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Presumably raised in the Shire's Tookland, but departed from there for an unknown destination
Pronunciation
Hildifons is pronounced 'hi'ldifonz'
Meaning
Hildifons means 'battle ready'

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  • Updated 5 December 2019
  • This entry is complete

Hildifons Took

The lost son of the Old Took

The sixth of the twelve children of Gerontius the Old Took and Adamanta Chubb. Hildifons was born in the Shire-year 1244 (or III 2844), while his father was still heir to the Thainship (Gerontius would succeed Fortinbras I to become Thain four years after Hildifons' birth, and would hold the title for no less than seventy-two years).

Hildifons was notable as one of the more adventurous Hobbits; he left the Shire on a journey and never returned home. It's strongly implied that this was Gandalf's doing, and so in some respects Hildifons was a forerunner of Bilbo Baggins and the adventures of that famous Hobbit.1 Bilbo was Hildifons' nephew, and as a child he delighted in hearing tales of his uncle's adventures - something that played into Gandalf's decision to choose Bilbo as the 'burglar' to take part in Thorin's Quest of Erebor.


Notes

1

The nature of Hildifons' journey is not explained. Indeed, we cannot be absolutely sure that Gandalf was involved, though that does seem to be heavily implied. When Gandalf first approached Bilbo in the prelude to his own journey, the Hobbit thought of Gandalf as '...responsible for so many quiet lads and lasses going off into the Blue for mad adventures. Anything from climbing trees to visiting Elves - or sailing in ships, sailing to other shores!' (The Hobbit 1, An Unexpected Party). The 'sailing' here seems to refer to Hildifons' younger brother Isengar, who was said to have gone to sea, so we might take it that Hildifons was the Hobbit involved with visiting the Elves. Beyond that, we can say no more of why he left the Shire, nor why he failed to return.

See also...

Adamanta Chubb, Gandalf

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About this entry:

  • Updated 5 December 2019
  • This entry is complete

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