The Water, short for the Shire-water,[1] was an important river in the Shire.[2]
Geography
The Water arose to the north-west of Needlehole where it turned to flow to the south. After a short distance at the Rushock Bog it split into two branches, which soon rejoined and then turned eastwards, southwards and again eastwards before Hobbiton.[2] Before flowing through Hobbiton the Water was quite narrow and could be crossed by a narrow plank bridge, and was shadowed by alder-trees.[3] From there, it flowed through Hobbiton and on into the Bywater Pool at Bywater, where it was joined by a stream from the north. From then on, it flowed eastward alongside the East Road, which ran through the Water-valley.[4] North of Frogmorton it split again into two branches that rejoined after a short distance. It continued eastwards where it could be crossed at the Budge Ford by the village of Budgeford[5] and then continued eastwards to join the Brandywine just north of the Brandywine Bridge.[2]
Inspiration
The naming of the Water may be a parody of some sorts of Celtic hydronyms that mean simply "river" or "water".[6]
Portrayal in adaptations
2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- The Water originates in the mountains of southerns Evendim and flows past Long Cleeve and Nobottle before reaching Needlehole.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings", in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 66
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Part of the Shire" map
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Three is Company", p. 71
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Three is Company", p. 71 and p. 77
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings", in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, entry Budgeford, p. 119
- ↑ Mark T. Hooker, A Tolkienian Mathomium, pp. 65-68.