The Mayor of Michel Delving or the Mayor of the Shire was an important title among the Hobbits of the the Shire.

The Mayor was the leader of Michel Delving, a town in the White Downs. Usually elected but also the position can be a birthright. The mayor also presided over large events where leadership is wanted or necessary.

HistoryEdit

The Mayor of Michel Delving was elected for seven-year terms. He was the only official in the Shire to be elected, unlike the hereditary title of the Thain. He was chosen at the Free Fair at the Lithe, held every seven years at the White Downs. His primary duty was to preside at banquets during Shire-holidays.

The Mayor of Michel Delving's importance had increased during the late Third Age, as the office accumulated the roles of Postmaster and First Shirriff. Thus the Mayor managed the Messenger Service and the Watch. The office of Mayor had become the most important position in the Shire and its title-holder the only real official in the Shire, so that the position was also known as Mayor of the Shire. The town of Michel Delving became Shire's seat of government.

Will Whitfoot was the mayor at the time of the War of the Ring, however he was imprisoned by Saruman in the Lockholes. Frodo Baggins acted as Deputy Mayor while Mayor Will Whitfoot recovered from his imprisonment in the Lockholes.

Beginning in FO 13 (SR 1434), King Elessar made the Mayor along with the offices of the Thain and Master of Buckland counsellors of the North-kingdom. Sam Gamgee was elected Mayor of the Shire seven times between FO 55 (SR 1427) and SR 1476 of the Shire Reckoning.

ReferencesEdit

• The Lord of the Rings: Prologue, "Of the Ordering of the Shire" pg. 10
• The Lord of the Rings: The Grey Havens pg. 1021
• The Lord of the Rings: Appendix B pg. 1097
• The Complete Guide to Middle-earth

External linkEdit

• Mayor of Michel Delving at Tolkien Gateway