Brandybuck family
The Brandybuck Family began as the Oldbuck clan, who named themselves such apparently after a Bucca of the Marish, who became the first Thain of the Shire. Ten Oldbuck Thains followed, until Gordenhad Oldbuck, the twelveth Thain, migrated into Buckland over the river Brandywine.
Gordenhad renamed himself Brandybuck, and began delving the great smials of Brandy Hall. Around the hill was built the village of Bucklebury.
Stoorish characteristics and appearance remained among the Brandybucks, who formed a powerful dynasty which became mostly independent of the Shire, although Buckland remained nominally a part of it. They were seen as 'odd folk' by the other Hobbits of the Shire because they locked their doors at night (because of the exposure to the Old Forest).
The head of the family was the Master of Buckland, one of the officials of the Shire. This office was founded by Gorhendad Brandybuck. It was traditional for each of the Masters to have an epigraph attached to their names, such as Gorbadoc "Broadbelt", Saradoc "Scattergold", and the most famous, Meriadoc Brandybuck the Magnificent. Like the Thain and Warden of Westmarch, the Master had only nominal authority.
Family Tree of the Brandybucks of Buckland
Showing the prominent members of the Brandybuck clan.[1] The figures after the names are those of birth (and death where that is recorded). A dashed line indicates marriage, or when extended vertically, indicates a line of descent with one or more generations not shown. Names in italics signify those who attended Bilbo's Farewell Party on 22 September S.R. 1401. Names in parentheses represent significant hobbits related to the Brandybucks.
Family Tree Notes
- ↑ Of the Marish, c. S.R. 740 began building Brandy Hall and changed the family name to Brandybuck
- ↑ Known as 'Old Rory'
- ↑ Drogo and Primula went boating on the Brandywine River and drowned together.
Etymology
The name contains the elements of Brandywine and Oldbuck. It is a translation of Westron Brandagamba.
Inspiration
Brandybuck is a rare English name which Tolkien had come across.[3]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix C, "Brandybuck of Buckland"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Long-expected Party"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 754