What exactly happened at the end of the First Age?

1

Rising of the Sun and Moon. From this time are reckoned the Years of the Sun. Beginning of the Second Spring of Arda. The Fathers of Men awaken in Hildórien.

2

The people of Fëanor retreat before the host of Fingolfin, and their camps are made on opposite shores of Lake Mithrim.

5

Fingon rescues Maedhros from Thangorodrim with the help of Thorondor.

6

Thingol grants the Noldor leave to establish realms in Beleriand outside his own.

7

Fingolfin becomes High King of the Noldor.

20

Fingolfin holds the Feast of Reuniting. Emmisaries from all the Elves in Beleriand attend.

50

Finrod and Turgon are warned in dreams from Ulmo to seek for places of strength and refuge in the land.

52

Finrod begins the building of Nargothrond. His sister Galadriel remains in Doriath with the court of Melian.

53

With the aid of Ulmo, Turgon discovers the vale of Tumladen, and upon his return to Nevrast began secretly to devise the plan for the hidden city of Gondolin.

60

Morgoth provokes the Dagor Aglareb, the Glorious Battle. His forces are routed and utterly destroyed on all fronts.

60-445

The Siege of Angband.

70-150

During this time, tidings came to Morgoth of the arising of Men. The Elves believe that at this time he secretly under shadow went forth into Middle-earth and left command of the war to Sauron his lieutenant.

64

Turgon and his folk begin to depart from Nevrast. In Tumladen they begin the building of Gondolin.

65

Brithombar and Eglarest are rebuilt with the help of the Noldor, and the tower of Barad Nimras raised.

67

The truth of the Kinslaying and the Doom of Mandos are revealed in Thingol's court. Thingol banishes the sons of Fëanor from his realm and forbids the use of the High Speech of the West in Beleriand.

102

The halls of Nargothrond are full-wrought, and Finrod Felagund moves in with his people.

116

The city of Gondolin completed. The last remnant of Turgon's people leave Nevrast.

150

The people of Caranthir son of Fëanor renew the dealings of the Elves with the Dwarves of the Ered Luin. Also about this time the forefathers of the Edain flee the inland sea of Rhыn to escape the dominion of Morgoth.

155

Defeat of Morgoth's northern Orc-sortie. Morgoth first conceives of dragons.

260

Glaurung, first of the Fire-Drakes, is defeated by Fingon and mounted archers on the plains of Ard-galen in his first sortie.

260-445

The Long Peace.

262

Bëor, eldest of the Fathers of Men of the West, born east of the mountains.

310

Finrod Felagund discovers the camp of Bëor in Ossiriand. Through this, the Elves become aware of the coming of Men.

311

Bëor enters into the service of Finrod.

312

Coming of the Haladin.

313

Coming of Marach and his people.

315-50

Migration of the Edain from Estolad to Elvish realms.

316

Aredhel sister of Turgon leaves Gondolin and is lost in Nan Elmoth. She is found by Eöl the Dark-elf, who took her to wife, and was lost to her kin for many years.

320

Birth of Maeglin son of Eöl.

355

Bëor the Old, father of Men, dies of old age.

369

The Council of Bereg and Amlach. Bereg of the House of Bëor and one thousand men of like mind forsake the War and return to Eriador.

375

The Haladin are nearly wiped out by an Orc-raid at the angle between Ascar and Gelion.

376-90

The Haladin relocate to the forest of Brethil under the leadership of Haleth.

390

Hador Golden-haired born, most renowed of the Edain.

400

Death of Eöl the Dark Elf in Gondolin.

401-15

Marach's people relocate to west Beleriand. Malach son of Marach serves as a vassal of Fingolfin.

409

The debate of Finrod and Andreth.

410

The House of Bëor is granted lordship of Dorthonion.

416

Fingolfin grants Hador the lordship of Dor-lomin.

417

Galdor son of Hador born in Dor-lomin.

420

Death of Haleth of the House of Marach.

422

Fingolfin ponders the need to renew the assault on Angband, but his designs come to naught.

423

Hador's folk complete their removal to Dor-lomin.

432

Beren son of Barahir of the House of Bëor is born in Dorthonion.

441

Húrin the Steadfast son of Galdor son of Hador born in Hithlum.

443

Morwen Eledhwen the Elf-sheen born, daughter of Baragund of the House of Bëor.

444

Huor brother of Húrin of the House of Hador born.

450

Rían daughter of Belegund of the House of Bëor, mother of Tuor the Blessed, born.

455

The Fell Year. The Dagor Bragolach, the Battle of Sudden Flame. The Eldar and Edain driven back from Angband with great and grevious loss. Death of Hador at Ethel Sirion. Defeat of the sons of Fëanor at the Pass of Aglon. The pact of Barahir and Felagund. The folk of Dorthonion, among them Rían and Morwen, flee to Hithlum. Barahir and his surviving men become outlaws in their own land.

456

The duel of Fingolfin and Morgoth at the gates of Angband. Fingolfin slain by Morgoth. Fingon son of Fingolfin becomes High King of the Noldor. Húrin and Huor are borne from the wrack by the Eagles and brought to Gondolin, where they entered into the fosterage of Turgon.

457

Húrin and Huor are returned by the Eagles to their people. Sauron lieutenant of Morgoth captures Tol Sirion and fills it with such evil that it was afterwards called Tol-in-Gaurhoth, Isle of Werewolves.

458

The Men of Brethil, aided by Beleg Strongbow and Elves of Doriath, defeat an Orc-legion at the Crossings of Teglin. Thus was the black tide stemmed in that region, and the Orcs did not dare cross it for many a year.

460

Barahir's band is ambushed at Tarn Aeluin. Beren retrieves the Ring of Felagund and lives as a solitary outlaw for the next four years.

462

Morgoth renews his assaults against Hithlum. Galdor slain in the siege of Eithel Sirion, but with the aid of Círdan Fingon's forces hold their ground.

463

The Easterlings arrive in Beleriand, and swear allegiance to the sons of Fëanor.

464

Húrin of the House of Hador weds Morwen of the House of Bëor. Túrin son of Húrin was born in Dor-lomin with omens of sorrow. Beren leaves Dorthonion and crossing through Ered Gorgoroth finds his way into Doriath. He beholds Lúthien Tinúviel in the forest of Neldoreth, and thus was their paths crossed.

465

In this year began the love and long labor of Beren and Lúthien, which is told elsewhere in the Lay of Leithian, and will not be recounted here.

466

In this year Beren fulfilled the command of Thingol as has been told in the Lay, and with the help of his beloved Lúthien dared to cross the doors of Angband, and stole a Silmaril from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. Elsewhere is told of the madness of Carcharoth, and the Great Wolf-hunt, and how Beren died of his wounds with the Silmaril on his breast. Thus he achieved the Quest.

467

In this year at the first breaking of spring Lúthien Tinúviel laid her body as a white flower on the grass and her spirit fled from Middle-earth, and she went unto Mandos, as it saith in the Lay. But a winter as it were the hoar age of mortal men fell upon Thingol.

468

The Union of Maedhros.

469

Morgoth learns of the Union of Maedhros and begins subverting it. Beren and Lúthien return to the world to live the doom set before them by Mandos. They first go to Doriath, where Lúthien heals the winter of Thingol, then depart and passed out of the knowledge of Elves and Men, and dwell on the isle of Tol Galen amid the green waters of Ossiriand.

470

Dior Aranel, father of Elwing Half-elven, born in Tol Galen.

471

Huor weds Rían daugter of Belegund.

472

The Year of Lamentation, in which the Union of Maedhros was put to the test and failed. The Nirnaeth Aronediad, the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, in which Elves and Men were utterly defeated. Fingon King of the Noldor killed in battle. The House of Hador destroyed, and Húrin Seadfast taken captive. Only the army of Gondolin escapes intact. Turgon now by right High King of the Noldor. Morgoth curses the House of Húrin. Tuor born of Rían before her death. Morwen wife of Húrin sends Túrin her son along with two aged servants to the land of Doriath to beg fostering.

473

Nienor daughter of Túrin born. Túrin received by Thingol. Morgoth conquers the Havens. Círdan and his people flee to the Isle of Balar. Turgon's last attempt to send an emmisary to Valinor.

480

Celeborn and Galadriel cross the Ered Luin and settle in Eriador near Nenuial.

481

Túrin becomes the companion of Beleg Strongbow on the marches of Doriath.

484

The exile of Túrin from Doriath.

487

Túrin and Beleg reunited, and establish the Land of Bow and Helm.

488

Tuor son of Huor comes to Dor-lomin seeking his kin, but instead seized by the Easterlings and enslaved by Lorgan their chief.

489

Gwindor of Nargothrond escapes from the thralldom of Morgoth. The accidental slaying of Beleg by Túrin.

490

Túrin led to Nargothrond by Gwindor.

490-5

Túrin grows mighty in the counsels of Orodreth. In time he becomes the warlord of Nargothrond.

491

Tuor escapes thralldom and becomes an outlaw in the wild lands above Lake Mithrim.

494

Lorgan, chieftain of the Easterlings of Hithlum, attemtps to sieze Nienor by force. Morwen and Nienor flee at last to Doriath.

495

Tuor escapes from Hithlum. With the aid of Gelmir and Arminas, he comes to Nevrast via the Gate of the Noldor, passing out of the knowledge of Morgoth. He is visited by Ulmo Lord of Waters, and sent with Voronwë the Elf to seek the hidden city of Gondolin. In the summer, Gelmir and Arminas come to Nargothrond and bring warnings of forces mustering under the Ered Wethrin. Handir of Brethil slain in pitched battle with the Orcs, and later that autumn Gaurung and his host assaults Nargothrond. Orodreth and Gwindor are killed at the Battle of Tumhalad, and Nargothrond is sacked. At the beginning of winter Túrin ventures the journey to Dor-lomin seeking news of his kin; and Finduilas daughter of Orodreth is slain at the Crossings of Teiglin. Túrin's path crosses Tuor's at Eithel Ivrin, but they do not speak, and each goes their separate ways. Tuor and Voronwë finally reach Gondolin in winter, near the end of the year.

495-6

The Fell Winter, in which ice and snow lay on the ground for five months, all throughout the season.

496

Túrin slays Brodda the Easterling. Death of Sador Labadal. He comes at last to Brethi, and learns the fate of Finduilas. Túrin joins forces with the people of Brethil. Morwen and Nienor travel to Nargothrond to find news of Túrin. Glaurung attacks them, and Morwen is lost in the wild. Nienor has a spell of forgetfulness laid on her by the dragon, and is found by Túrin at the Crossings of Teiglin, who names her Níniel. Túrin takes the name of Turambar.

497

Dior son of Beren and Lúthien weds Nimloth of Ossiriand.

498

Túrin and Níniel are wed in autumn. Turin's presence in Brethil is revealed to Glaurung.

499

Glaurung assaults Brethil. Túrin slays the dragon, but with Glaurung's death his spells are lifted. Túrin and Nienor kill themselves. Raising of the Talbor, the Standing Stone marking their graves.

500

Birth of the twin sons of Dior, Eluréd and Elurín. Morgoth releases Húrin from his captivity, and thus began the Wanderings of Húrin. Húrin goes to Hithlum and gains the following of Asgon and his men.

501

Húrin seeks in vain the entrance to Gondolin, thus betraying its general location to Morgoth. He then journeys to Brethil, Deaths of Morwen, Manthor, and Hardang Chieftain of Brethil. Húrin then goes to Nargothrond and claims the Nauglamir from the treasure of Glaurung. He takes it to Menegroth and casts it at the feet of Thingol. Húrin then leaves, and is never seen again.

502

Tuor weds Idril daughter of Turgon in Gondolin.

503

The Nauglamir rewrought and the Silmaril is hung thereon. The Dwarves of Belegost and Nogrod invade Doriath. Thingol slain and his realm ended. Melian escapes and forsakes Middle-earth. Beren ambushes the Dwarf-host at the Fords of Ascar. Dior goes to Doriath with his wife Nimloth and endeavors to recover the realm of Thingol. Eärendil Half-elven son of Tuor and Idril born in Gondolin. Beren and Lúthien die in Tol Galen. Dior receives the Silmaril. Elwing the White daughter of Dior born in Doriath.

504

Dior restores the kingdom of Doriath.

505

The sons of Fëanor demand the Silmaril from Dior, who returns no answer.

506-7

The Second Kinslaying. The sons of Fëanor assault Doriath and kill Dior and Nimloth. Elwing flees to the mouths of Sirion with the Silmaril.

509

Ulmo's final warning to Gondolin. Maeglin captured by spies of Morgoth.

510

The assault and sack of Gondolin. The kingship of the Noldor passes to Gil-galad son of Fingon on the Isle of Balar.

511

The Exiles of Gondolin reach Sirion, which now prospers in the power of the Silmaril. Establishment of the Havens of Sirion in Arvernien.

512

The Sons of Fëanor learn of the rise of Arvernien, and that the Silmaril is there.

525

Tuor departs into the west with Idril. Eärendil weds Elwing and becomes Lord of Arvernien.

527

Torment falls upon Maedhros and his brethren because of their unfufilled oath.

532

Elros and Elrond twin sons of Eärendil born.

533

Eärendil builds the great ship Vingilot.

534-41

The voyages of Eärendil.

538

The Third and Last Kinslaying. Arvernien destroyed and Elros and Elrond taken captive. Elwing carries away the Silmaril, and comes to Eärendil in the likeness of a bird.

540

The last free Elves and those Edain who remain faithful to them are driven out of Beleriand and take refuge on the Isle of Balar. All remaining Men hide where they can.

542

Eärendil comes to Valinor. He pleads the case of the Eldar and Edain to the Lords of the West, and they listen. As a sign to his kindred in Middle-earth, Varda hallows his ship and sets him to sail in the heavens bearing the Silmaril.

545

Eönwë herald of Manwë leads the Host of the Valar out of the West and lands in Beleriand with great power and might.

545-87

The Last War of the Elder Days, also called Great Battle and the War of Wrath. Beleriand broken and destroyed. Morgoth at last utterly overcome, and Angband unroofed and unmade. Morgoth bound, and the last two Silmarils regained. Ancalagon the Black, greatest of the winged dragons, cast down by Eärendil and all save two of the Dragons destroyed.

587

Maedhros and Maglor, last surviving sons of Fëanor, seize the last two Silmarils. They are lost in fire and sea. Maedhros perishes with his, and Maglor wanders alone in pain along the seashore until he fades in grief.

590

The Elves and the Fathers of Men depart from Middle-earth and pass over the Sea. Morgoth is thrust from Arda into the Outer Dark.