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There was a real historical figure named William Huggins, a pioneering astronomer of the mid-nineteenth century, though there is no apparent reason that Tolkien based his foul-mouthed troll on this noted scientist | There was a real historical figure named William Huggins, a pioneering astronomer of the mid-nineteenth century, though there is no apparent reason that Tolkien based his foul-mouthed troll on this noted scientist | ||
According to Tolkien's usage of modern names | According to Tolkien's usage of modern names (as with the names of [[Hobbits]], [[Dwarves]], [[Rohirrim]] and so on), logically "William Huggins" should be a "translation" of the Troll's 'real' name; the fact that it is recognisably English suggests that the Troll's original name was [[Westron]], or at least from a [[Mannish]] language, recognisable by a hobbit. | ||
==External links== | ==External links== |
Revision as of 09:32, 29 December 2008
William Huggins also known as Bill, was with Tom and Bert, one of the three trolls encountered by Bilbo and the Dwarves on their eastward journey to the Lonely Mountain. He seems to have been the leader of the troll-band - at least, it was he who led them to the woodlands of Trollshaws, according to his companions. It was William's pocket that Bilbo tried to pick as his first act of 'burglary', an attempt that brought the entire expedition close to disaster. Luckily, Gandalf was able to trick William and his two companions into arguing together until sunrise, whereupon they all turned to stone.
Name
There was a real historical figure named William Huggins, a pioneering astronomer of the mid-nineteenth century, though there is no apparent reason that Tolkien based his foul-mouthed troll on this noted scientist
According to Tolkien's usage of modern names (as with the names of Hobbits, Dwarves, Rohirrim and so on), logically "William Huggins" should be a "translation" of the Troll's 'real' name; the fact that it is recognisably English suggests that the Troll's original name was Westron, or at least from a Mannish language, recognisable by a hobbit.