One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.
FOURTH AGE
See also FIRST AGE SECOND AGE THIRD AGE 2941 3018 3019
Fourth Age (4A) dates are more difficult to determine. According to the New Reckoning in Gondor, Year One of the Fourth Age began on March 25, 3021 of the Third Age. However, in the Shire the Fourth Age was thought to have started at the beginning of 3022, though they continued to number the years according to Shire Reckoning.
It is not always clear whether a given Fourth Age date is derived from the method used in Gondor or the Shire. Therefore, depending on the source there may be a discrepancy of one year in Fourth Age dates.
3018-3021 The Great Years.
Fourth Age
Cirdan remained in Middle-earth until the Last Ship sailed from Middle-earth to the Undying Lands.
Celeborn left Lorien at some point and went to Rivendell to live there with Elrond's sons Elladan and Elrohir. Only a few of the Galadhrim remained in Lothlorien. At some point he departed from Middle-earth and joined Galadriel in the Undying Lands.
Some Easterlings remain enemies of the Men of western Middle-earth, and Aragorn and King Eomer of Rohan ride to Rhun to subdue them.
Celeborn eventually leaves Lothlorien and goes to live in Rivendell. At some point he departs from Middle-earth and joins Galadriel in the Undying Lands. Celeborn comes to live at Rivendell with Elrond's sons Elladan and Elrohir.
0001 With the beginning of this year the Fourth Age began in the account of the Shire.
The numbers of the years of the Shire were continued. About this time Fastred of Greenholm born.
He beacme the First Warden of Westmarch. See 0034.
0002 D: Adelard Took. L:2928-0002=95y.
0002 B: Frodo Gamgee (Gardner) (son Samwise). D:?. Second child and eldest son.
Founder of the Gardner Family.
004 B: Rose Gamgee (daughter Samwise). D:?.
0006 Will Whitfoot resigned. B:?. D:?. Samwise was elected Mayor of the Shire (= Mayor of Michel Delving) for the first time.
0006 The King issued an edict that Men were not to enter the Shire. He made the Shire a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre.
0006 Wedding of Peregrin and Diamond of Long Cleeve (North-took).
0006 B: Merry Gamgee (son Samwise). D:?.
0006-0055 Samwise mmd. L:3A2980-for ever. R:47. Departed over Sea when he was 102 years old.
0008 D: Hamfast Gamgee (father Samwise). L:2926-0008=103y.
0008 B: Pippin Gamgee (son Samwise). D:?.
0009 B: Faramir I Took. tsh23/21. R:4A0063-?.
Only child and son of Peregrin Took I and Diamond of Long Cleeve. He married Goldilocks Gamgee daughter of Master Samwise in 4A0042.
0010 B: Goldilocks Gamgee (daughter Samwise). D:?.
0010 D: Merimac Brandybuck. L:3A2942-4A0010=88y.
0011 B: Hamfast Gamgee (son Samwise). D:?.
0011 D: Saradoc Brandybuck mbu6. L:2940-0011=91y. R:3008-0011=23y. R:68.
0011-0063 Meriadoc Brandybuck mbu7. L:3A2982-4A0065=103y. R:4A0011-0063=52y. R:49.
Meriadoc, called the Magnificent. Great gifts are sent to him by King Eomer of Rohan and Lady Eowyn of Ithilien. After the WR he married Estella Bolger. B:3A2985. Daughter Odovacar, sister of Meriadoc's friend Fredegar (Fatty).
0012 B: Daisy Gamgee (daughter Samwise). D:?.
0013 Samwise was elected Mayor for the second time.
0013 D: Paladin II Took tsh31/19. L:3A2933-0013=101y. R:3015-0013=18y. R:83.
Death of Paladin Took II. Peregrin Took becomes Thain of the Shire.
0013-0063 Peregrin I Took tsh32/20. L:3A2990-4A0070=100y. R:4A0013-4A0063=50y. R:43.
0014 B: Primrose (daughter Samwise). D:?.
The Thain of the Shire, the Master of Buckland, and the Mayor of Michel Delving are made Counsellors of the North-kingdom by King Elessar.
0015 B: Bilbo Gamgee (son Samwise). D:?.
0015 King Elessar and Queen Arwen rode north, dwelled for a while in Annuminas by Lake Evendim and came to the Brandywine Bridge and met with the Thain, the Master, and the Mayor.
Aragorn traveled to Arnor in the year 15. At a ceremony signifying Aragorn's accession to the kingship of Arnor, Arwen bound the Elendilmir on Aragorn's brow. He wore the Elendilmir on high days in the North-kingdom.
They meet with Pippin, Merry and Sam at the Brandywine Bridge.
He gave the Star of the Dunedain to Samwise, and Elanor was made a maid of honour to Queen Arwen Evenstar.
0015 D: Gloin the Dwarf (Gimli's father) under the Mountain. Lived 3A2783-0015=252y.
0015 D: Olo Proudfoot. L:2946-0015=89y.
0017 B: Ruby Gamgee (daughter Samwise). D:?.
0019 B: Robin Gamgee (son Samwise). D:?.
Birth of Samwise Gamgee's second-youngest son, Robin.
0020 Samwise became Mayor for the third time.
0020 D: Tolman Cotton (sr). Lived 3A2941-4A0020=100y.
0021 Master Samwise and his wife Mistress Rose Cotton rode to Gondor and stayed there for a year.
Tolman Cotton (jr) acted as deputy Mayor.
0021 B: Tolman (Tom) Gamgee (son Samwise). D:?.
0022 D: Filibert Bolger. L:3A2942-4A0022=101y.
0027 Samwise became Mayor for the fourth time.
0030 Fastred of Greenholm married Elanor Gamgee (daughter Samwise and Rose Cotton) on the Far Downs. Founder of the Fairbairns of the Towers.
0031 The Westmarch, from the Far Downs to the Tower Hills (Emyn Beraid) was added to the Shire by the gift of Aragorn, the King. Many Hobbits removed to it.
0033 B: Elfstan Fairbairn. Grandson of Samwise. Son Fastred and Elanor. D:?. Warden of Westmarch 2.
Elphir pda23 L:3A2987-4A0067=100y. R:4A0033-0066=33y. R:67.
Death of Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth. Elphir becomes twenty-third Prince of Dol Amroth. (The year 34 in the New Reckoning of Gondor.)
0034 Samwise became Mayor for the fifth time.
At his request Thain Peregrin made Fastred (Sam's son-in-law) Warden of Westmarch.
Fastred and Elanor made their dwelling at Undertowers on the Tower Hills, where their descendants,
the Fairbairns of the Towers, dwelt for many generations. From them came the Fairbairns of the Towers, and the Wardens of the Westmarch. When Fastred was made Warden they removed to the Westmarch, a country then newly settled (being a gift of King Elessar) between the Far Downs and the Tower Hills.
D: Imrahil the Fair. pda22 L:3A2955-4A0034=99y. R:3A3010-4A0033=45y. R:54.
0034-? Fasterd of Greenholm wwm1.
0035 Fastred of Greenholm built Undertowers and the family moved to the Tower Hills.
Founder of the Fairbairn Family and Founder of the Greenholm Family.
0041 B: Holfast Gardner. (Son Frodo Gardner). D:?. Master Samwise elected for a sixth term as Mayor.
Holfast, son of Frodo Gardner, born in the Shire.
0042 Faramir I Took (son Peregrin) married Goldilocks, daughter Samwise.
0048 Master Samwise became Mayor for the seventh and last time, being in 4A0055 at the end
of his office, ninety-six years old.
0055 Samwise resigned. He was 96 years old. He was seven times elected Mayor (SR1427-1476).
He was a Mayor of Michel Delving for 49 years.
0057 D: Elphir. pda23. L:3A2987-4A0057=100y. First son of Imrahil the 22nd Prince of Dol Amroth.
His sister was Lothiriel. He had two brothers: Amrothos and Erchirion.
0061 D: Mistress Rose Cotton, wife of Master Samwise, on Mid-year's Day. L:2984-0061=97y.
When Rose died in the year 61, Sam left Bag End to his oldest son Frodo Gardner and gave The Red Book to his daughter Elanor. He went to the Grey Havens, where it is said that he passed over the the Sea into the West. It is hoped that he was reunited with Frodo before he died.
September 22 Master Samwise rode out from Bag End. He came to the Tower Hills, and was last seen by Elanor, to whom he gave the Red Book afterwards kept by the Fairbairns.
Among them the tradition was handed down from Elanor that Samwise passed the Towers, and went to the Grey Havens, and passed over Sea, last of the Ring-bearers.
Departed over Sea 4A0061 (102). L:2980-4A0061=102y. mmd. R:4A0006-4A0055=49y.
0063
Eomer asks Merry Brandybuck to visit him in Rohan. King Eomer dies in the autumn.
He is succeeded by his son Elfwine.
In the spring of the year a message came from Rohan to Buckland that King Eomer wished to see
Master Holdwine (Meriadoc) once again. Meriadoc was then old (102) but still hale.
He took counsel with his friend the Thain, and soon after they handed over their goods and offices to their sons and rode away over the Sarn Ford, and they were not seen again in the Shire.
It was heard after that Master Meriadoc came to Edoras and was with King Eomer before he died in that autumn.
Then he and Thain Peregrin went to Gondor and passed what short years were left to them in that realm,
until they died and were laid in Rath Dínen among the great of Gondor.
0063 D: Eomer Eadig kro18. L:3A2991-4A0063=93y. R:3019, March 15-4A0063=65y. R:28.
Third line. He died in the autumn of this year.
0063- ?: Elfwine the Fair kro19. B:?. D:?. Son Eomer (kro18) and Lothíriel of Dol Amroth (mgo).
0063 Meriadoc Brandybuck mbu7. L:3A2982-4A0065=103y. R:4A0011-0063=52y. R:49.
After the WR he married Estella Bolger.Daughter Odovacar, sister Fredegar.
0063-?: Faramir I Took Thain of the Shire 33/21. B:4A0009. R:4A0063-?.
Only child and son of Peregrin Took I and Diamond of Long Cleeve. He married Goldilocks Gamgee daughter of Master Samwise in 4A0042.
0063-?: Meriadoc's son (name unknown). Master of Buckland 8. B:?
L:4A0000/0100. Son of Meriadoc Brandybuck and Estella Bolger. R:4A0063-?.
LRB1134: "they handed over their goods and offices to their sons".
Merry turns over the office of Master of Buckland to his son. Merry and Pippin travel to Rohan and meet with King Eomer before his death.
Pippin turned over the office of Thain to his son Faramir. Pippin and Merry travel to Rohan and meet with King Eomer before his death.
Merry and Pippin travel to Gondor, where they live until their deaths.
Pippin brings a copy of Bilbo and Frodo's account of the War of the Ring to Minas Tirith, where it is corrected and annotated. The Hobbits live in Gondor until their deaths.
0063 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.
0063 Autumn Death of King Éomer of Rohan. He is succeeded by his son Elfwine.
0065 D: Meriadoc. mbu7. Died in Gondor. L:3A2982-4A0065=103y. R:4A0011-0063=52y. R:49.
After the WR he married Estella Bolger.Daughter Odovacar, sister Fredegar.
0066 Elphir pda23 L:3A2987-4A0067=100y. R:4A0033-0066=33y. R:67.
Death of Prince Elphir of Dol Amroth. Alphros becomes twenty-fourth Prince of Dol Amroth. (The year 67 in the New Reckoning of Gondor.)
0066-0094 Alphros pda24 L:3A3017-4A0095=98y. R:4A0066-0094=28y. R:70.
0067 D: Elphir son of imrahil. L:3A2987-4A0067=100y. He is succeeded as Prince of Dol Amroth by his son Alphros.
0070 D: Peregrin. tsh32/20. Died in Gondor. L:3A2990-4A0070=100y. R:0013-0063=50y. R:43.
See 0063: To Roahan and Gondor with Meriadoc.
0080 B: Harding Gardner of the Hill. D:?.
0082
D: Faramir of Gondor. Younger son Denethor II and Finduilas. He was the First Steward of King Elessar. In 3A3020 he was made also Lord of Emyn Arnen and First Prince of Ithilen
L:3A2983-4A0082=120y. Stg-e.3A3019-4A0082=85y. R:36.
3019 May 1: Aragorn is crowned King Elessar and he bids Faramir to remain in the office of Steward.
0082 - ? Elboron son of Faramir Second Prince of Ithilien and Lord of Emyn Arnen. Second Steward of the Reunited Kingdom.
??0091 Apparent date of death of Dwalin, at the extraordinary age of 340.
0095 D: Alphros pda24 L:3A3017-4A0095=98y. R:4A0066-0094=28y. R:70.
0100 B: About this time Firiel Fairbairn. D:?.
0100/0200 Barahir (grandson Faramir of Gondor and Eowyn of Rohan).
Probably Third Steward of Gondor to the Telcontari, Lord of Emyn Arnen, and Third Prince of Ithilien.
He wrote the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen.
0120
King Elessar knew that his days were at an end and he went to the House of the Kings in the Silent Street. He said farewell to his son Eldarion and his daughters and he gave Eldarion his Crown and Sceptre. Arwen remained at Aragorn's side until he died.
In this year on March 1st came at last the Passing of King Elessar. It is said that the beds of
Meriadoc and Peregrin were set beside the bed of the great King.
Then Legolas built a grey ship in Ithilien, and sailed down Anduin and so over Sea; and with him, it is said, went Gimli. And when that ship passed an end was come in the Middle-earth of the Fellowship of the Ring.
March 1. (Reckoning of Gondor) Passing of King Elessar.
0120 Gimli sailed over Sea (262 years old). B: 2879. He was for 120 years Lord of the Glittering Caves.
0120 Legolas Greenleaf sailed over Sea. B:? He was for 120 years Lord in Ithilien.
0120 End of the Fellowship of the Ring.
November 25 3A3018 - March 1st 4A0120 = 123 years.
D: King Elessar (Aragorn II) B: 3A2931. D: 4A120 = 210 years. He is succeeded by his son Eldarion. "Aragorn indeed lived to be two hundred and ten years old, longer than any of his line since King Arvegil; but in Aragorn Elessar the dignity of the kings of old was renewed."
The Return of the King, Appendix A.
0121 Winter. D: Queen Arwen Evenstar in Lorien on Cerin Amroth. L:3A0241-4A0121=2900y.
0172 Findegil of Gondor (King's Writers).
A copy of the Red Book of Westmarch is completed in Gondor by Findegil.
Cirdan remains in Middle-earth until the Last Ship sails from Middle-earth to the Undying Lands.