Summary
Hobbits are one of the most laidback peoples in theLord of the Rings, but that didn’t stop them from turning the Shire into a sprawling collection of thriving homesteads. When people think of Hobbits, they think of toddler-sized creatures with a passion for comfortable living. They eat multiple times per day. They’re often seen lounging about or casually making their way through everyday chores. BeforeGandalf dragged Bilbo Baggins onto a great questinThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, it was inconceivable that any Hobbit was destined for more than simple leisure.
Their lives have been so safe that they usually only carry weapons to take care of the lands they called home – the Shire, Buckland, and Bree-land. The Brandybuck family helped cultivate Buckland and Bree-land is a small spot of land in the East. The Shire, however, covers about 20,000 square miles and is roughly the same size as West Virginia. No one in the Shire has any political allegiances, so borders don’t mean the same as they do in the real world. Still, different regions of the Shire have unique histories and those who tend to the four farthings are (usually) more than happy to share them with others.
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Northfarthing
Just because Hobbits shy away from violence in theLord of the Ringsdoesn’t mean they can’t handle themselves under the right circumstances. Northfarthing is only 100 miles in size, but this small section of the Shire has seen the most battles. In the Third Age of 2747, Bandobras Took aka Bullroarer led a force of Hobbits in the Battle of Green Fields where they fought off invading Orcs. He secured their victory by knocking the leader’s head off with a wooden club and allegedly invented golf when it rolled into a rabbit hole.
Bullroarer was part of the North-tooks (a small clan of Tooks) who made their home in Long Cleeve. Over two hundred years later, the Battle of Bywater inLord of the Rings: Return of the Kingmarked the only other time Hobbits were mad enough to take up arms. The Bracegirdle family also made their home in the Northfarthing village of Hardbottle. In addition to being the smallest region of the Shire, Northfarthing is also the coldest with the highest chances of seeing snowfall.
Southfarthing
Aside from the odd battle, the Shire is one of the safest areas in Middle Earth. The Southfarthing region is a prime example of this pleasant lifestyle and is made up of Gamwich, Cotton, and Longbottom. The Hobbits who call this area home have never wanted anything but what the land readily provides. InLord of the Rings: The Two Towers,Samwise Gamgee was resourcefulin gathering supplies and yet unprepared for the perilous journey before him.
The warmer climates and rural setting of Southfarthing prepare its residents to toil hard for what they need. Speaking of resources, most of the pipe-weed produced in the Shire came from Southfarthing along with wine from the Old Winyards. Clearly, substance abuse isn’t a problem for Hobbits. Lotho was a member of the Sackville-Baggins family who became the chief shirriff of the Shire inLord of the Rings: Return of the King. He held his position until he was eaten by Gríma Wormtongue on orders of Saruman. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘eat or be eaten’.
Eastfarthing
Eastfarthing shares its portion of the Shire’s borders with Buckland. This region is home to the towns of Frogmorton, Whitfurrows, Brokenborings, and the farmers of the Marish. It’s where the Oldbuck family became the Brandybucks but maintained their leadership influence. If the name sounds familiar, it’s becauseMerry Brandybuck and Pippin Took were pivotalthroughout theLord of the Ringsseries. They were both quick to jump to Frodo Baggins’ and Sam’s aid even though they had no idea what they were getting themselves into.
They encouraged the Ents to fight back against the dark forces of Saruman. Pippin went on to help Gandalf in the fight for Gondor and even created a battle song while doing it. Merry took his skills to the battle of Rohan where he helped Eowyn kill the Lord of the Nazgûl. It’s Merry’s willingness to take charge and get things done that makes the farmers of Marish continue following the Brandybucks even though actual leaders exist.
Westfarthing
Westfarthing is, by far, the most important player in theLord of the Rings. Gandalf recruited Bilbo on a life-changing adventure in Bag End inThe Hobbitand later did the same with Frodo inThe Lord of the Rings. Both were reluctantly sent on quests where they met all types of beings and did things they never imagined they’d do in a million years. Both were also fortunate enough to eventually make their way back home.
Both later left permanently, though, with Frodo joining the Elven trek to Valinor andBilbo seeing the Misty Mountains againafter leaving the Shire one last time. East of Hobbiton lies the village of Bywater where one can find shelter at The Green Dragon Inn or the Ivy Bush. Little Delving, Needlehole, and Overhill are also located in Westfarthing. Its towns of Tuckborough and Hobbiton are the most populated, with Michel Delving being essentially the capital of the Shire.
The Shire is home to a plethora of Hobbits, many of whom are related to each other in some form or fashion. If they’re not first cousins then they’re most likely second cousins removed or something similar. That hasn’t stopped the Hobbits from continuing to make a life for themselves – whether they’re in the North, South, East, or West farthings.The Shire has seen its unlikely battlesin theLord of the Ringsseries.
Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin returned home inReturn of the Kingonly to be confronted with the Battle of Bywater. Still, the Shire has a long history that spans centuries of development, land cultivation, and community building. What it lacks in the magic of Rivendell and the infrastructure of Gondor, the Shire more than makes up for by being the coziest place to live of all the locations inLord of the Rings.
