BINDO BOFFIN
1164-1243
The son of the long-lived and much beloved Bordo, Bindo Boffin’s life was spent in the pursuit of hedonism. All he did, he did for his pleasure and the pleasure of those around him. It is often remarked that no hobbit has ever spent money as frivolously as Bindo.
Bindo was brought up in Boffin’s Burrow, where his father had redesigned the interior to be both luxurious and homely. Born in 1164 to Bordo Boffin, who had only a few years before performed great feats of leadership during the Long Winter, and his wife Rosemary Sackville, his upbringing could simply be described as extravagant. Some might even say that he was spoilt. Whilst it is likely that the marriage of his parents was one of convenience (them both being wealthy in their own right), it is clear that the two loved each other dearly. It is fair to assume that Bindo was brought up in a loving environment. As an only child, he would have been cherished all the more.
Bindo is immortalised by his great size; often being called Bindo the Fat after his death. The accounts that still survive of his purchases clearly show that he was a hobbit of indulgence. The finest coats from the Westfarthing, a seemingly endless supply of the richest food available, and a particular fondness for jewellery were among his many refined tastes. Bindo was renowned throughout the Shire, and even beyond, for throwing parties of a wondrous nature. There are some who claim that Gandalf, the wandering Wizard, once paid a visit to one of these parties and provided the most magical fireworks ever seen in the village. The relationship that his father, Bordo, had established between the Boffin family and the villagers of Barleywick was taken a step further by Bindo. Many villagers would spend most of their day labouring on the fields, but could always look forward to one of Bindo’s parties which were thrown almost every month. The morale of the people must have truly been great at this time.
Bindo finally inherited the mastery of Boffin’s Burrow in 1215, at the age of 51. His father’s extremely long life must have made Bindo wonder if he might be outlived before he was able to inherit. The people may have loved Bordo for his role in the Long Winter, but it is likely that they loved Bindo even more for his eccentric and expensive mannerisms. He is known to have been very generous with his wealth, often handing out gold for no particular reason. Bindo married Iris Bracegirdle in 1219, and the two would have two sons: Biffo was born that year and Baffo was born four years later.
The years of excessive indulgence finally caught up with Bindo. He was considered to be the fattest hobbit of his time; being so large that he required a lad from the village to push him around in a cushioned wheelbarrow. Despite his failing health, Bindo always remained merry and was loved by the people until the very end. They seemed to never tire of his strange ways, perhaps because he was so kind to them all. At the age of seventy nine, after twenty eight joyful years as the loveable patriarch of Barleywick, Bindo Boffin died in 1243. It is commonly believed that he died as he had lived, at the feasting table during one of his parties. Outlived by his wife, Iris, the headship of the family and mastery of Boffin’s Burrow was inherited by her upon his death.
Documents concerning Bindo’s expenses still survive today. Although it seemed as though he was a frivolous spender, it is clear that he kept detailed accounts of all his purchases throughout the years. Such accounts give us a clear insight into the life of this extraordinary hobbit who ensured that he lived and enjoyed his time in this world, encouraging all those around him to do so as well. But his great expenditure would put the family’s finances, and indeed wellbeing, in jeopardy soon after his death.
