Helm's Deep

For more uses of Helm's Deep see also: Helm's Deep (disambiguation)



Helm's Deep (also known as the Deeping Coomb) was a large valley in the north-western Ered Nimrais (White Mountains).

The valley was blocked over its entire width by the natural series of hills called Helm's Dike  and behind that lay the fortress of Aglarond or the Hornburg, at the entrance to the Glittering Caves.

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 to enter; this rendered a fresh supply in sieges of great length, though this small weakness would eventually prove to be the wall's undoing. Access to the fortress from within the Deep was made possible by a long stair which led to the Hornburg's rear gate, where there was a massive system of caves behind the fortress.

History
Originally the valley was home to a small Gondorian regiment, but after Calenardhon became Rohan, it became an encampment of the Rohirrim, where the guards of the Fords of Isen lived.

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 TA 2758 – TA 2759.

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. It was during this battle that the Deeping Wall was destroyed by Uruk-hai sappers.

After the War of the Ring, the demolished Deeping Wall was rebuilt by the people of Rohan , with the aid of the Dwarves.

External link

 * Helm's Deep at Tolkien Gateway