The Battle of the Fords of Isen (Part 1)

by Franey_rules

The Fords of Isen were the chief entrance into Rohan from the west. In the Third Age 2758, the Fords were the site of a battle between King Helm and Wulf, and during the War of the Ring two battles were fought between the Rohirrim and Saruman’s forces.

The chief obstacles to an easy conquest of Rohan by Saruman were Théodred and Éomer. Saruman had given special order that Théodred should be slain at all costs. Théodred was the only son of King Théoden of Rohan and a second Marshall of the Mark. At the first battle, fought February 23, 3019 of the Third Age, all of Saruman’s fiercest warriors were engaged in a reckless assault on Théodred and his guard.

Saruman’s attack was not unforeseen, but it came sooner than expected. Théodred’s scouts had warned him of a mustering of troops at the Gates of Isengard. Théodred manned the east and west approaches to the Fords. But Saruman’s forces were already on the move. Trenches manned by pike men stopped Théodred’s advance towards the main host, while he was flanked from the west and unknowingly from the east. Théodred and his army were driven back to the Fords when the eastern attack which included wolf riders and Dunlending horsemen, supplemented by Uruk-hai, launched their surprise attack. During the attack Théodred, Grimbold and his guard were cornered by a band of fierce Orc-men wielding large axes. Eventually Théodred was stricken down. Grimbold held off the attack while waiting for reinforcements to arrive.

Elfhelm and his reinforcements arrived to see Théodred’s body lying on the ground, and Grimbold fighting two of the Orc-men for his body. Erkenbrand slew one of the Orc-men while Grimbold felled the other. The uruks did not advance their attack, but retreated to reinforce their defences, being satisfied that Théodred was dead. The Rohirrim did not have enough horses to mount a pursuit. The Rohirrim regrouped south from the fords, and Erkenbrand assumed control of the Westfold after the death of Théodred.

References
Unfinished Tales
Middle Earth A-Z
A Tolkien Bestiary