Bill Ferny: Man or Hobbit

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Unless I'm mistaken I don't think Tolkien ever says in LotR whether Bill Ferny is a Man or a Hobbit. There is evidence to show both.

Hobbit: Bill was a pony not a horse and men don't usually have ponies.
Man: He took up the squint-eyed Southener and the ruffians.

Is there any other evidence to suggest he is either because if would really lik to know.

[Haradrim]

I always thought he was like a wicked tall Hobbit. But if anyone with real evidence comes a long I will accept it as factual

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

I always assumed he was a hobbit until I really thought about it.

[Haradrim]

well some hobbits could take on men and maybe Bill was one of them

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Yes but Aragorn said that Bill knew the lands around Bree well and if he was a hobbit I doubt that he'd go travelling round the lands near Bree just to get one over on Strider or for luxery.

[Haradrim]

but hes already pretty unusual for working at the prancing pony. He probably has a little adventurous spirit in him. So he probably did go walk around Bree

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Bill Ferny didn't work at The Prancing Pony.

[Haradrim]

oops sorry. Whatever I always figured he was of the tookish strain and that is why he hung out there so much

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

No I thin he just hung out there to get info he could sell on.

[Haradrim]

maybe but i think it makes more sense if hes a hobbit

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Yeah but I just want to know if there is any solid evidence.

[Haradrim]

none that I know of

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

There's probably something in one of the Appendices or another book.

[Haradrim]

Im skimming those right now and I havent come up with anything yet.

[Earniel]

Originally Posted by Telcontar_Dunedain

Man: He took up the squint-eyed Southener and the ruffians.

On the other hand, he could have done so too if he had been a Hobbit. Not all Hobbits were that pure of heart. Although the squinty-eyed Southener would no doubt have gotten a sore back from hiding in a Hobbit-home.

I always assumed Ferny was a Hobbit, can't say why really. But judging from the quote here, I think he may more likely have been a man.

from FOTR, chapter "at the sign of the Prancing Pony":

The landlord introduced the newcomers to the Bree-folk, so quickly that, though they caught many names, they were seldom sure who the names belonged to. The Men of Bree seemed all to have rather botanical (and to the Shire-folk rather odd) names, like Rushlight, Goatleaf, Heathertoes, Appledore, Thistlewool and Ferny. (not to mention Butterbur.)

And if anything this quote seems to leave no doubt at all:


From FOTR, chapter "A knife in the dark"

Over the hedge another man was staring boldy. he had heavy black brows, and dark scornful eyes; his large mouth curled in a sneer. He was smoking a short black pipe. As they approached he took it out of his mouth and spat.

This man turns out to be our Bill Ferny.

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Wow thanks Eärniel.

[Attalus]

Darn, Earnil beat me to it. Yes, Bill Ferny was a man, for the reasons she gave.

[Haradrim]

okay wel that settles that Bill Ferny was a man. WIPEEEE!!!!!!! But if he was a hobbit do you think he would have been bad too?

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Dunno but if he was imagine him with the Ring hehehe

[Haradrim]

OH NO! NOT ANOTHER WHAT IF X GOT THE RING!!!!!!!!! AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sounds fun tho. I think he wqould claim lordship over Bree....