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Timeline of Arda

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The History of Arda
Ainulindalë
Years of the Lamps
Years of the Trees
Years of the Sun
Ages of the Children of Ilúvatar
First Age
Second Age
Third Age
Fourth Age
Timeline of Arda


This article includes several timelines.

Contents

[edit] With Respect to Real Events

Tolkien has often mentioned that after the War of the Ring the ages went on and now we are likely in the beginning of the Seventh Age, a bridge that connects this fantasy to reality. This following section is a list of events related to this entire mythology.

[edit] "Sixth Age"

[edit] "Seventh Age"

[edit] Arda Events

Before the creation of the Sun few dates can be given, and those dates are given in Valinorean Years, which are about a decade in length.

[edit] Before the creation of Eä

[edit] Creation of Arda

  • Many Ainur enter Arda and become the Valar and Maiar; shaping of Arda begins; creation of the elder stars by Varda.
  • The First War: Melkor assaults his brethren; Arda's symmetry is marred.
  • Tulkas arrives, the last of the Valar to descend into Arda. Melkor runs from him and hides in the Outer Void.

[edit] c. 5000: Years of the Lamps

Endured 5 ages, or 15,000 years approx.

[edit] c. 10000: Years of the Trees

— Endured six Ages

[edit] c. 30000: Years of the Sun

From this time on years are of normal length. Events from Valinor during the Years of the Sun cannot be accurately dated.

[edit] First Age

— approximately 583 years long

[edit] Second Age

— 3441 years long

  • SA 3243 - Death of Gimilkhâd, at 198 years old.
  • c. SA 3265 - Sauron becomes Ar-Pharazôn's court advisor.
  • c. SA 3280 - Isildur steals a fruit from Nimloth. The White Tree is felled and burnt in Sauron's Temple thereafter.
  • SA 3310 - At Sauron's instigation, Ar-Pharazôn begins building the Great Armament.

[edit] Third Age

— 3021 years long

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.

- Fastred and Folcred, the twin sons of king Folcwine, were killed during the Battle of Crossings of Poros
- Fengel, 15th king of Rohan, dies. His son Thengel returns to Rohan to succeed him.
  • TA 2956 - Aragorn first meets Gandalf the Grey
  • TA 2957-TA 2980 - Aragorn as Thorongil serves in the armies of King Thengel of Rohan, and Steward Ecthelion II of Gondor
  • September 22, TA 2968 - Frodo Baggins is born
  • TA 2976 - Denethor II marries with Finduilas.
  • TA 2977 - Bain, son of Bard, become king of Dale.
  • TA 2978 - Boromir, son of Denethor II, is born.
  • TA 2980 - Arwen pledges her hand in marriage to Aragorn; Frodo Baggins loses both of his parents in a boating accident because of reef sharks which ate them; 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; Sam Gamgee born4; Théoden, son of Thengel, becomes 17th king of Rohan after the death of his father. Théoden is the last king of the second line.
  • TA 2982 - Birth of Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry)
  • TA 2983 - Birth of Faramir
  • TA 2989 - Frodo Baggins comes under the guardianship of Bilbo Baggins; a company of dwarves, led by Balin, try to recolonize Moria
  • TA 2990 - Birth of Peregrin Took (Pippin)
  • TA 2991 - Birth of Éomer
  • TA 2994 - Balin is killed; the dwarf-colony in Moria is destroyed
  • TA 2995 - Birth of Éowyn
  • TA 3001 - Bilbo Baggins turns 111 and leaves the Shire
  • TA 3002 - Lalia Clayhanger, the matriarch of the Took clan, dies, aged 119, and possibly pushed by Pearl Took5; Bilbo settles in Rivendell.
  • TA 3009 - Aragorn captures Gollum at Gandalf's request, and brings him as a captive to King Thranduil's halls in Mirkwood.
  • TA 3014 - Saruman begins using his influence to weaken Théoden, 17th king of Rohan.
  • TA 3018 - The Ringwraiths are given the task of retrieving the One Ring;
  • April 12, 3018 - Gandalf returns to the Shire telling Frodo Baggins he must take the ring away.
  • June 20, 3018 - Sauron attacks Osgiliath. Around the same time, Thranduil is attacked and Gollum escapes.
  • July 4, 3018 - Boromir leaves Minas Tirith.
  • July 10, 3018 - Gandalf is arrested in Orthanc.
  • August 3018 - All traces of Gollum disappear. It is considered that, around this time, being hunted by elves and by the servants of Sauron, he could have taken refuge in Moria, but when he finally discovered the way to the West Gate, he couldn't leave.
  • September 18, 3018 - Gandalf escapes Orthanc in the first hours of the day. The Ringwraiths cross Isen.
  • September 19, 3018 - Gandalf goes to Edoras like a beggar, and his entrance is not allowed.
  • September 20, 3018 - Gandalf gains entry into Edoras. Théoden orders that he leaves: "Choose any horse, but leave before the end of the day of tomorrow!"
  • September 21, 3018 - Gandalf encounters Shadowfax, but the horse doesn't allow him to approach. Gandalf pursues Shadowfax for a long way in the hills.
  • September 22, 3018 - The Ringwraiths arrive at Sarn Ford at afternoon and drive away the rangers. Gandalf reaches Shadowfax.
  • September 23, 3018 - Four Ringwraiths enter the Shire before dawn. The others pursue the rangers eastward and later return to watch. A Ringwraith arrives in Hobbiton at nightfall. Frodo leaves Bag End. Gandalf, having tamed Shadowfax, departs Rohan.
  • September 24, 3018 - Gandalf crosses the Isen.
  • September 26, 3018 - Frodo enters the Old Forest and finds Tom Bombadil.
  • September 27, 3018 - Second night with Bombadil.
  • September 28, 3018 - The hobbits are captured by a Barrow-wight. Gandalf reaches Sarn Ford.
  • September 29, 3018 - Frodo arrives at Bree at nightfall. Gandalf visits The Gaffer.
  • September 30, 3018 - Aragorn meets Frodo Baggins in the Inn of the Prancing Pony in Bree.
  • October 1, 3018 - Gandalf leaves Bree.
  • October 3, 3018 - Gandalf is attacked during his night at Weathertop
  • October 6, 3018 - The night at Weathertop. The Nazgûl locate Aragorn and the four hobbits. Frodo Baggins is hurt by a Morgul blade.
  • October 9, 3018 - Glorfindel leaves Rivendell.
  • October 11, 3018 - Glorfindel expels the Ringwraiths from the Bridge of Mitheithel.
  • October 13, 3018 - Frodo crosses the bridge.
  • October 18, 3018 - Glorfindel finds Frodo at afternoon. Gandalf arrives at Rivendell.
  • October 20, 3018 - Escape beyond Bruinen.
  • October 24, 3018 - Frodo awakes in the House of Elrond at Rivendell with Gandalf at his side. Boromir arrives at Rivendell by nightfall.
  • October 25, 3018 - Council of Elrond at Rivendell
  • December 25, 3018 - The Fellowship of the Ring sets out in the evening
  • January 8, 3019 - The Fellowship arrives at Hollin.
  • January 11, 12, 3019 - Snow above Caradhras.
  • January 13, 3019 - Attack of wolves in the first hours of the day. The Fellowship arrives at the West Gate of Moria by nightfall. Gollum begins to follow the traces of the Ring-bearer.
  • January 14, 3019 - Night on the halls of Moria.
  • January 15, 3019 - The Fellowship parts after Gandalf falls into Khazad-dûm while fighting a Balrog.
  • January 17, 3019 - The Fellowship arrives at Caras Galadhon at evening.
  • January 23, 3019 - Gandalf pursues the balrog to the peak of Zirak-zigil.
  • January 25, 3019 - Gandalf slays the Balrog and dies. His body stays on the peak.
  • February 14, 3019 - The mirror of Galadriel. Gandalf returns to life.
  • February 16, 3019 - Farewell to Lórien. Gollum, hidden in the west margin, observes the departure.
  • February 17, 3019 - Gwaihir transports Gandalf to Lórien.
  • February 23, 3019 - The boats are attacked by night close to Sarn Gebir.
  • February 25, 3019 - The Fellowship passes by the Argonath and camps in Parth Galen. First Battle of the Fords of Isen. Théodred, King Théoden's son, slain in the battle.
  • February 26, 3019 - The Breaking of the Fellowship of the Ring. Death of Boromir; his horn is heard in Minas Tirith shortly before his death. Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took are captured. Frodo and Samwise Gamgee penetrate the east part of Emyn Muil. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli depart in pursuit of the orcs by night. Éomer knows of the descent of the band of orcs of Emyn Muil.
  • February 27, 3019 - Aragorn reaches the west cliff by sunrise. Éomer, against the orders of Théoden, departs the West Fold by midnight, pursuing the orcs.
  • February 28, 3019 - Éomer and the Rohirrim find the orcs around Fangorn Forest and slay them.
  • February 29, 3019 - Merry and Pippin escape and find Treebeard. Frodo and Sam find Gollum. Faramir finds the funerary boat of Boromir.
  • February 30, 3019 - The Entmoot begins. Éomer, returning to Edoras, encounters Aragorn.
  • March 1, 3019 - Frodo and Sam begin to cross the Dead Marshes at sunrise. The Entmoot continues. Aragorn finds Gandalf, the White. They depart for Edoras. Faramir leaves Minas Tirith and goes to Ithilien on a mission.
  • March 2, 3019 - Frodo and Sam arrive at the end of the Marshes. Gandalf arrives at Edoras and cures Théoden. The Rohirrim ride to the west and go against Saruman. The Second Battle of Isen. Erkenbrand defeated. Finish of the Entmoot by nightfall. The Ents march to Isengard, arriving there by midnight.
  • March 3, 3019 - Théoden goes to Helm's Deep. Beginning of the Battle of the Hornburg. The Ents complete the destruction of Isengard.
  • March 4, 3019 - The Battle of the Hornburg ends at dawn, when Gandalf arrives with Erkenbrand and the Rohirrim, killing the remaining Uruk-hai. Théoden and Gandalf ride to Isengard.
  • March 5, 3019 - Théoden arrives at Isengard by midday. Talking with Saruman in Orthanc. A Nazgûl upon his fell beast steed flies over the encampment in Dol Baran.
  • March 6, 3019 - Gandalf departs to Minas Tirith with Pippin. Frodo, Sam and Gollum hide close to the Morannon, and depart in twilight.
  • March 7, 3019 - Frodo and Sam are taken by Faramir to Henneth Annûn.
  • March 8, 3019 - Frodo departs Henneth Annûn.
  • March 9, 3019 - Gandalf arrives at Minas Tirith. Faramir departs from Henneth Annûn. Aragorn departs from Erech and arrives at Calembel. At twilight, Frodo, Sam and Gollum reach the Morgul road. The darkness of Mordor begins to spread.
  • March 10, 3019 - The Day without Dawn. The Concentration of the Troops of Rohan: the Rohirrim depart. Faramir rescued by Gandalf in the Gates of the City. An army of Morannon takes Cair Andros and invade Anórien. Frodo, Sam and Gollum watch the Army leaving Minas Morgul.
  • March 11, 3019 - Gollum visits Shelob but, seeing Frodo sleeping, is almost sorry. Denethor II sends Faramir to Osgiliath.
  • March 12, 3019 - Gollum takes Frodo to the "cave" of Shelob. Faramir flees to Minas Tirith after Osgiliath is overrun.
  • March 13, 3019 - Frodo, after escaping Shelob's cave, is attacked by Gollum, who wants the One Ring. Gollum falls. When Frodo arrives at Cirith Ungol Shelob appears and attacks him. Frodo faints. Samwise Gamgee fights off Shelob, who flees. He thinks that Frodo is dead and takes the One Ring. Frodo is captured by orcs under the command of Gorbag to Cirith Ungol. The Pelennor Fields are invaded. Faramir is hurt.
  • March 14, 3019 - The Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Minas Tirith is enclosed by orc armies, who attack the city using catapults. The Nazgûl, under the command of the Witch-king of Angmar, and mounted on their fell beasts, attack the city from above. By nightfall, the powerful battering ram Grond tries to break the Gates of Minas Tirith.
  • March 15, 3019 - In the first hours of the day, Grond destroys the Gates of the City. Denethor, maddened, tries to burn himself and the wounded Faramir in a pyre. He orders the guards of the Citadel to bring him wood and oil. The horns of the rohirrim are heard at dawn: Théoden and his army arrive to help Gondor, killing thousands of orcs. Gandalf and Pippin save Faramir, but Denethor burns himself in the pyre. The Rohan army kills a great part of the orcs, including Lieutenant Gothmog. The surviving orcs are escorted to the river by Rohan's Army. Haradrim legions arrive with oliphaunts to help Mordor, and most of Rohan's army is annihilated. The Witch-king orders his fell beast to attack King Théoden. He drops to the ground and his horse crushes him. Dernhelm (revealed to be Eowyn) fights against the Witch-king's Fell Beast, and slays it in a single strike. The Witch-king is then slain by her and by Meriadoc Brandybuck. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli arrive and kill the surviving orcs. Samwise rescues Frodo from the Tower of Cirith Ungol. The two finally reach Mordor.
  • March 16, 3019 - Debate of the commanders in Minas Tirith. Frodo observes Mount Doom.
  • March 18, 3019 - The West army under the command of Aragorn and Éomer depart Minas Tirith for the Black Gates of Mordor.
  • March 19, 3019 - The army arrives at the Morgul Vale. Frodo and Sam begin their journey to Barad-dûr.
  • March 22, 3019 - The terrible twilight. Frodo and Sam abandon the road and go to Mount Doom by the south.
  • March 23, 3019 - The Army leaves Ithilien. Aragorn dismisses the cowards. Frodo and Samwise get rid of their orc armor disguise.
  • March 24, 3019 - Frodo and Samwise makes their last journey to the roots of Mount Doom. The army camps in Morannon.
  • March 25, 3019 - The Battle of the Morannon. The army is enclosed by the much more numerous Orc army in the Black Gates. The Gondorian and Rohirrim army under the command of Aragorn, Éomer, Gandalf, Legolas and Gimli fights the orcs. While they fight, the eight remaining Nazgûl and their fell beasts arrive, but the Eagles also arrive to help Aragorn's army, battling the Nazgûl and their fell beasts. Frodo and Samwise, exhausted and starving, arrive at a doorway in Mount Doom. Gollum, supposedly dead, reappears and attacks Frodo and Sam. Sam fights Gollum, who stays behind while Frodo and he enter Mount Doom. When about to destroy the One Ring, Frodo stops, and puts on the ring, arguing that the Ring is his, and disappears. Sensing that the Ring was inside Mount Doom, Sauron's Eye looks there, and the three surviving Nazgûl fly to Mount Doom. Gollum takes the One Ring and falls in Mount Doom's lava, dying. The One Ring is destroyed. Sauron and his armies are destroyed. Frodo and Samwise are rescued from Mount Doom by Gandalf and the Eagles.
  • May 1, 3019 - 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) 3019 - Aragorn marries Arwen Undómiel.
  • July 3019 - King Théoden is laid to rest beside other Kings of Rohan in Edoras.
  • November 19, 3019 - Battle of Bywater; death of Saruman and Wormtongue; the end of the War of the Ring.
  • Spring 3020 - Samwise Gamgee marries Rosie Cotton and together they move to Bag End.
  • 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 and go to the Undying Lands.

[edit] Fourth Age

— length uncertain

In the reckoning of Gondor, the Fourth Age began on 25 March, 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
  • 9 - Birth of Faramir Took son of Diamond of Long Cleeve and Peregrin Took
  • (Date Uncertain) - Birth of Elboron son of Faramir and Eowyn
  • (Date Uncertain) - Birth of Durin VII, son of Thorin III Stonehelm
  • (Date Uncertain) - Birth Of Elfwine, son of Lothíriel and Eomer
  • 13 - Peregrin Took becomes 32nd Thain of the Shire
  • 15 - Death of Gloin, 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. His 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
  • 83 - 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] Major Battles

[edit] Before the Sun and Moon

[edit] First Age

See also Battles of Beleriand.

[edit] Second Age

[edit] Third Age

[edit] End of the World

[edit] Other Timelines of Interest

[edit] Notes

1Silmariën was definitely the eldest child of Tar-Elendil, and her birthdate is given several times as SA 521. In the Tale of Years, the entry of Silmariën's birthdate is given as SA 548, a date that goes back to the first drafts of that text (see Silmariën's article for details).

2In the Tale of years, it says in SA 2251 "Tar-Atanamir takes the sceptre", however, Atanamir died in SA 2221. SA 2221 is itself an emendation of SA 2251, and the former (SA 2221) appears in the later tables, while the latter (SA 2251) in the earlier tables: therefore SA 2251 (properly SA 2221) should have read "Death of Tar-Atanamir. Tar-Ancalimon takes the sceptre."

3In one table (probably an earlier draft) of the Kings of Gondor, Castamir's birthdate is given at TA 1159, however this is clearly impossible: Eldacar was born in SA 1255, and they are in the same generation, so SA 1259 is more correct.

4The date of Sam's birth in the genealogies is SR 1380 (equivalent to TA 2980), however the Tale of Years gives it as TA 2983, which is incorrect; in SR 1476, Sam is said to have been ninety-six years old, so TA 2980 is more correct than SA 2983.

5 Lalia (b. SR 1283) only appears in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. Pearl is the older sister of Pippin. See Took clan.

[edit] External Links


J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium

Works 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

Lists of LOTR Wiki articles about Middle-earth
by category | by name | writings | characters | peoples | rivers | realms | ages


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