Middle-earth

Organization

The White Council

Also known as Council of the Wise, The Wise

The assembly of the great loremasters and rulers of the West, led by Saruman and including Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel, formed to oppose Sauron.

Tolkien’s textsSupported by the narratives published in Tolkien’s lifetime.
Category
Organization
Language
Sindarin, Quenya and Westron among its members.
The White Council

What this is

In brief

A deliberative council of individuals, not a people or an army. Its members belonged to separate realms and races; it was an organisation for counsel and coordinated action against the Shadow.

Origins

The White Council grew out of the earlier Council of the Wise, the order of the Istari and the chief Eldar and Dúnedain who watched for Sauron’s return. Saruman was appointed its head, though Galadriel wished Gandalf to lead it.

Culture

A body of lore and counsel rather than a state, meeting rarely and acting slowly. Its debates turned on the Rings of Power, the Necromancer of Dol Guldur and the danger of assaulting the Enemy before the time was ripe.

Language

Sindarin, Quenya and Westron among its members.

History

The Council met when the Necromancer was discovered in Dol Guldur but Saruman dissuaded attack, hoping to find the One Ring himself. Only in T.A. 2941 did the Council, led by Saruman and prompted by Gandalf, drive Sauron from Dol Guldur — a victory that proved hollow, as Sauron had already planned to return to Mordor. After Saruman’s treachery the Council effectively ceased.

Leaders

Settlements

  • rivendell
  • lothlorien
  • isengard

Alliances

  • elves
  • gondor
  • arnor

Conflicts

  • war-of-the-ring
  • battle-of-dol-guldur

Notable members

Sources

  • The Lord of the Rings · 1954–55

    Three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.

  • The Silmarillion · 1977

    Posthumously edited. Contains the Ainulindalë, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion, Akallabêth and Of the Rings of Power.

  • Unfinished Tales · 1980

    Expanded and alternative accounts of the First, Second and Third Ages.

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