The Lost Realm (Book)

The Lost Realm

By Brablo Boffin

Seldom do scholars of the Shire think of the times before our own. For what reason is there to do so? It is often thought that such ancient times do not concern we, the Hobbits of the Shire. This is, however, far from the truth. There is much history of times before the Founding of our homeland, the likes of which influence our lives even today. The Shire did not simply come into existence by careless chance, but as a result of events in the wider world. Although it is perhaps unseemly for such things to be written of, it has been my task to research this subject in as much detail as I am able. To my sorrow, there are few records of these times in the Shire.

This book concerns the Kingdom of Arthedain, the realm of which the Shire once formed part of. From its origins in ancient times, years ago beyond reckoning, to its fall in written memory, I wish to explore the history of this kingdom of the Big Folk - which was once our kingdom too. I am Brablo Boffin, scholar of Barleywick, and I hope that you will join me on this exploration into the past; our past.