The Chronicle of Arda

Welcome to The Chronicle of Arda. This section of the site provides automated annals for all four Ages of the Sun and Moon. For any period of Arda's history, the Chronicle will display the events that happened in that time. Events and characters are entered into the Chronicle as they are added to the main database: like the rest of The Encyclopedia of Arda this section of the site is expanding all the time.

You can have the Chronicle look up events for specific dates by entering one or two years in the form below. If you enter two dates, the Chronicle will display events that happened between those two years. If you leave one of the dates blank, the Chronicle will display events in the century around the single year you specify.

For years after III 1601 (the year of the foundation of Shire, and therefore Shire Year 1), the Chronicle will also show years by the Shire-reckoning in a second column.

Years of the TreesFirst AgeISecond AgeIIThird AgeIIIFourth AgeIV

One hundred years around IV 26
(1447 by the Shire-reckoning)

III 2997 to IV 76

• 7,027 years after the Return of the Noldor
• 3,119 years after the Downfall of Númenor
• Contemporary with the War of the Ring

The Third Age
	2997	1397	Death of Adalbert Bolger.
	2998	1398	Death of Amaranth Brandybuck.
	2999	1399	Death of Gruffo Boffin.
			Likely birthdate of Lothíriel, later queen to King Éomer Éadig.
			Death of Falco Chubb-Baggins.
	3000	1400	Death of Wilibald Bolger.
c.	3000	1400	Saruman uses the Orthanc-stone for the first time. He comes under the power of Sauron, and abandons his allegiance to the White Council.
	3001	1401	Beginning to suspect that Bilbo's Magic Ring may be Sauron's One Ring, Gandalf and Aragorn begin to search for Gollum.
			22 September Bilbo Baggins' Birthday Party and farewell feast.
	3002	1402	Éomund, father of Éomer and Éowyn, is slain by Orcs.
			After wandering in Middle-earth, Bilbo comes to Rivendell and settles there as Elrond's guest.
			Death of Lalia, widow of Thain Fortinbras Took II, in an apparent accident.
c.	3002	1402	Théodwyn, mother of Éomer and Éowyn, dies of a sickness.
	3003	1403	Bilbo Baggins begins work on his Translations from the Elvish.
	3005	1405	Death of Odo Proudfoot.
	3006	1406	Death of Dora Baggins.
	3007	1407	Death of Saradas Brandybuck.
			Death of King Bain of Dale. He is succeeded by his son Brand.
			Death of Gilraen the mother of Aragorn.
	3008	1408	Death of Rorimac Brandybuck. He is succeeded as Master of Buckland by his son, Saradoc.
	3009	1409	Death of Frodo Baggins' uncle Dudo Baggins.
			Birth of Bergil son of Beregond.
	3010	1410	Likely date of the death of Dinodas Brandybuck.
			Likely date of the death of Adrahil. He is succeeded as Prince of Dol Amroth by his son Imrahil.
			Death of Bruno Bracegirdle.
	3012	1412	Following the death of his father Otho, Lotho Sackville-Baggins inherits Leaf plantations in the Southfarthing of the Shire.
			Death of Asphodel Brandybuck.
			Elfhelm is appointed a Marshal of the Mark in command of the garrison at Edoras.
	3013	1413	Midyear's Day A Free Fair is held on the White Downs, at which Will Whitfoot is elected (or re-elected) to the post of Mayor.
	3014	1414	Théoden begins to fall ill, and his counsellor Gríma begins to gain power over the King.
	3015	1415	Death of Thain Ferumbras III of the Shire, the last of his line. He is succeeded by Paladin Took II.
	3017	1417	Gandalf travels to Minas Tirith, and there discovers the Scroll of Isildur.
			Gollum is released after several years captive in Mordor.
			1 February Gollum is located and captured by Aragorn on the borders of Mordor.
			21 March Aragorn completes his northward journey to the Woodland Realm with the captured Gollum.
	3018	1418	12 April Gandalf returns to the Shire to warn Frodo about the Ring.
			13 April In Bag End, Gandalf tells Frodo the history of the Ring.
			1 May Gandalf and Aragorn meet at Sarn Ford on the southern borders of the Shire.
			20 June Sauron's forces simultaneously attack eastern Gondor and the Wood-elves of Thranduil. The War of the Ring begins.
			Midyear's Day Gandalf encounters Radagast near Bree, and is given Saruman's message.
			4 July Boromir sets out from Minas Tirith on his journey to find Imladris.
			10 July Saruman traps Gandalf and imprisons him on the pinnacle of Orthanc.
			18 September On their journey north to the Shire, the Black Riders cross the Fords of Isen.
			18 September Gwaihir rescues Gandalf from Orthanc.
			19 September Gandalf seeks aid from Théoden, but is turned away from Edoras.
			20 September Gandalf returns to Edoras, and is again dismissed by Théoden, though he is granted a horse.
			21 September Gandalf comes upon Shadowfax for the first time, and follows the great horse across the fields of Rohan.
			22 September In Rohan, Gandalf overtakes Shadowfax. Meanwhile, far to the north, Black Riders reach the borders of the Shire.
			23 September Gandalf sets out from Rohan.
			23 September The Black Riders enter the Shire.
			23 September Frodo, Sam and Pippin set out from Bag End.
			24 September Riding north to the Shire, Gandalf crosses the River Isen.
			26 September Frodo encounters Tom Bombadil and Goldberry.
			27 September Gandalf, riding wildly northward from Rohan, crosses the River Greyflood.
			28 September Riding on Frodo's trail, Gandalf crosses the Brandywine into the Shire's Southfarthing.
			28 September Frodo and his companions are captured by a Barrow-wight, and rescued by Tom Bombadil.
			29 September Gandalf speaks with Hamfast Gamgee in Hobbiton, and discovers that Frodo has already left the Shire.
			29 September Frodo and his companions arrive at the Prancing Pony in Bree, and meet Strider.
			30 September Gandalf arrives at Crickhollow in Buckland. Finding Frodo gone, he sets out for Bree, which he reaches at night.
			30 September Black Riders raid Buckland and Bree in the early morning.
			30 September The Hobbits awake in Bree to find their ponies stolen. Bill Ferny sells them his pony, later called Bill himself. Aragorn leads them out of Bree and into the Wild.
			1 October Gandalf sets out from Bree and travels toward Rivendell.
			3 October Gandalf reaches Weathertop, and is attacked there by Nazgûl.
			6 October The Nazgûl attack the Hobbits in a dell beneath Weathertop. Frodo is wounded by a Morgul-knife.
			9 October Learning that the Nazgûl have come to the Northlands, Elrond sends out riders including Glorfindel.
			11 October Glorfindel discovers three Nazgûl holding the Bridge of Mitheithel. He drives them off into the west.
			13 October Strider and the Hobbits cross the Bridge of Mitheithel on their journey to Rivendell.
			18 October Gandalf reaches Rivendell.
			18 October Aragorn and the Hobbits encounter Glorfindel at dusk.
			20 October The Black Riders are swept away at the Ford of Bruinen. Frodo reaches Rivendell safely.
			24 October Frodo recovers and wakes in Rivendell, at ten o'clock in the morning.
			25 October The Council of Elrond is held.
			25 December The setting-out of the Fellowship from Rivendell.
	3019	1419	8 January The Company of the Ring enter the land of Hollin.
			11 January The Fellowship attempt the Redhorn Pass, but are troubled by snowfall.
			12 January The Fellowship abandons their attempt to cross the Misty Mountains through the Redhorn Pass.
			13 January The Fellowship of the Ring reach the West-gate of Moria and pass inside. Gollum, who was within the western doors, begins to follow them.
			14 January The Company of the Ring camp in the corner of a great empty hall of Moria.
			15 January The remaining members of the Fellowship flee Moria and reach the borders of Lórien.
			15 January Gandalf and the Balrog fall from the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.
			17 January The Fellowship arrives at Caras Galadhon, and meets with Galadriel and Celeborn.
			23 January Gandalf and the Balrog reach the peak of Zirakzigil.
			25 January Gandalf casts Durin's Bane from Zirakzigil.
			15 February Gandalf returns to life on the peak of Zirakzigil.
			15 February In Lórien, Frodo and Sam experience visions in the Mirror of Galadriel.
			16 February The Company of the Ring depart from Lórien. Gollum begins to follow them once again.
			17 February Gandalf is carried from Zirakzigil to Lórien by the Eagle Gwaihir.
			23 February The Fellowship is attacked on the Great River above Sarn Gebir. Legolas downs a Nazgûl with his bow.
			24 February Théodred rides against an invading army coming southward from Isengard, but is forced to retreat to the Fords of Isen.
			25 February The Company of the Ring pass through the Gates of Argonath, and camp at Parth Galen.
			25 February Death of Théodred at the First Battle of the Fords of Isen.
			26 February Boromir is slain by Orcs; the Fellowship of the Ring is broken.
			27 February The Three Hunters reach the East Wall of Rohan in their pursuit of the captors of Merry and Pippin.
			28 February Éomer and his éored catch up to Saruman's Orcs at the edge of Fangorn Forest.
			29 February Faramir sees his slain brother Boromir in a boat on the Anduin.
			29 February Frodo and Sam encounter Gollum at the feet of the Emyn Muil, and capture him.
			29 February Uglúk's Orc-band is destroyed by the Rohirrim. Merry and Pippin escape into Fangorn Forest.
			30 February Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli encounter Éomer and his éored in Rohan.
			30 February In Fangorn Forest, the Entmoot begins.
			1 March Faramir sets out for Ithilien from Minas Tirith.
			1 March Gollum begins to lead Frodo and Sam across the Dead Marshes.
			1 March Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli encounter Gandalf the White in Fangorn Forest, and together they set out for Edoras.
			2 March The Entmoot ends with the Ents resolved to confront Saruman. They set out for Isengard, reaching it at nightfall.
			2 March Frodo, Sam and Gollum complete the passage of the Dead Marshes.
			2 March Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli arrive at Edoras, and Gandalf cures Théoden of Saruman's influence.
			2 March The Rohirrim are defeated at the Second Battle of the Fords of Isen.
			3 March The Battle of the Hornburg begins.
			3 March Destruction of Isengard by the Ents.
			4 March Frodo, Sam and Gollum reach the edge of the Desolation of the Morannon.
			4 March The Battle of the Hornburg is won, and the siege of Helm's Deep relieved. Théoden, Gandalf and their companions set out for Isengard.
			5 March Frodo, Sam and Gollum reach the Morannon.
			5 March Gandalf and his companions reach Isengard, and are reunited with Merry and Pippin. Gandalf expels Saruman from the Order of Wizards.
			6 March Halbarad and the Sons of Elrond meet Aragorn and join with him.
			7 March Aragorn and his companions arrive at Dunharrow.
			7 March Frodo encounters Faramir in North Ithilien, and is taken to Henneth Annûn.
			8 March Riding eastward towards Minas Tirith, Gandalf and Pippin see the Beacons of Gondor lit.
			8 March Frodo, Sam and Gollum set out from Henneth Annûn.
			8 March Aragorn and his company pass through the Paths of the Dead, and gather at Erech in the Morthond Vale.
			9 March Aragorn and his company, followed by the Dead, reach Calembel on the river Ciril.
			9 March Shadowfax brings Gandalf and Pippin to Minas Tirith.
			9 March During the night, the Storm of Mordor spreads darkness across the lands to the west.
			10 March Faramir returns to Minas Tirith, and is rescued from the Winged Nazgûl by Gandalf.
			10 March Frodo and his companions watch the armies of Minas Morgul set out.
			10 March Aragorn leads the host of the Dead across the river Ringló.
			10 March The army of Rohan sets out from Dunharrow.
			10 March The Dawnless Day.
			10 March An army out of the Morannon captures Cair Andros and invades Anórien.
			11 March Gollum visits Shelob in secret while Frodo and Sam sleep.
			11 March Sauron launches an attack against Rohan from the north, and another against Lórien from Dol Guldur.
			11 March Aragorn and his company reach Linhir, and cross the river Serni into Lebennin.
			12 March The Ents defend Rohan against the invaders from the north.
			12 March Gollum leads Frodo and Sam into Shelob's Lair.
			13 March Poisoned by Shelob, Frodo is captured by Orcs and imprisoned in the Tower of Cirith Ungol.
			13 March Aragorn captures the fleet of the Corsairs at Pelargir, and releases the army of the Dead who aided him.
			14 March The Orcs in the Tower of Cirith Ungol fight over Frodo's mithril-coat, and ultimately slay each other. Sam discovers Frodo in the Tower.
			15 March The forces of Sauron attack both Lórien and the Woodland Realm, and are repulsed.
			15 March Frodo and Sam escape from the Tower of Cirith Ungol and journey out of Ephel Dúath.
			15 March Death of King Théoden in the Battle of the Pelennor. He is succeeded by his nephew Éomer.
			15 March The pyre of Denethor.
			15 March The Battle of the Pelennor Fields and destruction of the Lord of the Nazgûl.
			16 March In Minas Tirith, having won the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the Captains of the West debate their best course.
			17 March Shagrat reaches Barad-dûr with the tokens taken from Frodo in the Tower of Cirith Ungol.
			17 March The Battle of Dale begins.
			18 March Frodo and Sam, taken for Orcs, are forced to march along the road towards the Isenmouthe.
			18 March Aragorn leads the armies of the west from Minas Tirith on the road to Mordor.
			19 March Frodo and Sam escape from the Orcs, and start out on the journey across Gorgoroth to Mount Doom.
			20 March The end of the Battle of Dale. Erebor is besieged.
			22 March Forces from Dol Guldur attack Lórien for the third time.
			24 March Frodo and Sam reach the base of Mount Doom.
			24 March Aragorn and his followers reach the Desolation of the Morannon, and set up camp.
			25 March The Captains of the West are assaulted by Sauron's forces before the Black Gate of Mordor.
			25 March Destruction of the One Ring and final downfall of Sauron and his Nazgûl.
			27 March The siege of Erebor is broken, and the invading forces are driven out of Dale by Bard II and Thorin III.
			28 March Celeborn brings his forces across Anduin into southern Mirkwood, where they begin the destruction of Dol Guldur.
			6 April Celeborn and Thranduil meet and rename Mirkwood as Eryn Lasgalen.
			8 April Aragorn leads his people in praise of Frodo and Sam at the Field of Cormallen in Ithilien.
			1 May Coronation of Aragorn II Elessar.
			8 May Éomer and Éowyn set out from Minas Tirith for Rohan.
			20 May On their journey south to Minas Tirith, Elrond and Arwen arrive in the land of Lórien.
			27 May Elrond and the escort of Arwen set out from Lórien and begin their journey south to Minas Tirith.
			14 June The Sons of Elrond meet their father and their sister Arwen, and bring them with their escort to Edoras.
			16 June Arwen and her escort set out from Edoras on the road to Minas Tirith.
			25 June Aragorn discovers a sapling of the White Tree in a hallow on Mindolluin.
			1 Lithe Arwen and her escort arrive in Minas Tirith.
			Midyear's Day The marriage of Aragorn and Arwen takes place in Minas Tirith.
			18 July Éomer returns to Minas Tirith to escort Théoden's remains to Edoras.
			19 July The funeral escort of Théoden sets out from Minas Tirith.
			7 August The funeral escort of Théoden arrives at Edoras.
			10 August The funeral of Théoden.
			15 August Treebeard allows Saruman and Gríma to leave the Tower of Orthanc.
			18 August Aragorn and his company arrive at Helm's Deep, accompanying the Travellers northward.
			22 August Returning into the north, the Travellers reach Isengard, where they bid farewell to Aragorn.
			28 August On their journey north, the Travellers encounter Saruman. Saruman starts towards the Shire.
			21 September Gandalf and the Hobbits, travelling homeward from Minas Tirith, reach Rivendell.
			22 September Saruman enters the Shire.
			5 October Gandalf, along with Frodo and the other Hobbits, sets out from Rivendell on the road back to the Shire.
			6 October Leaving Rivendell on the journey home, Frodo and his companions cross the Ford of Bruinen. Frodo feels pain from his old wound, received exactly a year earlier.
			28 October Returning to the Shire, Frodo and his companions reach Bree.
			30 October Gandalf and the Hobbits leave Bree. Gandalf turns aside to visit Tom Bombadil, and Frodo and his companions reach the Brandywine Bridge as night falls.
			1 November Frodo and his companions travel from the Brandywine Bridge to Frogmorton, where they are arrested as evening falls.
			2 November The returning Travellers rouse the Hobbits against Sharkey's Men, and Merry blows the Horn of the Mark. Thereafter the Horn was blown on the anniversary of this event every year in Buckland, and the day was celebrated with feasts and bonfires.
			3 November The Battle of Bywater is fought in the Shire.
			3 November Saruman dies at the hands of his servant Gríma. The end of the War of the Ring.
	3020	1420	Spring Lobelia Sackville-Baggins dies at Hardbottle in the Northfarthing.
			6 April The first flowering of the Golden Tree in the Party Field below Bag End.
			1 May Wedding of Samwise Gamgee and Rose Cotton in the Shire.
			Midyear's Day Frodo Baggins gives up the post of Mayor of the Shire, and Will Whitfoot is restored.
	3021	1421	24 March The last day of the Third Age, according to the reckoning of Gondor.
			25 March The beginning of the Fourth Age, according to the calendars of Gondor.
			25 March Sam's daughter Elanor is born.
			21 September Frodo and Sam set out from Hobbiton for the Grey Havens.
			22 September Frodo and Sam meet the Last Riding of the Keepers.
			29 September Departure of the Ring-bearers.
			6 October Sam returns to Bag End on his faithful pony, Bill.
The Fourth Age
	2	1423	Birth of Frodo son of Samwise, later surnamed Gardner.
			Death of Adelard Took.
	4	1425	Birth of Rose, daughter of Sam Gamgee and Rose Cotton.
	6	1427	By royal edict, Men are formally banned from entering the boundaries of the Shire.
			Peregrin Took weds Diamond of Long Cleeve.
			Birth of Merry, fourth child of Samwise Gamgee and Rose Cotton.
			Midyear's Day Will Whitfoot resigns as Mayor of Michel Delving, and Sam Gamgee is elected in his place.
	7	1428	Death of Hamfast 'Gaffer' Gamgee.
	8	1429	Birth of Pippin, fifth child of Samwise Gamgee and Rose Cotton.
	9	1430	Birth of Faramir Took, son of Peregrin and Diamond of Long Cleeve.
			Death of Vigo Boffin.
			Death of Merimac Brandybuck.
	10	1431	Birth of Goldilocks, sixth child of Samwise Gamgee and Rose Cotton.
			Death of Odovacar Bolger, father of Fredegar Bolger.
	11	1432	Birth of Hamfast, seventh child of Samwise Gamgee and Rose Cotton.
			Death of Saradoc Brandybuck. He is succeeded as Master of Buckland by his son, Meriadoc of the Company of the Ring.
	12	1433	Birth of Daisy, eighth child of Samwise Gamgee and Rose Cotton.
	13	1434	The Thain of the Shire, Master of Buckland and Mayor of Michel Delving (at that time Peregrin Took, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Samwise Gamgee) are made Counsellors of the North-kingdom.
			Samwise Gamgee is elected Mayor of the Shire for the second time.
			Death of Paladin Took II. Peregrin Took becomes Thain of the Shire.
	14	1435	Death of Olo Proudfoot.
			Birth of Primrose, daughter of Samwise Gamgee and Rose Cotton.
	15	1436	Aragorn travels to the North-kingdom, and dwells for a time at Annúminas. He grants the Star of the Dúnedain to Samwise Gamgee, and Sam's daughter Elanor becomes one of Queen Arwen's maids.
			Death of Glóin son of Gróin, the father of Gimli Elf-friend.
			Birth of Bilbo, son of Sam Gamgee and Rose Cotton.
	17	1438	Birth of Ruby, youngest daughter of Sam Gamgee and Rose Cotton.
	19	1440	Birth of Samwise Gamgee's second-youngest son, Robin.
			Death of Tolman Cotton the elder.
	20	1441	Samwise Gamgee is elected Mayor of the Shire for the third time.
	21	1442	Samwise, Rose and Elanor travel south, and stay for a year in Gondor with Aragorn and Arwen. During this year, Tolman Cotton serves in Sam's place as Mayor of the Shire.
			Birth of Tolman, youngest child of Samwise Gamgee and Rose Cotton.
	22	1443	Death of Filibert Bolger.
	26	1447	No events are recorded for the specific year you selected.
	27	1448	Samwise Gamgee is elected Mayor of the Shire for the fourth time.
	30	1451	The wedding of Sam Gamgee's daughter Elanor to Fastred of Greenholm on the Far Downs.
	31	1452	The Westmarch is officially incorporated into the Shire.
	33	1454	Birth of Elfstan, son of Fastred of Greenholm and Sam's daughter Elanor.
			Likely date of the death of Imrahil of Dol Amroth.
	34	1455	Samwise Gamgee is elected Mayor of the Shire for the fifth time.
	41	1462	Fastred of Greenholm is made Warden of Westmarch by Thain Peregrin, and removes with his family to Undertowers in the Tower Hills.
			Samwise Gamgee is elected Mayor of the Shire for the sixth time.
			Holfast, son of Frodo Gardner, born in the Shire.
	42	1463	Wedding of Faramir, the son of Peregrin Took, to Goldilocks, daughter of Samwise Gamgee.
	48	1469	Samwise Gamgee is elected Mayor of the Shire for the seventh and final time.
	55	1476	Midyear's Day At the Free Fair on the White Downs, Samwise Gamgee resigns as Mayor of the Shire.
	61	1482	Midyear's Day Death of Rose, the wife of Samwise Gamgee.
			22 September Sam Gamgee departs from the Shire. He is said to have passed over the Sea into the West.
	63	1484	Spring Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took depart the Shire and travel into the south; Faramir I succeeds his father Peregrin as Thain of the Shire.
			Autumn Death of King Éomer of Rohan. He is succeeded by his son Elfwine.
	66	1487	Probable date of the death of Elphir son of Imrahil. He is succeeded as Prince of Dol Amroth by his son Alphros.
c.	70	1491	About this time both Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took die in Gondor, and are entombed on Rath Dínen.

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