Gerontius Took
| Gerontius Took | |
|---|---|
| Hobbit | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | Old Took |
| Location | Great Smials, Tuckborough |
| Birth | S.R. 1190 |
| Death | S.R. 1320 |
| Family | |
| Parentage | Fortinbras Took I |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Gallery | Images of Gerontius Took |
Gerontius Took (T.A. 2790 - 2920, died aged 130), also known as The Old Took because of his longevity, was a renowned Hobbit of the Shire.
History
Gerontius was the only son of Fortinbras Took I. Gerontius married Adamanta Chubb, who gave birth to twelve children:
- Isengrim III 1232 – 1330
- Hildigard 1235 – 1255
- Isumbras IV 1238 – 1339
- Hildigrim 1240 – 1341
- Isembold 1242 – 1346
- Hildifons 1244 – ?
- Isembard 1247 – 1346
- Hildibrand 1249 – 1334
- Belladonna 1252 – 1334 (Bilbo's mother)
- Donnamira 1256 – 1348
- Mirabella 1260 – 1360
- Isengar 1262 – 1360
In T.A. 2848 after the death of his father, Gerontius became the twenty-sixth Thain of the Shire. He was a friend of Gandalf the wizard, who gave him a pair of magic diamond studs, and Gerontius loved his magic fireworks, too. Gerontius Took reached the impressive age of 130, which made him the second oldest Hobbit (after Bilbo), that ever lived.
Etymology
The word element geron is Greek for old. The name Gerontius was not used because of the Hobbit's age, but because of his numerous and younger relatives.
Gerontius was also a Latin name of the Late Roman Empire, and is one of the very few Greco-Latin names appearing in Tolkiennymy. Perhaps it represents a Hobbitish name derived from Elvish.
References
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix C, "Took of Great Smials"
- Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull (eds.), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, page 54
| Preceded by: Fortinbras Took I |
26th Thain of The Shire S.R. 1248 - 1320 |
Followed by: Isengrim Took III |
