Battles of the Fords of Isen

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Two battles between the forces of Rohan and Isengard that took place at the Fords of Isen during The War of the Ring.

[edit] The First Battle of the Fords of Isen

Main article: The First Battle of the Fords of Isen

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Saruman's problem with conquering Rohan swiftly was Théodred and Eomer, for these two men were strong of will and powerful. So he had to kill them as soon as possible, and launched an attack on the Fords of the Isen, which was a very important strategically position in Rohan, for it was the only way for large forces to cross the Isen. After the battle, it was very obvious for the Rohirrim that Saruman had clearly given order to kill Théodred at all cost. If Saruman would have sent his troops into battle with the aim to destroy the Rohirrim, this would have surely been a victory for Isengard and not Rohan. He would have been able to continue the conquering of the Westfold, and destroy the army sent out from Edoras before it reached Helm's Deep. Even Gandalf's arrival at Edoras could have not happened, and the war would have been won by Isengard.

Théodred had heard of a troop-gathering in Isengard, and wanted to defeat Saruman's army before it was fully gathered. He left three companies of cavalry on the eastern shore, whilst he himself took eight companies and a company of bowmen and set out to meet Saruman's troops. But Saruman had already gathered all his troops and sent them south, where they dug in and expected Théodred and his army. Eomer defeated a troop of Uruks about 20 miles north of the Fords, and went on to attack the main army, not knowing that they were expecting him. He ran into them, and wanted to retreat, but fresh troops from Isengard had fallen into his western flank. The companies following Théodred's arrived soon and defeated the enemies in Théodred's back. But as he looked across the river, he saw another army of Isengard marching south to the Fords. Théodred immediately ordered the retreat to the Fords, but they were followed by the Uruks. Grimbold took command over the troops on the western shore, and Théodred took the little hill in the middle of the river to safely guard Grimbold, if he had to retreat. But Isengard’s eastern army had now found the Rohirrim on the eastern shore and attacked with Wargs. Following these were two battalions of Uruks. The unprepared troops on the eastern shore were swiftly destroyed, and Théodred's retreating armies, that were on the eastern shore, fled south along the Isen chased by the Uruks. As the Uruks had control over the eastern shore, they sent a troop of wild men, armed with axes, to attack the little hill Théodred was holding. At the same time, Grimbold was attacked on the western shore. The axe men had surrounded the hill and were closing in upon Théodred and his men, who cried for help. Grimbold heard this and took a bunch of Rohirrim around him to aid Théodred. He had slain a path through the axe men and reached the Théodred a second too late, as he was struck by a big Orc. Grimbold killed the Orc and thought Théodred was dead; and if it not were for Elfhelm, he himself would have died this very moment. Elfhelm had come from Edoras and led four companies of cavalry into the battle. Isengard's forces were surprised by this new army coming from the east. It was dawning strongly, and the Uruks thought that this is a great army, so many fled, followed by two companies of Rohirrim, and those that stood their stand were killed. Elfhelm had ordered the other two companies to guard the eastern shore, and took his own guard to charge the hill where Grimbold was fighting. The axe men were now attacked from every side, and were soon killed. The Rohirrim still held both shores, and Elfhelm charged up the hill to where Grimbold was fighting for Théodred's body. Elfhelm rescued Grimbold, and they bent over Théodred to hear his last words. "Let me lie - here to protect the Fords, until Eomer arrives." Then he died. It became night, and the Uruks at the western shore retreated. The next morning Théodred’s troops, that were chased south by the Uruk- Battalion arrived, telling that the Uruks just left the battlefield, like at the western shore of the Fords.

This was the first battle of the Fords of Isen.

[edit] The Second Battle of the Fords of Isen

Main article: The Second Battle of the Fords of Isen

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The command of the ford was given to Erkenbrand of the Westfold. However, until he arrived from Helm's Deep, Grimbold held the position. Grimbold decided to place foot soldiers at the ford and put Elfhelm's men on the east side where he expected the attack to come from.

Saruman sent a force which was small, but which still outnumbered the defenders. The attackers forced Grimbold to retreat across the ford with heavy losses. Grimbold held the eastern side of the ford and waited for Elfhelm to come to his aid. More than half of Saruman's force was attacking Grimbold's position.

Some Warg Riders and their followers went through the gap between the two Rohirrim forces and tried to surround Elfhelm. Although he knew Grimbold was in danger, Elfhelm retreated eastwards. Grimbold was still holding his position when he saw torches coming from the north and from Isengard - the vanguard of Saruman's reinforcements advancing towards him. Before he knew it, they had crossed the ford. He could not hold the ford so he retreated to his camp and made a shield wall around it.

Even though the Rohirrim were surrounded, still the forces of Isengard could not break through. Grimbold knew he could not hold out forever. With no sign of Elfhelm and no help from Erkenbrand, he decided to try to break out. He mounted all the riders for whom he had horses and made a gap on the east side of the wall through which the riders passed. They formed into two groups and attacked the north and south sides simultaneously. In the ensuing confusion, the remaining Rohirrim retreated on foot as quickly as they could in the dark.

Saruman's commander had finished his first task of creating a supply route into Rohan and he now moved on to his more important task - the Hornburg.

[edit] See Also

Ford (disambiguation)