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The Witch-king of Angmar, also known as the Lord of the Nazgûl, the Black Captain, and the Morgul-lord, among other names, is a fictional character from the novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, set in the fantasy world of Middle-earth. The Third Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings The Fellowship of the Ring is the first of three volumes of the epic novel The Lord of the Rings by the English author J The Two Towers is the second volume of J R R Tolkien 's High fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings. The Return of the King is the third and final volume of J R R The Lord of the Rings is an epic Fantasy is a Genre that uses magic and other Supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting Middle-earth refers to the fictional lands where most of the stories of author J Within Tolkien's legendarium, he is the chief of the Nazgûl (Ringwraiths), the chief servants of the Dark Lord Sauron. Tolkien's Legendarium (ISBN 0-313-30530-7 is a collection of scholarly essays edited by Verlyn Flieger and Carl F Sauron (ˈsaʊrɒn Quenya: /sawrɔn/ literal meaning "Abhorred") is the title character and the principal Antagonist of the Fantasy His true given name is not revealed in any of Tolkien's writings, nor are the names of any of the other Nazgûl save Khamûl. Khamûl is a Fictional character in J R R Tolkien 's Legendarium, appearing in his The Lord of the Rings series
Contents |
Literature
History
Second Age
Within the context of Tolkien's legendarium, the Witch-king was originally a great king of Men. The race of Men in J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth books such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, refers to In the manuscript of his notes for translators Tolkien stated that the Witch-king's name and background were not recorded, but that he was probably of Númenórean descent. [1] In the 16th century of the Second Age the Rings of Power were forged by the Elves of Eregion under Sauron's direction, and nine of these were given to powerful Men of the time; one of the these was the Witch-king. The Second Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings The Rings of Power are fictional artifacts of J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth Legendarium. In J R R Tolkien 's Legendarium, an Elf is an individual member of one of the races that inhabit the lands of Arda. In the fiction of J R R Tolkien, Eregion or Hollin was a kingdom of the Noldorin Elves in Eriador during the Second Age Sauron (ˈsaʊrɒn Quenya: /sawrɔn/ literal meaning "Abhorred") is the title character and the principal Antagonist of the Fantasy The rings gave them power and extended their lives indefinitely, but eventually corrupted them, turning them into the ghastly, undead Nazgûl. The Witch-king became their lord.
The first sighting of the Nazgûl in Middle-earth was in S.A. 2251. The Second Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings For the next 1200 years, the Lord of the Nazgûl served Sauron as his second in command. He fought in the war against the Last Alliance of Elves and Men between S.A. 3434 and 3441. J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings include many wars and battles set in the lands of Aman, Beleriand, Númenor, and The Second Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings In S.A. 3441, when Sauron was defeated by the Alliance, the nine Nazgûl "go into the shadows". The Second Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings [2]
Angmar
One thousand years into the Third Age, Sauron resurfaced as "the Necromancer" at Dol Guldur in southern Mirkwood. The Third Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings Dol Guldur ( Sindarin: "Hill of Sorcery" was Sauron 's stronghold in Mirkwood in the fictional world of J Mirkwood is a name used for two distinct fictional forests in J The Wise suspected this dark power might be one of the Nazgûl, but the latter were recorded only from circa T.A. 1300. The Third Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings [3] This is when the Witch-king first appeared in Angmar, a realm in the far North straddling the Misty Mountains. Angmar ( Sindarin: 'Iron-home' ˈaŋgmar is a fictional kingdom in J In J R R Tolkien 's Fantasy world of Middle-earth, the Misty Mountains (also known by its Sindarin name of Hithaeglir He quickly dominated Angmar, and turned to levy war against the three splinter kingdoms of Arnor (Arthedain, Rhudaur, and Cardolan); for Sauron, seeing that Gondor remained strong, sought to capitalize on the dissension among the northern kingdoms. In the fictional Legendarium of J R R Tolkien, Arnor, or the Northern Kingdom, was a kingdom of the Dúnedain in the land of Eriador In the fictional Legendarium of J R R Tolkien, Arnor, or the Northern Kingdom, was a kingdom of the Dúnedain in the land of Eriador In the fictional Legendarium of J R R Tolkien, Arnor, or the Northern Kingdom, was a kingdom of the Dúnedain in the land of Eriador In the fictional Legendarium of J R R Tolkien, Arnor, or the Northern Kingdom, was a kingdom of the Dúnedain in the land of Eriador Gondor is a fictional kingdom in J R R Tolkien 's writings described as the greatest realm of Men in the west of Middle-earth by the end of the [4] It is in these northern wars, prosecuted against the Dúnedain for the next several hundred years, that the evil King of Angmar became known as the Witch-king.
Rhudaur was soon compromised; power there was seized by evil Hillmen allied with Angmar. [4] Argeleb I of Arthedain fortified the border against Rhudaur along the Weather Hills, but was slain in battle with Angmar and Rhudaur in T.A. 1356. The Third Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings [4]
In T.A. 1409, the Witch-king invaded Rhudaur and Cardolan. The Third Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings King Arveleg I of Arthedain was killed defending Weathertop, but the palantír there was saved and removed to Fornost. The last Prince of Cardolan was killed, and the remaining Dúnedain of Rhudaur were slain or driven out. The Great Plague of T.A. 1636 destroyed the remaining Dúnedain of Cardolan, and evil spirits from Rhudaur and Angmar infested the burial mounds in the Barrow Downs. The Third Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings [4]
Only Arthedain remained to resist the Witch-king (though with frequent help from both Lindon and Rivendell). Rivendell ( Sindarin: Imladris) is an Elven outpost in Middle-earth, a Fictional realm created by J Araval won a victory over Angmar in T.A. 1851 and sought to reoccupy Cardolan, but the wights terrified all who sought to dwell near the Barrows. The Third Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings [5]
Finally, in T.A. 1973, as it became apparent that Angmar was preparing another stroke, Arvedui appealed for help from King Eärnil II of Gondor. The Third Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings Arvedui is a fictional character from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth Legendarium. Eärnil II is a fictional character in J R R Tolkien 's universe of Middle-earth. But in T.A. 1974 before help could arrive, Angmar overran Arthedain. The Third Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings The Witch-king captured Fornost Erain, the capital of Arthedain. Arvedui fled north, only to drown in the Ice Bay of Forochel early the next year when the rescue ship from Lindon foundered. [4]
The Witch-king took his seat of power in newly captured Fornost. But in T.A. 1975, prince Eärnur of Gondor landed at the harbours of Mithlond, leading an army of Gondor. The Third Age is a time period from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth fantasy writings Eärnur is a Fictional character from J R R Tolkien 's universe of Middle-earth, the thirty-third and last King of Gondor. The Elven ports of Mithlond or the Grey Havens was an Elvish port on the Gulf of Lune in the northwest of J His army was joined by the Elves of Lindon and the remnant of the northern Dúnedain and marched on the Witch-king. [6]
On the plains west of Fornost, Eärnur's army met the army of Angmar, which was forced to retreat toward Fornost. As his army was routed, the Witch-king fled north toward Carn Dûm in Angmar; but Eärnur and Glorfindel with reinforcements from Rivendell pursued the retreating party and utterly defeated them. Appearances Literature Origins Glorfindel first appears in Tolkien's fantasy in The Fall of Gondolin about the conquest of the Elven The Witch-king fled into the gathering darkness. Eärnur attempted to follow him, but Glorfindel stopped the prince and prophesied:
- "Do not pursue him! He will not return to these lands. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall. "[6]
Minas Morgul
The Witch-king returned to Mordor in the year 1980 of the Third Age. In 2000, the Witch-king led the Nazgûl on a siege of Minas Ithil. Minas Morgul (ˈminas ˈmɔrɡuɫ ( Sindarin: Tower of Black Magic) also known by its earlier name of Minas Ithil ( Sindarin: Tower of the They finally captured it in 2002, in the name of Sauron. The city afterwards became known as Minas Morgul, the Tower of Black Sorcery. Minas Morgul (ˈminas ˈmɔrɡuɫ ( Sindarin: Tower of Black Magic) also known by its earlier name of Minas Ithil ( Sindarin: Tower of the It was here that the Witch-king made his stronghold, giving him the title of "Lord of Morgul".
In 2043, King Eärnil II of Gondor died and his son Eärnur, the Witch-king's old enemy, inherited the throne. Eärnil II is a fictional character in J R R Tolkien 's universe of Middle-earth. The Witch-king challenged him to single combat, but Eärnur refused. However, seven years later in 2050, the Witch-king again challenged him; this time he accepted. Eärnur rode out of Minas Tirith to meet the Witch-king in Minas Morgul. This article is about the city in the Third Age. For the First Age tower of the same name see Minas Tirith (First Age. He entered the city's gates and was never seen again. From this time the Stewards of Gondor ruled the kingdom on behalf of the absent line of kings. The Stewards of Gondor were rulers from J R R Tolkien 's legendarium of Middle-earth.
War of the Ring
In circa 3018, Sauron learned from Gollum that the One Ring was located in an area called "Shire", and sent forth the Ringwraiths disguised. Character overview Originally known as Sméagol, this character was later named Gollum after his habit The Shire is a region of J R R Tolkien 's fictional Middle-earth, described in The Lord of the Rings and other works This was seen by many as the beginning of the War of the Ring. In the fictional Fantasy -world of J R R Tolkien, the War of the Ring was fought between Sauron and the free peoples of Middle-earth At this time, the Riders did not know the location of the Shire, but when they by chance came upon Gríma Wormtongue in Rohan, he told them what he knew of Saruman's plans, including his interest in the Shire, and its location. Gríma, called (the Wormtongue, is a fictional character in J
The Witch-king of Angmar and the other eight Nazgûl rode swiftly from Mordor to the lands of the Shire. They continued to search for "Baggins" until they tracked him to Buckland. The Shire is a region of J R R Tolkien 's fictional Middle-earth, described in The Lord of the Rings and other works Five of the Riders raided Buckland but could not find the Ring.
The Witch-king led three other Nazgûl to Weathertop where they discovered Frodo Baggins and the other hobbits, accompanied by the Ranger Strider. In the fiction of J R R Tolkien, Weathertop ( Sindarin Amon Sûl, "Hill of Wind" is a significant Hill in the Eriador In J R R Tolkien 's legendarium, Hobbits are a diminutive race that inhabit the lands of Middle-earth. Aragorn II is a fictional character from J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth Legendarium. The Ringwraiths attacked the party and the Witch-king wounded Frodo with a Morgul-blade. The following list of weapons and armour of Middle-earth includes all weaponry and Armour directly taken from J Frodo's wound threatened to turn him into a wraith like the Nazgûl.
On the way to Rivendell, the realm of Elrond Half-elven, the company met Glorfindel, who lent Frodo his horse Asfaloth. Character overview Elrond was Lord of Rivendell, one of the mighty rulers of old that remained in Middle-earth in its Third Age. In J R R Tolkien 's fictional universe of Middle-earth, the Half-elven ( Sindarin singular Peredhil, plural Peredhel, Quenya Appearances Literature Origins Glorfindel first appears in Tolkien's fantasy in The Fall of Gondolin about the conquest of the Elven This is a list of all animals that appear in J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth legendarium Pursued by all nine, the horse bore Frodo to the borders of Rivendell, crossing the River Bruinen. In J R R Tolkien 's Fictional universe of Middle-earth, the river Bruinen or Loudwater is a river which appears in The Hobbit as Frodo defied the Witch-king and the other Nazgûl, who were on the other side of the river. The river however was under the control of Elrond, who released a great flood, augmented by Gandalf the Grey. The flood drowned the horses of the Ringwraiths, who were forced to return to Mordor empty-handed.
With their return to Mordor, Sauron provided the Nazgûl with great winged beasts as their new mounts. In J R R Tolkien 's fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings, "fell beast" is the author's description of the flying creatures on which the Sauron used the lesser eight Nazgûl for reconnaissance work. The Witch-king, however, returned to Minas Morgul and reassumed the role of commander of Sauron's forces. Minas Morgul (ˈminas ˈmɔrɡuɫ ( Sindarin: Tower of Black Magic) also known by its earlier name of Minas Ithil ( Sindarin: Tower of the The soldiers of Gondor defending Osgiliath named him the "Black Captain". In the fiction of J R R Tolkien, Osgiliath is a city of Middle-earth, the old Capital city of Gondor. The final battle for Osgiliath was fought on March 13, 3019 of the Third Age against Faramir's Rangers. The Battle of Osgiliath is a fictional battle of J R R Tolkien 's The Return of the King. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II. In J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth legendarium, Faramir is a Fictional character appearing in The Lord of the Rings.
Siege of Minas Tirith
On March 14 the Witch-king, led massive numbers of Orcs, Haradrim, and Easterlings to besiege Minas Tirith. Events 1489 - The Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, sells her kingdom to Venice. In J R R Tolkien 's fantasy fiction, the Battle of the Pelennor Fields is the battle for the city of Minas Tirith between the forces of Gondor He was the first enemy of Minas Tirith ever to enter its gate and grounds. Riding on a horse, the Witch-king was prevented from entering the city further by Gandalf.
Théoden had just slain a leader of the Southrons when the Witch-king attacked him. Early life Théoden was the only son of King Thengel and Morwen of Lossarnach (a region of Gondor) The advancing Rohirrim's horses panicked as his fell beast attacked. Théoden's horse, Snowmane, became frightened, was struck by an arrow, fell and crushed his master. This is a list of all animals that appear in J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth legendarium
As the Witch-king hovered over Théoden, Éowyn, disguised as a man, stood in his way. Literature Appearances In The Lord of the Rings Éowyn a daughter of the House of Eorl and the niece of King Théoden, is introduced The Witch-king broke her arm and her shield with a blow from his mace. Before he could finish her off, Merry plunged his enchanted sword into the back of his knee. Meriadoc Brandybuck, usually referred to as Merry, is a Fictional character from J Merry's sword had been forged by the men of Arnor long ago, who put spells on it for the ruin of Angmar. In the fictional Legendarium of J R R Tolkien, Arnor, or the Northern Kingdom, was a kingdom of the Dúnedain in the land of Eriador Tolkien writes that only such a sword could have wounded the Witch-king so. Éowyn rose and thrust her sword into the Witch-king's face; as her sword shattered, his clothing fell to the ground and he vanished with a wailing cry.
Here the prophecy of Glorfindel was fulfilled after a fashion; he had fallen not by "the hand of man", but by those of a woman and a hobbit. (Tolkien elsewhere says Hobbits are in fact a "variety"[7] or separate "branch"[8] of humans, though they consider themselves a separate race. Human beings, humans or man (Origin 1590–1600 L homō man OL hemō the earthly one (see Humus ) It is worth noting that the Witch-king interprets Glorfindel's words to mean he cannot be killed (and "hindered"), but Glorfindel actually says he will die, just not by "the hand of man".
Names and titles
The Witch-king's true name is never given. The title "Witch-king" does not appear in The Lord of the Rings until the Appendices, usually printed as part of The Return of the King. The character is referred to by his other titles during the actual story. His other titles include Black Captain, Lord of the Nazgûl, Lord of Minas Morgul, Lord of the Nine Riders, Wraith-king, Captain of Despair, First of the Nazgûl, High Nazgûl, Lord of the Úlairi (Úlairi is Quenya for Ringwraiths), and Chieftain of the Ringwraiths. Quenya 'kwɛɲa is one of the fictional languages spoken by the Elves (the Quendi, "those who speak with voices" because when
Adaptations
In New Line Cinema's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, directed by Peter Jackson, the actions of the Witch-king and the other Ringwraiths differ from that in the book. New Line Cinema, founded in 1967 is one of the major American Film studios Though it initially began as an independent film studio it became a The Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring is a 2001 Fantasy film directed by Peter Jackson based on the similarly titled first Peter Robert Jackson, CNZM (born 31 October 1961 is a three-time Academy Award -winning New Zealand director producer and writer best known for directing
They attack the Prancing Pony inn of Bree themselves and wreck the hobbits' rooms, whereas in the book their local accomplices do the deed. In J R R Tolkien 's Middle-earth legendarium, there were several Inns run by Hobbits or Men in the Third Age.
They also engage in an extended swordfight with Aragorn at Weathertop, in which some of the former are set on fire. In the book, Aragorn faces them with burning brands, since his sword is still broken (the film Aragorn uses a different sword at this point) and they withdraw quickly.
At the ford of Bruinen, the Ringwraiths face Arwen and are swept away by a flood she summons through an incantation. Literature Arwen was the youngest child of Elrond and Celebrían; her elder brothers were the twins Elladan and Elrohir. In the book, Arwen is not present in this scene, Frodo is alone on the Rivendell side of the ford, and Elrond's latent magic triggers the flood.
In The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the Witch-king's encounters during the War of the Ring also differ from that told in the book. This article is about the live-action movie which shares a title with a book, video game, and animated film. In the fictional Fantasy -world of J R R Tolkien, the War of the Ring was fought between Sauron and the free peoples of Middle-earth
First, he appears in Minas Morgul on a fell beast instead of leading the Morgul host on a black horse. Minas Morgul (ˈminas ˈmɔrɡuɫ ( Sindarin: Tower of Black Magic) also known by its earlier name of Minas Ithil ( Sindarin: Tower of the He does not sense the Ring as he does in the book, but Frodo recognizes him as the Ringwraith who stabbed and nearly killed him.
During the siege of Minas Tirith, the Witch-king is constantly wreaking havoc from the air while mounted on his fell beast, whereas in the book he does not come forth on his horse until the battering ram Grond is at the gate. In J R R Tolkien 's fantasy fiction, the Battle of the Pelennor Fields is the battle for the city of Minas Tirith between the forces of Gondor In the film the first enemies to enter Minas Tirith's grounds are orcs from siege towers, and the first to enter the gate are trolls.
As Gandalf races to the upper levels of the city on Shadowfax, he unexpectedly runs into the Witch-king on his fell beast. In a duel of "wills", the Nazgûl prevails and shatters Gandalf's staff, knocking the wizard off his horse. However, their confrontation is interrupted, as in the book, by the arrival of the Rohirrim. The scene is only in the extended version of the film.
Later still, during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the Witch-king wields his sword and a huge flail (instead of a mace), the latter of which he swings at Éowyn several times before finally hitting her and breaking her shield. In J R R Tolkien 's fantasy fiction, the Battle of the Pelennor Fields is the battle for the city of Minas Tirith between the forces of Gondor The flail is a medieval weapon made of one (or more weights attached to a handle with a hinge or chain.
The original helmet for the Witch-king designed for the Peter Jackson film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was similar to that of an illustration by John Howe, and this original armour can still be seen in action in the game adaptation by Electronic Arts. This article is about the live-action movie which shares a title with a book, video game, and animated film. John Howe (born August 21, 1957 in Vancouver British Columbia, Canada) is a book Illustrator, living in Neuchatel, The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King is a Video game by EA Games based on the movie of the same name. However, confusion from crew members, who had not read the books, over whether it was Sauron or the Witch-king on the battlefield, prompted WETA to revise the design to make it more similar to the Black Rider look and then reshoot all his scenes during the 2003 pick-ups.
Cultural references
- An undead witch-king named Þráinn appears in Hrómundar saga Gripssonar. Hrómundar saga Gripssonar or The Saga of Hromund Gripsson is a Legendary saga from Iceland. It is possible that this was Tolkien's source of inspiration.
- The prophecy of Glorfindel also echoes Shakespeare's Macbeth, in which one of the witches foretells that "none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth" (Act IV, scene i). William Shakespeare ( baptised Macbeth is among the best-known of William Shakespeare 's plays, and is his shortest tragedy, believed to have been written some time between Macbeth is eventually slain by Macduff, who "was from his mother's womb / Untimely ripp'd [that is, was born by a crude caesarean section, and thus was not "born" in the sense of going through the birth canal ]. A Caesarean section (or Cesarean section in American English) also known as C-section, is a form of Childbirth in which a surgical The vagina (from Latin, literally " Sheath " or " Scabbard " is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the Uterus " (Act V, scene viii).
- In Reaper Man, a novel from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, when Death takes a holiday, a new Death appears, which is described similarly to the appearance of the Witch-king of Angmar. Reaper Man is a Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett. Published in 1991 it is the 11th Discworld novel and the second to focus on Terence David John Pratchett, OBE (born 28 April 1948 is an English fantasy, Science fiction, and children's author. Discworld is a comedic Fantasy Book series by the British author Terry Pratchett, set on the Discworld, a flat
References
- ^ Quoted in Hammond & Scull, Reader's Companion, p. 20.
- ^ The Return of the King, Appendix B.
- ^ The Return of the King, Appendis B.
- ^ a b c d e The Return of the King, Appendix A (I, iii).
- ^ The Peoples of Middle-earth, "The Heirs of Elendil", p. 195.
- ^ a b The Return of the King, Appendix A (I, iv).
- ^ Tolkien, J. R. R. Guide to the Names of the Lord of the Rings, "The Firstborn"
- ^ Carpenter, Humphrey, ed. Humphrey William Bouverie Carpenter ( April 29 1946 – January 4 2005) was an English biographer, Author, and (1981), The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, #131, ISBN 0-395-31555-7
External links
- Witch-king of Angmar at The Thain's Book
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