The Lord of the Rings Illustrated

by J. R. R. Tolkien; Alan Lee

1945 End of the North-kingdom. The Witch-king overruns Arthedain and takes Fornost.

  1974 Arvedui drowned in the Bay of Forochel. The palantíri of Annúminas and Amon Sûl are lost. Eärnur brings a fleet to Lindon. The Witch-king defeated at the Battle of Fornost, and pursued to the Ettenmoors. He vanishes from the North.

  1975 Aranarth takes the title of Chieftain of the Dúnedain. The heirlooms of Arnor are given into the keeping of Elrond.

  1976 Frumgar leads the Éothéod into the North.

  1979 Bucca of the Marish becomes first Thain of the Shire.

  1980 The Witch-king comes to Mordor and there gathers the Nazgûl. A Balrog appears in Moria, and slays Durin VI.

  1981 Náin I slain. The Dwarves flee from Moria. Many of the Silvan Elves of Lórien flee south. Amroth and Nimrodel are lost.

  1999 Thráin I comes to Erebor and founds a dwarf-kingdom ‘ under the Mountain’.

  2002 The Nazgûl issue from Mordor and besiege Minas Ithil.

  2043 Fall of Minas Ithil, afterwards known as Minas Morgul. The palantír is captured.

  2000 Eärnur becomes King of Gondor. He is challenged by the Witch-king.

  2050 The challenge is renewed. Eärnur rides to Minas Morgul and is lost. Mardil becomes the first Ruling Steward.

  2060 The power of Dol Guldur grows. The Wise fear that it may be Sauron taking shape again.

  2063 Gandalf goes to Dol Guldur. Sauron retreats and hides in the East. The Watchful Peace begins. The Nazgûl remain quiet in Minas Morgul.

  2210 Thorin I leaves Erebor, and goes north to the Grey Mountains, where most of the remnants of Durin’s Folk are now gathering.

  2340 Isumbras I becomes thirteenth Thain, and first of the Took line. The Oldbucks occupy the Buckland.

  2460 The Watchful Peace ends. Sauron returns with increased strength to Dol Guldur.

  2463 The White Council is formed. About this time Déagol the Stoor finds the One Ring, and is murdered by Sméagol.

  2470 About this time Sméagol-Gollum hides in the Misty Mountains.

  2475 Attack on Gondor renewed. Osgiliath finally ruined, and its stone-bridge broken.

  c. 2480 Orcs begin to make secret strongholds in the Misty Mountains so as to bar all the passes into Eriador. Sauron begins to people Moria with his creatures.

  2509 Celebrían, journeying to Lórien, is waylaid in the Redhorn Pass, and receives a poisoned wound.

  2510 Celebrían departs over Sea. Orcs and Easterlings overrun Calenardhon. Eorl the Young wins the victory of the Field of Celebrant. The Rohirrim settle in Calenardhon.

  2545 Eorl falls in battle in the Wold.

  2569 Brego son of Eorl completes the Golden Hall.

  2570 Baldor son of Brego enters the Forbidden Door and is lost. About this time Dragons reappear in the far North and begin to afflict the Dwarves.

  2589 Dáin I slain by a Dragon.

  2590 Thrór returns to Erebor. Grór his brother goes to the Iron Hills.

  c. 2670 Tobold plants ‘ pipe-weed’ in the Southfarthing.

  2683 Isengrim II becomes tenth Thain and begins the excavation of Great Smials.

  2698 Ecthelion I rebuilds the White Tower in Minas Tirith.

  2740 Orcs renew their invasions of Eriador.

  2747 Bandobras Took defeats an Orc-band in the Northfarthing.

  2758 Rohan attacked from west and east and overrun. Gondor attacked by fleets of the Corsairs. Helm of Rohan takes refuge in Helm’s Deep. Wulf seizes Edoras. 2758-9: The Long Winter follows. Great suffering and loss of life in Eriador and Rohan. Gandalf comes to the aid of the Shire-folk.

  2759 Death of Helm. Fréaláf drives out Wulf, and begins second line of Kings of the Mark. Saruman takes up his abode in Isengard.

  2770 Smaug the Dragon descends on Erebor. Dale destroyed. Thrór escapes with Thráin II and Thorin II.

  2790 Thrór slain by an Orc in Moria. The Dwarves gather for a war of vengeance. Birth of Gerontius, later known as the Old Took.

  2793 The War of the Dwarves and Orcs begins.

  2799 Battle of Nanduhirion before the East-gate of Moria. Dáin Iron-foot returns to the Iron Hills. Thráin II and his son Thorin wander westwards. They settle in the South of Ered Luin beyond the Shire (2802).

  2800-64 Orcs from the North trouble Rohan. King Walda slain by them (2861).

  2841 Thráin II sets out to revisit Erebor, but is pursued by the servants of Sauron.

  2845 Thráin the Dwarf is imprisoned in Dol Guldur; the last of the Seven Rings is taken from him.

  2850 Gandalf again enters Dol Guldur, and discovers that its master is indeed Sauron, who is gathering all the Rings and seeking for news of the One, and of Isildur’s Heir. He finds Thráin and receives the key of Erebor. Thráin dies in Dol Guldur.

  2851 The White Council meets. Gandalf urges an attack on Dol Guldur. Saruman overrules him. 1 Saruman begins to search near the Gladden Fields.

  2872 Belecthor II of Gondor dies. The White Tree dies, and no seedling can be found. The Dead Tree is left standing.

  2885 Stirred up by emissaries of Sauron the Haradrim cross the Poros and attack Gondor. The sons of Folcwine of Rohan are slain in the service of Gondor.

  2890 Bilbo born in the Shire.

  2901 Most of the remaining inhabitants of Ithilien desert it owing to the attacks of Uruks of Mordor. The secret refuge of Henneth Annûn is built.

  2907 Birth of Gilraen mother of Aragorn II.

  2911 The Fell Winter. The Baranduin and other rivers are frozen. White Wolves invade Eriador from the North.

  2912 Great floods devastate Enedwaith and Minhiriath. Tharbad is ruined and deserted.

  2920 Death of the Old Took.

  2929 Arathorn son of Arador of the Dúnedain weds Gilraen.

  2930 Arador slain by Trolls. Birth of Denethor II son of Ecthelion II in Minas Tirith.

  2931 Aragorn son of Arathorn II born on March 1st.

  2933 Arathorn II slain. Gilraen takes Aragorn to Imladris. Elrond receives him as foster-son and gives him the name Estel (Hope); his ancestry is concealed.

  2939 Saruman discovers that Sauron’s servants are searching the Anduin near Gladden Fields, and that Sauron therefore has learned of Isildur’s end. He is alarmed, but says nothing to the Council.

  2941 Thorin Oakenshield and Gandalf visit Bilbo in the Shire. Bilbo meets Sméagol-Gollum and finds the Ring. The White Council meets; Saruman agrees to an attack on Dol Guldur, since he now wishes to prevent Sauron from searching the River. Sauron having made his plans abandons Dol Guldur. The Battle of the Five Armies in Dale. Death of Thorin II. Bard of Esgaroth slays Smaug. Dáin of the Iron Hills becomes King under the Mountain (Dáin II).

  2942 Bilbo returns to the Shire with the Ring. Sauron returns in secret to Mordor.

  2944 Bard rebuilds Dale and becomes King. Gollum leaves the Mountains and begins his search for the ‘ thief of the Ring.

  2948 Théoden son of Thengel, King of Rohan, born.

  2949 Gandalf and Balin visit Bilbo in the Shire.

  2950 Finduilas, daughter of Adrahil of Dol Amroth, born.

  2951 Sauron declares himself openly and gathers power in Mordor. He begins the rebuilding of Barad-dûr. Gollum turns towards Mordor. Sauron sends three of the Nazgûl to reoccupy Dol Guldur.

  Elrond reveals to ‘ Estel’ his true name and ancestry, and delivers to him the shards of Narsil. Arwen, newly returned from Lórien, meets Aragorn in the woods of Imladris. Aragorn goes out into the Wild.

  2953 Last meeting of the White Council. They debate the Rings. Saruman feigns that he has discovered that the One Ring has passed down Anduin to the Sea. Saruman withdraws to Isengard, which he takes as his own, and fortifies it. Being jealous and afraid of Gandalf he sets spies to watch all his movements; and notes his interest in the Shire. He soon begins to keep agents in Bree and the Southfarthing.

  2954 Mount Doom bursts into flame again. The last inhabitants of Ithilien flee over Anduin.

  2956 Aragorn meets Gandalf and their friendship begin
s.

  2957-80 Aragorn undertakes his great journeys and errantries. As Thorongil he serves in disguise both Thengel of Rohan and Ecthelion II of Gondor.

  2968 Birth of Frodo.

  2976 Denethor weds Finduilas of Dol Amroth.

  2977 Bain son of Bard becomes King of Dale.

  2978 Birth of Boromir son of Denethor II.

  2980 Aragorn enters Lórien, and there meets again Arwen Undómiel. Aragorn gives her the ring of Barahir, and they plight their troth upon the hill of Cerin Amroth. About this time Gollum reaches the confines of Mordor and becomes acquainted with Shelob. Théoden becomes King of Rohan. Birth of Samwise.

  2983 Faramir son of Denethor born.

  2984 Death of Ecthelion II. Denethor II becomes Steward of Gondor.

  2988 Finduilas dies young.

  2989 Balin leaves Erebor and enters Moria.

  2991 Éomer Eomund’s son born in Rohan.

  2994 Balin perishes, and the dwarf-colony is destroyed.

  2995 Éowyn sister of Éomer born.

  c. 3000 The shadow of Mordor lengthens. Saruman dares to use the palantír of Orthanc, but becomes ensnared by Sauron, who has the Ithil-stone. He becomes a traitor to the Council. His spies report that the Shire is being closely guarded by the Rangers.

  3001 Bilbo’s farewell feast. Gandalf suspects his ring to be the One Ring. The guard on the Shire is doubled. Gandalf seeks for news of Gollum and calls on the help of Aragorn.

  3002 Bilbo becomes a guest of Elrond, and settles in Rivendell.

  3004 Gandalf visits Frodo in the Shire, and does so at intervals during the next four years.

  3007 Brand son of Bain becomes King in Dale. Death of Gilraen.

  3008 In the autumn Gandalf pays his last visit to Frodo.

  3009 Gandalf and Aragorn renew their hunt for Gollum at intervals during the next eight years, searching in the vales of Anduin, Mirkwood, and Rhovanion to the confines of Mordor. At some time during these years Gollum himself ventured into Mordor, and was captured by Sauron. Elrond sends for Arwen, and she returns to Imladris; the Mountains and all lands eastward are becoming dangerous.

  3017 Gollum is released from Mordor. He is taken by Aragorn in the Dead Marshes, and brought to Thranduil in Mirkwood. Gandalf visits Minas Tirith and reads the scroll of Isildur.

  THE GREAT YEARS

  3018

  April

  12 Gandalf reaches Hobbiton.

  June

  20 Sauron attacks Osgiliath. About the same time Thranduil is attacked, and Gollum escapes.

  Mid-year's Day Gandalf meets Radagast.

  July

  4 Boromir sets out from Minas Tirith.

  10 Gandalf imprisoned in Orthanc.

  August

  All trace of Gollum is lost.It is thought that at about this time, being hunted both by the Elvesand Sauron's servants, he took refuge in Moria; but when he had at last discovered the way to the West-gate he could not get out.

  September

  18 Gandalf escapes from Orthanc in the early hours. The Black Riders cross the Fords of Isen.

  19 Gandalf comes to Edoras as a beggar, and is refused admittance.

  20 Gandalf gains entrance to Edoras. Théoden commands him to go: ‘ Take any horse, only be gone ere tomorrow is old!’

  21 Gandalf meets Shadowfax, but the horse will not allow him to come near. He follows Shadowfax far over the fields.

  22 The Black Riders reach Sarn Ford at evening; they drive off the guard of Rangers. Gandalf overtakes Shadowfax.

  23 Four Riders enter the Shire before dawn. The others pursue the Rangers eastward, and then return to watch the Greenway. A Black Rider comes to Hobbiton at nightfall. Frodo leaves Bag End. Gandalf having tamed Shadowfax rides from Rohan.

  24 Gandalf crosses the Isen.

  26 The Old Forest. Frodo comes to Bombadil.

  27 Gandalf crosses Greyflood. Second night with Bombadil.

  28 The Hobbits captured by a Barrow-wight. Gandalf reaches Sarn Ford.

  29 Frodo reaches Bree at night. Gandalf visits the Gaffer.

  30 Crickhollow and the Inn at Bree are raided in the early hours. Frodo leaves Bree. Gandalf comes to Crickhollow, and reaches Bree at night.

  October

  1 Gandalf leaves Bree.

  3 He is attacked at night on Weathertop.

  6 The camp under Weathertop attacked at night. Frodo wounded.

  9 Glorfindel leaves Rivendell.

  11 He drives the Riders off the Bridge of Mitheithel.

  13 Frodo crosses the Bridge.

  18 Glorfindel finds Frodo at dusk. Gandalf reaches Rivendell.

  20 Escape across the Ford of Bruinen.

  24 Frodo recovers and wakes. Boromir arrives in Rivendell at night.

  25 Council of Elrond.

  December

  25 The Company of the Ring leaves Rivendell at dusk.

  3019

  January

  8 The Company reach Hollin.

  11,12 Snow on Caradhras.

  13 Attack by Wolves in the early hours. The Company reaches West-gate of Moria at nightfall. Gollum begins to trail the Ring-bearer.

  14 Night in Hall Twenty-one.

  15 The Bridge of Khazad-dûm, and fall of Gandalf. The Company reaches Nimrodel late at night.

  17 The Company comes to Caras Galadhon at evening.

  23 Gandalf pursues the Balrog to the peak of Zirakzigil.

  25 He casts down the Balrog, and passes away. His body lies on the peak.

  February

  15 The Mirror of Galadriel. Gandalf returns to life, and lies in a trance.

  16 Farewell to Lórien. Gollum in hiding on the west bank observes the departure.

  17 Gwaihir bears Gandalf to Lórien.

  23 The boats are attacked at night near Sarn Gebir.

  25 The Company pass the Argonath and camp at Parth Galen. First Battle of the Fords of Isen; Théodred son of Théoden slain.

  26 Breaking of the Fellowship. Death of Boromir; his horn is heard in Minas Tirith. Meriadoc and Peregrin captured. Frodo and Samwise enter the eastern Emyn Muil. Aragorn sets out in pursuit of the Orcs at evening. Éomer hears of the descent of the Orc-band from Emyn Muil.

  27 Aragorn reaches the west-cliff at sunrise. Éomer against Theoden’s orders sets out from Eastfold about midnight to pursue the Orcs.

  28 Éomer overtakes the Orcs just outside Fangorn Forest.

  29 Meriadoc and Pippin escape and meet Treebeard. The Rohirrim attack at sunrise and destroy the Orcs. Frodo descends from the Emyn Muil and meets Gollum. Faramir sees the funeral boat of Boromir. Entmoot begins.

  30 Éomer returning to Edoras meets Aragorn.

  March

  1 Frodo begins the passage of the Dead Marshes at dawn. Entmoot continues. Aragorn meets Gandalf the White. They set out for Edoras. Faramir leaves Minas Tirith on an errand to Ithilien.

  2 Frodo comes to the end of the Marshes. Gandalf comes to Edoras and heals Théoden. The Rohirrim ride west against Saruman. Second Battle of Fords of Isen. Erkenbrand defeated. Entmoot ends in afternoon. The Ents march on Isengard and reach it at night.

  3 Théoden retreats to Helm’s Deep. Battle of the Hornburg begins. Ents complete the destruction of Isengard.

  4 Théoden and Gandalf set out from Helm’s Deep for Isengard. Frodo reaches the slag-mounds on the edge of the Desolation of the Morannon.

  5 Théoden reaches Isengard at noon. Parley with Saruman in Orthanc. Winged Nazgûl passes over the camp at Dol Baran. Gandalf sets out with Peregrin for Minas Tirith. Frodo hides in sight of the Morannon, and leaves at dusk.

  6 Aragorn overtaken by the Dúnedain in the early hours. Théoden sets out from the Hornburg for Harrowdale. Aragorn sets out later.

  7 Frodo taken by Faramir to Henneth Annûn. Aragorn comes to Dunharrow at nightfall.

  8 Aragorn takes the ‘ Paths of the Dead’ at daybreak; he reaches Erech at midnight. Frodo leaves Henneth Annûn.

  9 Gandalf reaches Minas Tirith. Faramir leaves Henn
eth Annûn. Aragorn sets out from Erech and comes to Calembel. At dusk Frodo reaches the Morgul-road. Théoden comes to Dunharrow. Darkness begins to flow out of Mordor.

  10 The Dawnless Day. The Muster of Rohan: the Rohirrim ride from Harrowdale. Faramir rescued by Gandalf outside the gates of the City. Aragorn crosses Ringló. An army from the Morannon takes Cair Andros and passes into Anórien. Frodo passes the Cross-roads, and sees the Morgul-host set forth.

  11 Gollum visits Shelob, but seeing Frodo asleep nearly repents. Denethor sends Faramir to Osgiliath. Aragorn reaches Linhir and crosses into Lebennin. Eastern Rohan is invaded from the north. First assault on Lórien.

  12 Gollum leads Frodo into Shelob’s lair. Faramir retreats to the Causeway Forts. Théoden camps under Min-Rimmon. Aragorn drives the enemy towards Pelargir. The Ents defeat the invaders of Rohan.

  13 Frodo captured by the Orcs of Cirith Ungol. The Pelennor is overrun. Faramir is wounded. Aragorn reaches Pelargir and captures the fleet. Théoden in Drúadan Forest.

  14 Samwise finds Frodo in the Tower. Minas Tirith is besieged. The Rohirrim led by the Wild Men come to the Grey Wood.

  15 In the early hours the Witch-king breaks the Gates of the City. Denethor burns himself on a pyre. The horns of the Rohirrim are heard at cockcrow. Battle of the Pelennor. Théoden is slain. Aragorn raises the standard of Arwen. Frodo and Samwise escape and begin their journey north along the Morgai. Battle under the trees in Mirkwood; Thranduil repels the forces of Dol Guldur. Second assault on Lórien.

  16 Debate of the commanders. Frodo from the Morgai looks out over the camp to Mount Doom.

  17 Battle of Dale. King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot fall. Many Dwarves and Men take refuge in Erebor and are besieged. Shagrat brings Frodo’s cloak, mail-shirt, and sword to Barad-dûr.

  18 The Host of the West marches from Minas Tirith. Frodo comes in sight of the Isenmouthe; he is overtaken by Orcs on the road from Durthang to Udûn.

  19 The Host comes to Morgul Vale. Frodo and Samwise escape and begin their journey along the road to the Barad-dûr.

  22 The dreadful nightfall. Frodo and Samwise leave the road and turn south to Mount Doom. Third assault on Lórien.

  23 The Host passes out of Ithilien. Aragorn dismisses the faint-hearted. Frodo and Samwise cast away their arms and gear.