Westfold

The Westfold (the 'West-Earth, Land, Country) is the western part of Rohan, close to the White Mountains and lying between the river Isen and the Folde. The North-South Road runs through the Westfold from the Fords of Isen to Edoras. Its defensive centre was the Hornburg in Helm’s Deep.

Summary

The Westfold has a population of approximately 1700, representing about 20% of the population of Rohan. The Fords of Isen, the Hornburg and the caves of Aglarond are located in the Westfold.

Most of the Rohirrim live in small villages and homesteads located near centres of agriculture, and are primarily based near the White Mountains.

Architecture

The overall style of the buildings are simple with a central fire and a hole in the roof to let the smoke escape. Buildings vary widely in size, most of them being square or rectangular, though some round houses are also present.

The locally-available natural resources dictate what building materials are used.

Straw is valuable commodity that can be used for the feeding of stock, thatching and as bedding material for both humans and animals. There are no glass windows, instead a wooden slit is used, covered by shutters. Toilets are pits dug in the ground surrounded by walls. The seat is usually a piece of wood with a hole in it. In each village, a main hall is in the centre, provided with a central hearth.

Regarding interior, usually there is only one room shared by everybody, with a hearth with a fire for cooking, heating and light. Poor farmers share their house with animals divided from them by a screen. Animals body heat also helps to keep the house warm. Floors are usually made of earth but wooden floorboards can also be found.

All villages and homesteads are surrounded by plots of land, on which the owner could grow vegetables and rear pigs and chickens for his family. The village layout follows that of a nucleated settlement or a linear settlement.

Economy

A high proportion of occupations are to do with agriculture and animal husbandry. Men, women and children are all expected to help on the farm. Most villages do not have that many services, instead the people make most goods themselves. Below is a list of tasks that a family might normally have.

• Farming
• Hunting
• Metalworking
• Fishing
• Leather working
• Butching
• Weaving
• Cooking
• Spinning
• Basket making

In larger villages some occupants may be involved in some services. For an example: saddler, shoemaker, cobbler, tanner, weaver, carpenter, baker, butcher, jeweler, tailor, ropemaker, cooper, chandler, roofer, smith, potter.

Settlements

• Hornburg = 80 people (Erkenbrand + family + servants + builders + garrison)
• One Earth-fort = 30 people (garrison)
• 18 Homesteads 20 people average) = 360 people
• 2 Lumber camps (20 people average) = 40 people
• 6 Villages (100-150 people average) = ~750 people
• 1 Large village (200 people) = 200 people
• 1 Burh = 250 people