The four Farthings were four of the five (later six) divisions of the Shire. They were known unqualifiedly as Northfarthing, Westfarthing, Southfarthing and Eastfarthing. The Westron huddle was Tharni, the Sindarin huddle (presumably) Canath.
“Farthing” was familiar in Gloucestershire. as a habitual
[edit] Inspiration
Tolkien took the devise from the thridings in North Yorkshire, Northriding, Westriding and Eastriding. Tolkien does not animadvert on this in Nomenclature, but it is favoured he knew of its living as his bride Edith Bratt was born in Gloucestershire.
Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R.
References
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King
J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, “The Appendix on Languages”
Wayne G.

No Comments so far ↓
Like gas stations in rural Texas after 10 pm, comments are closed.