The War of the Great Jewels was the longest and most awful set of battles fought in Middle-earth. It lasted for many centuries through the First Age and brought destruction to many mortal lands.

The War was brought about by Morgoth who stole the Silmarils from Valinor, and fled with them to Middle-earth. The Noldor followed him, intending to regain possession of the Jewels.

Upon reaching Middle-earth, the Noldor were almost immediately engaged in battle with Morgoth's forces.

The wars that took place then are also known as the Battles of Beleriand. A series of conflicts was fought between the Elves and Sauron - the First Battle of Beleriand, the Dagor-nuin-Giliath, the Dagor Aglareb, the Dagor Bragollach and the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.

Yet the War of the Great Jewels was not over when the Nirnaeth Arnoediad finished. The refuges of the Noldor - Nargothrond and Gondolin were later captured, and the Grey Havens were sacked and destroyed. Only in small communities around the Mouths of Sirion and on the Isle of Balar did Men and Elves survive.

But then the Valar realised that other peoples, not just Fëanor and his followers, were suffering - people that were innocent of the crimes of the Noldor. They sent a great host across to Middle-earth, obliterated Angband, sent Morgoth into the Void and regained the Silmarils.

The Exiles were then allowed to return to the Blessed Realm - with a few notable exceptions - and the Edain, who had fought valiantly for a cause not their own, were rewarded richly.