Summary
The Lord of the Ringsfranchise is notable for having an incredible volume of lore, and there have been many books written by JRR Tolkien about the world of Middle-earth that took place long before the events familiar to fans of theLord of the RingsandHobbitmovies.
During those earlier ages, there was a great deal of conflict. While some of this is being handled loosely by the TV seriesThe Rings Of Power, there is even more for fans to delve deeper into, particularly the various conflicts of Middle-earth in the time since creatures first came to settle there.
8The Battle Of The Powers
Melkor Vs. The Valar
One of the earliest known conflictsin the world of Middle-earth was between the Valar and Morgoth. Originally, the Valar were the God-like race that created Arda (the world Middle-earth is on), but Morgoth was one of their number who turned against them to the powers of darkness and began to corrupt some of the earliest elves.
The other Valar turned against Morgoth, and before even the creation of the sun and the moon, the first truly destructive battle rent across the world, transforming much of Middle-earth and causing absolute chaos. The Valar would end the battle by imprisoning Morgoth, though this would unfortunately not last forever.
7The First Kinslaying
Elves
Middle-earth itself was a peaceful place for a long time during the First Age, except for the battles of its Gods. This was the first time that elves ever fought against one another; they had never acted in any sort of violent way against their kinfolkuntil this battle at Alqualonde.
Many among the modern elves do not even know how this fight came to begin, but there was great bloodshed between the Noldor and the Teleri, and the Noldor won out but would later be cursed by the Valar for their actions. This battle set the scene for all battles to follow on Middle-earth, the idea of betrayal was a new one to the world at this time.
6The War Of Wrath
Morgoth Vs. Valar, Men, & Elves
The history of Middle Earth throughout the First Age primarily focuses on Morgoth, whose first lieutenant was Sauron, and his attempts to conquer everything. The War of Wrath was the final climactic ending to the First Age and the terror of Morgoth. The Valar sent a great host to stop this villain once and for all in a devastating conflict that nearly destroyed the entire world.
By the end of the battle,Morgoth had been subdued and defeated. He would be imprisoned for what equates to an eternity, while the destruction caused by the battle resulted in the sinking of Beleriand into the ocean, and the First Age of Middle Earth would come to an end.
5The War Of Eregion
Sauron’s Forces Vs. Elves of Eregion
The Second Age of Middle-earth (at least in terms of battles) focused mostly on Sauron’s initial attempt at conquest after Morgoth was imprisoned. This involved Sauron and his forces invading the Elvish land of Eregion and searching for the Elvish rings of power.
It was only with a mighty siege and the combined might of Elrond’s reinforcements, forces from Moria and Numenor, that they managed to push Sauron away. But it was written that from this moment and this great battle, there was never peace between the Elves and the Orcs.
4The Last Alliance
Sauron’s Forces Vs. Elves & Men
The Second Age of Middle-earth came to an end with the first defeat of the forces of Sauron. The final great war had many battles, but it all came down to the great victory achieved by Isildur whenhe managed to defeat Sauronhimself and take the One Ring, long before his own unfortunate demise. This moment ended the reign of terror that had been sweeping across the world.
Despite Sauron not dying in this battle as some thought he had, a great war was ended by thislast alliance of men and elvesattempting to make a final stand against Sauron’s hordes. While not perhaps as destructive as the end of the First Age, this was a defining moment and a horrific battle in the history of Middle-earth.
3The Field of Celebrant
Balchoth Vs. Gondor & Éothéod
One of the more recent major battles not spoken of much throughoutThe Lord of the Ringsis the battle of the Field of Celebrant, an important moment in the earlier part of the Third Age of Middle-earth. It was the aftermath of this battle that led to the creation of the nation of Rohan.
When Gondor was in a great battle against the Balchoth, a race of Easterlings, they sent word to Eorl the Young and his riders in the land of Eotheod. Eorl led 7,000 of his riders on a huge journey to the Field of Celebrant in order to save Gondor in their moment of need. This led to Eorl and his descendants being gifted the land, and Eorl was named the first King of Rohan.
2The Battle Of The Five Armies
Orcs & Wargs Vs. Men, Elves, & Dwarves
As detailed within the pages and the films ofThe Hobbit, the Battle of the Five Armies was not an era-defining conflict but rather a huge and unusual event that occurred during the Third Age. The battle came about as a result of Smaug’s death, and many who heard of the dragon’s demise wanted a piece of his vast treasure.
It led to a huge fight as the dwarves, elves, and men who were bickering among themselves joined together to fight the goblins of the Misty and Grey Mountains and managed to defeat them. Figures who would later be instrumental to the War of the Ring took part in this battle; the victory of the elves, dwarves, and men was vital.
1The Battle Of The Pelennor Fields
Sauron’s Forces Vs. Men
The final great battle of the Third Age was once again about defeating Sauron, though less directly this time. The dark lord had sent out a great host of his forces todestroy Minas Tirithand break the strength of those who resisted him. With the Elves mostly refusing to fight in this war, the kingdoms of men were all that stopped Sauron from achieving dominion.
Pelennor Fields was a huge fight, and many forces moved about it. From the early siege that the men of Minas Tirith managed to repel to the intervention of the Riders of Rohan, and later the death of theterrifying Witch King of Angmarand the final turning tide of Aragorn arriving with deadly reinforcements after defeating the Corsairs that were meant to bolster the enemy, this battle was one of the most complicated in the history of Middle Earth, and the result was the pushback of Sauron’s forces to Mordor.
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