Timeline 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 |
This article includes several chronologies relating to J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium.
Contents |
[edit] Events outside of time
- Eru Ilúvatar makes the Timeless Halls and the race of the Ainur.
- The Ainur make the Ainulindalë, the Music of the Ainur which leads to the vision of Arda. Melkor's attempts to disrupt the Music with ideas of his own devising only serve to cause variations in Eru's themes.
- Eru makes Eä with the Secret Fire at its centre.
- Many Ainur enter Eä.
[edit] Arda events
Before the making of the Sun dates are given in Valian Years and not all events can be precisely dated. In such cases events are given in chronological order between known dates. All entries are derived from Annals of Aman (see references) unless otherwise noted.
[edit] Valian years
- 1 - After many ages completing labours in the halls of Eä, including Varda's crafting of the stars, the Valar descended into Arda at the time of its origin.
- First War: Melkor assaults his brethren and disrupts the ordered symmetry they seek to build within Arda.
- 1500 - Tulkas arrives, the last of the Valar to descend into Arda: Melkor runs from him and hides in the halls of Eä.
- The Valar began their labours anew and ordered the lands and seas to their liking.
[edit] Years of the Lamps
- 1900 - The Two Lamps, Illuin and Ormal, are set upon pillars to provide light for Arda.
- Ordering of Arda by the Valar. They form the isle of Almaren to dwell upon.
- Spring of Arda: first forests grow, and non-humanoid animals are awakened.
- Melkor's spies and secret friends, chief among them a great craftsman of the folk of Aulë later named Sauron, inform him that the Valar are weary from their labours.
- 3400 - Wedding of Tulkas and Nessa. Melkor returns in secret with followers from Eä and begins building Utumno.
- Melkor begins to corrupt the lands and living things of Arda, turning them into sickly or monstrous shapes.
- The Valar become aware of Melkor's return and begin seeking his stronghold.
- 3450 - Destruction of the Two Lamps and the isle of Almaren by Melkor and his followers; Spring of Arda ends.
- Melkor retreats to Utumno while the Valar save what they can from the cataclysm.
- The Valar establish a new home in Aman and raise the Pelóri to defend it.
- 3500 - Yavanna makes the Trees of the Valar.
[edit] Years of the Trees
For consistency, dates below will continue to be given in Valian Years. In some cases, after V.Y. 4580, exact chronological order cannot be determined and the placement of undated entries is estimated.
- 3501 - A new tally of years is begun with Year of the Trees 1.
- Aulë the Smith makes the Dwarves but is not allowed to awaken them; Yavanna thinks of the Ents in response
- 4500 - The Valar hold council to discuss the concerns of Oromë and Yavanna regarding Middle-earth and the impending arrival of the Eruhíni.
- Varda begins gathering light from the Trees of the Valar for the Great Stars.
- Varda sets the Menelmacar and other constellations in the sky.
- 4550 - Varda finishes her work on the Great Stars, setting the Sickle of the Valar in the north as a challenge to Melkor.
[edit] First Age
During the Years of the Trees the First Age of the Children of Ilúvatar begins, at the Awakening of the Elves.
- 4550 - Eru awakens the Elves.
- Melian the Maia departs for Middle-earth.
- 4580 - Melkor discovers and begins capturing Elves in secret.
- Melkor begins breeding the Orcs from captured Elves, and the Trolls; Khazad-dûm founded by Durin the Deathless
- 4585 - Oromë first learns of the Elves
- 4586 - Oromë returns to Valinor, informs the other Valar of the dangers faced by the Elves, and then returns immediately to Cuiviénen.
- 4590 - The Valar march to war against Melkor on behalf of the Elves.
- 4592 - The Valar lay siege to Utumno.
- Melian begins dwelling in Nan Elmoth and caring for the living things that have been awakened in Beleriand.
- 4599 - Melkor is captured and Utumno destroyed. Sauron escapes capture and remains in Angband, breeding Orcs and Trolls for Melkor.
- 4600 - Melkor is taken to Valinor in chains and sentenced to serve a term in the Halls of Mandos for three Ages.
- 4601 - The Valar decide to summon the Elves to dwell with them in Aman.
- 4602 - Oromë brings three ambassadors of the Elves to Aman: Ingwë of the Vanyar, Finwë of the Noldor, and Elwë of the Teleri
- 4604 - The three ambassadors return and work to convince the Elves to accept the summons of the Valar. They accumulate many followers.
- 4605 - Great Journey of the Elves: The Elves depart for Aman (not all answer the summon—see Sundering of the Elves)
- 4615 - The Elves reach the great river which would later be called Anduin.
- A group of Teleri under Lenwë (or Dan) abandon the March at Anduin and become the Nandor
- Fathers of the Dwarves and first Ents awakened by Eru; Elves discover the Ents and begin teaching them language.
- 4625 - The Vanyar and Noldor arrive in Beleriand.
- 4628 - The Teleri arrive in Beleriand after tarrying in the great forests of Eriador.
- 4630 - Elwë meets Melian and is entranced.
- 4632 - Ulmo is unwilling to wait until Elwë is found, and the Vanyar and Noldor are ferried across on the island of Tol Eressëa, while the Teleri stay behind, looking for their lord.
- 4633 - The Vanyar and Noldor settle in Tirion near Valimar
- 4640 - Ingwë and many of the Vanyar leave Tirion to dwell with Manwë in Valinor.
- 4642 - Yavanna gives the White Tree, Galathilion, to the Noldor.
- 4649 - Ulmo finally returns for the Teleri, but many stay behind because Elwë is not yet found, and become the Sindar. Another group remains behind at the request of Ossë, they become the Elves of the Falas under Círdan.
- 4651 - The majority of the Teleri are ferried across on Tol Eressëa, which is anchored in the bay of Eldamar. They take Elwë's brother, Olwë, as lord.
- 4652 - Elwë awakes from slumber and reunites with the Sindar. He becomes known as Thingol, settling in Doriath.
- Finwë marries Míriel
- 4661 - The Teleri of Tol Eressëa learn the art of shipbuilding, and ferry across the bay of Eldamar to Aman, where they found the city of Alqualondë. Tol Eressëa is abandoned.
- 4665 - The last Vanyar abandon Tirion and settle in Aman proper. The Noldor remain in Tirion under their lord, Finwë.
- 4679 - Birth of Fëanor and death of Míriel. Rúmil invents writing.
- Nogrod and Belegost founded by Dwarves
- 4685 - Finwë marries Indis; Findis born sometime around here.
- 4690 - Fingolfin born
- 4700 - Lúthien born
- c.4690-4730 - Irimë born
- The Elves of the Falas join with the Sindar in an alliance
- 4730 - Finarfin born
- 4750 - Dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost enter Beleriand, establishing trade. Fëanor develops the Tengwar.
- 4780 - Wedding of Finarfin and Eärwen
- 4850 - The Nandor, under Denethor, arrive in Beleriand, becoming known as the Laiquendi of Ossiriand.
- 4862 - Galadriel born
- 4900 - Melkor, freed from his sentence, begins corrupting some of the Noldor.
- 4950 - Fëanor completes the forging of the Silmarils.
- 4990 - Fëanor, deceived by Melkor, draws arms against his brother and is banished from Tirion: his father, Finwë, and many of the Noldor follow him in exile to Formenos.
- 4992 - Fëanor argues with Melkor at Formenos. Melkor hides from capture by the Valar and joins forces with Ungoliant.
- 4995 - Manwë tries to heal the feud of the Noldor, and summons Fëanor to a festival in Valimar. Melkor and Ungoliant destroy the Two Trees, kill Finwë and steal the Silmarils; Fëanor first names Melkor, Morgoth. Fëanor and his sons swear an oath to regain the Silmarils and the majority of the Noldor depart from Valinor; Noldor kill many Teleri and seize their ships in the First Kinslaying.
- 4996 - Prophecy of Mandos: the Noldor are banished from Valinor and face great doom; the Valar hide Valinor behind the Magic Isles and raise the Pelóri mountains.
- 4997 - Melkor returns to Angband, and tries to take Beleriand: First Battle of Beleriand is fought; Denethor of the Laiquendi slain and the Havens of the Falas are besieged. The Noldor arrive at Helcaraxë; Fëanor and his host betray the sons of Indis and sail across, then burn the ships. Return of the Noldor to Middle-earth. Morgoth's army attacks Fëanor. Dagor-nuin-Giliath ("the Battle under Stars") is fought. Fëanor is slain by Balrogs in sight of Angband.
- The Valar begin devising the Moon and Sun
- 5000 - The remainder of the Noldor arrives in Middle-earth; the Moon arises.
[edit] Years of the Sun in the First Age
From this time on years are of normal length. Events from Valinor during the Years of the Sun cannot be accurately dated. All entries are derived from Grey Annals (see references) unless otherwise noted. The dating begins anew at 1, although these years are still held to be part of the First Age.
- Year 1 - The Sun first sets sail, start of reckoning by 'Years of the Sun', Awakening of Men in Hildórien.
- 50 - Turgon and Finrod are told by Ulmo to establish a refuge
- 65 - Finrod builds the tower of Barad Nimras ("White Horn Tower") on a cape of the Falas between Brithombar and Eglarest.
- 75 - Dagor Aglareb: the Noldor, ruled by Fingolfin, start the Siege of Angband
- 75–c. 200 - Melkor is absent from Angband, after discovering Men. Persuaded by Melkor, Men stop worshipping Eru and turn to evil, but some revolt: the Atanatári. These travel to the West in search for the Valar, aided by Avari Elves and Dwarves. According to legend, Men now become mortal as the result of divine punishment.[1]
- c. 100 - Foundation of Nargothrond: Fingon's folk depart from Hithlum.
- 126 - Completion of Gondolin. Turgon's people begin the migration from Nevrast in secret.
- 265 - Glaurung ravages Beleriand, but is driven back to Angband.
- 305 - Bëor leads The First House of the Edain into Beleriand: Men discovered by Finrod
- 341 - Haldar and Haleth born
- 345 - Return of Aredhel and Maeglin to Gondolin; later, Eöl and Aredhel die.
- 389 - Birth of Hador, later Lord of Dor-lómin
- 443 - Birth of Beren Erchamion
- 445 - Birth of Rodnor, son of Orodreth, later called Gil-galad
- 455 - Melkor breaks the Siege of Angband in Dagor Bragollach, ("Battle of Sudden Flame"); kills Fingolfin in duel; Húrin and Huor are brought to Gondolin by Thorondor
- 456 - Húrin and Huor return out of Gondolin to Dor-lómin.
- 457 - Capture of Finrod's fortress of Minas Tirith by the forces of Sauron. Its warden, Orodreth, flees for Nargothrond. Minas Tirith is renamed Tol-in-Gaurhoth, "Isle of Werewolves".
- 461 - Barahir and companions are killed; Beren becomes an out-law.
- 462 - Beren departs for Doriath
- 463 - Birth of Túrin Turambar in Dor-lómin. Beren first comes upon Lúthien.
- 465 - Celegorm and Curufin are exiled from Nargothrond and journey to Himring.
- 468 - Finrod and Beren are imprisoned in Tol-in-Gaurhoth. Finrod is slain by a werewolf, but Beren is rescued by Lúthien.
- 469 - Beren and Lúthien achieve the Quest of the Silmaril. Beren dies, and Lúthien abandons life: Lúthien pleads with Mandos and Beren and Lúthien are restored to life; Beren and Lúthien take up bodies again in Ossiriand on the isle of Tol Galen.
- 471 - Nirnaeth Arnoediad, "The Battle of Unnumbered Tears"; Huor is slain in the Fens of Serech, Húrin is captured by Morgoth. Birth of Tuor, son of Huor. Fingon slain
- 472 - Siege and capture of the Havens of the Falas: Brithombar and Eglarest.
- c. 473 - Birth of Nienor and death of Rían.
- 475 - Birth of Dior Eluchíl on Tol Galen
- 494 - Gurthang is reforged for Túrin, who becomes known as the Black Sword of Nargothrond.
- 495 - Sack of Nargothrond. The coming of Tuor to Gondolin.
- 497 - Dior weds Nimloth.
- 498 - Slaying of Glaurung, and deaths of Túrin Turambar and Nienor Níniel in Brethil
- 500 - Birth of Eluréd and Elurín, twin sons of Dior.
- 501 - Húrin released from captivity. Travels to Nargothrond and takes the treasure from there to Thingol.
- 502 - Forging of the Nauglamír and quarrel of Thingol and the Dwarves. Marriage of Tuor and Idril.
- c. 502 - Deaths of Morwen and Húrin.
- 503 - Thingol is slain and Doriath sacked by Dwarves of Belegost and Nogrod; Beren, Laiquendi, and Ents destroy the Dwarves; Melian returns to Valinor in grief; Lúthien wears the Silmaril; Birth of Eärendil in spring. Birth of Elwing. Final deaths of Beren and Lúthien; Dior receives the Silmaril in autumn.
- 504 - Dior travels to Doriath and restores it.
- 505 - Sons of Fëanor learn of Silmaril in Doriath. Maedhros restrains his brothers, but they send a demand for the Silmaril to Dior, who ignores it.
- 506 - Sons of Fëanor attack Doriath in Winter at Celegorm's urging.
- 507 - Doriath is destroyed in the Second Kinslaying; Dior and Nimloth killed; Celegorm's servants send Eluréd and Elurín to die in the forest, but Maedhros searches for them with no avail. Celegorm, Curufin, and Caranthir are all slain. Elwing escapes for the Mouths of Sirion with the Silmaril, and Maeglin captured by Melkor's spies.
- 510 - Gondolin is betrayed by Maeglin and sacked; Glorfindel slays a Balrog in the Echoriath, Ecthelion slays Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs, both of them killed as well. Death of Turgon.
- 511 - Tuor and Idril bring Eärendil and refugees of Gondolin to the Mouths of Sirion which prospers as 'New Havens'.
- 512 - The remaining Sons of Fëanor learn of the New Havens and the Silmaril there, but Maedhros wishes no more bloodshed and forswears his oath.
- 524 - Eärendil begins his great voyages
- 525 - Eärendil marries Elwing. Tuor feels 'Unquiet of Ulmo' and sails into the West in the ship Eärrámë with Idril.
- 527 - The Sons of Fëanor are tormented by their unfulfilled oath and make plans to recover the Silmaril.
- 532 - Elrond and Elros are born to Eärendil and Elwing.
- 538 - Third Kinslaying: while Eärendil is away the remaining Sons of Fëanor attack the people of the Mouths of Sirion trying to claim the Silmaril; Amrod is slain; Elwing casts herself in the sea but is brought to Eärendil by Ulmo; Elrond and Elros are fostered by Maglor and/or Maedhros.
- 542 - Eärendil arrives in Valinor.
- 545 - The War of Wrath begins
- 587 - The War of Wrath ends; Morgoth is defeated; the remaining two Silmarils are stolen by Maedhros and Maglor, but are lost in the earth and in the sea; most of Beleriand is sunk; the Sea of Helcar is drained through the Great Gulf; the plateaus of Mordor, Khand, and Rhûn rise from the former seabed.
- 590 - Morgoth is cast into the Void; the Elves are summoned to Valinor and settle on Tol Eressëa; Galadriel refuses the summons and is still banned; a small part of the Noldor remain in Lindon; Thranduil and other Sindar depart east and establish realms.
[edit] Second Age
The Second Age was 3441 years long. All entries are derived from Appendix B (see references) unless otherwise noted.
- 1 - Foundation of Mithlond the Grey Havens under Círdan, and Lindon as the Noldorin Kingdom under Gil-galad
- 32 - Edain reach Númenor, Elros is crowned first King of Númenor
- c. 40 - Many Dwarves abandon the ruined cities of Belegost and Nogrod in the Ered Luin and join Durin's folk in Moria
- 61 - Birth of Vardamir Nólimon, eldest child of Elros. Subsequently three more children are born.
- 192 - Birth of Tar-Amandil
- 222 - Birth of Nolondil
- 350 - Birth of Tar-Elendil
- 361 - Birth of Eärendur
- 442 - Elros, also known as Tar-Minyatur, dies. Vardamir Nólimon succeeds the throne but abdicates immediately. Tar-Amandil becomes third king of Númenor.
- c. 500 - Sauron arises again in Middle-earth
- 521 - Silmariën is born in Númenor,[2] line of lords of Andúnië splits off the line of Kings
- 532 - Isilmë, sister of Silmariën, born
- 543 - Meneldur, brother of Silmariën, born
- 590 - Tar-Elendil becomes fourth king of Númenor.
- 600 - First Númenórean ships sail to Middle-earth.
- 700 - Anardil born
- 740 - Tar-Meneldur becomes fifth king of Númenor.
- 750 - the Noldor found the realm of Eregion near Moria
- 870 - Anardil weds Erendis.
- 873 - Ancalimë born
- 875 - Tar-Aldarion founds Vinyalondë on the Enedwaith coast of Middle-earth for lumbering and ship repair.
- 882 - Anardil and Erendis separate
- 883 - Tar-Aldarion becomes sixth king of Númenor.
- 985 - Death of Erendis, apparently by drowning.
- c. 1050 - The shadow of Sauron falls upon Greenwood the Great, which is renamed Mirkwood. Sauron begins building Barad-dûr
- 1075 - Tar-Ancalimë becomes the first Queen and seventh ruler of Númenor.
- c. 1200 - Sauron deceives the Noldor in Eregion, but Gil-galad mistrusts him; the Númenóreans begin building permanent havens in Middle-earth at Lond Daer, Umbar, and other places
- 1280 - Tar-Anárion becomes seventh king of Númenor.
- c. 1350 - Celeborn and Galadriel together with their daughter Celebrían emigrate from Eregion to Lórien; Celebrimbor becomes lord of Eregion
- 1394 - Tar-Súrion becomes eighth king of Númenor.
- c. 1500 - the Noldor under Celebrimbor are instructed by Sauron, beginning of the forging of the Rings of Power
- 1566 - Tar-Telperiën becomes the second Queen and tenth ruler of Númenor.
- c. 1600 - Forging of the One Ring; Barad-dûr completed; Celebrimbor begins fighting Sauron
- 1693 - War of the Elves and Sauron begins, the Three Rings are hidden
- 1695 - Elrond sent to Eregion as lieutenant of Gil-galad
- 1697 - Eregion destroyed, Elrond establishes the refuge of Rivendell, Celebrimbor dies
- 1699 - Rivendell and Lindon besieged
- 1700 - Minastir sends a great navy to Lindon; Sauron defeated; Sauron's forces retreat from Eriador and the coasts
- 1731 - Tar-Minastir becomes eleventh king of Númenor.
- c. 1800 - Númenor begins establishing permanent settlements in Middle-earth
- 1869 - Tar-Ciryatan becomes twelfth king of Númenor.
- 2029 - Tar-Atanamir the Great becomes thirteenth king of Númenor but is hostile to the Valar. The Elendili or "Faithful" still receive the Elves in secret.
- 2221 - Tar-Ancalimon becomes fourteenth king of Númenor.[3]
- 2251 - The Ringwraiths first appear.
- 2280 - Umbar is fortified by the Númenóreans
- 2350 - Pelargir is built by the Elendili
- 2386 - Tar-Telemmaitë becomes fifteenth king of Númenor.
- 2526 - Tar-Vanimeldë becomes third Queen and sixteenth ruler of Númenor.
- 2637 - Herucalmo seizes the throne and rule as Tar-Anducal, but he's not counted in the list of kings.
- 2657 - Tar-Alcarin becomes seventeenth king of Númenor.
- 2737 - Tar-Calmacil becomes eighteenth king of Númenor.
- 2825 - Tar-Ardamin becomes nineteenth king of Númenor.
- 2899 - Ar-Adûnakhôr becomes twentieth king of Númenor and the first to take his royal name in Adûnaic, the language of Men, instead of Quenya, the high language of the Elves
- c. 2900 - Teaching of Elvish languages prohibited in Númenor.
- 2962 - Ar-Zimrathôn becomes twenty-first king of Númenor.
- 3033 - Ar-Sakalthôr becomes twenty-second king of Númenor.
- 3102 - Ar-Gimilzôr becomes twenty-third king of Númenor.
- c. 3110 - Usage of Elvish languages and visit of the Elves prohibited in Númenor.
- 3119 - Birth of Elendil
- 3209 - Birth of Isildur
- 3219 - Birth of Anárion
- 3177 - Tar-Palantír repents, resulting in a civil war in Númenor
- 3243 - Death of Gimilkhâd, at 198 years old.
- 3255 - Ar-Pharazôn the Golden weds his first cousin Míriel, the daughter of Tar-Palantír, and seizes the throne of Númenor
- 3261 - Ar-Pharazôn sails to Middle-earth landing at Umbar, and takes Sauron captive
- 3262 - Sauron is taken as prisoner to Númenor, but begins corrupting the Númenóreans
- c. 3265 - Sauron becomes Ar-Pharazôn's court advisor.
- c. 3280 - Isildur steals a fruit from Nimloth. The White Tree is felled and burnt in Sauron's Temple thereafter.
- c. 3300 - Sauron establishes himself as High Priest of Melkor, "Lord of the Dark"; Elendili are openly persecuted and sacrificed to Morgoth
- 3310 - At Sauron's instigation, Ar-Pharazôn begins building the Great Armament.
- 3318 - Birth of Meneldil, fourth child of Anárion and last man born in Númenor
- 3319 - Ar-Pharazôn sets foot on Aman; the World is Changed: Aman and Tol Eressëa are removed from Arda, Númenor is drowned, and the world is made round; Elendil and his sons arrive on the shores of Middle-earth
- 3320 - Founding of Gondor and Arnor by Elendil and his sons, Isildur and Anárion; Umbar as realm in exile founded by Black Númenóreans
- 3429 - Sauron conquers Minas Ithil and burns the White Tree; Isildur flees to Arnor while Anárion defends Osgiliath
- 3430 - The Last Alliance of Elves and Men is formed
- 3434 - Sauron's forces are defeated in the Battle of Dagorlad; Siege of Barad-dûr begins
- 3440 - Anárion is slain
- 3441 - Elendil and Gil-galad slay Sauron in hand to hand combat, but they themselves perish; Sauron's physical form is destroyed. Isildur takes the shards of his father's sword Narsil and cuts the One Ring from Sauron's finger. In the aftermath of the War, many Elves of Gil-galad's following depart to Valinor: end of the Noldorin realms in Middle-earth.
[edit] Third Age
— 3,021 years long. All entries are derived from Appendix B (see references) unless otherwise noted.
Note on Shire Reckoning: Year 1601 of the Third Age, in which the Shire was founded, is year 1 of the Shire Reckoning. Thus, Third Age years can be converted into their Shire equivalents by deducting 1600.
- Year 2 - Planting of the Second White Tree at Minas Tirith, Death of Isildur by Orcs in the Battle of the Gladden Fields, losing the One Ring in the Gladden river
- 109 - Elrond weds Celebrían, daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel
- 130 - Elrohir and Elladan are born to Elrond and Celebrían
- 241 - Arwen Undómiel is born to Elrond and Celebrían
- 490 - Easterlings invade Gondor
- 541 - Easterlings invade Gondor once more, slaying King Rómendacil
- c. 550 - King Turambar of Gondor defeats the Easterlings of Rhûn; the Kingdom of Rhovanion becomes an ally of Gondor
- 861 - Following Eärendur's death, the kingdom of Arnor breaks up into Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur
- 933 - Eärnil I of Gondor takes Umbar in a surprise attack
- 936 - Eärnil I lost at sea
- c. 1000 - The Wizards come to Middle-earth
- 1015 - Hyarmendacil I ascends throne of Gondor
- 1015 - Black Númenóreans of Umbar besiege their old city
- 1030 - Siege of Umbar ends, Umbar retaken by Black Númenóreans.
- 1050 - Hyarmendacil I, king of Gondor, conquers Umbar, Hobbits migrate to Eriador.
- 1149 - Death of Hyarmendacil I, Atanatar takes the sceptre of Gondor
- c. 1200 - Rulers of Rhovanion assume the title "King of Rhovanion"
- 1248 - Rómendacil II of Gondor strikes decisive blow to the Easterlings; forms a strong alliance with Rhovanion, to which he cedes all the lands east of Anduin
- 1255 - Eldacar born
- c. 1259 - Castamir born[4]
- 1300 - Nazgûl reappear in Middle-earth, the kingdom of Angmar first appears at Arthedain's north-eastern border, built by the Witch-king, later revealed as Lord of the Nazgûl.
- 1344 - Death of Vidumavi
- 1356 - King Argeleb I of Arthedain is killed during an invasion by Rhudaur, now controlled by Angmar; his son, Arveleg I, ascends the throne
- 1366 - Valacar ascends the throne of Gondor
- 1409 - Cardolan is conquered by the kingdom of Angmar and Rhudaur disappears; Weathertop watchtower and fortifications are burned and destroyed
- 1432 - Eldacar succeeds his father, Valacar, as king of Gondor
- 1437 - Castamir the Usurper, Lord of Ships, usurps throne of Gondor (see Kin-strife); Osgiliath's Palantír is lost in the river
- 1447 - Eldacar reclaims Gondor with a Rhovanion army and kills Castamir
- 1448 - Sons of Castamir the Usurper and most of the fleet of Gondor flee south to Umbar; become known as the Corsairs of Umbar
- 1540 - King Aldamir of Gondor is slain by Haradrim
- 1600 - Two Fallohide (see Hobbit) brothers decided to cross the River Baranduin and settle on the other side, and are followed by large numbers of Hobbits
- 1601 - The Shire is first settled by Hobbits
- 1634 - Corsairs of Umbar attack Gondor, slaying king Minardil at Pelargir, and raiding the city
- 1636 - The Great Plague decimates Gondor and Rhovanion; Cirith Ungol is abandoned
- 1810 - King Telumehtar of Gondor destroys Umbar; renames himself Umbardacil
- 1851 - The Wainriders first attack Gondor
- 1856 - The Wainriders overrun eastern territories of Gondor; death of Narmacil II in battle.
- 1899 - Gondor attacks Wainriders from the east; the Kingdom of Rhovanion, occupied by Wainriders, rebels and is freed
- 1936 - Ondoher succeeds Calimehtar as king of Gondor
- 1944 - During an invasion by the Wainriders and the Haradrim, King Ondoher of Gondor is killed in battle with his sons; Haradrim, Wainriders and the Variags of Khand take Umbar; new Corsairs of Umbar emerge.
- 1945 - Eärnil II succeeds the crown of Gondor
- 1964 - Arvedui, son of King Araphant of Arthedain, ascends the throne
- 1974 - The kingdom of Arthedain is conquered by Angmar
- 1975 - Gondor destroys Angmar in the Battle of Fornost, death of Arvedui
- 1980 - The Moria Dwarves awaken Durin's Bane, a Balrog, which kills Durin VI, king of Khazad-dûm; the Nazgûl return to Mordor and lay siege to Minas Ithil.
- 1981 - Durin VI's son, Náin, is also killed, and the Dwarves flee Moria; deaths of Amroth and Nimrodel
- 1999 - Erebor is founded
- 2043 - King Eärnil II of Gondor dies and his son, the Witch-king's old enemy, Eärnur inherits the throne. Upon his coronation, the Witch-king challenges him to combat, but King Eärnur refuses.
- 2050 - The Witch-king again challenges King Eärnur, this time he accepts. Eärnur rides out of Minas Tirith to meet the Witch-king in Minas Morgul. He enters the city's gates and is never seen again, thus ending the reign of the Gondorian Kings and causing the beginning of the Ruling Stewards of Gondor, until the time of King Elessar.
- 2430 - approximate birth year of Sméagol
- 2460 - Sauron returns to Middle-earth; establishes himself in Dol Guldur in southern Mirkwood
- 2463 - Sméagol (later known as Gollum) becomes the fourth bearer of the One Ring, after killing his cousin Déagol
- 2501 - 2510 Eorl the Young, lord of the Éothéod and 1st king of Rohan (2510-2545).
- 2509 - Cirion, Steward of Gondor, sends summons to the Éothéod for military aid; Celebrían is waylaid by Orcs, receives a poisoned wound, and consequentially departs Middle-earth
- 2510 - The alliance between Rohan and Gondor comes into existence. The Easterlings launch a massive invasion of Gondor. The Balchoth invade Rhovanion (which disappears as an independent realm) and Gondor, conquering much of Calenardhon, but are driven back by the people of Éothéod; Gondor gives the now-uninhabited province of Calenardhon to the people of Éothéod
- 2545 - Eorl the Young, 1st king of Rohan, dies in the battle in the Wold against the Easterlings. Brego succeeds him as the 2nd king of Rohan
- 2570 - Aldor, aged only 26, becomes 3rd king of Rohan at the death of his father Brego
- 2645 - Fréa becomes 4th king of Rohan after the death of his father Aldor ('the Old')
- 2659 - Fréawine, 5th King of Rohan
- 2680 - Goldwine, 6th King of Rohan
- 2699 - Déor, 7th king of Rohan
- 2718 - Gram, 8th king of Rohan
- 2741 - Helm Hammerhand 9th king of Rohan ascends the throne as last king of the first line
- 2746 - Amrothos, 15th Prince of Dol Amroth, falls while defending Dol-en-Ernil against the Corsairs of Umbar
- 2758 - Dunlendings, under Wulf, invade Rohan, supported by the Corsairs of Umbar
- Long Winter of 2758-2759 - The Dunlendings lay siege to Hornburg
- 2759 - Helm Hammerhand, king of Rohan, freezes to death outside the fortress of Helm's Deep, where he and his loyal subjects have taken refuge from the Dunlendings. He is succeeded by his nephew Fréaláf Hildeson; Saruman settles in Isengard
- 2798 - Fréaláf Hildeson, 10th king of Rohan, dies. He is followed by his son Brytta Léofa
- 2799 - The Battle of Azanulbizar is fought on Moria's East Gate, in which the Dwarves defeat Sauron's minions but are defeated by the Balrog Durin's Bane
- 2842 - Brytta Léofa, 11th king of Rohan, dies. Succeeded by his son Walda.
- 2850 - Gandalf enters Dol Guldur and confirms that the evil thereby found is indeed Sauron returned
- 2851 - Walda, 12th king of Rohan, is killed by an orc, his son Folca succeeds him
- 2864 - Folca, 13th king of Rohan, is killed by the Boar of Everholt. He is succeeded by his son Folcwine
- 2885 - Harondor is once again claimed by the Haradrim, supported by the Corsairs of Umbar. Fastred and Folcred, the twin sons of king Folcwine, were killed during the Battle of Crossings of Poros
- September 22, 2890 - Bilbo Baggins is born
- 2903 - Folcwine, 14th king of Rohan, dies and is succeeded by his youngest son Fengel
- 2907 - Birth of Gilraen (later wife of Arathorn II)
- Fell Winter of 2911-2912 - wolves invade the Shire. Tharbad is ruined in the following floods.
- 2930 - Arathorn II becomes the Chieftain of the Dúnedain
- 2931 - Birth of Aragorn, son of Arathorn II and Gilraen
- 2933 - Arathorn II is killed while hunting Orcs
- July, 2941 - Bilbo Baggins obtains the One Ring; the White Council drives Sauron out of Dol Guldur
- 2941 - Esgaroth is attacked by the dragon Smaug, who is consequentially killed by Bard the Bowman; Battle of Five Armies
- 2951 - Estel, later known as Aragorn, comes of age and is told about his heritage; the Corsairs of Umbar officially ally themselves with Mordor and destroy great monument commemorating Ar-Pharazôn's victory over Sauron
- 2953 - Last meeting of the White Council. Fengel, 15th king of Rohan, dies. His son Thengel returns to Rohan to succeed him.
- 2956 - Aragorn first meets Gandalf the Grey
- 2957-2980 - Aragorn as Thorongil serves in the armies of King Thengel of Rohan, and Steward Ecthelion II of Gondor
- September 22, 2968 - Frodo Baggins is born
- 2980 - Arwen pledges her hand in marriage to Aragorn; Frodo Baggins loses both of his parents in a boating accident; Aragorn, in the service of the Steward of Gondor Ecthelion II leads a taskforce south and kills the Captain of the Haven, ruler of Umbar; Samwise Gamgee born;[5] Théoden, son of Thengel, becomes 17th king of Rohan after the death of his father. Théoden is the last king of the second line.
- 2982 - Birth of Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry)
- 2983 - Birth of Faramir
- 2989 - Frodo Baggins comes under the guardianship of Bilbo Baggins; a company of Dwarves, led by Balin, try to recolonize Moria
- 2990 - Birth of Peregrin Took (Pippin)
- 2991 - Birth of Éomer
- 2994 - Balin is killed; the dwarf-colony in Moria is destroyed
- 2995 - Birth of Éowyn
- 3001 - Bilbo Baggins turns 111 and leaves the Shire. From now on Aragorn and Gandalf intermittently hunt Gollum
- 3002 - Lalia Clayhanger, the matriarch of the Took clan, dies, aged 119, and possibly pushed by Pearl Took;[6] Bilbo settles in Rivendell
- 3014 - Saruman begins using his influence to weaken Théoden, 17th king of Rohan
- 3017 - Gollum is released from Mordor; Aragorn finally tracks him down in the Dead Marshes, and brings him as a captive to King Thranduil's halls in Mirkwood
[edit] "The Great Years"
All entries are derived from Appendix B (see references) unless otherwise noted.
[edit] 3018
- The Ringwraiths are given the task of retrieving the One Ring;
- April 12 - Gandalf reaches Hobbiton. He returns to the Shire, telling Frodo Baggins he must take the ring away
- June 20 - Sauron attacks Osgiliath.
- July 4 - Boromir leaves Minas Tirith
- July 10 - Saruman imprisons Gandalf in Orthanc
- September 18 - Gandalf escapes from Orthanc
- September 19-21 - Gandalf reaches Edoras and is given Shadowfax the horse
- September 23 - Frodo leaves Bag End
- September 26 - Frodo meets Tom Bombadil
- September 30 - Aragorn meets Frodo Baggins in the Inn of the Prancing Pony in Bree.
- October 6 - Frodo wounded at Weathertop
- October 20 - Frodo crosses the ford of Bruinen
- October 25, - Council of Elrond at Rivendell
- December 25 - The Fellowship of the Ring sets out in the evening from Rivendell
[edit] 3019
- January 15, - The Fellowship parts after Gandalf falls into Khazad-dûm while fighting a Balrog
- February 25 - The Fellowship pass the Argonath and camp at Parth Galen. First Battle of Fords of Isen; Théodred son of Théoden is slain.
- February 26 - The Fellowship split up; Boromir is killed
- February 29 - Merry and Pippin escape the orcs and meet Treebeard
- March 1 - Gandalf meets Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli and they head off for Edoras. Frodo begins travelling through the Dead Marshes.
- March 3 - Battle of the Hornburg
- March 5 - Rohan army reaches Isengard
- March 7 - Faramir takes Frodo to Henneth Annûn.
- March 8 - Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli head through the Paths of the Dead
- March 9 - Gandalf and Pippin arrive in Minas Tirith. .
- March 10 - Frodo and Sam see the Morgul host lead by the Witch-king leave Minas Morgul. An army from Morannon takes Cair Andros and marches in Anorien
- March 12 - Frodo is led into Shelob's lair
- March 13 - Frodo captured by Cirith Ungol orcs. Aragorn captures the Umbar fleet at Pelargir.
- March 15 - Witch-king breaks the gate of Minas Tirith in the early hours. Denethor burns himself on a pyre. Confrontation between Gandalf and the Witch-king at the gate; Horns of the Rohirrim are heard at a cockcrow. Battle of Pelennor Fields; Théoden King of Rohan is killed at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Éomer becomes his successor as the 18th king of Rohan. Éowyn and Merry kill the Witch-king. Aragorn along with the Rangers, sons of Elrond and men from the southern fiefdoms of Gondor arrive in the black ships and turn the tide of battle. Sam and Frodo escape and journey along the Morgai. Battle under the trees in Mirkwood; Second assualt on Lórien.
- March 16 - Debate of the commanders.
- March 17 - Battle of Dale. King Brand and Dain Ironfoot fall in battle against invading easterlings. Many men and dwarves take refuge in Erebor.
- March 18 - armies leave Minas Tirith, Frodo and Sam join the orc company
- March 25, - the Host is surrounded on the Slag-hills. Frodo and Sam reach the Sammath Naur. Gollum (Sméagol) seizes the One Ring and falls into the Cracks of Doom. Downfall of Barad-dûr and the passing of the Dark Lord Sauron.
- May - Aragorn is crowned King Elessar of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor; Gandalf helps Aragorn to find the sapling of the new White Tree
- (Date unspecified) - Faramir marries Éowyn
- Mid-year's Day (between June and July) - Aragorn marries Arwen Undómiel
- July - King Théoden is laid to rest beside other Kings of Rohan in Edoras
- September 21 - hobbits arrive in Rivendell
- September 22 - Saruman arrives in the Shire.
- November 1 - the four hobbits arrested at Frogmorton
- November 3, - Battle of Bywater; death of Saruman and Wormtongue
[edit] 3020-21
- May 1 3020 - Samwise Gamgee marries Rosie Cotton and together they move to Bag End on Bagshot Row
- 3021 - Éomer marries Imrahil's daughter, Lothíriel of Dol Amroth
- September 22, 3021 - Bilbo marks his 131st birthday, surpassing the Old Took
- September 29, 3021 - Elrond, Galadriel, Gandalf, Frodo and Bilbo depart from the Grey Havens
- October 6 - Sam arrives back in Bag End
[edit] Fourth Age
— length uncertain. All entries are derived from Appendix B (see references) unless otherwise noted.
In the reckoning of Gondor, the Fourth Age began on March 25, T.A. 3021. Since most of the following events were dated according to the Shire-reckoning, their years in the Fourth Age cannot be stated with certainty. Some events may have occurred in the following year of the Fourth Age.
- 6 - Peregrin Took marries Diamond of Long Cleeve
- (Date Uncertain) - Birth of Elfwine, son of Éomer and Lothiriel
- (Date Uncertain) - Birth of Elboron, son of Faramir and Éowyn
- (Date Uncertain) - Birth of Durin VII, descendant (perhaps son) of Thorin III Stonehelm
- 13 - Peregrin Took becomes 32nd Thain of the Shire
- 15 - Death of Glóin, father of Gimli.
- 34 - Death of Prince Imrahil. Imrahil's son Elphir assumes the Principality.
- 41 - Birth of Holfast Gardner, son and heir of Frodo Gardner
- 43 - Birth of Eldarion, son of Aragorn and Arwen
- 61 - Samwise Gamgee leaves Middle-earth via Mithlond
- 63 - Meriadoc Brandybuck, aged 102, and Pippin leave the Shire to live in Gondor; death of Éomer, aged 93, whose son Elfwine ascends the throne of Rohan.
- 67 - Death of Prince Elphir son of Imrahil, 23rd Prince of Dol Amroth. Elphir's son Alphros assumes the Principality.
- 80 - Birth of Harding of the Hill, Sam Gamgee's heir and great-grandson
- 82 - Death of Faramir, aged 120. His son Elboron assumes the Principality.
- 91 - Death of Dwalin, brother of Balin, aged 341.
- 95 - Death of Prince Alphros of Dol Amroth, son of Elphir.
- 120 - Death of Aragorn, King of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor, after 210 years of life and 122 years of reign; Aragorn's son Eldarion ascends the throne. According to legend, on the death of Aragorn, Legolas builds a ship and sails into the west to the Undying Lands, taking Gimli (now a very old Dwarf) with him
- 121 - Death of Arwen, aged 2901
- 172 - A copy of the Red Book of Westmarch is made
- 185 - Death of Harding of the Hill, Sam Gamgee's heir.
[edit] Battles
[edit] First Age
Years of the Trees
- 4590 - Battle of the Powers
- 4995 - Kinslaying at Alqualondë
- 4997 - First Battle of Beleriand
Years of the Sun
- 1 - Dagor-nuin-Giliath, Battle under the Stars.
- 75 - Dagor Aglareb, Glorious Battle - start of the Siege of Angband
- 75-455 - Siege of Angband
- 455 - Dagor Bragollach, Battle of Sudden Flame, which ended the Siege of Angband
- 473 - Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Battle of Unnumbered Tears
- 583 - War of Wrath
See also Battles of Beleriand.
Other battles and conflicts: Battle of Tumhalad; Fall of Gondolin; first and second sacks of Doriath (the first by Dwarves; the second being another Elven Kinslaying); Dwarven host destroyed by Elves and Shepherds of the Trees; sack of the dwellings at the Mouth of Sirion (the third Kinslaying); murder of Thingol by the Dwarves; Glorfindel's battle with a Balrog.
[edit] Second Age
- 1693-1701 - War of the Elves and Sauron
- 3255 - Ar-Pharazôn's army humbles Sauron
- 3319 - Ar-Pharazôn assails Aman - Downfall of Númenor
- 3429 - Sauron conquers Minas Ithil and attacks Minas Anor
- 3434 - Battle of Dagorlad
- 3434-3441 - Siege of Barad-dûr
- 3441 - Battle between Sauron and Elendil and Gil-galad on the slopes of Mount Doom
[edit] Third Age
- Year 2 - Battle of the Gladden Fields
- 1432 - Kin-strife becomes open rebellion
- 1447 - Battle of the Crossings of Erui
- 1945 - Battle of the Camp
- 1975 - Battle of Fornost
- 2509 - Battle of the Field of Celebrant
- 2747 - Battle of Greenfields
- 2799 - Battle of Azanulbizar (part of the War of the Dwarves and Orcs)
- 2941 - Battle of Five Armies
[edit] War of the Ring
- February 23, 3019 - First Battle of the Fords of Isen
- March 2, 3019 - Second Battle of the Fords of Isen
- March 2, 3019 - Destruction of Isengard
- March 3, 3019 - Battle of the Hornburg
- March 13, 3019 - Battle of Osgiliath
- March 15, 3019 - Battle of the Pelennor Fields
- March 17-20, 3019 - Battle of Dale
- March 25, 3019 - Battle of the Morannon
- March 27, 3019 - Lifting of the siege of Erebor
- November 3, 3019 - Battle of Bywater
[edit] Other conflicts during the War of the Ring
- June 20, 3018 - Sauron attacks Osgiliath
- September 23, 3018 - Nazgûl attack the Rangers guarding the Shire
- September 23, 3018 - encounters with Black Riders in the Shire
- September 26, 3018 - encounter with Old Man Willow
- September 28, 3018 - Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin are captured by a barrow-wight
- September 30, 3018 - Nazgûl attack Bree
- October 3, 3018 - battle of Gandalf with the Nazgûl on Weathertop
- October 6, 3018 - Nazgûl attack Aragorn and the hobbits on Weathertop
- October 11, 3018 - Glorfindel drives the Nazgûl from the Bridge of Mitheithel
- October 20, 3018 - destruction of the Nazgûl at the Ford of Bruinen
- January 13, 3019 - Attack by wargs on Caradhras
- January 14, 3019 - battles with orcs in Moria
- January 15-25 3019 - battle of Gandalf with the Balrog upon the Bridge of Khazad-dûm and the Battle of the Peak
- January 17, 3019 - orc companies follow Fellowship into Lórien and are destroyed
- February 23, 3019 - arrows fired as the Fellowship pass Sarn Gebir
- February 25, 3019 - first Battle of the Fords of Isen.
- February 26, 3019 - battles with orcs near Parth Galen
- February 29, 3019 - Rohirrim destroy the orcs who captured Merry and Pippin
- Orc fights:
- February 27, 3019 - on the plains of Rohan
- March 15, 3019 - in Cirith Ungol
- March 19, 3019 - in Mordor en route to the Morannon
- March 2, 3019 - Ents destroy an army of Orcs out on the Wold
- March 7, 3019 - Frodo, Sam, and the Rangers of Ithilien ambushed by Haradrim in northern Ithilien.
- March 11-22, 3019 - battles under the trees of Lórien
- March 12, 3019 - Sam fights Shelob
- March 12, 3019 - Aragorn and the Dead Men of Dunharrow capture the Corsair fleet at Pelargir
- March 23-25, 3019 - Battle of Mirkwood
- Between March 23-25, 3019 - Cair Andros retaken.
- March 25, 3019 - Frodo fights Gollum in the Crack of Doom. Destruction of Barad-dûr.
- November 1, 3019 - Hobbits attack Bill Ferny at the Brandywine Bridge and are subsequently arrested.
[edit] End of the World
- Final Battle (prophesied)
[edit] Other Timelines of Interest
- Ages of Middle-earth
- Book publishing dates
- Chieftains of the Dúnedain
- Kings of Arnor
- Kings of Arthedain
- Kings of Gondor
- Kings of Númenor
- Kings of Rohan
- Line of Durin's folk
- Princes of Dol Amroth
- Realms of Arda
- Stewards of Gondor
- Sundering of the Elves
- Thains of the Shire
[edit] References
- ^ Tale of Adanel (J. R. R. Tolkien (1993). in Christopher Tolkien (ed.): Morgoth's Ring. Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-68092-1. )
- ^ Silmariën was definitely the eldest child of Tar-Elendil, and her birthdate is given several times as S.A. 521. In the Tale of Years, the entry of Silmariën's birthdate is given as 548, a date that goes back to the first drafts of that text (see Silmariën's article for details).
- ^ In the Tale of years, it says in S.A. 2251 "Tar-Atanamir takes the sceptre", however, Atanamir died in 2221. 2221 is itself an emendation of 2251, and the former (2221) appears in the later tables, while the latter (2251) in the earlier tables: therefore 2251 (properly 2221) should have read "Death of Tar-Atanamir. Tar-Ancalimon takes the sceptre."
- ^ In one table (probably an earlier draft) of the Kings of Gondor, Castamir's birthdate is given at T.A. 1159, however this is clearly impossible: Eldacar was born in 1255, and they are in the same generation, so 1259 is more correct.
- ^ The date of Sam's birth in "The Longfather-Tree of Master Samwise" (Appendix C) is S.R. 1380 (equivalent to T.A. 2980), however, "The Tale of Years" (Appendix B) gives it as T.A. 2983, which is changed to T.A. 2980 in 2005 edition. In S.R. 1476, Sam is said to have been ninety-six years old, so 2980 is more correct than 2983. Also, the birth year of his sister, Marigold, is given S.R. 1383 (T.A. 2893), and it is most unlikely that they were born in the same year. In the Fellowship of the Ring, Merry and Pippin is said to be younger than both Sam and Frodo, so Sam's birth year must be in T.A. 2980, since Merry was born in T.A. 2982.
- ^ Lalia (b. S.R. 1283) only appears in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. Pearl is the older sister of Pippin. See Took clan.
[edit] General references
- Annals of Aman: J. R. R. Tolkien (1993). in Christopher Tolkien (ed.): Morgoth's Ring. Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 47-138. ISBN 0-395-68092-1.
- Grey Annals: J. R. R. Tolkien (1994). in Christopher Tolkien (ed.): The War of the Jewels. Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 3-170. ISBN 0-395-71041-3.
- Appendix B: J. R. R. Tolkien (2004, 1955). The Lord of the Rings. Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1082-1098. ISBN 0-618-51765-0.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The Chronicle of Arda
- Tolkien Timelines at Alberto Monteiro's Tolkien Page
- Major Timelines at The Lord of the Rings Fanatics Library
- Timeline from Arda's creation to the Fourth Age at Tolkien Gateway Encyclopedia
- Chronology of The Silmarillion
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 |