Rosie Cotton

Rose Cotton, (later Rose Gamgee), also called Rosie, is a fictional character depicted in ‘The Lord of The Rings’. She is a hobbit of the Shire.
Born in TA 2984, she is the second daughter of Lily Brown and Tolman Cotton Senior. She married Samwise Gamgee in TA 3020, (1420 Shire Reckoning) and became mother of their thirteen children, passed in FO 62.[1] (Note: Rose Gamgee is also the name given to Rosie and Sam's 3rd child, born FO 5.)

Rosie is a hobbit regarded as one of the most beautiful girls in the Shire. She had a pretty appearance with curly blond hair. She wore beautiful dresses like other females. She was a good mother and wife.

The early life of Rosie Cotton is not recorded in detail but she and her brothers were close to the children of the Gamgee family, including Sam. She was fond of Sam and did not like him going abroad.[2]

Rosie was living with her parents when the Hobbits returned from their journeys, as the Shire had been ruled by the Ruffians for some three months beginning earlier in 3019 of the Third Age, and she was protected there. She would see Sam again at the family doorstep on November 2. Her family helped the Hobbits fight and drive away the Ruffians.

Frodo and Sam lived with the Cotton family until the next spring when Bag End and Bagshot Row were finally restored to living condition.

The two got married in 3020 and moved in with Frodo at Bag End at Frodo's encouragement. They had a happy married life and thirteen children. Many of them were named after the relatives of Sam and Rosie, including Goldilocks, Frodo Gardner, and Elanor.

In the Fourth Age, Rosie and Sam moved to Gondor and lived there with King Aragorn II Elessar for over a year. Upon their return, they found that Sam’s duties were given to Tolman Cotton Jr. Rosie lived with Sam till her last breath and died at the age of 98. Sam left for Middle Earth that year to get to the Undying Lands.

Like other female Hobbits, Rose Cotton is named after a flower, the rose. The word Cotton comes from a Westron Hlothran that translates to ‘Cottager’. According to the ‘King’s Letter’, Rosie’s name was translated as Meril in Sindarin.

In the movie, Rosie was seen in a dream Sam had when he wore the Ring. She appeared as a blonde woman carrying a baby to him.

In this series, Rosie had one child named Elanor. The character was voiced by Kathryn Hurlbutt.

In this game, Rosie was seen giving Sam a gift at their family farm.

Rosie is played by Sarah McLeod. She is depicted as a popular girl and is portrayed dancing at a farewell party. It was Bilbo’s 111th birthday party and Rosie was invited.
Sam watched her sadly when Frodo asked him to ask her for a dance. He denied and Frodo pushed him towards her after which the two danced together for a while.
In the 2002 edition, she appears as the barmaid of the Green Dragon. She is seen showing more love and concern for Frodo than for Sam.

In the film trilogy by Peter Jackson, Rosie is played by Sarah McLeod and is a barmaid of the Green Dragon.
She rarely speaks but is seen dancing at Bilbo’s party with Sam in her arms as Frodo asks him to participate. She has two children Frodo and Elanor.

Rosie is portrayed as dancing at the Methel-Stage during the Farmers Faire.

Rosie is featured prominently in the game and voiced by Deborah Baker Jr.

1. ^Robert Foster: The Complete Tolkien Companion
2. ^J.R.R. Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings book 6 Chapter 9: The Grey Havens