As we all know, this month is April. Here’s a quick feature on April in Middle-earth – what happened, what people call it and so on.
Other Names For April
In Quenya, April was called Víressë. This name was used by most speakers of the Westron, but not by the Elves themselves (they followed another system, which we’ll explore later). In Sindarin, April is Gwirith. Again, the Sindarin equivalents were used only by the Dúnedain rather than the Elves. In the Shire, it’s Astron, and in Bree, Chithing. Quite a few names for one thing!
The Elves don’t use regular months; you could more accurately describe their year as having six short seasons. Our April falls during tuilë (which starts shortly before it), or in Sindarin, ethuil, both of which translate to Spring.
What Happened in April
There are many events of note that fell during one or another people’s concept of April, though they do not all actually fall during our April due to the fact the Shire calendar is ten days ahead of ours. Here are all the notable dates to be found, going by the Shire Reckoning in all but year count (all dates are Third Age unless otherwise stated).
Early April – Gandalf comes to the Shire looking for Bilbo. Bilbo’s gardener Holman informs the Wizard that Bilbo is away. (2941)
Many Hobbits (including Sam Gamgee) sit in the Green Dragon, discussing strange happenings – “queer folk” passing through the Shire and the sighting of a walking tree (perhaps an Entwife) by Sam’s cousin, Halfast. (301)
April 6 – Elvish New Year or yestarë (every year)
Eorl and the full muster of Rohan set out for Gondor to defend the land against invasion by the Balchoth. (2510 SA)
Sam’s birthday (born in 1380)
Meeting of Celeborn and Thranduil; they rename Mirkwood “the Wood of Greenleaves,” dividing the woods between them and giving the middle part to the the Beornings and Woodmen. (3019)
The mallorn flowers in the Party Field (3020)
April 8 – The Ring-bearers honoured on the Field of Cormallen. (3019)
April 12 – Gandalf arrives at Bag End to speak to Frodo. (301)
April 13 – Gandalf reveals Bilbo’s old ring to be the One Ring; Frodo decides to leave the Shire. (301)
April 15 – Eorl and his riders defeat the Balchoth upon the Field of Celebrant. (2510 SA)
April 21 – Thráin, father of Thorin Oakenshield, takes his father’s map and key and heads for the Lonely Mountain, hoping to reclaim it. He is unsuccessful and dies later in the dungeons of Sauron, the Necromancer. (2841)
April 25 – Gandalf visits Bilbo at Bag End; Bilbo invites him to tea the following day. (2941)
April 26 – Thirteen Dwarves plus Gandalf turn up for tea. Bilbo learns of the Quest of Erebor. (2941)
April 27 – Bilbo sets out for Erebor, meeting with Thorin and Company just in time to leave (2941).
April 29 – The Host of the West return to Osgiliath after Sauron’s downfall. (3019)
You can see that April was an important month – a month for beginnings, for the start of quests and for celebrations. We do not have information for every day in Middle-earth, but if this many can be found with references, who knows what other great deeds happened this month – or even this very day?
by Simbelmyne
