The Shire: Hobbits and Their Defense in 'The Lord of the Rings'
In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, the Shire is a peaceful and idyllic region inhabited by Hobbits. While the Hobbits possess a form of defense, they do not have a formal army in the traditional sense. This article explores the Shire's defenses and how they reflect the Hobbits' peaceful nature.
No Strict Army in the Shire
The events of The Lord of the Rings unfold in a time of relative tranquility for the Shire, a place where Hobbits prefer to live in harmony and avoid conflict whenever possible. However, this does not mean they lack any form of defense. In the Shire, the concept of an army as we understand it today is foreign to Hobbit culture. The Hobbits have no standing military, nor do they have a large-scale organized defense force. Instead, they rely on simpler and more informal methods to protect their home.
The Shirriffs and Covert Defense
During the events of The Lord of the Rings, the Shire had a police force, known as the Shirriffs. These were more akin to haywardsmen, who were tasked primarily with managing stray animals and maintaining local order. The Shirriffs were not formally uniformed; instead, a feather in their caps distinguished them. The total number of Shirriffs was limited to just twelve, a fraction of what might be considered adequate for a small kingdom.
The Shirriffs were deployed in three units per Farthing for "Inside Work," while a larger, flexible group was responsible for maintaining the Shire's boundaries. While they were vigilant, the Shirriffs were not a true military force.
Secret Defenses and Past Militias
Despite the absence of a formal army in the present, the Shire had a history of defensive measures, with even the Dúnedáin (a secret alliance of men) providing covert assistance. No records in the stories mention an army in the strict sense, but the Hobbits do possess a form of defense. Long before the timeline of The Lord of the Rings, there were hints of past conflicts, indirectly suggesting that the Hobbits had armed groups to protect themselves.
A notable example is the Battle of Greenfields in the year 1147 of the Shire Reckoning (S.R.), where Bandobras Took, known as the "Bullroarer," defeated an invasion of Orcs. This battle, while acknowledged, is so distant in memory that the Hobbits do not recall it definitively. Additionally, the Hobbits sent archers to assist in the war against Angmar, a conflict that might contain elements of veracity based on their historical presence in Middle-earth.
A Peaceful People with a History of Defense
The Hobbits' peaceful nature is a fundamental aspect of their culture. Throughout the tales, they display a willingness to defend their homes but maintain their tranquility. In The Lord of the Rings, other than the Battle of Greenfields, the Hobbits have not experienced any war, internal or external, for many years. Their past shows that they have encountered conflicts, including the Battle of Fornost against the Witch-lord of Angmar, although such tales are often disconnected from the records of Men.
Overall, the Shire's defense is more akin to a covert or informal militia rather than a strict army. The Hobbits, through past skirmishes and present-day Shirriffs, maintain a level of defense that reflects their love for peace and their historical resilience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Shire of The Lord of the Rings did not have a formal army, there is evidence of past defensive measures and a vigilance that has been passed down through generations. The Hobbits' defense is a blend of covert operations and a peace-loving attitude, ensuring their peace and tranquility in a world often fraught with conflict.
References
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.