The Sinking of Beleriand: Timeline and Context in Tolkien's Legendarium

J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium is rich with narrative detail, including significant events that shaped Middle-earth. One such event is the sinking of Beleriand after Morgoth's fall during the War of Wrath. This cataclysmic event was a direct result of the upheaval caused by the war, and understanding its timeline and context is crucial to grasping the broader narrative of the Elder Days.

The Fall of Morgoth and the War of Wrath

The fall of Morgoth, the primary evil force in Tolkien's legendarium, marked the end of the First Age. The War of Wrath, which concluded the First Age, began in 545 and lasted until 587 of the Years of the Sun. While the exact length and duration of the war are specified, the sinking of Beleriand was a gradual process that occurred over the course of the conflict.

The Timeline of Key Events

According to Tolkien's final version of the timeline, as presented in Volume 11 of The History of Middle-earth, the events were as follows:

545: The host of the Valar comes up out of the West. Fionw son of Manw lands in Beleriand with great power. 545-587: The last war of the Elder Days and the Great Battle is begun. In this war, Beleriand is broken and destroyed. Morgoth is at last utterly overcome, and Angband is unroofed and unmade. Ancalagon is cast down by Erendil, and all but two of the dragons are destroyed. 587: Morgoth is taken to Valinor, tried, and convicted. He is cast into the Void. In the first year of the Second Age, Elves and the Fathers of Men depart from Middle-earth and pass over Sea.

It is important to note that for three years after the War of Wrath, Morgoth was escorted in chains to Valinor, where he was tried and convicted by the Valar. This period of three years was crucial in determining the fate of Beleriand and the subsequent events.

The Sinking of Beleriand

The sinking of Beleriand is not precisely dated in Tolkien's works but is generally understood to have occurred shortly after the end of the First Age during the transition to the Second Age. This event is described as a cataclysmic result of the upheaval caused by the War of Wrath. While the exact duration between Morgoth's defeat and the sinking is not specified, it is implied to be a relatively short period, possibly within a few years.

Most of Beleriand was likely submerged before the war ended, and the fighting itself lasted 42 years. The Havens and Lindon were established in the first year of the Second Age, suggesting that the drowning of Beleriand had already occurred, with Lindon being about all that was left of Beleriand after the tragedy of its demise.

The Havens and Lindon

The Havens of Sirion, where many of Beleriand's survivors had taken refuge, were under the protection of the Valar, particularly Ulmo. It is speculated that the inhabitants were allowed to make their escape over the course of three years, after which the Sea flooded over the ruins of the land. Alternatively, they may have evacuated their homes once the Host of the Valar arrived, ensuring safe passage and making for higher ground in Ossiriand, which would become Lindon in the Second Age.

The Aftermath and the Second Age

According to Appendix B of "The Lord of the Rings," Círdan established the Grey Havens in the year 1 of the Second Age, the year following 590 of the First Age. This timeline suggests that the survivors spent around 35 years in Lindon, preparing for their departure from Middle-earth.

Tolkien's notes also reveal the complexity of the Númenorean migration. Elros led the first fleet, which was the largest, and the journey to Númenor was made by additional Edain over the following 50 years or so. The ships used by the Edain were built to elven designs and navigated by Círdan's followers.

In conclusion, the sinking of Beleriand was a gradual process that occurred over the course of the War of Wrath, with the Havens and Lindon remaining as a testament to the region's once-vibrant history. Understanding the timeline and context of this event is essential for comprehending the complexities and drama of Tolkien's legendarium.