Narya and the Shire

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Gordis

Now, it seems that the WK might have personally visited Barrow-Downs region and Bree only once - in 1409, when Cardolan had been ravaged and there was fighting around the Barrows and the Old Forest.

Was there actual fighting around the Barrowdowns and Old Forest? After the taking of Amon Sûl by the forces of Angmar, it is said that a 'remnant' of the Dúnedain of Cardolan took refuge on the Downs and in the Old Forest, but there is no mention of actual battle there. Indeed, those Dúnedain did not come to an end until the coming of the plague to Eriador, so it seems likely to me the WK and his troops did not even get that close to the Shire.

[Pitchwife]

LotR Appendix B, The Tale of Years:

1409 The Witch-King of Angmar invades Arnor. King Arveleg I slain. Fornost and Tyrn Gorthad are defended.

If the Downs were defended, wouldn't that imply they were under attack?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Pitchwife

If the Downs were defended, wouldn't that imply they were under attack?

Nice catch. There's something to be said sometimes for not relying on memory alone when posting.
Still, that appears to be as close as the invaders ever got to entering the Shire.

It is said that Angmar was for a time subdued by the Elvenfolk coming from Lindon; and from Rivendell, for Elrond brought help over the Mountains out of Lórien.

Appendix A

Those actions by the Elves drove the forces of Angmar away before they could invade the Shire, so I think it is still feasible neither the WK or his armies ever saw a hobbit.

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Those actions by the Elves drove the forces of Angmar away before they could invade the Shire, so I think it is still feasible neither the WK or his armies ever saw a hobbit.

The forces of Angmar couldn't invade the Shire back in 1409, because the Shire didn't yet exist. The hobbits settled there about 200 years later in 1600.

Originally Posted by Pitchwife

LotR Appendix B, The Tale of Years:
If the Downs were defended, wouldn't that imply they were under attack?

Certainly. And there is also a clearer quote:

A remnant of the faithful among the Dúnedain of Cardolan also held out in Tyrn Gorthad (the Barrowdowns), or took refuge in the Forest behind.-App A

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Gordis

The forces of Angmar couldn't invade the Shire back in 1409, because the Shire didn't yet exist. The hobbits settled there about 200 years later in 1600.

In that case, 'feasible' would seem to progress to 'nearly certain'.