The Nazgulcreatures neither dead nor alive, perverted by the rings of power, and servants of Sauron, relentlessly pursue the Fellowship of the Ring, in order to eliminate its bearer and return the precious relic to their master. If Peter Jackson wears them on the screen many times duringare three parts of his trilogyseveral gray areas persist, which JRR Tolkien’s books know how to lift. So here are 7 anecdotes that you may not have known about the Nazgûl.
#1 Three of them were from Númenor
The precise origins of the Nazgûl are very obscure, but Tolkien still left us some clues on the subject. For example, it is said that three of them had been high lords of Númenorthe island from which Elendil and Isildur, the ancestors of Aragorn, originate.
During the Second Age of Middle-earth, King Ar-Pharazôn of Númenor led a huge army to defeat and capture Sauron. But they were eventually corrupted, and this led to the destruction of Númenor and the near extinction of its people.
We also learn that Sauron donated three of the rings to several powerful lords of Númenor, who were to become part of the 9. Tolkien, however, never specified whether King Ar-Pharazon was one of these lords.
#2 The Witch-king Killed the Last King of Gondor
More than 1000 years after the beginning of the Third Age, when the Lord of the Nazgûl reappeared, establishing the kingdom of Angmar following the War of the Last Alliance, several confrontations opposed him to Eärnur, prince, then king of Gondor. If the first battle turned out to the advantage of the prince, his army and the elves of Rivendell, the second was won by the witch-king.
Years later, Eärnur set out for Minas Morgul (home of the Witch-King) with a small escort, then entered the city gates. Unfortunately, Eärnur and his men will never be seen again. The latter, having no son, led the reign of the stewards, until the return of Aragorn.
#3 The Black Breath
The Nazgûl possess fearsome abilities, feared throughout Middle-earth. The Witch-King of Angmar, the most terrifying of them, uses for example a steel sword that he can ignite, and many sorcery powers. But perhaps the most dangerous is the fear and despair he brings to his opponents, leading to madness and even death. This power (passive) is called the Black Breath, a curse suffered by Éowyn and Merry during their confrontation with the Witch King (saved by the healing talents of Aragorn), as well as Faramir, during his escape from Osgiliath.
#4 Their eyesight is very limited.
If they are not strictly speaking blind, the vision of the Nazgûl is very limited, especially in daylight, which reduces their vision. At Zenith, all perceive only forms, and thus depend on their horses for their vision. On the other hand, in the world of ghosts, their sight is perfect. This explains in particular why they are attracted to Frodo when he puts the ring on his finger.
Another example, when the hobbits meet them for the first time, at the edge of the Shire, they do not notice them, and then use their highly developed sense of smellwhich they use as their primary means of detecting their enemies.
#5 Legolas faced a Nazgûl during The Fellowship of the Ring
One night, as the Fellowship travels down the Anduin River, they are attacked by the orcs. But she senses a much greater danger. As a huge dark shape looms, screaming, Legolas acts and scares the beast away, which appears to soar into the sky.
Later, when Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli find Gandalf, the latter confirms that it was indeed a Nazgûl, mounted on a winged steed.
#6 They are more powerful at night
If this point is not obvious in Peter Jackson’s films, in Tolkien’s books it is mentioned that the Nazgûl are more dangerous, at night, fallen.
As such, Aragorn mentions for example that it is unlikely that they attack by day, also insisting that they should only travel by day, when en route to Rivendell. So does Gandalf, who reveals that during the day, Specters were running from him. Finally, during the assault on the lands of Gondor, Sauron darkens the skies from Mordor to cover all lands in darknessand thus to increase the powers of his followers.
#7 Death of the Witch King is inspired by Shakespeare
If it remains one of the most surprising deaths in the world of cinema, the disappearance of the Witch King of Angmar takes its inspiration from one of the most famous plays: macbeth of Shakespeare.
In the play, a prophecy announces that the witches warn Macbeth that he will not be killed “by a man born of a woman”. It is later revealed that his rival, Macduff, was born by Caesarean section and is able to kill the hero. It goes hand in hand with the prophecy of the Witch-king, which states that he cannot be killed “by the hand of man”. Thus, it is Éowyn who will end up slaying the specter.
And to go further, you can discover the origin of the terrifying cry of the Nazgûl right here.