his Osten Ard timeline is based, whenever possible, on the text of The Dragonbone Chair, Stone of Farewell, To Green Angel Tower, The Burning Man, The Heart of What Was Lost, and The Witchwood Crown. In some instances, Tad Williams has added some timeline information based on readers’ questions. Non-canonical information is marked as such. This timeline contains spoilers for all above mentioned books.
The abbreviations BF and FY are used throughout this timeline, but are not canonical. They stand for “Before the Founding of Nabban” and “Founding Year”, as Osten Ard years are numbered since the Founding of Nabban. In the text, dates such as “Founding Year 1201” are used.
❧ 8837 BF: Utuk’ku is born [Based on Williams’ non-canonical statement on the official message board that Utuk’ku was around 10,000 years old during the events of MS&T].
❧ 7252 BF: Nenais’u is born [Based on 10,000-year age of Utuk’ku and Sa’onserei line of descent].
❧ 5568 BF: Senditu is born [Based on 10,000-year age of Utuk’ku and Sa’onserei line of descent].
❧ 5000 BF: Amerasu is born [Based on 10,000-year age of Utuk’ku and Sa’onserei line of descent].
❧ Approx 4850 BF: Gardenborn reach Osten Ard [based on Tad Williams saying so in this Reddit AMA].
❧ After 4850 BF: Nine Gardenborn Cities are founded. They are:
- Asu’a, the Eastward-looking
- Nakkiga, the Mask of Tears
- Mezutu’a, the Silverhome
- Tumet’ai, once called “Hall of Dawn” in song
- Da’ai Chikiza, the Tree of the Singing Wind
- Hikehikayo
- Jhina T’senei
- Enki-e-Shao’saye, the Summer City
- Kementari
Other, smaller cities are also founded, but they are not considered among the Nine. Sesu’adra, the Stone of Farewell, is one of these smaller cities.
❧ After 4850 BF: The first mortals are encountered by the Gardenborn, migrating from the west. Nenais’u and Drukhi die; Gardenborn part. Jenjiyana of the Nightingales cedes Hikehikayo, Mezutua and Jhina T’senei to the Tinukeda’ya.
❧ 2946 BF: (roughly) Hakatri and (later) Ineluki are born [Based on 10,000-year age of Utuk’ku and Sa’onserei line of descent].
❧ approx. 1800 BF: Utuk’ku and her tribe enter Nakkiga and make it their home.
❧ 1338-1336 BF: The Conqueror Star appears in the sky during three consecutive years.
❧ 1042 BF: Likimeya is born [Based on 10,000-year age of Utuk’ku and Sa’onserei line of descent].
❧ 838-836 BF: The Conqueror Star appears in the sky during three consecutive years.
❧ 338-336 BF: The Conqueror Star appears in the sky during three consecutive years.
❧ FY 1: Nabban founded, presumably by Tiyagaris, the first Imperator (there is probably no ‘Year 0’, since Nabban appears to be at least partially based on ancient Rome/Italy; the Roman calendar had no ‘Year 0’).
❧ FY 1-FY 663: Nabbanai Imperators include Anitulles the Great.
❧ FY 164: The Conqueror Star appears in the sky.
❧ FY 165: The Conqueror Star appears in the sky for a second time.
❧ FY 166: The Conqueror Star appears for a third time. During the reign of Nabbanai Imperator Crexis the Goat, Usires Aedon is tortured and executed. [“the only event of pure conquest that ever saw the Conqueror Star’s light was the triumph of the Ransomer, Usires Aedon, since it shone in the skies above Nabban when Usires hung on the Execution Tree” –TGAT] A star-stone falls from the sky, destroying the Temple of Yuvenis, and it is made into the great Sword Thorn by a Smith.
❧ After FY 166: Hakatri is wounded in battle with the dragon Hidohebhi and leaves for the Unknown West, with his most trusted servant.[In TBM, Hakatri has heard of Usires, so he must have left after 166 AF]. His brother Ineluki grows fell and strange. Old Nabbanai religions die out and the Aedonite religion becomes dominant.
❧ Approx. FY 400: Poet Lu’uya of Nakkiga dies. [TWC: “More than a dozen Great Years had passed since Lu’uya’s death — almost eight mortal centuries”]
❧ Approx. FY 550: Bishop Fortis of Gemmia writes A Treatise on the Aetheric Whispers [TWC: “Like most educated men, he had heard countless rumors about the book, though all he knew of its author, Fortis the Recluse, was that he had been a bishop of the church who lived in the sixth century on the island of Warinsten, in those days still named Gemmia and still part of Nabban’s extensive empire.”] Fortis becomes mad and is confined in his abbey. [TWC: “It is said they drove Biship Fortis himself mad, and it is rumored that he spent his last days in confinement in his own abbey.”]
❧ Prior to FY 663: Enfortis, a weak ruler, becomes Imperator of Nabban. The people of Ijsgard flee that land, reaching Osten Ard and becoming Rimmersmen. At first, they only raid the coasts. But soon they migrate into the lands. King Elvrit founds Rimmergard. The city of Elvritshalla named in his honor. The great Sword Minneyar (Year of Memory) is forged by the Dwarrows; Elvrit slays Ruyan Ve in the haggling over the price of the Sword.
❧ FY 663: King Fingil Bloodfist of Rimmersgard attacks the Zida’ya; the battle of Ach Samrath sees Sithi and Hernystiri unite against Rimmersmen and Thrithings-folk (led by Nyunort). The Hernystiri (including Prince Sinnach) and the Sithi are routed.
❧ FY 666: The great Sword Sorrow (Jingizu) is forged using fell magics; King Iyu’Unigato the Erl-king is killed by Prince Ineluki. Asu’a falls; surviving Zida’ya flee to Aldheorte Forest, where city of Jao e-Tinukai’i is founded; remaining Tinukeda’ya at Asu’a are killed by the Rimmersmen; King Fingil founds Hayholt Castle on ruins of Asu’a.
❧ After FY 666: King Fingil’s son King Hjeldin rules for a number of years before leaping to his death from Hjeldin’s Tower. King Ikferdig, his lieutenant, takes his place. Ikferdig is killed by the dragon Shurakai.
❧ Between FY 667-1064: Prince Jiriki and Lady Aditu born (youngest Zida’ya is male, and is over 100 years old).
❧ approx. FY 800: Birth of Goh Gam Gar, oldest living giant.
❧ Prior to FY 901: Heron King Sulis rules Hayholt; Erkynchester (later Erchester) founded during his reign. His step-daughter Breda holds the castle until her death [TBM].
❧ approx. FY 901: Tanahaya born. [TWC: “She was young by the standards of her people, with only a few centuries upon the broad earth.”]
❧ approx. FY 901: King Tethtain rules Hernystir and Erkynland. Cult of Morriga dies out. [TWC: “No Hernystirman had openly sacrificed to her since before King Tethtain’s day, three centuries gone.] Dunath Tower built. [TWC: “Once, long ago in the days of Tethtain’s empire, it had served as a nobleman’s house at an important boundary between the king’s land and that of the hostile northmen.”]
❧ approx. FY 965: King Eahlstan founds the League of the Scroll. (DBC: “Eahlstan the Fisher King chartered our League 200 years ago”)
❧ After FY 965: King Eahlstan is killed by the dragon Shurakai. The Hayholt is abandoned once more.
❧ FY 1082: John of Warinsten arrives in Grenefod, spending the “better part of a year” (DBC) in Erkynland before going to the Hayholt with a spear.
❧ FY 1083, Decander 21st: Prester John slays the worm Shurakai and rides back in triumph through the gates of Erchester, starting his rule of almost 80 years with his great sword, Bright-Nail. Nabban and Rimmersgard are later added as duchies. His persecution of the Gardenborn begins.
❧ FY 1124: (roughly) Morgenes meets Cadrach in the Tethtain Library in Crannhyr. The two become friends. Later, Cadrach is introduced to other Scrollbearers.
❧ FY 1125: Sir Camaris disappears; thought drowned at sea (TGAT 1, p xxiv: “Camaris was thought to have died forty years [ago]”).
❧ FY 1149: Princess Hylissa gives birth to Princess Miriamele. Susanna, a Hayholt maid, dies in childbirth. The child, Seoman, is saved.
❧ After FY 1150: Princess Hylissa is killed in the Thrithings War. Prince Elias blames his brother, Prince Josua.
❧ FY 1158: Pasevalles is born in Nabban.
❧ FY 1163:
Novander 15th: Beginning of The Dragonbone Chair. [This contradicts most editions of DBC, ch. 4 which gives the date as Novander 15, 1164, yet it is still the correct date. The downfall of the Storm King must take place 500 years after the defeat of Asu’a (as the Conqueror Star appears in the sky every 500 years).
The first is 666 so the latter must be 1166. As three, not two, years pass between the quote and the final fight in TGAT and 1164+3=1167 this is an inconsistency. Williams has acknowledged the mistake: “Well that’s a mistake then. It should be 1163. Tell everybody to correct their books.” It is not necessary to correct the first edition mass-market US paperbacks, which have the correct date listed.]
Decander 21st: King John Presbyter dies on St. Tunath’s Day. 40 days pass before his burial.
❧ FY 1164:
Feyever 1st: John is buried and Elias, his firstborn son becomes High King of Osten Ard. The Conqueror Star appears in the sky at his coronation.
Spring/Summer: King Elias’ reign begins well, but there are secrets lurking below the calm facade.
Novander: Duke Isgrimnur mentions how unseasonably warm it’s been. The odd weather will continue into 1166.
❧ FY 1165:
Avrel 29th or 30th: Scrollbearer Ookequk suddenly dies while on the Dream Road.[link]
Avrel 30th: Stoning Night. Simon and Morgenes free Prince Josua from dungeons. Morgenes killed. Simon flees the Hayholt.[link]
Early Maia: Simon passes through Flett and then skirts around Sistan. Simon frees Prince Jiriki of the Zida’ya, and meets Binabik and Qantaqa.
Maia 16th thru 19th: Simon and Binabik reach St. Hoderund’s Abbey.[link]
Late Maia: Simon, Malachias, Leleth, Binabik and Qantaqa shelter at Geloe’s hut.
Maia 28th: Simon wakes up in Naglimund.[link]
Juven: Scrollbearer Jarnauga reaches Naglimund. Raed held.[link]
Juven: Battle of the Inniscritch. Cadrach and Miriamele sneak away from Naglimund.[link]
Juven: Naglimund falls. Many Frostmarch and Rimmersgard communities partially or fully abandoned. The Conqueror Star appears in the sky a second time.
Anitul 1st: Prince Josua and Vorzheva are wed.[link]
Anitul 5th: Prince Josua and his company arrive in Gadrinsett.[link]
Anitul 8th: Simon and Aditu enter Jao e-Tinukai’i.[link]
Octander: Battle of Stefflod Valley; Sir Deornoth killed (TGAT1, pg 530).
Novander: Princess Miriamele, Duke Isgrimnur, Tiamak and Sir Camaris reach Gadrinsett/New Gadrinsett (TGAT1, pg 655). Prince Josua and his supporters leave Sesu’adra at the end of Novander (“it was still nearly Decander on the open plains of the Thrithings” TGAT1, pg. 770).
❧ FY 1166:
Jonever/ Feyever Birth of Hugh ubh- Gwythinn
Avril: the birth of Josua and Vorzheva’s twins. [Some months for 1166 provided by Tad Williams on Aug 8, 2016]
The Conqueror Star appears in the sky for the third time [TGAT pg 792].
Yuven: Siege of the Hayholt. Simon Snowlock and Miriamele become rulers of Erkynland. [Some months for 1166 provided by Tad Williams on Aug 8, 2016]
Late Yuven: Isgrimnur leads a war-party north to Nakkiga. [THOWWL: “Why is it still so bloody cold here in late Yuven-month?”]
❧ FY 1167:
Spring: Events of the Afterword of To Green Angel Tower. Count Eolair is sent as emissary of Queen Inawhen to Erchester. Library planned at the Hayholt. (“‘A great deal can happen in a year,’ Strangyeard laughed”, TGAT2, pg 789).
❧ FY 1167/68 Prince John Josua born
❧ FY 1173: Jarnulf Godtru born [TWC: “I have seen twenty-eight summers.”]
❧ FY 1176: Prince Josua disappears
❧ FY 1179: Derra flees the Stallion Clan
❧ FY 1184: Derra arrives in Nakkiga
❧ approx. FY 1181: Second Thrithings War
❧ FY 1185: Birth of Prince Morgan.
❧ approx. FY 1191: King Simon’s last visit to Elvritshalla [TWC: “The duke’s chamber was much as Simon remembered from his last visit ten years ago or more”]
❧ FY 1194: Death of Prince John Josua. Birth of Princess Lillia. [TWC, p. 498: “an unhappy seven-year old”]
❧ FY 1196-1197: Aelin and Eolair meet at the Hayholt. [TWC: “He had last seen him a full four or five years earlier”]
❧ approx. FY 1198: Duchess Gutrun dies [TWC: “The news of Gutrun’s death several years ago had been one of the saddest days of Tiamak’s life.”]
❧ FY 1200: Queen Likimeya is attacked. [TWC: “Then, just a short year ago, while they were camped far to the west of this place,” Aditu went on, “our mother Likimeya and S’hue Khendraja’aro and their company were attacked by a troop of mortals.”] Only Khendraja’aro escapes. Khendraja’aro becomes protector of House Sa’onserei; Jao e-Tinukai’i is abandoned.
Novander: Thrithings warriors attack Escritor Raelis and entourage en route to Kwanitupul. [TWC: “Last Novander the cursed grasslanders attacked the party of Escritor Raelis on his way to Kwanitupul.”]
Decander: Prince Morgan is involved in a row at The Quarely Maid, an Erchester inn. [TWC: “And that is without the door that came off last Decander.”]
❧ FY 1201:
Jonever: King Simon and Queen Miriamele set out with a royal progress from the Hayholt. [TWC: “they had been traveling since Jonever and the turn of the year”]
Feyever: Thrithings invaders raid Lesta Hermis’ lands in Nabban three times. [TWC: “Lesta Hermis had his land raided three times in Feyever.”]
Marris: Beginning of The Witchwood Crown. Tanahaya is sent as Sithi envoy and reaches Kynswood. [TWC: “Berries! In Marris-month? You little mad thing.”]
End of Marris: Duke Isgrimnur’s funeral. [TWC: “it must have been the end of Marris when I last had a dream I can remember. I went to bed late one night — the night of Isgrimnur’s funeral, it was — and had a very strange one.”]
Yuven: Archbishop Gervis visits King Simon and Queen Miriamele at the Hayholt. [TWC: “The early days of Yuven had brought a flurry of rain”]
Yuven 29th: Brother Etan leaves St. Salimo’s monastery in Meremund, for Nabban [TWC, letter from Br. Etan].
Tiyagar: Eolair and Morgan search for the Sithi. [TWC: “As Tiyagar-month proceeded the days remained long”]
End of Tiyagar: Perdruinese factors to arrive at Hayholt. [TWC: “They’ll arrive before the end of Tiyagar-month.”]
Nice timeline, but it could and should be improved.
“Some of the very oldest remembered that it had been Tunath’s Day in the Founding-year 1083—exactly eighty years before—when Prester John had slain the devil-worm Shurakai and ridden back in triumph through the gates of Erchester.”
It’s improved now. Thanks for the heads-up!