Fords of Isen

The Fords lie south of Isengard where the Great West Road crosses the Isen, with the Gap of Rohan opening below them and Helm's Deep further east. There is an island in midstream, and the banks on both sides are low and open, which makes the crossing easy and the defense hard.

Because anything coming out of Isengard had to cross here, Rohan kept a force at the Fords. On 25 February TA 3019 Saruman's army attacked, and in the First Battle of the Fords Théodred, the king's son and Second Marshal, was cut off on the island and killed. Grimbold held the body until Elfhelm came up, but the western defense never recovered.

The Second Battle came on 2 March. Isengard's full strength drove the Rohirrim off the crossing and the survivors scattered, some north toward Fangorn, most east with Erkenbrand toward Helm's Deep. The road into Rohan was open, and Saruman's host poured through to the Hornburg. After the war the dead of the Fords were buried in two mounds beside the crossing.

Events at this place

1. TA 3019, February 25 · The Lord of the Rings

   First Battle of the Fords of Isen

   Saruman's forces attacked on 25 February and killed Théodred, the king's only son, at the island in midstream.

2. TA 3019, March 2 · The Lord of the Rings

   Second Battle of the Fords of Isen

   On 2 March the crossing was lost entirely. Erkenbrand's survivors fell back toward Helm's Deep as Isengard's army marched into Rohan.

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