Bywater

Bywater is a village in the Eastfarthing of the Shire, situated on the main road between Hobbiton and the Brandywine Bridge. It is best known as the site of the Battle of Bywater, the final military engagement of the War of the Ring, and as the home of several notable hobbits and locations, including the Green Dragon inn, Farmer Maggot's farm, and the Cotton family. The village is also the location of the mill that was rebuilt by Lotho Sackville-Baggins and Saruman's men, and it was the scene of the hobbits' final victory over the ruffians.

Geography and Setting

Bywater lies in the Eastfarthing of the Shire, on the main road between Hobbiton and the Brandywine Bridge. The village is centered around a wide pool, the Bywater Pool, which is fed by the Water, a stream that flows through Hobbiton. The village is surrounded by fields and farms, and it is a short distance from the Woody End and the Old Forest. The road from Bywater leads east to the Brandywine Bridge and west to Hobbiton, making it a key thoroughfare in the Shire.

History and Events

Bywater was the site of the Battle of Bywater, the final battle of the War of the Ring, fought on November 3, 1419 (Shire Reckoning). The battle was a decisive victory for the hobbits, led by Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took, against the ruffians and their leader, Saruman. The battle resulted in the deaths of seventy ruffians and nineteen hobbits, and it marked the end of Saruman's control over the Shire. The fallen hobbits were buried in a grave on the hill-side, where a great stone was later set up with a garden about it.

Notable Locations and Residents

The Green Dragon inn is a prominent establishment in Bywater, known for its beer and as a gathering place for the local hobbits. It was here that Samwise Gamgee and Ted Sandyman discussed the strange events in the Shire, including the appearance of Tree-men and the movement of Elves. The inn was later closed by the Chief's orders, but it was reopened after the Battle of Bywater.

Farmer Maggot's farm is located near Bywater, and he is a well-known figure in the area. He is a friend of the Brandybucks and a terror to trespassers, especially young Frodo Baggins, who was caught stealing mushrooms from his fields. Maggot later helped Frodo and his companions by giving them a ride to the Bucklebury Ferry and providing them with a basket of mushrooms.

The Cotton family, including Farmer Cotton and his sons, are also residents of Bywater. They were instrumental in the uprising against the ruffians, and Farmer Cotton's house served as a base for the hobbits during the Battle of Bywater. Samwise Gamgee married Rose Cotton, the farmer's daughter, and they lived at Bag End after the war.

The Mill and the Ruffians

During the occupation of the Shire by Lotho Sackville-Baggins and Saruman, the mill in Bywater was rebuilt and expanded. It was a large brick building that straddled the stream, fouling the water with a steaming and stinking outflow. The mill was used to grind corn, but under Saruman's control, it was used for other purposes, including the production of smoke and filth. The mill was destroyed after the Battle of Bywater, and the village was restored to its former state.

Significance

Bywater is a symbol of the resilience and courage of the hobbits. Despite being a small and peaceful village, it became the site of a decisive battle that ended the War of the Ring in the Shire. The village's recovery after the battle, including the restoration of the Green Dragon and the planting of new trees, represents the renewal of the Shire and the beginning of a new era of peace and prosperity.