Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Hobbits

2006-08-31T15:48:34Z

Eraisuithon:

{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.|[[An Unexpected Party]], [[The Hobbit]]}}

'''Hobbits''' were a small race that typically dwelt underground, believed to be related to [[Men]]. They played little role in history, save during the [[War of the Ring]].

==Description==

Hobbits are, or were, between two to four feet tall, the average height being 3 feet 6 inches, with slightly pointed ears and oversized furry feet with leathery soles, resulting in most never wearing shoes. They are fond of an unadventurous bucolic life of farming, eating, and socializing. Living rather longer than humans, Hobbits live an average of about 100 years; their oldest living up 130. The time at which a young Hobbit "comes of age" is 33, as compared to the human 21 years. Thus a 70 year old Hobbit would only be middle-aged. Hobbits also like to drink ale in inns, not unlike the English countryfolk, who were Tolkien's inspiration. We can also see that in the name Tolkien chose for the part of [[Middle-earth]] where the Hobbits live: "[[The Shire]]" is clearly reminiscent of the English county names (e.g., Lancashire, Shropshire).

(Mealtimes, at least according to the [[Peter Jackson]] script adaptation of the novel, consist at least of the seven meals known as breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. Tolkien did say that Hobbits eat "at least six meals a day when they can get it", but he didn't give their names.)

==Origin==
Hobbits are evidently related to [[Men]], and are represented as a pygmy offshoot of that race. Their exact origin is unknown, but by the early [[Third Age]] they were living in the Vales of [[Anduin]] in [[Wilderland]].

== Etymology ==

Hobbits are also called ''[[Halflings]]'' (in [[Sindarin]], ''perian'' singular and ''periannath'' collective) due to their small stature. However, the term is slightly offensive to Hobbits, as to themselves they are not 'half' of anything, and certainly do not use the term to refer to themselves. Tolkien's etymology for 'Hobbit' is interesting as well: obviously constructed without prior intent, it would have been natural for him to connect it to the German prefix ''hob'' meaning ''small'' (e.g. ''hobgoblin''). However this prefix dates back "only" to the 13th century, too late by Tolkien's standards, and so he constructed an alternative etymology, from [[Old English]] ''hol-bytla'', "hole-dweller".
When later he began to work out the language relations further, ''Hobbit'' was to be derived from the [[Rohirric]] (actually [[Anglo-Saxon]] - which Rohirric parallels in Tolkien's universe) ''Holbytlan'' (hole builders). In the original [[Westron]], the name was ''Kuduk'' (Hobbit), derived from the actual Rohirric ''kûd-dûkan'' (hole dweller).

According to Tolkien, the word ''hobbit'' was the first element of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' that he created. As a university lecturer, he was in the process of correcting reports when he started scribbling on a piece of paper and wrote, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", and the multitude of stories sprang from that. The idea of a little hole dwelling creature was introduced to Tolkien by one of his students in a story he had written.

==Some well-known Hobbits==
* [[Bilbo Baggins]]
* [[Frodo Baggins]]
* [[Samwise Gamgee|Samwise "Sam" Gamgee]]
* [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck]]
* [[Peregrin Took|Peregrin "Pippin" Took]]
* [[Fredegar Bolger|Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger]]
* [[Otho Sackville-Baggins|Otho]] and [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]]
* [[Old Took]]
* [[Bullroarer|Bullroarer Took]]
* [[Sméagol]] (who became the creature [[Gollum]])
* [[Déagol]]

Though in [[The Hobbit]] it is mentioned that [[Gandalf]] "was responsible for so many quiet lads and lasses going off into the Blue for mad adventures," no female Hobbits are depicted in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s stories doing so; however Hobbit women do appear in his works, such as the formidable [[Lobelia Sackville-Baggins]] and Sam's wife [[Rosie Cotton]].

==History==
Historically, the Hobbits are known to have originated in the Valley of [[Anduin]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. According to [[The Lord of the Rings]], they have lost the genealogical details of how they are related to the rest of humankind. At this time, there were three '''Hobbit-kinds''', with different temperaments. The [[Harfoots]], the most numerous, were almost identical to the Hobbits as they are described in ''The Lord of the Rings''. The [[Stoors]] had an affinity for water, boats and swimming; the [[Fallohides]] were an adventurous people. (Both of these traits were much rarer in later days.) While situated in the Vallery of the Anduin River the Hobbits lived close by the [[Eotheod]], the ancestors of the [[Rohirrim]], and this led to some contact between the two. As a result many old words and names in "Hobbitish" are derivatives of words in Rohirric, so much so that even someone without linguistic training could make out the relation (Merry would later write an entire book devoted to the relationship, ''Old Place Names in the Shire'').

Some time near the beginning of the [[Third Age]], they undertook, for reasons unknown, but possibly having to do with [[Mordor]]'s power, the arduous task of crossing the [[Misty Mountains]]. Some of the Stoors, however, stayed behind, and it is from these people that [[Gollum]] would come many years later. The Hobbits took different routes in their journey westward, but eventually came to a land between the River [[Baranduin]] (which they renamed ''Brandywine'') and the Weather Hills. There they founded many settlements, and the divisions between the Hobbit-kinds began to blur.

Around the year 1600 of the Third Age, two Fallohide brothers decided, again for reasons unknown, to cross the River Brandywine and settle on the other side. Large numbers of Hobbits followed them, and most of their former territory was depopulated. Only [[Bree]] and a few surrounding villages lasted to the end of the Third Age. The new land that they found on the west bank of the Brandywine is called [[The Shire]].

A map of the Shire and surrounding regions may be found at [[Eriador]].

Originally the Hobbits of the Shire swore nominal allegiance to the last Kings of Arnor, being required only to acknowledge their lordship, speed their messengers, and keep the bridges and roads in repair. During the final fight against [[Angmar]] at the Battle of Fornost, the Hobbits maintain that they sent a company of archers to help but this is nowhere else recorded. After the battle the kingdom of Arnor was destroyed, and in absence of the king the Hobbits elected a Thain of the Shire from among their own chieftans.

The first Thain of the Shire was Bucca of the Marrish, who founded the Oldbuck family. However, later on the Oldbuck family crossed the Brandywine River to create the separate land of Buckland and the family name changed to the familiar "Brandybuck". Their patriach then became Master of Buckland. With the departure of the Oldbucks/Brandybucks, a new family was selected to have its chieftans be Thain, the Took family (Indeed, Pippin Took was son of the Thain and would later become Thain himself). The Thain was in charge of Shire Moot and Muster and the Hobbitry-in-Arms, but as the Hobbits of the Shire led entirely peaceful, uneventful lives the office of Thain was seen as something more of a formality.

==The ontological nature of hobbits==
[[Hobbits]] are considered Men in Tolkien's works. Nearly all Tolkien scholars agree that Men are closely related to [[Hobbits]], far more closely than Men are to either [[Elf|Elves]] or [[Dwarves]]. It is thus commonly assumed that Hobbits are among the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]] and are the result of the same act of creation as Men. This would imply that Hobbits have the [[Gift of Men]] to pass entirely beyond [[Arda]], which also means that the avoidance of the Gift of Men in Hobbits, like in Men, can be physically and morally destructive. [[Sméagol]], who had originally been a Hobbit, was transformed into the monster [[Gollum]] by a combination of the evil of the [[One Ring]] and the resulting avoidance of the [[Gift of Men]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] became "thin and stretched" from the immortality that the One Ring granted to him, since neither Men nor Hobbits are intended for immortality in this world. Men and Hobbits appear to have the same ontological nature, which is that they are the result of the act of creation that resulted in the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]].

== Usage outside Tolkien ==

"Hobbit" is a trademark owned by the Tolkien estate, as are most of the names, places and artifacts included in books by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]. For this reason [[Dungeons & Dragons]] and other fantasy tend to refer to Hobbits and Hobbit-like races rather as '''Halflings''' (''hin'' in the Mystara universe, ''hurthlings'' in Ancient Domains of Mystery).

The name ''hobbit'' had previously appeared in an obscure "list of spirits" by Michael Denham, which includes several repetitions. There is no evidence to suggest Tolkien used this as a source — indeed he spent many years trying to find out whether he really did coin the word. Denham's "hobbit spirits" (which are never referenced anywhere except in the long list) have no obvious relation to Tolkien's Hobbits, other than the name (which may possibly imply hob- "small", see below): Tolkien's Hobbits are small humans, not spirits. Nonetheless, some few people have suggested that the reference in the Denham list should invalidate the trademark.

The lexeme ''hob'', meaning ''small'', is a root word for ''hobbledehoy'', ''hobgoblin'', and ''hobyah''. This may have influenced Tolkien's name; see '''[[#Origin|Origin]]''' above.

''Homo floresiensis'', an extinct species of humans discovered in 2004, has been informally dubbed a "hobbit" by its discoverers.

[[Category:Races]]

Template:User hobbits

2006-08-29T19:08:00Z

Eraisuithon:

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{| cellspacing="0" style="width:238px;background:#EFC35B"
| style="width:45px;height:45px;background:#CC9000;text-align:center;font-size:14pt" | '''Hobbits'''
| style="font-size:8pt;padding:4pt;line-height:1.25em" | This user supports [[Hobbits]] over any other race'''.
|}</div>
<noinclude>[[Category:Userbox templates|lore-0]]</noinclude>
<includeonly>[[Category:User hobbits|{{PAGENAME}}]]</includeonly>

User:Eraisuithon

2006-08-29T19:02:02Z

Eraisuithon:

Hullo there! And welcome to my user page!

== A bit about me ==
I'm a student studying Ancient History and Classical Civilizations at the University of Texas at Austin, and a native-born Texian. When I am not immersed in Xenophon or catching up on my Biblical Greek, I am enjoying fine teas (Lapsang souchong being my favorite), indulging in pipe tobacco, involved with my local Eastern Orthodox Christian parish, or much to the chagrin of my long-suffering fiancée, rambling about the works of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]. After graduation, I hope to attend St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York to obtain my Masters of Divinity, and consequently, be ordained a priest. I'm a nerd and cajun at heart, finding delight in spicy foods and jazz. My parents' families have unique histories which are closely tied to the Texas Gulf Coast and Southern Louisiana.

==Other Wikis==
Aside from this place, I do contribute to Wikipedia[http://en.wikipedia.org] under the handle ICXCNIKA. I also frequent OrthodoxWiki[http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/] under the name of Mike. I frequent this place more so than Wikipedia.

=My Interests in the Tolkien Legendarium=
I have a wide range of interests and passions in Tolkien's world. First and foremost, I have an affection for the [[Second Age]], particularly the histories of [[Numenor]] and [[Arnor]]. Aside from that, the history of [[Hobbits]] is another love of mine. Although a newcomer to this wiki, I hope to contribute more to the Tolkien Gateway in the future.

==The meaning behind my handle==
Eraisuithon (Sindarin, lit. ''He who is like The One'') a translation for Michael (Hebrew, lit. ''He who is like God''), my Christian name.

{{user lore-3}}
{{user hobbits}}

Telain

2006-08-29T05:29:33Z

Eraisuithon: Added Westron word for telain

Platforms built by the [[Elves]] of [[Lórien]] in the trees of that land, used mainly as guard-posts or for ceremonial purposes, but common in the city of [[Caras Galadhon]]. In [[Westron]] they are known as '''flets'''.

Will Whitfoot

2006-08-29T05:21:11Z

Eraisuithon:

'''Will Whitfoot''' was the [[Mayor of Michel Delving]] (and therefore of the [[Shire]]) at the time of the [[War of the Ring]]. He was renowned as being the fattest hobbit in the [[Westfarthing]], and was affectionately referred to as "'''Old Will'''" or "'''Old Flourdumpling'''", perhaps because he emerged from the Town Hole covered in chalk after its roof collapsed. He was one of the first to be placed in the [[Lockholes]] after protesting when [[Sharkey]] established [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]] as puppet ruler of the Shire. Fortunately he survived the experience.

[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Whitfoot]]

User:Eraisuithon

2006-08-28T21:44:59Z

Eraisuithon:

User:Eraisuithon

2006-08-28T21:38:39Z

Eraisuithon:

Hullo there! And welcome to my user page!

== A bit about me ==
I'm a student studying Ancient History and Classical Civilizations at the University of Texas at Austin, and a native-born Texian. When I am not immersed in Xenophon or catching up on my Biblical Greek, I am enjoying fine teas (Lapsang souchong being my favorite), indulging in pipe tobacco, involved with my local Eastern Orthodox Christian parish, or much to the chagrin of my long-suffering fiancée, rambling about the works of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] After graduation, I hope to attend St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York to obtain my Masters of Divinity, and consequently, be ordained a priest. I'm a nerd and cajun at heart, finding delight in spicy foods and jazz. My parents' families have unique histories which are closely tied to the Texas Gulf Coast and Southern Louisiana.

==Other Wikis==
Aside from this place, I do contribute to Wikipedia[http://en.wikipedia.org] under the handle ICXCNIKA. I also frequent OrthodoxWiki[http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/] under the name of Mike. I frequent this place more so than Wikipedia.

=My Interests in the Tolkien Legendarium=
I have a wide range of interests and passions in Tolkien's world. First and foremost, I have an affection for the [[Second Age]], particularly the histories of [[Numenor]] and [[Arnor]]. Aside from that, the history of [[Hobbits]] is another love of mine. Although a newcomer to this wiki, I hope to contribute more to the Tolkien Gateway in the future.

==The meaning behind my handle==
Eraisuithon (Sindarin, lit. ''He who is like The One'') a translation for Michael (Hebrew, lit. ''He who is like God''), my Christian name.

{{user lore-3}}

Pipe-weed

2006-08-28T21:24:09Z

Eraisuithon: Expanded article for detail

'''Pipe-weed''' (also known as [[Halflings' Leaf]]) is a plant developed by the [[Hobbits]] of [[the Shire]]. The cultivation and exportation of this herb is a key industry in the Shire, especially in the south. Among the [[Dunedain]] it is known as '''''sweet galenas''''', and in [[Gondor]] it grows as a wild herb, appreciated primarily for its fragrant blossoms.

Among the [[Gondorians]] it is known popularly as '''''westmansweed''''', a reference to its origin: it was apparently brought to [[Middle-earth]] by [[Numenor|Númenóreans]] during the [[Second Age]]. There it was first domesticated by [[Tobold Hornblower]] of [[Longbottom]] in [[Southfarthing]] around [[Shire Calendar|S.R.]] 1070 ([[Third Age|T.A.]] 2670). Despite its foreign origins, the Hobbits (possibly those in [[Bree]]) were the first to use it for smoking.

Popular varieties of pipe-weed include Longbottom Leaf, Old Toby, and Southern Star.

In the prologue to ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Tolkien states specifically that "it is a strain of the herb ''nicotiana''", i.e. tobacco.

The [[Istar|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] learned to smoke pipe-weed from the Hobbits and is often seen blowing smoke-rings. [[Saruman]] initially derides him for this, but at some point he takes up smoking himself. After the destruction of [[Isengard]], pipe-weed is found among its stores, but the Hobbits [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] fail to realize the [[Scouring of the Shire|sinister implications]] of the discovery that Saruman has had commerce with the Shire.

[[Category:Plants]]

User:Eraisuithon

2006-08-28T21:05:09Z

Eraisuithon:

Hullo there! And welcome to my user page!

== A bit about me ==
I'm a student studying Ancient History and Classical Civilizations at the University of Texas at Austin, and a native-born Texian. When I am not immersed in Xenophon or catching up on my Biblical Greek, I am enjoying fine teas (Lapsang souchong being my favorite), indulging in pipe tobacco, involved with my local Eastern Orthodox Christian parish, or much to the chagrin of my long-suffering fiancée, rambling about the works of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] After graduation, I hope to attend St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York to obtain my Masters of Divinity, and consequently, be ordained a priest. I'm a nerd and cajun at heart, finding delight in spicy foods and jazz. My parents' families have unique histories which are closely tied to the Texas Gulf Coast and Southern Louisiana.

==Other Wikis==
Aside from this place, I do contribute to Wikipedia[http://en.wikipedia.org] under the handle ICXCNIKA. I also frequent OrthodoxWiki[http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/] under the name of Mike. I frequent this place more so than Wikipedia.

=My Interests in the Tolkien Legendarium=
I have a wide range of interests and passions in Tolkien's world. First and foremost, I have an affection for the [[Second Age]], particularly the histories of [[Numenor]] and [[Arnor]]. Aside from that, the history of [[Hobbits]] is another love of mine. Although a newcomer to this wiki, I hope to contribute more to the Tolkien Gateway in the future.

==The meaning behind my handle==
Eraisuithon (Sindarin, lit. ''He who is like The One'') a translation for Michael (Hebrew, lit. ''He who is like God''), my Christian name.

User:Eraisuithon

2006-08-28T21:04:31Z

Eraisuithon:

Hullo there! And welcome to my user page!

== A bit about me ==
I'm a student studying Ancient History and Classical Civilizations at the University of Texas at Austin, and a native-born Texian. When I am not immersed in Xenophon or catching up on my Biblical Greek, I am enjoying fine teas Lapsang souchong being my favorite, indulging in pipe tobacco, involved with my local Eastern Orthodox Christian parish, or much to the chagrin of my long-suffering fiancée, rambling about the works of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] After graduation, I hope to attend St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York to obtain my Masters of Divinity, and consequently, be ordained a priest. I'm a nerd and cajun at heart, finding delight in spicy foods and jazz. My parents' families have unique histories which are closely tied to the Texas Gulf Coast and Southern Louisiana.

==Other Wikis==
Aside from this place, I do contribute to Wikipedia[http://en.wikipedia.org] under the handle ICXCNIKA. I also frequent OrthodoxWiki[http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/] under the name of Mike. I frequent this place more so than Wikipedia.

=My Interests in the Tolkien Legendarium=
I have a wide range of interests and passions in Tolkien's world. First and foremost, I have an affection for the [[Second Age]], particularly the histories of [[Numenor]] and [[Arnor]]. Aside from that, the history of [[Hobbits]] is another love of mine. Although a newcomer to this wiki, I hope to contribute more to the Tolkien Gateway in the future.

==The meaning behind my handle==
Eraisuithon (Sindarin, lit. ''He who is like The One'') a translation for Michael (Hebrew, lit. ''He who is like God''), my Christian name.

User:Eraisuithon

2006-08-28T21:02:59Z

Eraisuithon:

Hullo there! And welcome to my user page!

== A bit about me ==
I'm a student studying Ancient History and Classical Civilizations at the University of Texas at Austin, and a native-born Texan. When I am not immersed in Xenophon or catching up on my Biblical Greek, I am enjoying fine teas Lapsang souchong being my favorite, indulging in pipe tobacco, involved with my local Eastern Orthodox Christian parish, or much to the chagrin of my long-suffering fiancée, rambling about the works of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] After graduation, I hope to attend St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York to obtain my Masters of Divinity, and consequently, be ordained a priest. I'm a nerd and cajun at heart, finding delight in spicy foods and jazz. My parents' families have unique histories which are closely tied to the Texas Gulf Coast and Southern Louisiana.

==Other Wikis==
Aside from this place, I do contribute to Wikipedia[http://en.wikipedia.org] under the handle ICXCNIKA. I also frequent OrthodoxWiki[http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/] under the name of Mike. I frequent this place more so than Wikipedia.

=My Interests in the Tolkien Legendarium=
I have a wide range of interests and passions in Tolkien's world. First and foremost, I have an affection for the [[Second Age]], particularly the histories of [[Numenor]] and [[Arnor]]. Aside from that, the history of [[Hobbits]] is another love of mine. Although a newcomer to this wiki, I hope to contribute more to the Tolkien Gateway in the future.

==The meaning behind my handle==
Eraisuithon (Sindarin, lit. ''He who is like The One'') a translation for Michael (Hebrew, lit. ''He who is like God''), my Christian name.