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Hamfast "The Gaffer" Gamgee in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.

Hamfast Gamgee

Biographical information

Other names

The Gaffer, Ranugad Galbasi^[1]

Titles

Date of birth

TA 2926 (SR 1326)^[2]

Year ascended to the throne

Date of death

FO 7 (SR 1428)^[3]

Realms ruled

Spouse

Bell Goodchild

Weapon

Physical description

Race

Hobbit

Culture

Shire-hobbits

Gender

Male

Height

Hair color

Brown, later gray

Eye color

Peter Jackson's Film Trilogy

Actor

Norman Forsey

Voice

Character

"That's for Frodo. That's for The Shire. And that's for my old Gaffer!"

—Samwise Gamgee, Return Of The King

Hamfast "the Gaffer" Gamgee was a Hobbit of the Shire and a gardener by trade in Middle-earth and father of Samwise Gamgee.

BiographyEdit

Hamfast was the son of Hobson "Roper" Gamgee. He married Bell Goodchild, with whom he had six children, including Samwise Gamgee. He was a gardener on the Baggins property at Bag End for many years. He was frequently consulted for his knowledge of root vegetables (generally over a pint at the local inn). As the time of Bilbo Baggins's birthday party drew near, he was also in demand for his stories of Bilbo and his family. He didn't particularly like Sandyman the miller.

On the evening that Frodo Baggins left Bag End, the Gaffer encountered a Black Rider asking about Frodo. He told the Rider that Frodo had gone to Bucklebury. He later reported the conversation to his son Sam, who in turn told Frodo about it.

During the Scouring of the Shire, the Gaffer was turned out of his hole at Number Three, Bagshot Row, as Sam saw in Galadriel's mirror. Farmer Cotton helped look after him, sharing food against the Rules that Sharkey made up. When Sam arrived back in the Shire, he was rather disbelieving of his son's adventures and disapproving of Sam's wearing "ironmongery." Once the Shire had been cleaned up, he was restored to Number Three of the new, brick-lined holes in the hill where he was well-looked after by Widow Rumble. As he often said after that, "It's an ill wind as blows nobody no good, as I always say. And all's well as ends Better!" He was a child at this time. Also in the game it is said he would play hide and seek with the other hobbit children.

EtymologyEdit

The Hamfast means 'stay-at-home' or 'Home-fast' in the hobbit's own language and is translated into Westron Ranugad Galbasi.

Portrayal in AdaptationsEdit

Hamfast is portrayed in The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series) and is voiced by John Church. Hamfast Gamgee is played by Norman Forsey. Hamfast appeared as a child in The Hobbit (2003 video game).

In the Fellowship game he appears as an NPC and his conversation with the Black Rider on the hill is witnessed.

Behind the Scenes regarding the NicknameEdit

The word Gaffer means the chief electrician, in a film production. It is also a historical and contemporary British colloqualism that refers to an overseer or boss, who is often older than his subordinates. (Tolkien was more likely thinking of the latter definition when he gave Sam's father his nickname.)

ReferencesEdit

1. ↑ The Lord of the Rings pg. 1136
2. ↑ The Lord of the Rings pg. 1105
3. ↑ The Lord of the Rings pg. 1105

External linkEdit

• Hamfast Gamgee at Tolkien Gateway