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{{organization
{{organization infobox
| image=[[File:Zina Saunders - The White Council.jpg|250px]]
| name=The White Council
| name=The White Council
| image=[[File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey - The White Council meets.jpg|250px]]
| caption=The White Council in ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]''
| pronun=
| othernames=The Council of the Wise<ref name="SRings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>
| othernames=The Council of the Wise<ref name="SRings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>
| founded={{TA|2463}}<ref name="AppBTA">{{App|TA}}</ref>
| founder=[[Galadriel]]<ref name="FRMirror">{{FR|Mirror}}</ref>
| founder=[[Galadriel]]<ref name="FRMirror">{{FR|Mirror}}</ref>
| founded={{TA|2463}}<ref name="AppBTA">{{App|TA}}</ref>
| purpose=To co-ordinate the resistance to [[Sauron]]
| race=[[Wizards]]<br/>[[Elves]]
| members=[[Saruman]]<ref name="SRings"/><br/>[[Gandalf]]<ref name="SRings"/><br/>[[Galadriel]]<ref name="SRings"/><br/>[[Elrond]]<ref name="SRings"/><br/>[[Círdan]]<ref name="SRings"/>
| members=[[Saruman]]<ref name="SRings"/><br/>[[Gandalf]]<ref name="SRings"/><br/>[[Galadriel]]<ref name="SRings"/><br/>[[Elrond]]<ref name="SRings"/><br/>[[Círdan]]<ref name="SRings"/>
| achievements=[[Attack on Dol Guldur]]
| location=
| disbanded={{TA|2953}}<ref name="AppBTA"/>
| disbanded={{TA|2953}}<ref name="AppBTA"/>
| notablefor=[[Attack on Dol Guldur]]
}}
}}
'''The White Council''', also referred to as the Council of the Wise, was a group of the [[wise]] in [[Middle-earth]] which met irregularly. Its purpose was to 'to unite and direct the forces of the [[West]], in resistance to the [[Sauron|shadow]].'<ref name="PMThird">{{PM|Third}}</ref>
'''The White Council''', also referred to as the '''Council of the Wise''', was a group of the [[wise]] in [[Middle-earth]] which met irregularly. Its purpose was 'to unite and direct the forces of the [[Westlands|West]], in resistance to the [[Sauron|shadow]].'<ref name="PMThird">{{PM|Third}}</ref>


==Members==
==Members==
The following individuals were clearly stated to have been members of the White Council. It should be noted, however, that 'other lords of the Eldar' did join them, but were not identified.<ref name="SRings"/>
The following individuals were clearly stated to have been members of the White Council. It should be noted, however, that 'other lords of the Eldar' did join them.<ref name="SRings"/>
*[[Saruman]], the appointed leader of the Council<ref name="SRings"/>
*[[Saruman]], the appointed leader of the Council<ref name="SRings"/>
*[[Gandalf]]<ref name="SRings"/>
*[[Gandalf]]<ref name="SRings"/>
Line 22: Line 25:
==History==
==History==
===The Second Age===
===The Second Age===
A "White Council" first met in c. {{SA|1701}}.<ref group="note">In {{UT|Concerning}} it states that 'At this time the first Council was held'. The 'At this time' follows on from the driving out of Sauron from [[Eregion]], which occurred {{SA|1701}} according to {{App|SA}}. According to {{UT|Concerning}}, n. 10 'the first Council' was emended to 'the first White Council'.</ref> At this meeting it was decided that [[Rivendell|Imladris]] should become the stronghold of the [[Elves]] in [[Eriador]], rather in [[Eregion]].<ref name="UTConcerning">{{UT|Concerning}}</ref> No members are mentioned explicitly, but it is implied that at least [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elrond]] were members because Gil-galad gave [[Vilya]] to Elrond 'At that time also'.<ref name="UTConcerning"/> It seems likely that the "White Council" of the [[Third Age]] echoed this "White Council" of the [[Second Age]].<ref name="UTConcerningNote10">{{UT|Concerning}}, n. 10</ref>
A "White Council" first met in c. {{SA|1701}}.<ref group="note">In {{UT|Concerning}} it states that 'At this time the first Council was held'. The 'At this time' follows on from the driving out of Sauron from [[Eregion]], which occurred {{SA|1701}} according to {{App|SA}}. According to {{UT|Concerning}}, n. 10 'the first Council' was emended to 'the first White Council'.</ref> At this meeting it was decided that [[Rivendell|Imladris]] should become the stronghold of the [[Elves]] in [[Eriador]], rather than [[Eregion]]. No members are mentioned explicitly, but it is implied that at least [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elrond]] were members because Gil-galad gave [[Vilya]] to Elrond 'At that time also'.<ref name="UTConcerning">{{UT|Concerning}}</ref> It seems likely that the "White Council" of the [[Third Age]] echoed this "White Council" of the [[Second Age]].<ref name="UTConcerningNote10">{{UT|Concerning}}, n. 10</ref>


===The Third Age===
===The Third Age===
[[File:Angus McBride - Dol Guldur.jpg|thumb|''Dol Guldur'' by [[Angus McBride]]|250px]]
In {{TA|2063}}<ref name="AppBTA"/> [[Gandalf]] entered [[Dol Guldur]] and drove [[Sauron]] away, beginning the [[Watchful Peace]]; although this was before the formation of the Council, the feat was attributed to them.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}, "...the Watchful Peace, during which Sauron withdrew before the power of the White Council..."</ref><ref group=note>The discrepancy is noted in {{HM|Guide}}, p. 424</ref>
 
[[File:Angus McBride - Dol Guldur.jpg|thumb|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Dol Guldur''|250px]]
In {{TA|2463}},<ref name="AppBTA"/> following the return of [[Sauron]] and the end of the [[Watchful Peace]] in {{TA|2460|n}},<ref name="AppBTA"/> [[Galadriel]] summoned the first meeting of the White Council.<ref name="FRMirror"/>
In {{TA|2463}},<ref name="AppBTA"/> following the return of [[Sauron]] and the end of the [[Watchful Peace]] in {{TA|2460|n}},<ref name="AppBTA"/> [[Galadriel]] summoned the first meeting of the White Council.<ref name="FRMirror"/>


Line 34: Line 39:
#{{TA|2953}}<ref name="AppBTA"/>
#{{TA|2953}}<ref name="AppBTA"/>


At the first meeting in {{TA|2463}},<ref name="AppBTA"/> it was mooted that [[Gandalf]] be the head of the Council, but to [[Galadriel]]'s dismay he refused the office. [[Saruman]] was chosen as their chief instead and he begrudged Gandalf for being the desired candidate.<ref name="SRings"/>
At the first meeting in {{TA|2463}},<ref name="AppBTA"/> there were Saruman, Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel and Círdan, and other lords of the Eldar. It was mooted that [[Gandalf]] be the head of the Council, but to [[Galadriel]]'s dismay he refused the office as he preferred his independence. [[Saruman]] was chosen as their chief instead, because of his knowledge on Sauron's devices, and he begrudged Gandalf for being the desired candidate.<ref name="SRings"/>


At the second meeting in {{TA|2851}},<ref name="AppBTA"/> the Council met at [[Rivendell]].<ref name="UTGandalf">{{UT|Gandalf}}</ref> Gandalf urged an attack on [[Dol Guldur]] following his discovery in the [[Third Age 2850|previous year]] that its master was indeed [[Sauron]].<ref name="AppBTA"/> Saruman overruled him because in secret he had begun to desire the [[One Ring]] for himself.<ref name="AppBTA"/> Unusually for a White Council meeting, Gandalf sat apart from the others, in silence and smoking, whilst Saruman spoke against the attack on Dol Guldur.<ref name="UTGandalf"/> This irritated Saruman and he spoke to Gandalf afterwards, asking him why he did not join in the discussion, and mocked his smoking.<ref name="UTGandalf"/> Gandalf replied, saying that pipe weed gave him 'patience' and mentioned that it was a practice of the [[Hobbits|Halflings]].<ref name="UTGandalf"/> Saruman mocked him again.<ref name="UTGandalf"/> In response Gandalf did not speak, but sent out many rings of smoke into the air and grasped them in his hand before they vanished.<ref name="UTGandalf"/> Saruman read this gesture as suggesting that Gandalf suspected him of wanting to possess the One Ring, or that there was a connection between the rings of power and the Halflings.<ref name="UTGandalf"/>
At the second meeting in {{TA|2851}},<ref name="AppBTA"/> the Council met at [[Rivendell]].<ref name="UTGandalf">{{UT|Gandalf}}</ref> Gandalf urged an attack on [[Dol Guldur]] following his discovery in the [[Third Age 2850|previous year]] that its master was indeed [[Sauron]].<Ref name="SRings"/> Saruman overruled him because in secret he had begun to desire [[the One Ring]] for himself.<ref name="AppBTA"/> Saruman insisted that there was no reason to attack Sauron, claimng therefore that, the One Ring fell into the Anduin, and by now it had been flown to the [[Bay of Belfalas|Sea]].<ref group=note name=repetition>According to the ''Appendix B'', Saruman makes this claim during the last meeting, however according to the ''Rings of Power'', this argument is said in the second meeting.</ref> In reality Saruman wanted to win some time, knowing that the Ring would sooner or later reveal itself to return to its Master; moving against him, it would make the Ring to hid again.<Ref name="SRings"/> Unusually for a White Council meeting, Gandalf sat apart from the others, in silence and smoking, whilst Saruman spoke against the attack on Dol Guldur. This irritated Saruman and he spoke to Gandalf afterwards, asking him why he did not join in the discussion, and mocked his smoking. Gandalf replied, saying that [[pipe-weed]], a practice of the [[Hobbits|Halflings]], gave him 'patience'. Saruman mocked him again and in response Gandalf sent out many rings of smoke into the air and grasped them in his hand before they vanished. Saruman read this gesture as suggesting that Gandalf suspected him of wanting to possess the One Ring, or that there was a connection between the rings of power and the Halflings.<ref name="UTGandalf"/>
 
At the third meeting in {{TA|2941}},<ref name="AppBTA"/> Gandalf said that although the One Ring was lost, its existence alone allowed Sauron to live, who had now the [[Nine Rings]] and three of the [[Seven Rings|Seven]], and repeated his call to attack [[Dol Guldur]].<Ref name="SRings"/> Saruman finally submitted for he knew that Sauron was searching for the One Ring in the [[Anduin]]<ref name="AppBTA"/> and thrusting him from Dol Guldur would allow him to search freely.<Ref name="SRings"/> The White Council launched an [[attack on Dol Guldur]], but [[Sauron]], having already made plans, fled to [[Mordor]].<ref name="AppBTA"/><Ref name="SRings"/>
 
At the fourth and final meeting in {{TA|2953}}, following Sauron's open declaration in {{TA|2951|n}},<ref name="AppBTA"/> there was a discussion on the [[Rings of Power]]. Saruman claimed to have knowledge that the One Ring had been lost down the [[Anduin]] and into the [[Belegaer|Sea]]<ref group=note name=repetition/> this quieting Gandalf's worries about Bilbo's Ring. Afterwards, Saruman retreated to [[Isengard]] and isolated himself from the others.<ref name="AppBTA"/><Ref name="SRings"/>
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=The White Council in adaptations
|width=480
|height=200
|lines=1
|File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey - The White Council.jpg|The White Council meets in [[Rivendell]] in ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]''
}}
'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:Having arrived at [[Rivendell]] with [[Thorin and Company]], [[Gandalf]] met with [[Elrond]], [[Galadriel]], and [[Saruman]]. It seems that Gandalf was unaware that the meeting would take place. Whilst this meeting is not explicitly called the "White Council," its membership and discussion points have much in common with the White Council in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s writings. Much of the history of the [[Third Age]] is conflated and substantially altered. Gandalf told the Council that [[Radagast]] had found [[Dol Guldur]] occupied by a [[Sauron#Sauron's Return|Necromancer]]. Saruman was very sceptical of Radagast's story and dismissed Gandalf for believing him. Gandalf and Galadriel converse telepathically before the wizard showed the Council a [[Morgul-knife|morgul blade]] which belonged to the [[Witch-king]]; the blade and [[Nazgûl]] had been buried together many centuries previously following the downfall of [[Angmar]].


At the third meeting in {{TA|2941}},<ref name="AppBTA"/> they agreed to attack [[Dol Guldur]]. Saruman finally submitted for he knew that Sauron was searching for the One Ring in the [[Anduin]].<ref name="AppBTA"/> The White Council launched an [[attack on Dol Guldur]], but [[Sauron]], having already made plans, fled to [[Mordor]].<ref name="AppBTA"/>
'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''


At the fourth and final meeting in {{TA|2953}}, following Sauron's open declaration in {{TA|2951|n}},<ref name="AppBTA"/> there was a discussion on the rings of power. Saruman claimed to have knowledge that the [[One Ring]] had been lost down the [[Anduin]] and into the [[Belegaer|sea]].<ref name="AppBTA"/>
:[[Gandalf]] has been imprisoned by [[Sauron]] after a failed solo mission to the stronghold. [[Galadriel]] arrives at the fortress to rescue him, vanquishing an [[Orcs|Orc]] in the process. She and Gandalf are then surrounded by the spectres of the [[Nazgûl|Nine]], but [[Elrond]] and [[Saruman]] arrive on the scene and attack them. Galadriel heals Gandalf, and he is swiftly taken to safety by [[Radagast]]. Sauron himself manifests before the council, but Galadriel assumes a dark ethereal form and overpowers him, with Sauron's spirit fleeing into [[Mordor|the East]].


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 08:29, 15 September 2018

The White Council
Organisation
The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey - The White Council meets.jpg
The White Council in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Other namesThe Council of the Wise[1]
Date foundedT.A. 2463[2]
FounderGaladriel[3]
PurposeTo co-ordinate the resistance to Sauron
Notable membersSaruman[1]
Gandalf[1]
Galadriel[1]
Elrond[1]
Círdan[1]
DisbandedT.A. 2953[2]
Notable forAttack on Dol Guldur

The White Council, also referred to as the Council of the Wise, was a group of the wise in Middle-earth which met irregularly. Its purpose was 'to unite and direct the forces of the West, in resistance to the shadow.'[4]

Members

The following individuals were clearly stated to have been members of the White Council. It should be noted, however, that 'other lords of the Eldar' did join them.[1]

History

The Second Age

A "White Council" first met in c. S.A. 1701.[note 1] At this meeting it was decided that Imladris should become the stronghold of the Elves in Eriador, rather than Eregion. No members are mentioned explicitly, but it is implied that at least Gil-galad and Elrond were members because Gil-galad gave Vilya to Elrond 'At that time also'.[5] It seems likely that the "White Council" of the Third Age echoed this "White Council" of the Second Age.[6]

The Third Age

In T.A. 2063[2] Gandalf entered Dol Guldur and drove Sauron away, beginning the Watchful Peace; although this was before the formation of the Council, the feat was attributed to them.[7][note 2]

Angus McBride - Dol Guldur

In T.A. 2463,[2] following the return of Sauron and the end of the Watchful Peace in 2460,[2] Galadriel summoned the first meeting of the White Council.[3]

There are only four known meetings of the White Council:

  1. T.A. 2463[2]
  2. T.A. 2851[2]
  3. T.A. 2941[2]
  4. T.A. 2953[2]

At the first meeting in T.A. 2463,[2] there were Saruman, Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel and Círdan, and other lords of the Eldar. It was mooted that Gandalf be the head of the Council, but to Galadriel's dismay he refused the office as he preferred his independence. Saruman was chosen as their chief instead, because of his knowledge on Sauron's devices, and he begrudged Gandalf for being the desired candidate.[1]

At the second meeting in T.A. 2851,[2] the Council met at Rivendell.[8] Gandalf urged an attack on Dol Guldur following his discovery in the previous year that its master was indeed Sauron.[1] Saruman overruled him because in secret he had begun to desire the One Ring for himself.[2] Saruman insisted that there was no reason to attack Sauron, claimng therefore that, the One Ring fell into the Anduin, and by now it had been flown to the Sea.[note 3] In reality Saruman wanted to win some time, knowing that the Ring would sooner or later reveal itself to return to its Master; moving against him, it would make the Ring to hid again.[1] Unusually for a White Council meeting, Gandalf sat apart from the others, in silence and smoking, whilst Saruman spoke against the attack on Dol Guldur. This irritated Saruman and he spoke to Gandalf afterwards, asking him why he did not join in the discussion, and mocked his smoking. Gandalf replied, saying that pipe-weed, a practice of the Halflings, gave him 'patience'. Saruman mocked him again and in response Gandalf sent out many rings of smoke into the air and grasped them in his hand before they vanished. Saruman read this gesture as suggesting that Gandalf suspected him of wanting to possess the One Ring, or that there was a connection between the rings of power and the Halflings.[8]

At the third meeting in T.A. 2941,[2] Gandalf said that although the One Ring was lost, its existence alone allowed Sauron to live, who had now the Nine Rings and three of the Seven, and repeated his call to attack Dol Guldur.[1] Saruman finally submitted for he knew that Sauron was searching for the One Ring in the Anduin[2] and thrusting him from Dol Guldur would allow him to search freely.[1] The White Council launched an attack on Dol Guldur, but Sauron, having already made plans, fled to Mordor.[2][1]

At the fourth and final meeting in T.A. 2953, following Sauron's open declaration in 2951,[2] there was a discussion on the Rings of Power. Saruman claimed to have knowledge that the One Ring had been lost down the Anduin and into the Sea[note 3] this quieting Gandalf's worries about Bilbo's Ring. Afterwards, Saruman retreated to Isengard and isolated himself from the others.[2][1]

Portrayal in adaptations

The White Council in adaptations
The White Council meets in Rivendell in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey  

2012: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey:

Having arrived at Rivendell with Thorin and Company, Gandalf met with Elrond, Galadriel, and Saruman. It seems that Gandalf was unaware that the meeting would take place. Whilst this meeting is not explicitly called the "White Council," its membership and discussion points have much in common with the White Council in Tolkien's writings. Much of the history of the Third Age is conflated and substantially altered. Gandalf told the Council that Radagast had found Dol Guldur occupied by a Necromancer. Saruman was very sceptical of Radagast's story and dismissed Gandalf for believing him. Gandalf and Galadriel converse telepathically before the wizard showed the Council a morgul blade which belonged to the Witch-king; the blade and Nazgûl had been buried together many centuries previously following the downfall of Angmar.

2014: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies:

Gandalf has been imprisoned by Sauron after a failed solo mission to the stronghold. Galadriel arrives at the fortress to rescue him, vanquishing an Orc in the process. She and Gandalf are then surrounded by the spectres of the Nine, but Elrond and Saruman arrive on the scene and attack them. Galadriel heals Gandalf, and he is swiftly taken to safety by Radagast. Sauron himself manifests before the council, but Galadriel assumes a dark ethereal form and overpowers him, with Sauron's spirit fleeing into the East.

See also

Notes

  1. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn" it states that 'At this time the first Council was held'. The 'At this time' follows on from the driving out of Sauron from Eregion, which occurred S.A. 1701 according to J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age". According to J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn", n. 10 'the first Council' was emended to 'the first White Council'.
  2. The discrepancy is noted in Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, p. 424
  3. 3.0 3.1 According to the Appendix B, Saruman makes this claim during the last meeting, however according to the Rings of Power, this argument is said in the second meeting.

References