Wolf-riders: Difference between revisions

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[[File:John Howe - Wolf Riders.jpg|thumb|[[John Howe]] - ''Wolf Riders'']]
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[[File:John Howe - Wolf Riders.jpg|thumb|''Wolf Riders'' by [[John Howe]]]]
'''Wolf-riders''' were mostly [[Orcs]], who rode [[wolves]].
'''Wolf-riders''' were mostly [[Orcs]], who rode [[wolves]].


==History==
Orcs used wolves as steeds back in the [[First Age]],<ref>{{S|Beren}}</ref> as well as [[wargs]] well into the [[Third Age]], when wolf-riders came in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref>{{H|17}}</ref>
Orcs used wolves as steeds back in the [[First Age]],<ref>{{S|Beren}}</ref> as well as [[wargs]] well into the [[Third Age]], when wolf-riders came in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref>{{H|17}}</ref>


During the [[War of the Ring]], [[Saruman]] employed "Orcs into his service, and Wolf-riders, and evil [[Men]]"<ref group=note>[[Éomer]]'s reference seems to suggest that Wolf-riders are not necessarily Orcs, making their identity uncertain. Cf. {{HM|Guide}}.</ref> to harass [[Rohan]].<ref>{{TT|III2}}</ref>  Before the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], scouts reported that Wolf-riders were roaming the valley about [[Helm's Deep]].<ref>{{TT|III7}}</ref>
During the [[War of the Ring]], [[Saruman]] employed "Orcs into his service, and Wolf-riders, and evil [[Men]]"<ref group=note>[[Éomer]]'s reference seems to suggest that Wolf-riders are not necessarily Orcs, nor Men, making their identity uncertain. Cf. {{HM|Guide}}.</ref> to harass [[Rohan]].<ref>{{TT|III2}}</ref>  Before the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], scouts reported that Wolf-riders were roaming the valley about [[Helm's Deep]].<ref>{{TT|III7}}</ref>
 
==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the early version of the [[legendarium]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', a horde of wolfriders chased some of the [[Exiles of Gondolin]] in [[Tumladin]], [[Eärendel]] among them, but they are saved by [[Tuor]] and his men.<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 190</ref>
 
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
{{Gallery
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{{references|notes}}
{{references|notes}}
[[category:Orcs]]
[[category:Orcs]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]

Latest revision as of 11:38, 10 July 2021

Wolf Riders by John Howe

Wolf-riders were mostly Orcs, who rode wolves.

History[edit | edit source]

Orcs used wolves as steeds back in the First Age,[1] as well as wargs well into the Third Age, when wolf-riders came in the Battle of Five Armies.[2]

During the War of the Ring, Saruman employed "Orcs into his service, and Wolf-riders, and evil Men"[note 1] to harass Rohan.[3] Before the Battle of the Hornburg, scouts reported that Wolf-riders were roaming the valley about Helm's Deep.[4]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

In the early version of the legendarium in The Book of Lost Tales, a horde of wolfriders chased some of the Exiles of Gondolin in Tumladin, Eärendel among them, but they are saved by Tuor and his men.[5]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Wolf-riders in adaptations
Wolof-riders in MECCG  

1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

The card Wolf-riders can be played either as a creature or as a short-event, the latter increasing the prowess and strikes of a Wolf attack.[6]

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

A Warg-riding Orc scout is encountered by the Rohan refugees on their way to Helm's Deep. During the skirmish with warg riders, Aragorn falls from a cliff, and is later found by Brego.

Notes

  1. Éomer's reference seems to suggest that Wolf-riders are not necessarily Orcs, nor Men, making their identity uncertain. Cf. Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth.

References