Ages of Lord of the Rings Characters
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How Old Is Bilbo? Frodo? Aragorn? Etc?
The Lord of the Rings appendices give us tons of information, including the ages of most of the characters. But it's a chore sifting through all that information, correlating dates in The Tale of Years, family trees and so on.
So here's a page with the ages of all the characters in The Lord of the Rings and in The Hobbit, which took place 77-78 years earlier.
Left: "Bilbo Comes to the Huts of the Raft-Elves," watercolor by J.R.R. Tolkien found in J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator
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Most of The Hobbit
(Bilbo's adventure with the Dwarves) takes place in Third Age 2941, but he returns in the winter and doesn't get home until early 2942. For characters alive during the events of The Hobbit, I will give their "Hobbit Age" in the year 2941 T.A.
In The Lord of the Rings: 50th Anniversary, One Vol. Edition
, Frodo leaves Bag-end in September 3018, but does not set out from Rivendell until December 25. So the journey of the Fellowship, the fall of Sauron and the crowning of Aragorn take place in 3019. However, as some characters don't survive the whole story, I'm going to give everyone's age at the start of LOTR, in the year 3018.
So here's a page with the ages of all the characters in The Lord of the Rings and in The Hobbit, which took place 77-78 years earlier.
Left: "Bilbo Comes to the Huts of the Raft-Elves," watercolor by J.R.R. Tolkien found in J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator
.Most of The Hobbit
(Bilbo's adventure with the Dwarves) takes place in Third Age 2941, but he returns in the winter and doesn't get home until early 2942. For characters alive during the events of The Hobbit, I will give their "Hobbit Age" in the year 2941 T.A.In The Lord of the Rings: 50th Anniversary, One Vol. Edition
, Frodo leaves Bag-end in September 3018, but does not set out from Rivendell until December 25. So the journey of the Fellowship, the fall of Sauron and the crowning of Aragorn take place in 3019. However, as some characters don't survive the whole story, I'm going to give everyone's age at the start of LOTR, in the year 3018.Ages of the Dwarves in the Hobbit
So I'm not repeating myself...
On this page I'm covering the ages of characters of The Lord of the Rings. I haven't given all the ages of the Dwarves in The Hobbit below, because I already covered them in another article:
How Old Is Aragorn?
Strider, King Elessar, Elfstone, Trotter...er, wait, scratch that...
Aragorn, aka King Elessar
Parents: Gilraen and Arathorn II of the Dúnedain
Born: March 1st, 2931 of Third Age
Died: March 1st, 120 of Fourth Age
Age in The Hobbit: 10*
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 87
*being raised as Elrond's foster-son at the time, he almost certainly saw Bilbo, Gandalf and the dwarves pass through Rivendell
Parents: Gilraen and Arathorn II of the Dúnedain
Born: March 1st, 2931 of Third Age
Died: March 1st, 120 of Fourth Age
Age in The Hobbit: 10*
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 87
*being raised as Elrond's foster-son at the time, he almost certainly saw Bilbo, Gandalf and the dwarves pass through Rivendell
Arwen Undomiel
Daughter of Elrond
Arwen Undómiel (Evenstar)
Parents: Elrond and Celebrían
Born: 241 of Third Age
Died: 120 of Fourth Age
Age in The Hobbit: 2700*
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 2777
*At the time she was living in Lothlórien with her maternal grandparents, Galadriel and Celeborn; Aragorn, living in Rivendell, first met her "newly returned" to her birth-home when he was 20.
Parents: Elrond and Celebrían
Born: 241 of Third Age
Died: 120 of Fourth Age
Age in The Hobbit: 2700*
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 2777
*At the time she was living in Lothlórien with her maternal grandparents, Galadriel and Celeborn; Aragorn, living in Rivendell, first met her "newly returned" to her birth-home when he was 20.
How Old Is Bilbo?
The Hobbit Who Started It All
Bilbo Baggins
Parents: Bungo Baggins, Belladonna Took
Born: September 22, 2890 of Third Age
Died: unknown (sailed to Elvenhome)
Age in The Hobbit: 51*
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 128
*Bilbo started on the journey at age 50; he celebrated his 51st birthday in Lake-Town.
Parents: Bungo Baggins, Belladonna Took
Born: September 22, 2890 of Third Age
Died: unknown (sailed to Elvenhome)
Age in The Hobbit: 51*
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 128
*Bilbo started on the journey at age 50; he celebrated his 51st birthday in Lake-Town.
How Old Is Boromir?
Son of Denethor Steward of Gondor
Boromir, Captain of the White Tower
Parents: Finduilas of Dol Amroth and Denethor Steward of Minas Tirith
Born: 2978 of Third Age
Died: February 26, 3019 of Third Age
Age in The Hobbit: --
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 40
Parents: Finduilas of Dol Amroth and Denethor Steward of Minas Tirith
Born: 2978 of Third Age
Died: February 26, 3019 of Third Age
Age in The Hobbit: --
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 40
Important!
How Long Are the Ages of Middle-earth?
First Age lasted for 590 years, until the downfall of Morgoth and the drowning of Beleriand, the western lands of Middle-earth.
Second Age lasted for 3441 years, until the defeat of Sauron by the Last Alliance.
Third Age lasted for 3021 years, until the Ringbearers (minus Sam) left Middle-earth.
Total: 7052 years
And some Elves, like Galadriel, are even older, born before time was counted in years.
Second Age lasted for 3441 years, until the defeat of Sauron by the Last Alliance.
Third Age lasted for 3021 years, until the Ringbearers (minus Sam) left Middle-earth.
Total: 7052 years
And some Elves, like Galadriel, are even older, born before time was counted in years.
How Old Is Celeborn?
Husband of Galadriel
Celeborn is another who was probably born before the First Age, or at latest was born during it, so he's at least 6600 years old and probably older.
How Old Is Denethor?
Steward of Gondor, Son of Ecthelion II
Lord Denethor Son of Ecthelion
Born: 2930 of Third Age
Died: March 15, 3019 Third Age
Age in The Hobbit: 11
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 88
Denethor was one year older than Aragorn, and as a young man his rival when Aragorn served Denethor's father under the name Thorongil.
Born: 2930 of Third Age
Died: March 15, 3019 Third Age
Age in The Hobbit: 11
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 88
Denethor was one year older than Aragorn, and as a young man his rival when Aragorn served Denethor's father under the name Thorongil.
How Old Are Elladan and Elrohir?
Twin Sons of Elrond
Elladan and Elrohir, the Peredhil (Half-Elven)
Parents: Elrond and Celebrían
Born: 130 of the Third Age
Died: Unknown*
Age in The Hobbit: 2811
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 2888
*There's something odd about Elrond's sons: the children of Elrond were supposed to choose whether to be accounted mortal or immortal when he left Middle-earth, and if they stayed, they'd be accounted mortal. But the sons of Elrond remained after he left in order to mop up the remaining orcs of the Misty Mountains who had once captured and tormented their mother. Presumably, however, they made the choice to follow their father, and were allowed to do so; otherwise there would have been some fuss made over the fact that all three of his children chose to die instead of going to the Undying Lands.
Parents: Elrond and Celebrían
Born: 130 of the Third Age
Died: Unknown*
Age in The Hobbit: 2811
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 2888
*There's something odd about Elrond's sons: the children of Elrond were supposed to choose whether to be accounted mortal or immortal when he left Middle-earth, and if they stayed, they'd be accounted mortal. But the sons of Elrond remained after he left in order to mop up the remaining orcs of the Misty Mountains who had once captured and tormented their mother. Presumably, however, they made the choice to follow their father, and were allowed to do so; otherwise there would have been some fuss made over the fact that all three of his children chose to die instead of going to the Undying Lands.
How Old Is Elrond?
The "Half-Elven"
Elrond of Rivendell
Parents: Eärendil and Elwing
Born: 132 of First Age
Died: Never
Age in The Hobbit: 6440
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 6517
*He was called Peredhel, "The Half-Elven," but was actually... oh, I can't do the math. Here's his family tree from my article on Elrond and Elros:
Parents: Eärendil and Elwing
Born: 132 of First Age
Died: Never
Age in The Hobbit: 6440
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 6517
*He was called Peredhel, "The Half-Elven," but was actually... oh, I can't do the math. Here's his family tree from my article on Elrond and Elros:
How Old Is Éomer?
Sister-Son of King Théoden
Éomer, Third Marshal of the Riddermark (later, King)
Parents: Éomund and and Théodwyn
Born: 2991 of the Third Age
Died: 63 of the Fourth Age (age at death: 102)
Age in The Hobbit: not born yet
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 27*
*Aragorn first meets &Eomer on Feb 30 (Middle-earth months have 30 days), 3019; Siege of Helm's Deep on Mar 3.
Parents: Éomund and and Théodwyn
Born: 2991 of the Third Age
Died: 63 of the Fourth Age (age at death: 102)
Age in The Hobbit: not born yet
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 27*
*Aragorn first meets &Eomer on Feb 30 (Middle-earth months have 30 days), 3019; Siege of Helm's Deep on Mar 3.
How Old Is Éowyn?
Sister of Éomer
Éowyn of Rohan, later Lady of the Shield-Arm
Parents: Éomund and and Théodwyn
Born: 2995 of the Third Age
Died: Unknown
Age in The Hobbit: not born yet
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 23
Parents: Éomund and and Théodwyn
Born: 2995 of the Third Age
Died: Unknown
Age in The Hobbit: not born yet
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 23
How Old Is Faramir?
Younger Brother of Boromir
Faramir, later Prince of Ithilien
Parents: Finduilas of Dol Amroth and Denethor Steward of Minas Tirith
Born: 2983 of Third Age
Died: Unknown
Age in The Hobbit: --
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 35
Parents: Finduilas of Dol Amroth and Denethor Steward of Minas Tirith
Born: 2983 of Third Age
Died: Unknown
Age in The Hobbit: --
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 35
How Old Is Frodo?
The Ringbearer
Frodo Baggins
Parents: Drogo Baggins, Primula Brandybuck
Born: September 22, 2968 of Third Age
Died: Unknown
Age in The Hobbit: not born yet
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 50*
*The Ring kept him looking like he was 33, his age at the farewell Birthday Party when Bilbo left him the Ring.
Parents: Drogo Baggins, Primula Brandybuck
Born: September 22, 2968 of Third Age
Died: Unknown
Age in The Hobbit: not born yet
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 50*
*The Ring kept him looking like he was 33, his age at the farewell Birthday Party when Bilbo left him the Ring.
How Old Is Galadriel?
Lady of Light
Lady Galadriel
Parents: Finarfin son of Finwë and Eärwen daughter of Olwë (brother of Thingol)
Born: Before the First Age
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: unknown, but more than 7000 years old
Parents: Finarfin son of Finwë and Eärwen daughter of Olwë (brother of Thingol)
Born: Before the First Age
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: unknown, but more than 7000 years old
How Old Is Gandalf?
aka Mithrandir (Sindarin Elvish), Olórin (High-Elven)
Gandalf is a Maia, essentially an angel in disguise. So he's existed since the beginning of creation (and earlier). But he took on the form of Gandalf the Grey and came to Middle-earth around the year 1000 of the Third Age, 2000 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings.
How Old Is Gimli?
Son of Glóin
Gimli the Dwarf
Parents: Glóin & ???
Born: 2879 of Third Age
Last Seen: Fourth Age 120*
Age in The Hobbit: 62 (and considered a stripling)
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 139
*It is said that after King Elessar (Aragorn) died, Legolas took Gimli with him on a ship to Elvenhome to meet Galadriel again. (Tol Eressëa, an island off the shore of the Undying Lands,, did not confer immortality on mortals, it simply took away all their cares. Sam, Bilbo, and Frodo went there.)
Parents: Glóin & ???
Born: 2879 of Third Age
Last Seen: Fourth Age 120*
Age in The Hobbit: 62 (and considered a stripling)
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 139
*It is said that after King Elessar (Aragorn) died, Legolas took Gimli with him on a ship to Elvenhome to meet Galadriel again. (Tol Eressëa, an island off the shore of the Undying Lands,, did not confer immortality on mortals, it simply took away all their cares. Sam, Bilbo, and Frodo went there.)
How Old Is Gollum?
aka Sméagol
We don't know exactly when he was born, but originally Gollum was just a Hobbit, a race that tended to live 100 years or so without a Ring of Power to prolong life.
The Tale of Years shows that Gollum found the Ring in 2463, making him about 500 years old when Bilbo first met him in 2941.
The Tale of Years shows that Gollum found the Ring in 2463, making him about 500 years old when Bilbo first met him in 2941.
How Old Is Legolas?
Son of Thranduil
We seldom know ages with Elves, but Legolas seems fairly young, possibly born in the Second or even the Third Age (and thus less than 3000 years old).
His father Thranduil was King of Mirkwood. Although the name "Legolas Greenleaf" shows up in early, unpublished texts by Tolkien describing the Fall of Gondolin in the First Age, this is probably a casual borrowing rather than the same character (Tolkien didn't know we'd be poring over all his unpublished scribbles). See my article on Legolas of Mirkwood for an in-depth discussion of clues as to Legolas' approximate age.
His father Thranduil was King of Mirkwood. Although the name "Legolas Greenleaf" shows up in early, unpublished texts by Tolkien describing the Fall of Gondolin in the First Age, this is probably a casual borrowing rather than the same character (Tolkien didn't know we'd be poring over all his unpublished scribbles). See my article on Legolas of Mirkwood for an in-depth discussion of clues as to Legolas' approximate age.
How Old Is Merry?
aka Meriadoc, Holdwine (his name in Riddermark)
Meriadoc ("Merry") Brandybuck, later Master of Buckland
Parents: Saradoc Brandybuck and Esmerelda Took
Born: 2982 of Third Age
Died: Unknown*
Age in The Hobbit: not yet born
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 36
*When quite old, Merry returned to the Riddermark to be with King Éomer when he died in year 63 of the Fourth Age; then Merry and Pippen went on to Minas Tirith where they spent their final years with Aragorn/Elessar and were buried there.
Parents: Saradoc Brandybuck and Esmerelda Took
Born: 2982 of Third Age
Died: Unknown*
Age in The Hobbit: not yet born
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 36
*When quite old, Merry returned to the Riddermark to be with King Éomer when he died in year 63 of the Fourth Age; then Merry and Pippen went on to Minas Tirith where they spent their final years with Aragorn/Elessar and were buried there.
How Old Is Pippin?
Great-Grandson of the Old Took
Peregrin ("Pippin") Took, Later the Thain of the Shire
Parents: Paladin Took and Eglantine Banks*
Born: 2990 of Third Age
Died: first century of Fourth Age (see note on Merry aboe)
Age in The Hobbit: not yet born
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 28
*Merry and Pippin were first cousins, and second cousins of Frodo.
Parents: Paladin Took and Eglantine Banks*
Born: 2990 of Third Age
Died: first century of Fourth Age (see note on Merry aboe)
Age in The Hobbit: not yet born
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 28
*Merry and Pippin were first cousins, and second cousins of Frodo.
How Old Is Rosie Cotton?
Sam's sweetheart
Rose ("Rosie") Cotton
Parents: Tolman (Tom) Cotton and Lily Brown
Born: 2984 of Third Age
Died: Mid-year's Day, year 61 of Fourth Age; age 98
Age in The Hobbit: not yet born
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 34
Parents: Tolman (Tom) Cotton and Lily Brown
Born: 2984 of Third Age
Died: Mid-year's Day, year 61 of Fourth Age; age 98
Age in The Hobbit: not yet born
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 34
How Old Is Sam?
Samwise Son of Hamfast
Samwise ("Sam") Gamgee, later Mayor of Hobbiton
Parents: Hamfast Gamgee and Bell Goodchild
Born: April 6 (?), 2983* of Third Age
Last seen: Mid-year's Day, year 61 of Fourth Age
Age in The Hobbit: not yet born
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 35*
*Sam's age is uncertain; it is either 38 or 35. The Tale of Years in the Appendix of ROTK says he was born in 2983. His family tree right after the Tale of Years says 2980. I suspect Tolkien meant for Sam to be born in 2980, but while writing the Tale of Years thought it might be nice to have Sam and Faramir the same age; also, there were several other events marked out in 2980 which made that entry rather busy.
After Mistress Rose his wife passed away in F.A. 61, Sam went to the Havens and sailed after Frodo, presumably dying in Tol Eressëa.
Parents: Hamfast Gamgee and Bell Goodchild
Born: April 6 (?), 2983* of Third Age
Last seen: Mid-year's Day, year 61 of Fourth Age
Age in The Hobbit: not yet born
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 35*
*Sam's age is uncertain; it is either 38 or 35. The Tale of Years in the Appendix of ROTK says he was born in 2983. His family tree right after the Tale of Years says 2980. I suspect Tolkien meant for Sam to be born in 2980, but while writing the Tale of Years thought it might be nice to have Sam and Faramir the same age; also, there were several other events marked out in 2980 which made that entry rather busy.
After Mistress Rose his wife passed away in F.A. 61, Sam went to the Havens and sailed after Frodo, presumably dying in Tol Eressëa.
How Old Is Théoden?
King of the Mark
King Théoden son of Thengel
Parents: King Thengel of Rohan and Morwen of Gondor
Born: 2948 of Third Age
Died: 3019 of Third Age (age 71)
Age in The Hobbit: not yet born
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 70
Interestingly, Théoden's father married and lived as a young man in Gondor, returning to Rohan to take up the kingship when Théoden was five.
Parents: King Thengel of Rohan and Morwen of Gondor
Born: 2948 of Third Age
Died: 3019 of Third Age (age 71)
Age in The Hobbit: not yet born
Age at start of The Lord of the Rings: 70
Interestingly, Théoden's father married and lived as a young man in Gondor, returning to Rohan to take up the kingship when Théoden was five.
How Old Are Tom Bombadil and Treebeard?
They can't BOTH be oldest, but...
Tom Bombadil says he's Eldest. So does Treebeard. It's Mythology; don't ask.
Tom Bombadil remembers time before the First Age, making him well over 7000 years old.
Treebeard remembers places in Beleriand that were flooded at the end of the First Age about 6500 years before the War of the Ring.
Tom Bombadil remembers time before the First Age, making him well over 7000 years old.
Treebeard remembers places in Beleriand that were flooded at the end of the First Age about 6500 years before the War of the Ring.
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Thanks For Dropping By!
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HarrietC
Mar 28, 2012 @ 2:14 am | delete
- really informative lens...thanks.
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Gabriel360
Mar 26, 2012 @ 10:37 pm | delete
- Pretty good, although some stuff I could say, isn't QUITE true.
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Tinw
Mar 29, 2012 @ 2:35 am | delete
- My numbers are gleaned from the Tale of Years in the appendices of LOTR. If you've discovered a mistake, please point it out and give a reference to Tolkien's writings (not the movies, which deviated significantly from the books) -- thanks!
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Dave
May 7, 2012 @ 8:04 am | delete
- One comment about Galadriel. Tolkien's Annals of Aman does contain a detailed chronology of events that took place during the Years of the Trees, including her birth. Using the conversion factor Tolkien had in mind when he constructed that chronology (9.6 solar years for each Valian year), you can get an age for Galadriel at the time of LOTR of about 8400 years. Tolkien apparently later revised the conversion factor upwards, but it's also almost as clear that he never went back and revised the chronology accordingly ... you get some very odd results if you just substitute the later value for the earlier. So using the chronology as it stands with the conversion he had in mind at the time is reasonable.
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Tinw
May 7, 2012 @ 10:58 pm | delete
- Thanks. I get a little lost on the Valian years and chickened out on giving a definite figure lest I get the conversion wrong. I will trust your maths!
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My Favorite Edition of Lord of the Rings
"Red Book" Hardcover edition
The Lord of the Rings (Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $170.00 (as of 06/02/2012)
Check for a third party seller price on this. Gorgeous, large single-volume edition of The Lord of the Rings with a leatherette cover in the style of the Doors of Moria make it really look like it's the "Red Book of Westmarch." I got it as a gift for my grandmother, and have inherited it. It's not my reading copy, but I treasure it, especially for the enormous pull-out map of Middle-earth in the end covers.
