The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Born 6 April1 III 2980,2 passed over the Sea late September IV 61 (1380 - 1482 by the Shire-reckoning)
Race
Culture
Family
Settlements
Raised at Number 3 Bagshot Row, Hobbiton; later removed to Bag End
Pronunciation
sa'mwize ga'mjee
Meaning
Samwise means 'half-wise' (i.e. simple or foolish)
Other names
Known in his later years as 'Sam Gardner'; his original name in the Shire was Banazîr Galpsi; the Elvish translation of the name Samwise is Berhael or Perhael
Titles

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 3 April 1998
  • Updates planned: 87

Samwise ‘Sam’ Gamgee

Frodo‘s faithful servant

Mayors of the Shire

The Company of the Ring

Faithful servant and companion of Frodo Baggins, who accompanied him into Mordor and aided in the achievement of the Quest of Mount Doom.


Notes

1

The date of Sam's birthday is not certain. This date is given in Appendix D of The Lord of the Rings as the date of celebrations on the Party Field in Hobbiton. One explanation is that this was Sam's birthday, but an alternative reason is that this is also the date of the Elvish new year (called Yestarë). It is possible, of course, that both explanations are correct, and Sam happened to have been born on this auspicious day.

2

Earlier versions of the Tale of Years carried an error for Sam's date of birth, giving it as III 2983 rather than S.R. 1380 (that is III 2980), the date long established by his genealogical tree. In more recent editions of The Lord of the Rings, this error has been corrected.

See also...

Aman, Amon Hen, Andwise ‘Andy’ Roper, Anemones, Anson Roper, Appledore Family, Apples, Aragorn Elessar, Asphodel, Banakil, Banazîr, Barad-dûr, Battle Gardens, Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Bays, [See the full list...]

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 3 April 1998
  • Updates planned: 87

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