Westfarthing

Westfarthing is a rural district in the Shire, the homeland of the Hobbits in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. It is one of the four traditional shires of the Shire, alongside North-kingdom, Buckland, and Eastmarch. Westfarthing is known for its rolling hills, fertile farmlands, and scattered villages. It lies to the west of the Great East Road and is bordered by the River Brandywine to the east. The chief town of Westfarthing is Michel Delving, which also serves as the administrative center for the entire Shire.

The inhabitants of Westfarthing are primarily Hobbits, who are known for their peaceful, agricultural lifestyle and their love of comfort and simple pleasures. The district is dotted with numerous Hobbit-holes, known as smials, burrowed into the sides of hills. These dwellings are often well-appointed and comfortable, reflecting the Hobbit appreciation for home and hearth. Beyond the agricultural lands, Westfarthing also contains woodlands and some wilder areas, though these are generally less densely populated than the more cultivated regions.

Historically, Westfarthing has been a place of relative peace and isolation, largely untouched by the wider conflicts of Middle-earth. However, it plays a significant role in the narrative of The Lord of the Rings, as it is the starting point for Frodo Baggins's journey to destroy the One Ring. The events that unfold in and around Westfarthing, particularly the War of the Ring's impact on the Shire, reveal the hidden strength and resilience of its Hobbit inhabitants. The district is also home to the legendary Bag End, the residence of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, which became the site of many important events.