Farmer Cotton

Revision as of 14:39, 2 December 2010

Tolman "Tom" Cotton (Third Age 2941 – Fourth Age 19, aged 99 years) was a Hobbit of the Shire.

History

Old Tom was a farmer living on Bywater's South Lane.^[1] He was married to Lily Brown, and they had five children. Young Tom was the eldest, and his siblings were Rosie, Jolly, Nick and Nibs.^[2]

Farmer Cotton played an important part in the Battle of Bywater, where he rallied many hobbits to fight Sharkey's men.^[1]

Etymology

Tolman comes from Old English tōl + mann meaning "tool person".^[source?] In early phases of writing Appendix F, Farmer Cotton's original Westron name was given as Tomacca Lothran^[3] or (earlier) Tomakli Lothron.^[4]

Portrayal in Adaptations

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

Old Tom joins the four Hobbits as they start a revolt. He was always confident of Frodo and Sam's return.

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

The Cottons live at South Lane in Bywater. Tolman lives at number 3 and his son Wilcome at number 5.

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Scouring of the Shire"
2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix C, "The Longfather-tree of Master Samwise"
3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "The Appendix on Languages"
4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "The Appendix on Languages", note 37.