Concerning Hobbits

Hobbits are the smallest people of Middle Earth, being on average 3 foot 6 inches high (ranging from 2 feet to 4 feet high.) Hobbits live approximately 100 years, and are considered an adult at 33. Their ears are slightly pointed, and they have large, tough feet with leathery soles and do not wear shoes. While they do not grow beards, they do grow thick hair on their feet – which they are very proud of and groom it well. Hobbit like to dress nicely and prefer bright colors with the women wearing multiple petticoats and full skirts that show off their beautiful foot hair, and the men wearing waistcoats, cravats, and short trousers.

Hobbits love green and growing things, and have very little interest in gold, gems, and power. They are content to live in their underground homes, called smials, and to eat, drink, and be merry. Hobbits typically eat seven meals a day, Breakfast, Second Breakfast, Elevensies, Luncheon, Afternoon Tea, Dinner, and Supper – and they will never say no to a late night snack! One of their favorite foods is mushrooms, and a popular pastime for hobbit children (faunts) is to go on mushroom hunting parties.

Hobbits marry once, and do not divorce. They typically have large families, with six children being common, while a dozen is not unheard of. They keep in close contact with all of their relatives, and are all related to each other in one way or another.

Hobbits very rarely travel, a trip to another village in the Shire, or to the closest town of men, Bree, is far enough for them. They distrust strangers and “Outsiders” (i.e. men, elves, dwarves) and are largely self-sufficient, with little trade or contact with the other races of Arda.

While Hobbits are a peace-loving people they are excellent marksmen, and often use slings, stones, and bows to bring down small game. Although they have no standing army, Shire lore says that they contributed a troop of archers to the Battle of Fornost to help defeat the Witch King of Angmar. Hobbits are also skilled at moving quietly, their soft, unshod feet and small stature allowing them to go unnoticed.

Bilbo Baggins was born on September 22 in the year 2890 (Shire Reckoning). He was the only son of Bungo Baggins and Belladonna Took. Bag End, the Baggins home, was a wedding gift for Belladonna, and Bilbo lived there for almost all of his life. His parents both died early, leaving Bilbo the Master of Bag End, and a wealthy and well-respected gentleman at the time of the Unexpected Journey.

In TA 2941, when Bilbo was 50 (about 35 for a human) Gandalf the Grey visited him at Bag End, looking for a hobbit to go on an adventure. Bilbo, being a fine, upstanding hobbit, naturally refused, bidding the wizard “Good Morning” and retreating into his home.