Editing Battle of Helm's Deep (section)

=== Background ===

Théoden had been released by the Wizard [[Gandalf]] from the influence of [[Gríma|Gríma Wormtongue]], his malevolent adviser and Saruman's spy. He then sets out to the Fords of Isen, where his marshal Erkenbrand was fighting Saruman's forces. However, Théoden found out that his forces had been scattered. Gandalf advised him to take refuge in the Hornburg fortress of Helm's Deep. Gandalf then left on an unexplained errand. Théoden's army went to the area, where local people were commanded by a captain called Gamling the Old. Many of the men there were very old or young. The women and children of Théoden's capital [[Edoras]] were safe in [[Dunharrow]], led by the King's niece [[Éowyn]].<ref name= "Helm's Deep" group=T/>

The garrison of Helm's Deep consisted of some 1,000 men, but around 1,000 more defenders had arrived from across Rohan by the time of the battle.<ref>{{harvnb|Fonstad|1991|p=132}}</ref> The enemy, [[Saruman]]'s army, consisted of at least 10,000 Orcs and men, most marching from [[Isengard]] to Helm's Deep, and others heading to the Fords of Isen.<ref name="Helm's Deep" group=T/><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1980|loc=Part 3, ch. 5 "The Battles of the Fords of Isen"<!--p. 363-->}}</ref> An additional force of [[Men (Middle-earth)|Men]] of Dunland joined the enemy.<ref name="Helm's Deep" group=T/>