Fords of Isen

The Fords of Isen were located along the river Isen, and guarded by the Rohirrim in the Third Age. The Fords were notable as the only crossing of the Isen into Rohan, until Saruman built a bridge upstream close to Isengard.
The fords were located at the mid-point of the Gap of Rohan and formed the border of the kingdom. The Great West Road crossed the Isen at this point. The fords had an eyot in the middle, which was fortified by the Rohirrim.
== Geography ==
The River Isen (Sindarin Sîr Angren) could not be crossed anywhere south of Isengard, except at the Fords of Isen, which were just above the point where the river bent west towards Belegaer. In this area the river became broad and shallow, flowing across a stony shelf and branching into two arms about a large eyot. Only here could large forces effectively cross the river. During much of the time the Fords were closely guarded from the fortresses of Isengard and the Hornburg at Helm's Deep.
== History ==
It was here that the Nazgûl were said to have crossed the river Isen on Midsummer's Eve by Saruman to Gandalf upon his visit to Orthanc. The Fords of Isen had two battles in the War of the Ring that were fought between Orcs and the Rohirrim. It was at these fords that Théodred was killed during the First Battle of the Fords of Isen. He was buried in a mound on the eyot where he fell. It was near the Fords of Isen that the Rohirrim met with the Grey Company.