 | |
| Northman | |
| Councillors | |
|---|---|
| Biographical Information | |
| Position | Civil servant |
| Location | Lake-town |
| Affiliation | Lake-men |
| Language | Westron |
| Notable for | Speaking with the Master and Thorin, Bidding Thorin and Company farewell from Lake-town |
| Gallery | Images of Alfrid Lickspittle |
The Master of Lake-town was advised by an unknown number of councillors during the late Third Age.[1]
History
During the Quest of Erebor in 2941, when Thorin and Company arrived in Lake-town, they were brought by the captain of the guard to the Great House in the market-place where the Master was feasting, possibly with his councillors. After a fortnight, Thorin thought about leaving and told the Master and his councilors that they must leave soon. When the company departed a few days later, the "Master and his councilors bade them farewell from the great steps of the town-hall that went down to the lake".[1]
After the Master of Lake-town caught the dragon-sickness and fled from Lake-town with gold and some companions,[2] it is possible that some of these companions may have been the Master's former councillors.[source?] These companions eventually deserted him and he starved to death in the Waste sometime between the years 2941 and 2949.[2]
Portrayal in adaptations
2012-4: The Hobbit (film series):
- Alfrid Lickspittle is a merged version of the Master's councillors that was invented for The Hobbit (film series), where he was portrayed by Ryan Gage.[3]
- Alfrid Lickspittle serves as the Master of Lake-town's deputy and chief overseer, advising the Master in matters of diplomacy, trade, and the defense of Lake-town. He always alerted the Master of any potential plots against his power - much to the chagrin of some Lake-town residents. He and the Master particularly have Bard in their sights, knowing his relation to Girion, last Lord of Dale. When Smaug arrives to demolish the town, he and the Master - along with a few guards - empty out the town's treasury into a boat and attempt to retreat with it. However, when the overloaded boat started spilling treasure into the lake, the Master pushes Alfrid overboard in order to lessen the weight.
- When the town's refugees gather on the shore of Long Lake in the aftermath of the destruction, Bard is immediately praised for slaying the Dragon and the citizens look to him for guidance. Alfrid immediately champions Bard despite the disapproval of several people. When the Battle of Five Armies begins, Alfrid spends most of his time showing his cowardice by attempting to hide from it - even disguising himself as a woman at one point - despite Bard ordering every able man to take up arms, and specifically telling Alfrid to join the fight. Not long after finding a treasure trove in the ruins of Dale, Bard, after saving him from an attack by an Ogre, tells him to leave and not come back.
- After his encounter with Bard, Alfrid hides in a catapult, which he inadvertently sets off when one of the coins that he has collected drops on the release trigger. This launches him into the mouth of a Troll that was about to attack Gandalf. Alfrid's accidental stunt kills both the Troll and himself. When the Troll falls to the ground, Gandalf is made aware of the Troll that almost attacked him, only to see Alfrid dead in its mouth.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "A Warm Welcome"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Last Stage"
- ↑ Peter Jackson, "Casting News for The Hobbit" 19-May-2011, Facebook, accessed 22 December 2011
- ↑ The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (extended edition)