Which battle is the final major battle described in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings?

The final major battle described in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is the Battle of Bywater.

The Battle of Bywater occurs after the destruction of the One Ring and Sauron’s defeat. When the returning Hobbits reach the Shire, they find it controlled by Men serving Saruman. The Hobbits organize local resistance, and the confrontation takes place on 3 November 3019 of the Third Age.

Merry and Pippin help lead the resistance, while Frodo tries to prevent unnecessary killing. The Hobbits defeat the occupying force, and the victory begins the Scouring of the Shire’s restoration. The battle is important because it shows that the war’s effects reached even the peaceful Shire.

The Battle of the Morannon and the Battle of the Pelennor Fields are later events in the narrative than Helm’s Deep, but both occur before the Battle of Bywater. Some film viewers miss this episode because it was omitted from Peter Jackson’s film adaptation.