Girdley Island is a long, narrow island in the Brandywine River, located approximately ten miles north of the Brandywine Bridge, where the river temporarily splits into two streams before rejoining. The island sits on the eastern border of the Shire's Eastfarthing, with the Brandy Hills of the Bree-land area on its eastern bank. The name "Girdley" likely derives from the Old English elements suggesting the island is "girdled" (encircled) by the river's two branches. In J.R.R. Tolkien's writings, the island is mentioned by name, but not in extensive detail, serving primarily as a geographical marker in maps and background lore.
While only a minor landmark in the book depicts Girdley Island with a richer, speculative history. It is described as a rugged, steep island used by the Brandybucks of the Shire as an excursion or fishing spot, and sometimes as a refuge for "Rivermen" who fled after committing crimes in the Eastfarthing. It was also rumored to have an ancient, mysterious history involving an old Elvish river crossing point where magical, self-propelled "moonboats" were hidden beneath the water, a tale that terrified the local Rivermen but was largely unknown or ignored by the Hobbits.
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