Birth: September 22, 2890
Death: Date Unknown Race: Hobbits Culture: Shire Hobbits Height: About 3 feet Hair Color: Brown, turned grey with age Eye Color: Unknown Skin Color: White Father: Bungo Baggins Mother: Belladonna Took Baggins Heir: Frodo Baggins Siblings: None Spouse: None Children: None Sword: Sting Residences: Bag End, Hobbiton, the Shire; later Rivendell; later the Undying Lands |
Biography
Bilbo Baggins was a Hobbit of the Shire who became a great adventurer of Middle-Earth. Though comfortable with the slow-moving life he had in the Shire, his need for adventure was provoked when thirteen Dwarves and a wizard demanded that he accompany them on a quest. Bilbo's adventure with the company of Dwarves turned out a success. Not only that, but Bilbo found the One Ring which was, by that time, long lost.
Bilbo Baggins was born on September 22, 2890 of the Third Age. He was the son of Bungo Baggins and Belladonna Took Baggins. Belladonna had the adventurous spirit of a Took, and it is believed that Bilbo inherited his adventurousness from her. Bilbo lived in a respectable and extravagant Hobbit-hole known as Bag End, which Bungo had built for his wife under the Hill in Hobbiton.
As a young child, Bilbo was very curious, and his adventurous spirit began to show. Bilbo always welcomed news from the world outside the Shire. Gandalf the Grey, an Istari wizard who was friends with Bilbo's mother, took notice of Bilbo's desire for adventure. Bilbo began taking long walks, pouring over old maps, and even talking of folk who passed through the Shire. Occasionally, Bilbo and Gandalf would have tea together and discuss the outside world to their heart's content.
One spring morning in 2941, Gandalf encouraged Bilbo to take an adventure. He was surprised to find Bilbo in no such mood. Bilbo was under the strict belief that leaving the Shire was a dangerous and unwise task, and the Hobbits were too quiet a folk for such adventure.
The next day, Gandalf arrived at Bag End with thirteen Dwarves. He convinced Bilbo to join Thorin the Dwarf and his company on the quest of Erebor. The objective of this quest was to travel to the Lonely Mountain and slay the dragon Smaug so that the Dwarves could win back their riches which he had taken. The selected Dwarves were Balin, Dwalin, Oin II, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fili, Kili, Ori, Nori, and Dori. These Dwarves thought Bilbo was a burglar who could join their quest.
As the Dwarves told Bilbo their goal, his adventurous spirit began to reveal itself. He genuinely wanted to accompany them, and his curiosity got the better of his will to remain in the safety of the Shire. Additionally, Gloin expressed doubt about Bilbo's robbing abilities, and Bilbo wanted to prove himself. So it was that Bilbo joined Thorin and Company as "the Burglar." The next morning, Bilbo was off with not even an overcoat to explore the wonders and adventure of Middle-Earth that had scarcely been seen by any Hobbit before.
Bilbo soon found his first opportunity to prove his burgling skills. In the Trollshaws, the company was cold and hungry when they spotted a campfire. Bilbo was sent ahead to explore the fire and he came across three large Trolls: Tom, Bert, and William Huggins. He tried pickpocketing them, but was caught and he and all of the Dwarves were imprisoned in sacks. The Trolls were debating about how to cook this fourteen-person meal when Gandalf arrived and confused them into staying up all night, and in the morning they turned to stone. Only then were Thorin and Company able to escape with Gandalf. However, before their departure from the Troll's lair, Bilbo found a knife that was an expertly sized sword.
The company took refuge in Rivendell very briefly, and Bilbo was able to meet the Elf-lord Elrond. As they ventured into over the High Pass and into the Misty Mountains, the company was attacked and kidnapped by Orcs and Goblins. Gandalf came to the rescue, but as Dori was carrying Bilbo through the tunnels under the Misty Mountains he dropped him because an Orc grabbed him from behind. Bilbo became unconscious during the struggle and when he finally woke up his companions were nowhere to be found.
In the tunnels of the deep, Bilbo found a Ring lying on the ground. It turned out to be the One Ring itself. It belonged to the creature Gollum, and it was very precious to him. Bilbo met this creature soon after, and Gollum challenged Bilbo. Gollum was grieved to learn that his Ring had gone, but he took a fansy in eating Bilbo. So, Bilbo played a riddle game with the creature. Bilbo won after many rounds of riddles because he asked what he had in his pocket. Gollum did not know. It was the Ring that Bilbo carried, and he fled just as Gollum realized this. Bilbo had considered slaying Gollum, but he had pity for this gangling creature. Gollum called "Thief!" after the Hobbit as he fled.
Bilbo escaped Gollum, and almost reached the end of the tunnels when he saw a group of Goblins guarding the exit. Bilbo realized that if he put the Ring on his finger he would become invisible; as that was how he evaded capture from Gollum. He slipped past the Goblins, who were aware of his presence but could not see him.
Bilbo was reunited with the company atop the Misty Mountains. Though he told them of his encounter with Gollum, he lied and told them that Gollum gave him the Ring as a present because he won the riddle game. It troubled Gandalf that an honest soul like Bilbo seemed to be lying.
That night, the company was attacked by a fierce pack of Wargs and rescued by Eagles. They were brought to the house of Beorn, a shapeshifter who could turn into a bear. After staying the night in the company of Beorn, Thorin and company reached the edge of the forest of Mirkwood. There, they parted the company of Gandalf and proceeded into the woods. Gandalf advised them to stay on the main path.
Somehow, the company disobeyed Gandalf and sidetracked the path, straying far enough from it to be captured in the webs of the Great Spiders. Bilbo was able to rescue his companions from being eaten using his sword to cut them from the large webs. Bilbo then named his sword Sting.
Cold, lost, hungry, and nearly ill, the companions followed the lights of the Wood-elves. These Elves were more dangerous and less wise than the High Elves of Rivendell. When they saw thirteen Dwarves and one Hobbits following the lights of their marvelous dinner party, the Elves grew suspicious and imprisoned them in the Elvenking's Halls of King Thranduil. However, Bilbo was able to use the Ring to avoid imprisonment and to steal the keys to the Dwarves prison cells, ultimately releasing his friends and packing them in barrels to flow down the Forest River. Bilbo rode on one of the barrels and they flowed upstream to Lake-town.
When they reached Lake-town, the company walked to the foot of the Lonely Mountain. They reached the entrance, and upon it was Thror's riddle about the location of the key. Bilbo solved the riddle and was able to open the gate before the sun set on Durin's Day.
Bilbo showed true quality as a burglar when, with the Ring on his finger, he entered Smaug's lair. Smaug was asleep, so Bilbo stole a few of his riches. Bilbo later returned to Smaug's lair when the dragon was awake, and Bilbo was able to get a glimpse of his underbelly, which showed a week spot. If Smaug was pierced through his stomach, he would surely die. Bilbo reported this to a raven called the thrush who in time informed Bard the Bowman of Dale. When Smaug angrily attacked Lake-town because of his missing treasures, Bard pierced the dragon through his stomach and he fell dead.
Men of Dale and Lake-town led by Bard the Bowman and Elves from Mirkwood led by Thranduil soon arrived at the Lonely Mountain seeking their share of the treasure. Thorin's greedy spirit showed as he refused to negotiate with them, claiming all of the treasure for himself. Bilbo found the men and Elves' claims reasonable, so he hatched a schematic plan. Bilbo had hidden in his pocket the Arkenstone, one of the most prized jewels of Thorin, and told no one of his possession of it. He gave it to Bard and Thranduil, hoping that they could use it to bargain with Thorin. When Gandalf arrived, he thought Bilbo very clever for thinking of this.
Thorin was exasperated when he learned what Bilbo had done, and would likely have killed him if Gandalf had not been there to halt him. Thorin refused to negotiate, and even sent a call for aid to his fellow Dwarf Dain, who marched to the Lonely Mountain with an army of Dwarves. But then an Orc commander named Bolg arrived with two armies: one of Orcs and Goblins and one of Wargs. The Elves, men, and Dwarves joined together against the invaders. The Battle of Five Armies erupted in a bloodbath the minute these enemies arrived.
Bilbo fought in the battle using Sting. He stood between Thranduil and Gandalf to face the invasion. Soon Eagles came to the aid of the good side and the battle was won. Before the end of the battle, Bilbo was knocked out, and when he awoke he learned that Thorin was fatally wounded. Thorin requested that when he die, he be at peace with Bilbo. Bilbo agreed to peace before Thorin died.
After his long journey, Bilbo was ready to go home. Bilbo took a small share of the treasure - only two small chests - as well as the mithril shirt that Thorin had given him. When he returned to the Shire, Bilbo discovered that he had been pronounced dead and Otho and Lobelia Sackville-Baggins were preparing to move into Bag End. Both were deeply disappointed that their beloved relative was still alive.
Though Bilbo's need for adventure had been spent, he still took long walks in the woods and spoke to Elves there. He was payed frequent visits by Gandalf and numerous Dwarves including Balin. Bilbo began to study the Elvish languages as well as the history and folklore of Middle-Earth as a whole. He passed this on to his younger cousin Frodo, who came to live with him at Bag End when his parents died.
Bilbo turned one hundred-eleven on September 22, 3001. He threw a massive birthday party that nearly all of the Shire attended. Bilbo had grown tired of the slow movement of life in the Shire, so this was to be his last birthday there. He wished to travel again, for his life in the Shire felt like butter spread thinly over too much bread. During his speech at the party, Bilbo put the Ring on his finger and disappeared, surprising all of his guests. He made his way up to Bag End and prepared to leave. Gandalf advised Bilbo to leave the Ring behind, and Bilbo did so reluctantly, becoming the only person to ever willingly abandon the Ring.
Bilbo was able to take another adventure. He returned to Dale and the Lonely Mountain before he made his new home in Rivendell. There he met Aragorn, heir to the throne of Gondor. From 3001-3018, Bilbo wrote a book about his journey with the Dwarves which was compiled into the Red Book of Westmarch. He also composed a three-volume written history of Middle-Earth titled Translations from the Elvish.
In October of 3018, Frodo and his companions arrived at Rivendell. Bilbo was overjoyed to see his young cousin after so many long years, and Frodo could see that age had finally caught up with his old cousin. Bilbo asked to see the Ring one last time, but when Frodo showed it to him Bilbo realized his greed for it was too great to even look upon it again.
On October 25, 3018, Bilbo attended the Council of Elrond. There, Bilbo volunteered to take the Ring to be destroyed in Mordor, but his offer was rejected since Bilbo had given up the Ring many years before, and it was Frodo's burden now. On December 25, Bilbo gave Frodo his mithril shirt and the sword Sting as parting gifts. Frodo departed that day with eight companions. The quest would be a long and difficult one, but Frodo would accomplish it successfully.
On September 21, 3019, Frodo visited Bilbo in Rivendell on his way home. Though the Ring had been destroyed and the War of the Ring was over, Bilbo still found himself desiring the Ring, asking Frodo what had become of it.
In 3021, the great Ring-bearers were allowed to pass into the Undying Lands in the west. Bilbo had possessed the One ring, so he was allowed to accompany Frodo. On September 22, 3021, Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel set out from Rivendell to meet Frodo in the Woody End on September 29. From there, they set out for the Grey Havens where they would board a ship to pass into the west, never to return. Bilbo lived out his days on the island of Tol Eressea.
Though Bilbo was allowed to live in the Undying Lands for a time, he was not made immortal. Immortality was a gift that the Valar could not grant, and Bilbo therefore could not receive it. For mortals, the Undying Lands was a place of great healing where death would take them, and they would go to a place of which the Elves knew nothing.
Bilbo Baggins was born on September 22, 2890 of the Third Age. He was the son of Bungo Baggins and Belladonna Took Baggins. Belladonna had the adventurous spirit of a Took, and it is believed that Bilbo inherited his adventurousness from her. Bilbo lived in a respectable and extravagant Hobbit-hole known as Bag End, which Bungo had built for his wife under the Hill in Hobbiton.
As a young child, Bilbo was very curious, and his adventurous spirit began to show. Bilbo always welcomed news from the world outside the Shire. Gandalf the Grey, an Istari wizard who was friends with Bilbo's mother, took notice of Bilbo's desire for adventure. Bilbo began taking long walks, pouring over old maps, and even talking of folk who passed through the Shire. Occasionally, Bilbo and Gandalf would have tea together and discuss the outside world to their heart's content.
One spring morning in 2941, Gandalf encouraged Bilbo to take an adventure. He was surprised to find Bilbo in no such mood. Bilbo was under the strict belief that leaving the Shire was a dangerous and unwise task, and the Hobbits were too quiet a folk for such adventure.
The next day, Gandalf arrived at Bag End with thirteen Dwarves. He convinced Bilbo to join Thorin the Dwarf and his company on the quest of Erebor. The objective of this quest was to travel to the Lonely Mountain and slay the dragon Smaug so that the Dwarves could win back their riches which he had taken. The selected Dwarves were Balin, Dwalin, Oin II, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fili, Kili, Ori, Nori, and Dori. These Dwarves thought Bilbo was a burglar who could join their quest.
As the Dwarves told Bilbo their goal, his adventurous spirit began to reveal itself. He genuinely wanted to accompany them, and his curiosity got the better of his will to remain in the safety of the Shire. Additionally, Gloin expressed doubt about Bilbo's robbing abilities, and Bilbo wanted to prove himself. So it was that Bilbo joined Thorin and Company as "the Burglar." The next morning, Bilbo was off with not even an overcoat to explore the wonders and adventure of Middle-Earth that had scarcely been seen by any Hobbit before.
Bilbo soon found his first opportunity to prove his burgling skills. In the Trollshaws, the company was cold and hungry when they spotted a campfire. Bilbo was sent ahead to explore the fire and he came across three large Trolls: Tom, Bert, and William Huggins. He tried pickpocketing them, but was caught and he and all of the Dwarves were imprisoned in sacks. The Trolls were debating about how to cook this fourteen-person meal when Gandalf arrived and confused them into staying up all night, and in the morning they turned to stone. Only then were Thorin and Company able to escape with Gandalf. However, before their departure from the Troll's lair, Bilbo found a knife that was an expertly sized sword.
The company took refuge in Rivendell very briefly, and Bilbo was able to meet the Elf-lord Elrond. As they ventured into over the High Pass and into the Misty Mountains, the company was attacked and kidnapped by Orcs and Goblins. Gandalf came to the rescue, but as Dori was carrying Bilbo through the tunnels under the Misty Mountains he dropped him because an Orc grabbed him from behind. Bilbo became unconscious during the struggle and when he finally woke up his companions were nowhere to be found.
In the tunnels of the deep, Bilbo found a Ring lying on the ground. It turned out to be the One Ring itself. It belonged to the creature Gollum, and it was very precious to him. Bilbo met this creature soon after, and Gollum challenged Bilbo. Gollum was grieved to learn that his Ring had gone, but he took a fansy in eating Bilbo. So, Bilbo played a riddle game with the creature. Bilbo won after many rounds of riddles because he asked what he had in his pocket. Gollum did not know. It was the Ring that Bilbo carried, and he fled just as Gollum realized this. Bilbo had considered slaying Gollum, but he had pity for this gangling creature. Gollum called "Thief!" after the Hobbit as he fled.
Bilbo escaped Gollum, and almost reached the end of the tunnels when he saw a group of Goblins guarding the exit. Bilbo realized that if he put the Ring on his finger he would become invisible; as that was how he evaded capture from Gollum. He slipped past the Goblins, who were aware of his presence but could not see him.
Bilbo was reunited with the company atop the Misty Mountains. Though he told them of his encounter with Gollum, he lied and told them that Gollum gave him the Ring as a present because he won the riddle game. It troubled Gandalf that an honest soul like Bilbo seemed to be lying.
That night, the company was attacked by a fierce pack of Wargs and rescued by Eagles. They were brought to the house of Beorn, a shapeshifter who could turn into a bear. After staying the night in the company of Beorn, Thorin and company reached the edge of the forest of Mirkwood. There, they parted the company of Gandalf and proceeded into the woods. Gandalf advised them to stay on the main path.
Somehow, the company disobeyed Gandalf and sidetracked the path, straying far enough from it to be captured in the webs of the Great Spiders. Bilbo was able to rescue his companions from being eaten using his sword to cut them from the large webs. Bilbo then named his sword Sting.
Cold, lost, hungry, and nearly ill, the companions followed the lights of the Wood-elves. These Elves were more dangerous and less wise than the High Elves of Rivendell. When they saw thirteen Dwarves and one Hobbits following the lights of their marvelous dinner party, the Elves grew suspicious and imprisoned them in the Elvenking's Halls of King Thranduil. However, Bilbo was able to use the Ring to avoid imprisonment and to steal the keys to the Dwarves prison cells, ultimately releasing his friends and packing them in barrels to flow down the Forest River. Bilbo rode on one of the barrels and they flowed upstream to Lake-town.
When they reached Lake-town, the company walked to the foot of the Lonely Mountain. They reached the entrance, and upon it was Thror's riddle about the location of the key. Bilbo solved the riddle and was able to open the gate before the sun set on Durin's Day.
Bilbo showed true quality as a burglar when, with the Ring on his finger, he entered Smaug's lair. Smaug was asleep, so Bilbo stole a few of his riches. Bilbo later returned to Smaug's lair when the dragon was awake, and Bilbo was able to get a glimpse of his underbelly, which showed a week spot. If Smaug was pierced through his stomach, he would surely die. Bilbo reported this to a raven called the thrush who in time informed Bard the Bowman of Dale. When Smaug angrily attacked Lake-town because of his missing treasures, Bard pierced the dragon through his stomach and he fell dead.
Men of Dale and Lake-town led by Bard the Bowman and Elves from Mirkwood led by Thranduil soon arrived at the Lonely Mountain seeking their share of the treasure. Thorin's greedy spirit showed as he refused to negotiate with them, claiming all of the treasure for himself. Bilbo found the men and Elves' claims reasonable, so he hatched a schematic plan. Bilbo had hidden in his pocket the Arkenstone, one of the most prized jewels of Thorin, and told no one of his possession of it. He gave it to Bard and Thranduil, hoping that they could use it to bargain with Thorin. When Gandalf arrived, he thought Bilbo very clever for thinking of this.
Thorin was exasperated when he learned what Bilbo had done, and would likely have killed him if Gandalf had not been there to halt him. Thorin refused to negotiate, and even sent a call for aid to his fellow Dwarf Dain, who marched to the Lonely Mountain with an army of Dwarves. But then an Orc commander named Bolg arrived with two armies: one of Orcs and Goblins and one of Wargs. The Elves, men, and Dwarves joined together against the invaders. The Battle of Five Armies erupted in a bloodbath the minute these enemies arrived.
Bilbo fought in the battle using Sting. He stood between Thranduil and Gandalf to face the invasion. Soon Eagles came to the aid of the good side and the battle was won. Before the end of the battle, Bilbo was knocked out, and when he awoke he learned that Thorin was fatally wounded. Thorin requested that when he die, he be at peace with Bilbo. Bilbo agreed to peace before Thorin died.
After his long journey, Bilbo was ready to go home. Bilbo took a small share of the treasure - only two small chests - as well as the mithril shirt that Thorin had given him. When he returned to the Shire, Bilbo discovered that he had been pronounced dead and Otho and Lobelia Sackville-Baggins were preparing to move into Bag End. Both were deeply disappointed that their beloved relative was still alive.
Though Bilbo's need for adventure had been spent, he still took long walks in the woods and spoke to Elves there. He was payed frequent visits by Gandalf and numerous Dwarves including Balin. Bilbo began to study the Elvish languages as well as the history and folklore of Middle-Earth as a whole. He passed this on to his younger cousin Frodo, who came to live with him at Bag End when his parents died.
Bilbo turned one hundred-eleven on September 22, 3001. He threw a massive birthday party that nearly all of the Shire attended. Bilbo had grown tired of the slow movement of life in the Shire, so this was to be his last birthday there. He wished to travel again, for his life in the Shire felt like butter spread thinly over too much bread. During his speech at the party, Bilbo put the Ring on his finger and disappeared, surprising all of his guests. He made his way up to Bag End and prepared to leave. Gandalf advised Bilbo to leave the Ring behind, and Bilbo did so reluctantly, becoming the only person to ever willingly abandon the Ring.
Bilbo was able to take another adventure. He returned to Dale and the Lonely Mountain before he made his new home in Rivendell. There he met Aragorn, heir to the throne of Gondor. From 3001-3018, Bilbo wrote a book about his journey with the Dwarves which was compiled into the Red Book of Westmarch. He also composed a three-volume written history of Middle-Earth titled Translations from the Elvish.
In October of 3018, Frodo and his companions arrived at Rivendell. Bilbo was overjoyed to see his young cousin after so many long years, and Frodo could see that age had finally caught up with his old cousin. Bilbo asked to see the Ring one last time, but when Frodo showed it to him Bilbo realized his greed for it was too great to even look upon it again.
On October 25, 3018, Bilbo attended the Council of Elrond. There, Bilbo volunteered to take the Ring to be destroyed in Mordor, but his offer was rejected since Bilbo had given up the Ring many years before, and it was Frodo's burden now. On December 25, Bilbo gave Frodo his mithril shirt and the sword Sting as parting gifts. Frodo departed that day with eight companions. The quest would be a long and difficult one, but Frodo would accomplish it successfully.
On September 21, 3019, Frodo visited Bilbo in Rivendell on his way home. Though the Ring had been destroyed and the War of the Ring was over, Bilbo still found himself desiring the Ring, asking Frodo what had become of it.
In 3021, the great Ring-bearers were allowed to pass into the Undying Lands in the west. Bilbo had possessed the One ring, so he was allowed to accompany Frodo. On September 22, 3021, Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel set out from Rivendell to meet Frodo in the Woody End on September 29. From there, they set out for the Grey Havens where they would board a ship to pass into the west, never to return. Bilbo lived out his days on the island of Tol Eressea.
Though Bilbo was allowed to live in the Undying Lands for a time, he was not made immortal. Immortality was a gift that the Valar could not grant, and Bilbo therefore could not receive it. For mortals, the Undying Lands was a place of great healing where death would take them, and they would go to a place of which the Elves knew nothing.
References
The Hobbit, passim
The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring: "A Long Expected Party," passim, "Many Meetings," "The Council of Elrond," passim
The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King: "The Grey Havens," passim
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F: "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age,"
The Unfinished Tales: "The Quest for Erebor"
Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #246
The Atlas of Middle-earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad
The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring: "A Long Expected Party," passim, "Many Meetings," "The Council of Elrond," passim
The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King: "The Grey Havens," passim
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F: "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age,"
The Unfinished Tales: "The Quest for Erebor"
Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #246
The Atlas of Middle-earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad
Timeline
September 22, Year 2890 of the Third Age:
Bilbo was born in Bag End, Hobbiton, the Shire. He was the son of Bungo Baggins and Belladonna Took.
2926:
Bilbo's father Bungo died.
2934:
Bilbo's mother Belladonna died.
2941:
April 25: The wizard Gandalf, an old friend of Belladonna's, visited Bilbo at Bag End. Gandalf encouraged Bilbo to go on an adventure, but Bilbo was in no mood to do so.
April 26: Gandalf arrived at Bag End with a party of thirteen Dwarves, all expecting Bilbo to accompany them on their quest. They mistook Bilbo for a burglar looking for work because Gandalf had posted a sign saying that on Bilbo's door.
April 27: Bilbo set out on the Quest for Erebor with Gandalf and Thorin and his company of Dwarves.
May: Bilbo and the company stunbled upon the Trolls Tom, Bert and William Huggins in the Trollshaws. The Trolls tried to eat them, but Gandalf kept them awake until morning when they turned to stone. Bilbo picked up a sword called Sting amongst the Trolls' possessions.
June-August: Bilbo and the company were kidnaped by Goblins in the Misty Mountains but freed by Gandalf. Bilbo became lost and he found the One ring and escaped Gollum. He left the caves, ultimately being reunited with the company.
Early Fall: Bilbo leads the company through Mirkwood, rescuing them twice from enemies.
September 22: Bilbo and the Dwarf company arrived in Lake-town.
Durin's Day: Bilbo was able to enter Smaug's lair and see the dragon's weekspot on his underbelly. This information eventually got to Bard the Bowman of Dale, who was able to slay Smaug soon after.
Mid Fall: Men and Elves arrived at the Lonely Mountain seeking their share of Smaug's riches. Thorin refused to negotiate; and even sent for aid from his fellow Dwarf Dain. But then a host of Orcs and Wargs arrived and the Battle of Five Armies erupted in a bloodbath. Bilbo fought in the battle. Eventually, when the Eagles arrived, the battle was won.
Yule: Bilbo and Gandalf visited Beorn on their way back to the Shire.
2942:
May 1: Bilbo and Gandalf visited Rivendell one last time before their return to the Shire.
June 22: Bilbo returned home to Bag End.
2989:
After the death of Frodo's parents Drogo Baggins and Primula Brandybuck, Bilbo invited his young cousin to live with him in Bag End.
3001:
September 22: Bilbo threw a massive birthday party for his one-hundred eleventh birthday. There he announced that he was leaving the Shire, and he left behind the One Ring to Frodo.
3002:
Bilbo reached Rivendell and lived there for many years to come in the company of Elrond.
3018:
October 20: Frodo arrived at Rivendell with his companions and the One Ring.
October 25: At the Council of Elrond, Bilbo volunteered to take the One Ring to be destroyed in Mordor, but his claim was rejected because the Ring was now Frodo's burden to bear.
December 25: Bilbo gifted Frodo with the sword Sting and his coat of mithril mail and farewelled him from Rivendell.
3021:
September 22: Bilbo set out from Rivendell with Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel. They met Frodo in the Woody End and from there they journeyed to the Grey Havens.
September 29: As Ring-bearers, Bilbo and Frodo were allowed to sail over the Great Sea into the West.
Bilbo was born in Bag End, Hobbiton, the Shire. He was the son of Bungo Baggins and Belladonna Took.
2926:
Bilbo's father Bungo died.
2934:
Bilbo's mother Belladonna died.
2941:
April 25: The wizard Gandalf, an old friend of Belladonna's, visited Bilbo at Bag End. Gandalf encouraged Bilbo to go on an adventure, but Bilbo was in no mood to do so.
April 26: Gandalf arrived at Bag End with a party of thirteen Dwarves, all expecting Bilbo to accompany them on their quest. They mistook Bilbo for a burglar looking for work because Gandalf had posted a sign saying that on Bilbo's door.
April 27: Bilbo set out on the Quest for Erebor with Gandalf and Thorin and his company of Dwarves.
May: Bilbo and the company stunbled upon the Trolls Tom, Bert and William Huggins in the Trollshaws. The Trolls tried to eat them, but Gandalf kept them awake until morning when they turned to stone. Bilbo picked up a sword called Sting amongst the Trolls' possessions.
June-August: Bilbo and the company were kidnaped by Goblins in the Misty Mountains but freed by Gandalf. Bilbo became lost and he found the One ring and escaped Gollum. He left the caves, ultimately being reunited with the company.
Early Fall: Bilbo leads the company through Mirkwood, rescuing them twice from enemies.
September 22: Bilbo and the Dwarf company arrived in Lake-town.
Durin's Day: Bilbo was able to enter Smaug's lair and see the dragon's weekspot on his underbelly. This information eventually got to Bard the Bowman of Dale, who was able to slay Smaug soon after.
Mid Fall: Men and Elves arrived at the Lonely Mountain seeking their share of Smaug's riches. Thorin refused to negotiate; and even sent for aid from his fellow Dwarf Dain. But then a host of Orcs and Wargs arrived and the Battle of Five Armies erupted in a bloodbath. Bilbo fought in the battle. Eventually, when the Eagles arrived, the battle was won.
Yule: Bilbo and Gandalf visited Beorn on their way back to the Shire.
2942:
May 1: Bilbo and Gandalf visited Rivendell one last time before their return to the Shire.
June 22: Bilbo returned home to Bag End.
2989:
After the death of Frodo's parents Drogo Baggins and Primula Brandybuck, Bilbo invited his young cousin to live with him in Bag End.
3001:
September 22: Bilbo threw a massive birthday party for his one-hundred eleventh birthday. There he announced that he was leaving the Shire, and he left behind the One Ring to Frodo.
3002:
Bilbo reached Rivendell and lived there for many years to come in the company of Elrond.
3018:
October 20: Frodo arrived at Rivendell with his companions and the One Ring.
October 25: At the Council of Elrond, Bilbo volunteered to take the One Ring to be destroyed in Mordor, but his claim was rejected because the Ring was now Frodo's burden to bear.
December 25: Bilbo gifted Frodo with the sword Sting and his coat of mithril mail and farewelled him from Rivendell.
3021:
September 22: Bilbo set out from Rivendell with Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel. They met Frodo in the Woody End and from there they journeyed to the Grey Havens.
September 29: As Ring-bearers, Bilbo and Frodo were allowed to sail over the Great Sea into the West.
Names & Meanings
Bilbo Baggins:
Bilbo was a meaningless name in the traditional Hobbitish language. It was simply a common name given to male children.
Baggins is used as a reference to the word "bag." It likely references the term bagging, used in northern England for "eating between meals." Such a name references the very essence of Hobbit characteristics.
Bilba Labingi:
Traditional Hobbitish name for Bilbo Baggins. The suffix a is used as a masculine ending in Hobbitish.
Burglar/Thief:
Gandalf told the Dwarves of Thorin and Company that Bilbo was a burglar looking for work. In Gollum's cave, Gollum cried "Thief" after Bilbo because the Hobbit had taken the One Ring.
Barrel-rider/Mr. Lucky Number:
Bilbo was called Barrel-rider and Mr. Lucky Number by Smaug, who was trying to intimidate him.
Child of the Kindly West:
Thorin called Bilbo the Child of the Kindly West as the Dwarf died.
Mad Baggins:
Rory Brandybuck first called Bilbo "that mad Baggins" after Bilbo's disappearance from his Farewell Birthday Party. Bilbo became well-known amongst Hobbits of future generations as "the mad Baggins."
Bilbo was a meaningless name in the traditional Hobbitish language. It was simply a common name given to male children.
Baggins is used as a reference to the word "bag." It likely references the term bagging, used in northern England for "eating between meals." Such a name references the very essence of Hobbit characteristics.
Bilba Labingi:
Traditional Hobbitish name for Bilbo Baggins. The suffix a is used as a masculine ending in Hobbitish.
Burglar/Thief:
Gandalf told the Dwarves of Thorin and Company that Bilbo was a burglar looking for work. In Gollum's cave, Gollum cried "Thief" after Bilbo because the Hobbit had taken the One Ring.
Barrel-rider/Mr. Lucky Number:
Bilbo was called Barrel-rider and Mr. Lucky Number by Smaug, who was trying to intimidate him.
Child of the Kindly West:
Thorin called Bilbo the Child of the Kindly West as the Dwarf died.
Mad Baggins:
Rory Brandybuck first called Bilbo "that mad Baggins" after Bilbo's disappearance from his Farewell Birthday Party. Bilbo became well-known amongst Hobbits of future generations as "the mad Baggins."
Gallery:
Family Tree:
Below is a family tree displaying Bilbo and Frodo's branches of the Baggins Family.
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