Bilbo's will

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This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
Bilbo's will
Manuscript
LocationBag End
OwnerFrodo Baggins
Appearance"Very clear and correct"
CreatorBilbo Baggins

Bilbo's will was the legal document whereby Frodo Baggins, Bilbo's heir, came into possession of Bag End instead of the Sackville-Baggins Family after Bilbo's disappearance. It was legally sound and included the signatures of seven witnesses in red ink, in accordance with Hobbit customs.[1]

History

By the time of Bilbo's Farewell Party in the year T.A. 3001, the Sackville-Baggins, especially Otho and Lobelia, had been coveting Bag End for sixty years. Bilbo forestalled them by creating a will that would transfer ownership of the valuable property to his cousin Frodo.[1] On September 23[2], the day after the party, Otho and Lobelia came to Bag End and demanded to see the will. Otho read the will but could find no fault, and stumped off in disgust.[1]

Other versions of the legendarium

When he wrote the fifth version of the first chapter of The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien included the information that Otho was a lawyer and that Bingo[note 1] would legally enter into ownership at midnight on 23 September.[3]

In a note, Christopher Tolkien gave the full text of Bilbo's will:[4]

Bilbo (son of Bungo son of Mungo son of Inigo[note 2]) Baggins hereinafter called the testator, now departing being the rightful owner of all properties and goods hereinafter named hereby devises, makes over, and bequeathes the property and messuage or dwelling-hole know as Bag-End Underhill near Hobbiton with all lands thereto belonging and annexed to his cousin and adopted heir Bingo (son of Drogo son of Togo[note 3] son of Inigo[note 4]) Baggins hereinafter called the heir, for him to have hold possess occupy let on lease sell or otherwise dispose of at his pleasure as from midnight of the twenty-second day of September in the one hundred and eleventh or eleventy-first year of the aforesaid Bilbo Baggins. Moreover the aforesaid testator devises and bequeathes to the aforesaid heir all monies in gold silver copper brass or tin and all trinkets, armours, weapons, uncoined metals, gems, jewels, or precious stones and all furniture appurtenances goods perishable or imperishable and chattels movable and immovable belonging to the testator and after his departure found housed kept stored or secreted in any part of said hole and residence of Bag-end or of the lands thereto annexed, save only such goods or movable chattels as are contained in the subjoined schedule which are selected and directed as parting gifts to the friends of the testator and which the heir shall dispatch deliver or hand over according to his convenience. The testator hereby relinquishes all rights or claims to all these properties lands monies goods or chattels and wishes all his friends farewell. Signed Bilbo Baggins.

Notes

  1. Bingo Bolger-Baggins later became Frodo Baggins.
  2. Bilbo's great-grandfather would later be named Balbo Baggins.
  3. The name 'Togo' would later be given to one of the Goodbodies and replaced by Fosco Baggins.
  4. Inigo as Bingo's great-grandfather would be replaced by Largo Baggins.

References