Timeline Event
The White Council: 3rd meeting
Event Type: Political
Age: 3rd Age - The Stewards
Date: August 1, 2941
Description:
Saruman agrees to an attack on Dol Guldur, since he now wishes to prevent Sauron from searching the River:
'I [Gandalf] had to be with the White Council in August at the latest, or Saruman would have his way and nothing would be done. And quite apart from greater matters, that might prove fatal to the quest: the power in Dol Guldur would not leave any attempt on Erebor unhindered, unless he had something else to deal with.'
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 3, The Quest of Erebor
In the late summer of that same year (2941) Gandalf had at last prevailed upon Saruman and the White Council to attack Dol Guldur....
The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Durin's Folk
'... I went off as soon as the expedition against Smaug was well started, and persuaded the Council to attack Dol Guldur first, before he attacked Lórien.'
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 3, The Quest of Erebor: Appendix
But ever the shadow in Mirkwood grew deeper, and to Dol Guldur evil things repaired out of all the dark places of the world; and they were united again under one will, and their malice was directed against the Elves and the survivors of Númenor. Therefore at last the Council was again summoned and the lore of the Rings was much debated; but Mithrandir spoke to the Council, saying:
‘It is not needed that the Ring should be found, for while it abides on earth and is not unmade, still the power that it holds will live, and Sauron will grow and have hope. The might of the Elves and the Elf-friends is less now than of old. Soon he will be too strong for you, even without the Great Ring; for he rules the Nine, and of the Seven he has recovered three. We must strike.'
To this Curunír now assented, desiring that Sauron should be thrust from Dol Guldur, which was nigh to the River, and should have leisure to search there no longer.
The Silmarillion, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
[Note: the date is an estimate, based upon Gandalf's mention of August.]
Contributors:
Lyllyn 1Jun03
added quotes: Elena Tiriel 26Sep05, 3Oct05