edit summary
(Updated infobox image with a detailed version)
 
(13 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Helm's Dike''' was the trench and rampart that blocked [[Helm's Deep]]. Behind it lay the fortress of [[Aglarond]] or the '''[[Hornburg]]''', at the entrance to the [[Glittering Caves]].
{{location infobox
| name=Helm's Dike
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - An aerial view of Helm’s Deep (detail).jpg|275px]]
| caption=A cropped section of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - An aerial view of Helm’s Deep.jpg|aerial view of Helm's Deep]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=[[Deeping-coomb]]
| type=Fortification
| description=Earthen wall and ditch
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Battle of the Hornburg]]
}}
'''Helm's Dike''' was an earthen wall and trench that shielded the [[Deeping-coomb]].


[[Category:Structures]]
==History==
The ancient dike was built as an outlying defence of the [[Hornburg]], a quarter mile in front of the burg and deeping-wall. It stretched a mile from cliff to cliff.
 
On [[3 March]] {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> King [[Théoden]] with [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], [[Gimli]], [[Éomer]], and other [[Rohirrim|riders]] hurried to reach [[Helm's Deep]] before the army of [[Saruman]] could overtake them. When they came to the rampart the defenders of the dike were greatly cheered to learn of the arrival of the king, who stopped to learn of news.
 
In the early stages of the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], [[Uruk-hai]] attacked the dike. [[Gamling]] commanded the defence in which many orcs were killed, but soon the dike was overrun. Though he managed to retreat, the dike was broken and partially levelled.
 
The next morning, the defenders counter-attacked the orcs and [[Dunlendings]] and drove them over the Dike. Then, the king and his company stopped in amazement, for a quarter mile beyond the Dike was a new, nameless wood. In the space between the host of Saruman was caught in panic until, with the arrival of [[Gandalf]] and [[Erkenbrand]], the orcs fled into the forest.<ref>{{TT|III7}}</ref>
 
As the victors rested, those who had been driven back into the caves (Gamling, Éomer, and Gimli among them) came over the wall to greet their friends. Later, near sunset, Théoden, Gandalf, and the others left the Dike on their way to [[Isengard]].<ref>{{TT|III8}}</ref>
 
{{references}}
[[Category:Rohan]]
[[Category:Rohan]]
[[Category:Walls]]
[[de:Helms Deich]]
[[fi:Helmin valli]]

Latest revision as of 00:53, 24 July 2023

Helm's Dike
Fortification
J.R.R. Tolkien - An aerial view of Helm’s Deep (detail).jpg
A cropped section of J.R.R. Tolkien's aerial view of Helm's Deep
General Information
LocationDeeping-coomb
TypeFortification
DescriptionEarthen wall and ditch
History
EventsBattle of the Hornburg

Helm's Dike was an earthen wall and trench that shielded the Deeping-coomb.

History[edit | edit source]

The ancient dike was built as an outlying defence of the Hornburg, a quarter mile in front of the burg and deeping-wall. It stretched a mile from cliff to cliff.

On 3 March T.A. 3019[1] King Théoden with Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Éomer, and other riders hurried to reach Helm's Deep before the army of Saruman could overtake them. When they came to the rampart the defenders of the dike were greatly cheered to learn of the arrival of the king, who stopped to learn of news.

In the early stages of the Battle of the Hornburg, Uruk-hai attacked the dike. Gamling commanded the defence in which many orcs were killed, but soon the dike was overrun. Though he managed to retreat, the dike was broken and partially levelled.

The next morning, the defenders counter-attacked the orcs and Dunlendings and drove them over the Dike. Then, the king and his company stopped in amazement, for a quarter mile beyond the Dike was a new, nameless wood. In the space between the host of Saruman was caught in panic until, with the arrival of Gandalf and Erkenbrand, the orcs fled into the forest.[2]

As the victors rested, those who had been driven back into the caves (Gamling, Éomer, and Gimli among them) came over the wall to greet their friends. Later, near sunset, Théoden, Gandalf, and the others left the Dike on their way to Isengard.[3]

References