I wrote about this topic back in the 20th century, in "Law and Institutions in the Shire" available through the Mythlore web site at https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol18/iss4/1/ . I saw early Iceland as one of the prototypes for the Shire, though I hadn't read as much about Iceland then as I have since.
Good piece; thank you! I especially liked your point about common law and the rarity of legislation. I'd guess that the Shire-Moot could've met if actual new legislation was needed, but it generally wasn't.
I'm not seeing what you mean by the War's aftermath "brought at least a brief revival of the old offices and functions"? If anything, I would think that the power of the Thain would diminish now that there's an actual King at least occasionally saying things. Are you talking about Frodo as Deputy Mayor, and Samwise as Mayor, doing something beyond banquets?
No, I was thinking more of the Thain, and of his son and heir Pippin, in leading the Shirefolk in an armed uprising against Sharkey and his men, along with the hornblowing that calls them to arms. It's very brief, lasting no more than a day or two. But the latent function of the heads of families, and of the Moot and Muster, seems to be in the background of the uprising.
A gentle suggestion: I have not worked out the math, and there may be textual evidence against it that I don't recall, BUT... Hobbits are very small. Presumably, then, their daily caloric needs are much lower. Land that would only provide bare subsistence to a family of Men might, then, provide five hearty meals per day to a family of hobbits. This could help explain the Shire's apparent productivity without having to advert to Middle-Earth's different biology & physics.
Great thought! I'd assumed that portions that were large to Hobbits were large to Men too, but now that you mention it, I don't have any good evidence for that!
Except for lembas (which's directly stated to work in a way beyond mere calories), the best example I can think of is Pippin in Minas Tirith... where, despite rationing, he was able to eat his fill. That could've been due to his assumed status as a Prince of the Halflings and attendant to Denethor, but not having to eat as much might've helped there too.
Also, I'm now thinking that even if their caloric needs haven't decreased in proportion to their size, their stomach size probably did decrease... which would explain their habit of eating more meals in a day even though perhaps each individual meal is smaller!
I wrote about this topic back in the 20th century, in "Law and Institutions in the Shire" available through the Mythlore web site at https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol18/iss4/1/ . I saw early Iceland as one of the prototypes for the Shire, though I hadn't read as much about Iceland then as I have since.
Good piece; thank you! I especially liked your point about common law and the rarity of legislation. I'd guess that the Shire-Moot could've met if actual new legislation was needed, but it generally wasn't.
I'm not seeing what you mean by the War's aftermath "brought at least a brief revival of the old offices and functions"? If anything, I would think that the power of the Thain would diminish now that there's an actual King at least occasionally saying things. Are you talking about Frodo as Deputy Mayor, and Samwise as Mayor, doing something beyond banquets?
No, I was thinking more of the Thain, and of his son and heir Pippin, in leading the Shirefolk in an armed uprising against Sharkey and his men, along with the hornblowing that calls them to arms. It's very brief, lasting no more than a day or two. But the latent function of the heads of families, and of the Moot and Muster, seems to be in the background of the uprising.
Ah, a very brief revival indeed! But yes, good point.
A gentle suggestion: I have not worked out the math, and there may be textual evidence against it that I don't recall, BUT... Hobbits are very small. Presumably, then, their daily caloric needs are much lower. Land that would only provide bare subsistence to a family of Men might, then, provide five hearty meals per day to a family of hobbits. This could help explain the Shire's apparent productivity without having to advert to Middle-Earth's different biology & physics.
(Not that there is anything wrong with adverting to Middle-Earth's different biology & physics.)
Great thought! I'd assumed that portions that were large to Hobbits were large to Men too, but now that you mention it, I don't have any good evidence for that!
Except for lembas (which's directly stated to work in a way beyond mere calories), the best example I can think of is Pippin in Minas Tirith... where, despite rationing, he was able to eat his fill. That could've been due to his assumed status as a Prince of the Halflings and attendant to Denethor, but not having to eat as much might've helped there too.
Also, I'm now thinking that even if their caloric needs haven't decreased in proportion to their size, their stomach size probably did decrease... which would explain their habit of eating more meals in a day even though perhaps each individual meal is smaller!