Farthings: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
m (Links to Wikipedia (Tolkien's spellings of the Ridings was actually wrong); Ridings no longer used in local government (abolished in 1974). Closed sentence with a full-stop (why can't people do this?))
mNo edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
The four '''Farthings''' were four of the five (later six) divisions of [[the Shire]]. They were known simply as [[Northfarthing]], [[Westfarthing]], [[Southfarthing]] and [[Eastfarthing]].<ref>{{HM|FR}}</ref><ref>{{HM|RK}}</ref> The [[Westron]] word was ''[[tharni]]'', the [[Sindarin]] word (presumably) ''[[canath]]''.<ref>{{PM|Languages}}, §41</ref>   
The four '''Farthings''' were four of the five (later six) divisions of [[the Shire]]. They were known simply as [[Northfarthing]], [[Westfarthing]], [[Southfarthing]] and [[Eastfarthing]].<ref>{{FR|Ordering}}</ref><ref>{{HM|RK}}</ref> The [[Westron]] word was ''[[tharni]]'', the [[Sindarin]] word (presumably) ''[[canath]]''.<ref>{{PM|Languages}}, §41</ref>   
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
In English a farthing ([[Old English]] ''feorðing'' "fourth part, quarter" > ''ferthing'' "a negligible amount") is a quarter of a penny.<ref name="Nomen"/>
In English a farthing ([[Old English]] ''feorðing'' "fourth part, quarter" > ''ferthing'' "a negligible amount") is a quarter of a penny.<ref name="Nomen"/>


In Shire geography used in the original sense "fourth part". [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] notes that the application to the divisions of the Shire to English ears has a perhaps comical effect.<ref name="Nomen"/>
In Shire geography used in the original sense "fourth part". [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] noted that the application to the divisions of the Shire to English ears has a perhaps comical effect.<ref name="Nomen"/>


==Inspiration==
==Inspiration==
The four Farthings of the Shire were based on the three traditional ''Thridings'' of [[Wikipedia:Yorkshire|Yorkshire]], which were formerly used as divisions of the county ([[wikipedia:North Riding of Yorkshire|North Riding]], [[wikipedia:West Riding of Yorkshire|West Riding]] and [[wikipedia:East Riding of Yorkshire|East Riding]]).<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, p. 770 (see also p. 32)</ref><ref>{{WP|Riding (division)}}</ref>
The four Farthings of the Shire were based on the three traditional ''Thridings'' of [[Wikipedia:Yorkshire|Yorkshire]], which were formerly used as divisions of the county ([[wikipedia:North Riding of Yorkshire|North Riding]], [[wikipedia:West Riding of Yorkshire|West Riding]] and [[wikipedia:East Riding of Yorkshire|East Riding]]).<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, p. 770 (see also p. 32)</ref><ref>{{WP|Riding (division)}}</ref>


"Farthing" was used in Gloucestershire. Tolkien does not mention this in ''[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings|Nomenclature]]'', but it is likely he knew of its existence as his wife [[Edith Tolkien|Edith Bratt]] was born in Gloucestershire.
"Farthing" was used in Gloucestershire. Tolkien did not mention this in ''[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings|Nomenclature]]'', but it is likely he knew of its existence as his wife [[Edith Tolkien|Edith Bratt]] was born in Gloucestershire.


{{references}}
{{references}}
[[fi:Neljännykset]]
[[fi:Neljännykset]]
[[Category:Regions of the Shire]]
[[Category:Regions of the Shire]]

Revision as of 21:35, 16 June 2011

The four Farthings were four of the five (later six) divisions of the Shire. They were known simply as Northfarthing, Westfarthing, Southfarthing and Eastfarthing.[1][2] The Westron word was tharni, the Sindarin word (presumably) canath.[3]

Etymology

In English a farthing (Old English feorðing "fourth part, quarter" > ferthing "a negligible amount") is a quarter of a penny.[4]

In Shire geography used in the original sense "fourth part". Tolkien noted that the application to the divisions of the Shire to English ears has a perhaps comical effect.[4]

Inspiration

The four Farthings of the Shire were based on the three traditional Thridings of Yorkshire, which were formerly used as divisions of the county (North Riding, West Riding and East Riding).[4][5]

"Farthing" was used in Gloucestershire. Tolkien did not mention this in Nomenclature, but it is likely he knew of its existence as his wife Edith Bratt was born in Gloucestershire.

References