Delving into the Depths of Angmar: A Closer Look at the Witch-Realm in LOTR

Article Key Points

The Witch-King of Angmar ruled over a kingdom called Angmar, which was located far north in Middle-earth and served as Sauron's base of operations.

The Witch-King founded Angmar during the Third Age with the intention of annihilating Arnor and creating a second stronghold for Sauron akin to Mordor. However, a coalition comprised of Gondor, Arnor, Elves, and the Rohirrim successfully vanquished Angmar, eradicating all remnants of wickedness from the area.

The Witch-King of Angmar, a prominent character in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, remains distinctive due to his notable and unique helmet, setting him apart from his fellow characters. Neither the movies nor the books reveal his true name, leaving audiences with only his title to refer to him by. Moreover, his realm, unlike Minas Morgul where he departs on his winged steed to engage in battles with an army of orcs and trolls, remains unseen by viewers. Resting far from the Gondor battlegrounds, his kingdom remains unfamiliar territory.

Throughout the LOTR movies, audiences are introduced to several locations that are mentioned but never shown. In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Galadriel briefly mentions Angmar and its historical conflict with Arnor, providing some context to the audience, but it fails to create a vivid image. Initially discovered by Sauron's top Captain, Angmar transformed into a dark and tumultuous place. Over the course of almost a millennium, it served as the primary base of operations for the leader of the Nazgûl, leading to constant unrest in the realm and its surrounding lands. Had the Witch-King succeeded in his mission, Angmar would have become a second Mordor, serving as a launching point for Sauron's attack.

What is Angmar?

Situated far north in Middle-earth, the Witch-Realm of Angmar stands as a kingdom. During the later years of the Third Age, the Witch-King established this realm in order to crush the kingdom of Arnor, which was the original seat of the ruling King of Arnor and Gondor. It is worth noting that the Ringwraiths were significantly absent from the initial thousand years of the Third Age, as Sauron concentrated on rebuilding his power in his new base of operations, known as Dol Guldur, located in Mirkwood. It was not until T.A. 1300 that Tolkien mentioned the Nazgûl and their activities in the appendix to The Return of the King.

The Nazgûl resurface, with their leader making his way to Angmar in the north.

At this point, the kingdom of Arnor had fragmented into three separate realms, lacking the once-unified front. The Witch-King established himself in Angmar and gathered his armies, readying to eradicate the people of Numenor. Arnor was aware of the growing evil within the Angmar mountains, an extension of the Misty Mountains, but chose not to engage with it directly. Upon learning that the Dunedain in Rhudaur had ceded control to the Hillmen, the king of Arthedain fortified his eastern border, preparing for a potential incursion onto his lands.

The invasion of Cardolan by the forces of Angmar in T.A. 1409 resulted in an attack on Weathertop. This location holds significance for fans of The Fellowship of the Ring, as it is where the Witch-King infamously stabbed Frodo before being thwarted by Strider, causing the Ringwraiths to retreat. Tragically, Angmar not only killed all the Dunedain in the region but also claimed the life of King Arveleg I before burning Weathertop to the ground. These actions further weakened the remnants of Arnor and significantly bolstered Sauron's chances of success in the imminent War of the One Ring.

What Happened to Angmar?

The Witch-King and his armies of Angmar achieved one victory after another on the battlefield. Gondor's sister nation, despite having only a fraction of its original army, managed to hold on. However, the forces of Angmar did not anticipate the aid that would come to the remaining Dunedain. Elves from the Gray Havens, Rivendell, and Lothlorien arrived to halt Angmar's relentless advances. In addition to this alliance of Elves, Prince Eärnur of Gondor arrived with his fleet, possessing unwavering determination in his heart. He was determined to ensure that no trace of evil would remain in the north once the dust settled. And he accomplished what he had set out to do.

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The combined might of Gondor, Lindon, the remaining fragments of Arnor, and the Elven warriors proved overwhelming for the creatures of Angmar. Racing to the battlefield from Fornost, the second capital of Arnor, the Witch-King attempted to support his forces, but his efforts were in vain. As a former Numenorean, the Ringwraith discerned the futility of the battle and swiftly retreated. Gondor's cavalry leader pursued him, yet the elf Glorfindel intervened, ensuring the Witch-King's escape. Unfortunately for his followers, they did not share the same fortune.

Gondor's invading army ensured that no Orcs or evil men from Angmar lingered on the western side of the Misty Mountains. However, they were not the sole protectors against evil in the north. The Éothéod, ancestors of the Rohirrim, learned of Angmar's defeat and sought to expand their territory to the north. Journeying in that direction, they expelled any remnants of the Witch-King's forces from the eastern side of the Misty Mountains. Consequently, the northern extremity of the mountain range became exclusively inhabited by Sauron and the Witch-King's sworn enemies, as depicted in

from The Lord of the Rings.

The Lord of the Rings holds a prominent position in the world of entertainment. J.R.R. Tolkien's novels served as the foundation for a highly praised film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. Additionally, a number of video games based on The Lord of the Rings have been released, exhibiting varying levels of quality.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I find the Witch-Realm of Angmar in LOTR to be a fascinating and mysterious place. I would love to learn more about its history and the role it played in the War of the One Ring. I think it would be really cool to see Angmar in a future LOTR movie or TV show.

The Witch-King of Angmar is one of the most iconic villains in LOTR, and I think it would be really interesting to see more of his backstory. How did he become the Witch-King? What was his relationship with Sauron? I think it would also be cool to see more of Angmar itself. What does it look like? What kind of people live there? I think there's a lot of potential for exploring Angmar in future LOTR stories.