Fréawine was born into the royal line of Rohan, the son of Fréa and grandson of KingAldor. At the time of Fréawine's birth, less than a century after Rohan's founding, his grandfather Aldor had been King for for twenty-four years. Aldor would become known as KingAldor the Old, going on to rule Rohan for another fifty years and more, and living to an extraordinary age.
Aldor's reign was so long, in fact, that at one point five generations of the royal line were extant at the same time. Not only was Fréawine's son Goldwine born during Aldor's reign, but also his grandson Déor, who was one year old when Aldor died at the age of one hundred and one. Thus Fréawine was already fifty-one years old when his father Fréa inherited the throne, and sixty-five by the time he himself succeeded to become Rohan's fifth King.
Fréawine's rule over Rohan was a relatively brief one, but was blessed with peace and prosperity. His illustrious and long-lived grandfather had driven out the Dunlendings from the west of his realm, and his successors were not troubled by them for many years. Fréawine sat in the Golden Hall as King for twenty-one years, and was succeeded by his son Goldwine.2
Notes
1
The name Fréawine derives from Old English meaning 'dear lord' (or literally 'lord-friend'), describing a beloved ruler trusted to protect his people. From the little we know of Fréawine's peaceful rule, it seems that he was able to fulfil the promise of his name.
2
Goldwine is Fréawine's only recorded child, but there are indications that he might have had others. Long after Fréawine's time, during the reign of his great-great-grandson Helm Hammerhand, a noble name Freca claimed to be descended from Fréawine. This may or may not have been true, but the fact that it could be claimed at all suggests that Fréawine's heir Goldwine must have had at least one younger sibling.
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