What Was The WITCH KING OF ANGMAR Doing Before The Lord of the Rings? | Middle Earth Lore

[@mattbenson8078]

The Witch King of Angmar is the coolest name for a villain ever

[@masseyfurguson8871]

The name Witch-King is quite lit.

[@jimbombadill]

His true name was Herbert...

[@connielingus8385]

@@jimbombadill Alice!

[@mateuszslawinski1990]

Witch-King: *Lord of the Beings* known as the Nazgul

[@haraldkjall4561]

Yeah, even cooler in swedish: Häxmästaren av Angmar. Sounds cool I promise

[@oliveremmettknox7776]

The Witch King should have his spin movie or TV Series about Angmar and the fall of Arnor.

[@2Gzzz]

I think it will be in the Amazon series because that focusses on the second age?

[@christiandauz3742]

Remember the Rise of the Witch-King expansion for BFME2?

[@lukebrehm1986]

Who do we talk to to make this happen?

[@SMhydra]

If only WK is a badass

[@Amadeus8484]

"Ringwraiths, they're just like us!" People Magazine, Mordor Edition.

[@Flexie1234]

🤣

[@beneisen6982]

Gandalf is a Maiar not a man, so I think the witch king could fall in this fight. However, the witch king would likely not underestimate Gandalf as he did Eowyn and Merry, leading to a much more engaging fight. While Gandalf would emerge victorious, I do believe the fight will cost Gandalf, wounding or at least weakening him.

[@Amadeus8484]

The Witch King shattered his staff in the deleted scene with just a spell.

[@beneisen6982]

@@Amadeus8484 In the movie, yes. I'm basing off the books.

[@Amadeus8484]

@@beneisen6982 Well if Gandalf can just easily beat the Witch King when Sauron is augmenting him it would make it too easy for the good guys to just have a Wizard defending them.

[@beneisen6982]

@@Amadeus8484 I never said it would be easy, but also, that is what the Istari are there to do. Remember that Sauron and Gandalf are the same type of divine being. Since returning as Gandalf the White, he was granted the ability to use more of his strength as a Maiar as Eru considered him the only of the Istari to stay true to his purpose. Remember how Gandalf the White drove away multiple Nazgul at range when rescuing Faramir and the other soldiers of Gondor who were fleeing Osgiliath.

[@Amadeus8484]

@@beneisen6982 No I get that, I just think that Sauron is way more powerful which is why they had to send FIVE and even then I think the Wizards were supposed to get the people of Middle Earth to deal with Sauron rather than doing it themselves. In any case, I think if ANYONE can easily beat the Ringwraiths when they are using their best equipment and what not (Riders in Black who were mostly devoid of anything amazing) then they wouldn't be as scary as they are.

[@DOSHIELD]

Gandalf killed a Balrog while being “low powered”. Pretty sure he would beat down a Witch King with his upgrade.

[@plothead4839]

They both died. Gandlalf just got respawned

[@harrisonjewell6510]

With some weird ass scaling you can make the witchking more than a match for Gandalf the white, starting from the big dragon bastard, can’t spell that name, to Sauron down to the witch king of angmar to put him around solar system durability.

[@kardy12]

@@harrisonjewell6510 There’s no way the witch king of Angmar is more powerful than one of Morgoth’s Balrogs.

[@mikeike2177]

galdalf would smack him

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

I just picture them in a waiting room whenever they can't take Physical Form, like sitting around reading old magazines.

[@snowywhite2160]

Like being on the astral or etheric plane before you have to incarnate again! Unfortunately you don’t get to read magazines there…

[@stevindiesel]

Probably a lot like getting Covid?

[@steverome293]

Like in. beetlejuice!

[@snowywhite2160]

@@steverome293 Betelgeuse isn't a very pleasant place to be for most

[@robspore5046]

Probably an old pinball machine that tilts easily and a foosball table with a cracked puck. A cigarette machine that only carries menthols.

[@jacksonscott3667]

8:56 Slight nitpick, but Merry’s sword had its origins in Arnor, where it was specifically forged with enchantments designed to harm the Witch King.

[@raymcgeough8720]

I didn’t know this. Thanks

[@natedorney7032]

Merry's sword came from the barrow of the last Prince Of Cardolan. So the wound from his blade was the fatal blow and Eowyn's was the coup de gras or finishing thrust.

[@raymcgeough8720]

@@natedorney7032 thank you both!

[@OldSchoolZ-wy2yx]

@@natedorney7032 lol, it's coup de grâce, written like that you're basically saying she killed him with her fat

[@alansvartr]

@@OldSchoolZ-wy2yx Cul de Gris

[@jonathanlemon544]

So glad they changed the design of the witch king. Just a floating crown sounds pretty silly and would look pretty dumb in combat vs the bad ass helm we get in the movie

[@loganestrada2311]

Gandalf is a Maiar, the Witch King is the servant of a Maiar making him less powerful. But some of the first age elves could give the Maiar a run for their money so... I'd say it would be hard but not impossible.

[@gahlster]

Not only give them a run for their money, but outright defeat them as well. Glorfindel kills a Balrog, eventhough he dies while doing so. But he is eclipsed by Ecthelion who slays 3 Balrogs before he dies while killing a 4th Balrog, namely Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs.

[@Charles-A]

@@gahlsterGlorfindel never died fighting a Balrog or otherwise. He even protects frodo from the Nazgûl and is the one that carries him to Rivendell.

[@gahlster]

@@Charles-AYes, he did die to a Balrog during the Fall of Gondolin in the First Age. Because of his heroic deeds he was re-embodied and could leave the Halls of Mandos to live in Valinor and then be sent to Middle Earth by Manwë as a emissary where he among other things do the things you mentioned.

[@natedorney7032]

The barrow blade carried by Merry at the battle of the pellenor fields came from the barrow of the last dunedain Prince Of Cardolan who fell in the wars of Angmar... So it would've been the wound from Merry's blade which was the fatal blow and that Eowyn's own was the coup de gras which finished the witch king.

[@sauron3488]

He was most powerful and during the years after I was defeated he waged war on the northern kingdom and eventually defeated it.

[@ironcladstranger4559]

I wanted to be a witch king when I grew up but unfortunately it never worked out.

[@RogerRockmore]

Don't give up, there is still time.

[@ironcladstranger4559]

@@RogerRockmore thanks man. If you see some dude handing out rings anywhere hit me up.

[@RogerRockmore]

@@ironcladstranger4559 I bought the One ring from Amazon for £15. Maybe get yourself a sword as well and your on the right path to becoming a Witch king lol

[@ironcladstranger4559]

@@RogerRockmore Amazon uk must have more deals on it than canadian Amazon. Let the good times roll

[@richtomchuk1584]

Took an arrow in the knee?

[@levyan4718]

The kingdom of Angmar is so mysterious! I want more

[@jacobpepper4884]

I'd like to see a video explaining what exactly happened to the seven rings given to the seven dwarf kings.

[@oliveremmettknox7776]

"Do not pursue him! He will not return to these lands. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man shall he fall." -Glorfindel

[@scottcochran7498]

It would be great if you could do an episode discussing the Ents and Ent Wives.

[@airborncamel]

My absolute favorite evil character!! Great video as always, thank you guys!!!

[@Libroer]

Gandalf defeated the Balrog when he was only Gandalf the Grey, and the Balrog was a Maiar, like Gandalf. The witch king is a souped up man, so I think Gandalf would win, but hey, you never know!

[@rangerofthenorth1970]

Great video as always, I'm so glad to see that number of your subscribers is growing....When is the live stream, we have a lot of things to talk about ;)

[@TheBrokenSword]

Thanks! Probably fit one in after we have finished moving 😊

[@Huskytabby]

What-if scenario idea: What if Gandalf never fell at the Bridge of Khazad-dum and continued with the fellowship into Lothlorien on forward?

[@joshuamayo9732]

What if Boromir didn't die but Merry and Pippen were still taken?

[@whtbobwntsbobget]

Dante yeah that's a great question!

[@GayestWinston]

Let's hear it

[@deviliciouspanda2430]

What if the hobbits had only one breakfast ?

[@j.m6546]

Well I would imagine the balrog joining sauron wich would be alot worse

[@haraldkjall4561]

Nice, maybe a video on second in command of the Nine. Khamul the easterling. The shadow of the east. He was the one at the ferry in the Shire.

[@chrisi621]

The movie really screwed up by making WK seem stronger than Gandalf. Gandalf is on the same level as Sauron. WK was a man, not a Maia. So clearly, Gandalf is the stronger of the two. I'd probably say the closer fight would be between Galadriel and WK as far as power levels go

[@Cornerboy73]

Great villain. I think Gandalf would have wrecked him though. In the movie, Gandalf was like "b*tch, that was a brand new staff, now you're gonna get it 💥🧙‍♂️

[@HunterZolomon]

Gandalf is undoubtedly more powerful, but the movie needed a little more drama.

[@russwatson8713]

Really enjoying these Broken Sword videos. First rate in production quality as well as being very well researched. And Gandalf the grey kicked balrog butt. Pretty sure the upgraded white edition would have handed the witch king his ass, lol. Congrats on your success from another Pi day alum!

[@natedorney7032]

In the movies, the witch king broke Gandalf The White's staff when they met at the gates of Minas Tirith during the battle... From what we've seen of it in the movies, whenever one of the Istari has their staffs broken - that means that their power has been broken. So then unless mithrandir had some help from the valar themselves: Angmar would've trashed Gandalf whether in his Grey or White incarnation.

[@DhsjwuDbruanrbdhdbe]

@@natedorney7032 "Movie", that scene was to add drama and hopelessness until the the Eorlingas arrived to the Pelennor Fields. This bit is referring to the written histories of Middle Earth, according to Tolkien. The Witch King has no chance in the Halls of Mandos at defeating Gandalf for he is a Maiar.

[@khylerbane4523]

When the Witch King was surrounded by the forces of Arnor… King Eärnur: “Your are surrounded!” Witch King: “Yes, I am indeed surrounded.” *smirks* “I’m surrounded by fear and dead men.” Glorfindel: o.0 “I ain’t fuckin with that shit.” King Eärnur(future): “I am!” *dies horribly* Glorfindel(future): “Hey, I warned him.” If you get this reference, leave a like.

[@petere5826]

If the Witch King was a Numenorean and a “King of Men” then he obviously was which King of Numenor? Hint: the Shadow Falls on Numenor

[@frodofraggins]

The witch king was feared more than Smaug or the Balrog? the books never really showed us great power from the Nazgul to be honest.

[@v.9964]

There are several passages of the power of the Nazgûl. Also, Gandalf feared the Witch King. Especially after he broke his staff. You should read some of the books sometime. They're quite interesting.

[@HAWSHPAWZ-GAMEZ]

@@v.9964 he doesn't break Gandalf's staff in the book. Gandalf's staff is only ever lost once in the books and thats when he stands against the Balrog and it falls with him. In the books gandalf highlights how he and the witch king had yet to be matched to one another which kind of hints at the fact that they may be evenly matched to an extent but its not known. Gandalf and the witch king have a stand off in return of the king but then the witch king leaves when the rohirrim attack were he ultimately dies by eowyn's hand. Gandalf actually fights all of the ringwraiths as well upon Weathertop and they are actually scared of him during the day but then attempt to surround him at night. Frodo actually sees the flames and light of Gandalf and asks strider about it and later when Gandalf is explaining why he never met them he tells them of the attack and battle.

[@HAWSHPAWZ-GAMEZ]

I would say he was more feared than the Balrog simply cause no one bar the goblins of Moria, the then dead dwarves of Moria and the wizards knew of its existence. I would say he was more feared than Smaug due to the fact that the witch king was the right hand man of sauron and leader of his armies. His sole purpose is to see Saurons will imposed on all living things whilst smaug, who is also terrifying, is a dragon with more selfish ideals in mind. He wants gold and food and thats about it. If the dwarves had never bothered him he most likely would have been content staying in the mountain with his pile of gold and occasionally stealing a virgin or two or some cattle.

[@karerabbe7829]

@@v.9964 maybe you should read rhe fakkin books dude... He doesn't break his staff, nor does he rly eaven come close to Gandalf the White in power level..

[@v.9964]

@@HAWSHPAWZ-GAMEZ I have read the books. I could have sworn I read he broke his staff. But all that other bunch , I am aware of what happens. Thanks for giving a summary of the book.

[@aaronj3924]

Does anyone have an explanation for Jackson's deleted scene in the, " Desolation of Smaug," where Gandalf travels to a creepy tomb near some snowy peaks? Supposedly the resting place of the 9... I think 🤔

[@darkhighwayman1757]

Pete just adding stuff

[@ohno8569]

I believe it's supposed to be a reference to Gandalf's going to Gol Ungdor ( I might be misremembering the name, it's a fortress in the south of "mirkwood") on multiple occasions in the source material. I believe he was trying to condense all of Gandalf's visits into a single scene.

[@jimothysjundgeon]

Yeah that was just Peter Jackson adding in extra information so that they could justify the name of the necromancer, as it is implied that Sauron raised the nine from the dead. It is purely for that movie and is not cannon to Tolkien’s writings.

[@lordheklsmosh9490]

When will you guys do videos on the first age

[@nicholassieloff8701]

Congrats on 25k subs. Love your great videos! When will the first livestream be?

[@kadaverf]

Ooh "the best villain created ever" is indeed a very good thought that you just planted in my head :) I have always found that I think DC's Joker is the best villain ever, but I also do find the Witchking of Angmar extremely intriguing (pardon me if I spelled that wrongly). Perhaps that is because a lot is not known on both their origins, and that they are capable of extreme cruelty. Many greetings from Delft, Holland

[@gabrielst828]

Joker... really?

[@owyemen9367]

@@gabrielst828 he's an amazing villain what's the problem?

[@brutusjudas5842]

How did Aragorn fend off the Nazgul, including The Witch King, on Weathertop when The Witch King could give Gandalf a run for his money? The power scaling seems off to me.

[@leonardofaber5823]

It was not like in the movies, where Aragorn fought them with the aid of a torch. In the books, he indeed used fire (something the Nazgûl feared), but they fled because they believed their job was done: hurt by the cursed blade, they were sure Frodo would soon be a slave to their (Sauron's) will.

[@vacsad]

@@leonardofaber5823 Also they didn't expected Isildur's heir to be there and they got into a fight with Gandalf few days earlier already.

[@karerabbe7829]

They should gave explained in the movie why he collapsed and almost seemed to die from a small dagger inn the legg from a hobbit.. He just seems weak..Especially in the originals, where we don't see his power when he fights Gandalf (wich is also a fail to the books and lore..) A bit sad

[@KaosRunes]

Maiar vs man with magical powers? My money is on Gandalf!

[@connielingus8385]

A ghost-man vs. a guy who killed a balrog and then became even more powerful...

[@100dfrost]

The Witch King in the movie was shown to be really strong against Gandalf just before he was killed for dramatic effect. In the book the "Ascended" Gandalf would have easily taken out the Witch King.

[@jv3198]

Witch king was given more powers by sauron that’s why witch king was so confident against gandalf.

[@markhutchins7808]

So a Maiar (Gandalf) vs a man given powers by another Maiar (Sauron). Gandalf is the wielder of the secret fire, and is not a man. No wonder the Witch King ran away.

[@nathanielmik]

I think Gandalf would have won, the witch king in his pride thought the prophecy by Glorfindel meant he was invincible but it just meant he had foreseen that his doom was not going to be by the hand of man. And remember Glorfindel was said to be able to ride openly against the nine so if Glorefindel could and Gandalf in his Grey form could at least hold them off I think Gandalf was pretty likely to have been a match for him if needed.

[@lukasbocker6740]

Well, there are a few things to consider. First, who are those two opponents? Gandalfs is an immortal, god-like Maiar, but limited in his powers by the form he had to take. Also, the wizards were not meht to be powerful fighters in the first place and Gandalfs greatest power as a Maiar of Manwe is wisdom, not strength. The witch king on the other hand starts far below him, as the spirit of a mortal man who was twisted into this form. But his greatest power was sorcery and strength used to fight and dominate everything. But in the end of the day I'd say that Gandalf would have the upper hand. He was able to defeat a Balrog (something far more powerful than any Nazgul could be, since some Balrogs matched even Saurons power, e.g. Gothmog) when he still was Gandalf the grey. With his enhanced powers he should be able to take on the witch king, but I guess it would not be easy for him.

[@masseyfurguson8871]

Witch-king: Fools, no man can kill me. Éowyn: Haha 🙋🏼‍♀️ Witch-king: Well… F

[@Dare_To_Game]

He was being the main antagonist in the Battle for Middle Earth 2.

[@Cat_Woods]

The nazgul were men, enslaved to evil. As one of the Maiar, Gandalf was equal to Sauron, never even mind the king of the nazgul.

[@Victor.-.E]

Do you think all the Maiar are equal?

[@Cat_Woods]

@@Victor.-.E I certainly think Gandalf back from the dead was equal to Sauron. Not all Sauron's armies put together, maybe, but Sauron himself, yes.

[@panhandlersparadise1733]

True, but there's no reason to think any Maiar can always beat any human in a fair fight. The elves fought the balrogs successfully, who were Maiar, and humans could fight elves. The elves also fought Sauron and even Melkor (Morgoth). In fact, a human, Isildur, actually defeated Sauron himself and lopped of his finger with the ring attached. Certainly if a mortal man could defeat Sauron an ancient king and sorcerer with a ring of power could fight Gandalf. But the point is moot. Either the Witch-King would have won or it had to happen as it did as part of the prophecy.

[@Victor.-.E]

@@Cat_Woods I don't think Gandalf was ever as powerful as Sauron, but I don't have any facts to support that... just the impression I always got. What we need is a Streetfighter-style 1 vs. 1 videogame with every character in the game. No balancing. If you choose Sam, you'll never beat Legolas. Gandalf vs Sauron!!!

[@Cat_Woods]

​@@panhandlersparadise1733 Fair points, but I didn't mean Gandalf would necessarily win, just that he was at least evenly matched or better compared with the king of the nazgul. When it comes to the prophecy, I just hate when stories have to make the prophecies true all the time. I would like more examples closer to what happens in real life- the prophecies fail and then apologists line up to try to reinterpret them to explain away the failures.

[@katherinestives940]

To answer the question posed in the video, I think Gandalf would have destroyed the Witch King. While it was prophesied that no man would kill the Witch King, Gandalf is also no man. He's a Maia spirit. Additionally, as Gandalf the White he was given more of his power to use against the greater perils of evil, of which the Witch King would be counted. With both of those advantages, I don't see the Witch King surviving without help. I would further say that there was cause for the Witch King to be confident, because he hadn't met Gandalf the White, only Gandalf the Grey. I doubt that he realized what he was really up against.

[@TheBigGuppy]

He was Murazor, the 2nd son of the 12th king of Numeanor..... I'm sticking with that story.

[@juanmanuelanzaldotrejo9312]

There’s an old book from the MERP that gives a lot of semiofficial information on how did Angmar ruled over the north part of The Middle Earth

[@mikeynth7919]

I got that old Iron Crown publication. Angmar - Land of the Witch King

[@thesixstistari5604]

Daammn Being born the day the siege of Minas Anor started is pretty huge

[@BrianMarrino236]

I would like to know more of Eanur and how he disappeared for the remainder of Tolkien's remarkable LotR Series

[@erikyehl9293]

Possibly Eanur is the Mouth of Sauron

[@roberthaig2133]

random question about the rings of power. Are the 9 rings given to men and the 7 to the dwarfs "the same" and their impact is different only because men and dwarfs are different or were they designed differently?

[@kristijangrgic9841]

Dwarwes cannot be trully enslaved instead they become very greedy and get talent for ammasing wealth

[@Phantom_Zer0]

If Gandalf the gray killed a Balrog which always ends in the death of the balrog's opponent (i think that's always the case), then Gandalf the white would have destroyed the witch king. i think Glorfindel (i hope that's how it's spelled) would be able to handle the WK, Glorfindel is crazy strong, and one of my favorite characters from the legendarium. The only match for Gandalf would be Sauron or Morgoth.

[@Vandervecken]

Durin's Bane DID kill Gandalf the Grey as well. Gandalf came back as The White only because of a likely direct intervention by Eru (he'd have been able to reform over time in Valinor probably without Eru's intervention, but this quick reincarnation in Middle Earth had to be Eru Himself acting). So that battle could have gone any which way. But absolutely Gandalf should pretty handily best the WK. Cripes he faced all 9 of them on Weathertop!

[@pmiller7886]

@@Vandervecken I believe Gandalf/Olorin was under the direct rule of Manwe, as Manwe claimed dominion over all of Arda under the rule of Eru. Only one time in history did Manwe lay down his rulership, that was when Numenor invaded the undying shores. Gandalf was too small an event to bother Eru with.

[@draftmagicagain1000]

Wow. I thought I was a LOTRs fan, but by this comment section I don't think i really know much at all. Lol.

[@matthewlawton9721]

He's loosely referenced in the 2002 (?) CD-ROM game, "The Hobbit", in that, in the misty mountains segment, "Overhill and Underhill", you use "Witch-King's Crystals" to activate mechanisms like gates and lifts in the orc/goblin held mines

[@Iainy97]

1v1 Gandalf no question about it, as much as it pains me to say cause I love the witch-king and the nazgul but with orcs, trolls and easterlings all around I think the witch-king would use that to his advantage tbh

[@karolmach1476]

Maybe video about history of Nargothrond?

[@Enerdhil]

Shout out to the Petty Dwarves! 😁

[@cmillerpa33]

Gandalph the Grey was there to help the goodly races find their way to defeat the enemy. Gandalph the White was there to kick some ass. The Witch King would have had many tricks and may have won a fight vs Gandalph but seems to be the favorite in the book.

[@ragincrustacean5254]

Really good video. The witch king is my 2nd favorite nazgul, I’m a huge fan of Khamul, I really like his title, and unlike the witch king, he seems more mysterious. We see a lot of his influence with Rhun and the Haradrim. But not much is known about him outside of that. Which is so dope.

[@palavesamuthunarayanan8642]

Those dislikes are from the Nazguls

[@hannahd6606]

Who is the artist of the painting shown at 9:09-9:23? It's amazing and I would love to purchase a print

[@hannahd6606]

oh god it says it right there on the screen. ignore this lol

[@austinfarrell739]

sees 4 views with 9 likes: There's still some good left in the world Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for.

[@nialllynam9921]

Cringe hahaha

[@C-Jay_Underground]

The so called "memes" is just not that funny! It hurts my stomach when people try to hard and it falls so flat ;D

[@jamesaron1967]

I think Gandalf would have emerged the victor. As the Grey he defeated a balrog, barely. As the White, there weren't many beings left on Middle-earth who equaled him let alone surpassed him in strength. Sauron and perhaps a few of the high elves who sill remained. The Witch-king one on one? Not a chance. All Nine? Debatable but my bets are on Gandalf.

[@Vandervecken]

And also, as Gandalf the Grey, he fended off all nine Nazgul at Weathertop.

[@chrislickteig5697]

Gandalf vs Witch King vs Balrog vs King Kong vs Godzilla vs Freddy vs Jason vs Ash... Go. In all fictional seriousness, though, the movie does no justice to Gandalf and the Witch King's confrontation. If I remember correctly, the Witch King retreated, whereas the movie shows him break Gandalf's staff like nothing. Am I wrong?

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

"I must Find......I must Serve, I am eternally loyal to the one who rightful rules all...... I.... I can barely....remember, fields of grass, a golden crown, the songs of men..... Conquest is the only thing that remains.... who ever I am I have no concern..... Only to please my lord in this quest... The only words that remains......is the Witch King"

[@stevindiesel]

Why the assumption that TWK is stronger than Gandalf? He does seem hard as nails but Gandalf is next level, surely? TWK and his 6 mates ran off when Aragorn (who IS only a male) waved some fire in front of him. Gandalf KILLED A BALROG! I think the question is more likely to be, “how long would TWK last after he inevitably gets smashed up?” Gandalf also made his whole force turn and flee by shining a really bright torch in the air. (Actually, the more I think about it, TWK sounds kind of lame - at least against anyone who’s not an untrained hobbit?)

[@pmiller7886]

Gandalf as has been stated is a Maiar, of the same race of angelic beings as Sauron. A black numenorean is just that, a sorcerous being bearing one of the nine rings. Now, add to Gandalf one of the three mighty rings of the Elves the ring 💍 of fire, given to him by Cirdan, which were unsullied by Sauron, made at the height of Celebrimbors skills. In my opinion, Gandalf would hand the witch king his ass. Gandalf is the direct emissary of Manwe himself, so dread spells or not, the guy didn't have the juice 🥤. Glorfindel saw into the future at that moment and knew who would slay him, Gandalf was never meant to kill him. Also, Gandalf while still "the grey" slew the Balrog, another Maiar co-equal to himself and Sauron. As a matter of fact, Balrogs were the Valaraukar, the personal badasses of Morgoth himself, of which Sauron was a mere lieutenant and Barad-dur a weaksauce child's copy of Thangorodrim. So yes, Gandalf, originally named Olorin the Maia, is a badass, and a jumped up Numenorean doesn't have the minerals to take him if he reveals his full power. Manwe just didn't want him to do that though, it wasn't his purpose.

[@gabrielst828]

while I agree Gandalf would "kick his ass", the three elven rings were not weapons, they were more defensive assets

[@tosa2522]

Gandalf would have so torn the ass of the Witch King.

[@kardy12]

Glorfindel’s prophecy is an interesting one, and often interpreted to imply gender. But “man” is not necessarily the same as “a man” (I.e. it could mean mankind, not just gender), and the key blow was that of Merry - the blade he got from the barrow downs was specifically made to fight the Nazgûl, and it severed the link between his form and his will. I’m not sure Eowyn’s blow was even necessary at that point.

[@nyyotam4057]

Actually, the story of serving the dark lord and being killed by a woman is very much telling who exactly J.R.R Tolkien had in mind, when he created the image of the Witch King.. Just ask any Muslim :-).

[@fred20097]

In the video, you say the witch king was a numenorean king. But arent all the kings of Numenor accounted for? Of course, he could've originally been from Numenor but created his own kingdom somewhere in middle earth, seeing as a lot of evil Numenoreans colonised the coasts. Then after that, he met Sauron and recieved the ring?

[@garycook5071]

One question I have always had was what did the Nazgûl do in the second age. At what point did they become Nazgûl. They came back in the third age about 1,300, but no real mention of them before that date.

[@lukebrehm1986]

Shit, son! Gandalf beat a freakin Balrog… like c’mon.. he probably would’ve stomped the witch king. Very sad, but true…

[@meostafford]

Gandolph hands the witch king his ass in combat..I mean really,, how much more powerful was sauron than gandolph? they are both myar. I know gandolph was running at a different power level but still, gandolph wins that fight. just ask durains bain right.

[@johns1625]

Merry's magic blade is what gave the Witch King a "body" to kill I believe. He had to be stabbed with this blade before any wound could kill him, which is why Eowyn was able to stab his face and kill him. More of an insult to injury. I always felt like the "I am no man" line in the movie was a bit cheap and they were destroying a wonderfully terrible character on a technicality, but really it was Merry's blade and he didn't even know it COULD harm the Witch King when he stabbed him.

[@Charles-A]

Fair criticism. The barrow blades did not get much of an explanation in the movies either; I guess that's why they didn't elaborate when the Witch King was killed. I guess it would've been difficult to adapt something that's only told to the reader in the book about there not being any other blade that could have 'inflicted a wound so bitter..."

[@johnbowden811]

It is common that the 9 rulers of men are corrupted by Sauron. They are ancestors of Aragorn. It would be told to him through tellings, would it not, that at least one of his ancestors is a Ringwraith !?! After all, they were great kings of MEN!!

[@gunners812]

He was stacking shelves in Tesco

[@DavidKAnderson]

The Witch King would have been very unlikely to defeat Gandalf. Gandalf seldom displays his full fighting power (being under instructions to that effect, basically), but in such a battle, I think he'd have done so. A Maiar with a ring of power vs a human-derived wraith with a less powerful ring of power? My money's on Gandalf.

[@aaronj3924]

I'm pretty sure after the nine became wraiths that Sauron kept the rings from the nine such that when or if they were dispatched, they're corporeal bodies would return to Mordor....

[@jv3198]

@@aaronj3924 he kept those rings to control them as he didn’t have the one ring to control the nine rings.

[@TabiOya]

it would be great if you could make a video about galadriel and why shes important bc my brother is always says shes nothing special and i wanna prove she is but i juts cant seem to word it correctly so if you could make a video about her that would be great :D or maybe reply to me so i could explain to him in your words

[@karenD1998]

I think gandalf and the witch King would probably kill each other I do like the witch King he's Deffo my favourite character

[@wolfthelithiumwolf8643]

Love the video, but one thing you got wrong here is he has some mind of his own actually. He's able to command himself on the battlefield, but he has to do what Sauron tells him to. For example, he'll run first through the gates if he wants to, not because sauron makes him.

[@Lagerta698]

Love the witch King hate the meaning behind died from a women. Because when he says no men can kill me he refers to no kind of human can kill me and the dumb idea of women that did nothing else then run around arragorn like a bi*ch to kill a 1000years old wraith is pretty stupid to me but F

[@briant4468]

A aging king near the end if his life would be at highest percentage open to influence as they desperately try to insure more power for there legacy before the end just a thought he would be the oldest proving his link as they age slower and also he is set forward in the row of 9 showing status as above the other jarls as high king also proving at that time as the numanorion line was high king he is numanorion but whatever he is was the most powerful meaning falling to darkness makes him number 1 captain as servant of Sauron but I don't actually know the lore but that's just my guess

[@eazygamer8974]

Gandalf all day he beat a balrog as a grey wizard !

[@azaraiahzee]

At what point was he entombed with the blade that Galdalf brings to Galadriel and he becomes the Necromancer at Barad'ur? 🤔🤔

[@azrael4885]

hmm in that shadows of war pic 2:30 who is the nazgul to the right with the strange helmet ????? witch king is first left and .... first right ?

[@iasimov5960]

Did Glorfindel's prophesy mean that the WK of A couldn't be killed by a man or wouldn't be killed by a man?

[@theawkwordcomicthereviewer4684]

for me i think a if he stayed to fight gandalf they be teasting each other defences to find a opening they be evenly matched at the start of there battle but i as much as i like gandalf i sadly give the battle to the witch king of angmar yes gandalf is no man but witch the witch kings master is a maiar but do to how all that the witch king has done leading to the third age where his master might return to power with out the other 9 witch king would most likely been gandalf's last battle then the witch king would leave to see to the sige of minas tirath and the fight agents merry and eowyn the witch king of angmar is also one of my favoriet characters just by how ingeminating he is and how he leads his fellow riders and having a badass sword of fire he is by fare who i would have under my command if i was a dark lord

[@theflyingdutchman1301]

Plot armor, ofc Gandalf would have won lol he already died and came back once. No matter how cool the Nazgul are they never really win.

[@dimnikoles4929]

Welcome back can you please tell me the music that plays in background during the video??

[@spencerpollock5688]

what if the witch-king of angmar freed himself from Sauron commanded the Nazgul and became the third dark lord and claim the one ring

[@Enerdhil]

I think he would have to claim the Ring first.

[@spencerpollock5688]

@@Enerdhil true that would make more sense

[@masseyfurguson8871]

Such a thing is possible! 👀

[@spencerpollock5688]

@@masseyfurguson8871 indubitably 👍

[@eacalvert]

No way he would've beaten Gandalf the White. They couldn't beat him near Weather Top as Gandalf the Grey and as the White he was more powerful!

[@wacojones8062]

Gandalf unleashed is massive overkill. He acted so the prophecies would be fulfilled.

[@SHAD0WZOMBIE]

Hey, happy Birthday! Literally wow it's the 14th of March right now lol

[@oliveremmettknox7776]

Having The Witch King of Angmar and The Nazgul be killed off and buried in the High Fells of Rhudaur in The Hobbit Trilogy films is just inconsiderate.

[@thepawchoe2749]

OMG, Eowyn. 😍😍😍

[@cursling9]

Gandalf vs Witch King epic dance off at the gates of the white city.

[@jasonbornot]

A video on order of reading the books

[@ohno8569]

I would say... read the book that corresponds with your favorite part of the movies/games first... just dive in... Otherwise... start from the beginning of his chronological bibliography... the hobbit, the lord of the rings, then the silmarillion... Everything else is basically filler... he was a fantastic writer, so the rest is still pretty good... but it's still just filler...

[@AD-gy6eq]

"Which is my birthday by the way" 😂

[@mizzlchieizzl]

Nice to see some lord of the rings online in there! I learned about all of this by playing that game, lol!

[@aretnap3653]

The *FLAIL* TheWitchKing Wields, is *TERRIFYING!*

[@danielsilva-ds2u]

This is not simple power ranking. Yes Gandalf and the Balrog were around equal, so naturally Gandalf as the white would be greater. But the fights don't work this way in lotr. If they did shelob would win, ewoyn would lose, sauruman would crush the trees with his might. Boromir would haven't have killed so many uruks, the watcher would have taken some lives down. The Balrog would have won. Nobody would have survived helms deep....etc. the fact of the matter if we are gonna compare our best good guys with bad guys, and Gandalf the white vs the witch king, well power against power Gandalf should win. However, the witch king was eager to fight and Gandalf, pippin, and denethor hyped the battle before hand and Gandalf was definitely nervous, just not in despair like denethor was about it. When I read of denethor mentioning the black captain to Gandalf, originally Gandalf steps back, but like a father defending their child from a bear, Gandalf would not go down without a fight, and he would not let denethor freak out pippin about the possible outcome of losing.

[@danielsilva-ds2u]

Let me fix that last part. In my comparison from pippin and denethor point of view....Gandalf is the human and the witchking is the bear. From the reader point of view, the witchking was the human ( given a daggar by sauron) to Gandalf the bear. I had little doubt Gandalf would lose ( too bad they never fought though) but sauron giving extra strength to the witch king did even the odds a bit, and Gandalf knew that.

[@delta-5737]

So ... What do you do 400 years locked in a Castel...

[@masseyfurguson8871]

Many board games

[@SauronTheDeciever775]

Have a feeling he got really good at playing Rummy

[@krypto7653]

What happened to Age Of History, all they're vids are gone?