Brodda
Commander of the Easterling invasion of Dor-lomin. Brodda was an Easterling commander who was born sometime in the early 400s of the First Age. Brodda, along with another Easterling commander named Lorgan, invaded Hithlum after allying themselves with Morgoth in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears in 472 of the First Age.
After the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, countless Easterlings plundered the land of Hithlum and slew many men of the House of Hador. Most of the women and children were enslaved. Brodda invaded the region of Dor-lomin, which had once been the homeland of Hurin, Lord of the House of Hador. Hurin's wife Morwen still dwelt there, but the Easterlings did not dare enslave or kill her because they feared her to be a witch in the service of the Elves.
Brodda had originally tried to invade Morwen's home, but when he saw her, he feared her. He did not stay long enough to know that she had a son named Turin living with her.
Brodda hoped to set himself up as a lord of Dor-lomin. In the hopes of fathering an heir, Brodda forces a woman of the Edain named Aerin to marry him. Aerin hated her husband, and she was very generous and gave food, water, and shelter to those in need. Aerin even helped Morwen in the raising of her young children. When Brodda discovered his wife's generosity, he was greatly angered and gave her frequent beatings among other punishments.
Morwen and her daughter Nienor left Dor-lomin for Doriath in 494. They hoped to find Turin because Morwen had sent him there twenty-two years before. Immediately after Morwen's departure from Dor-lomin, Brodda sacked her home.
In 495, Turin went to Nargothrond to persuade the Elves there to drive the enemy forces out of Beleriand. But Nargothrond was attacked by the dragon Glaurung and he told Turin that Morwen and Nienor were enslaved in Dor-lomin. When Turin returned in 496, he entered the hall of Brodda and demanded to know what had become of his family. He grabbed Brodda by the hair and threatened to slit his throat unless he told him. Then Aerin said that Morwen and Nienor had gone to Doriath to look for him. Realizing that Glaurung had lied, Turin threw Brodda across the table and broke his neck, ultimately killing him.
Aerin set Brodda's hall in flames when she realized more Easterlings would come to kill her.
After the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, countless Easterlings plundered the land of Hithlum and slew many men of the House of Hador. Most of the women and children were enslaved. Brodda invaded the region of Dor-lomin, which had once been the homeland of Hurin, Lord of the House of Hador. Hurin's wife Morwen still dwelt there, but the Easterlings did not dare enslave or kill her because they feared her to be a witch in the service of the Elves.
Brodda had originally tried to invade Morwen's home, but when he saw her, he feared her. He did not stay long enough to know that she had a son named Turin living with her.
Brodda hoped to set himself up as a lord of Dor-lomin. In the hopes of fathering an heir, Brodda forces a woman of the Edain named Aerin to marry him. Aerin hated her husband, and she was very generous and gave food, water, and shelter to those in need. Aerin even helped Morwen in the raising of her young children. When Brodda discovered his wife's generosity, he was greatly angered and gave her frequent beatings among other punishments.
Morwen and her daughter Nienor left Dor-lomin for Doriath in 494. They hoped to find Turin because Morwen had sent him there twenty-two years before. Immediately after Morwen's departure from Dor-lomin, Brodda sacked her home.
In 495, Turin went to Nargothrond to persuade the Elves there to drive the enemy forces out of Beleriand. But Nargothrond was attacked by the dragon Glaurung and he told Turin that Morwen and Nienor were enslaved in Dor-lomin. When Turin returned in 496, he entered the hall of Brodda and demanded to know what had become of his family. He grabbed Brodda by the hair and threatened to slit his throat unless he told him. Then Aerin said that Morwen and Nienor had gone to Doriath to look for him. Realizing that Glaurung had lied, Turin threw Brodda across the table and broke his neck, ultimately killing him.
Aerin set Brodda's hall in flames when she realized more Easterlings would come to kill her.
Names & Meanings
Brodda's name is of unknown meaning and is likely in the language of the Easterlings. Brodda was also referenced as Brodda the Easterling and Brodda the Incomer.
References
The Silmarillion: "Of Turin Turambar," pages 198, 215
The Unfinished Tales: "Narn I Hin Hurin," pages 68-69, 104-109
The History of Middle-earth, Volume V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies"
The Unfinished Tales: "Narn I Hin Hurin," pages 68-69, 104-109
The History of Middle-earth, Volume V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies"
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