Tolkien Gateway


The Shirebourn is a lesser river of the Shire's Eastfarthing. Its source was in the uplands of the Green Hill Country, from where it flowed south and then southeast, where it matched the boundary with the Southfarthing. At Willowbottom, it met the Thistle Brook, and then flowed eastwards.

The Shirebourn flowed into the Brandywine beneath Deephallow, and at its mouth formed the boggy region known as the Overbourn Marshes, opposite the southern end of the High Hay.[1] Its outflow was the Mithe.[2]

[edit] Etymology

Shirebourn means "Bright-stream". However, in most translations, it is translated "River of the Shire" instead.[3]

David Salo suggested it represents a possible Old Hobbitish etymology *Scirburna "River of the Shire".[4]


  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, "Bombadil Goes Boating"
  4. David Salo, "Hobbitish Place-names" dated 23 November 1998, Elfling (accessed 29 November 2015)