The Lord of the Rings · Character
Witch-king of Angmar
Also known as Lord of the Nazgûl, the Black Captain, the Black Rider
- Supporting
- First seen · Book 3 · Ch. 4
A tall, huge, threatening figure enveloped in a black hood, mantle, and dark hauberk, with no face or head visible beneath the garments. A steel crown sits above the robe, framing only the deadly gleam of his eyes. He carries himself like a fearsome king and wields a long sword or a great black mace; his presence is a vast, shadowy menace.
- Gender
- male
- Age
- ancient
- First appears
- Book 3 · Ch. 4
- Books
- 1
Description
A tall, huge, threatening figure enveloped in a black hood, mantle, and dark hauberk, with no face or head visible beneath the garments. A steel crown sits above the robe, framing only the deadly gleam of his eyes. He carries himself like a fearsome king and wields a long sword or a great black mace; his presence is a vast, shadowy menace.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
Sauronlord
The Witch-king serves Sauron as the chief of the Nazgûl. At Sauron’s summons, he and the other Ringwraiths fly toward Mount Doom, but are destroyed when the Dark Lord’s realm collapses.
Aragornenemy
The Witch-king leads Sauron’s forces against the defenders of the West, while Aragorn fights to defeat them.
Éowynfoe
The Witch-king attacks Théoden and threatens Éowyn, declaring that no living man can hinder him. Éowyn reveals she is a woman and kills him after Merry wounds him.
Frodo Bagginspursuer
As leader of the Ringwraiths, the Witch-king is part of the force hunting the Ring-bearer. His passing overhead terrifies the hobbits, though his death brings them no practical relief.
Gandalfadversary
Gandalf confronts the Witch-king at the broken Gate of Minas Tirith, refusing him entry as the enemy captain challenges him to die.
Merry overcomes his terror and stabs the Witch-king behind the knee, disrupting the spell binding his unseen sinews and helping Éowyn destroy him.
Samwise Gamgeepursuer
The Witch-king and his servants are among the dangers pursuing Sam and Frodo through Mordor; Sam recognizes that the Ringwraith’s cry has become a sign of the Dark Lord’s defeat.
Théodenenemy
The winged Shadow associated with Mordor’s assault terrifies the people of Rohan and threatens Théoden’s realm as the war begins.
Story so far
BOOK 3The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of the Lord of the Rings
Key events
- Book 1
Ch. 14The Black Riders Attack at WeathertopThe Company reaches Weathertop and finds signs of Gandalf's battle. That night, the Nine Riders attack; Frodo puts on the Ring, sees their true forms, and is stabbed by the Witch-king's Morgul-knife before Strider drives them off with fire. - Book 3
Ch. 6The Battle of the Pelennor FieldsThéoden leads the Rohirrim in a thunderous charge onto the Pelennor. Théoden falls to the Witch-king; Éowyn reveals herself as Dernhelm and, with Merry's aid, slays the Lord of the Nazgûl. Aragorn arrives with southern reinforcements, turning the tide.
Appearances
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