TA Date SR[1] Events
1000 The Istari (« Wizards ») arrive in Endor (Middle Earth) Sauron reappears in Middle Earth
Hobbits progressively migrate towards Eriador
1601 1 The Shire is founded.
1635-1637 35-37 Great Plague in Rhovanion, Gondor then Eriador
1974-1976 376 The Shire is proclaimed sovereign « until the return of the King ». Arthedain falls and the Kingdom of Angmar is destroyed.
1977 377 People of Rhovanion, threatened by invasions of the Wainriders at the end of the XXe siècle, migrate to the upper valley of Anduin, led by Frumgar.
1979 379 Bucca of Marish becomes first Thain of the Shire
1990 Fram, son of Frumgar, king of the Eotheod, kills Scatha, a mighty dragon of the northern misty montains. The Eotheod fight against the Dwarves about the shares of the dragon's treasure.
2063 463 Enters Dol Guldur in order to discover the identity of the necromancer, who flees. Beginning of the watchful peace
2340 740 The Oldbuck occupy Buckland. The 3rd Thain, Isumbras, is the first Took to lead the Shire Moot.
2460 860 End of the watchful peace. Sauron returns to Dol Guldur.
2510 910 Eorl rides from the North and wins the battle of the Field of Celebrant. Kingdom of Rohan is founded.
2670 1070 Tobold Hornblower cultivates pipeweed in South Farthing. Smoking the pipe gets popular rather quickly in South Farthing.
2683 1083 The Took, Isengrin II, becomes the 10th Thain et begins excavating Greats Smials.
2747 1147 Elves, rangers and Gandalf help the Hobbits. Bandobras Took, the « Roaring Bull », beheads the goblin chief Golfimbul of Mont Gram. The head of the Orc flew some hundred yards away, before falling into some rabbit burrow, thus inventing golf play[]. Battle of the Green Fields in North Farthing. Orc attack repelled by Hobbits and their human neighbours of Cardolan, led by the rangers of the North.
2757 Argonui, son of Arathorn, is born
2758-2759 1158-1159 Gandalf brings herbs and ground, blessed in Lorien during the Days of Dearth. Long Winter : 4 months of snow destroy flocks and depleted supplies. The Days of dearth ensue.
2759 Sarouman receives the keys of Orthanc. He intensifies spies nets in Dunland and Eriador, hence reducing the Ennemy's influence.
2770 1170 In his den of the Gray Mountains, the Dragon Smaug hears about Thrór's wealth and his people. He flies to Erebor, kills there many Dwarves and plunders the underground kingdom. Most of the survivors flee to the Iron Mountains, while the king Thrór and his son Thráin escape by a backdoor. With a few parents and faithful servants, they wander southward and eventually reach Dunland where they try to establish.
2790 1190 Desperate by the precarious situation of his group and ardently wishing to contemplate the kingdom of his fathers, Khazad-dum, Thrór leaves northward with a single companion, Nàr. Before his departure, Thrór gives his son Thráin II his Ring of Power, and the map and the key to the Lonely Mountain.
Thrór and Nàr pass over Redhorn pass and find the east gate of Moria open. Nár witnesses the death of Thrór at his disfigurement by the hand of orc Azog and the dispersion of his body to the crows.
Warned by Nàr, Thráin declares war on the Orcs and calles the seven houses of the Dwarves to the vengeance of their elder branch.
2793-2799 1193-1199 Dwarves exterminate orcs and goblins of the Misty Mountains and Gray mountains, suffering themselves heavy losses.
At the battle of Azalnubizar, Thráin II avenges the death of Thrór by killing Azog but can not take Moria.
Death of Nàin, father of Dain Ironfoot.
2802 1202 Thráin II reopens a coal mine in southern Blue Montains. A significant trade flow is established between the Blue Montains and the Darves of Dunland.
2820 1220 Arador, son of Argonui, is born
2823 1223 Gerry (Gérontius) Took is borne
2843 1243 Arafin, second son of Argonui, is born. His mother dies; he is fostered by his grand-mother.
2848 1248 Arathorn I dies in his attemps to recover Scatha's treasure.
Thraïn II tries to rally the Iron Montains. He is captured and imprisoned in Dol Gûldur, but he manages to hide the map and the key of Erebor. What is the fate of his ring of power?
2849 1249 Gérontius Took marries Adamantia Chubb
2850 1250 Gandalf enters Dol Guldur and discovers the identity of the Necromancer. He finds Thraïn II dying, who entrusts to him the key and the map of Erebor
2860 1260 Belladona Took and her two sisters Donnamira and Mirabella, triplets.
2872 1272 Dùring the Thirsty Summer, the Shire suffers a severe drought that is followed, in autumn, by destructive floods.
2873 Arathorn II is born.
2883 1283 Mirabella Took marries Gorbadoc Brandybuck
Donnamira Took marries Hugo Bolger
Belladona Took marries Bungo Baggins
2890 1290 Bilbo Baggins is born.
2911 1311 Fell Winter : wolves invade the Shire by crossing the frozen Brandywine.
2912 1312 The inhabitants of Dunland, starving, harrass the Dwarves of Thorin, who must leave their smithy.
2912 1312 Argonui, father of Arador, dies.
1320 Adamanta Chubb and the Old Took are lost.
2929 Arathorn II marries Gilraen
2930 Arador is killed
2931 Aragorn is born
2933 Arathorn II is killed
2934 1334 Belladona Took dies.
2941 1341 Gandalf organises the expédition of Erebor Bilbo is convinced to join this hasardous adventure…
2942 1342 Bilbo comes back from the Erebor quest with the One Ring.
2968 1368 Frodo Baggins is born.
2980 1380 Frodo Baggins is adopted by his uncle after the drowning of his parents.
Epistolary correspondenceLetter of october, 23rd 1247To the attention of Gandalf the Grey, Wizard
Prancing Pony Inn,
In the care of Marlowan Butterbur,
Bree in Breeland
Tuckborrough, the twentieth and third day of the month of October of the year One Thousand and two hundreds and fourty and seven of the Shire Reckonning.
My dear Gandalf,
We have sufficiently explored the countryside together, in the four farthings of my beloved Shire and outside, for me not to illustrate the signs that oppress my heart about the future of the country. I have a feeling that my little folk may not stand forever outside the events of his time, which seem to announce worse than they were. That is why I thought I would develop further our relationships with the rangers.
Their leader, you had introduced to me, proved far more prolific and visionary than what you had warned me. His knowledge of the outside world and his beliefs have affected me. This people is deep, its roots are older than ours; hence I rule they see farther. We agreed that the links of the Shire with our neighbors should be strengthened and developed. We can do it, neither is our country without assets, nor Hobbits without resources. We need to count on an organized kingdom of men and not, as now, a few hamlets of farmers, whose sense of community stops down the village street.
Therefore I wish to make arrangements to help the rangers reunite what they can from the urban areas to the East and South of the Shire. The main clans will provide for a small part of their income and reserves to pursue several ways. First, we must strengthen the militia under the command of the Thain, under the leadership of the fittest and most influential Hobbits. Then we shall endeavor to promote exchanges with our immediate neighbors, based on our unique know-how. Weights and measures will be harmonized according to the ancient royal measures again. The Dúnedain will bring a good amount of gold to start trade and currency unification. Finally it will take the most prominent families, to agree and promote these changes by reassuring Hobbits by their personal commitment and individual links to be weaved with our neighbors.
I am well aware that these changes will disrupt the peaceful life of our beloved Shire. Our artisans and farmers will get down to business! But I will see to ensure our independence and prosperity.
In this mixture of fear and excitement, I have worked to win some clan chieftains to this cause. The recent and premature deaths of Adalard Bophin and Ambertin Weasel, my closest partners, have prevented me from completing the first step of creating a common pool of grains. But my perpetual opponent Beroad Brandybuck took this setback to mock my views and stir distrust among the other clan chiefs, about what comes from the outside. This Old Fox knows the rangers as well as I do, but he discredits for the sole purpose of harming me. My excellent relationship with Harold Hornblower suddenly found itself compromised recently, for some unknown reason – he even regularly offered me his rolled leaves! Here is another ally to regain or replace...
So now I have to deal with an opposition led by Beroad at the meeting of the Shire clan chiefs. I was hoping to turn to the younger generation, but this Old Pustular managed to win to his views, my own nephew Bullybras, the grand-son of the Bullroarer, who begins to challenge my authority within the Took clan. I shall not give up the Thain's office to this puppy, unable to convene a council, though manipulated he might be!
So I meant to keep you informed of my efforts and intentions, even if my views and deeds were temporarily held in check or turned by my peers. But I begin to think I underestimated the visceral need for peace and serenity of my dear Hobbits. Confidence in my authority crumbles for reasons that I have to analyze and for which I would like a sparkle of your lights. I fear indeed I have to put order in my own home.
Yours always faithfully Fortimbras Took, Thain of the Shire
Letter of april 18th, 1248To the attention of Gandalf the Grey, Wizard
Post Office, Michel Delving in the Shire
Tuckborrough, the tenth and eighth day of the month of April of the year One thousand and two hundreds and fourty and eight of the Shire Reckonning.
Very estimated Gandalf,
As I wrote in my last letter, Bullybras has publicly attacked my reputation through the escapades of my offspring. You certainly know that my eldest Gerontius, who will reach the age of majority in eight years, is believed not to be the most valiant among the Hobbits of his generation. He is clothed so extravagant and expensive. He has not yet his letters at his age! By contrast he counts pretty well, but too often for his sole benefit or to the detriment of my partners. He does nothing useful with his time and lingers in every inn of the country.
But above all, he flirts with many young Hobbit-girls, some of which let themselves be dishonored with a passive complicity or - have I been assured - an active and guilty delight, and unfortunately notoriously... even girls from good family! I have heard he collected conquests, using to remember or brag, colored feathers in his hat! I finally understood why I was deprived of the friendship of the old Harold Hornblower: his daughter Priscilla is one of the most fervent and active admirers of my seducing son.
None of this would have happened in my time! While it is true that my formidable father has given to me the Thain office, it is the scoundrel son of me who overwhelmed me with the burden of fatherness... now I fear he will deprive me, and himself, of the said office! And generally the unruly behavior, jokes and recklessness of my son badly affect my authority and my reputation.
To my great regret, it seems to me essential that Gerontius should be sent away for a while. I urgently need to regain control of the Took assembly. And secondly this young Hobbit must now learn that life is not just a succession of jokes and somersaults without consequences. I can not thank you enough, if you would be so kind as to take this brat under your wing for a few months. Iron discipline and a few well-deserved lessons would benefit him. May you succeed where I have failed to instill a sense of duty to my son, for I was too busy with the affairs of the Tooks and Hobbits, except his own. Above all, may you bring him back healthy and whole, to his mother and me.
Your grateful Fortimbras Took, Thain of the Shire
PS You will find below a bill of exchange, to cover the incidental expenses my son will not fail, I'm sure, to cause you. With renewed thanks, F. Took
The will of Master Gerontius Took,nicknamed as Gerry and also known as the Old Took, entrusted to Masters Grubb, Grubb and Grubb.
I, Gerontius Took, son of Fortimbras, Thain of the Shire and Thain after him, whereas death is certain and uncertain its time, and meaning not to be caught without having disposed of my last wishes, I did this present will as it follows after considering the lightness of the needs of our souls to face the great mystery of mortals.
First of all I shall dispel the nonsense developed about my name. You are probably wondering why I was adorned with the estonishing, if not ridiculous name of Gerontius. Here is the whole story. My poor mother had suffered much during the pregnancy that would lead to my birth. I was her first child, so she had not yet experience in that field, nor the support of her mother, who had stayed away in the East, although she was to produce numerous offspring. Continual nausea, repeated pain, the obligation to stay in bed after the fifth month, multiple complications and hassles, had pushed her to the limit. To top it all, my birth lasted almost twenty-four hours. When I saw the light, my parents were particularly struck by my crumpled appearance. The Hobbit midwife repeated in vain that a long work was the alone cause, but they were somewhat shocked by my appearance. A wizard of their knowledge, who was passing by, said this was the sign of an unusual destiny. To ward off this particularly dark and ominous omen and reassure my mother, exhausted and in tears, my father decreed that such a strenuous work and a considerable suffering necessarily induced a very long life, that was confirmed by my early elderly appearance. Hence, to ensure that prediction, they named me Gerontius, Hobbit with a long life. May they be thanked since my life was certainly long and successful despite the villainies and blunders I happened to commit... It goes without saying that I also lost my rumpled appearance rather quickly, even if it finally came back later.
By the present act, the Old Took, who was old at birth, reminds everyone of one's duty to cultivate one's youth and shares between all, his faith in your own hope.
Item, I give and bequeath, in full agreement with my lovely wife Adamanta, the treasures ceded to the Museum of Great Smials, provided said Adamanta and I retain prior enjoyment of the premises to our demise. May the confirmation of this donation help to teach the younger generations, and may the treasures it contains open their agile minds to the mysteries of the past and the outside world! I order to be engraved on the frontispiece, special thanks to my grandfather and my wife, who were until now the main providers of the wonders stored in the building.1
Item, my eldest son Isengrin I entrust with the responsibility of Thain office of the Shire and captain of Hobbitery-in-arms. May he help our neighbors in need and bring our arms to victory. The common areas of Tookburrough are his, as the inalienable prerogative of the chief line of our Clan.
Item, to all my sons I prescribe to follow the military teaching of the rangers of the north. They are charged to pass on their knowledge to shiriffes of the four farthings, show exemplary willingness in arms and defending our beloved country till the Return of the King2.
Item under conditional secret codicil attached to this testament, I give and bequeath personal property to each of the twelve children of Avacuna, one of the Smials excavated on the outskirts of Tuckborough, Alley of Old Offsprings. Added are the mills, lands and forests related.
Item, I give and bequeath the sum of two thousand silver crowns, once paid, I want to be put in the hands of master Mungo Baggins, my seal-warden notary, to be used following my intentions by said Mungo, to forge weapons of war and keep them in condition to serve the cause of Hobbits and their protectors, which deeds he is to give account to the Thain in charge.
Item, I give and bequeath clothes, towels and furniture for children, and all items relegated in the main Tuckborough storeroom, to the mayor of Michel Delving, for him to allocate the aforesaid goods following the immediate needs of the poorest Hobbits of the four farthings, by trusting his good faith, his tact and his conscience for the purpose.
Item, I give and bequeath to Miss Brouet the sum of two thousand silver crowns I intend an annuity being constituted for her private gain. To her son Geriadoc Brouet I give and bequeath the sum of one thousand crowns, once paid.
Item, to my dear North Took cousins, I give and bequeath my old leather armchair of thick buffalo of Rhûn, that I used in the courtroom of my father, in hope that the itching rash that makes them continually suffer from not being able to sit in my place, would find a definite cure.
Item, I give and bequeath to my dear cousin Bullybras, the descendant of the Bullroarer, my fedora, together with some colored feathers, in hope one day he may learn to count... for someone. May this hat also give him the measure of what a Hobbit's head should prevent overtaking by swelling!
Item, I give and bequeath the sum of five hundred silver crowns, once paid, to be used to establish in marriage, poor young Hobbit-girls, that my eldest daughter Hildegarde will choose in each village of Tuckborough, Crossings, Hobbiton, Bywater and Beyond-the Hill, at the rate of one hundred crowns each, once paid.
Item, I give and bequeath to Marmadoc Brandybuck, my highest and fruitful consideration, paid each year3. In addition is vested to him the black leather portfolio of the Took, to collect the titles of this annual consideration.
Item, I give and bequeath to Abelar Proudfoot, the dwarven clock that counted the hours in the boardroom, in hope it arrives on time! 4
Item, I give and bequeath to Muggy Boffin, my last box of vintage brooks bottles. 5
Item, I give and bequeath to Scribouille Bunce, my kit of books repair and maintenance. 6
Item, I give and bequeath to Longburrow Snory, two goose feather pillows, if he ever runs out of arguments.7
Item, I give and bequeath to Robina Woodrasp, my book of Elvish recipe, provided she maintains the tradition of these dishes at the tables of her Green Dragon Inn. 8
Item, I give and bequeath to Whoopy Fallground, a rosewood bowls set, offered by the men of the Brandywine. 9
Item, I give and bequeath to Joly Goodbody10, the elvish clothing I wore on my wedding confirmation, completed with pheasant feathers from the last drive.
Item, I give and bequeath to each of the gardeners, maids, stable boys and drovers who are in my service on the day of my departure, a month of their wages, besides and above what is due to them that day. Commitment is made to all the aforesaid, by the Took heir, to employ them for at least a year.
Item, I give and bequeath to share between my daughters, sheets, shirts, linens, silverware and jewelry from the winter reserves.
Item, I give and bequeath to the foundation of the daughters of Nienna, a charitable order11 in Caras Celairnen, beyond the towers that stand below the high downs, the sum of two thousand crowns, under the condition the ladies of the order should greet, to teach them, three young Hobbit-girls, chosen by my daughters Belladonna, Donamira and Mirabella.
Item I renew and grant forever to our dear friend and greatest protector, the wizard Gandalf the Grey, the right to come and go through the Shire and advise us. I invite my heirs to listen and follow his advice, both in opulence and in need. He will be provided with board and lodging by any descendant of my body mentioned in this will, as much as under the duty of hospitality, as in deference to my friend and advisor.
I call and elect my revered wife, Adamanta Chubb, who formerly called herself Avacuna, depositary of the usufruct of all my other goods, which go, after our departure, to our descendants, according to the custom of equal bonuses.
To execute and accomplish my will, I call and choose Masters Grubb, Grubb and Grubb, I require to diligent. Following is a secret codicil which I ordered to restrict direct reading to my children, under the patronage of the wizard Gandalf the Grey, otherwise known as Mithrandir or the Grey Pilgrim12. Compliance with these additional provisions is a condition precedent of the rights granted to them by this will. I revoke any will or codicil that I could have done before this present one, to which I stop, as my last will and intention. May the gifts and recommendations I bestowed here, prove anybody that I am still in full command of my wits.
At Tookborough, at mid-year one thousand and three hundred and eleven of the Shire Reckonning.
Secret codicil to be read solely to the children of Adamanta Chubb.Believing I should prevent this terrible time, by an exhibition of my conduct. Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that hobbit is who believes his native village to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow. 13
Among all my deeds, including my missteps, considering all my sinful thoughts - since intention is guilt and crime. 14 - there is an action which I ignore still, after all these years, whether it was right or pernicious. A long time ago, I retracted a theft from a thief before he was discovered. The thief was a dear friend and a valued captain, I protected with my silence throughout my life. Although we were several to carry this burden, the heavy duty is up to me now, to surrender his due to each one, lest the good will of free people, who should ally, disperse in deadly quarrels.
Throughout our common life, my beloved wife carried this theft around her neck, a necklace of great value. This loan must now be given back to the Dwarves of Dùrin - in order of preference, if it is possible to find him, Thorin Oakenshield will be the custodian of this item. By default Dain from the Iron Hills will receive wardship. As ultimate wardens, the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains will do, provided they do not belong to the tribe of Stiffbeards.
I order that my heirs meet in council and appoint three of them, who will be responsible to fulfill that will. The refund will be evidenced by an enforceable third party, such as Gandalf the Grey Wizard or any other witness of high rank, undoubted morality and unquestionable integrity.
Subject to which the property listed in the opening will, will be distributed to my heirs.
Notes about distance unitsThe units most frequently used in this book and their equivalence in the international metric system :
Imperial british system
Unit Name Correspondance Modern Equivalence
A continental palm (a closed palm) 4 fingers Or 3 thumbs 8,165 cm
A palm (a hand) 55 lines 12,4 cm
A link 66/100 feet or 1/100 chain 20,12 cm
A foot - Feet 4 palms, 12 thumbs, 16 digits 30,48 cm
A cubit 1 foot ½, 6 palms, 24 fingers 45,72 cm
A yard 3 feet 91,44 cm
A fathom (nautical) 2 yards = 6 feet 1,83 m
A perch, pole, rod 66/4 feet, 11/2 yard 5,03 m
A chain 22 yards = 4 rods 20,12 m
A cable (nautical) 100 fathoms 182,88m
A furlong 220 yards 201,17m
A mile 8 furlongs 1,609 km
A nautical mile 1760 yards, 10 cables 1,829 km
A league 3 miles 4,827 km
WarningsThis prose tries to maintain some consistency with the books of JRR Tolkien, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and as far as possible the Silmarillion. Careful readers of these works may find contradictions. The author would be happy to discuss, especially if the confrontation of ideas would allow to consider other books! Unfortunately the requirement of anonymity imposed by laws that protect intellectual creation, will not allow this fruitful exchange...
It goes without saying that the author does not necessarily adhere to certain tastes or theories developed by Pr. Tolkien. This is particularly the case for considerations about tobacco and its virtues, if we assume that "pipe-weed" is actually real tobacco. However we have tried to stick to some consistency, if not enthusiasm, even in these subjects.
ThanksHats off to our friend "Zeb" Christophe, who had got, thirty years or so, the idea of a Hobbit pursued because he fled, and vice versa.
Many thanks to the patient and assiduous reviewers: my old friends Thibaut, tireless and caring, author of several riddles, Edward for his silver cosmologic remarks and Victoria for her compelling logical arguments.
A special thought for Miss Strubb, my college French teacher, who introduced us to reading delights and literature treasures.
Finally I would like to thank my family for their patience and participation, and especially my daughters who inspired both small giant. The reader surely noticed that the mother is the only sane person in the giants family!
1 As you can see here, the Hobbitic design of a will intimately mixed legacy of property, transmission of lore or family history, and making wishes for the future. It is as much a spiritual as a patrimony heritage... As shown in the following, it may also be an opportunity to settle some very old scores...
2 This line seems premonitory… In fact this expression meant "forever", since the return of a king was seen as an impossible, at best very unlikely event.
3 Marmadoc, the stout Brandybuck clan chief, often showed cautious in expenses. Jokes about his avarice were many.
4 Abelar was known for arrivinf late at the clan chiefs council.
5 Muggy, great connoisseur of local and afar vintages, usually does not drink water…
6 Scribouille, a self-taught scholar, ever borrowed books to the Old Took. He gave them back with punctuality, but stained with spots of butter and with a dog-eared page out of three, which irritated the old Hobbit at the highest point!
7 Snory had the reputation of a loud and deep sleeper.
8 Robina is the most gourmand Hobbit-Woman at the time of the Old Took, and a famous cook.
9 Whoopy Fallground was known for his clumsyness. Whenever he was invited for tea, he broke a cup or another piece of the set.
10 Joly spent most of his time in front of the mirror.
11 Lady Luinloth lately retired in a refuge of the Dùnedain, where several Hobbit-girls were sent to be trained. Gerry and Avacuna came once to visit the lady.
12 Gerontius's adversaries made allegations about this name, pretending this Pilgrim, which is vagabond in the piece of information, could not stand for a valuable witness, least for a moral guarantor!
13 Mary Shelley. Frankenstein. With the slight change that this author used men and town instead of hobbit and village !
14 Aristotle