Lord of the Nazgul - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Melhilion · 03-19-2003, 08:09 AM

Im reading ROTK and in chapter 6 they talk about the Lord or King of the nazgul. I was just wondering who that could possibly be.

HCIsland · 03-19-2003, 08:45 AM

The Witch King of Angmar. I'm not sure if there is somewhere that talks about him before he was ensnared by the Ring, but he is the leader and most powerful of the Nazgul. There is a long history between him and Aragorn's ancestors that can be read in the first appendix at the back of Return of the King. Some folks skip the appendices when they first read the book, but appendix A is a must in my opinion.

H.C.

***The Barrow-Wight*** · 03-19-2003, 09:44 AM

The Nazgûl and their King are explained in our Nazgûl Theme on the main site. The theme also list many threads here in the forum that discuss the Nazgûl.

Lutfiska · 03-25-2003, 11:29 AM

The witch king sure is my favourite char... big and mighty.. hey barrow-wight, wasn´t the witch king like among ten most powerful in ME? Maybe five most powerful. lol, why am I changing subject? must be because i´m swedish. We´re just sooo foolish

Afrodal Fenyar · 03-25-2003, 11:39 AM

Quote:

lol, why am I changing subject? must be because i´m swedish. We´re just sooo foolish

That's true [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

[ March 25, 2003: Message edited by: Afrodal Fenyar ]

Eol Telemnar · 12-12-2003, 06:44 PM

I agree that the witch king is the highest. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Finwe · 12-14-2003, 01:40 PM

Eol, try not to write posts that simply agree with someone, and don't put forth a new idea. If you're doing it to increase your post count, just stop. You might want to read the Guidelines in the Novices and Newcomers forum about how not to post. I've noticed that you've done it in a couple of places, and I'm advising you to discontinue this practice, before the moderators start deleting.

Iargwath · 12-18-2003, 04:34 AM

I have always wondered why out of the Nine Nazgûl, Sauron choose this particular "Black Captain" to lead the other Eight Nazgûl.
I am sure the Nazgûl needed a leader, however, why was this one (The Witch King) specifically choosen out apart from the other Eight.
Did the Witch King of Angmar possess any particular abilities which distinguished him from the others?
It is known that he played a vital role in destroying Arnor, only what i am asking, is how and why was he appointed to this role?
Does Tolkien mention any of this in his works? Apologies if this has been discussed before.

Legolas · 12-18-2003, 12:14 PM

Quote:

I agree that the witch king is the highest.

There's no need to post agreement with fact. The Witch King being the leader of the Nazgul isn't an opinion.

Quote:

I am sure the Nazgûl needed a leader, however, why was this one (The Witch King) specifically choosen out apart from the other Eight.

Letter No. 210, speaking of Zimmerman's attempt at putting the work to film:

Quote:

Their peril is almost entirely due to the unreasoning fear which they inspire (like ghosts). They have no great physical power against the fearless; but what they have, and the fear that they inspire, is enormously increased in darkness. The Witch-king, their leader, is more powerful in all ways than the others; but he must not yet be raised to the stature of Vol. III. There, put in command by Sauron, he is given an added demonic force. But even in the Battle of the Pelennor, the darkness had only just broken.

Olorin_TLA · 12-18-2003, 05:20 PM

"I have always wondered why out of the Nine Nazgûl, Sauron choose this particular "Black Captain" to lead the other Eight Nazgûl.
I am sure the Nazgûl needed a leader, however, why was this one (The Witch King) specifically choosen out apart from the other Eight.
Did the Witch King of Angmar possess any particular abilities which distinguished him from the others?"

What do you expect him to do, breath fire and shoot lasers! Come on! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Leaders are chosen (ideally) because they're superior to the others. Isn;'t that enough?!

Tar-Alcarin · 12-18-2003, 06:45 PM

He was a great sorcerer and king. Hence the Name witch-king of angmar. Although angmar was made after Witch-king was ensared.

Iargwath · 12-19-2003, 02:20 AM

Quote:

What do you expect him to do, breath fire and shoot lasers! Come on!

Leaders are chosen (ideally) because they're superior to the others. Isn;'t that enough?!

Hehe...definitely [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] I was only curious and wished to learn if Tolkien elaborated on this subject in some of his writings. And it is evident that there is a reference to the Black Captain's superiority, as seen in Legolas' post. That was all i wished to learn...

Olorin_TLA · 12-21-2003, 10:55 AM

Yeah, sorry if I came across too harsh. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

Just I'd been on tor.n, and after reading loads of posts by people who thoguht Grond was some kind of walking, talking, flying lizard, and NOT a battering-ram, despite the fact that...well, he is...I was very snappy. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Rasputin · 12-21-2003, 12:19 PM

hehe, witch-kings cool. and he flys around on this dragon type thing. But i'm a tad bit confused about his name. seemed like he would be called "The Warlock-king" or something a bit more fitting for a male

Olorin_TLA · 12-21-2003, 08:05 PM

Actually, witches can be male.

During the old witch hunts in past centuries there were quite a few male witches burnt; I beleive the majority of accused witches in Sctoland were men.

Sicne witch hunts were however excuses for sad pathetic villagers to hunt someone who couldn't defend themselves, old, senile women were the easiest targets. Hecne why nowadays witch = old woman.

Originally, he was the Wizard-King, and was a fallen Wizard. But obviously, that's all changed in the final version of LotR. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

03-19-2003, 08:09 AM	#1
Melhilion Pile O'Bones Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Hague, SK, Canada Posts: 12	Lord of the Nazgul Im reading ROTK and in chapter 6 they talk about the Lord or King of the nazgul. I was just wondering who that could possibly be. __________________ Melhilion

03-19-2003, 08:45 AM	#2
HCIsland Zombie Cannibal Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,000	The Witch King of Angmar. I'm not sure if there is somewhere that talks about him before he was ensnared by the Ring, but he is the leader and most powerful of the Nazgul. There is a long history between him and Aragorn's ancestors that can be read in the first appendix at the back of Return of the King. Some folks skip the appendices when they first read the book, but appendix A is a must in my opinion. H.C. __________________ "Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed myself. Have I not tasted it now many nights upon my tongue, foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs." -Denethor

03-19-2003, 09:44 AM	#3
*The Barrow-Wight* Night In Wight Satin Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 4,043	The Nazgûl and their King are explained in our Nazgûl Theme on the main site. The theme also list many threads here in the forum that discuss the Nazgûl. __________________ The Barrow-Wight

03-25-2003, 11:29 AM	#4
Lutfiska Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 60	The witch king sure is my favourite char... big and mighty.. hey barrow-wight, wasn´t the witch king like among ten most powerful in ME? Maybe five most powerful. lol, why am I changing subject? must be because i´m swedish. We´re just sooo foolish __________________ Go Bushie Vote yes to war

12-12-2003, 06:44 PM	#6
Eol Telemnar Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: At my house, on my computer (where else would I be? Posts: 89	I agree that the witch king is the highest. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ Eol Telemnar, The Dark Elf , Has Spoken, Heed My words well. Peace go with you.

12-14-2003, 01:40 PM	#7
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	Eol, try not to write posts that simply agree with someone, and don't put forth a new idea. If you're doing it to increase your post count, just stop. You might want to read the Guidelines in the Novices and Newcomers forum about how not to post. I've noticed that you've done it in a couple of places, and I'm advising you to discontinue this practice, before the moderators start deleting. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.

12-18-2003, 04:34 AM	#8
Iargwath Wight Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 236	I have always wondered why out of the Nine Nazgûl, Sauron choose this particular "Black Captain" to lead the other Eight Nazgûl. I am sure the Nazgûl needed a leader, however, why was this one (The Witch King) specifically choosen out apart from the other Eight. Did the Witch King of Angmar possess any particular abilities which distinguished him from the others? It is known that he played a vital role in destroying Arnor, only what i am asking, is how and why was he appointed to this role? Does Tolkien mention any of this in his works? Apologies if this has been discussed before. __________________ 'I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry'-Psalm 40 My M-e Forum

12-18-2003, 05:20 PM	#10
Olorin_TLA Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gardens of Lórien, Valinor. Posts: 420	"I have always wondered why out of the Nine Nazgûl, Sauron choose this particular "Black Captain" to lead the other Eight Nazgûl. I am sure the Nazgûl needed a leader, however, why was this one (The Witch King) specifically choosen out apart from the other Eight. Did the Witch King of Angmar possess any particular abilities which distinguished him from the others?" What do you expect him to do, breath fire and shoot lasers! Come on! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Leaders are chosen (ideally) because they're superior to the others. Isn;'t that enough?! __________________ "For I am Olórin! And Olórin means me!" ELENDIL! - Join "Forth Tolkiengas!"

12-18-2003, 06:45 PM	#11
Tar-Alcarin Wight Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Numenore Posts: 108	He was a great sorcerer and king. Hence the Name witch-king of angmar. Although angmar was made after Witch-king was ensared. __________________ Miniature Rohirrim armor: $500. Amount of fuel it took pippin to light the beacons: $20. Seeing your two favourite hobbits get wasted and drunk: priceless

12-21-2003, 10:55 AM	#13
Olorin_TLA Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gardens of Lórien, Valinor. Posts: 420	Yeah, sorry if I came across too harsh. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] Just I'd been on tor.n, and after reading loads of posts by people who thoguht Grond was some kind of walking, talking, flying lizard, and NOT a battering-ram, despite the fact that...well, he is...I was very snappy. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ "For I am Olórin! And Olórin means me!" ELENDIL! - Join "Forth Tolkiengas!"

12-21-2003, 12:19 PM	#14
Rasputin Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 23	hehe, witch-kings cool. and he flys around on this dragon type thing. But i'm a tad bit confused about his name. seemed like he would be called "The Warlock-king" or something a bit more fitting for a male

12-21-2003, 08:05 PM	#15
Olorin_TLA Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gardens of Lórien, Valinor. Posts: 420	Actually, witches can be male. During the old witch hunts in past centuries there were quite a few male witches burnt; I beleive the majority of accused witches in Sctoland were men. Sicne witch hunts were however excuses for sad pathetic villagers to hunt someone who couldn't defend themselves, old, senile women were the easiest targets. Hecne why nowadays witch = old woman. Originally, he was the Wizard-King, and was a fallen Wizard. But obviously, that's all changed in the final version of LotR. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] __________________ "For I am Olórin! And Olórin means me!" ELENDIL! - Join "Forth Tolkiengas!"

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