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 Free Peoples against the re-emerged Shadow.
History[]
During the "dark years" of the Second Age, the White Council was formed by the wise of Middle-earth to aid the Free Peoples in countering the Dark Lord. Both of Sauron's major Elven adversaries, Gil-galad of Lindon and Galadriel of Lothlórien, were members of the group around this time.
By the Watchful Peace of the Third Age, the White Council had been reformed, guarding the Free Peoples just as the Shadow of the Enemy began to take shape once more. Galadriel was joined by Gil-galad's old herald, Elrond of Rivendell, as well as two members of the Order of the Istari: Saruman the White and Gandalf the Grey. Of them, Saruman became the head of the White Council, but his envy of Gandalf and researches into the works of Sauron led to him neglecting his duties. The White Wizard came instead to believe that he could become a quasi-ruler of Middle-earth at the Dark Lord's side or usurp him. Gandalf, however, stayed true to his mission and became the chief of the resistance against Sauron within the White Council. Mostly notably, the Grey Pilgrim set in motion the Quest for the Lonely Mountain without the formal blessing of the Council of the Wise; Gandalf's reasoning had been fear of an alliance between Sauron and the Dragon Smaug of Erebor. After Gandalf was captured by Sauron, Galadriel led an attack upon Dol Guldur. The White Council was able to free the Grey Pilgrim and drive the weakened Dark Lord eastwards. Following the end of the Watchful Peace, Saruman turned his back in his former allies and was ensnared by Sauron, who made him his vassal.
Members[]
Second Age[]
Third Age[]
- Saruman the White - Leader (formerly)
- Galadriel
- Elrond
- Gandalf the Grey
