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Timeline Event

Days of dearth: famine in Rohan and Eriador follows the Long Winter

Event Type: Environment/Disease

Age: 3rd Age - The Stewards

Years: 2759 ~ 2760

Description:


2758-9: The Long Winter follows. Great suffering and loss of life in Eriador and Rohan. Gandalf comes to the aid of the Shire-folk.

The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix B, The Tale of Years: The Third Age

[Said Gandalf,] 'And then there was the Shire-folk. I began to have a warm place in my heart for them in the Long Winter, which none of you can remember. They were very hard put to it then: one of the worst pinches they have been in, dying of cold, and starving in the dreadful dearth that followed. But that was the time to see their courage, and their pity one for another. It was by their pity as much as by their tough uncomplaining courage that they survived.'

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 3, The Quest of Erebor: Appendix

Soon afterwards the Long Winter began, and Rohan lay under snow for nearly five months (November to March, 2758-9). Both the Rohirrim and their foes suffered grievously in the cold, and in the dearth that lasted longer. In Helm's Deep there was a great hunger after Yule; and being in despair, against the king's counsel, Háma his younger son led men out on a sortie and foray, but they were lost in the snow. Helm grew fierce and gaunt for famine and grief ... The Dunlendings said that if he could find no food he ate men. That tale lasted long in Dunland.

The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: The House of Eorl

... the Dunlendings remained in occupation of Isengard until, reduced by the great famine after the Long Winter (2758-9) they were starved out and capitulated to Fréaláf ...

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 5, The Battles of the Fords of Isen: Appendix

2726-2798
10. Fréaláf Hildeson. In his time Saruman came to Isengard, from which the Dunlendings had been driven. The Rohirrim at first profited by his friendship in the days of dearth and weakness that followed.

The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: The House of Eorl

Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 15Aug04

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