The Mathom House is proud to present one of our smaller (but hopefully growing!) sections regarding the history of our youth in the Shire. Items ranging from across the Shire, these objects can help remind us of the youth of yesteryear and how we have grown (both figuratively and literally) as a people here in the Shire. With the drastic changes that occurred in The Shire after the events of The Battle of Bywater, the culture and heritage have gradually begun to take on a new face over the past 50 years, with a significant emphasis on Shire Folk “tearing down the walls of old,” and because of this we at Mathom House have had the rare privilege of accruing a couple of items to start our Childhood Collection, featuring a lovingly preserved book of children’s stories and a miniature mattock, two pieces that help to form a foundation for our understanding from both sides of the Shire, Tookland in the West Farthings to Buckland in the East Farthings.
Whispers of the Old Forest, the first item we received for this collection, provides us with a look at how the Hobbits viewed and approached legend, providing us insights into how individuals far from the realm of Man and the Old Forest viewed the creaking and queer forest, a place that has lost some of its sway over us Hobbit’s collective fear of the place as we reach out and make friends of this to our East. While still rumours to this day, within the book are several references to a “jolly singing figure,” often used to temper any potential fears our youth may have once had, swooping in with a song and a dance to help others in need. Highlighting our old fears yet showing us how far we have come, we are proud to have this beloved book in our collection, and we are happy to have the wisdom and tradition stored within as a reminder of our love for our precious Shire.
The Child’s Mattock is quite different but no less interesting than our previous piece. Mistaken as a jeweller’s hammer by one of the friends of the Bucklanders, this small digging tool most likely did not see much use for what one is typically used for, more of a novelty created by a loving parent for a child who loved their home. However, even an item seemingly as innocuous as this has a storied past, supposedly made from a branch of ash wood from one of the trees that tried to cross the Hedge (apparently one of the “first known invasions” of the Shire according to some Bucklanders), this toy brings with it reminders of stories long past, legends once told, and the joy for family all young Shirelings feel for their own piece of the Shire.
We hope you enjoyed our brief look at one of our hopefully quickest-growing collections, a gaze into the past and simpler times for our children of the Shire. This collection gives us an opportunity to reminisce as a people and also see how we all used to be shaped by our family and stories, reminding us of how much we have always cared for our youngest here in the Shire.
Brandybuck Child’s Mattock
Title: Child’s Mattock
Author/Inventor/Creator: Gormadoc “Deepdelver” Brandybuck
Type of Object: Miniature Mattock, medium: ash wood, iron from a small deposit found near the village of Bucklebury
Date of Manufacture/Age of Object: Traced to the within the lifespan of Gormadoc Brandybuck, estimated between SR 1175-1200, between 297-322 years old.
Place of Manufacture/Origin of Object: The Shire, Buckland
Artifact Number: 285-HB-LB-03
Owner of Object: The Shire Historical Society
Status of Object: Donated by the Meriadoc “The Magnificent” Brandybuck, in remembrance of the Brandybuck’s love for their portion of the Shire.
Copyright Information: Photograph, ‘Dollhouse Miniature Mattock Pickaxe’ Creator: Thomas Thumb: wood and metal. Date created: 14 Nov. 2020. License: May not be reproduced without permission of this page’s creator.
A novelty gifted to the Mathom House by Meriadoc “The Magnificent” Brandybuck, this children’s toy has a long rich history dating all the way back to Gormadoc “Deepdelver” Brandybuck. Made during a supposed expansion of Brandy Hall, using one of the first branches of one of the first trees that crossed The Hedge and tried to appropriate the land of Brandy Hall, this was a toy for young Madoc who, during the apparent expansion, decided he wanted to help with his family’s work, leading to this humorously sized mattock. While being passed down for generations, after it was misidentified by a human friend of Meriadoc as a jeweler’s hammer, stuck in the corner of a forgotten umbrella container, he decided it best to donate it as a piece of Brandybuck history and their love for their home in Brandy Hall, even as children.
Children’s Book “Whispers of the Old Forest”
Title: Whispers of the Old Forest
Author/Inventor/Creator: Unknown
Type of Object: Leather-bound book, medium: leather, paper, ink, watercolor
Date of Manufacture/Age of Object: Estimated to be from the early Third Age (approximately 1000 years ago)
Place of Manufacture/Origin of Object: The Shire, possibly Hobbiton or Bywater
Artifact Number: 284-HB-LB-03
Owner of Object: The Shire Historical Society
Status of Object: Donated by the Tooks, in memory of the old ways of story-telling.
Copyright Information: Drawing, ‘Whispers of the Old Forest’ Children’s book Artist: Robin Fraser: digital creation. Date created: 20 Nov. 2024. License: May not be reproduced without permission of this page’s creator.
Whispers of the Old Forest is no ordinary book, it is a doorway into one of the most enchanting places in the Shire. This leather bound treasure is a beloved children’s book that tells the tales of the mysterious Old Forest on the edge of the Shire. Written in simple, engaging language for young Hobbits, it is bound in green leather and provides delicate watercolor illustrations of towering trees and magical creatures. The book reflects the deep connection the Hobbits of the Shire have to the natural world, especially the enchanted and sometimes intimidating Old Forest. Although the forest is a place of mystery and danger, it is also a symbol of the wild beauty and ancient traditions that are still present in the Shire. In many ways, this book was a tool for educating children about the importance of respecting nature, and the old ways, while also serving as an introduction to the legends that shaped their land.
Curation done by:
Reese Lamond & Robin Fraser
Historical Mathom Children’s Society