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First Age

Contents
Brief Description   
I. Definition, Characteristics, Marking Events, Importance   
Timeline & Key Events of the FirstAge   
Timeline   
Middle-earth at the Time of the Return of the Noldor   
Of the Return of the Noldor and the Rising of the Moon and the Sun   
Noldorian Kingdoms   
II. The Coming of Men   
III. The Wars of the FirstAge   
IV. End of the FirstAge. Conclusions   


Brief Description    

The FirstAge of Middle-earth lasts 590 years.

It is considered to have started with the first rise of the Moon and the Sun (made by the Valar) in the skies of Middle-earth and it ended with the War of Wrath.


I. Definition, Characteristics, Marking Events, Importance    

The History of Middle-earth is being divided into four Ages. In J.R.R.Tolkien's writings three of them are described in details, while the FourthAge is barely touched, as its first years lie where the main story in the books finishes.

The count of ages is considered to have started with the first rise of the Sun (made by the Valar) over the lands of Middle-earth. To be more exact, the FirstAge began with the Return of the Noldor to Middle-earth, the first rising of the Moon and the Sun, and the Awakening of Men in Hildórien.

It ended with the War of Wrath, the destruction of Beleriand and the final defeat of Morgoth. The end of the FirstAge was marked by the return of many of the Noldor, accompanied also by many Sindarin Elves, into the West to dwell on TolEressëa.

Thus, the overall time-scope of the FirstAge, according to the above events, covers about 590 years.


Timeline & Key Events of the FirstAge    

Timeline    
The First Age - Timeline
1Fingolfin enters Hithlum.
7Fingolfin becomes High King of the Noldor in Exile in Hithlum.
20MerethAderthad.
c.51About this time, Finrod establishes the Kingdom of Nargothrond.
60DagorAglareb.
65Finrod rebuilds Eglarest and Brithombar.
104Turgon settles in Gondolin.
260Glaurung first appears and is wounded by Fingon and his archers.
310Finrod meets Beor and the First House of the Edain (the Beorians). Beor's people settle in Estolad.
311The Haladin enter Ossiriand but move north and settle in Dor Caranthir.
314The Marachians enter Beleriand and settle in Estolad.
c.315Fingolfin sends messengers to welcome the Edain to Beleriand.
365Council of the Edain is held in Estolad. Many Marachians return to Eriador. Many Beorians migrate south.
375The Haladin are nearly destroyed by Orcs. Haleth leads them to Estolad.
c.380About this time, the Haladin settle in the forest of Brethil.
410Finrod makes Boromir, great-grandson of Beor, Lord of Ladros.
c.420Fingolfin makes Hador Lord of Dor-lomin and most of the Marachians settle there.
455DagorBragollach. Fingon becomes High King of the Noldor in Exile. Many Marachians and Beorians flee Estolad and return to Eriador. Barahir becomes Lord of Ladros. Most of the Beorians flee to Dor-lomin.
c.457About this time the last of the Beorians flee Ladros and Barahir becomes an outlaw.
c.460About this time the Swarthy Men first enter Beleriand. The Folk of or settle north of Himring and the Folk of Ulfang settle in Thargelion.
473NirnaethArnoediad. Turgon becomes High King of the Noldor in Exile.
474Brithombar and Eglarest are taken. Cirdan and Ereinion settle on Balar.
484Turin flees Doriath.
495Battle of Tumhalad. Nargothrond is destroyed by Glaurung.
499Turin slays Glaurung and then himself.
500Morgoth frees Hurin. Hurin visits Brethil.
504Beren and Luthien pass away.
c.506Doriath destroyed by the Feanorians.
510Gondolin is destroyed. Ereinion Gil-galad becomes High King of the Noldor in Exile.
532Elrond and Elros are born in Arvernien.
c.538Arvernien destroyed by the Feanorians. Elrond and Elros fostered by Maglor.
545The War of Wrath begins.
587Breaking of Thangorodrim. Elrond (and Elros?) present at the battle.
590Many Eldar leave Middle-earth.

The events listed above, which are also in details described in the Silmarillion, as well as in most chapters of the HoMe and other Tolkien's writings, show that the FirstAge of Middle-earth is a time of great deeds and achievements of two races - probably the most important ones for the overall historical development of the new world - the races of Elves and Men - the Children of Illuvatar.

The development of these two peoples in all fields of life, the establishment and the improvement of their societies, as well as their wars, their struggle for survival and for bringing up good and peace into their own world, the uneasy process of establishing co-operation and friendly relations between themselves, learning from each other, contributing to the very process of improvement and establishing, sharing lore and achievements, learning how to fight the evil and how to understand this totally new world - these are the characteristic features that strongly mark the history of the races of Elves and Men of the FirstAge.

Therefore, it could be considered that the FirstAge is the Age of Settlement or the Age of Conquering new worlds- both material and immaterial.

FirstAge starts with the rising of hope (the new light in the world) and ends with devastating destruction (the War of Wrath). In-between lie 590 years filled with pride and joy, as well as with strong will to create a new world and make it a home, but also years of wrath, despair and painful establishment of interrelations.


Middle-earth at the Time of the Return of the Noldor    

To start with, here is a brief account of the events preceding the beginning of the First Age of Middle-earth:

In ages forgotten
Three jewels had been made.
Then vows had been broken
An oath had been taken
Kin's blood had been shed
And curse had been spoken

The Spirit of fire the Eldar then led
To worlds unknown
And to destinies wrecked.
Through stormy seas
And through lands of ice
The Noldor set foot
On the Middle-earth lands.

At the time the Noldor return to Middle-earth, those lands are not desolate and uninhabited.

Since the times of the great march of the Elves from the Waters of Awakening to the West, it is known that some elven hosts have stayed and never cross the Sea to Aman.

In the meantime new races have appeared in Middle-earth - the Dwarves and the Orcs. The first liv as a free people and had well structured and developed societies, while the latter are creatures and servants of Melkor. In the dark lands of Middle-earth, before the rising of the Moon and the Sun, Melkor has also created other fearful creatures that live widely spread in the woods and the mountains of ME.

The Free People of the Sindar and the Dwarves

From The Silmarillion:

"Now as has been told the power of Elwë and Melian increased in Middle-earth, and all the Elves of Beleriand, from the mariners of Círdan to the wandering hunters of the Blue Mountains beyond the River Gelion, owned Elwë as their lord; Elu Thingol he was called, King Greymantle, in the tongue of his people. They are called the Sindar, the Grey-elves of starlit Beleriand; and although they were Moriquendi, under the lordship of Thingol and the teaching of Melian they became the fairest and the most wise and skilful of all the Elves of Middle-earth.

In friendship and cooperation between the peoples of the Sindar and the Dwarves, the amazing Menegroth is being established as the chief city of the Kingdom of Elu-Thingol?. That becomes the fairest dwelling of any king that has ever been east of the Sea.

"And when the building of Menegroth was achieved, and there was peace in the realm of Thingol and Melian, the Naugrim yet came ever and anon over the mountains and went in traffic about the lands; but they went seldom to the Falas, for they hated the sound of the sea and feared to look upon it. To Beleriand there came no other rumour or tidings of the world without."

Moreover, in constant battle with the evil creatures of Melkor, the Sindar, with the help of the Dwarves, have mastered the skill of armoury.
"At this time therefore the Sindar were well-armed, and they drove off all creatures of evil, and had peace again; but Thingol's armouries were stored with axes and with spears and swords, and tall helms, and long coats of bright mail; for the hauberks of the Dwarves were so fashioned that they rusted not but shone ever as if they were new-burnished. And that proved well for Thingol in the time that was to come."

The Free People of the Nandor

"Now as has been told, one Lenwë of the host of Olwë forsook the march of the Eldar at that time when the Teleri were halted by the shores of the Great River upon the borders of the westlands of Middle-earth. Little is known of the wanderings of the Nandor, whom he led away down Anduin: some, it is said, dwelt age-long in the woods of the Vale of the Great River, some came at last to its mouths and there dwelt by the Sea, and yet others passing by Ered Nimrais, the White Mountains, came north again and entered the wilderness of Eriador between Ered Luin and the far Mountains of Mist.

"Now these were a woodland people and had no weapons of steel, and the coming of the fell beasts of the North filled them with great fear, as the Naugrim declared to King Thingol in Menegroth. Therefore Denethor, the son of Lenwë, hearing rumour of the might of Thingol and his majesty, and of the peace of his realm, gathered such host of his scattered people as he could, and led them over the mountains into Beleriand. There they were welcomed by Thingol, as kin long lost that return, and they dwelt in Ossiriand, the Land of Seven Rivers."

These two elven peoples establish well developed and large communities.

However, one of their most important achievements is the creation of the Rhunes, shared later with the race of the Naugrim (the Dwarves) and thus spread throughout the territory of ME as means of written communication and keeping of records.

The Ream of Círdan

There is another group of Elves, of the Teleri clan, that has not left ME and these have settled on the western shores of ME.

It is said in the tales that the great Ossë had himself persuaded them to stay in ME, for he loved that folk and wished to teach them the craft of shipbuilding and seafaring.

"Some he persuaded to remain; and those were the Falathrim, the Elves of the Falas, who in after days had dwellings at the havens of Brithombar and Eglarest, the first mariners in Middle-earth and the first makers of ships. Círdan the Shipwright was their lord."

After the assault and the destruction of the trees in Valinor, Ungoliant and Melkor flee from the Blessed Realm and through the Northern pass of Helcaraxë they had enter Middle-earth from the North.

Ungoliant's Realm

"Ungoliant fled from the north and came into the realm of King Thingol, and a terror of darkness was about her; but by the power of Melian she was stayed, and entered not into Neldoreth, but abode long time under the shadow of the precipices in which Dorthonion fell southward. And they became known as Ered Gorgoroth, the Mountains of Terror."

Melkor' Realm

"Morgoth, as has before been told, returned to Angband, and built it anew, and above its doors he reared the reeking towers of Thangorodrim; and the gates of Morgoth were but one hundred and fifty leagues distant from the bridge of Menegroth: far and yet all too near.

This is the world that the Noldor find at their return to Middle-earth.


Of the Return of the Noldor and the Rising of the Moon and the Sun    

Fëanor and his followers, who have taken the white ships of the Teleri, land in the waste of Lammoth, the Great Echo, upon the outer shores of the Firth of Drengist. They burn the ships at Losgar and thus the host of Fingolfin is left with no means to reach ME by sea.

Therefore, the much larger host of Fingolfin has to follow the course to the far North and there, through the Grinding Ice, they cross and enter ME.

The time Fingolfin sets foot on the lands of ME is marked by THE FIRST RISING OF THE MOON AND THE SUN.

The Host Of Fëanor

"Under the cold stars before the rising of the Moon the host of Fëanor went up the long Firth of Drengist that pierced the Echoing Hills of Ered Lómin, and passed thus from the shores into the great land of Hithlum; and they came at length to the long lake of Mithrim, and upon its northern shore made their encampment in the region that bore the same name."

This becomes the first dwelling place in ME of the host of Fëanor and his seven sons.

After the great battle that the Fëanoreans have held, known as the Dagor-nuin-Giliath or the Battle-under-Stars? (see further the chapter - The Wars of FiA, The Wars of Beleriand), in which Feanor is killed, the Noldor come back to Mithrim.

There they meet the Grey-elves.

From the The Silmarillion:

"Now in Mithrim there dwelt Grey-elves, folk of Beleriand that had wandered north over the mountains, and the Noldor met them with gladness, as kinsfolk long sundered; but speech at first was not easy between them, for in their long severance the tongues of the Calaquendi in Valinor and of the Moriquendi in Beleriand had drawn far apart.

From the Elves in Mithrim the Noldor learn of the power of EluThingol?, King in Doriath, and the girdle of enchantment that fences his realm; and "tidings of these great deeds in the north came south to Menegroth, and to the havens of Brithombar and Eglarest."

But the sons of Fëanor are never accepted by Thingol and hostile relations are established between these two large clans of the Elves, which in the future years will bring to bitter events.

The Host of Fingolfin

From the The Silmarillion:

"Now rumour came to the camp in Hithlum of the march of Fingolfin and those that followed him, who had crossed the Grinding Ice; and all the world lay then in wonder at THE COMING OF THE MOON.
"But as the host of Fingolfin marched into Mithrim THE SUN ROSE flaming in the West; and Fingolfin unfurled his blue and silver banners, and blew his horns, and flowers sprang beneath his marching feet, and THE AGES OF THE STARS WERE ENDED."

Thus starts the counting of the years of the FirstAge.

Fingolfin marches victoriously through the lands of ME, as Morgoth and his hosts have hidden in Angband in fear of the new light.

Fingolfin then meets the sons of Fëanor at Mithrim.

"Therefore coming at length to Hithlum he made his first camp and dwelling by the northern shores of Lake Mithrim."

"Then there was peril of strife between the hosts; but grievous as were their losses upon the road, the people of Fingolfin and of Finrod son of Finarfin were still more numerous than the followers of Fëanor, and these now withdrew before them, and removed their dwelling to the southern shore; and the lake lay between them."

After Fëanor's death and the rescue of Maedros from being captured by Melkor, the lordship over the Noldor passes to the house of Fingolfin "both in Elendë and in Beleriand"

At that time the Noldor send out many messengers to explore the vast lands and to seek contacts with the Elves of Beleriand.


Noldorian Kingdoms    

In the first years after the rising of the Sun, and in constant vigilance for assault on part of Melkor, the sons of Fëanor soon start to spread out in the lands of Beleriand.

"When twenty years of the Sun had passed, Fingolfin King of the Noldor made a great feast; and it was held in the spring near to the pools of Ivrin. The joy of that feast was long remembered in later days of sorrow; and it was called Mereth Aderthad, the Feast of Reuniting.

In the atmosphere of achieved peace, the Noldorians spread and form their realms.

Through decades, exploring the lands of ME, establishing contacts with their kin, and fighting another great battle, known as the Dagor Aglareb, the Glorious Battle. (see further chapter "Wars of FiA" ), comes a time of peace for the Noldor and for the peoples of whole Beleriand, that lasted for almost two hundred years -{The Long Peace}?".

"In all that time there were but affrays on the marches, and all Beleriand prospered and grew rich. Behind the guard of their armies in the north the Noldor built their dwellings and their towers, and many fair things they made in those days, and poems and histories and books of lore.

"In many parts of the land the Noldor and the Sindar became welded into one people, and spoke the same tongue; though this difference remained between them, that the Noldor had the greater power of mind and body and were the mightier warriors and sages, and they built with stone, and loved the hill-slopes and open lands. But the Sindar had the fairer voices and were more skilled in music, save only Maglor son of Fëanor, and they loved the woods and the riversides; and some of the Grey-elves still wandered far and wide without settled abode, and they sang as they went."

The settlement of the Noldor and the formation of their kingdoms, is considered as one of the most essential events of the FirstAge, hence of the whole history of Middle-earth.

The coming of the High Elves from the lands of the Gods, and the fact that they bring knowledge unknown by the peoples of Middle-earth by that time, results in a rapid development of the economy and the cultural and social life of that part of the world.

On the other hand, in the absence of the Valar in Middle-earth, the High Noldor become the "tutors" of the race of Men and pass to them a great part of their skills and knowledge.

Thus, the two most important races in ME, Elves and Men - the Children of Illuvatar, establish long-lasting friendly and loyal relations, that become the foundation for the further course of the historical development of Middle-earth.

Detailed description of the settlement of the Noldor in Beleriand is to be found in Chapters 13,14 and 15 of Quenta Silmarillion, in the Published Silmarillion.


II. The Coming of Men    

As the present Lecture is dealing with pure history, the Coming of Men and the establishment of this new race in the lands of Middle-earth is going to be viewed at from this only, historical, point of view, within the overall scope of the history of Middle-earth and of the FirstAge in particular.

This chapter is not envisaged to provide detailed analyses of the race itself in comparison to the other races in Arda, nor much detail is going to be given about the Houses of Men and their further development throughout the ages after the FiA, as these issues are going to be well interpreted and analysed in a few other lectures to come.

It is inevitable, of course, to start with the fact that the coming of Men is one of the most outstanding events of the FirstAge. It has an exceptional importance not only for this age in particular, but mostly for the future centuries in the history of Middle-earth, as in the years and millennia to come (starting as soon as at the beginning of the Second Age) the race of Men is meant to gain a very important role and to become the ruling Master of Middle-earth.

The whole social and hence, cultural and economical life of the center of Arda (ME) is thus to become subdued and dedicated to the development of this particular race, while the other races (Valar, Elves and Dwarves, etc.) fade and withdraw from it, leaving only memories of their rich knowledge, achievements and lore, which pass into the tales and legends of Men.

Two major events concern the race of Men within the scope of the years of the FirstAge:

A/ The awakening of Men
B/ The coming of Men into Beleriand and their participation in the wars of the other races against the common Enemy.

A/ The Awakening of Men – year 1 of the FiA

The coming of Men into the world is envisaged by Eru, the Creator alone. Noone from the Valar know when to expect their appearance, neither the Elves know it.

It is well known that the theme of the coming of the Second-born Children of Illuvatar was not present in the Music of the Ainur and neither the destiny nor the role of this new people is therefore within their powers.

Their presence and their future significance lie under the exceptional authority of Illuvatar.

The awakening of Men coincides (and one can definitely find a strong symbolic meaning) with the first rising of the Sun over the lands of Middle-earth.

The Simarillion; Chapter 12 "Of Men

"At the first rising of the Sun the Younger Children of Ilúvatar awoke in the land of Hildórien in the eastward regions of Middle-earth.

"The Atani they were named by the Eldar, the Second People, but they called them also Hildor, the Followers, and many other names.

Therefore, Men are often called the Children of the Sun, and in later years and ages, with the fading of the Elves, Men are said to have "usurped the Sun".

At the time of the awakening of Men, Middle-earth has been completely neglected by the Valar. However,

"There was little peril in the lands and hills; and there new things, devised long ages before in the thought of Yavanna and sown as seed in the dark, came at last to their budding and their bloom"

"In that time the air of Middle-earth became heavy with the breath of growth and mortality, and the changing and ageing of all things was hastened exceedingly; life teemed upon the soil and in the waters in the Second Spring of Arda, and the Eldar increased, and beneath the new Sun Beleriand grew green and fair."

This is the world the eyes of the first Fathers of Men, the Atanatári, see around when they awake. The world surrounding them is full of unknown both friendly and dangerous creatures and Men wish to explore and name them. So is speech of men created.

"To Hildórien there came no Vala to guide Men, or to summon them to dwell in Valinor; and Men have feared the Valar, rather than loved them, and have not understood the purposes of the Powers, being at variance with them, and at strife with the world"

Still, Men, as a race of speech, soon discover representatives of another speaking race, who happen to be Dark Elves, and soon they establish friendly relations "and Men became the companions and disciples in their childhood of these ancient folk, wanderers of the Elven-race who never set out upon the paths to Valinor, and knew of the Valar only as a rumour and a distant name.

"West, North, and South the children of Men spread and wandered, and their joy was the joy of the morning before the dew is dry, when every leaf is green."

B. The coming of Men in Beleriand - year 305 of the FiA

In various sources (J.R.R.Tolkien writings "Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth", the published Silmarillion etc.) it is said that in the first years of Men's existence, being not aided by the powers from Valinor, nor by the High Elves, they become subdued by Melkor - the only Vala with unquestionable authority in Middle-earth in those days.

The stories tell that after he has befriended them, he makes them his servants and strongly perverts their souls. To those, who do not obey, he shows his true "face", his cruelty and ruthless and merciless might.

Therefore, this obviously becomes the reason that a large host of men undertakes a long and perilous journey to the West in hope to find salvation from the "shadow" and find the "light of the West" that they have been listening about in the songs and tales of the Dark Elves.

These people come mainly form '''three houses of Men - of Bëor the Old, of Marach (= Hador) and of Haleth.'''

In Beleriand Men of Bëor the Old, are the first to come and they settle in North Ossiriand, in a valley among the foothills of the mountains of Ered Lindon, below the springs of Thalos.

There, after a little more than 300 years from the coming of the Sun have passed, the High Noldorian King Finrod Felagund "discovers" the Second-born Children of Illuvatar.

"In those days Elves and Men were of like stature and strength of body, but the Elves had greater wisdom, and skill, and beauty; and those who had dwelt in Valinor and looked upon the Powers as much surpassed the Dark Elves in these things as they in turn surpassed the people of mortal race."

Men have already had relations with Elves and have accepted them as their friends and have also learned that the elven people is deathless. The meeting and the establishment of new friendships with other Elves, who obviously possess much more knowledge, power and importance in the matters of the world, becomes a vital step in the development of Men as a race and in finding their role in the history of Middle-earth.

"In the dawn of years Elves and Men were allies and held themselves akin, and there were some among Men that learned the wisdom of the Eldar, and became great and valiant among the captains of the Noldor."

The establishment of these new relations between Men and the Noldor is eased also by the fact that the speech of Men has been actually built up and developed under the influence and with the help of the Dark Elves, who spoke a language similar to that of the Noldor. Besides, Felagund discovers that he may read the minds of Men.

However Men dwell in the lands of the Green-Elves?, and from these they receive no warm and friendly welcome.

By the elves request and following Finrod Felagunds's advice, " Bëor gathered all the wandering families and kindreds of his people, and they removed over Gelion, and took up their abode in the lands of Amrod and Amras, upon the east banks of the Celon south of Nan Elmoth, near to the borders of Doriath; and the name of that land thereafter was Estolad, the Encampment."

Soon other Men, the Haladin, cross the mountains and come to Ossiriand, but as they meet unfriendly attitude on part of the llocal Gren-Elves? they turn North and settle in Thargelion, in the country of Caranthir son of Fëanor.

Another year later To Beleriand come the Men of the House of Marach.

"Marach, hearing that the people of Bëor were dwelling in a green and fertile land, came down the Dwarf-road, and settled in the country south; and east of the dwellings of Baran son of Bëor; and there was great friendship between those peoples."

Soon Noldor and Sindar Elves come among Men and establish friendly relations with the newcomers. They call Men Edain in the speech of Beleriand, and this name refers only to those of the three houses of Men that have settled in Beleriand and have become Elf-friends.

At that time Fingolfin is King of all the Noldor sends messages to the Edain to welcome them.

"then many young and eager men of the Edain went away and took service with the kings and lords of the Eldar"''

Men, soon spread in Beleriand mingling with the elven people.

"at first little by little, but later in families and kindreds, they arose and left Estolad, until after some fifty years many thousands had entered the lands of the Kings. Most of these took the long road northwards, until the ways became well known to them."
The people of Bëor came to Dorthonion and dwelt in lands ruled by the house of Finarfin."
The people of Aradan (for Marach his father remained in Estolad until his death) for the most part went on westward; and some came to Hithlum, but Magor son of Aradan and many of the people passed down Sirion into Beleriand and dwelt a while in the vales of the southern slopes of Ered Wethrin."

However, King Thingol is not satisfied with the presence of Men and he forbids any man to enter Doriath.

"But many Men remained in Estolad, and there was still a mingled people living there long years after, until in the ruin of Beleriand they were overwhelmed or fled back into the East."
For beside the old who deemed that their wandering days were over there were not a few who desired to go their own ways, and they feared the Eldar and the light of their eyes; and then dissensions awoke among the Edain, in which the shadow of Morgoth may be discerned, for certain it is that he knew of the coming of Men into Beleriand and of their growing friendship with the Elves."

Seeing that Men have been received in friendship in Beleriand and acknowledging the threat of possible allied forces of Elves and Men against him, Melkor starts his first assaults on Men, the first stroke to come upon the Haladin.

In a heavy battle a lot of men perish but then, with the help of Carantir, Melkor's Orcs are defeated.

In that House there is a valiant woman called Haleth, who gathers all the remnants of her people and go to Estolad. From there Haleth leads her people through dangerous roads between the Girdle of Melian and the Mountains of Terror and so they reach new lands yet remain scattered folk.

Still another part of them follow the Lady Haleth and she leads them to the Forest of Brethil, between Teiglin and Sirion.

These are lands under King Thingol's rule, so even not pleased by the presence of the People of Haleth but following Felagund’s advice he finally consents under the condition that Men should guard the Crossings of Teiglin against all enemies of the Eldar, and allow no Orcs to enter their woods.

So Men spread and settle in Beleriand, some living as scattered homesteads, others in more organised communities and a great number, mingling with the elves in their respective kingdoms.

It is under the advice of Elf-Kings? that Men appoint lords of their own kind, set regions apart where they could live their own lives, and appoint chieftains to hold these lands freely.

"They were the allies of the Eldar in war, but marched under their own leaders. Yet many of the Edain had delight in the friendship of the Elves, and dwelt among them for so long as they had leave; and the young men often took service for a time in the hosts of the kings "

To Hador Lórindol, son of Hathol, son of Magor, son of Malach Aradan, the kingship over Dor-lómin was granted by Fingolfin himself and strong friendship has been established between those two hosts. Soon Hador gathers many men and builds one of the first strong kingdoms of Men.

"In his house only the Elven-tongue was spoken; but their own speech was not forgotten, and from it came the common tongue of Númenor".

In Dorthonion the lordship of the people of Bëor and the country of Ladros was given to Boromir, son of Boron, who was the grandson of Bëor the Old.

The people of these two kingdoms give descendents of extreme importance for the course of the historical events in ME, such as Barahir, Húrin and Huor, Túrin the Bane of Glaurung, Tuor, father of Eärendil and many other heroes of those old days.

"All these were caught in the net of the Doom of the Noldor; and they did great deeds which the Eldar remember still among the histories of the Kings of old. And in those days the strength of Men was added to the power of the Noldor, and their hope was high."


III. The Wars of the FirstAge    

1/ Wars of Beleriand

2/ War of Wrath


IV. End of the FirstAge. Conclusions    

After the War of Wrath, “there was a great building of ships upon the shores of the Western Sea; and thence in many a fleet the Eldar set sail into the West, and came never back to the lands of weeping and of war.”

The Vanyar and a lot of the Elves from Beleriand return to the West. Most of them settle on Tol Eressëa

“and there is in that land a haven that is named Avallónë, for it is of all cities the nearest to Valinor, and the tower of Avallónë is the first sight that the mariner beholds when at last he draws nigh to the Undying Lands over the leagues of the Sea.”

“They were admitted again to the love of Manwë and the pardon of the Valar; and the Teleri forgave their ancient grief, and the curse was laid to rest.”

However, Middle-earth is not completely abandoned by the Elves.

“Among those were Círdan the Shipwright, and Celeborn of Doriath, with Galadriel his wife, who alone remained of those who led the Noldor to exile in Beleriand. In Middle-earth dwelt also Gil-galad the High King, and with him was Elrond Half-elven, who chose, as was granted to him, to be numbered among the Eldar; but Elros his brother chose to abide with Men.”

Morgoth himself the Valar thrust through the Door of Night beyond the Walls of the World, into the Timeless Void; and a guard is set for ever on those walls, and Eärendil keeps watch upon the ramparts of the sky”.

Manwë then summons the Council of the Valar and it is decided to save the men of the Houses of the faithful Edain who have suffered greatly for the cause of the West.

“To the Fathers of Men of the three faithful houses rich reward also was given. Eönwë came among them and taught them; and they were given wisdom and power and life more enduring than any others of mortal race have possessed.”

Then Ossë makes an island for the Edain
“neither part of Middle-earth nor of Valinor, for it was sundered from either by a wide sea; yet it was nearer to Valinor.”

“And it was established by Aulë and enriched by Yavanna; and the Eldar brought thither flowers and fountains out of Tol Eressëa. That land the Valar called Andor, the Land of Gift

Guided by the star of Earendil, Men cross the seas and reach the isle and settle there with the blessing of the Gods and the friendship of the Elves from the West.

“And they called that land Elenna, which is Starwards; but also Anadûnë, which is Westernesse, Númenórë in the High Eldarin tongue.”

Thus ends the FirstAge – the Age of the Wars of the Jewels, the Age of some of the greatest events in the whole history of Middle-earth and whole Arda.

It is the Age of great achievements, too. Throughout its entire further history Middle-earth knows no greater or more glorious kingdoms ever built as those of the Noldor.

It is the Age of achieved highest knowledge and strong development of the economical, cultural and social life of the societies of the peoples in Middle-earth.

It is the Age of the highest development of the race of the Elves. The lore gathered and achieved in those years becomes the foundation for the welfare of the future societies of the race of Men. For centuries and ages afterwards, Men are guided by the memories of the years of this age and their greatest endeavours are constantly directed towards reaching the splendour of the First Age – achievements.

Therefore the FirstAge can be definitely considered as the Age of the dawn of the glory of Middle-earth.


LhunRoss
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