The Witch-King of
Angmar was the name taken by the Lord of the
Nazgûl when he founded the kingdom of Angmar in the middle of the
Third Age. The Witch-King was not only the most powerful of the Nazgûl but he was the second most powerful evil being in
Middle-earth. His power was trumped only by
Sauron himself.
The Witch-King began life in the
Second Age. He was named Tindomul. He was born a prince of
Númenor, the second son of King Tar-Ciryatan. Having received one of Sauron's nine rings, he was quickly seduced and enslaved by the dark lord. The Witch-King used the ring's power to learn
sorcery. Not only was he an adept practitioner of the blackest magic, but he proved to be an able military commander. The Witch-King's boldness and daring on the battlefield was buttressed by a prophesy that no man would kill him.
During the slow build up to the
War of the Ring, Sauron sent this most powerful Nazgûl to conquer and hold the Northern kingdom of
Arnor. The Witch-King and his army of orcs and fell men were routed from Arnor by a fleet from
Gondor led by Eärnur and elves from
Rivendell led by
Glorfindel. Eärnur and Glorfindel spared the orcs and fell men no mercy. They slew every last one, save for the Witch-King himself who used his magic to escape to
Barad-dûr.
The Witch-King also lead Sauron's attack on Gondor. On the verge of conquest, the Witch-King's attack was nearly routed when
Théoden and the
Rohirrim took to the field. His orc armies began a panicked retreat. The Witch-King swooped in to take control of his rapidly disolving army. He slew Théoden. The Rohirrim now began their retreat at the sight of this unstoppable
horror show who had just slain their king. However, his killing of Théoden enraged
Éowyn (disguised as a male Rohirrim, as women were not allowed battle) and
Merry.
Assuming she was a man, the Witch-King challenged this lil upstart puke, noting that no man could kill him. She revealed herself to be a woman and, with a helpful
leg up from Merry, she slew him. Curiously, the sword Merry used to stick the Witch-King with, the sword he found in the
Barrow-downs, was wrought long ago in the Northern kingdom, the very kingdom the Witch-King vanquished. Ostensibly the blades they found were laden with spells and curses against the Witch-King. The curse upon the blade helped break a spell on the Witch-King that kept his body somewhat sword proof, therefore allowing Éowyn to administer the fatal
coup de grace.
In battle, the Witch-King wielded a black
mace and wore a crown upon his head.
The Witch-King goes several other names, such as Er-Mûrazor, the Black Prince, and the Lord of
Morgul.