Brandywine Bridge

Originally called the Bridge of Stonebows, Rivermen and Eriadorans once had dominated the country surrounding this , the only direct link between the Shire and eastern Arthedain. From here, a fast rider could reach the royal garrison at Bree in a day , and Fornost in three. A Fallohide clan, the Quill , had been commissioned to garrison a small stone tower on the western end of the bridge and charge a 3 copper toll to travelers. In the early years of the Shire colony Tarma agents continued to stir up resentment against Hobbits in Stonebows village and the farmlands, using the notion of paying a toll to "child-things and changelings" as a potent argument. The Quill aggravated the problem by conspicuously failing to collect "the King's Pence " from Hobbit travelers. The tolls, allegedly for the maintenance of the bridge and keep , were rumored to be spent on weapons for the Hobbit Dumuvurdur (K ."Houseguard" ) allegedly training around Hobbiton and Bywater.