Editing Nazgûl (section)

== Fictional history ==

=== Second Age ===

{{quote box|quote=Those who used the [[Nine Rings]] became mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old. They obtained glory and great wealth, yet it turned to their downfall. They had, as it seemed, unending life, yet life became unendurable to them. They could walk, if they would, unseen by all eyes in this world beneath the sun, and they could see things in worlds invisible to mortal men; but too often they beheld only the phantoms and delusions of Sauron. And one by one, sooner or later, according to their native strength and to the good or evil of their wills in the beginning, they fell under the thraldom of the ring that they bore and of the domination of the One which was Sauron's. And they became forever invisible save to him that wore the Ruling Ring, and they entered into the realm of shadows. The Nazgûl were they, the Ringwraiths, the Úlairi, the Enemy's most terrible servants; darkness went with them, and they cried with the voices of death. |source=''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"<ref name="Silmarillion Ringwraiths" group=T/>
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The Nazgûl or Ringwraiths ([[Quenya]] plural: ''Úlairi'') first appeared in the [[Second Age]]. The Dark Lord [[Sauron]] gave nine [[Rings of Power]] to powerful mortal men, including three lords of the once-powerful island realm of [[Númenor]], along with kings of countries in Middle-earth.<ref name="Akallabêth" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, "The Akallabêth", p. 267. "Yet Sauron was ever guileful, and it is said that among those whom he ensnared with the Nine Rings three were great lords of Númenórean race."</ref><ref name="Journey of the Black Riders" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1980}}, 4. "The Hunt for the Ring" i. "Of the Journey of the Black Riders"</ref> The rings enslaved their bearers to the power of Sauron's [[One Ring]], into which he had put much of his own power. The corrupting effect of the Rings greatly extended the bearers' lives.<ref name="Silmarillion Ringwraiths" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"</ref>{{efn|Tolkien in some places stated that the Ringwraiths wore their rings, and in others that Sauron kept control by holding the rings himself: "They would have obeyed . . . any minor command of his that did not interfere with their errand — laid upon them by Sauron, who still through their nine rings (which he held) had primary control of their wills".<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Carpenter|2023|loc=#246 to Mrs Eileen Elgar, September 1963 }}</ref> They were by far the most powerful of his servants, and the most suitable for such a mission, since they were entirely enslaved to their Nine Rings, which he now himself held.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1980}}, "Journey of the Black Riders"</ref>}}

The Nazgûl had a sharp sense of smell.<ref name="Foster1978">{{cite book |last=Foster |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Foster (author) |title=Guide to Middle Earth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qpNzD69cm7AC |year=1978 |publisher=[[Ballantine Books]] |isbn=978-0-345-27547-9 |page=184}}</ref> Their sight worked differently, too: "They themselves do not see the world of light as we do, but our shapes cast shadows in their minds, which only the noon sun destroys; and in the dark they perceive many signs and forms that are hidden from us: then they are most to be feared."<ref name="Knife in the Dark" group=T/> Their chief weapon was terror; it was so powerful that Sauron faced one disadvantage when using them: they could not easily travel in secret.<ref name="Journey of the Black Riders" group=T/> The terror they spread was greater when they were unclad and invisible; and when they were gathered together.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1980}}, 4. "The Hunt for the Ring" ii. "Other Versions of the Story"</ref>

{{anchor|Witch-king}}

Only two of the Nazgûl are named or identified individually in Tolkien's works. Their chief, also known as the Lord of the Nazgûl and the Black Captain, appears as the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] during the Third Age, instrumental in the destruction of the North-kingdom of [[Arnor (Middle-earth)|Arnor]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, Appendix A, 1 "The Numenorean Kings"</ref> In ''Unfinished Tales'', his second-in-command is named as {{Visible anchor|Khamûl}}, the "Black Easterling" or the "Shadow of the East".<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1980}}, Index, entry for Khamûl</ref> Three of the Nazgûl were great [[Númenórean]] lords;<ref name="Akallabêth" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, "The Akallabêth", p. 267. "Yet Sauron was ever guileful, and it is said that among those whom he ensnared with the Nine Rings three were great lords of Númenórean race."</ref> in his notes for translators, Tolkien speculated that the Witch-king of Angmar, ruler of a northern kingdom with its capital at Carn Dûm, was of Númenórean origin.<ref group=T>Tolkien writes: "the name and origin of the Witch-king is not recorded, but he was probably of Númenórean descent."  [[Wayne G. Hammond|Hammond, Wayne G.]] & [[Christina Scull|Scull, Christina]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', p. 20.  Tolkien later removed the passage; it does not appear in the version in [[Jared Lobdell]]'s ''[[A Tolkien Compass]]''.</ref>

The Nine soon became Sauron's principal servants.<ref name="Appendix B Second Age" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, Appendix B, "The Tale of Years", entries in "The Second Age"</ref> They were dispersed after the first overthrow of Sauron late in the Second Age at the hands of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, but their survival was assured by the power of the [[One Ring]].<ref name="Appendix B Second Age" group=T/>

=== Third Age ===

[[File:Gondor sketch map.svg|thumb|upright=2.5|Sketch map of part of [[Middle-earth]] in the [[Third Age]], with [[Mordor]] on the right. Minas Morgul is on the western border of Mordor in the Ephel Duath mountains. ]]

The Nazgûl re-emerge over a thousand years later in the [[Third Age]], when the Lord of the Nazgûl leads Sauron's forces against the successor kingdoms of Arnor: Rhudaur, Cardolan, and Arthedain. He destroys all three but is defeated by the armies of Gondor and the Elf-lord [[Glorfindel]], who prophesies that "not by the hand of man will he fall".<ref name="Gondor and the heirs of Anarion" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, Appendix A, I, iv "Gondor and the heirs of Anarion"</ref> He escapes, and returns to [[Mordor]]. There, he gathers the other Nazgûl to prepare for the return of Sauron.<ref name="Gondor and the heirs of Anarion" group=T/><ref name="Appendix B Third Age" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, Appendix B, "The Tale of Years", entries in "The Third Age"</ref>

{{anchor|Minas Ithil|Minas Morgul|Imlad Morgul}}
The Nazgûl besiege '''Minas Ithil''', a [[Gondor]]ian fortress in the [[Mordor#Geography|Ephel Duath]], capture it, and acquire its ''[[palantír]]'' for Sauron. The city becomes '''Minas Morgul''', the Nazgûl's stronghold,<ref name="Appendix B Third Age" group=T/> and the valley is known as '''Morgul Vale''' ('''Imlad Morgul'''). Sauron returns from [[Dol Guldur]] to Mordor and declares himself openly.<ref name="Council of Elrond" group=T/> He sent two or three of the Nazgûl, led by Khamul, to garrison Dol Guldur.<ref name="Appendix B Third Age" group=T/>

Sauron learns from [[Gollum]] that a [[hobbit]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] of [[the Shire]], has acquired the One Ring.<ref name="Shadow of the Past" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}}, book 1, ch. 2 "[[The Shadow of the Past]]"</ref> Sauron entrusts its recovery to the Nazgûl. They reappear "west of the River", riding black horses that were bred or trained in Mordor to endure their terror.<ref name="Council of Elrond" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}}, book 2, ch. 2 "[[The Council of Elrond]]"</ref> They learn that the Ring has passed to Bilbo's heir, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], and hunt him and his companions across the Shire; the hobbits hear snuffling, and sometimes see them crawling.<ref name="Three is Company" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} book 1, ch. 3 "Three is Company"</ref><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} book 1, ch. 4 "A Short Cut to Mushrooms"</ref> The hobbits escape, via [[Tom Bombadil]]'s realm where they are not pursued, to [[Bree (Middle-earth)|Bree]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} book 1, ch. 6 "The Old Forest"</ref><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} book 1, ch. 7 "In the House of Tom Bombadil"</ref><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} book 1, ch. 8 "Fog on the Barrow-downs"</ref> A [[Ranger of the North]], [[Aragorn]], arrives ahead of them and for some days leads them on paths not closely followed by the Ringwraiths.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} book 1, ch. 9 "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony"</ref><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} book 1, ch. 10 "Strider"</ref>

{{anchor|Morgul blade|Morgul-knife|Morgul knife}}
Five of the Nazgûl corner Frodo and his company at Weathertop, where the Witch-king stabs Frodo in the shoulder with the Morgul-knife, breaking off a piece of it in the [[Hobbit]]'s flesh.<ref name="Knife in the Dark" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} book 1, ch. 11 "A Knife in the Dark"</ref> During their assault, they mentally command Frodo to put on the One Ring; while wearing it, he sees them as pale figures robed in white, with "haggard hands", helmets and swords. The Witch-king was taller than the others, with "long and gleaming" hair and a crown on his helmet.<ref name="Knife in the Dark" group=T/>

When all Nine are swept away by the waters of the river [[Bruinen]], their horses are drowned, and the Ringwraiths are forced to return to Mordor to regroup.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} book 1, ch. 12 "Flight to the Ford"</ref> 
The nine members of the [[Company of the Ring]], tasked with the destruction of the Ring, leave Rivendell as the "Nine Walkers", in opposition to the Nazgûl, the "Nine Riders".<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}} book 2, ch. 3 "The Ring Goes South"</ref><ref name="Little 2020">{{cite book |last=Little |first=Ariel |chapter=<!--22. -->Hope remains while the company is true: The community heroic in the Fellowship of the Ring |title=The Inklings and Culture: A Harvest of Scholarship from the Inklings Institute of Canada |year=2020 |pages=304–315 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=9781527562653 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8WMOEAAAQBAJ&dq=members+of+Fellowship+of+the+Ring&pg=PA304}}</ref>

{{quote box|quote=The Nazgûl came again ... like vultures that expect their fill of doomed men's flesh. Out of sight and shot they flew, and yet were ever present, and their deadly voices rent the air. More unbearable they became, not less, at each new cry. At length even the stout-hearted would fling themselves to the ground as the hidden menace passed over them, or they would stand, letting their weapons fall from nerveless hands while into their minds a blackness came, and they thought no more of war, but only of hiding and of crawling, and of death.|source=''[[The Return of the King]]'', "The Siege of Gondor"<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, book 5, ch. 4 "The Siege of Gondor"</ref>|width=45%|align=right}}

The Nazgûl reappear mounted on hideous flying beasts.<ref name="Pelennor Fields" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, book 5, ch. 6, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"</ref><ref name="Letter 211" group=T>{{harvnb|Carpenter|2023|loc=#211 to Rhona Beare, 14 October 1958 }}</ref> During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], the Lord of the Nazgûl [[Magic in Middle-earth|uses magic]], including Grond, a [[battering-ram]] engraved with evil spells, to break the gates of Minas Tirith. He is faced by [[Éowyn]], a noblewoman of [[Rohan (Middle-earth)|Rohan]]; and not far away, [[Merry Brandybuck|Merry]], a hobbit of the Company. Éowyn boldly calls the Nazgûl a "dwimmerlaik", telling him to go if he is not deathless.{{efn|"Dwimmerlaik" represents a word in [[Rohirric]], the speech of [[Rohan (Middle-earth)|Rohan]], translated into [[Old English]]; Tolkien glosses it in the index as a "work of [[necromancy]]", a "spectre". It derives from Old English ''(ge)dwimor'', "phantom, illusion" and ''-leikr'', the Old Norse ending corresponding to Anglo-Saxon ''-lac'', meaning "a state or act".<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1990|page=372}}</ref> [[Tom Shippey]] writes that Tolkien borrowed the word from a Middle English poem, [[Layamon's Brut|Layamon's ''Brut'']].<ref>{{harvnb|Shippey|2005|page=394}}</ref>}} He casts back his hood to reveal a crown, but the head that wears it is invisible. Merry's surreptitious stroke with an enchanted [[Middle-earth weapons and armour|Barrow-blade]] brings the Nazgûl to his knees, allowing Éowyn, the niece of [[Théoden]], to drive her sword between his crown and mantle.<ref name="Pelennor Fields" group=T/> Thus is the Witch-king destroyed by a woman and a Hobbit, fulfilling Glorfindel's prophecy.<ref name="Gondor and the heirs of Anarion" group=T/> Both weapons that pierced him disintegrate, and both assailants are stricken with the Black Breath.<ref name="Pelennor Fields" group=T/>

After the fall of the Lord of the Nazgûl, command of Mordor's army in the field falls to Gothmog, the "lieutenant of Morgul", of unspecified race.{{efn|[[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]] comment that fans' suggestions that Gothmog was a Nazgûl are "no more than speculation". They note that an earlier Gothmog was "Lord of Balrogs", who killed [[Fëanor]] and Fingon, and was killed in the assault on [[Gondolin]]. They note also that "lieutenant of Morgul" could mean the second-in-command either of Minas Morgul or "more likely" of the Morgul-lord, the Lord of the Nazgûl.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hammond |first1=Wayne G. |author1-link=Wayne G. Hammond |last2=Scull |first2=Christina |author2-link=Christina Scull |title=The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion |title-link=The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-00-720907-1 |page=565}}</ref>}}<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, book 5, ch. 6, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields". "There they had been mustered for the sack of the City and the rape of Gondor, waiting on the call of their Captain. He now was destroyed; but Gothmog the lieutenant of Morgul had flung them into the fray..."</ref>

The remaining eight Ringwraiths attack the Army of the West during the [[Battle of the Morannon]].<ref name="Morannon" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, book 5, ch. 10 "The Black Gate Opens"</ref> When Frodo claims the Ring for his own in [[Mount Doom]], Sauron, finally realizing his peril, orders the remaining eight Nazgûl to fly to intercept him. They arrive too late: Gollum seizes the Ring and falls into the Cracks of Doom, destroying the Ring. That ends Sauron's power and everything he had brought into being using it, including the Nazgûl.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}} book 6, ch. 3, "Mount Doom"</ref>