On 25 February 3019 TA, the Battle of the Fords of Isen was fought in Middle Earth between Rohan under Theodred and Isengard under Saruman during the War of the Ring.
Why did it happen?
The War of the Ring began on 20 June 3018 TA when Sauron’s forces under the Witch-king attacked and captured the eastern half of Osgiliath. One of Sauron’s allies during the war was the wizard Saruman the White, who had occupied the tower of Orthanc since 2759 TA. Beginning in 3000 TA, Saruman became ensnared by Sauron while using the Palantir and became a traitor to the Council. Saruman sought to weaken the Kingdom of Rohan in preparation for an eventual invasion by sending his servant, Grima Wormtongue, to act as an advisor to King Theoden in 3014 TA. By 3019 TA, the only obstacles standing in the way of Saruman’s conquest of Rohan were Theodred, son of Theoden, and Eomer, the king’s nephew. While Grima sought to undermine Eomer’s position in the eyes of Theoden, Saruman mustered his forces outside Isengard to act as bait for Theodred, whose scouts alerted him to a large build-up of orcs and men. Theodred and Grimbold subsequently rode towards the Fords of Isen, which marked the western border of Rohan.
Who was involved?
The army of Rohan at the Fords of Isen numbered 1,500 cavalry and 100 archers. This force was divided between both sides of the Isen River with Theodred commanding 800 cavalry and 100 archers on the west bank and Grimbold commanding 300 cavalry on the east bank. The remaining 400 cavalry under Elfhelm arrived later in the day. Rohan’s plan at the Fords of Isen was to hold the Fords while sending a strong detachment of cavalry and archers north to engage Saruman’s forces in battle. The army of Isengard at the Fords of Isen numbered 1,600 Uruk-Hai and 400 Dunlendings and Warg Riders. Like the army of Rohan, Isengard’s forces were divided between the west and east banks of the Isen River: 600 Uruk-Hai pikemen and axemen were positioned on the west bank north of the Fords while 1,000 Uruk-Hai and 400 Dunlending cavalry and Warg Riders made their way south towards the Fords on the east bank. Isengard’s plan was to direct all their attacks at slaying Theodred before disengaging from the battle.
What happened?
On 25 February, Theodred and his forces rode up the west bank of the Isen River where they routed the vanguard of Uruk-Hai stationed there before being halted by entrenched Uruk-Hai pikemen. At the same time, 1,400 Uruk-Hai, Dunlendings, and Wargs were sent down the east bank of the Isen River and scattered most of Grimbold’s cavalry, causing Theodred to disengage from the battle on the west bank and ride south to defend the Fords of Isen. Theodred then positioned himself with a company of his bodyguards on the islet in the middle of the Isen River while Grimbold occupied the west bank. Both sides subsequently came under heavy assault from the forces of Isengard, with the Uruk-Hai axemen and pikemen routing Grimbold’s forces who fled southward. In the thick of the fighting, Theodred was mortally wounded by the Uruk-Hai who, having accomplished their mission, disengaged from the battle. The battle finally ended with the arrival of Elfhelm and 400 reinforcements from Edoras who drove off the remaining forces of Isengard. Throughout the battle, Rohan suffered 300 casualties while Isengard lost 100 killed.
What changed as a result?
The Battle of the Fords of Isen was a pyrrhic victory for Rohan. As Theodred lay dying, his last words were, “Let me lie here – to keep the Fords till Eomer comes!” (Tolkien, 2014, p.465). On the following day, Erkenbrand received news of the battle and Theodred’s death before assuming command of the Westfold. Erkenbrand subsequently sent riders from the Hornburg to Edoras to announce this, hoping that Eomer should be sent with reinforcements to aid Erkenbrand. Unfortunately, Grima Wormtongue used the curtness of his advice to further his policy of delay until Gandalf the White arrived at Edoras on 2 March and freed Theoden from Grima’s influence. That same day, Erkenbrand’s forces were defeated by Saruman’s army at the Second Battle of the Fords of Isen, thus beginning the invasion of Rohan.
Bibliography
Fisher, Mark. “First Battle of the Fords of Isen.” Encyclopaedia of Arda. Last revised November 4, 2019. www.glyphweb.com/arda/f/firstbattleofthefordsofisen.php
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. London, Harper Collins Publishers, 2004.
Tolkien, J.R.R. & Tolkien, Christopher. Unfinished Tales. London, Harper Collins Publishers, 2014.
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