Hobbits Originally a widespread people, hobbits were found in much of the north of Middle-earth and down the Vales of Anduin. As the Third Age passed, the Hobbits moved north and west, eventually founding the land of the Shire in III 1601. The Shire The Shire was divided into four farthings, North, South, East and West; its chief town was at Michel Delving on the White Downs, in the Westfarthing. The Mayor of Michel Delving was accounted among the most important of the Shire-hobbits, as was the Thain (the head of the Took family). The Shire was largely given over to agriculture, and its land was well-suited for farming. One of its chief products was Halflings' Leaf (tobacco), grown especially in the warmer regions of the Southfarthing. Buckland Origins and History From that time, Buckland was ruled by the Brandybucks, as Gorhendad renamed his family, who were given the title 'Masters of Buckland'. The village of Bucklebury, lying close by Buck Hill, was considered Buckland's chief village, but the expanding population meant that many other villages soon grew up in the region, the largest of which were Newbury, Crickhollow and Standelf. The growing power of the Master of Buckland gained respect from those close by in the Eastfarthing, too; the lands of the Marish between Stock and Rushey also acknowledged themselves under the sway of Buck Hall. The Bucklanders soon found themselves threatened by the strange trees of the Forest, and so built a vast hedge, the High Hay, stretching twenty miles along the eastern border of their land. This was not the only danger to threaten Buckland - in 2911 (Third Age), the year of the Fell Winter, the Brandywine froze and Buckland was invaded by white wolves. Buckland was also the childhood home of Frodo Baggins, who returned here on his journey to Rivendell in 3018 (Third Age). He bought a house in Crickhollow, and claimed that he would be living there, but instead entered the Old Forest through the old Hay Gate, and left the Eastmarch of the Shire. Buckland Culture When the Bree-folk ventured to the Shire, Buckland was their usual destination (though some ventured as far as the Eastfarthing), and so was rather more cosmopolitan (in hobbit terms) than the rest of the land. Living under constant danger from the Old Forest, the Bucklanders were hardier and more suspicious than the usual Shire-hobbit. They were organised to deal with danger (through the famous Horn-call of Buckland), and they kept their doors locked at night, which was unusual in the Shire. Hobbit Facts (from www.lordoftherings.net) · Hobbit height ranges between two and four feet tall. · Hobbits have pointed ears. · They have oversized feet and never wear shoes. · Hobbits have curly hair. · Hobbits love to eat (six substantial meals a day), brew ale, smoke pipe weed, and garden in the Shire where they live. · Hobbits discourage excessive or adventurous behavior which is why many were surprised that Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin went on such an adventure as told in The Lord of the Rings · Hobbits are generally very provincial in nature and are typically untrusting of the outside world. · Some Hobbits have lived as long as 130 years, and their average life span is 100 years. 33 years old, the age of Frodo Baggins, is considered "Coming of Age" to adulthood. · Hobbits are also called "Little Folk," "Little People," or "Halflings." · Hobbits speak a dialect of the common speech, Westron. |
