Thain

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"Thain" is a common variant spelling of "Thane" or "Thegn", an Anglo-Saxon term for a minor noble, probably best known for its use in Shakespeare's Macbeth.

In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, the Thain was the traditional military leader of the Hobbits of the Shire.

The Hobbits first chose a Thain to rule them when Arvedui, last King of Arnor, died. The title (more commonly spelt "thane" in modern English) comes from Old English thegn; Tolkien used this language to represent the ancestral speech of the Hobbits.

Over time the Thain became a hereditary position, originally held by the Oldbuck Clan. Since 1740 SR, the Thainship has remained within the powerful Took clan.

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

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 Elessar.

Since the Thain ruled in the place of the King, in principle his office was equal to the Ruling Steward of Gondor, albeit in power over a much smaller area.

[edit] List of Thains of the Shire

[edit] Third Age

• Bucca of the Marish (first Thain, elected after Arvedui of Arnor died in 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 2340)
• Eight Took Thains (including an Isengrim I, Isumbras II, Ferumbras 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 2672)
• Isumbras Took III (became 23rd Thain in 2672)
• Ferumbras Took II (24th Thain); older brother of Bullroarer Took.
• Fortinbras Took I (25th Thain)
• Gerontius Took, the Old Took (26th Thain in 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 3015)
• Paladin II Took (became 31st Thain in 3015, cousin of Ferumbras III)

[edit] Fourth Age

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

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