The Bridgefields Wall
The Water begins at Needlehole in the Westfarthing, flowing through the Shire, parallel to the Great East Road, until it reaches the greater Brandywine River. There are two main crossings of the Water: the Bywater Bridge in Hobbiton and Budgeford,. Budgeford, in the Bridgefields of the Eastfarthing, has been the ancestral home of the Bolger family for many centuries. The Puddifoots are also a notable family in the Bridgefields, cultivating a large acreage of farmland in the country beyond Budgeford, along the banks of the Water as it filters into the Brandywine River.
North of the Puddifoot Fields stands one of the most impressive spectacles that the Shire’s history has to offer. Known colloquially as the Bridgefield Wall, this ruined fortress is considered to be one of the most impressive and intact Arnorian structure that still stands in the Shire today. The original site once encompassed four separate structures, of which only three remain today. The largest of these structures is the wall that once spanned from east to west, looking upon the Water from its south. At the centre, another wall spanned to the north with views of the Brandywine River to the east and the countryside to the west. Although the first level of the walls is built of sold, nine-brick wide walls, the second (and in some places third) levels of the Bridgefields Wall are made of columns, forming a wall of archways across the structure. Intervals of round towers would only strengthen the defences of the fortress. The design concerning the other three structures of the Bridgefields Wall is considered rather unusual. At the end of the wall-span, an open space is left before the wall continues again. The only complete example of this is found on the eastern-side of the ruin. On the north and west side, the passing of time has not been kind to the stonework. The wall that follows after is considerably weaker than the centre structure, which then opens up to arguably the most impressive component of the site.
The large round tower of the easternmost point of the ruin provides a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, most notably across the Brandywine River and the country beyond. A wide, round structure, the summit of the eastern tower is surrounded by an ornate wall of columns. From this elevated position, the strategically vital Bridge of Stonebows would be in plain sight. Identical towers would have been found on the northern and western side of the fortress, but there is little left of them today. To the south of the Water stands the Stocktower, another Arnorian structure which shares the vigil of the river. Although the great height of the Stocktower could provide a more effective watch, it would be the Bridgefields Wall that would muster an earnest defence of the bridge in the event of an invasion. It is likely that the two structures relayed warnings through fire beacons. Although the land between them today has become overgrown by foliage, in the time of their flourishing there would have been a clear line of sight from the watchtower to the fortress.
The immensity of the structure suggests that it was constructed at a time when the river and its crossing were in vital need of defence. Following the splintering of Arnor following King Eärendur’s death, the Brandywine River marked the eastern border of the Kingdom of Arthedain with the neighbouring Cardolan. Along with the Stocktower, it is likely that the Bridgefields Wall was built shortly after the establishment of Arthedain under King Amlaith. Although the three realms of Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur were not in open war, the rulers of each kingdom coveted the throne of a re-united Arnor. Should an invading force cross the Bridge of Stonebows, then it would be from the Bridgefields Wall that Arthedain would mount is defence. The positioning of the three walls would have allowed the defenders to keep their foes in sight, whilst archers would have rained arrows down upon them from above. The road north to the capital, the Norbury of the Kings, would be made particularly difficult due to the positioning of the three walls. The strategic brilliance of Arthedain is encapsulated in the ingenuity of their architecture.
The Fall of Norbury (and subsequent fall of Arthedain) in 374 heralded the end of the Bridgefield Wall’s capacity as a fortress. It was abandoned by its defenders, left to endure the elements. Of late the ruins have become the abode of wolves, making close research of the fortress extremely difficult. For many years now Farmer Puddifoot of the nearby fields has petitioned for the fortress-ruin to be torn down, so that the wolves that trouble his livestock will move on. Such requests have been rejected time and time again, due in part to the intervention of local historical conversation societies (as well as the author of this book). The historical value found throughout this ruin is considered greater than the peace-of-mind of Farmer Puddifoot. Although he may lose sleep for worry of his pigs, the Bridgefields Wall, stalwart defender of the Brandywine, will likely go on to endure another thousand years.
