3021 years
Third Age
The waning of the Elves and the Dúnedain, the return of Sauron, the quest of Erebor and the War of the Ring, ending with the departure of the Ring-bearers over the Sea.
600 events, showing the first 120
- Third Age
The marshes spread
The fens creep over the graves, and the dead become visible beneath the pools.
PlaceDead Marshes
- Third Age
The Stonewain Valley forgotten
Gondor's old quarry-road through the forest falls out of memory except among the Woses.
PlaceDrúadan Forest
- Early Third Age
Built by Gondor
The Númenóreans raise the Deeping Wall and the fortress later called the Hornburg to guard the Gap.
PlaceHelm's Deep
- Early Third Age
Durthang built
Gondor raises a fortress on the heights above the valley as part of its watch on Mordor.
PlaceUdûn
- Early Third Age
Dwarves settle the mountains
Durin's folk driven from Moria begin to gather in the ore-rich Grey Mountains.
PlaceThe Grey Mountains
- Third Age
Found among the lilies
Tom Bombadil brings the River-daughter from the Withywindle to his house.
FigureGoldberry
- Early Third Age
Founded by Gondor
The Men of Gondor build the ring-wall of Isengard around the older tower of Orthanc, pairing it with Aglarond to guard the Gap of Rohan.
PlaceIsengard
- Third Age
Goldberry
Tom finds the River-daughter among the water-lilies and takes her to wife.
FigureTom Bombadil
- Early Third Age
Gondor fortifies the passes
The Dúnedain hold Minas Ithil and build the tower of Cirith Ungol.
PlaceEphel Dúath
- Third Age
Life by the stream
Lives apart in the northern wood; Amroth's suit is refused.
FigureNimrodel
- Third Age
Love for Nimrodel
Woos the Silvan maiden of the northern wood, who will not wed him.
FigureAmroth
- Third Age
Master of the Old Forest
Old Man Willow's malice spreads through the trees of the Old Forest.
FigureOld Man Willow
- T.A. 1
Meneldil made King of Gondor
Isildur plants the White Tree in Minas Anor in Anárion's memory and gives the realm to his son.
FigureAnárion
- T.A. 1
Ordering of Gondor
Isildur plants the White Tree in Minas Anor, gives Gondor to Meneldil, and buries Elendil on Amon Anwar.
FigureIsildur
- Early Third Age
Raised by the Númenóreans
The tower is made from black stone by the Men of Gondor and a palantír is placed within it.
PlaceOrthanc
- Third Age
Retreat to Fangorn
As Men clear the land, the Ents withdraw to Fangorn Forest under the Misty Mountains.
TaxonEnts
- Third Age
Sauron's guard
Sauron leaves her alone as a keeper of his western pass and sends her prisoners.
FigureShelob
- Long before the War
The burning at the Hedge
The trees attack the High Hay and the Bucklanders cut them down and burn them, leaving the Bonfire Glade.
PlaceThe Old Forest
- Third Age
The long search
The Ents seek the Entwives in every land, asking travellers for news, and find nothing.
TaxonEntwives
- Third Age
The Old Forest darkens
Without Ents to herd them, the trees of the Old Forest turn hostile to the Hobbits of Buckland.
TaxonHuorns
- Early Third Age
The road of Arnor and the Northmen
The pass carries the Great East Road between Eriador and the Anduin vales.
PlaceThe High Pass
- Early Third Age
The tower built by Gondor
After the Last Alliance the Dúnedain fortify the pass to keep watch on Mordor.
PlaceCirith Ungol
- Early Third Age
The Towers of the Teeth built
Gondor fortifies the pass of Cirith Gorgor to keep watch on Mordor.
PlaceThe Black Gate
- T.A. 1 to c. 1640
The watch of Gondor
Gondor garrisons the Towers of the Teeth, Cirith Ungol and Durthang to keep Mordor empty.
PlaceMordor
- Third Age
The wine-trade to the north
Merchants carry casks of Dorwinion wine down the Celduin to Lake-town and up the Forest River to the Elvenking's halls.
PlaceDorwinion
- T.A. 2
Disaster of the Gladden Fields
Isildur and his three elder sons are slain; the One Ring is lost.
PlaceArnor
- T.A. 2
Disaster of the Gladden Fields
Isildur is slain and the Ring is lost.
TaxonNúmenóreans
- T.A. 2
Disaster of the Gladden Fields
Isildur and his three elder sons are slain by Orcs; Valandil, a child at Rivendell, inherits Arnor.
- T.A. 2, October
Disaster of the Gladden Fields
Isildur and his three elder sons are killed by orcs; the One Ring is lost in the river.
PlaceThe Gladden Fields
- T.A. 2
Disaster of the Gladden Fields
Ambushed by Orcs; his three elder sons are slain; the Ring slips from his finger and he is shot in the Anduin.
FigureIsildur
- T.A. 2
Disaster of the Gladden Fields
Isildur and his three elder sons are slain; Valandil becomes heir.
FigureValandil
- Early Third Age
Elendil's tomb
Isildur lays Elendil's body on the summit as a hallowed centre of the realm.
PlaceHalifirien
- T.A. 2
Gladden Fields
Orcs of the Mountains slay Isildur.
TaxonOrcs
- T.A. 2
Isildur drowned
Isildur is shot in the river above the Gladden Fields and the One Ring is lost.
PlaceAnduin
- T.A. 2
Isildur marches by the Dwarf-road
Isildur's company takes the old road north toward the Gladden Fields and the High Pass.
PlaceThe Old Forest Road
- T.A. 2
Meneldil becomes king
Isildur commits Gondor to his nephew before riding north to his death.
TaxonMen of Gondor
- T.A. 2
Meneldil rules Gondor
Isildur gives the South-kingdom to his nephew and dies at the Gladden Fields.
PlaceGondor
- T.A. 2
Receives the rule of Gondor
Isildur commits the South Kingdom to Meneldil and rides north.
FigureMeneldil
- T.A. 2, October
The shards of Narsil escape
Ohtar carries Elendil's broken sword away to Rivendell.
PlaceThe Gladden Fields
- T.A. 2
The White Tree planted
Isildur plants a seedling of Nimloth's line in memory of Anárion.
PlaceMinas Tirith
- T.A. 2
Tomb on Amon Anwar
Isildur lays his father's remains in a hidden tomb on the Halifirien before riding north.
FigureElendil
- Early Third Age
The North Stair cut
Gondor makes a portage path beside the falls for boats coming from the north.
PlaceRauros
- Early Third Age
The Seat of Seeing built
The kings of Gondor set a high seat on the hill to watch the northern border.
PlaceAmon Hen
- T.A. 3
The shards of Narsil
Ohtar brings the broken sword to Rivendell.
FigureValandil
- T.A. 10
Becomes King of Arnor
Takes up the rule at Annúminas on coming of age.
FigureValandil
- T.A. 10
Valandil becomes king
Isildur's youngest son takes up the kingship of Arnor; the High Kingship lapses.
PlaceArnor
- T.A. 10
Valandil's reign
Isildur's youngest son takes up the kingship of Arnor at Annúminas.
PlaceAnnúminas
- T.A. 109
Marriage of Celebrían
Her daughter weds Elrond of Rivendell.
FigureGaladriel
- T.A. 109
Marriage of Celebrían
His daughter weds Elrond of Rivendell.
FigureCeleborn
- T.A. 109
Marriage to Celebrían
Weds the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn.
FigureElrond
- T.A. 109
Marriage to Elrond
Becomes the Lady of Rivendell.
FigureCelebrían
- T.A. 130
Birth of Elladan and Elrohir
FigureCelebrían
- T.A. 130
Born in Rivendell
Twin sons of Elrond and Celebrían.
FigureElladan and Elrohir
- T.A. 130 and 241
Children born
Elladan and Elrohir in 130; Arwen Undómiel in 241.
FigureElrond
- T.A. 158
Death
Cemendur succeeds him.
FigureMeneldil
- T.A. 241
Birth of Arwen
FigureCelebrían
- T.A. 241
Birth of Arwen
The last of the Half-elven is born to Elrond and Celebrían.
TaxonHalf-elven
- T.A. 241
Born in Rivendell
Daughter of Elrond and Celebrían; named Undómiel by her people.
FigureArwen
- T.A. 249
Death
Eldacar succeeds him.
FigureValandil
- T.A. 420
Rebuilt by Ostoher
The city is enlarged and becomes the kings' summer seat.
PlaceMinas Tirith
- T.A. 490
First invasion of Gondor
TaxonEasterlings
- Early Third Age
Capital removed to Fornost
The kings of Arnor leave Annúminas and make Fornost their chief seat.
PlaceFornost
- T.A. 541
Death of Rómendacil I
The king of Gondor is slain in battle against the Easterlings.
TaxonEasterlings
- T.A. 541
Rómendacil I slain by Easterlings
The first long war between Gondor and the East costs a king his life and is avenged by his son Turambar.
PlaceRhûn
- T.A. 830
Tarannon Falastur becomes king
Berúthiel is queen of Gondor during his reign.
FigureBerúthiel
- T.A. 830 to 1149
The Ship-kings
Four kings build Gondor's sea-power; Umbar is taken in 933 and Harad subdued in 1050.
PlaceGondor
- T.A. 861
Arnor divided
On the death of Eärendur his sons split the realm into Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur.
- T.A. 861
Arthedain founded
Amlaith of Fornost takes the north-west of Arnor after the death of his father Eärendur.
PlaceArthedain
- T.A. 861
Capital of Arthedain
Amlaith of Fornost rules the north-western kingdom from the city after the division of Arnor.
PlaceFornost
- T.A. 861
Cardolan founded
A younger son of Eärendur takes the southern third of Arnor.
PlaceCardolan
- T.A. 861
Division of Arnor
On the death of Eärendur the kingdom splits into Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur.
PlaceEriador
- T.A. 861
Division of the kingdom
On Eärendur's death Arnor splits into Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur.
PlaceArnor
- T.A. 861
Rhudaur founded
The eastern third of Arnor becomes a separate kingdom.
PlaceRhudaur
- by T.A. 861
The city deserted
The kings remove to Fornost and Annúminas falls into ruin.
PlaceAnnúminas
- T.A. 9th century
Cast adrift
Tarannon sets her on a ship with her cats and strikes her name from the records.
FigureBerúthiel
- T.A. 913
Death of Tarannon
The king dies childless and is succeeded by his nephew Eärnil I.
FigureBerúthiel
- T.A. 933
Eärnil I takes Umbar
The Ship-kings extend Gondor's power along the coasts.
TaxonMen of Gondor
- T.A. 933
Gondor takes Umbar
Eärnil I seizes the haven from the remnant of the King's Men.
TaxonCorsairs of Umbar
- T.A. 933
Taken by Eärnil I
The Ship-king seizes Umbar for Gondor.
PlaceUmbar
- T.A. 933
The Ship-kings' base
Eärnil I sails from Pelargir to take Umbar.
PlacePelargir
- c. T.A. 1000
Arrival at the Grey Havens
The Istari land in Middle-earth; Círdan gives Gandalf the Ring Narya.
TaxonIstari
- c. T.A. 1000
Choice of Aiwendil
Yavanna sends Radagast with the Istari.
FigureYavanna
- c. T.A. 1000
Choice of Alatar
Oromë sends one of the Blue Wizards, who goes east with Pallando.
FigureOromë
- c. T.A. 1000
Choice of Curumo
Aulë names Saruman as one of the Istari.
FigureAulë
- c. T.A. 1000
Chosen and sent
Oromë names Alatar, who brings Pallando; they land at the Grey Havens.
FigureThe Blue Wizards
- c. T.A. 1000
Coming of the Istari
Five Maiar arrive at the Grey Havens in the guise of old men.
TaxonMaiar
- c. T.A. 1000
Council of the Istari
Manwë chooses the emissaries and names Olórin among them.
FigureManwë
- c. T.A. 1000
First of the Istari
Curumo is chosen by Aulë and lands first at the Grey Havens.
FigureSaruman
- T.A. 1000 (about)
Gift of Narya
Recognises Gandalf as the greatest of the Istari and gives him the Ring of Fire.
FigureCírdan
- c. T.A. 1000
Olórin departs
The Maia of Lórien goes to Middle-earth as one of the Istari.
FigureIrmo
- c. T.A. 1000
Olórin goes east
Her pupil departs for Middle-earth as Gandalf.
FigureNienna
- T.A. 1000
Olórin sent east
The Maia who dwelt in Lórien is chosen among the Istari and goes to Middle-earth as Gandalf.
PlaceGardens of Lórien
- c. T.A. 1000
Sending of the Istari
The Valar dispatch five Maiar as wizards to oppose Sauron by counsel rather than force.
TaxonValar
- c. T.A. 1000
Sent to Middle-earth
Yavanna asks Curumo to take Aiwendil among the Istari.
FigureRadagast
- c. T.A. 1000
Sent to Middle-earth
Olórin arrives at the Grey Havens and receives Narya from Círdan.
FigureGandalf
- c. T.A. 1000
The Blue Wizards go east
Two of the Istari pass into the eastern lands and vanish from the histories of the West.
PlaceRhûn
- c. T.A. 1000
The Istari are sent
Five Maiar are sent in the bodies of old men to rouse the free peoples against Sauron.
TaxonAinur
- c. T.A. 1000
The Wizards arrive
The Istari come ashore at the Havens; Círdan gives Narya to Gandalf.
PlaceThe Grey Havens
- Third Age
Into the East
The Blue Wizards go east with Saruman and do not return.
FigureThe Blue Wizards
- Third Age
Rhosgobel
Radagast settles on the western borders of Mirkwood.
FigureRadagast
- T.A. 1015
Ciryandil slain
The King of Gondor dies fighting the Haradrim before Umbar.
PlaceHarad
- T.A. 1015
Death of Ciryandil
The king of Gondor is slain in Haradwaith.
TaxonHaradrim
- T.A. 1015 to 1149
The eastern bound of Gondor
In the reign of Hyarmendacil I the kingdom's power is reckoned to reach the inland Sea of Rhûn.
PlaceThe Sea of Rhûn
- T.A. 1015 to 1050
The siege of Umbar
The Haradrim besiege the haven; Ciryandil dies and Hyarmendacil relieves it.
PlaceUmbar
- c. T.A. 1050
First over the mountains
The Harfoots cross the Misty Mountains into Eriador, the first Hobbits to be noticed by other peoples.
TaxonHarfoots
- T.A. 1050
Hyarmendacil subdues Harad
The kings of the Haradrim do homage to Gondor and send hostages.
PlaceHarad
- T.A. 1050
Hyarmendacil's conquest
Gondor takes Umbar and the kings of Harad submit.
TaxonHaradrim
- T.A. 1050
Hyarmendacil's victory
The Haradrim are crushed and Gondor reaches its greatest extent.
TaxonMen of Gondor
- T.A. 1050
Shadow on Greenwood
Dol Guldur is occupied and the forest becomes Mirkwood; Thranduil withdraws north.
TaxonSilvan Elves
- T.A. 1050
The forest darkens
The Necromancer comes to Dol Guldur and the Men of Greenwood withdraw to its edges.
TaxonWoodmen of Mirkwood
- c. T.A. 1050
The Harfoots cross into Eriador
As a shadow settles on Greenwood, the Harfoots, the most numerous breed, cross the Misty Mountains and become the first Hobbits to be noticed in the records of other peoples.
TaxonHobbits
- c. T.A. 1050 to 1150
The Hobbits leave the vale
Harfoots, Fallohides and Stoors cross the mountains westward as the shadow grows in Greenwood.
PlaceAnduin
- c. T.A. 1050
The Necromancer
Sauron takes shape in Dol Guldur and the shadow falls on Greenwood.
FigureSauron
- c. T.A. 1050
The Necromancer arrives
Sauron settles on Amon Lanc in secret and the Shadow begins to spread.
PlaceDol Guldur
- After c. T.A. 1050
The road decays
Under the Shadow the road is overgrown and its eastern end sinks into marsh.
PlaceThe Old Forest Road
- c. T.A. 1050
The Shadow falls
The Necromancer settles at Dol Guldur and Greenwood becomes Mirkwood.
PlaceMirkwood
- c. T.A. 1050
The Shadow in Greenwood
Sauron settles at Dol Guldur and the forest becomes Mirkwood; the Hobbits begin to leave the Anduin vales.
PlaceRhovanion
- T.A. 1050 and after
The shadow on Greenwood
Withdraws north as Dol Guldur darkens the forest and delves his halls.
FigureThranduil
- T.A. 1050
Umbar conquered by Gondor
Ciryaher Hyarmendacil takes Umbar; the Númenóreans there hate Gondor the more.
TaxonBlack Númenóreans
- c. T.A. 1150
Down the Hoarwell
The Fallohides enter Eriador from the north and mingle with the Harfoots already settled there.
TaxonFallohides