first century of the Fourth Age there were already to be found in the
Shire several libraries that contained many historical books and
records.
     The largest of these collections were probably at Undertowers, at
Great Smials, and at Brandy Hall. This account of the end of the Third
Age is drawn mainly from the Red Book of Westmarch. That most
important source for the history of the War of the Ring was so called
because it was long preserved at
     It was in origin Bilbo's private diary, which he took with him to
Rivendell. Frodo brought it back to the Shire, together with many
loose leaves of notes, and during S.R. 1420-1 he nearly filled its
pages with his account of the War. But annexed to it and preserved
with it, probably m a single red case, were the three large volumes,
bound in red leather, that Bilbo gave to him as a parting gift. To
these four volumes there was added in Westmarch a fifth containing
commentaries, genealogies, and various other matter concerning the
hobbit members of the Fellowship.
     The original Red Book has not been preserved, but many copies were
made, especially of the first volume, for the use of the descendants
of the children of Master Samwise. The most important copy, however,