Born to a Rohirric mother and Gondorian merchant, Stighelm grew up on a small farm outside Edoras. At the age of 15, his Mother fell ill, a year later she died. Afterwards, his Father took him to live in Minas Tirith, his Father's home. A few months later, Stighelm took a horse from the stable and rode to Edoras, where he joined one of the Eored. After a Dunlending raid, Stighelm was knocked, falling from his horse. The attackers were driven back and the horsemen fled, leaving Stighelm, who awoke after the battle. After a few months of aimless wandering, Stighelm found himself in Eriador, more specifically, Bree Land.