Home FAQ History Houses Jobs Logs Maps Who's Who MUSHes Tolkien
 
 
History
 
First Age
Second Age
Third Age
 
 

Chronology and History of the Galadhrim of Lórien

First Age:

No dates can be reliably given for events in the First Age, since none of the elves recorded time in the ages before the rising of the Sun as is done today. Our early Silvan ancestors had no written tongue, being content to pass their lore and knowledge through song, verse and story held in living memory. Thus our history begins...

Lenwe, of the Telerin host of Olwe, forsook the westward march of the Eldar east of the Hithaeglir (Misty Mountains) and led a numerous people south down Anduin. These were the Nandor, some of whom then settled in the angle between Anduin and Celebrant (Silverlode) and in the southern reaches of Greenwood the Great on the eastern side of Anduin. Taking no Kind or Lord, these Silvan elves lived a relatively quiet life far from the tumults and dangers of the Beleriandic wars fought far to the west and north.



Second Age:

1 - 1600: Sindar, fleeing the destruction of Beleriand, migrate east and merge with the Silvan populations of Greenwood the Great and Lórien. Amdir, a Sindarin noble, becomes King of Lórien. The Galadhrim are gradually "Sindar-ized" under the influence of Beleriandic lore and culture.

750: The Noldorin realm of Eregion founded.

750 - 1600: Galadriel visits Eregion regularly from her dwellings in Lindon, sometimes with Celeborn her husband, and becomes familiar with and visits Lórien, passing through the Halls of Khazad-dum or over the Redhorn Pass.

1500 - 1590: The Nine, Seven and Three Rings of Power are forged in Eregion.

1600: Sauron forges the One Ring. Celebrimbor, on Galadriel's advice, hides the Three, giving Nenya, the White Ring, to her care. The other two he sends west to Gil-Galad in Lindon.

1693: The War of the Elves and Sauron begins. Galadriel and Celeborn, along with Elrond and an army from Lindon, go to Eregion to help in its defense.

1697: Eregion is over-run by Sauron's forces. Galadriel and Celeborn escape through Khazad-dum to Lórien where they assist Amdir in strengthening its defenses.

1701: Sauron is finally defeated with the assistance of the Numenoreans, and withdraws to his fortified realm of Mordor.

1701 - 3320: Amdir rules over a peaceful but watchful Lórien. Galadriel and Celeborn, while not taking up permanant abode there, visit frequently to consult with the Galadhrim regarding their defense, for Galadriel perceives the strategic importance of Lórien's position.

3320: The survivors of Numenor found the realms of Arnor and Gondor. Sauron returns to Mordor.

3430: The Last Alliance of Elves and Men is formed. Amdir and the Galadhrim of Lórien join the alliance and march forth to war.

3434: The Battle of Dagorlad. Amdir is slain, but his son Amroth takes command of the Galadhrim.

3441: The fall of Sauron and the end of the Second Age. Amroth, King of Lórien, leads a sorrowful remnant of the Galadhrim home.



Third Age:

109: Elrond weds Celebrian, daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn, at Imladris where they then dwell.

1 - 1000: Amroth rules peacefully in Lórien, adopting many Silvan customs, including dwelling in tall trees. He did this, lore has it, to win the love of Nimrodel, a Silvan Elf; but this love was not returned for many long years. His dwelling afterwards became known as Cerin Amroth.

1000 - 1100: A shadow grows in southern Greenwood, which is renamed Mirkwood. It is discovered that some evil power has established a stronghold at Dol Guldur.

1100 - 1980: The shadow deepens and evil things multiply in Mirkwood, threatening Lórien. Galadrial and Celeborn visit frequently to consult with Amroth, but are concerned that he is not a strong enough leader to defend the land against Dol Guldur. However, the Galadhrim are content with their King. Lórien becomes a guarded land, keeping an ever watchful eye to the east.

1980: A Balrog appears in Khazad-dum.

1981: Nain I of Khazad-dum is slain by the Balrog and the Dwarves flee Moria. Orcs and other evil things are drawn to Moria and fall upon Lórien from the unprepared western side. Many Silvan elves flee in terror to the south, seeking the sea and a haven from which to sail West. Nimrodel turns to Amroth, but declares she will not wed him except in a land of peace. This determines Amroth to abandon Lórien and seek the havens with Nimrodel, but both are lost in the attempt.

1982 - 2060: Fearing the total loss of Lórien, Celeborn and Galadriel go to Lórien and rally the those elves remaining. Establishing control over the borders and driving out the evil creatures that were ravaging the woods, the Galadhrim welcomed them as their new leaders, but in deference to the memory of Amdir and Amroth they did not take any title as King or Queen, but became the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien. Caras Galadhon is built as their chief dwelling, the citadel and fortress of Lórien, where on the highest flet of the great central mallorn tree a watch is ever kept on the distant threat of Dol Guldur.

2063: Mithrandir, with Galadriel's support, goes to Dol Guldur to spy out its secrets. Sauron withdraws to the east to avoid being discovered for what he is, and the Watchful Peace begins.

2460: Sauron returns to Dol Guldur, ending the Watchful Peace.

2509: Celebrian, journeying from Imladris to Lórien, is waylaid in the Redhorn Pass and is wounded with poison. The following year, unable to bear the pain, she goes to the havens and passes West.

2790 - 2799: The War of the Dwarves and Orcs, culminating in the terrible Battle of Nanduhirion before the East-gate of Moria. Lórien secures its borders and permits neither orc nor Dwarf to pass them.

2850: Mithrandir again travels in secret to Dol Guldur, discovering that its Master is indeed Sauron come again. As before, Lórien is the base from which Mithrandir operates, proving its stratetic importance.

2941: The White Council decides to attack Dol Guldur in an attempt to defeat Sauron before he gains too much power. Again, Lórien becomes a key staging ground for the assault. But Sauron, having made his plans in anticipation of such a move, abandons Dol Guldur, returning in secret to Mordor.

2951: Sauron declares himself openly and begins the rebuilding of Barad-dur. Nazgul are sent to re-occupy Dol Guldur, and Lórien is once again closely beset with enemies.

The Present: Guarded by the strong bows of the Order of Lórien and protected by the power of Nenya, Lórien remains the closest of all the Elvish realms to the Enemy. At the same time, it remains as pure and inviolate as any land can be in Middle-Earth, resembling its namesake Gardens of Lórien in Valinor. In these evil times, Lórien will continue to resist body and soul the coming Darkness until the last ship sails to the Undying West.

Bill Paine
"Deugd Zy Uw Cieraad" A.L. 5787



This page was last updated on 10-Jul-2001