Post by Móreadhiel on Jan 16, 2007 13:58:45 GMT -5
Helm Hammerhand Statue of Helm Hammerhand
in the New Line film
Legendary 9th King of Rohan. Helm was a man of great strength and valor. He was born in 2691. His father was King Gram and he had a sister named Hild. Helm had two sons - Haleth and Hama - and at least one daughter. Helm became King of Rohan after the death of his father in 2741.
In 2754, Helm refused to give his daughter's hand in marriage to Wulf, son of Freca - a Man of Rohan who was akin to the Men of Dunland. Freca was an untrustworthy man who sought power for himself and ignored the King's rule. He was enraged by Helm's refusal and insulted him. Helm responded by slaying Freca with one blow from his mighty fist. Thereafter he was known as Helm Hammerhand.
Freca's son Wulf invaded Rohan in 2758 and captured Edoras. Helm's son Haleth died defending Meduseld, the King's hall. After suffering a great defeat at the Fords of Isen, Helm and his people took refuge in the stronghold that became know as Helm's Deep. They were besieged there during the Long Winter of November 2758 to March 2759. After Yule their supplies ran low and they were starving. Helm's son Hama went out in search of food and never returned.
The loss of his sons and the need of his people made Helm grow fierce. He began go out alone, dressed in all white, to raid the enemy camps and kill any Dunlendings he encountered. Each time he sounded his great horn, and his foes fled in terror. The Dunlendings believed that Helm could not be touched by any weapon and that he killed with his bare hands, and they began the false rumor that he ate his victims.
One night in 2759, Helm left Helm's Deep and did not return. His men found him at dawn, standing frozen on Helm's d**e. When the Long Winter ended, Helm's nephew Frealaf drove out the invaders and became King of Rohan. Helm was buried in the last mound of the first line of Kings outside Edoras. The simbelmyne grew thickest on Helm's burial mound, covering it like a blanket of snow.
Names & Etymology:
The name Helm is from the Old English meaning "protector, defender." This root is also found in the word helmet. Helm was called Hammerhand because of the great strength of his fist, with which he slew Freca.
Genealogy:
For the family tree of Helm see Eomer: Genealogy.
Sources:
The Two Towers: "Helm's Deep," p. 136, 144, 146
The Return of the King: "Many Partings," p. 254-55
Appendix A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 346-49
Old English Made Easy
in the New Line film
Legendary 9th King of Rohan. Helm was a man of great strength and valor. He was born in 2691. His father was King Gram and he had a sister named Hild. Helm had two sons - Haleth and Hama - and at least one daughter. Helm became King of Rohan after the death of his father in 2741.
In 2754, Helm refused to give his daughter's hand in marriage to Wulf, son of Freca - a Man of Rohan who was akin to the Men of Dunland. Freca was an untrustworthy man who sought power for himself and ignored the King's rule. He was enraged by Helm's refusal and insulted him. Helm responded by slaying Freca with one blow from his mighty fist. Thereafter he was known as Helm Hammerhand.
Freca's son Wulf invaded Rohan in 2758 and captured Edoras. Helm's son Haleth died defending Meduseld, the King's hall. After suffering a great defeat at the Fords of Isen, Helm and his people took refuge in the stronghold that became know as Helm's Deep. They were besieged there during the Long Winter of November 2758 to March 2759. After Yule their supplies ran low and they were starving. Helm's son Hama went out in search of food and never returned.
The loss of his sons and the need of his people made Helm grow fierce. He began go out alone, dressed in all white, to raid the enemy camps and kill any Dunlendings he encountered. Each time he sounded his great horn, and his foes fled in terror. The Dunlendings believed that Helm could not be touched by any weapon and that he killed with his bare hands, and they began the false rumor that he ate his victims.
One night in 2759, Helm left Helm's Deep and did not return. His men found him at dawn, standing frozen on Helm's d**e. When the Long Winter ended, Helm's nephew Frealaf drove out the invaders and became King of Rohan. Helm was buried in the last mound of the first line of Kings outside Edoras. The simbelmyne grew thickest on Helm's burial mound, covering it like a blanket of snow.
Names & Etymology:
The name Helm is from the Old English meaning "protector, defender." This root is also found in the word helmet. Helm was called Hammerhand because of the great strength of his fist, with which he slew Freca.
Genealogy:
For the family tree of Helm see Eomer: Genealogy.
Sources:
The Two Towers: "Helm's Deep," p. 136, 144, 146
The Return of the King: "Many Partings," p. 254-55
Appendix A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 346-49
Old English Made Easy
