Of Calendars

In the appendices of The Return of the King Tolkien gives many back-stories and timelines in regards to the histories of Middle-earth. If you had any question of the depth of Tolkien's 'sub-creation' there are extensive family trees for Hobbits, calendars--for Hobbits, Elves, and Men; grammar rules for Elven tongues, and various histories of other languages spoken in Middle-earth. It is extensive (nearly 40 pages worth) and detailed. I have the feeling it is only the tip of the iceberg in Tolkien's mind. If you've read Leaf by Niggle and see the artist's consumption with his ever expanding work of art you have to wonder if it Tolkien is writing a commentstory of his life. Here are some highlights I'd like to point out regarding the calendars:

• An Elvish year was 52, 596 days. Essentially 144 years to humans. Though being immortal I don't know that they even needed this delineation. 
• In the Shire calendar every month had 30 days; the beginning of the week was Saturday and the last day of the week was Friday. 
• To equal 365 days a year the Shire calendar had several holidays that did not fall on a day of the week: Lithe 1, followed by Midyear's Day, followed by Lithe 2 (these fell in between June and July), and at the end of the year was Yule 1 and Yule 2. 
• Shire Reckoning started in 1601 Third Age; when the Hobbits inhabited the Shire. Therefore there is a 1600 year difference between Shire Reckoning and Númenorean/Dúnedain calendar. For example, the overthrow of Sauron took place in 3019 Third Age or 1419 Shire Reckoning. 
• March 25th marked the New Year in the Númenorean/Dúnedain calendar
• "The Fourth Age was said to have begun with the departure of Master Elrond, which took place in September 3021; but for purposes of record in the Kingdom Fourth Age I was the year that began according to the New Reckoning in March 25, 3021 old style" (p. 390, The Return of the King). 
• In Aragorn's kingdom a feast was held at the end of September as festival honoring Frodo. In Leap Year's an extra day of feast was added called Cormare or Ringday. 

Middle-earth timeline: End of Third Age/Beginning of Fourth

Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 384-395