The Thain was the title give to the traditional military leader of the Hobbits of the Shire after the fall of Fornost and the Dúnedain Kingdom of Arthedain in the mid-Third Age.

History Edit

The Hobbits first chose a Thain to rule them when Arvedui, the last King of Arthedain, died. Over time, the Thain became a hereditary position, originally held by the Oldbuck Clan. Since TA 2340 (SR 740), the Thainship has remained within the powerful Took clan from then and well beyond into Fourth Age.

Other rulers of the Shire include the Master of Buckland and the Mayor of Michel Delving in the White Downs, as well as in the Fourth Age the Warden of Westmarch, a position created by King Aragorn II Elessar.

Origins of the Title Edit

"Thain" is a variant spelling of the Old English "thegn", an Anglo-Saxon designation for a minor noble, probably best known for its use in Shakespeare's Macbeth. While more commonly spelt "thane" in modern English), Tolkien used the older variant to represent the ancestral speech of the Hobbits.

In the Fourth Age the title in Sindarin was Ernil i Pheriannath (Prince of the Halflings), after Peregrin Took became the Thain.

List of Thains of the Shire Edit

Third Age Edit

• Bucca of the Marish, an Oldbuck (first Thain, elected after Arvedui of Arnor died in TA 1979)
• Ten Thains of the Oldbuck line (called themselves Oldbuck after Bucca)
• Gorhendad Oldbuck (12th Thain, crossed over to Buckland and surrendered the Thainship)
• Isumbras Took I (became 13th Thain and first of the Took line in TA 2340)
• Eight Took Thains (including an Isengrim I, Isumbras II, Ferumbras Took I, and Paladin I)
• Isengrim Took II (became 22nd Thain during the rule of Arahad II, Chieftain of the Dúnedain. 10th Thain of the Took line. Died TA 2672)
• Isumbras Took III (became 23rd Thain in TA 2672)
• Ferumbras Took II (24th Thain); older brother of Bandobras "Bullroarer" Took.
• Fortinbras Took I (25th Thain)
• Gerontius Took, the Old Took (26th Thain in TA 2848)
• Isengrim Took III (27th Thain)
• Isumbras Took IV (28th Thain)
• Fortinbras Took II (29th Thain)
• Ferumbras III Took (became 30th Thain, died childless in TA 3015)
• Paladin Took II (became 31st Thain in TA 3015, cousin of Ferumbras III)

Fourth Age Edit

• Peregrin "Pippin" Took I (became 32nd Thain in 13 Fourth Age, abdicated 63)
• Faramir Took I (became 33rd Thain after his father left for Gondor in FO 63)

The line of Thains continued in the Fourth Age of Arda until the end of the Shire.

External linkEdit

• Thain at Tolkien Gateway