The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Race
Culture
Family
Married into the Bolger family
Settlements
Evidently originated in the Yale; likely later removed to the Bolger folkland, which lay around Budgeford
Pronunciation
Alfrida is pronunced 'a'freeda'
Meaning
'Elf strength'2

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 26 June 2021
  • This entry is complete

Alfrida of the Yale

An early ancestor of the Bolgers

A Shire-hobbit who lived more than two hundred years before the time of the War of the Ring. Alfrida married Gundolpho Bolger, and through their three sons she became an important ancestor of the Bolger family. Alfrida's own ancestry is unclear, but the fact that she came from the Yale suggests a possible connection with the Boffins (a family well represented in that area).

Alfrida's name is interesting: it contains Old English alf (that is, 'Elf'), with her full name meaning 'Elf strength'. We know that the Elves occasionally passed through the Shire near to the Yale, so - based on her name - it's conceivable that Alfrida was one of the very rare Hobbits who would spend time with the Fair Folk.


Notes

1

We have no specific dates for Alfrida's life; the dates shown here refer to her husband, Gundolpho Bolger. Alfrida's own dates of birth and death were necessarily comparable (though presumably not identical).

2

It might be natural to imagine that the name Alfrida represented a feminine version of Alfred, but historically this was not the case. Alfrida derives from Old English Ælfþryð, 'Elf strength', whereas Alfred comes from Ælfþræd, 'Elf counsel'.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 26 June 2021
  • This entry is complete

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

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2008, 2015, 2021. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by Discus from Axiom Software Ltd.
Discus produces DISC psychometric profiles written in plain language and easily understandable.
The Encyclopedia of Arda
The Encyclopedia of Arda
Menu
Homepage Search Latest Entries and Updates Random Entry