Brandywine Bridge

	Location: 31.36S, 62.87W The Shire >> Bridgefields
	Location: 31.36S, 63.03W The Shire >> Bridgefields
	Location: 31.36S, 62.96W The Shire >> Bridgefields
	Location: 31.36S, 63.12W The Shire >> Bridgefields
	Location: 31.36S, 63.20W The Shire >> Bridgefields

The Bridge of Stonebows, as the Brandywine Bridge was once called, was built originally by the Men of Arnor as a causeway across the Barandúin River on the Great East Road. When the founders of the Shire were granted their land by the king of Arthedain, the price was simple: to maintain and care for the Bridge so that travel into the West would never be impeded. The Hobbits of the Shire performed their duty, even long after the North-kingdom failed, and maintained the great stone bridge, denying none passage, Man, Elf, or Dwarf. Though the river's name was changed to the Brandywine and the bridge itself became the Brandywine Bridge, the Hobbits of the Shire continue to care for and keep watch on the Bridge.

As trouble brews in the Shire, gates with locks are installed into the great archways and Shirriffs posted at either end. While the Shire-folk have always been distrustful of "Outsiders," the increased traffic of rough Men and other folk have forced them to be on guard against encroaching dangers from beyond their borders. Fortunately, the trouble the Land of the Halflings has seen thus far is but a trifle in comparison to the shadows growing outside.

The Brandywine Bridge is a prominent landmark of the Shire drawn straight from the pages of The Lord of the Rings. It is the means by which the Ringwraiths leave the Shire to assault Frodo Baggins' home at Crickhollow in Buckland, and it is where Frodo and his companions are "arrested" by Shirriffs at the command of the mysterious Sharkey as they return from the Quest of the Ring. It is certain that famous landmarks such as this will play a major role in LOTRO as The Shadows of Angmar unfold.

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Brandywine Bridge

Quick Facts

Timeline:
Dates:	Uncertain, but probably built around the turn of the Third Age1
Location:	Crossing the River Brandywine on the eastern border of the Shire
Origins:	Built by the Dúnedain of Arnor
Races:	Originally constructed by Men, but mainly used by Hobbits at the end of the Third Age
Cultures:	Shire-hobbits, Bucklanders (in the later Third Age)
Other names:	Bridge of Stonebows

The point where the East Road crossed the Brandywine

The bridge on the East Road crossing the River Brandywine; it marked the eastern border of the Shire. Originally called the Bridge of Stonebows.

Footnotes