The Shire: Difference between revisions
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From the west to the east, the Shire measures 40 leagues (120 miles) from the Far Downs to the Brandywine Bridge. From the north to the south, it measured 50 leagues (150 miles) from the northern moors to the marshes in the south. It consists of approximately 30 villages, as well as numerous hamlets and farmsteads. Some of the more prominent settlements include: | From the west to the east, the Shire measures 40 leagues (120 miles) from the Far Downs to the Brandywine Bridge. From the north to the south, it measured 50 leagues (150 miles) from the northern moors to the marshes in the south. It consists of approximately 30 villages, as well as numerous hamlets and farmsteads. Some of the more prominent settlements include: | ||
* '''Michel Delving''' - the chief town and de facto capital of the Shire. The mayor, postal service and | * '''Michel Delving''' - the chief town and de facto capital of the Shire. The mayor, postal service and Watch are headquartered there. | ||
* '''Tuckborough''' - the ancestral seat of the Took clan, the hereditary Thains of the Shire. | * '''Tuckborough''' - the ancestral seat of the Took clan, the hereditary Thains of the Shire. | ||
Across the Brandywine lay the narrow land of Buckland. This was not considered part of the Shire. | Across the Brandywine lay the narrow land of Buckland. This was not considered part of the Shire. | ||
== Government and militia == | |||
=== Government === | |||
Initially, the Shire was a part of Arthedain and the Hobbits considered themselves to be subjects of the King. It was only after the fall of Arnor that the Shire became an independent political unit led by the Thain from Tuckborough (officially the King's representative) who was the head of the important Took clan. While nominally the Thain rules over the four Farthings, in practice authority is so decentralised that the title is seen as more of a ceremonial formality. | |||
The only official of the Shire was the Mayor of Michel Delving in the White Downs (by extension seen as the mayor of the Shire). The Mayor's chief duties were serving as postmaster of the Shire's Messenger Service, charging the Watch, and presiding at fairs. | |||
=== Militia === | |||
The Watch was a body of Hobbits responsible for maintaining the peace in the Shire. Its members wore caps with feathers to distinguish themselves. | |||
It consisted of the Shirriffs, a police force of twelve hobbits (three in each Farthing) responsible for 'Internal Work', and the Bounders, a larger body that guarded the borders of the Shire. | |||
Revision as of 00:16, 29 April 2023
| The Shire | |
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The Shire is a region in Eriador inhabited by Hobbits. It was founded in T.A. 1601 (1405 years ago) when Hobbits making their way westward were granted permission to settle in the area by King Argeleb II of Arthedain.
Summary
Main article: History of the Shire
The Shire was a fertile and well-tilled part of Arnor, with many royal farms, cornlands, vineyards, and woods. It had long been deserted during the waning days of the Kingdom when it was known as the splinter-realm of Arthedain; it had been the hunting grounds of the King of Arnor. The Hobbits from Bree got official permission from King Argeleb II of Arthedain to settle the lands. This was finally done in T.A. 1601 (Year 1 in Shire Reckoning) by Hobbits from Bree, led by the brothers Marcho and Blanco. They were joined by other hobbits who lived in Dunland and parts of depopulated Cardolan and Rhudaur.
From the west to the east, the Shire measures 40 leagues (120 miles) from the Far Downs to the Brandywine Bridge. From the north to the south, it measured 50 leagues (150 miles) from the northern moors to the marshes in the south. It consists of approximately 30 villages, as well as numerous hamlets and farmsteads. Some of the more prominent settlements include:
- Michel Delving - the chief town and de facto capital of the Shire. The mayor, postal service and Watch are headquartered there.
- Tuckborough - the ancestral seat of the Took clan, the hereditary Thains of the Shire.
Across the Brandywine lay the narrow land of Buckland. This was not considered part of the Shire.
Government and militia
Government
Initially, the Shire was a part of Arthedain and the Hobbits considered themselves to be subjects of the King. It was only after the fall of Arnor that the Shire became an independent political unit led by the Thain from Tuckborough (officially the King's representative) who was the head of the important Took clan. While nominally the Thain rules over the four Farthings, in practice authority is so decentralised that the title is seen as more of a ceremonial formality.
The only official of the Shire was the Mayor of Michel Delving in the White Downs (by extension seen as the mayor of the Shire). The Mayor's chief duties were serving as postmaster of the Shire's Messenger Service, charging the Watch, and presiding at fairs.
Militia
The Watch was a body of Hobbits responsible for maintaining the peace in the Shire. Its members wore caps with feathers to distinguish themselves. It consisted of the Shirriffs, a police force of twelve hobbits (three in each Farthing) responsible for 'Internal Work', and the Bounders, a larger body that guarded the borders of the Shire.