Brytta

Brytta was the son of Fréaláf Hildeson and the grandnephew of king Helm of Rohan. He was the grandson of the King's sister Hild.

During the reign of Helm, when Brytta was still a child, Rohan was invaded by the Dunlendings in Third Age 2758 and conquered the capital of Edoras. The survivors were enslaved and others fled to the valleys of the White Mountains. Brytta's father, Fréaláf, fled with many others to the mountain refuge at Dunharrow. King Helm retreated with his surviving forces to the Hornburg and was besieged by the invaders.

A short time afterwards the Long Winter came and covered Rohan in snow. The cold and famine that followed caused great suffering for both the Rohirrim and the invaders, and King Helm with his sons lost their lives. Soon after the end of the winter, Fréalaf led a small company from Dunharrow, liberated Edoras by surprise and killed the Dunlending leader Wulf. Before the end of Third Age 2759 the Dunlendings were driven from Rohan.

Fréaláf was crowned as the new King of Rohan. The wizard Saruman came to the crowning bringing gifts and took up residence in the Gondorian fortress of Isengard, with the permission of Steward Beren of Gondor.

Brytta became king after the death of his father in Third Age 2798.

During his reign Rohan was still recovering from the war with the Dunlendings during which many Rohirrim had died and many of their cattle and horses had been lost. Brytta was generous and helped those in need. His people called him Léofa, because he was loved by all.

His rule saw a new trouble, as the final battle of the War of the Dwarves and Orcs caused great numbers of Orcs to flee from the Misty Mountains, trying to make a home in the White Mountains in the south of Rohan. During his rule the Rohirrim hunted down the Orcs.

Brytta was the longest-lived king of the Second Line (from Fréaláf to Théoden) and ruled for 44 years until his death in 2842, at which it was believed that Rohan was free of the Orcs. He was buried in the second mound on the east-side of the Barrow-field, on the left side of the road that approached Edoras from the north-west.

Brytta was succeeded by his son Walda at his death.

Brytta means "bestower", "distributor", "prince", or "lord" in Old English. In poetry it is frequently found in epithets for a prince or lord. For instance, in line 352 of Beowulf, the Danish king Hrothgar is called béaga bryttan, "giver of rings". Brytta's nickname Léofa means "beloved".

Léofa is derived from Old English leof, which means "loved", "beloved", or "dear".

In the first edition of The Lord of the Rings Léofa was called Léof and there was no note about the events during his life in his entry in the list of Kings of the Mark.

2012: The Lord of the Rings Online:: A tapestry depicting Brytta is found in Meduseld and can be acquired for use in player's houses.

1. Esta ficha se ha importado inicialmente de TolkienGateway.net el día 08/06/2026.