Battles of the late Third Age

[Rumil]

Hi all,

just tracked down that HoME 8 reference, its at the bottom of p249 (in the paperback anyway).

The muster at Edoras is being reported by Aragorn to Theoden, he reports that somewhat short of 10,000 fully equipped and provisioned cavalry have arrived and doesn't expect many more. He also reports that a similar number of infantry and those on ponies have turned up. Also, under Erkenbrand, 300 good troops had been left at Helm's Deep with more 'stout yeomen of the Westfold'. It's worth remembering though,that this was an eary draft where volunteers from the Dunlendings and Woodmen had also come forward to serve under Theoden.

The 10,000 cavalry is confirmed in the LoTR where Theoden claims he could have sent 10,000 spears riding to Minas Tirith were it not for the other threats to his kingdom.

I agree that the population density in Middle Earth often appears to be very low, but I think 20,000 is a respectable enough figure for Rohan. After all, only 4 settlements are known in the entire country, Edoras, Dunharrow, Aldburg and Helm's Deep. Also, concerning the infantry, presumably there would not have been enough time for the majority of them to march in from outlying districts, so potentially there could have been many more that 10,000.

[ September 01, 2003: Message edited by: Rumil ]

[ September 01, 2003: Message edited by: Rumil ]