The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Race
Division
Family
Settlements
This name was particularly associated with Bree
Meaning
'Long legs'1
Other names
Titles

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 17 June 2023
  • This entry is complete

Longshanks

Bill Ferny’s nickname for Strider

A name used by Bill Ferny as he sneered at Strider and the Hobbits on their departure from Bree. The name is in fact related to Aragorn's other name in Bree, 'Strider' (and was said to be one of many insulting names that Bill Ferny had heard for Strider). Shank in this sense means 'leg', so 'Longshanks' means simply 'long-legs', and relates to his considerable height and the long length of his stride. Indeed, Aragorn's descent from the famously tall Dúnedain would have made him considerably taller than most of the Men of Bree.


Notes

1

The name 'Longshanks' is not an invention of Tolkien's, but a real (albeit somewhat archaic) name used for long-legged individuals. It was most famously used for King Edward I of England (1239-1307), who was commonly known as 'Edward Longshanks'.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 17 June 2023
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2006, 2020, 2023. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by Discus from Axiom Software Ltd.
Discus reports contain unrivalled DISC interpretations, including in-depth graphical and textual analysis in natural language.
The Encyclopedia of Arda
The Encyclopedia of Arda
Menu
Homepage Search Latest Entries and Updates Random Entry