Marhwini

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Marhwini
Northman
Liz Danforth - Marhwini.jpg
"Marhwini" by Liz Danforth
Biographical Information
TitlesLord of the Éothéod
LocationRhovanion
Languagelanguage of the Éothéod
Rulefrom T.A. 1856
Family
ParentageMarhari
ChildrenForthwini
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Marhwini

Marhwini 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.[1]

History

In T.A. 1851[2], 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 in 1856[3], 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.[4]

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.[4]

In T.A. 1899[5], 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.[4]

Etymology

According to Christopher Tolkien Marhwini is Gothic in form. The first element of the name is the Gothic word marh ("horse"), which corresponds to Old English mearh whose plural mearas is used in The Lord of the Rings. The second element wini ("friend") corresponds to Old English wine, which is used in the names of some of the Kings of the Mark.[6]

David Salo suggests it means "friend of horses", but could also mean "friend with a horse", in other words a companion-in-arms versed in the equestrian arts.[7]

Genealogy

Vidugavia
fl. 1250
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marhari
d. 1856
 
 
 
 
MARHWINI
fl. 1856 - 1899
 
 
 
 
Forthwini
fl. 1944
 
 
 
 
Frumgar
fl. 1977


Portrayal in adaptations

2020: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Marhwini appears in a flashback narrating the history of the Eotheod. His son is named Forthwini and grandson Forthári, both of whom die in battle to the orcs, leaving Forthári's son Frumgar as Marhwini's only heir.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", "Notes", Note 5
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age", entry for the year 1851 of the Third Age
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age", entry for the year 1856 of the Third Age
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", "(i) The Northmen and the Wainriders"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age", entry for the year 1899 of the Third Age
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", "Notes", Note 6
  7. Didier Salamon & David Giraudeau, Le Livre de la Marche, 2006, p. 161
Marhwini
None
position established
1st Lord of the Éothéod
T.A. 1856 – unknown
Followed by:
Forthwini