Year
|
Events
|
1 |
The year marked the end of the age of
Trees. The moon made from a flower of Telperion and the sun made from a fruit of Laurelin
rise over Middle Earth. The host of Fingolfin after crossing the Grinding Ice marches into
Mithrim untroubled by the servants of Morgoth who flee into Angband fearing the new light.
The Atani, or Men, are said to awake. |
5 |
Fingon, son of Fingolfin rescues
Maedhros from the peaks of Thangorodrim. Maedhros loses his right hand. But the valiant
deed of Fingon resolves the feud between the houses of the Noldor. |
7 |
Maedhros renounces his claim to
kingship over the exiled Noldor and thus it passes on to Fingolfin. The house of Fëanor
becomes the Dispossessed just as the Doom of Mandos had foretold. |
8-20 |
The sons of Fëanor leave Mithrim and
go eastward beyond Aros to the wide lands about the Hill of Himring. Caranthir's folk come
upon the dwarves and both people profit much from the alliance made. |
20 |
Fingolfin, King of Noldor in Middle
Earth makes a feast during spring near the pools of Ivrin, called the Mereth Aderthad or
the 'Feast of Reuniting'. Many of the chieftains of the elven folk gather together and
counsels are taken in good will. |
50 |
Turgon and Finrod journey southward
and come upon the Meres of Twilight beside the river Sirion. Ulmo sends a message to each
one of them in their dreams asking them to establish retreats in places of hidden
strengths to prepare for the chance that Morgoth could burst out of Angband. |
52-102 |
Finrod comes to the Caverns of Narog
after Thingol reveals to him their exact location. Finrod establishes Nargothrond with the
help of the Naugrim. The necklace of the Dwarves or the Nauglamír was made during this
time. Nargothrond is completed in the year 102. Finrod gets the name 'Felagund' or 'Hewer
of Caves'. Thingol bans the usage of the High Elven speech in Beleriand. |
53 |
Turgon under the guidance of Ulmo
discovers the hidden vale of Tumladen in the encircling mountains. Turgon keeps the
finding a secret. |
60 |
Morgoth sends his forces of orcs
across the plain of Ard-Galen believing that the Noldor were unprepared for war. However
Fingolfin and Maedhros defeat the orcs and push the forces back into Angband. The battle
is named Dagor Aglareb or the glorious battle. |
64 |
Turgon begins the construction of the
city of Gondolin after leading many of his hardiest and skilled people to the hidden
valley of Tumladen. |
116 |
The construction of the city of
Gondolin is completed. Turgon prepares to leave Nevrast when Ulmo speaks to him and helps
his people enter unnoticed into Gondolin. |
155 |
Morgoth sends forth an army of orcs
through the same route that Fingolfin had followed from the Grinding Ice to enter Hithlum.
But Fingon attacks this army and defeats them. |
260 |
Glaurung, the first of the Urulóki
issues out of the gates of Angband. Although not yet full grown, Glaurung defiles the
field of Ard-Galen before being driven back by Fingon and his archers. |
262 |
This was the year of the birth of
Balan later called Bëor, the leader of the first group of men to enter Beleriand. |
310 |
Finrod comes across the Edain for the
first time in the region of Ossiriand. Under his advice, Bëor and his people take up
their dwellings in the lands governed by Amrod and Amras. |
311 |
Balan enters into the service of
Finrod, thereby earning the name Bëor signifying 'Vassal'. His position is taken over by
his son Baran. |
312 |
The Haladin enter Beleriand and take
up their abode at Thargelion in the lands governed by Caranthir. |
313 |
The folk of Marach enter Beleriand
and settle in the lands south east of that of Baran. King Fingolfin sends a message of
welcome to all the Edain. The migration of the Edain begins. |
316 |
Aredhel wearied of her life in
Gondolin leaves to venture into the outside world. She loses her way and gets enmeshed in
Nan Elmoth. The dark elf Eöl takes her for his wife. |
320 |
Birth of Maeglin, son of Aredhel and
Eöl. Ardhel names him Lómion meaning 'Son of twilight'. |
332 |
Eöl gives the name Maeglin to his
son, meaning 'Sharp Glance'. |
355 |
Bëor dies at the age of ninety three
after having served Finrod for forty four years. |
375 |
Morgoth sends an orc raid that enters
Thargelion through the dwarf road. Haldad leads the Haladin but is slain along with his
son Haldar. Then Haleth, daughter of Haldad holds the people together until Caranthir
comes to their rescue. Haleth then leads her people to Estolad. |
390 |
Hador Lórindol, 'Golden head' is
born. Hador later becomes 'The Lord of Dor-Lómin. |
400 |
At Midsummer, Eöl leaves for a feast
at Nogrod when Aredhel and Maeglin leave Nan Elmoth to reach Gondolin. Eöl on returning
early follows them to Gondolin. Aredhel dies after she comes in the way of a poisoned dart
aimed at Maeglin by Eöl. Eöl is sentenced to death and executed. |
402 |
Birth of Barahir, son of Bregor. |
417 |
Birth of Galdor, son of Hador. Galdor
was later called "The Tall". |
419 |
Birth of Gundor, youngest son of
Hador. |
432 |
Birth of Beren, son of Barahir.. |
441 |
Birth of Húrin, son of Galdor and
Hareth. Called "Thalion", "The Steadfast" or "The Strong". |
443 |
Birth of Morwen, daughter of
Baragund. Also called Eledhwen or "Elf sheen." |
444 |
Birth of Huor, brother of Húrin.. |
450 |
Birth of Rían, daughter of Belegund.
. |
455 |
"Dagor Bragollach".
"The Battle of the Sudden Flame" begins in winter. End of the siege of Angband.
Anrod, Aegnor and Bregolas slain during the initial stages. Hador and his younger son
Gundor are also slain. Galdor takes over the lordship of his father. |
456 |
Fingolfin, high king of Noldor dies
after inflicting seven wounds on Morgoth. Fingon becomes the King of Noldor. Finrod swears
oath of friendship to the house of Bëor. Gil-Galad son of Fingon sent to the havens. |
457 |
Sauron, the greatest servant of
Morgoth, drives Orodredth from Minas Tirith and makes it a watchtower for Morgoth. The
isle of Tol Sirion becomes the isle of werewolves. The swarthy men, some of them already
under Morgoth's influence enter Beleriand. Throndor takes Húrin and Huor to Gondolin. |
458 |
Húrin and Huor leave Gondolin after
having been there for nearly a year. They return to Dor-Lómin under oath never to reveal
the actual location of Gondolin.. |
460 |
Barahir and his company slain with
the exception of Beren because Sauron draws Gorlim into his net of treachery to make him
reveal the hiding place of the company.. |
462 |
Morgoth renews his attack on Hithlum.
Galdor the tall dies during the siege of Eithel Sirion. Húrin begins to rule the house of
Hador in Dor-Lómin. |
463 |
Rumors of the Easterlings' passage
over the Ered Luin into Beleriand comes to the Edain and Eldar. Maedhros makes an alliance
with these men. The sons of Bor follow him faithfully, but the sons of Ulfang, who
followed Caranthir, are treacherous.. |
464 |
Húrin weds Morwen Eledhwen. Birth of
Túrin, son of Húrin. It is in this year that Beren, having wandered as a solitary outlaw
for nearly four years in Dorthonion, comes across Lúthien, daughter of Melian and
Thingol, in the forest of Neldoreth during the summer. |
465 |
Beren and Luthien first converse, but
are soon discovered. Thingol demands Beren to regain one of the Silmarils from Morgoth's
crown for the hand of Tinúviel. Beren journeys to Nargothrond where King Felagund and a
few of his faithful people resolve to help Beren. However Finrod is later slain in the
pits of Tor-in-Gaurhoth after battling with a werewolf to save Beren. Orodreth begins to
rule Nargothrond. |
466 |
Beren and Lúthien perform one of the
greatest deeds of all times by regaining one of the silmarils from Angband. Carcharoth,
the wolf of Angband swallows the silmaril biting off Beren's hand. Beren thereby gets the
name "Erchamion"- the one handed. Beren and Lúthien wed. Later in the year
Beren is slain by Carcharoth, as is Huan, but Carcharoth too is slain, and the Silmaril
recovered. |
469 |
Beren and Lúthien return as mortals
and take up their dwelling in the island of Tol Galen in the river Adurant in
Ossiriand.Year of pestilence in Hithlum. Urwen also called Lalaith, Túrin's sister dies. |
470 |
Dior Eluchíl, son of Beren and
Lúthien is born. |
472 |
The Nirnaeth Arnoediad or the Battle
of Unnumbered Tears begins. Haldir, lord of the Haladin is slain. The host of Turgon comes
to the aid of Fingon. However both Fingon and Huor are slain. Húrin and Gwindor are taken
captive to Angband. Birth of Tuor. Morwen sends Túrin along with two aged servants to
find his way into Doriath. Rían dies of grief. "The Year of Lamentation". |
473 |
Birth of Nienor, sister of Túrin.
Morgoth's forces ravage all the Falas. Brithombar and Eglarest are destroyed. Túrin
enters Doriath and is welcomed by Thingol as his foster son. |
474 |
Cirdan establishes the havens of
Sirion after the fall of Falas in the previous year. |
482 |
Túrin puts on the dragon helm of
Dor-Lómin and goes out to battle on the marches of Doriath along with Beleg Cúthalion. |
485 |
Túrin returns to Menegroth. Saeros
angers Túrin but is accidentally killed. Túrin deems himself an outlaw and leaves
Doriath to come to the woods west of Sirion. |
486 |
Beleg comes upon Túrin. Túrin
refuses the pardon of Thingol and does not return to Doriath. |
487 |
Turin meets Mîm the Dwarf and makes
Amon Rûdh his abode. . |
488 |
Beleg comes to Amon Rûdh in
beginning of the year. Toward the end of the year, Amon Rûdh is betrayed. Túrin is
captured. Beleg comes upon Gwindor and the two set Túrin free. Ironically Túrin kills
Beleg in a tragic accident. Tuor brought up by Annael of the grey elves is taken captive
by Lorgan, chief of the Easterlings of Hithlum. |
490 |
Gwindor leads Turin to Nargothrond
where he becomes a great lord. Soon, Beleg's sword is reforged as Gurthang, and Turin
takes the name Mormegil. |
491 |
Tuor escapes from thralldom and
returns to the caves of Androth. |
494 |
Morwen and Nienor flee to Doriath. |
495 |
Tuor leaves Hithlum and in autumn
comes to the halls of Vinyamar where Ulmo himself appears before him and bids him to seek
out the kingdom of Turgon. Voronwë leads Tuor. Gelmir and Arminas bring tidings from
Cirdan to Nargothrond about the peril that is drawing near. The sack of Nargothrond takes
place in which Orodreth, Gwindor and Finduilas are slain. Handir, lord of Brethil, is also
killed. Turin leaves for Dor-Lomin, leaving Finduilas to be captured and slain. |
496 |
Túrin does not find his mother and
sister in Dor-lómin. He comes to Brethil, finds out about the death of Finduilas, and
takes on a new name 'Turambar' meaning 'Master of Doom'. He begins living with the wild
men in Brethil. Glaurung casts a spell on Nienor and she loses all her memory. Nienor
loses her way in the woods only to be found later by Turambar, who names her Níniel. |
498 |
Túrin and Níniel wed at Mid summer
and the woodmen at Brethil make a great feast. |
499 |
Túrin kills Glaurung. But in an
tragic turn of events Nienor kills herself. Túrin kills Brandir because of a
misunderstanding and finally kills himself. |
500 |
Húrin released from captivity after
twenty eight years. |
501 |
Morgoth learns of the region of
Turgon's hidden city when his spies hear Húrin shouting to Turgon on the Echoriath,
hoping to be admitted to Gondolin within. Húrin meets Morwen just before she dies at
Túrin's grave. |
502 |
Tuor weds Idril Celebrindal, daughter
of Turgon after having been in Gondolin for nearly seven years. Húrin slays Mîm the
petty dwarf. Húrin brings the Nauglamir to Doriath, and then leaves to die. The Silmaril
is put in the Nauglamir by the Dwarves. |
503 |
Eärendil half elven born to Tuor and
Idril. Elwing is born to Dior and Nimloth. The Dwarves attack Doriath in rage and lust.
Thingol is slain, and the Silmaril taken, but reclaimed by Beren. Melian departs, and her
girdle is broken. Dior comes to Doriath and is King. Beren and Luthien die for the second
and final time. The Silmaril comes to Dior. |
506-507 |
Dior is slain after the sons of
Fëanor try to regain the jewel. Elwing, daughter of Dior and Nimloth, and a few others
escape to the Mouths of the Sirion along with the Silmaril. |
510 |
Morgoth's forces attack the city of
Gondolin after having learnt its secrets by the treachery of Maeglin. This was during the
time of the feast o the gate of Summer. Turgon, Ecthelion, Glorfindel and Maeglin are
slain. Tuor, Idril and Eärendil and a few of their followers escape through a secret
passage. They reach the mouths of Sirion where they meet the folk of Elwing. |
530 |
Tuor and Idril sail west on their
ship Eärrame after Tuor feels old age creeping over him. Eärendil weds Elwing. |
532 |
Elrond and Elros are born. |
534 |
Eärendil begins his journeys in
search of his parents. |
538 |
The sons of Fëanor attack the folk
living at the mouths of Sirion for the silmaril; the havens are desstroyed and Elrond and
Elros are captured. Elwing with the silmaril casts herself into the sea but Ulmo rescues
her and brings her to Eärendil on board Vingilot. |
542 |
Eärendil comes to Valinor. |
545 |
The Host of the Valar comes to
Middle-earth and the War of Wrath begins. In a final bid to gain the simarils, Maedhros
and Maglor steal a silmaril each from Eonwë's camp. Unable to endure the pain inflicted
on them by the silmaril, they ended their lives, one in a deep chasm of the earth and the
other in the sea. |
587 |
The War of the Wrath ends. The utter
defeat and banishment of Morgoth by the host of the Valar. Beleriand is destroyed. In a
final bid to gain the simarils, Maedhros and Maglor steal a silmaril each from Eonwë's
camp. Unable to endure the pain inflicted by the silmaril on unpure skin, they ended their
lives, Maedhros casts his into a fiery chasm of the earth and follows it to his death, and
Maglor casts his into the Sea and is never seen again. |
590 |
The Elves depart over the sea;
Morgoth is cast from the world into the Outer Dark. The End of the First Age |
|
Sources
The construction of a timeline for the First Age is, essentially,
an impossible endeavor; thus, the validity of the dates in this timeline is necessarily in
question, given that its sources are texts that were unpublished by Tolkien in his
lifetime, and the variety of versions of these texts creates various methods by which to
create the timeline for the First Age.
The sources used to build this timeline are many, and often
conflicting, unclear, or incomplete. As a primary goal, concordance with the published
Silmarillion has been sought, but few actual dates are given within its text. So as a
second source, the "Grey Annals" of The History of Middle-Earth Volume XI: The
War of the Jewels are used. This text contains many of the events of the First Age given
with their year of occurrence.
Unfortunately, "The Grey Annals" are unfinished, ending
with the story of Turin and the last events of Hurin's life. And there are no hints to the
passage of time between the Fall of Gondolin and the end of the First Age in the
Silmarillion. It is possible to calculate the last events of the Age using an earlier
version of the Annals (in History of Middle-Earth Volume 5: The Lost Road) and changing
the dates to coincide with the date given for the Fall of Gondolin in the Silmarillion,
but this ultimately is a poor method, as it involves mixing texts from two distinct
periods in the development of the mythos. Furthermore, the gaps between events from the
Fall of Gondolin and the End of the Age have undoubtedly been changed by Tolkien since the
writing of the earlier annals, which date from before the commencement of The Lord of the
Rings. Attempts also have been made to determine the dates of the end of the first age
using only the Silmarillion, but with the existence of The History of Middle-Earth this
can no longer be accepted as entirely adequate: it certainly is more creative than
accurate.
Consequently, another source must be used for the final century
of the first age: "The Tale of Years" in The War of the Jewels. In choosing this
text, rather than the other speculative (and indeed wrongly based) calculations, this
timeline at the very least contains something which Tolkien's own hand wrote, and is more
in accordance with his latter thoughts on the dating of the First Age. However, this text
itself is problematic. It exists in four or five different, conflicting versions. And some
of these versions are conflicting with the published Silmarillion as well.
Versions B and C (as given by Christopher Tolkien) have been used
in this timeline. Version B is the latter of the two versions which proceeds through the
end of the First Age, and Version C for its entry of the birth of Elros and Elrond (and
many of the dates in Version C were changed back to those in B). Importantly, both of
these versions have the dates of Eärendil's birth and the Fall of Gondolin (503 and 510)
the same as in the The Silmarillion.
And actually, this text, as here selected, itself is, though with
changes in its various versions, in the end consistent with all of Tolkien's dating of the
First Age published in the Silmarillion or in the "Grey Annals." The dates in
the "Tale of Years" for the first age are almost entirely the same (as noted by
Christopher Tolkien) as the "Grey Annals" through about the year 500 (around
where the Grey Annals stop). The dates for the Birth of Eärendil and the Fall of Gondolin
are the same as given in the Silmarillion. Also, the end of the First Age must be 58 years
from the Birth of Elros, because this is revealed in a text in Unfinished Tales as well as
in the Akallabeth where it is said Elros lives to be 500 (and he died in the year 442 S.A.
according to Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings). The dating in Tolkien's final version
of the "Tale of Years" accounts for this.
However, the problems were not merely limited to the last
century. The "Grey Annals" story of Turin is quite different than that in The
Silmarillion and "Narn hin i Hurin" of Unfinished Tales in certain places: it
has a different story in place of Mîm and Amon Rûdh. But Turin's life after coming to
Nargothrond is accurate with respect to these texts. Furthermore, an extension of the
"Grey Annals" given with the "Wanderings of Hurin" in The War of the
Jewels has much the same dates as the original "Grey Annals" starting with
Turin's coming to Nargothrond, but were written at the time of "Narn hin i
Hurin." Thus, even though the story changed, these dates are still preserved (and are
herein used--with both versions considered). However, this still presented the problem of
dating Turin's life between coming to Menegroth and entering Nargothrond. After careful
consideration of the The Silmarillion and the "Narn i hin Hurin" (and its
Appendix), the dates given here can be determined, and ultimately come close to fitting in
with the "Grey Annals" record of Turin's coming to Nargothrond in 490.
According to these, Turin enters Doriath in the year following
the Year of Lamentation (so in 473). He spends 9 years in Menegroth (482). He then passes
three years with Beleg and returns to Menegroth (485). At that time he flees from Doriath.
A year later (586) Beleg finds him among the Outlaws. Beleg leaves Turin in winter, as the
end of year approaches. It is two summers, according to the "Narn," since
Turin's flight from Menegroth when he comes across Mîm (487). Beleg comes back after
Turin and arrives in winter (either at the end of 487 or the beginning of 488--one version
has specifically the latter). And it is in this year, 488, that Amon Rûdh is betrayed,
Turin is captured and later saved by Beleg and Gwindor. This, however, is one year earlier
than Turin's capture and rescue in the "Grey Annals." The difference is ignored
here, and Turin's coming to Nargothrond is left the same: 490.
One last source was taken into account: the family trees given in
The War of the Jewels, "Of the Coming of Men into the West." These timelines
have the dates of birth and death of many of the Edain, and they are more cohesive than
those given for the some of those same men in the "Grey Annals." For when the
annals were written, there were two less generations given for the Edain, and thus the
dates of birth for the founders of these houses are hundreds of years later.
So, though this timeline is necessarily uncertain, it would seem
that it is as accurate reckoning available of the First Age as is possible, from its
beginning to its end. |
