The Shire of the Hobbits: Famous Brandybucks

Famous Brandybucks

Bucca of the Marish After the last King of the North-kingdom died in SR 374 (TA 1974) Bucca of the Marish was chosen from among the hobbit chiefs to be the first Thain of the Shire. He was made the Thain in SR 379 (TA 1979).

Gorhendad Oldbuck of the Marish began the building of Brandy Hall in the newly founded Buckland around SR 740. He also changed the name of the family to Brandybuck, presumably because they were the Oldbucks on the other side of the Brandywine.

Gorbadoc Brandybuck or Old Master Gorbadoc was famous for setting a generous table. His nickname was "Broadbelt". He lived from 1260 - 1363. His wife was Mirabella Took, the youngest daughter of the Old Took. Their children were Rorimac "Goldfather" Brandybuck or Old Rory, Amaranth, Saradas, Dodinas, Asphodel, Dinodas, and Primula. Old Rory was the father of Saradoc and the grandfather of Meriadoc Brandybuck. Primula Brandybuck married Drogo Baggins and became the mother of Frodo Baggins. More than a couple of hundred relatives were said to live at Brandy Hall during his time. Drogo, Primula, and Frodo Baggins were his guests in SR 1380 when Drogo and Primula drowned in the Brandywine River.

Primula Brandybuck (1320 - 1380) was the youngest daughter of Gorbadoc 'Broadbelt' Brandybuck (1260 - 1363) and Mirabella Took. Gorbadoc and Mirabella had 7 children: Rorimac 'Goldfather' Brandybuck (1302 - 1408), Amaranth (1304 - 1398), Saradas (1308 - 1407), Dodinas, Asphodel (1313 - 1412), Dinodas, and Primula (1320 - 1380). Primula married Drogo Baggins (1308 - 1380) and gave birth to their only child, Frodo Baggins (1368 - c1421). Drogo Baggins was fond of the food at Brandy Hall so they spent much of their married life at Brandy Hall as the guests of Primula's parents. They were staying at Brandy Hall when the 60-year-old Primula and the 72-year-old Drogo went boating on the Brandywine River and drowned. Frodo was 12.

Meriadoc Brandybuck was the son of Saradoc Brandybuck and Esmeralda Took. He was born in 1382. He seems to have been an only child. He had a first cousin on his father's side, Berilac Brandybuck (born 1380), the son of his uncle Merimac, but seems to have been closer to his other first cousin, Peregrin Took (born 1390). Merry was also great friends with Frodo Baggins (born 1368). He was Frodo Baggins' first cousin once removed (on Frodo's mother's side).

In 1418 he became one of the Travellers, as they were known in the Shire (one of the Fellowship of the Ring). He was 37. During his time in Rohan he gained the name, Holdwine. He returned in 1419 a changed and very tall hobbit. In time he married Estella Bolger (born 1385). Meriadoc the Magnificent became the Master of Buckland in SR 1432. He was sent gifts by King Eomer and Lady Eowyn of Ithilien. Soon after, in 1434, King Elessar made the new Thain (Pippin), the Master of Buckland (Merry Brandybuck), and the Mayor (who was then Samwise Gamgee), Counsellors of the North-kingdom.

In the Spring of SR 1484, word came to Buckland that King Eomer wished to see Master Holdwine (Merry Brandybuck) again. Persumably, Estella had died by this point. The 102-year old Merry spoke with Pippin and the two relinquished their positions to their sons and then traveled to Edoras, where they were with King Eomer when he passed on that autumn. Then Merry and Pippin traveled to Gondor. They died there and were buried in Rath Dinen before March 1, SR 1541, when King Elessar died. Legolas and perhaps Gimli then left Middle Earth and sailed over the Sea.

From: The Lord of the Rings, and The Peoples of Middle Earth.

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Updated January 3, 2012