Character Bios
Gorhendad Oldbuck
Other Names:
before 2340 III:
Gorhendad Zaragamba
after 2340 III:
Gorhendad Brandybuck
Gorhendad Brandagamba
Location(s):
the Marish
Brandy Hall
Race/Species: Hobbit
Title(s):
Master of Brandy Hall
Dates: around 2340 III
Parents: descendant of Bucca of the Marish
Children: the Brandybucks
Description:
Gorhendad Oldbuck led the settlement of Buckland (the Eastmarch) and began the delving of Brandy Hall:
The first Shire-thain was one Bucca of the Marish, from whom the Oldbucks claimed descent.
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur: The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain
Gorhendad Oldbuck of the Marish, c. 740 [S.R.] began the building of Brandy Hall and changed the family name to Brandybuck.
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix C, Family Trees
Long ago Gorhendad Oldbuck, head of the Oldbuck family, one of the oldest in the Marish or indeed in the Shire, had crossed the river, 1 which was the original boundary of the land eastwards. He built (and excavated) Brandy Hall, changed his name to Brandybuck, and settled down to become master of what was virtually a small independent country. His family grew and grew, and after his days continued to grow, until Brandy Hall occupied the whole of the low hill.... The Brandybucks and their numerous dependants then began to burrow, and later to build, all round about. That was the origin of Buckland, a thickly inhabited strip between the river and the Old Forest, a sort of colony from the Shire.
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 1, Ch 5, A Conspiracy Unmasked
2340
... The Oldbucks occupy the Buckland.
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, The Tale of Years: The Third Age
Notes
1 Brandywine. The hobbit-names of this river were alterations of the Elvish Baranduin (accented on and), derived from baran 'golden brown' and duin '(large) river'. Of Baranduin Brandywine seemed a natural corruption in modern times. Actually the older hobbit-name was Branda-nîn 'border-water', which would have been more closely rendered by Marchbourn; but by a jest that had become habitual, referring again to its colour, at this time the river was usually called Bralda-hîm 'heady ale'.
It must be observed, however, that when the Oldbucks (Zaragamba) changed their name to Brandybuck (Brandagamba), the first element meant 'borderland', and Marchbuck would have been nearer. Only a very bold hobbit would have ventured to call the Master of Buckland Braldagamba in his hearing.
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age: On Translation
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 15Sep06
