Far Vales

The lands east of the river Anduin and west of Mirkwood were known to Hobbits as the Far Vales. The 11th century "discovery " of the Holbylta by other peoples was not the result of some great decision or exploration. It occurred because of the rapid growth in Hobbit numbers and colonies, most particularly their expansion into the Far Vales from their original homeland in the Glennen. The Beijabar Northmen long dominated the northern end of these vales, the Woodmen the middle portion , and the Galadhrim (of Lorien ) the south. All of them tolerated the small Hobbit colonies in their midst. However, the rise of the Shadow and the increasing depredations of Orcs and wolves made the open country a more dangerous place. The Northmen began to take a less friendly attitude toward strangers, while the Galadhrim and Hobbits fled west of the Anduin. The Far Vales became the first of the lost homelands of Hobbit tales.