The Tolkien Road

A podcast about Middle-earth and all things Tolkien.

0205 – LOTR – History of the Third Age – Part 3: 861 – 1976

While the first millennium of the Third Age saw the rise and expansion of both Arnor and Gondor, the second millennium sees the two “realms in exile” on different trajectories. While Gondor continues to expand its dominion southward, Arnor is divided into 3 principalities, and begins a long decline. And it’s not long before ancient foes return in the East, and the Dúnedain find their kingdoms in peril once again. Why did the Shadow return? Who was the Witch-king of Angmar? And where did the Hobbits come from? Find out, as we continue our exploration of Middle-earth’s Third Age!

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EPISODE OUTLINE

  • The second millenium really begins with Gondor on the up and up…
  • 861 – 1050: Expansion of Gondor & War on the South (Harad)
  • 1050: Height of Gondor’s power
  • Confluence of Events c1050
    • Apex of Gondor’s power
    • Shadow falls on Greenwood » Mirkwood
    • Periannath are first mentioned
    • Arrival of the Istari
    • This seems to be the most significant year in the early Third Age
  • 1100: Dol Guldur evil
  • 1149: Atanatar Alcarin » signifies decadence http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Atanatar_II
  • 1150: Fallohides (Tooks / Brandybucks / Bolgers) / Stoors (Gollum)
  • 1300: evil things begin to multiply again
  • 1356: King Argeleb I » restored King of Arnor, because the other kings had failed; he was killed in battle with the Witch-king of Angmar.
  • 1409: Witch-king of Angmar invades Arnor.
  • 1432-1447: Kin-strife » disastrous Gondorian civil war 
  • 1540-1899: Gondor at war with the Southlands & the Wainriders
    • 1636: The Great Plague
      • Many parts of Eriador become desolate
      • The (Second) White Tree dies in Minas Anor
    • 1640: Minas Anor becomes capital of Gondor, a new White Tree planted
      • Mordor left unguarded
    • 1851 – 1899: War with the Wainriders
  • 1900: White Tower built in Minas Anor
  • 1940 – 1976: Downfall of Arnor

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Listen to the first episode in this series.

Don’t forget to check out our series on the Second Age!

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5 Responses

  1. I just found some more of those videos claiming that both Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were involved with the occult and witchcraft. I didn’t watch any of them, but I know what these people are saying. This makes me so mad, I want to shout and throw something. I think that these people are confusing occult literature with Christian and adventure fantasy literature. These are two completely different genres. I do not read any of that witchcraft stuff and have no intentions of reading or watching any. Unfortunately, I used to watch Dark Shadows, until I grew wiser.
    Here are the videos. https://youtu.be/9lx53IlBF54 https://youtu.be/D2ysL5eDYEI https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2qw0ah. This is just a sample. Can You please do an episode about this. I would like to know what other people think.

  2. I understand how Greta feels. I have been misunderstood so many times. People are always making stupid comments, particularly when they don’t know what they are talking about. I had been insulted by teachers and other children when I was growing up. This is one reason why I don’t watch videos directly on YouTube anymore. The comments people put up there are exactly like that. Whoever is responsible for that comment, please keep your cynicism and your stupid opinions to yourself. Cynicism is never good; it is always harmful.

  3. having some trouble posting a comment in which I had included links to some videos. I wanted to ask if you can do an episode on whether Tolkien and Lewis were involved with the occult and witchcraft. I would like to here what other people have to say about this. I think these people are confusing Christian adventure fantasy with the occult and witchcraft genre.

  4. You mention some of the Hobbits living in The Angle before moving on to what would become The Shire. In Europe Anglia was a kingdom in what is now Denmark. It was from there that people moved into Britain, becoming the Anglo in Anglo-Saxon. In Old English Anglia was Engla Land (if I remember correctly, it’s close if not exact.)

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