The Fall of Númenor, page 27
5Nature, XII ‘The Ageing of the Númenóreans’ p. 330
c. 1000 – SAURON, ALARMED BY THE GROWING POWER OF THE NÚMENÓREANS, CHOOSES MORDOR AS A LAND TO MAKE INTO A STRONGHOLD. HE BEGINS THE BUILDING OF BARAD-DÛR
1UT, p. 236
2Return, Book Six I ‘The Tower of Cirith Ungol’ p. 899
3Mount Doom is a translation from the Sindarin amon (hill) and amarth (doom), see The Silmarillion, Appendix Elements in Quenya and Sindarin names, p. 355; for Orodruin, literally ‘burning mountain’, see The Lord of the Rings, ‘Appendix F II ‘On Translation’ p. 1134.
4Return, Book Six III, ‘Mount Doom’, p. 940
5Christopher Tolkien in Peoples, p. 390 note 14
6Return, Book Six I ‘The Tower of Cirith Ungol’ pp. 899–900
7Towers, Book Three VIII ‘The Road to Isengard’ p. 555
8Return, Book Six III, ‘Mount Doom’, p. 935
9UT, p. 212
1075 – TAR-ANCALIMË BECOMES THE FIRST RULING QUEEN OF NÚMENOR
1In his notes to the narrative of Aldarion and Erendis (UT p. 217), Christopher Tolkien comments: ‘This is strange, because Anárion was the Heir in Ancalimë’s life-time. In “The Line of Elros” (UT, p. 220) it is said only that Anárion’s daughters “refused the sceptre”.’
1200 – SAURON ENDEAVOURS TO SEDUCE THE ELDAR. GIL-GALAD REFUSES TO TREAT WITH HIM; BUT THE SMITHS OF EREGION ARE WON OVER. THE NÚMENÓREANS BEGIN TO MAKE PERMANENT HAVENS
1From a ‘long essay’ by J.R.R. Tolkien included in Peoples, Part Two: Late Writings X ‘Of Dwarves and Men’ pp. 304–5
2Rings, p. 287. In ‘Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn’ (UT, Part Two: The Second Age, IV ‘The History of Galadriel and Celeborn’, p. 236, an account is given of Sauron’s overtures to the Elves of Lindon: ‘When he felt himself to be secure he sent emissaries to Eriador, and finally, in about the year 1200 of the Second Age, came himself, wearing the fairest form that he could contrive.’
Christopher Tolkien writing of Sauron’s ‘fair form’, UT, pp. 253–4 note 7, states: ‘Sauron endeavoured to keep distinct his two sides: enemy and tempter. When he came among the Noldor he adopted a specious fair form (a kind of simulated anticipation of the later Istari).’
c. 1500 – THE ELVEN-SMITHS INSTRUCTED BY SAURON REACH THE HEIGHT OF THEIR SKILL. THEY BEGIN THE FORGING OF THE RINGS OF POWER
1In a draft letter written by Tolkien in September 1954 (Letters, No. 153, p. 190) he writes: ‘The particular branch of the High-Elves concerned, the Noldor or Loremasters, were always on the side of “science and technology”, as we should call it: they wanted to have the knowledge that Sauron genuinely had, and those of Eregion refused the warnings of Gil-galad and Elrond. The particular “desire” of the Eregion Elves – an “allegory” if you like of a love of machinery, and technical devices – is also symbolised by their special friendship with the Dwarves of Moria.’
With reference to Sauron taking the ‘fair name’ of Annatar, Christopher Tolkien identifies (in ‘The History of Galadriel and Celeborn’, UT, pp. 253–4 note 7) alternative ‘fair names’: ‘Artano “high-smith”, or Aulendil, meaning one who is devoted to the service of the Vala Aulë.’
2Rings, 287
3UT, p. 237
c.1590 – THE THREE RINGS ARE COMPLETED IN EREGION.
1Fellowship, Book One II ‘The Shadow of the Past’, p. 47
2What follows is taken from ‘The History of Galadriel and Celeborn’ in UT, pp. 236–7
3For Christopher Tolkien’s extensive note on this matter see UT, pp. 252–3 note 5
4‘Water of Awakening’, the lake in Middle-earth where the first Elves awoke’, Quenta Silmarillion, pp. 48, 50–3, 55, 83, 99, 233
5Quenta Silmarillion p. 94
6It is noted: ‘but many Sindar and Noldor came to dwell among them, and their “Sindarizing” under the impact of Beleriandic culture began’. It is not made clear when this movement into Lórinand took place; it may be that they came from Eregion by way of Khazad-dûm and under the auspices of Galadriel.
7Christopher Tolkien notes that this is more fully reported in Rings, p. 287. The cozening of the smiths of Eregion by Sauron, and his giving himself the name Annatar, Lord of Gifts, is also told in Rings, but of Galadriel there is no mention.
8Christopher Tolkien notes within the body of this passage: ‘No explanation is offered in this rapid outline of why Galadriel scorned Sauron, unless she saw through his disguise, or of why, if she did perceive his true nature, she permitted him to remain in Eregion.’
9Celebrían was the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn and, at the point in the creation of Tolkien’s legendarium from which this narrative thread dates, Amroth was named as her brother. At a later stage, that genealogy was changed. As Christopher Tolkien notes (UT, p. 240): ‘If Amroth were indeed thought of as the son of Galadriel and Celeborn when The Lord of the Rings was written, so important a connection could hardly have escaped mention.’
In a variant narrative, Amroth would become the last King of Lórien, inheriting the kingship on the death of his father, Amdír (also called Malgalad), in the Battle of Dagorlad (see year SA 3434).
In Unfinished Tales, Christopher Tolkien included ‘a short tale’ (dating from 1969 or later) entitled ‘Part of the Legend of Amroth and Nimrodel recounted in brief’ (UT, pp. 240–2). With regard to Celeborn’s refusal to pass through Khazad-dûm, the assumption must be that either he eventually crossed into the east by way of one of the passes over the Misty Mountain or via the Gap of Calenardhon, later known as the Gap of Rohan.
10UT, p. 237
c. 1600 – SAURON FORGES THE ONE RING IN ORODRUIN. HE COMPLETES THE BARAD-DÛR. CELEBRIMBOR PERCEIVES THE DESIGNS OF SAURON
1Rings, pp. 287–8
2The descriptions given and the extracts quoted here are from Fellowship, Book One II ‘The Shadow of the Past’, pp. 50–1.
3ibid., Book Two II ‘The Council of Elrond’ p. 242
4Rings, p. 288
5UT, p. 237. Christopher Tolkien writes (UT, p. 254 note 9): ‘Galadriel cannot have made use of the powers of Nenya until a much later time, after the loss of the Ruling Ring; but it must be admitted that the text does not at all suggest this (although she is said just above to have advised Celebrimbor that the Elven Rings should never be used).’
6Quenta Silmarillion, passim
7Fellowship, Book Two X ‘The Breaking of the Fellowship’ p. 401
8Nature, Part Three XVIII, pp 369–70. For the Debate of the Loremasters, see Nature chap. VIII, ‘Manwë’s Ban’, pp. 306 ff.
1693 – WAR OF THE ELVES AND SAURON BEGINS. THE THREE RINGS ARE HIDDEN
1Rings, p. 288
1695 – SAURON’S FORCES INVADE ERIADOR. GIL-GALAD SENDS ELROND TO EREGION
1UT, pp. 237–8
1697 – EREGION LAID WASTE. DEATH OF CELEBRIMBOR. THE GATES OF MORIA ARE SHUT. ELROND RETREATS WITH REMNANT OF THE NOLDOR AND FOUNDS THE REFUGE OF IMLADRIS
1Christopher Tolkien notes (UT, p. 238): ‘It is not actually said here that Sauron at this time took possession of the Seven Rings, though the implication seems clear that he did so. In Appendix A (III) to The Lord of the Rings it is said that there was a belief among the Dwarves of Durin’s Folk that the Ring of Durin III, King of Khazad-dûm, was given to him by the Elven-smiths themselves, and not by Sauron; but nothing is said in the present text about the way in which the Seven Rings came into the possession of the Dwarves.’
2UT, p. 238
1699 – SAURON OVERRUNS ERIADOR
1UT p. 308
2Fellowship, Book Two, II ‘The Council of Elrond’, p. 241
3Fellowship, Book Two, IV ‘A Journey in the Dark’, pp. 316–17
1700 – TAR-MINASTIR SENDS A GREAT NAVY FROM NÚMENOR TO LINDON. SAURON IS DEFEATED
1Although the date of SA 1700 given for this intervention by Tar-Minastir is clearly established in the legendarium, it is at variance with the dates given for the reign of his aunt, Queen Tar-Telperien (S.A. 1556–1731). Christopher Tolkien wrote (UT, p. 226 note 9): ‘I cannot in any way account for this discrepancy.’ It has been suggested that, at the time, Minastir might have been acting on behalf of Queen Tar-Telperien, either as Regent or, possibly, as designated Captain of the Queen’s [King’s] Ships. His being given the title ‘King’ in accounts of the sending of the Númenórean fleet to aid the Elves against Sauron might therefore be a case of the chronicler retrospectively acknowledging Minastir’s later kingship even though, at that point, he had not taken up the Sceptre.
2UT, p. 239
1701 – SAURON IS DRIVEN OUT OF ERIADOR. THE WESTLANDS HAVE PEACE FOR ALONG WHILE
1UT, p. 240, with reference to Amroth and Celebrían, see p. 274 note 9 above.
c. 1800 – FROM ABOUT THIS TIME ONWARD THE NÚMENÓREANS BEGIN TO ESTABLISH DOMINIONS ON THE COASTS. SAURON EXTENDS HIS POWER EASTWARDS. THE SHADOW FALLS ON NÚMENOR
1UT, p. 239
2Appendix A, p. 1036
3ibid.
4UT, p. 221
5Appendix A, p. 1036
6Akallabêth, p. 265
7In the complex development of Tolkien’s text for Akallabêth (as presented by Christopher Tolkien in Peoples, p. 150) it is further stated that ‘To [Tar-Atanamir] came messages from the Valar, which he rejected. He clung to life for an extra 50 years.’
8Appendix A, p. 1036
9Akallabêth, pp. 263–6
10UT, p. 221
11Akallabêth, p. 267
2251 – DEATH OF TAR-ATANAMIR. TAR-ANCALIMON TAKES THE SCEPTRE. REBELLION AND DIVISION OF THE NÚMENÓREANS BEGINS. ABOUT THIS TIME THE NAZGÛL OR RINGWRAITHS, SLAVES OF THE NINE RINGS, FIRST APPEAR
1In Appendix B (p. 1083) these events are shown as taking place in the year 2251. Addressing this discrepancy (UT, p. 226 note 10) Christopher Tolkien writes: ‘In the Tale of Years (Appendix B to The Lord of the Rings) occurs the entry: “2251 Tar-Atanamir takes the sceptre. Rebellion and division of the Númenoreans begins.” This is altogether discrepant with [‘The Line of Elros’, p. 221], according to which Tar-Atanamir died in 2221. This date 2221 is, however, itself an emendation from 2251; and his death is given elsewhere as 2251. Thus the same year appears in different texts as both the date of his accession and the date of his death; and the whole structure of the chronology shows clearly that the former must be wrong. Moreover, in the Akallabêth (The Silmarillion p. 266) it is said that it was in the time of Atanamir’s son Ancalimon that the people of Númenor became divided. I have little doubt therefore that the entry in the Tale of Years is in error for a correct reading: “2251 Death of Tar-Atanamir. Tar-Ancalimon takes the sceptre. Rebellion and division of the Númenoreans begins.” But if so, it remains strange that the date of Atanamir’s death should have been altered in ‘The Line of Elros’ if it were fixed by an entry in the Tale of Years.’ In this volume the dating follows Christopher Tolkien’s ‘correct reading’.
2Akallabêth, p. 266
3Draft passage, not taken into the Akallabêth, given by Christopher Tolkien in Peoples p. 152
4Akallabêth, p. 266
5UT, p. 221
6Rings, p. 288
7Letters, No. 131, p. 151
8Rings, pp. 288–9
9Akallabêth, p. 267
10Fellowship, Book One, XI ‘A Knife in the Dark’ p. 196
11Towers, Book Four, VI ‘The Forbidden Pool’ p. 692
2350 – PELARGIR IS BUILT. IT BECOMES THE CHIEF HAVEN OF THE FAITHFUL NÚMENÓREANS
1Akallabêth, pp. 266–7. The latter part of this passage (after ‘lending them aid against Sauron’) is taken from ‘the authentic text’ as given by Christopher Tolkien in Peoples, p. 152. The version as given in Akallabêth reads: ‘…and their haven was Pelargir above the mouths of Anduin the Great. But the King’s Men sailed far away to the south; and the lordships and strongholds that they made have left many rumours in the legends of Men.’
2Akallabêth, p. 267
3Peoples, p. 175. Of the importance of Umbar and Pelargir in the Third Age and the role played by the Corsairs of Umbar in the War of the Ring, see The Lord of Rings Books Five and Six.
4Appendix A, p. 1036. Tolkien notes a reference to the ‘Elder King’ in ‘The Song of Eärendil’, or ‘Eärendil was a mariner’, written by Bilbo Baggins (with, as the poet admits, a contribution to its content from Aragorn) and sung to the assembled company at Rivendell on the evening prior to the Council of Elrond.
The reference appears in the sixth verse which speaks of Eärendil’s visit to Valinor before setting out to ‘sail the shoreless skies and come / behind the Sun and light of Moon’:
‘He came unto the timeless halls
where shining fall the countless years,
and endless reigns the Elder King
in Ilmarin on Mountain sheer;
and words unheard were spoken then
of folk of Men and Elven-kin,
beyond the world were visions showed
forbid to those that dwell therein.’
5Rings, pp. 289–90
6UT, p. 221; see also UT p. 284 note 31.
7An anomaly exists in the chronicling of Tar-Ardamin’s place in the list of rulers that was later addressed by Christopher Tolkien in his notes to ‘The Line of Elros’, where he writes (UT, pp. 226–7 note 11): ‘In the list of the Kings and Queens of Númenor in Appendix A (I, i) to The Lord of the Rings the ruler following Tar-Calmacil (the eighteenth) was Ar-Adûnakhôr (the nineteenth). In the Tale of Years in Appendix B, Ar-Adûnakhôr is said to have taken the sceptre in the year 2899; and on this basis Mr Robert Foster in The Complete Guide to Middle-earth gives the death-date of Tar-Calmacil as 2899. On the other hand, at a later point in the account of the rulers of Númenor in Appendix A, Ar-Adûnakhôr is called the twentieth king; and in 1964 my father replied to a correspondent who had enquired about this: “As the genealogy stands he should be called the sixteenth king and nineteenth ruler. Nineteen should possibly be read for twenty; but it is also possible that a name has been left out.” He explained that he could not be certain because at the time of writing this letter his papers on the subject were not available to him.
‘When editing the Akallabêth I changed the actual reading “And the twentieth king took the sceptre of his fathers, and he ascended the throne in the name of Adûnakhor” to “And the nineteenth king…” (The Silmarillion p. 267), and similarly “four and twenty” to “three and twenty” (ibid. p. 270). At that time I had not observed that in “The Line of Elros” the ruler following Tar-Calmacil was not Ar-Adûnakhôr but Tar-Ardamin; but it now seems perfectly clear, from the fact alone that Tar-Ardamin’s death-date is here given as 2899, that he was omitted in error from the list in The Lord of the Rings.
‘On the other hand, it is a certainty of the tradition (stated in Appendix A, in the Akallabêth, and in “The Line of Elros”) that Ar-Adûnakhôr was the first King to take the sceptre in a name of the Adûnaic tongue. On the assumption that Tar-Ardamin dropped out of the list in Appendix A by a mere oversight, it is surprising that the change in the style of the royal names should there be attributed to the first ruler after Tar-Calmacil. It may be that a more complex textual situation underlies the passage than a mere error of omission.’
2899– AR-ADÛNAKHÔR TAKES THE SCEPTRE
1Akallabêth, pp. 267–8
2UT, p. 222
3Appendix A, p. 1036.
4In ‘The Line of Elros’, UT, p. 287, the death-date for Ar-Gimilzôr is given as ‘3177’; however, in ‘The Tale of Years’ (Appendix B, p. 1084) the ‘Repentance of Tar-Palantir’ is dated as ‘3175’, which suggests that date being the year in which Tar-Palantir took up the sceptre. Solely for the chronology as set out in this volume, the length of Ar-Gimilzôr’s reign and his death-date have been amended accordingly. See Christopher Tolkien’s observations in p. 280 note 2, below.
5Akallabêth, p. 268
6UT, p. 221
7Akallabêth, pp. 268–9
3175 – REPENTANCE OF TAR-PALANTIR. CIVIL WAR IN NÚMENOR
1Christopher Tolkien notes (UT, p. 227 note 13): ‘There is a highly formalised floral design of my father’s, similar in style to that shown in Pictures by J. R. R. Tolkien, 1979, no. 45, bottom right, which bears the title Inziladûn, and beneath it is written both in Fëanorian script and transliterated Númellótë [“Flower of the West”].’
2Christopher Tolkien writes (UT, p. 227 note 15): ‘A final discrepancy between ‘The Line of Elros’ and the Tale of Years arises in the dates of Tar-Palantir. It is said in the Akallabêth (p. 269) that “when Inziladûn acceded to the sceptre, he took again a title in the Elven-tongue as of old, calling himself Tar-Palantir”; and in the Tale of Years occurs the entry: “3175 Repentance of Tar-Palantir. Civil war in Númenor.” It would seem almost certain from these statements that ‘3175’ was the year of his accession; and this is borne out by the fact that in “The Line of Elros” the death-date of his father Ar-Gimilzôr was originally given as “3175”, and only later emended to “3177”. As with the death-date of Tar-Atanamir [see p. 277 note 1 to ‘2251’ above] it is hard to understand why this small change was made, in contradiction to the Tale of Years.’
Solely for the chronology as set out in this volume (as with the dates relating to Ar-Gimilzôr, see p. 279 note 4) an amendment has been made to the date of Tar-Palantir’s accession and the length of his reign.
3Akallabêth, p. 269
