History of Arda
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 The History of Arda |
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| Valian Years
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| Ages of the Children of Ilúvatar |
| Final Battle |
| Timeline of Arda |
- The main part of this article relates to a version of Middle-earth's history that is considered canon by many Tolkien fans (see: Middle-earth canon); it may contradict parts of The Silmarillion or other texts. This subject's portrayal in other versions is discussed in the concept and creation section.
In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, the history of the fictional universe of Eä began when the Ainur entered Arda, following the creation events in the Ainulindalë and long ages of labour throughout Eä, the universe. Time from that point was measured using Valian Years, though the subsequent history of Arda was divided into three time periods using different years, known as the Years of the Lamps, the Years of the Trees and the Years of the Sun. A separate, overlapping chronology divides the history into 'Ages of the Children of Ilúvatar'. The first such Age began with the making of Arda, but it is counted in years from the Awakening of the Elves during the Years of the Trees and continued for the first six centuries of the Years of the Sun. All the subsequent Ages took place during the Years of the Sun. Most Middle-earth stories take place in the first three Ages of the Children of Ilúvatar.
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[edit] Music of the Ainur
Main article: Ainulindalë
The supreme deity of Tolkien's universe is called Eru Ilúvatar. In the beginning, Ilúvatar created spirits named the Ainur from his thoughts, and some were considered brothers or sisters. Ilúvatar made divine music with them. Melkor, who was then the most powerful of the Ainur, broke the harmony of the music, until Ilúvatar began first a second theme, and then a third theme, which the Ainur could not comprehend since they were not the source of it. The essence of their song symbolized the history of the whole universe and the Children of Ilúvatar that were to dwell in it — the Men and the Elves.
Then Ilúvatar created Eä, which means "to be," the universe itself, and formed within it Arda, the Earth, "globed within the void": the world together with the three airs is set apart from Ava-Kuma, the "void" without. The first 15 of the Ainur that descended to Arda, and the most powerful ones, were called Valar, and the Ainur of lesser might that came with them were called Maiar.
[edit] Valian Years and the Years of the Lamps
Main articles: Valian Years and Years of the Lamps
The Valian Years began when the Ainur entered Arda. This definition of a year, named for the Valar, continued to be used during later periods that used different definitions of a year, such as the Years of the Lamps, the Years of the Trees, and the Years of the Sun. The Valian years continued to be measured in Aman after the first sunrise, but Tolkien provided no dates for events in Aman after that point. The account in Valian years is generally not used when describing the events of Beleriand and Middle-earth.
After the Valar entered Arda, there was a light veiling the ground. The Valar took this light and concentrated it into two large lamps, Iluin and Ormal Thus began the Years of the Lamps. The Vala Aulë raised great pillar-like mountains called Ringal and Helkar, one in the furthest north, and another in the deepest south, to put the lamps on. The Valar lived in the middle, at the island of Almaren upon the Great Lake. The end of the Years of the Lamps was marked by Melkor's destruction of the Two Lamps.
[edit] Years of the Trees
Main article: Years of the Trees
Shortly after the destruction of the Two Lamps, Yavanna made the Two Trees, named Telperion (the silver tree) and Laurelin (the gold tree) in the land of Aman, where the Valar had gone after the fall of the lamps destroyed Almaren. The Trees illumined Aman, leaving Middle-earth in darkness, save for the light of the stars, which were dimmer at the time.
The Elves awoke in Cuiviénen when Varda made new, brighter stars, and were soon approached by the Vala Oromë, but also by Melkor's allies. This event marked the beginning of the First Age. Many of the Elves were persuaded to go on the Great Journey westwards towards Aman. All the elves that went are named the Eldar, but those that stayed the Avari. Along the journey several groups of Elves tarried, notably the Nandor and the Sindar. These are called the Úmanyar, the Eldar that never saw the light of the Two Trees. The three clans that arrived at Aman were the Vanyar, most of the Noldor and some of the Teleri.
The Valar had captured Melkor and placed him in chains in Aman, after a war with him for the Elves' sake. After three Ages he appeared to repent and was released, and he sowed great discord among the Elves, and stirred up rivalry between the Noldorin King Finwë's two sons Fëanor and Fingolfin. With the help of the primordial spirit Ungoliant he destroyed the Two Trees and escaped to Middle-earth; then out of jealousy and lust for the Silmarils—three gems crafted by Fëanor that contained the light of the Two Trees—he stole them, killing Finwë who was guarding the jewels.
Bitter at the Valar's inactivity, Fëanor and his house left to pursue Melkor, cursing him with the name 'Morgoth,' which means "black enemy of the world". They also made vows that they would take the Silmarils at any cost. A larger host, commanded by Fingolfin followed him. They reached the Telerin port city of Alqualondë, and were forbidden to use the Telerin ships. Fëanor decided to take them by force and thus the first Kinslaying ensued and only by the strength in numbers were the Teleri overcome and their fair ships stolen.
Fëanor's host sailed on the vessels, and burned them when he arrived in Middle-earth. Left behind, Fingolfin and his company crossed over to Middle-earth through the Grinding Ice in the far north. The crossing was bitter, and for some, deadly. Around the same time, but separately, Galadriel and Celeborn set sail for Middle-earth without the permission of the Valar.
[edit] Years of the Sun
The Years of the Sun began when the Valar made the Sun and the Moon out of the final fruit of Laurelin and the final flower of Telperion and set them in the heavens. Thereafter years were reckoned in Middle-earth as they are in our own real world. The First Age of the Children of Ilúvatar continued into this new reckoning of time.
[edit] Ages of the Children of Ilúvatar
[edit] First Age
Main article: First Age
Fëanor was soon lost in an attack on Morgoth's Balrogs — but his sons survived, and founded realms, as did the followers of Fingolfin, who reached Beleriand after Fëanor's death.
The Noldor for a time besieged Morgoth's stronghold of Angband, resulting in the Long Peace. This Peace lasted hundreds of years; during which time Men arrived over the Blue Mountains. But the peace was not to last; and one by one the kingdoms — even the hidden ones of Gondolin and Doriath — fell. The initial battle that allowed Morgoth's forces to break free of the Siege of Angband was aptly named Dagor Bragollach, or The Battle of Sudden Flame. Morgoth issued flames and lava from Angband which enveloped the surrounding area. A mighty force was then sent forth to break their centuries long siege.
At the end of the age, all that remained of free Elves and Men in Beleriand was a settlement at the mouth of the River Sirion and another settlement on the isle of Balar. Eärendil had possession of a Silmaril, which his wife Elwing's ancestors Beren and Lúthien had taken from Morgoth. But the Fëanorians had a claim on the Silmaril still and so there was another Kinslaying. Eärendil and Elwing took the Silmaril across the Great Sea, to beg the Valar for aid against Morgoth.
They responded. A great battle, the War of Wrath, ensued. Melkor was exiled into the Void; and most of his works were destroyed. This came at a terrible cost, as most of Beleriand itself was sunk.
[edit] Second Age
Main article: Second Age
The Men who had remained faithful were given the island of Númenor, in the middle of the Great Sea, and there they established a great Kingdom; and the White Tree of Númenor was planted in the King's city of Armenelos; and it was said that while that tree stood in the King's courtyard, the reign of Númenor would yet last. The Elves were granted pardon for the sins of Fëanor, and were allowed to return home to the Undying Lands.
The Númenóreans became great seafarers, and were learned and wise beyond all other men; and they were granted a lifespan three times that of other mortal men; and at first, they held to the Ban of the Valar, never sailing into the Undying Lands. And so they travelled east, and coming to Middle-earth they helped teach the lesser men valuable skills. After a time, they became jealous of the Elves for their immortality. Meanwhile, in Middle-earth it became apparent that Sauron, Morgoth's chief servant, was still active. He worked with Elven smiths, especially Celebrimbor, the grandson of Fëanor in Eregion on the craft of rings, and secretly forged the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom to dominate them all. But as soon as Sauron put on the One Ring, The Elves were aware of him and removed theirs. Sauron then made war on the elves, and nearly destroyed them utterly; but when it seemed defeat was imminent, the Númenóreans, led by Tar-Minastir, joined the battle and completely crushed the forces of Sauron, thus saving Gil-galad and the elves of Middle-earth from obliteration. Sauron never forgot the ruin brought to his armies by the Númenóreans, and made it his goal to destroy them by whatever means necessary.
Towards the end of the age, the Númenóreans were growing increasingly proud. Now rather than helping the lesser Men of Middle-earth, they sought to dominate them and establish kingdoms abroad. Ar-Pharazôn, the last and most powerful of the Kings of Númenor, humbled even Sauron and brought him to Númenor as a hostage, although this was Sauron's goal. Sauron quickly worked his way into Ar-Pharazôn's court, and became high priest in the cult of Melkor. At this time, the Faithful (who still worshipped Eru Ilúvatar), were persecuted openly by those called the King's Men, and were sacrificed in the name of Melkor. Eventually, with the help of the power of the One Ring, Sauron even convinced Ar-Pharazôn to attempt to invade Aman, promising that immortality would result.
Amandil, chief of the Faithful, sailed westward to warn the Valar of this. His son Elendil and grandsons Isildur and Anárion prepared to flee eastwards, taking with them a seedling of the White Tree of Númenor before Sauron destroyed it, and the palantíri, gifts of the elves. When the King's men had landed on Aman, the Valar lay down their guardianship of the world and called for Ilúvatar to intervene.
The world was changed into a sphere, and the straight road from Middle-earth to Aman was broken. Númenor was utterly destroyed, as was the fair body of Sauron; however his spirit drifted back to Mordor, where he again took up the One Ring and gathered his strength once more. Elendil and his sons were spared, and together with the remainder of the Faithful, they found safe passage to Middle-earth, where they founded the realms in exile of Gondor and Arnor.
Sauron arose again and challenged them. The Elves allied with Men to form the Last Alliance. For seven years, the Alliance laid siege to Barad-dûr, until at last Sauron himself joined the battle field. And there he slew Elendil, High King of Gondor and Arnor, as well as Gil-galad, King of the Elves of Middle Earth. But when it seemed all was lost, Isildur took up the hilt of Narsil, his father's now shattered sword, and cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand. And Sauron was defeated, but not utterly destroyed. For Isildur ignored the counsel of Elrond, and rather than destroy the Ring in the fires of Mount Doom, he kept it for himself. But the Ring betrayed him, as it slipped from his finger as he was escaping from an Orc ambush at the Gladden Fields. Isildur was slain, and the Ring fell into the Anduin River, where it was lost for a time.
[edit] Third Age
Main article: Third Age
The Third Age saw the rise in power of the realms of Arnor and Gondor, and their fall. Arnor was divided into three petty Kingdoms, which fell one by one, whilst Gondor fell victim to Kin-strife, plague, Wainriders, and Corsairs. In this time, the line of the Kings of Gondor ends, with the House of the Stewards ruling in their stead. Meanwhile, the heirs of Isildur from the fallen kingdom of Arnor wander Middle-earth, aided only by Elrond in Rivendell; but the line of rightful heirs remains unbroken throughout the age.
The Wizards arrive during this period to aid the Free Peoples, most importantly Gandalf and Saruman.
By the time of The Lord of the Rings, Sauron had recovered again, and was seeking the One Ring. He discovered that it was in the possession of a Hobbit named Baggins, and sent out the Ringwraiths to find him and retrieve it.
The Ring-bearer, Frodo Baggins, is sent to Rivendell, where it is decided that the One Ring must be destroyed once and for all — and it can only be unmade in the fiery depths of Mount Doom where it was forged. He sets out on this quest with eight other companions who comprise the Fellowship of the Ring: Legolas, a woodland elf, Gimli, a dwarf of Balin's clan, Boromir, a lord of Gondor, Aragorn, a Dúnedain ranger of the North, Gandalf, and three hobbits of the Shire, Sam Gamgee, Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck. Gandalf falls in battle with a Balrog in the deeps of Moria, and Boromir, after trying to take the ring from Frodo, falls defending Merry and Pippin. It seemed as though hope was lost, but miraculously, it is revealed that Gandalf was "sent back" from his apparent death to help men, no longer as Gandalf the Grey, but now as the more powerful Gandalf the White.
During this time, it becomes clear that one of the Wizards, Saruman the White, has betrayed the Fellowship, and he makes war on Rohan. However, his army is defeated at Helm's Deep, and the Ents destroy his stronghold at Isengard. Following this defeat, Sauron strikes quickly, taking the city of Osgiliath and laying siege to Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor. But he is defeated at Minas Tirith, as the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor, Aragorn, leads an army of the dead there, saving the forces of Gondor and Rohan from destruction, and instead utterly destroying Sauron's army. Sauron's chief lieutenant, the Witch-king of Angmar, leader of the Ringwraiths, is defeated during the battle.
At this time, Aragorn, through the use of a palantír recovered after the fall of Isengard, reveals himself to the Dark Lord, and marches to the gates of Barad-dûr calling for battle, thus keeping the eye of Sauron focused on the ongoing war rather than the mission of Frodo.
After a long and difficult journey, he and Sam Gamgee finally complete the mission and destroy the One Ring, succeeding largely due to an unforeseen event that was out of their control. Sauron is thus destroyed forever. The armies of the West, led by Gandalf and Aragorn, on the brink of defeat and anihilation, thus claim victory.
Aragorn takes his place as King of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor, at last restoring the line of Kings from the Stewards of Gondor. Aragorn marries the daughter of Elrond, Arwen. And as the age ends, Gandalf and many of the remaining elves of Middle-earth leave in a ship which departs from the Grey Havens, and go to Aman. With them are Bilbo and Frodo, who are granted passage for their trials as Ring-bearers.
[edit] Fourth Age
Main article: Fourth Age
The end of the Third Age marked the end of the involvement of the Elves in Human affairs, despite a short-lived revival of Elven presence in Gondor under Legolas. Most Elves that have lingered in Middle-earth leave for Valinor — those that remain behind "fade", and eventually diminish. A similar fate happens to the Dwarves: although Erebor becomes an ally of the Reunited Kingdom and there are indications Khazad-dûm is refounded, and a colony is established under Gimli in the White Mountains, they become ever more reclusive, and disappear from human history. Morgoth's creatures are almost wiped out and never recover. During the later Fourth Age the tales of the earlier Ages turn into legends, until they are eventually thought of as fantasies, as the heirs of the Númenóreans forget their heritage.
| J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium | |
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| Published during his lifetime: | The Hobbit • The Lord of the Rings • The Adventures of Tom Bombadil • The Road Goes Ever On |
| Posthumous publications: | The Silmarillion • Unfinished Tales • The History of Middle-earth (12 volumes) • Bilbo's Last Song • The Children of Húrin • The History of The Hobbit |
| Lists of articles: | By category • By name • Writings • Characters • Peoples • Rivers • Realms • Ages |
