Focusing on the "common folk" as a source of history is a fairly recent phenomena, in fiction and non-fiction. For most of recorded history it was the actions of the nobles, (and later the landed gentry) that were thought to be important. Farmers, craftsmen, and other "working stiffs" were not considered to be worthy of attention, except for the occasional comic relief.
Actually, Tolkien's focus on Samwise, his contribution and the rise of his family, would have been considered rather cutting edge for the time. "The servant is the hero? Preposterous!"
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