The Mysterious Origins of LOTR's Witch-King

The Nazgûl, also known as Black Riders, are some of the most memorable characters in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, feared as the Dark Lord Sauron’s most lethal agents. Their leader, the Witch-King of Angmar, held the position of Sauron’s right-hand man during the Second and Third Ages of Middle-earth. However, the Witch-King’s journey to becoming the Captain of Despair and leading The Nine riders was a transformation from his previous identity. Who was he before he pledged his allegiance to Sauron, and how did he and his riders transition into the Nazgûl?

What Are The Nazgûl?

In The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf provides Frodo Baggins with a detailed account of the Nazgûl, also known as Ringwraiths. These beings are deeply intertwined with Sauron's malevolent plans and the creation of the Rings of Power. The Rings were crafted by Celebrimbor, but Sauron, who had once been a lieutenant to the first Dark Lord Morgoth, took possession of them through deceit. Rather than openly conquering Middle-earth, Sauron chose to manipulate the situation and bestowed the Rings upon Men, Dwarves, and Elves.

The nine Rings of Men are particularly significant in the origin story of the Nazgûl. Sauron gifted them to the most influential lords and warriors among the Men, including three Númenóreans - individuals from the once-great, now-sunken civilization of Men - and even an Easterling king. These powerful individuals were corrupted by the Rings, and Sauron held dominion over them through his own ring, the One Ring. Despite being influenced by the Rings, the Nine used them to gain wealth and power during their lifetimes. Eventually, however, the Rings turned them invisible and bound them to Sauron's will, leaving them visible only in the wraith world.

How Did The 9 Men Become Nazgûl?

The influence of the One Ring bestowed the Nine with increasing power or weakness in tandem with the Dark Lord. While they served as potent instruments in Sauron's machinations during the Second Age, the Nine are chiefly remembered for their actions throughout the Third Age, particularly during the War of the Ring. Gandalf recounts to Frodo that the Nazgûl fell under the One's dominion long ago, transforming into Ringwraiths, shadowy figures beneath his immense Shadow and his most fearsome servants. He suggests that they dispersed after Sauron's initial defeat at the close of the Second Age. Similar to their master, the Nazgûl cannot maintain a truly physical form once Isildur severs the One Ring from Sauron's grasp during the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Throughout the Third Age, they exist as shadow-like entities, only capable of enduring as long as the One Ring persists. As Sauron begins to regain his strength during the Third Age, his right-hand man, the Witch-king, establishes a base in Angmar and launches an assault on the nearby Kingdom of Arnor.

After fleeing their sinking kingdom, the Númenóreans established Arnor in the north and Gondor in the south. However, when the Witch-king of Angmar attacked Arnor, Gondor was already engaged in a war with the Wainriders, who were supporters of Sauron and despised the Men of Gondor. As a result, Gondor was unable to assist Arnor, and the fugitives from Arnor had to form the Rangers of the North. Unfortunately, even with the formation of this group, the Witch-king remained a formidable threat to them. It was during this time that Aragorn spent his formative years with the Rangers of the North.

Eventually, Gondor manages to send aid, but unfortunately, it arrives too late. The mission to save Arnor is called off, and instead, Gondor's forces focus on seeking revenge against the Witch-king's army. Although Gondor triumphs over the Witch-king's forces temporarily, the Nine's leader eventually returns. Due to Gondor's inability to keep watch over Mordor, the other eight Nazgûl are gathered to lead an attack on the Gondorian city of Minas Ithil. The city eventually transforms into the infamous Minas Morgul, which serves as the Nazgûl's headquarters, and is where they rebuild Sauron's army in preparation for the Dark Lord's inevitable return.

Can The Nazgûl Survive Without Sauron?

Fans of The Lord of the Rings will recognize the familiar events that follow. Years before the War of the Ring, Gollum, corrupted by the One Ring, is captured by Sauron's armies and tortured for information. Gollum reveals the family name of the Ring bearer and information about the Shire, prompting Sauron to send the Ringwraiths to retrieve the Ring from Bilbo and Frodo Baggins.

Throughout the trilogy, the Fellowship encounters the Nazgûl multiple times, whether on their wraith-horses or their winged fellbeasts. It becomes evident that the only way to eliminate the Nazgûl is to destroy the One Ring, thereby destroying Sauron as well. Similar to Sauron, the Nazgûl survive due to the power of the Ring; they are bound to Sauron's will and life-force, which are inextricably linked to the One Ring. Consequently, if Sauron perishes, the Nazgûl will also meet their demise.

Who Was The King Of Angmar?

The Witch-king of Angmar is a notorious figure known by numerous names, including the Lord of the Nazgûl. He held the position of Sauron’s second-in-command both before and during the War of the Ring. While J.R.R. Tolkien never confirmed the Witch-king's true identity, context clues suggest that he was one of the three noble lords of Númenor who received a Ring of Power and subsequently fell under its corrupting influence. Upon his return during the Third Age, the Witch-king established the wicked realm of Angmar, from which the lead Nazgûl draws his name. Furthermore, he was instrumental in preparing for Sauron's eventual comeback.

From leading the takeover of Minas Ithil to eliminating Gondor’s kings and rebuilding Sauron’s orc army, the Witch-king of Angmar played a crucial role in the events of The Lord of the Rings. He infamously stabbed Frodo Baggins at the beginning of his journey and later killed King Théoden of Rohan during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Despite being considered unbeatable, the Witch-king met his demise at the hands of Éowyn of Rohan and Merry, fulfilling Glorfindel’s prophecy.

The Nazgûl, now reduced to a group of eight mounted on Fellbeasts, make their way to the Battle of the Black Gate without their leader. However, they are met by the Eagles, who prove to be formidable opponents. Despite their ferocity in battle, the Ringwraiths are ultimately bound to the fate of Sauron and the One Ring. With the destruction of the One Ring by Frodo and Sam at Mount Doom, Sauron is vanquished and the remaining Nazgûl are destroyed along with him. Nevertheless, the Witch-king of Angmar and his Nazgûl riders remain some of the most dreaded and formidable creatures in the entire Middle-earth universe as portrayed in both the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Tolkien's wider mythology.