Plan view of the Marr-Hu Clan-Hold
The Marr-Hu Clan-Hold was located south of Beldwin some 10 miles. It was a crude fortification built over fifteen years, using as its base an old watch tower that had fallen into ruin. In the West-march, the Marr-Hu had no real need for a clan-hold as they might have in Dunfearn, but it was traditional that there had to be one, so one was built. Most of the clansmen lived in smaller settlements away from the hold, and were summoned during times of need, but a small contingent of unmarried young hunters and warriors lived at the hold at all times.
Layout of the Marr-Hu Clan-Hold in T.A. 1640:
- Palisade. This wall was made up of a 4’ high earthen bank, topped with a log palisade and with sharpened wooden stakes pointing upward and outward on the outer slope. It had not withstood time well, and several areas of the palisade had weakened and were sagging outward.
- Gate. Lowered to allow riders to pass through. Unless war was expected this was usually left down. Recently it had remained constantly in the up position. Four clansmen walked the palisade at all times of the day, and two were always located at the gate.
- Coral. The Dunnish kept their herd of approximately 100 horses here. Most were not prime specimens, but they were decent animals and were given good care and grooming.
- Support Buildings. These were the houses and workshops of the craftsmen of the clan.
- Storage Buildings.
- Clan Keep. Ruthos, as clan chieftain, occupied this building with his immediate family and personal guards. The building was originally an old watchtower that was ruined. The Marr-Hu had rebuilt the walls with their limited expertise. The result was a keep that was functional but not very pleasing to the eye. Approximately 15 guards would be found stationed in the keep along with Ruthos, his 2 brothers, their wives and children.
- Barracks. Here was where the other clansmen hunters/warriors lived. Up to 30 had been housed here before, but at the present only 23 men were in residence.
Notes[]
- Original form in MERP:
Mar Hogo→ Marr-Hu
References[]
- Randell Doty: Tales of the Westmarch