Battle of the Hornburg

The Battle of the Hornburg was a battle during the War of the Ring.

Prepared to finish off Rohan, once and for all, Saruman learned that Theoden intended to seek refuge at the fortress of Helms Deep. Although, they were attacked by Wargs, they managed to seek refuge. Saruman let loose every Uruk-Hai in Isengard, creating an army of 10,000 orcs, which was reinforced by the wicked men from Dunland. Although Aragorn pleaded that Theoden sent aid, he had too much pride and was well-aware that they recieved no help in the Fords of Isen and was sure that Gondor wouldn't call. Much to his surprise, an army of Elves from Rivendell arrived, even if this is not mentioned in the book but only in the filmatisation. The battle lasted from the night of 3 March, 3019 T.A.

Because Helms Deep was in an inclosed valley, The only strategy Rohan had was to hold out for as long as possible. The Uruk-Hai had grappling hooks, many ladders and bastillas and even battering rams to assail the fortress. To secure victory, Saruman sent a 'blasting fire' enclosed in metal spheres, which was no doubt explosive gunpowder which had not yet been discovered. One bomb litteraly blew the fortress wall in two, and it seems like Rohan could not hold out any longer. As dawn approached, Theoden decided that he would not die hiding and rode on to meet his foes, just as Gandalf and Eomer arrived with a Rohirrim attack force. The remaining Uruk-Hai were killed and Rohan could live on.

There is no doubt that Rohan could have survived another attack, but due to the intervention of the Ents, Isengard was destroyed and Rohans reinforcements led to Gondors victory in the Battle of Pellenor Fields.