 | |
| Hobbits | |
| Marcho and Blanco | |
|---|---|
| Biographical Information | |
| Location | Bree The Shire |
| Notable for | Founding the Shire |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Gallery | Images of Marcho and Blanco |
Marcho and Blanco were brothers, Bree-hobbits of Fallohide stock who founded the Shire in Third Age 1601.[1][2]
History
In T.A. 1601, the two brothers led a group of mostly Harfoot hobbits westwards from Bree.[2] They crossed the river Baranduin at the Bridge of Stonebows, and with the permission of King Argeleb II they settled in the royal hunting grounds of Arthedain and founded the Shire.
Soon after (c. T.A. 1630) they are joined by Stoors, who come up from Dunland and settle in the Shire.[3]
Etymology
Marcho contains the Old English element *marh ("horse") and Blanco is derived from Old English blanca ("white horse", "grey horse").[4][5]
Inspiration
The two brothers are perhaps based on Hengest and Horsa, who brought the Angles, Saxons and Jutes to England. It is noteworthy that both hengest[6] and horsa mean "stallion" and "horse", respectively, in Old English.[4][5]
Other versions of the legendarium
In an earlier typescript version of the Prologue[7] and in an earlier manuscript version of the family tree of the Baggins family[8] the two Hobbit brothers whe founded the Shire were called Marco and Cavallo.
Portrayal in adaptations
Marcho and Blanco in adaptations
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "Prologue", "Concerning Hobbits", p. 4
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix C, "Baggins of Hobbiton", p. 1099
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age", p. 1086
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Tom Shippey, The Road to Middle-earth, Chapter 4 A Cartographic Plot, Maps and Names, p. 116
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jim Allan (1978), An Introduction to Elvish, "An etymological excursion among the Shire Folk", p. 181
- ↑ "hengest", Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary, accessed 18 April 2025
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "I. The Prologue", typescript P 2 footnote relating to "about the year 1050 in Shire-reckoning"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "III. The Family Trees", manuscript BA 3