Léofdag was a 43 year old Rohir warden a veteran Rider in the éored led by Éomer Éadig. The son of Winedag, his father was a farmer in the fields of the Sutcrofts, who took up arms when called upon like all men of Rohan, and who had once saved the life of Éomund, father of Éomer, in battle. As thanks, Éomund agreed to take Winedag's young son into his service, squiring him to Gártorn, one of his fiercest warriors and a master of the spear. From the age of eight, Léofdag's life revolved around training at warfare. He knew little else, but had become a masterful fighter. When he was 18 he became a full knight in Éomund's service, and rode beside his lord into battle many a time. Soon the King himself took an interest, and word was that Théoden was soon to invite Léofdag into his service among his personal guard. But then disaster struck: Éomund, ever reckless, rode forth to chase Orcs at the feet of the East Wall, not far from Winedag's farm. Léofdag was in the Marshal's company, along with a handful of other warriors. Their numbers proved too few, and all but him were slain by an Orkish ambush. Léofdag was wounded trying to save Éomund – he bore the scars to his final day – and bore the lord back to Aldburg upon his own horse. This defeat shamed him, and Gártorn himself turned his back on Léofdag, exiling him to the garrison of Stangard for two years. The invitation to attend the King never came, and while Léofdag considered giving up his spurs and returning to his father's croft, he was too ashamed to face his younger brothers. He remained in the Marshal's éored, a steadfast warrior whose moment of glory has passed. A glum and brooding man, beaten down by years of cold treatment, he had few friends among the retainers, but one young commander in particular – Burnoth, son of Baldeg – had befriended him and valued both his strength and his counsel.
Prior to his disgrace, Léofdag married Fleda, Gártorn's niece. She bore him two daughters, Léoflad and Wynith, who were 20 and 18 years old during the War of the Ring. Fleda remained faithful to Léofdag, even speaking in his favor against her uncle at times, and harbored a deep resentment toward Gártorn and the other warriors for the way they had treated Léofdag.New stress entered the family, for though both Léoflad and Wynith were lovely and of marrying age, no man would have them because of their father's dishonor. The elder girl remained resolute in her love for Léofdag, but Wynith was embarrassed by him, and they quarreled often.For the sake of his daughters, Léofdag had agreed to accompany Burnoth into the Eastemnet, there to find glory and redeem himself. He was ferociously protective of Burnoth, and had sworn not to let him fall as Éomund did, even if Léofdag had to give his own life to save him. Prone to black moods, Léofdag seldom smiled and did not spend words freely, not seeing the point of using ten if one would do. He was a bold and skillful warrior, particularly with Wrecend ("avenger"), a spear he had made out of the broken pieces of the weapon he was wielding when Éomund was slain. He was a true friend to his shield-brothers, and devoted to his family – even willful Wynith, who professeed her disgust in him. His horse, Flyting, was once one of the swiftest in the Eastfold, but aging and had lost some of his speed. He knew that, whether he lived or died, this would be the beast's last war-riding, and considered it his best friend.
Léofdag's prize possession was an old, tattered scarf that was given to him by Fleda as a token when they were courting. He had worn it to many battles since; the only time he forgot and left it at home was the riding when Éomund fell. Superstitious, he now refused to part with it, and was reluctant to talk about it despite the most prying of his fellows' questions. If he should fall in battle, his hope was that the scarf, at least, would be returned to his beloved wife.