[NancyBrooke]

What does anybody know about being Thain? I mean, when Pippin became Thain, what would he be expected to do? Any clue would be appreciated since I have none here.

Thanks!

[SilverMoonLady]

Well... LOTR isn't terribly clear on the exact duties, save for what they weren't actually. As the nominal head of the Shiremoot and the hobbitry-at-arms, and able to call the Shire-muster, it sounds as if the Thain would be the military/governmental leader of an otherwise extremely decentralized, non-interferential type of government. Tolkien however mentions that since none of these things had been necessary in a very great while, it was a purely honorary position, although by virtue of being the head of the Took family, which was wealthy and prominent, the Thain still likely had a great deal of influence on many issues. Likely, he would be in charge of managing any properties the family held as a group, and was also likely responsible for any members of the family that lived under his roof, and any that were in need (poor cousins, widows, orphans and the like) This is just my guess from the duties that the landed gentry had in that sort of culture. So..... oh, books, ledgers, accounts, delegating micromanagement of properties, settling disputes within the family (that's something every head of family would actually have to do, not just the Took), also probably any conflicts that called for a third party arbitration from anyone else in the nearby area, although the Mayor would also likely have his share of this sort of responsibility (my guess is that Buckland and the Marish looked to the Master of Brandyhall for the same, but again, that's just a guess)
Most of this is conjectural, and I'll actually look at my copy of LOTR tonight and add a bit in the morning to this.
It's actually kind of funny that Pippin would refer to his father as just a farmer, although that is indeed probably exactly what he did for most of his life (he became Thain 3 or 4 years before the War of the Ring) so one wonders just what kind of education/expectations Pippin grew up with, though he was probably literate, and from his lifestyle, he likely had plenty of pocket money. I guess that 's where fanfiction comes in:)
And yes, I am a complete and utter pervy hobbit fancying geek ) Just wait until I post the next happy mess I've come up with:)
Anyway, more in the morning, when I've had the opportunity to look at the book.

[NancyBrooke]

[SilverMoonLady]

Well, there ain't much out there.... The little bit at the beginning of LOTR and the appendices are all I know about, not having access to a large collection of the Professor's writings... Uhmmm.. I'd be happy to collaborate/beta/just plain blab on and on and on about this with you