Marhwini

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Marhwini (Third Age 1812 – c. 1905, aged approx. 93 years) was a Northman and a member of the noble family of the Kingdom of Rhovanion. His father Marhari was a descendant of King Vidugavia of Rhovanion.

In Third Age 1856, Rhovanion was invaded by a tribe of Easterlings known as the Wainriders. The soldiers of the Kingdom of Rhovanion, together with the armies of Gondor, met the Wainriders at the Battle of the Plains, which was a disaster. The King of Gondor, Narmacil II, was killed and Marhwini's father Marhari died leading the rearguard. Much of the Kingdom of Rhovanion was lost and its people were enslaved. Some Northmen escaped, and Marhwini led one band of refugees to the west.

The refugees wandered until they reached the untamed land between the eastern bank of the River Anduin and the western edge of Mirkwood Forest. Settling there in the Vales of Anduin, the refugees would become the Éothéod, the ancestors of the mighty Riders of Rohan.

Forty-three years later, Marhwini warned Calimehtar that the Wainriders were plotting to raid Calenardhon over the Undeeps but the enslaved Northmen also prepared a revolt against the Wainriders. Calimehtar provoked the Wainriders out of Ithilien; the Wainriders came down with all the strength that they could spare, and Calimehtar gave way before them, drawing them away from their homes.

At the peak of the battle, horsemen that Calimehtar had sent over the Undeeps (left unguarded by the enemy) joined with a great éored led by Marhwini and he drove the Wainriders back to the East.

Genealogy

  Vidugavia
     :
     :
     :
  Marhari
     |
     |
  MARHWINI
     |
     |
  Forthwini
     :
     :
     :
  Frumgar

Etymology

Marhwini is Gothic for "horse-friend". The first element of the name is related to the English word "mare" (see mearas). The second is an early form of Old English -wine meaning "friend" seen in several Rohirric names (eg. Folcwine, Elfwine).

In Old English used to "translate" Rohirric, the same name would be "Éowine".

Preceded by:
none
Lord of the Éothéod
III c.1857 – c.1905
Followed by:
Forthwini