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[[Image:Bill Ferny from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|thumb|Bill Ferny from [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]].]]
{{Men infobox
'''Bill Ferny''' spied on [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] in [[Bree]]. He was noticed relaying details of the [[Hobbits]]' adventures at the [[Prancing Pony]] to one of the [[Nazgûl]], this event witnessed by [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]].
| name=Bill Ferny
| image=[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Bill Ferny.jpg|250px]]
| people=[[Men of Bree|Man of Bree]]
| caption=Bill Ferny from ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=Chief's Big Man
| location=[[Bree]]
| affiliation=[[Bree-landers]], [[Eye of Sauron]], [[White Hand]], [[Ruffians|Chief's Men]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=Late [[Third Age]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=[[Bill the Pony]]
}}


After the attempted murder of the four hobbits in the raid of the Prancing Pony Inn by the Nazgûl, the travellers had to buy a pony, since during the raid all the ponies and donkeys were let loose from the Inn's stable. Bill's pony - whom [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] afterwards also named Bill - was the only mount left available for sale in the town, so [[Strider (Aragorn)|Strider]] and the hobbits had no choice but to buy this mistreated, miserable looking creature for 12 silver pennies (apparently a most unfair price). The Hobbits then left Bree with Strider, taking the main street. Bill Ferny jeered at Strider, who merely nodded in response. [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], however, was not so reticent, hitting Ferny in the face with a quickly-thrown apple. Sam, who took a liking to the pony, later named it [[Bill the Pony]].
'''Bill Ferny''' was a man of [[Bree]], known to be an associate of the [[Nazgûl]] and later, a ruffian of the [[Ruffians|Chief's Men]].


When the four hobbits returned to the Shire in ''[[The Return of the King]]'', Bill Ferny was the man guarding the locked gate at the [[Brandywine]].
== Description ==
Descriptions of Ferny's appearance are limited to his being a "swarthy Bree-lander"<ref name="FRI9">{{FR|I9}}</ref> or a "sneery swarthy fellow."<ref>{{FR|Strider}}</ref>


== See Also ==
== History ==
*[[Ferny Family]]
Bill Ferny lived in the last house of Bree, and was an opportunistic backstabber who was little liked by respectable folk of the town. He also served as a spy for the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]], and relayed information about [[Shire-hobbits]] to them.
 
On [[September 29]]th of {{TA|3018|n}}, Ferny and his [[Squint-eyed southerner|associate]] were at [[The Prancing Pony]] when the two of them saw [[Mr. Underhill]] vanish into thin air. They reported the information to the Black Riders.<ref name="UT10">{{UT|10}}, "Concerning Gandalf, Saruman, and the Shire"</ref>
 
After reporting to the Black Riders, Ferny and his allies went to the inn's stables and set all mounts loose. There was only one pony left in all of Bree: [[Bill the Pony|Bill's mistreated one]]. He sold him for twelve [[silver pennies]] to [[Aragorn|Strider]] and the [[Travellers|Hobbits]]. As a parting gift, [[Samwise Gamgee]] threw an [[apples|apple]] at his head.<ref>{{FR|Strider}}</ref>
 
Ferny's associate was spotted inside his house when the company set out to [[Weathertop]].<ref name="FRI11">{{FR|I11}}</ref>
 
After the [[Ruffians]] among the [[Southerners]] were kicked out of Bree, it was believed by [[Barliman Butterbur]] that Bill Ferny and [[Harry Goatleaf]] opened the gates to let them in since the two of them sided with Ruffians in the battle that followed.<ref>{{RK|Homeward}}</ref> After fleeing Bree with the Ruffians, he threw in his lot with the [[Sharkey's Men|Men]] serving [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]] in the [[Shire]]. He guarded the outer gate at the [[Brandywine Bridge]] as the Chief's Big Man and his command over the local [[Shirriffs]] was hard. When the four [[Travellers]] returned to the Shire, he attempted to threaten them, but was threatened by [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] in turn, and as such he fled into the night after giving him the gate key, though not until after his old pony had kicked him in his back. He was never heard of again.<ref>{{RK|Scouring}}</ref>
 
== Etymology ==
''Bill'' is a name Tolkien used to represent the [[Westron]] name '''Bil''', which was a short for names as ''Arambil'', ''Bildad'' and ''Bilcuzal'', all of unknown meaning.<ref>{{PM|Languages}}</ref> ''Ferny'' is a reference to the [[wikipedia:Fern|plant]], as many surnames of [[Bree]] were botanical in nature.<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 757</ref>
 
== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In an earlier draft of [[The Scouring of the Shire]], it is Frodo who threatens Ferny rather than Merry. Later, Sam compares [[Ted Sandyman]] to Ferny.<ref>{{SD|Shire}}, pp. 80, 88-9</ref>
 
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
|title=Bill Ferny in adaptations
|width=200
|height=150
|lines=3
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Bill Ferny.jpg|Bill Ferny in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Bill Ferny.JPG|Bill Ferny in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Bill Ferny.jpg|Bill Ferny in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
|File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Bill Ferny, Sr.jpg|"Bill Ferny Sr." in ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]''
}}
 
'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Graham Faulkner]] provided the voice of Bill Ferny.
 
'''2001-2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]'':'''
:One of the men seen in Bree in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' is identified as Bill Ferny.
 
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Bill is one of the guests at the ''Prancing Pony'', who doesn't want to be disturbed by Hobbits. Afterwards, he confronts Strider in the streets, and is killed.
 
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Bill Ferny is encountered at several points in the game, spreading mischief throughout [[Bree-land]]. At one points he attempts to forge an alliance between Sharkey's Men and a band of [[Orcs]] from [[Angmar]] that have been cut off, but that arrangement falls through due to intervention of the Dunedain Rangers.
 
'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]:'''
:A character credited as "Bill Ferny Sr." appears in the prologue in Bree. Along with him associate, another character credited as "Squint" (loosely based on the squint-eyed southerner), Ferny, Sr. has seemingly tracked [[Thorin]] to the Prancing Pony (presumably to collect on the bounty put out on Thorin's head by [[Azog]]). The two Men are preparing to confront Thorin when [[Gandalf]] goes over and sits and starts talking with the [[Dwarves|Dwarf]]. When it becomes apparent the Wizard is not going anywhere, the two Men get up and leave the inn.
 
{{references}}
[[Category:Bree-men]]
[[Category:Bree-men]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Lutz Farning]]
[[de:Lutz Farning]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:3a:hommes_de_bree:bill_fougeron]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:3a:hommes_de_bree:bill_fougeron]]
[[fi:Bil Imarre]]
[[fi:Bil Imarre]]

Latest revision as of 11:59, 25 April 2023

Bill Ferny
Man of Bree
The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Bill Ferny.jpg
Bill Ferny from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Biographical Information
PositionChief's Big Man
LocationBree
AffiliationBree-landers, Eye of Sauron, White Hand, Chief's Men
LanguageWestron
BirthLate Third Age
Physical Description
GenderMale
SteedBill the Pony
GalleryImages of Bill Ferny

Bill Ferny was a man of Bree, known to be an associate of the Nazgûl and later, a ruffian of the Chief's Men.

Description[edit | edit source]

Descriptions of Ferny's appearance are limited to his being a "swarthy Bree-lander"[1] or a "sneery swarthy fellow."[2]

History[edit | edit source]

Bill Ferny lived in the last house of Bree, and was an opportunistic backstabber who was little liked by respectable folk of the town. He also served as a spy for the Black Riders, and relayed information about Shire-hobbits to them.

On September 29th of 3018, Ferny and his associate were at The Prancing Pony when the two of them saw Mr. Underhill vanish into thin air. They reported the information to the Black Riders.[3]

After reporting to the Black Riders, Ferny and his allies went to the inn's stables and set all mounts loose. There was only one pony left in all of Bree: Bill's mistreated one. He sold him for twelve silver pennies to Strider and the Hobbits. As a parting gift, Samwise Gamgee threw an apple at his head.[4]

Ferny's associate was spotted inside his house when the company set out to Weathertop.[5]

After the Ruffians among the Southerners were kicked out of Bree, it was believed by Barliman Butterbur that Bill Ferny and Harry Goatleaf opened the gates to let them in since the two of them sided with Ruffians in the battle that followed.[6] After fleeing Bree with the Ruffians, he threw in his lot with the Men serving Lotho Sackville-Baggins in the Shire. He guarded the outer gate at the Brandywine Bridge as the Chief's Big Man and his command over the local Shirriffs was hard. When the four Travellers returned to the Shire, he attempted to threaten them, but was threatened by Meriadoc Brandybuck in turn, and as such he fled into the night after giving him the gate key, though not until after his old pony had kicked him in his back. He was never heard of again.[7]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Bill is a name Tolkien used to represent the Westron name Bil, which was a short for names as Arambil, Bildad and Bilcuzal, all of unknown meaning.[8] Ferny is a reference to the plant, as many surnames of Bree were botanical in nature.[9]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

In an earlier draft of The Scouring of the Shire, it is Frodo who threatens Ferny rather than Merry. Later, Sam compares Ted Sandyman to Ferny.[10]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Bill Ferny in adaptations
Bill Ferny in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring  
Bill Ferny in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)  
Bill Ferny in The Lord of the Rings Online  
"Bill Ferny Sr." in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug  

1981: BBC Radio's The Lord of the Ring:

Graham Faulkner provided the voice of Bill Ferny.

2001-2007: The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game:

One of the men seen in Bree in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is identified as Bill Ferny.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

Bill is one of the guests at the Prancing Pony, who doesn't want to be disturbed by Hobbits. Afterwards, he confronts Strider in the streets, and is killed.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Bill Ferny is encountered at several points in the game, spreading mischief throughout Bree-land. At one points he attempts to forge an alliance between Sharkey's Men and a band of Orcs from Angmar that have been cut off, but that arrangement falls through due to intervention of the Dunedain Rangers.

2013: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug:

A character credited as "Bill Ferny Sr." appears in the prologue in Bree. Along with him associate, another character credited as "Squint" (loosely based on the squint-eyed southerner), Ferny, Sr. has seemingly tracked Thorin to the Prancing Pony (presumably to collect on the bounty put out on Thorin's head by Azog). The two Men are preparing to confront Thorin when Gandalf goes over and sits and starts talking with the Dwarf. When it becomes apparent the Wizard is not going anywhere, the two Men get up and leave the inn.

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Strider"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Hunt for the Ring", "Concerning Gandalf, Saruman, and the Shire"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Strider"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Knife in the Dark"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Homeward Bound"
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Scouring of the Shire"
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "II. The Appendix on Languages"
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 757
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part One: The End of the Third Age: IX. The Scouring of the Shire", pp. 80, 88-9
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