Men of Bree: Difference between revisions

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In the hard years of the [[Second Age]], a race of [[Men]] inhabited the [[White Mountains]] far to the south of the [[Shire]], in the land that would one day become [[Rohan]]. Groups of these mountaineers began to migrate northwards. Some settled in the region that became [[Dunland]], but others travelled farther still, and coming to a tall wooded hill not far from the ancient [[Barrow-downs]], they founded a settlement that took its name from the hill, Bree.
<!-- EoA rip + perhaps sort out the relations between "Bree-landers", "Big Folk", "Bree-men" and "Men of Bree" (User:Morgan) -->
[[Image:John Howe - Barliman Butterbur.jpg|thumb|[[John Howe]] - ''Barliman Butterbur'']]
The '''Men of Bree''' were [[Bree-landers]], specifically the [[Men]] who lived around the [[Bree-land]], especially the village of [[Bree]].
==Origins==
The Men of Bree trace their origins from the race of the [[Pre-Númenóreans]] who inhabited the northern [[White Mountains]] during the [[Second Age]], in the land that would be later known as [[Calenardhon]]. As such they were related to the [[Oathbreakers|Men of the Mountains]] and the [[Dunlendings]].  


In appearance, these [[Men]] had brown hair, and in stature were short and broad. They seem to have maintained a curious tradition of taking their names from plants and herbs, and many of these surnames are recorded; [[Appledore]], [[Ferny Family|Ferny]], [[Goatleaf Family|Goatleaf]], [[Heathertoes Family|Heathertoes]], [[Rushlight Family|Rushlight]] and [[Thistlewool Family|Thistlewool]]. [[Butterbur]] was another of these plant-names, an important one in [[Bree]], for it was the ancestral name of the keepers of the [[Prancing Pony]] inn.
During the [[Dark Years]], some of this folk, migrated northward to the dales south of the [[Misty Mountains]]. Eventually they continued to the [[Barrow-downs]] before settling the region around the tall, wooded [[Bree-hill]].<ref name=Men>{{App|Men}}</ref>


Though [[Bree]] seems to have been founded before the beginning of the [[Third Age]], it lay on the road between the North- and South-kingdoms of the [[Dúnedain]], and so was drawn into the history of that Age. When the North-kingdom of [[Arnor]] was founded, [[Bree]] lay within its borders, and the Men of Bree became subjects of that country. More than a thousand years later, in about [[Third Age|T.A.]] 1300, members of a strange and little-known race began to appear in the township. Man-like in appearance, but much smaller, these were [[Hobbits]] fleeing the encroaching darkness to the east. Many of them stayed among the Men, and a unique society arose where the [[Big Folk|Big People]] and the [[Hobbits|Little People]] lived beside one another in harmony.  
==History==
[[Image:Matěj Čadil - Bree-land.jpg|left|thumb|[[Matěj Čadil]] - ''Bree-land'']]
Around the Bree-hill, the Men of Bree established the settlement of [[Bree]], [[Staddle]], [[Archet]] and [[Combe]].


When the Kingdom of [[Arnor]] was founded, Bree-land lay inside its borders, and on the road that led to [[Gondor]]; as such the Men of Bree became subject of Arnor, and adopted [[Westron]].<ref name=Men/>
In about {{TA|1300}}, their land was visited by the [[Halflings]] who were fleeing the encroaching darkness to the east.<ref>{{App|B2}}</ref> They formed a unique society in all [[Middle-earth]] where Men and Hobbits lived beside on another. Thus they were affectionally called the "Big Folk" and the "Little Folk".<ref name=sign>{{FR|Sign}}</ref>
The Men of Bree endured the [[Battle of Fornost|Fall of Arnor]] ({{TA|1975}}) and continued living independently, like before its existence.<ref name=sign/>
During the [[War of the Ring]] some Men of Bree like [[Bill Ferny]] and [[Harry Goatleaf]] were spies of the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] and later they joined [[Saruman]]'s [[ruffians]].<ref name=sign/><ref>{{UT|10}}, "Concerning Gandalf, Saruman, and the Shire"</ref>
==Culture==
In appearance, these [[Men]] were in stature  short and broad, and often brown-haired. They were cheerful and provincial. In contrast to other Men, those of Bree were friendly to the other races, Hobbits, [[Dwarves]] and [[Elves]].<ref name=sign/>
Bree measured time with the [[Bree Calendar]]<ref>{{App|Calendars}}</ref> which is obviously a [[Hobbit]]ish localization of the [[King's Reckoning]].<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Andreas Moehn]]|articlename=The Reckoning of Time|articleurl=http://lalaith.vpsurf.de/Tolkien/Time.html|website=Lalaith}}</ref>
They seem to have maintained a curious tradition of taking their names from plants and herbs; families of the Men of Bree included [[Appledore Family|Appledore]], [[Ferny Family|Ferny]], [[Goatleaf Family|Goatleaf]], [[Heathertoes Family|Heathertoes]], [[Rushlight Family|Rushlight]], [[Thistlewool Family|Thistlewool]] and [[Butterbur Family|Butterbur]].<ref>{{HM|IE}}, Giving of Names, p.208</ref>
==See also==
*[[Bree-landers]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Bree-men| ]]
[[Category:Bree-men| ]]

Revision as of 14:24, 8 September 2014

John Howe - Barliman Butterbur

The Men of Bree were Bree-landers, specifically the Men who lived around the Bree-land, especially the village of Bree.

Origins

The Men of Bree trace their origins from the race of the Pre-Númenóreans who inhabited the northern White Mountains during the Second Age, in the land that would be later known as Calenardhon. As such they were related to the Men of the Mountains and the Dunlendings.

During the Dark Years, some of this folk, migrated northward to the dales south of the Misty Mountains. Eventually they continued to the Barrow-downs before settling the region around the tall, wooded Bree-hill.[1]

History

Matěj Čadil - Bree-land

Around the Bree-hill, the Men of Bree established the settlement of Bree, Staddle, Archet and Combe.

When the Kingdom of Arnor was founded, Bree-land lay inside its borders, and on the road that led to Gondor; as such the Men of Bree became subject of Arnor, and adopted Westron.[1]

In about T.A. 1300, their land was visited by the Halflings who were fleeing the encroaching darkness to the east.[2] They formed a unique society in all Middle-earth where Men and Hobbits lived beside on another. Thus they were affectionally called the "Big Folk" and the "Little Folk".[3]

The Men of Bree endured the Fall of Arnor (T.A. 1975) and continued living independently, like before its existence.[3]

During the War of the Ring some Men of Bree like Bill Ferny and Harry Goatleaf were spies of the Ringwraiths and later they joined Saruman's ruffians.[3][4]

Culture

In appearance, these Men were in stature short and broad, and often brown-haired. They were cheerful and provincial. In contrast to other Men, those of Bree were friendly to the other races, Hobbits, Dwarves and Elves.[3]

Bree measured time with the Bree Calendar[5] which is obviously a Hobbitish localization of the King's Reckoning.[6]

They seem to have maintained a curious tradition of taking their names from plants and herbs; families of the Men of Bree included Appledore, Ferny, Goatleaf, Heathertoes, Rushlight, Thistlewool and Butterbur.[7]

See also

References