Freca (TA 2698 - TA 2754) was a lord of western Rohan who was best known for challenging Helm Hammerhand, the King of Rohan.
Biography
He was a noble with Dunlending and Rohirric blood, who held lands at either side of the river Adorn, the border of Rohan, and claimed to be a descendant of King Fréawine of Rohan. Obtaining wealth and power from his rich domain, he constructed a stronghold at the source of the Adorn and paid little heed to the king although Helm called upon him to attend his councils.
In TA 2754, Freca came to a council with a retinue of many men and requested that Helm's daughter be wed to his son Wulf. Helm rebuffed him and called him fat, Freca raged and reviled the king, and after the council Helm struck Freca so powerfully that Freca died from the blow. Helm then declared Wulf and all of Freca's near kin to be his enemies and the retinue fled to the west.
Rohan was invaded from the east in TA 2758. Sensing their chance, a host of Dunlendings invaded from Isengard and from over the Isen. Their leader was Wulf, who drove Helm into the Hornburg, captured Edoras and sat in Meduseld, and called himself king. Although Helm and his sons died in the Long Winter, his sister-son Fréaláf surprised and slew Wulf and regained Edoras.
The slaying of Freca was not forgotten by his people and in the War of the Ring, over two hundred and fifty years later, many of them sided with Saruman.