Barliman Butterbur
David Weatherley as Barliman Butterbur in the New Line film
Innkeeper at Bree. Barliman Butterbur was the proprietor at the Prancing Pony Inn. The Butterbur family had owned the property of the Prancing Pony for many generations, and it was renowned for its convenient location at the crossroads of the Great East Road and the Greenway. It was passed down to Barliman by his father, who must have died sometime before the year 3018 of the Third Age. Because of his position as innkeeper, Barliman was a man of prestige whose only fault was his week memory.
On Mid-years day in 3018, Gandalf arrived and gave Barliman a letter to send to Frodo Baggins. The letter warned that the Nazgul had taken the form of Black Riders and were sent by Sauron after Frodo and his Ring, which was feared to be the One Ring itself. It said to leave the Shire at once. At the moment that Gandalf handed him the letter, Barliman had no servant who was willing to pass through the Old Forest and into the Shire to deliver it, so he completely forgot about it. The Nazgul were in pursuit of Frodo for three months by the time he finally left the Shire.
When they reached Bree, Barliman helped to hide Frodo and his companions. The next morning, the inn was attacked and the four Hobbits' ponies were released. Being a good-willed man, Barliman bought Bill the Pony for twelve silver pennies for the Hobbits. He also gave Merry Brandybuck an extra eighteen pence for the road.
During Frodo's stay at the Prancing Pony, Barliman told what he knew of the Rangers he distrusted that frequented his inn. One of these Rangers, Strider, stared at Frodo from the second he entered the inn. When the Hobbits left, Strider accompanied them. Barliman apologized for his forgetfulness to Gandalf the next day when the wizard arrived demanding to know where Frodo had gone.
After the trouble that arouse in Bree during the War of the Ring, Barliman earned a great respect for the Rangers he had once distrusted.
On Mid-years day in 3018, Gandalf arrived and gave Barliman a letter to send to Frodo Baggins. The letter warned that the Nazgul had taken the form of Black Riders and were sent by Sauron after Frodo and his Ring, which was feared to be the One Ring itself. It said to leave the Shire at once. At the moment that Gandalf handed him the letter, Barliman had no servant who was willing to pass through the Old Forest and into the Shire to deliver it, so he completely forgot about it. The Nazgul were in pursuit of Frodo for three months by the time he finally left the Shire.
When they reached Bree, Barliman helped to hide Frodo and his companions. The next morning, the inn was attacked and the four Hobbits' ponies were released. Being a good-willed man, Barliman bought Bill the Pony for twelve silver pennies for the Hobbits. He also gave Merry Brandybuck an extra eighteen pence for the road.
During Frodo's stay at the Prancing Pony, Barliman told what he knew of the Rangers he distrusted that frequented his inn. One of these Rangers, Strider, stared at Frodo from the second he entered the inn. When the Hobbits left, Strider accompanied them. Barliman apologized for his forgetfulness to Gandalf the next day when the wizard arrived demanding to know where Frodo had gone.
After the trouble that arouse in Bree during the War of the Ring, Barliman earned a great respect for the Rangers he had once distrusted.
Names & Meanings
Barliman is meant to reference the beer ingredient "barley." The name Butterbur references a plant as well as perhaps the large "buttery" figure of Barliman.
References
The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring: "Fog on the Barrow-downs," page 159; "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony," "Strider," pages 178-181; "A Knife in the Dark," pages 189-192
The Lord of the rings, The Return of the King: "Homeward Bound," pages 269-274
"Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings," definition and translation of Butterbur
The Lord of the rings, The Return of the King: "Homeward Bound," pages 269-274
"Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings," definition and translation of Butterbur
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