Westmarch

From Tolkien Gateway
The name Westmarch refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Westmarch (disambiguation).
General information
LocationWestern Eriador, between the Far Downs and the Tower Hills
CapitalUndertowers
People
PopulationHobbits
LanguageHobbitish
GovernanceWarden of Westmarch
History
Gifted to the ShireFo.A. 31

The Westmarch of the Shire was land that lay between the Far Downs and the Tower Hills in Eriador, west of and originally outside of the Shire. The only known town in this new district was Undertowers.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

In S.R. 1452, the Westmarch was given to the Shire-hobbits as a gift from King Elessar.[1]

At the request of Mayor Samwise, Thain Peregrin I made Fastred of Greenholm the first Warden of Westmarch in S.R. 1462. Fastred and Elanor Gardner moved to Undertowers; many other hobbits migrated to the Westmarch.[1]

The Warden kept the Red Book of Westmarch as an heirloom of the Fairbairn Family. It was long preserved at Undertowers and was the most important source for the history of the War of the Ring.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "Later Events Concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "Prologue", "Note on the Shire Records"