The ⚔️War of Wrath - length and persons involved in it

[Ithrynluin]

I was discussing some properties of the War of Wrath with gate7ole and I was amazed to find out that in the HoME V: The Lost Road, it is stated that the War of Wrath lasted for 50 years:

333-343 [533-543]. Here the sons of the Gods prepared for war, and Fionwe son of Manwe was their leader. The Light-elves marched under his banners, but the Teleri did not leave Valinor; but they built a countless multitude of ships.

347 [547]. Here the host of Fionwe was seen shining upon the sea afar, and the noise of his trumpets rang over the waves and echoed in the western woods. Thereafter was fought the battle of Eglorest, where Ingwiel son of Ingwe, prince of all the Elves, made a landing, and drove the Orcs from the shore.
Great war came now into Beleriand, and Fionwe drove the Orcs
and Balrogs before him; and he camped beside Sirion, and his
tents were as snow upon the field. He summoned now all Elves, Men, Dwarves, beasts and birds unto his standard, who did not elect to fight for Morgoth. But the power and dread of Morgoth was very great and many did not obey the summons.

* 350 [550]. Here Fionwe fought the last battle of the ancient
world, the Great or Terrible Battle. Morgoth himself came forth
from Angband, and passed over Taur-na-Fuin, and the thunder of his approach rolled in the mountains. The waters of Sirion lay between the hosts; and long and bitterly they contested the passage. But Fionwe crossed Sirion and the hosts of Morgoth were driven as leaves, and the Balrogs were utterly destroyed; and Morgoth fled back to Angband pursued by Fionwe. From Angband Morgoth loosed the winged dragons, which had not before been seen; and Fionwe was beaten back upon Dor-na-Fauglith. But Earendel came in the sky and overthrew Ancalagon the Black Dragon, and in his fall Thangorodrim was broken. The sons of the Gods wrestled with Morgoth in his dungeons, and the earth shook, and gaped, and Beleriand was shattered and changed, and many perished in the ruin of the land. But Morgoth was bound.
This war lasted fifty years from the landing of Fionwe.

397 [597]. In this year Fionwe departed and went back to
Valinor with all his folk, and with them went most of the Gnomes that yet lived and the other Elves of Middle-earth. But Elrond the Half-elfin remained, and ruled in the West of the world.

How did the war last fifty years (547-597)? The Encyclopedia of Arda, which is of course not always accurate, but quite trustworthy nonetheless, has the date cca. 583 for the War of Wrath and the end of the First Age. Where did they obtain this year? Which of these can be considered correct? Can this information from HoME V be considered as Tolkien's last opinion on this matter? I myself find it rather unbelievable that the WoW would have lasted for 50 years! Didn't Eonwë lead a mighty army from Valinor with him? How was Melkor so strong as to resist for 50 years...he fought many wars with the Elves of Beleriand throughout the First Age, and the Eldar almost won the day in the Nirnaeth, which was the last.
Were there any Valar present in the WoW? There is no mention of any and if there were any they would have lead the assault, right? But Eonwë is the herald of Manwë, his highest servant and representative, and his might in arms is surpassed by none in Arda - good reasons for him to be the leader.

 

[Tar-Elenion]

EofA is not always accurate.
According to the information published in WotJ (HoME 11), JRRT decided on the War of Wrath beginning in 545 and lasting until 587. The First Age ended in 590. See WotJ, Tale of Years.

 

[Lhunithiliel]

I guess, that I could at first help a little with some research I did on WW - here

Besides, there is a wonderful essay on this subject - "In Feanor's footsteps" by Michael Martinez, the author of Parma Endorion and a ot of profound works researching and analysing Tolkien.
I strongly reccommend it It is a most interesting and deep analysis of the WW!

 

[Turin]

What is the War of Wrath? Its prolly in the Sil but I haven't read it yet.

 

[Melko Belcha]

Yes the War of Wrath is in The Silmarillion. It is the last war of the First Age.

 

[Ingwë]

About the lenght of the War of Wrath...
Don't you think that some parts of the Silmarilion are too short? Don't you think that many parts of Tolkien's essays aren't included in the Silmarilion? I think that the p[art of the WAr of Wrath is shortened. I mean chapter 'Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath'. And don't you think that one year for such a war is not enough? I can assume that the War of Wrath laster 50 years.