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| caption="Khamûl the Easterling" by [[John Howe]]
| caption="Khamûl the Easterling" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=Shadow of the East, the Black Easterling
| othernames=Shadow of the East, the Black Easterling, the Second Chief
| titles=
| titles=
| position=Second-in-command to [[Witch-king]]
| position=Second-in-command to [[Witch-king]]
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| steed=Black horse
| steed=Black horse
}}
}}
'''Khamûl'''<ref group="note">He was the only Ringwraith whose name is revealed in the [[Legendarium]].</ref> was one of the nine [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], second only to the [[Witch-king]] himself. He was called [[Sauron]]'s lieutenant, "'''Shadow of the East'''", <ref>{{UT|Hunt}}</ref> and "'''the Second Chief'''" or "'''the Black Easterling'''"<ref name="Note1">{{UT|Hunt}}, note 1</ref>.
'''Khamûl'''<ref group="note">He was the only Ringwraith whose name is revealed in the [[legendarium]].</ref> was one of the nine [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], second only to the [[Witch-king]] himself. Lieutenant of [[Dol Guldur]] since {{TA|2951}},<ref name=RC>{{HM|RC}}, "A Knife in the Dark", p. 167-9</ref> he is called "'''Shadow of the East'''",<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}</ref> and "'''the Second Chief'''" or "'''the Black Easterling'''".<ref name="Note1">{{UT|Hunt}}, note 1</ref>
==History==
 
== History ==
[[File:Stephen Hickman - Gaffer Gamgee and the Black Rider.jpg|thumb|left|''Gaffer Gamgee and the Black Rider'' by [[Stephen Hickman]]]]
[[File:Stephen Hickman - Gaffer Gamgee and the Black Rider.jpg|thumb|left|''Gaffer Gamgee and the Black Rider'' by [[Stephen Hickman]]]]
He was a king of [[Easterlings]] during the [[Second Age]], and he was one of the nine Men to whom Sauron gave [[Nine Rings|one of the Rings of Power]]. Like the others, he became a powerful sorcerer and ruler until eventually faded into a [[Wraiths|Wraith]] and his will was surrendered to Sauron.<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> By {{SA|2251}} he was already one of Sauron's servants.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref>
He was a king of [[Easterlings]] during the [[Second Age]], and he was one of the nine Men to whom Sauron gave [[Nine Rings|one of the Rings of Power]]. Like the others, he became a powerful sorcerer and ruler until he eventually faded into a [[Wraiths|Wraith]] and his will was surrendered to Sauron.<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> By {{SA|2251}} he was already one of Sauron's servants.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref>


It was said that, after the Witch-king, Khamûl was most ready to perceive the presence of [[the One Ring]], but his power was most confused and diminished by daylight.
It was said that, after the Witch-king, Khamûl was the most ready to perceive the presence of [[the One Ring]], but is power was most confused and diminished by daylight.


In {{TA|2951}} Sauron returned to [[Mordor]] and declared openly to his enemies. Khamûl and two other Ringwraiths were sent to the fortress of [[Dol Guldur]] and Khamûl took command.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref>  
In {{TA|2951}} Sauron returned to [[Mordor]] and declared openly to his enemies. Khamûl and two other Ringwraiths were sent to the fortress of [[Dol Guldur]], with the former taking command.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref>  


During the [[War of the Ring]] he was one of the Ringwraiths who entered [[the Shire]], and asked [[Gaffer Gamgee|Hamfast Gamgee]] for "Baggins". However it was the day after [[Frodo Baggins]] had left [[Hobbiton]], and he then pursued the [[Hobbits]] to [[Bucklebury Ferry]] in the Shire some days later.<ref name="Note1"/>
During the [[War of the Ring]] he was one of the Ringwraiths who entered [[the Shire]], and asked [[Gaffer Gamgee|Hamfast Gamgee]] for "Baggins". However it was the day [[Frodo Baggins]] had left [[Hobbiton]], and he then pursued the [[Hobbits]] to [[Bucklebury Ferry]] in the Shire some days later.<ref name="Note1"/><ref group=note>It was noted in [[The Hunt for the Ring]] that the Nazgûl were unable to cross the “elvish waters” of the [[Brandywine]], although Tolkien did not provide any further explanation of this weakness. See ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', "A Conspiracy Unmasked", p. 116.</ref>
He was also one of the six<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Flight to the Ford", pp. 187-189</ref> or nine<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "The Council of Elrond", pp. 251-3</ref> Ringwraiths, led by the Witch King, that followed Gandalf on [[Shadowfax]] and attacked him at night on [[Weathertop]]; they were repulsed after a violent fight on 4 October, and [[Frodo]] and [[Aragorn]] saw the lights of that battle from their camp.<ref name=RC>{{HM|RC}}, "A Knife in the Dark", p. 167-9</ref> The Witch King and Khamûl remained watching Weathertop (waiting for the Ring Bearer to come) for two days thereafter, along with three other Wraiths.<ref name=RC>{{HM|RC}}, "A Knife in the Dark", p. 169</ref> 


Following the destruction of the One Ring, Khamûl perished with the rest of the Ringwraiths.<ref>{{RK|VI3}}</ref>
Following the destruction of the One Ring, Khamûl perished with the rest of the Ringwraiths.<ref>{{RK|VI3}}</ref>


==See also==
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
* [[:Category:Images of Khamûl|Images of Khamûl]]
'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]]'':'''
:During the nighttime section of the Shire level, Frodo overhears the conversation between Khamûl and [[Gaffer Gamgee]] just as he is about to deliver the [[Bag End]] key to Number 3, Bagshot Row. The conversation plays out as it does in the novel except that Khamûl's lines are audible. Instead of simply walking back down the path after the conversation ends, Khamûl (who is mounted on his horse) intimidates the Gaffer by rearing his steed while letting out a ghastly wail, before galloping back down the road. No voice actor is specified for the role.
 
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl in charge of Dol Guldur is known simply as "The Lieutenant of Dol Guldur", formerly "The Cursed Rider". He is said to have been an Easterling chieftain who wielded the Ring "Orôm, the Warmonger".
 
{{references|note}}
{{references|note}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khamul}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Khamul}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Easterlings]]
[[Category:Easterlings]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Khamûl]]
[[de:Khamûl]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/nazgul/khamul]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/nazgul/khamul]]
[[fi:Khamûl]]
[[fi:Khamûl]]

Revision as of 20:58, 14 October 2021

Khamûl
Easterling (early)
Ringwraith (later)
John Howe - Khamûl the Easterling.jpg
"Khamûl the Easterling" by John Howe
Biographical Information
Other namesShadow of the East, the Black Easterling, the Second Chief
PositionSecond-in-command to Witch-king
LocationEast of Middle-earth
Mordor
Dol Guldur
AffiliationSauron and Witch-king
BirthSecond Age
East of Middle-earth
Death25 March T.A. 3019 (aged 4200+)
Battle of the Morannon
Notable forCommanding Dol Guldur
Pursuing Frodo Baggins
Physical Description
RaceEasterling (early)
Ringwraith (later)
GenderMale
SteedBlack horse
GalleryImages of Khamûl

Khamûl[note 1] was one of the nine Ringwraiths, second only to the Witch-king himself. Lieutenant of Dol Guldur since T.A. 2951,[1] he is called "Shadow of the East",[2] and "the Second Chief" or "the Black Easterling".[3]

History

Gaffer Gamgee and the Black Rider by Stephen Hickman

He was a king of Easterlings during the Second Age, and he was one of the nine Men to whom Sauron gave one of the Rings of Power. Like the others, he became a powerful sorcerer and ruler until he eventually faded into a Wraith and his will was surrendered to Sauron.[4] By S.A. 2251 he was already one of Sauron's servants.[5]

It was said that, after the Witch-king, Khamûl was the most ready to perceive the presence of the One Ring, but is power was most confused and diminished by daylight.

In T.A. 2951 Sauron returned to Mordor and declared openly to his enemies. Khamûl and two other Ringwraiths were sent to the fortress of Dol Guldur, with the former taking command.[6]

During the War of the Ring he was one of the Ringwraiths who entered the Shire, and asked Hamfast Gamgee for "Baggins". However it was the day Frodo Baggins had left Hobbiton, and he then pursued the Hobbits to Bucklebury Ferry in the Shire some days later.[3][note 2] He was also one of the six[7] or nine[8] Ringwraiths, led by the Witch King, that followed Gandalf on Shadowfax and attacked him at night on Weathertop; they were repulsed after a violent fight on 4 October, and Frodo and Aragorn saw the lights of that battle from their camp.[1] The Witch King and Khamûl remained watching Weathertop (waiting for the Ring Bearer to come) for two days thereafter, along with three other Wraiths.[1]

Following the destruction of the One Ring, Khamûl perished with the rest of the Ringwraiths.[9]

Portrayal in adaptations

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

During the nighttime section of the Shire level, Frodo overhears the conversation between Khamûl and Gaffer Gamgee just as he is about to deliver the Bag End key to Number 3, Bagshot Row. The conversation plays out as it does in the novel except that Khamûl's lines are audible. Instead of simply walking back down the path after the conversation ends, Khamûl (who is mounted on his horse) intimidates the Gaffer by rearing his steed while letting out a ghastly wail, before galloping back down the road. No voice actor is specified for the role.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Nazgûl in charge of Dol Guldur is known simply as "The Lieutenant of Dol Guldur", formerly "The Cursed Rider". He is said to have been an Easterling chieftain who wielded the Ring "Orôm, the Warmonger".

Notes

  1. He was the only Ringwraith whose name is revealed in the legendarium.
  2. It was noted in The Hunt for the Ring that the Nazgûl were unable to cross the “elvish waters” of the Brandywine, although Tolkien did not provide any further explanation of this weakness. See The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, "A Conspiracy Unmasked", p. 116.

References