Except on the high moors of the Northfarthing a heavy fall was rare in the Shire, and was regarded as a pleasant event and a chance for fun. No living hobbit (save Bilbo) could remember the Fell Winter of 1311, when white wolves invaded the Shire over the frozen Brandywine.
– The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2), Chapter 3
The Northfarthing is the northernmost region of the Shire, and the only farthing not to touch the Three-Farthing Stone.
History
The Northfarthing was once a part of a hunting ground of the King of Arnor, and later Arthedain. Long deserted during the waning of the Northern Kingdom, it was granted to the Hobbits in the year T.A. 1601, along with the rest of the Shire. In T.A. 2747, Goblins from Mount Gram raided the Shire, and were eventually defeated at the Battle of Greenfields, the only pitched battle in the history of the Shire. The Northfarthing suffered especially during the Long Winter of T.A. 2760 and the Fell Winter of T.A. 2911, with White Wolves invading during the latter, and the Hobbits enduring a great deal of hardship during both.
Geography
The Northfarthing is, of course, in the north of the Shire, to the south, it borders the Eastfarthing and the Westfarthing, with the borders generally following arbitrary lines rather than landforms or features. Its southernmost point is a little to the north-east of Bywater, 11 miles north of the Three-Farthing Stone. The Northfarthing borders the Brandywine River between the border with the Eastfarthing and the beginning of the North Moors, which extend along the entirety of the Shire’s northern frontier, which is closely guarded by the Rangers. Beyond the North Moors are the ruins of Annúminas, the old capital of Arnor. Though it contains Bindbole Wood, the Northfarthing is generally sparser and more open than the rest of the Shire, with ‘fresh and fragrant’ air. The farthing also contains several Hobbit settlements, though less densely than other parts of the Shire. These include Oatbarton, through which the Northway Road traverses, Hardbottle, where the Bracegirdle family resides, and Long Cleeve, home of the North-Tooks. Some members of the Gamgee family also reside in the Northfarthing.
Climate
The Northfarthing is generally colder than the rest of the Shire, and is the only place where snow is relatively common.
Culture
The Northfarthing is culturally hobbitish, with plenty of eating and drinking, and a general lack of ambition. Most houses are made of stone, as opposed to the smials or wooden or brick buildings found to the south.
Governance
As with the rest of the Shire, the Hobbits of the Northfarthing still consider themselves subjects of the King of Arthedain. They are technically ruled over by a Thain in place of the King, though the role has no real political power and is ceremonial. The Messenger Service and the Bounders both serve the Hobbits of the Northfarthing. The Northfarthing has three Shirriffs, charged with keeping the peace and protecting the borders, though unbeknownst to the Hobbits, it is the Rangers of the North who do most of the work.
Economy
The economy of the Northfarthing likely revolves around farming. Families such as the North-Tooks own large tracts of land and lavish smials, and probably rent out land to other Hobbits. Within settlements, there are more complex professions, such as bakers and innkeepers.
