Unfinished Tales - Part Three - V - The Battles of the Fords of Isen

[Guinevere]

I have read this chapter just once before, and now again. It was interesting, and with all those background details creates the impression of real history. I enjoyed reading a bit more about Theodred, and his friendship with Eomer! I looked up the dates and found that Eomer was 11 and Eowyn 7 when their mother died and they came to the king's house. Theodred was 24 at that time. (btw, Theodred and Boromir were exactly the same age! I guess they must have known each other...)

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

One of the things that raised more questions than it answered when I first read LotR was the fact that Théodred died off-stage, so to say. I didn't understand why such an important event was not told in greater detail. The addition of his death to the movie was one of the positive aspects, strengthening the background of the Rohan plot.

I agree! When reading the LotR, I wondered why Theoden didn't grieve more for his son! Only Grima mentions his death, and (after reading U.T.!) I found it very strange that when the company have reached the Fords of the Isen, Théoden says only

"Alas! Must we pass this way where the carrion-beasts devour so many good Riders of the Mark?"

and when Gandalf shows them the mound on the islet, where, (to go by U.T.) Theodred is buried, he mentions only that

"here lie all the Men of the Mark that fell near this place""Here let them rest!" said Éomer. "And when their spears have rotted and rusted, long still may their mound stand and guard the Fords of Isen!"

Hadn't Theodred's last words "Let me lie here until Éomer comes!"been reported to him??
A possible explanation might be that Tolkien had only later the idea of the king's son being buried on the islet in the fords.

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

Those readers who are interested in the minor characters of Grimbold, Elfhelm and Erkenbrand find more information about their role in the battles here. Some good material for fan fictions or RPGs is included!

I also think that Theodred would be an ideal fanfiction hero!

[Snowdog]

This has always been one of my favorite chapters from UT. Since I first acquired the paperback from a kiosk at a grocery store check-out counter in "82. Since then, when I re-read LOTR and got to the point in the story when the battle happened, I'd pause my reading and go and read this chapter before continuing. It helped fill in some of the story.

I'll have to go read the chapter again now that this discussion is on, but I'll start with a few overview comments. My apologies if I get anything off here as it's been a while since I've read it. I'll post again after reading.

As far as the military strategy of Rohan goes, it was the presence of a strong central leader in Theodred that carried the field. Yet it was the objective of Sarumann in the 1st battle to kill Theodred, partially for this reason. Afterward in the absence of Theodred to lead them, it fell to Grimbold, Elfhelm and Erkenbrand to command the Rohirrim forces 'until Eomer comes'. Good commanders all, they disagreed on the best defence, and underestimated the strength of the Isengard forces that could get to the east side of the River Isen by Isengard. It was these 'warg riders' that decimated the light screening force east of the river and lost the Fords. In turn, the Rohirrim carried out a superb defence and fighting withdrawal under the circumstances.