Oh yes, this makes perfect sense. I've always felt that the Tooks and Brandybucks were the nominal "great families" of the Shire, the Tooks for the Shire proper because of their central location, the Brandybucks for the eastern section and the protection of the eastern border from ruffians and any encroachment from the direction of the Old Forest.

I've always been curious about why Michel Delving had so much prominence in government when it's really a bit out of the way on the western side, hemmed in by the mountains on the west and the swamp on the north. Yet, Michel Delving is the location of the Bounders and where the "government" meets. Why? Maybe you could add something about that if you come across any information in your research?

Very interesting essay.

- Erulisse (one L)