Witch-king of Angmar

The Witch-king of Angmar, the Lord of the Nazgûl, is the most formidable and terrifying of Sauron's servants, a wraith-king whose power is rooted in the Ring of Power given to him long ago. He is the chief of the Nine Riders, the Ringwraiths, and his very presence spreads a deadly fear known as the Black Breath. His history is ancient: he was once a mortal king, but the Nine Rings he received from Sauron enslaved him, turning him into a shadow without a visible face, a creature of the Unseen world. He is the captain of the hosts of Mordor, wielding a great black mace and riding a winged, reptilian beast. His voice is a weapon of despair, and his sword, a flaming blade, can inflict wounds that fester with a deadly chill. The prophecy concerning him, spoken by Glorfindel long ago, declared that he would not fall by the hand of any living man, a fate that would ultimately lead to his downfall.

Origins and History

The Witch-king was one of the nine mortal Men who received Rings of Power from Sauron. These rings enslaved them, turning them into the Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths, the most terrible of Sauron's servants. He became their captain and the most powerful of them. In the Third Age, he established the evil realm of Angmar in the North, from which he waged a long war against the successor kingdoms of Arnor. He destroyed the North-kingdom, but was eventually defeated by a combined force of Elves and Men from Gondor, led by Eärnur and Glorfindel. After this defeat, he fled to Mordor, where he gathered the other Ringwraiths. He later led the capture of Minas Ithil, which became Minas Morgul, the Tower of Sorcery, and from there he threatened Gondor for centuries.

Role in the War of the Ring

During the War of the Ring, the Witch-king led the assault on Gondor. He commanded the great army that issued from Minas Morgul, crossing the Pelennor Fields and besieging Minas Tirith. He personally led the attack on the city, riding his fell beast and spreading terror. He broke the Gate of Minas Tirith with the great battering-ram Grond, and only Gandalf the White stood before him, barring his entry. The Witch-king laughed at Gandalf, declaring, "Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!" However, before he could strike, the horns of the Rohirrim were heard, and he was forced to turn his attention to the new threat.

The Battle of the Pelennor Fields and Death

On the Pelennor Fields, the Witch-king confronted King Théoden of Rohan. He slew the king's horse, Snowmane, and stood over the fallen king, preparing to kill him. He was then challenged by Dernhelm, who was revealed to be Éowyn, the Lady of Rohan. The Witch-king mocked her, saying, "Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!" Éowyn, however, revealed she was no man, and with a desperate stroke, she drove her sword into his head. At the same moment, Meriadoc Brandybuck stabbed him from behind with his barrow-blade, a weapon forged long ago to fight the Witch-king's realm of Angmar. The combined blows destroyed him; his body vanished, and a long, wailing cry faded into the wind. His death marked a turning point in the battle and fulfilled the ancient prophecy.

Powers and Significance

The Witch-king's power was immense. He could inspire terror in his enemies, and his presence alone could cause men to flee or fall into despair. He wielded a Morgul-knife, a weapon that could turn its victim into a wraith under his command. He was a master of sorcery and a formidable warrior. His destruction was a crucial blow to Sauron's plans, as he was the Dark Lord's greatest field commander. His death also demonstrated that even the most powerful servants of evil could be defeated by courage, determination, and the fulfillment of prophecy, often in the most unexpected ways.