The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Established as the Shire's western border in III 1601; incorporated fully into the Shire in IV 31
Location
Between the Tower Hills and the White Downs
Race
Culture
Settlements
Meaning
'Far' refers to the furthest western extent of the lands settled by the Shire-hobbits1

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About this entry:

  • Updated 19 February 2007
  • Updates planned: 2

Far Downs

The western borderland of the Shire

Map of the Far Downs
The Far Downs and surrounding country (partially conjectural)
The Far Downs and surrounding country (partially conjectural)

The downlands that marked the western borders of the Shire, forty leagues (one hundred and twenty miles) westward from the Brandywine Bridge. Of their geography almost nothing is known, except that the town of Greenholm seems to have been built among the Downs. It was from here that Fastred of Greenholm came, the first Warden of the Westmarch that lay between the Far Downs and, still further westward, the Tower Hills.


Notes

1

In the year IV 31 (or 1452 by the Shire Reckoning), the western border of the Shire was extended to reach the Tower Hills. After this time the Far Downs were fully enclosed within the Shire, and no longer marked its western extent.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 19 February 2007
  • Updates planned: 2

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