Farmer Maggot's Dogs

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

I think Maggot makes it clear to Merry that he was going to set his dogs on anyone who was caught trespassing after the encounter with the Nazgul, of whom he also said nearly ran him over with his horse had he not got out of the way at the last moment. Lucky for Maggot that this was not the Lord of the Nazgul. He was never going to frighten a Nazgul with his three dogs.

Well, Nazgûl were a bit out of Maggot's experience, so he can be forgiven for not appreciating the danger. I don't think the wraith meant to kill him by running him down: just a friendly was of telling him "thanks for nothing".

Then again, Maggot is credited by both Merry, and more importantly, Bombadil, as being more aware and knowledgeable than the usual hobbit. Think of the way he was quick to connect the Nazgûl with Bilbo's adventure decades before. Maggot almost certainly didn't know the nature of the Ringwraiths, but he knew or intuited that they were evil, and not merely nosy about Baggins gossip.

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Well, Nazgûl were a bit out of Maggot's experience, so he can be forgiven for not appreciating the danger. I don't think the wraith meant to kill him by running him down: just a friendly was of telling him "thanks for nothing".

Then again, Maggot is credited by both Merry, and more importantly, Bombadil, as being more aware and knowledgeable than the usual hobbit. Think of the way he was quick to connect the Nazgûl with Bilbo's adventure decades before. Maggot almost certainly didn't know the nature of the Ringwraiths, but he knew or intuited that they were evil, and not merely nosy about Baggins gossip.

It is admirable that Maggot did stand up to the Nazgul. But it was foolish, and if it not were but for the fact that they were still absent of the Ring, they may well have killed him, or even used the morgul blade on him. The Lord of the Nazgul may not have been as merciful as that other Nazgul, but neverthless they had more pressing concerns than seeing Maggot dead. The dogs were of little defence. Perhaps Maggot had learned something from the power of Bombadil that may have had some part to play in sending the Nazgul on his way without too much fuss. It is said that the Nazgul had little physical power over the fearless.

I can suggest that the dogs may have unsettled, and even wounded, the steed which the Nazgul rode, but that was the limit of their use. It is still questionable whether Maggot had the right and authority to threaten anyone with his dogs, even if trespassing by mistake.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

It is still questionable whether Maggot had the right and authority to threaten anyone with his dogs, even if trespassing by mistake.

As master of his lands, Farmer Maggot had complete authority to drive trespassers off his lands, with dogs or with weapons, for matter. Up until very recent times in Britain, poachers were summarily shot or hanged. Property rights trumped personal liberties for centuries, laws supporting landlords were harsh, and considering Maggot lived on the marches of the Shire, there was practically no law save for what he considered proper to protect his interests.

[Mithalwen]

Morth, where did you find that? Poaching hasn't been a capital offence in England for nearly 200 years. Are you an elf?

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Morth, where did you find that? Poaching hasn't been a capital offence in England for nearly 200 years. Are you an elf?

I've read of instances occurring in the mid-19th century, Mith. In fact, in Cornwall there is a sign that reads the following:

Take notice that as of from today's date poachers shall be shot on first sight and if practicable questioned afterwards. By order: J.R. Bramble, Head Gamekeeper to His Grace the Duke of Gumby. 1st November 1868

Humorous, I know, but even after death sentences were repealed for poaching, the Night Poaching Act of 1828 provisioned as a sentence transport to Tasmania. In any case, the "recent times" I was referring to is in contrast to when the Shire existed, which would be distant indeed.

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

As master of his lands, Farmer Maggot had complete authority to drive trespassers off his lands, with dogs or with weapons, for matter. Up until very recent times in Britain, poachers were summarily shot or hanged. Property rights trumped personal liberties for centuries, laws supporting landlords were harsh, and considering Maggot lived on the marches of the Shire, there was practically no law save for what he considered proper to protect his interests.

Maggot is what I would like to think of as a gentleman, and not a brutal enforcer of punishment. His friendship with Bombadil would go out of the window if the dogs were used to effect as he threatened to on hobbits or the big folk unmercifully. Sooner or later the tables would turn and his own farm would be attacked by a greater enemy and all his kindred slain if he had killed a trespasser previously. Did he have the right to protect his land? Yes. Did he have the right and authority to kill trespassers at unawares with his dogs? In my book absolutely not.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Maggot is what I would like to think of as a gentleman, and not a brutal enforcer of punishment. His friendship with Bombadil would go out of the window if the dogs were used to effect as he threatened to on hobbits or the big folk unmercifully. Sooner or later the tables would turn and his own farm would be attacked by a greater enemy and all his kindred slain if he had killed a trespasser previously.

Again, there is no evidence that the dogs ever killed, or even injured, anyone. Pippin and Merry were friends of Maggot's, knowing full well that he had dogs guarding his land. Obviously, that was not out of the ordinary, at least for that part of the Shire near the Old Forest.

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Again, there is no evidence that the dogs ever killed, or even injured, anyone. Pippin and Merry were friends of Maggot's, knowing full well that he had dogs guarding his land. Obviously, that was not out of the ordinary, at least for that part of the Shire near the Old Forest.

Nevertheless Maggot had to be careful not to bite more than he could chew. The dogs should have been used only as a last resort to defend his family, and as a means to remind trespassers that stealing from his land would not be tolerated. One slain hobbit and it would have been all over for Maggot and his reputation.

What became of Farmer Maggot in the end? He was not involved in the Scouring of the Shire.

[Nerwen]

Moonraker, why do you believe Maggot would be going around killing hobbits with his dogs? I didn't get the impression he meant, "I'll have my dogs tear strangers to pieces".