The Prancing Pony Podcast - Episode 363 Summary: "Til You Find Your… Ancient & Military Historian?"

Introduction to Episode Release Date: March 16, 2025

In Episode 363 of The Prancing Pony Podcast, hosts Alan Sisto and Matt, the Nerd of the Rings, welcome back their esteemed guest, Brett Devereaux, an ancient and military historian. This episode delves deep into the military strategies, historical parallels, and character analyses within J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium.

1. Women Warriors in Rohan: Historical Parallels

The discussion begins with an exploration of women warriors in Rohan, drawing direct parallels to historical shield maidens from Norse sagas. Brett Devereaux provides an insightful analysis of Tolkien's inspiration, highlighting the influence of Beowulf and Old Norse epics.

• Tolkien's Inspiration: Brett explains, "Tolkien's cultural frame for the Rohirrim comes out of the sort of broad milieu of the North Sea in the early Middle Ages." ([04:39])

• Shield Maidens' Role: He further elaborates on the archetype, noting, "These figures are really common in the sagas, and they're in that space now, as you might imagine, that has sparked considerable debate for a long time among historians about the historicity of these figures." ([07:09])

• Historical Evidence: Brett discusses archaeological findings, stating, "We do now have a number of confirmed female burials with weapons... The balance of the evidence is to suggest that this is a real thing that existed in this culture." ([09:14])

Notable Quote:

"There are a number of confirmed female burials... The balance of the evidence is to suggest that this is a real thing that existed in this culture." — Brett Devereaux ([09:14])

2. Analyzing Helm Hammerhand’s Battle and the Concept of Weregild

Brett transitions to discussing Helm Hammerhand, a pivotal figure in Rohan's history. The conversation centers on the battle tactics employed and the societal implications of weregild—a compensatory value assigned to crimes.

• Battle of the Field of Celebrant: Alan introduces the topic by referencing the battle's brief mention and its significance to Rohan's history. ([03:16])

• Weregild Explained: Brett provides a comprehensive overview of weregild, emphasizing its role in preventing blood feuds. He states, "Weregild is first and foremost a system to avoid feuds. The goal is to avoid the blood feud, where you answer somebody's crime... with your own." ([20:29])

• Helm’s Indomitable Spirit: The discussion highlights Helm Hammerhand's refusal to acknowledge wrongdoing, leading to his heroic yet tragic end. Brett notes, "Helm has to expiate the guilt with a heroic death. It's the only way to do it." ([26:35])

Notable Quote:

"Helm has to expiate the guilt with a heroic death. It's the only way to do it." — Brett Devereaux ([26:35])

3. Military Tactics and Formations: Real-World Inspirations

The hosts delve into the intricacies of military formations and tactics, drawing parallels between Tolkien's battles and historical engagements.

• Roman Strategies: Brett compares Gondor's military strategies to Roman legion tactics, explaining how formation integrity is crucial against cavalry charges. ([15:03])

• Cavalry vs. Infantry: The conversation highlights the effectiveness of well-ordered infantry against disorganized cavalry, referencing battles like Cannae and Cannae ([50:06]).

• Steppe Nomads Influence: Brett discusses the influence of steppe nomads (e.g., Mongols) on the Wainriders' tactics, emphasizing their logistics and surprise maneuvers. ([72:12])

Notable Quote:

"If you can keep your infantry together in a reasonably tight formation, cavalry cannot move you no matter how hard they try." — Brett Devereaux ([15:03])

4. Succession Laws in Gondor: Political Ramifications

The episode also touches upon Gondor's succession laws and their implications for political stability and military leadership.

• Salic Law Parallel: Brett draws a parallel between Gondor's succession laws and Salic law, which restricts inheritance through the female line. ([103:06])

• Challenges of Succession: He discusses historical instances of contested successions, highlighting the complexities and potential for civil strife. ([126:15])

Notable Quote:

"Succession laws are often informal and sometimes somewhat chaotic... There is a strong administrative reason to split those roles." — Brett Devereaux ([106:15])

5. Saruman’s Strategic Failures: A Character Analysis

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing Saruman's military and political blunders, which ultimately lead to his downfall.

• Blunders at Helm's Deep: Brett criticizes Saruman's decision to prioritize the assassination of Theodred, arguing that it irreversibly commits him to war with Rohan. ([127:34])

• Comparative Leadership: The discussion contrasts Saruman's lack of battlefield experience with Tolkien's other military leaders, emphasizing the importance of competent leadership. ([133:05])

• Clockwork Failure: Brett likens Saruman's elaborate plans to a clockwork mechanism doomed to fail if any single component falters. ([132:35])

Notable Quote:

"Saruman is brilliant and intelligent and persuasive. But he is not good with armies and he is not good with political decision making." — Brett Devereaux ([130:44])

6. The Fords of Isen: Tactical Breakdown

The hosts dissect the Battle of the Fords of Isen, discussing the strategic decisions and their outcomes.

• Formation and Terrain: Brett explains how Gondor's disorganized infantry formations were vulnerable to Wainrider cavalry and chariot charges, drawing from historical battles for context. ([77:51])

• Rear Guard Actions: The importance of rear guard actions in allowing armies to retreat and regroup is highlighted, with comparisons to Roman military practices. ([50:06])

• Outcome Analysis: The episode concludes with an analysis of how strategic missteps led to Gondor's initial defeats, yet ultimate resilience through concentrated defense and reinforcements. ([135:20])

Notable Quote:

"Infantry being engaged out of formation by cavalry is basically screwed." — Brett Devereaux ([80:36])

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the complexities of military strategy in Tolkien's works, emphasizing the blend of historical accuracy and creative liberty that enriches Middle-earth's lore. Brett Devereaux's expertise offers listeners a deeper understanding of the strategic underpinnings that shape pivotal moments in Tolkien's narratives.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• "Tolkien's cultural frame for the Rohirrim comes out of the sort of broad milieu of the North Sea in the early Middle Ages." — Brett Devereaux ([04:39])

• "Helm has to expiate the guilt with a heroic death. It's the only way to do it." — Brett Devereaux ([26:35])

• "If you can keep your infantry together in a reasonably tight formation, cavalry cannot move you no matter how hard they try." — Brett Devereaux ([15:03])

• "Saruman is brilliant and intelligent and persuasive. But he is not good with armies and he is not good with political decision making." — Brett Devereaux ([130:44])

• "Infantry being engaged out of formation by cavalry is basically screwed." — Brett Devereaux ([80:36])

Listener Recommendations:

For those intrigued by the detailed historical and military analysis presented in this episode, revisiting past episodes where Brett appeared ([Episodes 281-283, 288-290]) is highly recommended. Additionally, engaging with the podcast's community through their Common Room on Facebook, subreddit, or other social media platforms can provide further insights and discussions.

Note: This summary omits non-content sections such as advertisements, promotional segments, and outro remarks to focus solely on the episode's substantive material.