The Common Folk of Middle Earth Quiz

Answer: Barliman Butterbur

The Prancing Pony is frequented by the folk of the village of Bree as well as all sorts of travelers, not all of them fair. Barliman forgets to forward a message from Gandalf to Frodo Baggins and fears the retribution the wizard may have in mind for him.

Answer: Farmer Maggot

The hard working Maggot had for many years been the victim of theft as young hobbits helped themselves to his delicious mushrooms. Upon finding a young Frodo Baggins trespassing on his property he brought over his dogs and declared "See lads, next time this young varmint sets foot on my land, you can eat him."

Answer: The Gaffer

As the gardener to the famous and peculiar Bilbo Baggins for many years, The Gaffer was always a good source of information about the queer folk that visited at Bag End, and was frequently prodded for gossip at his favorite inn The Ivy Bush. His real name was Ham Gamgee.

Answer: Bill Ferny

Bill had a bad name in Bree; he assorted with odd folk and was in fact an agent for Saruman, informing him of the activities of Frodo in Bree. Despite this affiliation he was happy to make an extra profit by selling the dispirited pony to the hobbits for the outrageous price of twelve silver pennies. Eventually he was forced to leave Bree and for a short period of time was placed in charge of the Brandywine Bridge in the Shire before Frodo returned and expelled him.

Answer: Stable hands

Much abused by the busy Barliman Butterbur, both Bob and Nob were constantly out on errands for their boss. On the occasion of Frodo's visit Nob makes a passable decoy of the hobbit using a woolen mat as its head. Earlier he found the unconscious Merry Brandybuck on the roadside, having been overcome by the Black Breath.

Answer: Galion

Galion and the chief guard drink too much wine and fall asleep, allowing Bilbo to place his dwarven friends into barrels and smuggle them out of the palace and to freedom.

Answer: Bergil

Ten-year-old Bergil has not been sent off with the women, and remains in Minas Tirith with a few other boys. Bergil acts as a guide to Pippin and shows him around the city.

Answer: Ioreth

Aragorn asks first for athelas, but in Gondor the herb goes by the name kingsfoil. Ioreth says they have none of it in store within the houses of healing and she is unfamiliar with its healing properties. Aragorn sends her into the city to get him kingfoil "if there is a leaf in the City."

Answer: The Master

When Bilbo Baggins and his dwarven companions arrive in Lake-town the Master is skeptical about Thorin's claims to being "King under the Mountain", however the townsfolk believe him and the Master is glad to see the group depart Lake-town as "They were expensive to keep, and their arrival had turned things into a long holiday in which business was at a standstill."

Answer: Fredegar Bolger

Having narrowly missed being killed by the Nazgal as they searched for Frodo, Fredegar chose to stay within the borders of the Shire. He was embroiled in adventure nonetheless when Saruman took control of the Shire. Fredegar led a band of rebels before being captured and locked up. He was known as Fatty Bolger but lost a great deal of weight while behind bars.