Between the North Downs and South Downs on the eastern edge of the Old Forest are the mighty Barrow-downs. The greatest historian of Middle-earth has written of them thus. “It is said that the mounds of Tyrn Gorthad, as the Barrowdowns were called of old, are very ancient, and that many were built in the days of the old world of the First Age by the forefathers of the Edain, before they crossed the Blue Mountains into Beleriand, of which Linden is all that now remains. Those hills were therefore revered by the Dúnedain after their return, and there many of their lords and kings were buried. Some say that the mound in which the Ringbearer was imprisoned had been the grave of the last prince of Cardolan, who fell in the war of 1409.”

Long years passed since the battles of old and the Great Barrows became green mounds with standing stones pointing upwards, some with rings of stone standing upon the hills and in the hollows. Then to the empty hills came a dreadful shadow and old bones stirred. Barrow-wights began to walk. Even in the Shire Hobbits shuddered to hear rumours of the Barrow-wights of the Barrowdowns. Closer to the Old Forest the Hobbits say that staying far from a barrow is preferable, but if one has the misfortune to come upon a barrow it is best to pass by on the west-side quickly and keep to the green grass.

It was said that these unquiet spirits were first stirred by the Witch-king of Angmar. And when this Sorcerer lord fell to the hand of Éowyn in the battle of the Pelannor the shadow lifted from the Barrow-downs for a time, as old wights slept beneath stone. Yet in recent years the mists have returned, and pale figures have been seen in the moonlight in the rings of weathered stone. Quite what this forebodes is fuel for the fireside superstitions of old gaffers.

"Barrow-wights walked in the hollow places with a clink of rings on cold fingers, and gold chains in the wind. Stone rings grinned out of the ground like broken teeth in the moonlight."

- Fellowship of the Ring