Holman Greenhand

From Tolkien Gateway
Holman Greenhand
Hobbit
The Hobbit (2003) Holman.png
Holman Greenhand from The Hobbit (2003 video game)
Biographical Information
PositionGardener
LocationHobbiton
BirthS.R. 1292
Family
FamilyGreenhand
ParentageHalfred Greenhand
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Holman Greenhand

Holman Greenhand was a Hobbit of the Shire, noted for being a fine gardener.

History[edit | edit source]

Holman's grandfather and namesake, Holman the greenhanded, initiated both the family name and the family profession: gardening.[1] Holman became a gardener in Hobbiton, and one of the gardens he tended was that of Bag End. Around T.A. 2941, he took on his second cousin once-removed, Hamfast Gamgee (also known as The Gaffer), as an apprentice.[2]

One morning of that spring, Gandalf visited Bag End, but found its master, Bilbo Baggins, not at home. Holman informed him that Bilbo had gone on one of his walks, as it was the Elves' new year. Holman's description of Bilbo convinced Gandalf he had found the perfect man for his mission, to re-take Erebor.[3]

When Bilbo went missing - that is, on his mission - Holman and Hamfast had their hands full in making sure the garden wasn't trampled as the place was swarming with Hobbits, hoping to get a piece of the Baggins estate.[2]

The Gaffer took over the job around T.A. 2961,[4] about which time Holman retired or died.

Holman was mentioned by the Gaffer to Ted Sandyman, in a conversation which took place at a small inn on the Bywater road called The Ivy Bush, in the year T.A. 3001; it was during this conversation that the Gaffer mentioned his relation to Holman ("him being my dad's cousin").[2]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Holman means "hole-man", and is distinct from the real-life English surname[5] which contains holm "river island" rather than hol "hole".[6]

Portrayal in Adaptation[edit | edit source]

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

Holman lives in a hut on the other side of the Water.

References