Years of the Sun

The Years of the Sun constitute the fundamental chronological layer of the Third Age of Middle-earth, the era in which the events of The Lord of the Rings unfold. This age is defined by the light of the Sun, which was created by the Valar after the destruction of the Two Trees of Telperion and Laurelin. The narrative of the War of the Ring, from the finding of the One Ring by Bilbo Baggins to its destruction in the Cracks of Doom and the subsequent departure of the Ring-bearers, takes place entirely within this period. The Shire-reckoning, the calendar used by the Hobbits, is a local system within the broader Years of the Sun, with its Year 1 marking the crossing of the Brandywine River by the Hobbits Marcho and Blanco and the founding of the Shire in the Third Age.

Chronological Framework and the Third Age

The Third Age, the final age of the Sun before the Fourth, is the primary setting of the story. It is a time of fading magic and the waning power of the Elves, as the dominion of Men approaches. The entire narrative of The Lord of the Rings is contained within this age, from the prologue's account of Bilbo's finding of the Ring to the final chapters describing the Scouring of the Shire and the departure of the Ring-bearers. The Shire-reckoning, which begins with Year 1 in the Third Age, provides a local Hobbit-centric timeline, but it is always understood to be a part of the larger, more ancient framework of the Years of the Sun. The appendices of the book, including the Tale of Years, provide a detailed chronology of the Third Age, anchoring the story's events within this broader historical context.

The Shire-reckoning and its Relation to the Years of the Sun

The Shire-reckoning is the calendar used by the Hobbits of the Shire, and it is the primary chronological system used in the narrative. It begins with Year 1, which corresponds to the year of the colonization of the Shire by the Hobbits Marcho and Blanco. This event occurred in the Third Age, and the Shire-reckoning is therefore a local calendar within the larger framework of the Years of the Sun. The narrative frequently uses Shire-reckoning dates, such as Bilbo's 111th birthday party in S.R. 1401, which is also T.A. 3001. The appendices provide conversion tables and notes to help readers understand the relationship between the Shire-reckoning and the Kings' Reckoning used in Gondor, both of which are part of the Years of the Sun. The Tale of Years in Appendix B provides a comprehensive chronology of the Second and Third Ages, using the Third Age dating system, which is itself a part of the Years of the Sun.

The End of the Third Age and the Beginning of the Fourth

The Third Age, and thus the Years of the Sun as the primary setting of the story, ends with the destruction of the One Ring and the defeat of Sauron. The Fourth Age begins with the departure of the Ring-bearers from the Grey Havens. The appendices record that the Fourth Age began in the reckoning of Gondor on March 25, 3021, which is the date of the destruction of the Ring. The Shire-reckoning continues into the Fourth Age, with the year 1422 being the first year of the new age in the Shire. The final chapters of the book, describing the Scouring of the Shire and the departure of Frodo, Sam, and Bilbo, take place in the last days of the Third Age and the very beginning of the Fourth, marking the transition between these two great eras of the Years of the Sun.