The Red Book of Westmarch or the Red Book of the Periannath was a Third Age tome in which the histories and legends of Middle-earth were recorded. As the name suggests, it was bound in red leather. The book was written by several authors, chiefly by Bilbo Baggins and his nephew Frodo Baggins, the Ringbearer, though contributions were also made by Thain Peregrin Took, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Mayor Samwise Gamgee and King Elessar of Gondor. It was the subject of translations and transcriptions over several generations.