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Timeline Event

Saruman allies with the Dunlendings against Rohan

Event Type: Military/Strategic

Age: 3rd Age - The Stewards

Year: 2953

Description:
[The Dunlendings] ... were a remnant of the peoples that had dwelt in the vales of the White Mountains in ages past. ... Only in Dunland did Men of this race hold to their old speech and manners: a secret folk, unfriendly to the Dúnedain, hating the Rohirrim.

The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix F, The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age: Of Men

[After] the victory of Eorl on the Field of Celebrant in the year 2510 his numerous and warlike people ... swept into [Rohan] ... But under Brego and Aldor the Dunlendings were rooted out ... and driven away beyond the Isen, and the Fords of Isen were guarded. Thus the Rohirrim earned the hatred of the Dunlendings.... Whenever the Rohirrim were weak or in trouble the Dunlendings renewed their attacks.

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen: Appendix

[Said Gamling,] 'Hark! They hate us, and they are glad; for our doom seems certain to them. ... 'Death to the robbers of the North!' ... Not in half a thousand years have they forgotten their grievance that the lords of Gondor gave the Mark to Eorl the Young and made alliance with him. That old hatred Saruman has inflamed.'

The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 7, Helm's Deep

It was soon after Thengel's return that Saruman declared himself Lord of Isengard and began to give trouble to Rohan, encroaching on its borders and supporting its enemies.

The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: The House of Eorl: The Kings of the Mark

... afterwards there was little doubt in men's minds that Saruman went to Isengard in hope to find the Stone still there, and with the purpose of building up a power of his own. Certainly after the last White Council (2953) his designs towards Rohan, though he hid them, were evil. He then took Isengard for his own and began to make it a place of guarded strength and fear, as though to rival the Barad-dûr. His friends and servants he drew then from all who hated Gondor and Rohan, whether Men or other creatures more evil.

The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: The House of Eorl

[Said Éomer,] 'But at this time our chief concern is with Saruman. He has claimed lordship over all this land, and there has been war between us for many months. He has taken Orcs into his service, and Wolf-riders, and evil Men, and he has closed the Gap against us, so that we are likely to be beset both east and west.'

The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 2, The Riders of Rohan

Beyond the Gap the land between Isen and Adorn was nominally part of the realm of Rohan; but though Folcwine had reclaimed it, driving out the Dunlendings that had occupied it, the people that remained were largely of mixed blood, and their loyalty to Edoras was weak: the slaying of their lord, Freca, by King Helm was still remembered. Indeed at this time they were more disposed to side with Saruman, and many of their warriors had joined Saruman's forces. ... [Author's note.]

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen: Notes, Note 4

Saruman's eastern force came down with unexpected speed; it was much smaller than the western force, but more dangerous. In its van were some Dunlending horse­men and a great pack of the dreadful Orcish wolfriders, feared by horses. ... The horsemen and wolfriders fell on the horse-herds ... and slew or dispersed them.

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen

It was the vanguard of the whole remaining forces of Saruman that he was now committing to battle for the conquest of Westfold. ... [Fierce] companies of the Dunlendish hillmen were thrown against [Grimbold's shieldwall]. But for all their hatred the Dunlendings were still afraid of the Rohirrim if they met face to face, and they were also less skilled in warfare and less well armed. The shieldwall still held.

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen

'All Isengard must be emptied; and Saruman has armed the wild hillmen and herd-folk of Dunland beyond the rivers, and these also he loosed upon us. We were overmastered.'

The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 7, Helm's Deep

The enemy surged forward, ... towards ... the Hornburg-gates. There the hugest Orcs were mustered, and the wild men of the Dunland fells. ... The lightning flashed, and blazoned upon every helm and shield the ghastly hand of Isengard was seen.

The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 7, Helm's Deep

... a great many of the hillmen had given themselves up; and they were afraid, and cried for mercy. ...

[Said Erkenbrand,] '... then you shall go free back to your land. For you have been deluded by Saruman. Many of you have got death as the reward of your trust in him; but had you conquered, little better would your wages have been.'

The men of Dunland were amazed, for Saruman had told them that the men of Rohan were cruel and burned their captives alive.

The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 8, The Road to Isengard

Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 14May05

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