| Dates:
Immortal. In Middle-earth c. III 1000 to 3 November III 3019 (c.2,000 years)
Race: Ainur
Division:
Maiar
Order: Istari (Wizards)
Meaning:
'Man of Skill'
Other Names: Curumo, Curunír,
Sharkey
Titles: Of Many Colours, Ring-maker,
The Ruler, The White, The Wise Emblem:
White Hand ____________________________________________________________________________
Most
often called Saruman the White, Saruman was the first of the five Wizards to arrive
in Middle-earth, at the end of the first millennium of the Third Age. He was said
to be the eldest of the order, and Gandalf acknowledged him as the chief of the
Istari. For
a thousand years, and maybe more, he journeyed in the East of Middle-earth, and
was little heard of in the West. He had returned, though, by III 2463, for he
was present at the foundation of the Council of the Wise, and was made their chief
(though both Elrond and Galadriel would have preferred Gandalf to take this position). It
was at about this time that Saruman began to study the Rings of Power, their history
and the means of their making.  | The
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In
III 2759, he was given the keys of Orthanc by Steward Beren of Minas Tirith, and
took up his abode there. He continued his researches into ring-lore, and the making
of devices, and was accustomed to watch the stars from the pinnacle of the Tower.
He visited Minas Tirith to research the history of the Rings, and found among
the ancient books and scrolls the story of the death of Isildur and the loss of
the Ruling Ring. In
III 2851, the Council discovered proof that the Necromancer of Dol Guldur was
indeed Sauron returned. Many of the Wise wished to attack the fortress and drive
Sauron out, but Saruman spoke against this, and dissuaded the Council from mounting
an assault. It was only after ninety years had passed that he relented and aided
the Council in assailing Dol Guldur, driving Sauron back into Mordor. Saruman's
knowledge was vital in this victory, as Gandalf said - 'it was by the devices
of Saruman that we drove him from Dol Guldur'. When
the Council debated the Rings of Power, Saruman claimed that his researches showed
that the One Ring had been lost forever. It was later shown that he did not believe
this, however, and was searching for it himself, having secretly rebelled against
the Council. He
built an army of Wolves and Orcs of his own within the ring of Isengard to challenge
both Sauron and the Wise, and took control of the only nearby power, the country
of Rohan, through his agent Gríma Wormtongue. In
July III 3018, when he was ready to reveal himself, Saruman set a trap for Gandalf,
using the Wizard Radagast to lure him to Orthanc. When Gandalf came, Saruman revealed
that he had made a Ring of his own, and that he was no longer Saruman the White,
but claimed the title Saruman of Many Colours. When Gandalf refused to join him,
he was imprisoned on the pinnacle of the Tower of Orthanc - Saruman hoped to gain
the secret of the One Ring from him, or at least prevent Gandalf from using it
himself. Detailed
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Saruman
the White was the Chief of the Order of Wizards. He was wise and powerful, but
he was also proud and he became corrupted by desire for the One Ring and was ensnared
by the will of Sauron. He created armies and machinery and sought to expand his
power, but in the end Saruman's works were undone by a power greater than any
he could devise and he was slain by one of his own slaves. Saruman
was originally a Maia known as Curumo. The Maiar were spirits who helped and served
the Valar in the Undying Lands. Curumo was one of the Maiar of Aule, the Vala
whose domain was the substances of which the earth was made. Aule was a smith
and a master of crafts and works of skill, and from him Curumo gained much knowledge. Sauron
had also once been a Maia of Aule. He had turned to evil and sought to establish
dominion over Middle-earth and the Valar decided to send emissaries oppose him.
Curumo was chosen by Aule and he became one of the Istari, or Wizards. The Wizards'
mission was to help the free peoples of Middle-earth in their struggle against
Sauron without seeking domination or power for themselves. Curumo
went to Middle-earth around the year 1000 of the Third Age. He was said to have
been the first of the Wizards to arrive in Middle-earth, although according to
another story he was asked by Aule's spouse Yavanna to bring the Wizard Radagast
with him. Curumo
was called Saruman by Men, among whom he spent most of his time. The Elves called
him Curunir. Like the other Wizards, he had taken the form of an old man. Saruman
was tall with a noble bearing. His hair was black at first, and though it turned
white over time streaks of black remained. Saruman had a fair voice and a subtle
manner of speech which he could use to persuade others. His robes were white,
signifying that he was the highest of the Order of Wizards.  | The
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Early
on, Saruman went on many journeys throughout Middle-earth. He travelled into Rhun
in the far East with the two Blue Wizards, but while they remained there Saruman
returned to western Middle-earth. In
2463, the White Council was formed comprised of the chief Wizards and Elves -
including Saruman, Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, and Cirdan. Their main concern
was the evil power occupying the stronghold of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood, which they
feared might be Sauron. When it came time to choose a leader of the Council, Galadriel
favored Gandalf, but Gandalf refused and Saruman became the head of the White
Council instead. Saruman
became resentful and jealous of Gandalf. He realized that Gandalf was stronger
than he was, though more humble, and had greater influence among the peoples of
Middle-earth. Saruman was also aware that Gandalf had been given Narya, one of
the Three Rings of the Elves, and this made Saruman particularly envious because
he considered the Rings of Power to be his special area of expertise. Saruman
had long studied the history of the Rings and their making and eventually he even
used his skills at craftsmanship to try his hand at Ring-making on a lesser scale. Of
special interest to Saruman was the whereabouts of the One Ring - the Ruling Ring
forged by Sauron that had been taken by Isildur and lost in the Gladden Fields
where Isildur was slain. Saruman made many visits to the archives of Minas Tirith
and learned all he could about Isildur. Among the scrolls discovered by Saruman
was one written by Isildur that described the Ring and the inscription it bore. In
the archives, Saruman also learned about the palantiri, or Seeing-stones - devices
that could be used to gather information and communicate over great distances.
Saruman knew that there was a palantir in the Tower of Orthanc at Isengard - a
stronghold in the Gap of Rohan at the southern end of the Misty Mountains. Though
Isengard was in Rohan, it belonged to Gondor, but the guard there had grown lax.
In 2759, Saruman offered to take up residence in Isengard and repair and maintain
its defenses. He was given the Keys of Orthanc by Beren, the Steward of Gondor.  | The
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That
same year, Saruman attended the coronation of King Frealaf of Rohan. He brought
gifts and praised the valor of the Rohirrim. Rohan had just endured an invasion
from Dunland as well as the Long Winter. In the years of hardship that followed
they profited from their new friendship with Saruman and they were happy to have
a Wizard of great power in the stronghold on their western border. Saruman
also became acquainted with Treebeard, the eldest of the Ents in nearby Fangorn
Forest. He walked in the woods and spoke with Treebeard and learned many things
from him, though he did not share information in kind. The
White Council met at Rivendell in 2851. Gandalf reported that he had been to Dol
Guldur and had determined that the evil occupant was indeed Sauron. Gandalf recommended
that the White Council attack Dol Guldur, but Saruman overruled him. Saruman told
the Council that he believed the One Ring had been washed down to the Sea, where
it could not be recovered, and that without it Sauron could not regain his strength.
The Council agreed to continue to wait and watch, though Gandalf remained troubled. In
truth, Saruman began searching the Gladden Fields for the One Ring in order to
claim it for himself. In his long study of Sauron's Ring, Saruman had become corrupted
by the lure of its power and he sought to replace Sauron whom he had come to view
as a rival. Saruman believed that if he found the Ring he would be capable of
wielding it to establish order as he saw fit and rule the world of Men. Saruman
reasoned that if Sauron remained in Dol Guldur, the Ring might reveal itself while
seeking its Master. But in 2939, Saruman learned that Sauron was also searching
the Gladden Fields for the Ring. Therefore when Gandalf again proposed an attack
on Dol Guldur at a Council meeting in 2941, Saruman agreed. It was by the devices
of Saruman that the attack was successful, and Sauron fled Dol Guldur. Unknown
to the Council, Sauron had been prepared for the attack and he returned to his
former stronghold in Mordor and began gathering his strength. He declared himself
openly in 2951, and in 2953 the White Council met for the final time. They had
learned that Sauron was actively seeking the Ring. Saruman assured them that he
had determined that the Ring was in fact at the bottom of the Sea where Sauron
would never find it. Neither
Sauron nor Saruman ever found the Ring in the Gladden Fields. Saruman did find
the empty case on a chain that had once held the Ring, as well as the Elendilmir
- the token of royalty of the North-kingdom - which Isildur had been wearing when
he died. Saruman hid these items away in Orthanc along with many other treasures
he had gathered. But the Ring was long gone. Gollum had taken it deep under the
Misty Mountains where it was discovered by a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins.  | The
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Saruman
had no knowledge of Bilbo's discovery, yet he was aware of Gandalf's interest
in Hobbits and he was suspicious of everything Gandalf did. Saruman visited the
Shire himself in disguise, but he feared discovery by Gandalf so he sent agents
to Bree and the Southfarthing to learn what they could of Gandalf's interest in
the Shire. Saruman
had also secretly begun to smoke pipe-weed from the Shire, though he publicly
scoffed at Gandalf's use of it. He purchased pipe-weed from plantations owned
by the Bracegirdles and Sackville-Bagginses and he used his payments to corrupt
some of them to spy on their fellow Hobbits. After
the last meeting of the White Council, Saruman isolated himself in Isengard. He
had originally been entrusted with Isengard as a lieutenant of the Steward and
a warden of the tower, but now he claimed the stronghold for himself and began
to increase its fortifications. He destroyed Isengard's beautiful gardens and
dug pits which he filled with forges and machinery. To fuel the fires, Saruman
had trees cut down in Fangorn Forest. Saruman
began to build his own army. He recruited Men from Dunland who hated Rohan, and
he also gathered Wolves and Orcs to him. Among these Orcs were a special breed
of Uruk-hai who were large and strong and could withstand direct sunlight. There
were also a number of Men in Saruman's service who appeared to have Orc blood.
These races may have been the result of cross-breeding experiments between Orcs
and Men conducted by Saruman. Saruman was also said to have fed his Uruk-hai on
the flesh of Men. Around
the year 3000, Saruman began to use the palantir. At first, Saruman may have seen
visions of far-off places or events in the Orthanc-stone, but eventually he came
in contact with another palantir - the Ithil-stone which was held in the Dark
Tower by Sauron. Saruman's integrity had been weakened by the abandonment of his
moral principles in his quest for power, and he was thus vulnerable to domination
by the superior will of Sauron. Before long, Saruman felt compelled to report
to Sauron via the palantir. The users of a palantir communicated by thought, and
it is likely that Sauron learned more from Saruman than he intended to reveal. Saruman
continued his plan to expand his power, beginning with the conquest of Rohan.
Rohan was Gondor's strongest ally and therefore it also benefited Sauron's plans
for Rohan to be weakened. Saruman's Uruks came down from the Misty Mountains and
raided the Rohirrim's horses and Sauron's Orcs conducted raids on Rohan from the
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Saruman
enlisted a Man of Rohan named Grima to be his agent in the court of King Theoden
of Rohan. Grima became Theoden's counsellor and began to exert his influence over
the King on behalf of Saruman. In 3014, Theoden became ill, possibly as a result
of poisons administered by Grima. Theoden appeared to age prematurely and his
judgment became clouded and he became dependent on Grima's advice. It was Saruman's
intention to weaken King Theoden and thereby leave Rohan open to attack. Above
all, Saruman desired to find the One Ring, which he still hoped to claim for himself.
He was increasingly suspicious that Gandalf was aware of the Ring's whereabouts
and that somehow the Hobbits of the Shire were involved. Saruman's spies had reported
that the Rangers of the North were closely guarding the Shire, and in 3001 this
guard had been doubled. In
the summer of 3018, Saruman learned that the Nine Nazgul had left Mordor and were
searching for the Ring in the possession of a person named Baggins in the Shire.
Saruman decided to lay a trap for Gandalf to find out what he knew. He sent Radagast
with a message for Gandalf telling him of the Nazgul's search and inviting him
to come to Isengard so they could consult on the matter. Gandalf
arrived at Isengard on July 10. Saruman openly wore a Ring that he had created
and he revealed to Gandalf that he was no longer Saruman the White but Saruman
of Many Colours and his robes were of shifting hues. Saruman
proposed to Gandalf that they should rule the world of Men and that the means
to this end was an alliance with Sauron. "A
new Power is rising. Against it the old allies and policies will not avail us
at all. There is no hope left in Elves or dying Numenor. This then is one choice
before you, before us. We may join with that Power. It would be wise, Gandalf.
There is hope that way. Its victory is at hand; and there will be rich reward
for those that aided it. As the Power grows, its proved friends will also grow;
and the Wise, such as you and I, may with patience come at last to direct its
courses, to control it. We can bide our time, we can keep our thoughts in our
hearts, deploring maybe evils done by the way, but approving the high and ultimate
purpose: Knowledge, Rule, Order; all the things that we have so far striven in
vain to accomplish, hindered rather than helped by our weak or idle friends. There
need not be, there would not be, any real change in our designs, only in our means."
The Fellowship of the Ring: "The Council of Elrond," p. 272-73  | The
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When
Gandalf rejected this proposal, Saruman suggested that they could supplant Sauron
if they claimed the One Ring for themselves, and he asked Gandalf to reveal its
location. Gandalf again refused and Saruman had him imprisoned on the pinnacle
of Orthanc. With
Gandalf out of the way, Saruman hoped to be able to find the Ring-bearer. Saruman
had many agents travelling between Isengard and the Shire, stocking up on provisions
in preparation for war. He sent the most trusted of these - a squint-eyed Southerner
- to report on any Hobbits who left the Shire. But before Saruman's agent could
report back, Gandalf escaped. He was rescued from the top of Orthanc on September
18 by Gwaihir the Windlord, who had come bringing news at the request of Radagast
not knowing that Gandalf was being held prisoner. Then
the Lord of the Nazgul came to Isengard, sent by Sauron who was aware that Saruman
had captured Gandalf. There are differing accounts of this visit. By one account,
the Nazgul came two days after Gandalf's escape and Saruman used his Voice to
persuade the Lord of the Nazgul that he did not know the Ring's location but that
Gandalf did and they should seek him nearby. The Nazgul did so and instead found
Grima, who revealed that Saruman was hiding his knowledge of the Shire from them.
According to another account, Saruman only discovered that Gandalf had escaped
when the Nazgul arrived, but he pretended that Gandalf was still there and had
just told him the location of the Shire. The Nazgul later learned from the squint-eyed
Southerner that Saruman knew far more than he had revealed.  | The
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In
either case, Saruman found himself in a difficult position, for he was a known
traitor to both sides. Saruman thought that he might still have time to find the
Ring himself because he believed the Ring-bearer would have left the Shire already.
But the squint-eyed Southerner was waylaid by the Nazgul and forced into their
service. From Saruman's agent, the Nazgul learned that a Hobbit named Baggins
lived in Hobbiton, and they began their relentless pursuit of Frodo Baggins as
the Ring-bearer fled to Rivendell. Saruman
meanwhile began to move forward with his plan to conquer Rohan. Gandalf had gone
to Edoras after his escape to warn King Theoden but was sent away on Grima's advice.
Saruman claimed lordship over Rohan's lands and he closed the Gap of Rohan and
companies of Orcs bearing his emblem of the White Hand began to trouble the Rohirrim. Saruman's
spies continued to hunt for the Ring-bearer. On January 8, 3019, a flock of crebain
passed over the Fellowship in Hollin several times as if hunting for something.
It is likely that these evil birds were in the service of Saruman and reported
back to him with news of the Ring-bearer's southward progress. In
Rohan, Saruman's forces were meeting with resistance from the Rohirrim led by
Theodred, the King's son, and Eomer, the King's nephew. Saruman decided that Theodred
had to be eliminated, and on February 25 he sent out a company with orders to
kill the King's son. At the First Battle of the Fords of Isen, Theodred's position
was relentlessly assailed and in the end he was slain. But then Saruman made a
strategic mistake and did not move immediately to invade the Westfold, in part
because of the resistance force led by Grimbold and Elfhelm. The
next day on February 26, a company of Saruman's Uruk-hai led by Ugluk came to
Amon Hen where the Fellowship was camped. Saruman had ordered Ugluk to kill all
but the Halflings, who were to be brought back to Isengard alive and unspoiled.
Ugluk's company captured Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took and slew Boromir of
Gondor who tried to defend the Hobbits. An Orc from Mordor named Grishnakh wanted
to take the Hobbits to Sauron, but Ugluk prevailed and carried his captives toward
Isengard. At
the edge of Fangorn Forest on February 28, Ugluk's company were surrounded by
the Riders of Rohan led by Eomer. The next day at dawn, the Riders attacked and
slew them all. But worse for Saruman was the fact that Merry and Pippin escaped
into Fangorn Forest, where they met Treebeard. Treebeard had long been troubled
by Saruman's wanton destruction of trees in Fangorn, and Merry and Pippin's arrival
roused him to take action. Saruman
was unaware of what had befallen his Uruk-hai and he was so eager to obtain the
Ring that he came himself to the edge of Fangorn on the night of February 30,
where he was spotted by Gimli, Aragorn, and Legolas. Saruman found the burned
carcasses of his company but he did not know whether they had been bringing him
the Ring and if so what had become of it.  | The
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Fearing
that the Rohirrim may have taken possession of the Ring, Saruman returned to Isengard
to launch a full assault on Rohan. Before noon on March 2, Saruman sent out a
portion of his forces who engaged the Rohirrim in the Second Battle of the Fords
of Isen. The Rohirrim put up a stubborn resistance, but at midnight Saruman unleashed
the full strength of Isengard: an army of ten thousand Orcs, some mounted on Wolves,
as well as Men, some from Dunland and others who seemed to have Orc-blood. The
defenders of the Fords of Isen were swept aside and scattered while Saruman's
army continued to the stronghold of Helm's Deep, where King Theoden had taken
refuge. Saruman
was at the gate to watch his troops leave, but when the last company had gone
the gates were suddenly assailed by the Ents. Saruman had not anticipated that
the Ents would rise against him, and he had no idea how to deal with this ancient
force of nature. The Ents hurled down the gates and tore down the walls of Isengard.
Saruman fled back to Orthanc pursued by Quickbeam, an Ent whose beloved rowan
trees had been destroyed by Saruman's Orcs. Saruman
locked himself in the tower, which the Ents were unable to break. He attacked
the Ents with liquid fire and fumes from vents and shafts in the grounds of Isengard.
The Ents were enraged and they hurled themselves at Orthanc and Saruman responded
with an eerie laugh. This caused the Ents to become quiet and determined. They
diverted the waters of the River Isen into Isengard and Saruman's fires were quenched
and his filth was washed away. At
dawn on March 4, Saruman's army was defeated at the Battle of Helm's Deep thanks
to the timely arrival of reinforcements gathered by Gandalf and a forest of Huorns
sent by Treebeard. Many of Saruman's Men surrendered and were shown mercy, but
his Orcs fled into the Huorn forest and none came out alive. Gandalf
and King Theoden came to Orthanc for a parley with Saruman on March 5. Saruman
tried to persuade King Theoden to join with him by using the power of his enthralling
Voice.
Those who listened unwarily to that voice could seldom report the words that they
heard; and if they did, they wondered, for little power remained in them. Mostly
they remembered only that it was a delight to hear the voice speaking, all that
it said seemed wise and reasonable, and desire awoke in them by swift agreement
to seem wise themselves. When others spoke they seemed harsh and uncouth by contrast;
and if they gainsaid the voice, anger was kindled in the hearts of those under
the spell. For some the spell lasted only while the voice spoke to them, and when
it spake to another they smiled, as men do who see through a juggler's trick while
others gape at it. For many the sound of the voice alone was enough to hold them
enthralled; but for those whom it conquered the spell endured when they were far
away, and ever they heard that soft voice whispering and urging them. But none
were unmoved; none rejected its pleas and its commands without an effort of mind
and will, so long as its master had control of it. The Two Towers: "The
Voice of Saruman," p. 183 But
Theoden was not deceived. He remembered the cruelty of Saruman's army and he perceived
that Saruman was but a tool of Sauron. When Theoden rejected his overture, Saruman
turned his attention to Gandalf, but Gandalf only laughed. Gandalf gave Saruman
the choice to come down from his tower and abandon his alliance with Sauron. Saruman
had a moment of doubt, but pride and hatred won out and he refused. Then Gandalf
revealed that he had become Gandalf the White and he broke Saruman's staff and
cast him out of the Order of Wizards and the White Council. Saruman crawled back
inside Orthanc. Grima
threw the palantir down from the tower and it was picked up by Pippin. Saruman
was enraged when he realized what Grima had done, for now he had no means of communicating
with Sauron. A Winged Nazgul was already on the way to Isengard to determine what
Saruman was up to. When Pippin looked into the palantir, Sauron thought that Saruman
was holding the Ring-bearer captive. Later that day Aragorn looked into the Orthanc-stone
and confronted Sauron, drawing the Enemy's attention to the return of Isildur's
heir and incidentally giving Saruman a reprieve from Sauron's wrath. Saruman
remained imprisoned in Orthanc guarded by the Ents for the duration of the War
of the Ring. On March 25, the Ring was destroyed and Sauron's realm fell into
ruin. Treebeard maintained his vigilance for several months afterward and he gave
Saruman a detailed account of Sauron's downfall, speaking at great length until
Saruman grew weary. Saruman's power had greatly decreased since his staff had
been broken, but he still had his Voice. He was able to play on Treebeard's reluctance
to cage any living thing, and he convinced the old Ent that he no longer posed
a threat to anyone. Saruman was released on August 15. He turned over the Keys
of Orthanc to Treebeard and headed north with Grima. On
August 28, Saruman and Grima were overtaken by Gandalf and the Hobbits and Galadriel,
Celeborn, and Elrond. Gandalf and Galadriel offered Saruman help, but Saruman
refused and he gloated because the Three Rings of the Elves had lost their power
when the One Ring was destroyed. Merry gave Saruman some pipe-weed and Saruman
told the Hobbits that they might find that things had changed in the Shire in
their absence. Saruman
was angered to see the Hobbits looking prosperous and safe under Gandalf's protection
and he decided to teach them a lesson. He travelled to the Shire with Grima, arriving
on September 22. Many of his agents were already there at the invitation of Lotho
Sackville-Baggins, one of the Hobbits whom Saruman had corrupted. Lotho had set
himself up as Chief Shirriff but in reality the Chief's Men were in charge of
the Shire, and they enforced a number of unfair Rules. When the Men's real master
Saruman arrived, he took over as Chief. Lotho was stabbed to death in his sleep
by Grima at Saruman's command. Saruman
sought revenge for the destruction of Isengard by trying to ruin the Shire. The
Chief's Men began wantonly destroying and burning homes, trees, and farmland.
The New Mill was used for some industrial purpose and the Water became polluted
with waste. Saruman moved into Frodo's home at Bag End and filled the gardens
with garbage and sheds. Provisions became more scarce, and the Rules became harsher,
and Hobbits who were imprisoned in the Lockholes were often beaten. Frodo,
Sam, Merry, and Pippin returned to the Shire on October 30. Saruman learned of
their arrival and sent a message to the Shirriff-house at Frogmorton that they
were to be arrested and brought to him. But the four Hobbits outpaced their captors
and came to Bywater, where they rallied their fellow Hobbits to rise against the
Chief's Men. At the Battle of Bywater on November 3, the Hobbits defeated the
Chief's Men and drove them out of the Shire. Frodo
then went to Bag End and found Saruman. The Wizard gloated over the destruction
he had wrought, and some of the local Hobbits called for his death. But Frodo
declared that Saruman's life should be spared and ordered him to leave. Saruman
tried to stab Frodo, and still Frodo refused to allow the others to kill the once-great
Wizard.
Saruman rose to his feet, and stared at Frodo. There was a strange look in his
eyes of mingled wonder and respect and hatred. "You have grown, Halfling,"
he said. "Yes, you have grown very much. You are wise, and cruel. You have
robbed my revenge of sweetness, and now I must go hence in bitterness, in debt
to your mercy. I hate it and you! Well, I go and I will trouble you no more. But
do not expect me to wish you health and long life. You will have neither. But
that is not my doing. I merely foretell." The Return of the King: "The
Scouring of the Shire," p. 299 Saruman
prepared to leave and ordered Grima to accompany him, and Frodo told Grima he
could remain if he wished. Saruman revealed that Grima had killed Lotho, and when
Grima replied that he had done so at Saruman's command, Saruman mocked him and
kicked him in the face. Grima then leapt at Saruman and slashed his throat. Saruman
died and his spirit left his body, never to return to Middle-earth nor to the
Undying Lands from whence he came.
To the dismay of those that stood by, about the body of Saruman a grey mist gathered,
and rising slowly to a great height like smoke from a fire, as a pale shrouded
figure it loomed over the Hill. For a moment it wavered, looking to the West;
but out of the West came a cold wind, and it bent away, and with a sigh dissolved
into nothing.
Frodo looked down at the body with pity and horror, for as he looked it seemed
that long years of death were suddenly revealed in it, and it shrank, and the
shrivelled face became rags of skin upon a hideous skull. Lifting up the skirt
of the dirty cloak that sprawled beside it, he covered it over, and turned away.
The Return of the King: "The Scouring of the Shire," p. 300 Important
Dates 1000 Saruman
arrives in Middle-earth around this time. 1100 The
Wise discover that an evil power has built a stronghold at Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. 2060 The
Wise fear the power at Dol Guldur may be Sauron. 2463 The
White Council is formed. Saruman becomes the Head of the White Council. 2759 Saruman
takes up residence at Isengard. 2851 The
White Council meets. Gandalf reports that Sauron is at Dol Guldur and urges an
attack, but Saruman overrules him. Saruman begins to desire the One Ring for himself
and starts searching the Gladden Fields. 2939 Saruman
learns that Sauron's servants are searching the Gladden Fields for the One Ring. 2941 The
White Council meets. Saruman agrees to attack Dol Guldur, hoping to prevent Sauron
from finding the Ring. The White Council drives Sauron out of Dol Guldur. 2942 Sauron
goes in secret to Mordor. 2951 Sauron
declares himself openly in Mordor. 2953 The
White Council meets for the last time. Saruman lies to the Council, saying he
has learned that the Ring was washed down the Anduin to the Sea. He fortifies
Isengard and begins to spy on Gandalf and sends agents to Bree and the Shire. 2990 Saruman
may have begun cross-breeding Orcs and Men around this time.
3000 Saruman
uses the palantir of Orthanc and is ensnared by Sauron and becomes a traitor to
the Council. Saruman learns from his spies that the Rangers are guarding the Shire. 3001 The
Rangers double their guard on the Shire. 3014 King
Theoden of Rohan begins to fall under the influence of Saruman through his agent
Grima Wormtongue. 3018 July
10: Saruman imprisons Gandalf in Isengard. September
18: Gandalf is rescued from the pinnacle of Orthanc by Gwaihir. 3019 January
8: A flock of crebain flies over the Fellowship in Hollin. The birds may have
brought news of the Ring-bearer's journey back to Saruman. February
25: Saruman's forces attack the Rohirrim and succeed in killing Theodred,
the King's son, in the First Battle of the Fords of Isen. February 26:
A company of Saruman's Uruk-hai attack the Fellowship's camp at Amon Hen and take
Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took captive. February 29: The Uruk-hai
are slain by Eomer's Riders. Merry and Pippin escape to Fangorn and meet Treebeard. March
2: Saruman's forces defeat Erkenbrand's Riders at the Second Battle of the
Fords of Isen and continue to Helm's Deep. Gandalf frees Theoden from Saruman's
influence and Theoden decides to ride to war against Saruman. Treebeard and the
Ents also decide to go to war and march to Isengard. The Ents arrive at night
and Saruman locks himself in Orthanc while Isengard is destroyed. March
3: Battle of Helm's Deep begins. The Ents complete the destruction of Isengard. March
4: Saruman's forces are defeated at dawn at Helm's Deep. March 5: Gandalf
and Theoden parley with Saruman. Gandalf breaks Saruman's staff and casts him
out of the Order of Wizards. Grima throws down the palantir. Saruman is imprisoned
in Orthanc. August
15: Treebeard releases Saruman from Orthanc. Saruman and Grima head north. August
28: The Hobbits and Gandalf meet Saruman on the road. Saruman and Grima head
for the Shire. September
22: Saruman arrives in the Shire. He moves into Bag End and takes over as
Chief from Lotho Sackville-Baggins. November
3: The Hobbits defeat Saruman's Men at the Battle of Bywater. Frodo spares
Saruman's life, but Saruman is killed by Grima. Names
& Titles Saruman
the White The name Saruman means "man of skill." This was his name
in the language of the Men of the North. In Old English, the word searu means
both "art, skill, cleverness, cunning" and "device, trick, snare,
ambuscade, plot, treachery." Saruman's color was originally white and he
wore white robes. Unfinished Tales: "The Istari," p. 390, 392, 401
note 6; Old English Made Easy Curunír Curunír
means "the one of cunning devices" or "man of skill or craft"
in Sindarin. The element curu means "craft, skill" and nír is
a lenited form of dir, a masculine ending. He was also called Curunír 'Lân,
where 'Lân is from glân meaning "white." Unfinished Tales:
"The Istari," p. 390, 392 and index entry The History of Middle-earth,
vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," entry for
DER and KUR Selected Sindarin Vocabulary Curumo Curumo
is the Quenya equivalent of Curunir. This is the name by which Saruman was known
as a Maia. Unfinished Tales: "The Istari," p. 393, 401 note 6
White
Messenger When Saruman arrived in Middle-earth he was referred to as the White
Messenger because he was a messenger of the Valar and was clad in white. Unfinished
Tales: "The Istari," p. 389-90 Chief
of the Order of Wizards Saruman was the Chief of the Order of Wizards, which
also included Gandalf, Radagast, and the Blue Wizards. The Fellowship of the
Ring: "The Shadow of the Past," p. 57; Unfinished Tales: "The Istari,"
p. 389 Head
of the White Council After the formation of the White Council - comprised of
the chief Wizards and Elves - Saruman became the Head of the White Council. The
Fellowship of the Ring: "The Shadow of the Past," p. 57 Saruman
the Wise Saruman was called - and called himself - Saruman the Wise. The
Fellowship of the Ring: "The Council of Elrond," p. 264, 272 Saruman
Ring-maker Saruman referred to himself this way because he made at least one
lesser Ring of Power. The Fellowship of the Ring: "The Council of Elrond,"
p. 272 Saruman
of Many Colours Saruman forsook his original color of white in favor of many-colored
robes that changed before the eye. "White!"
he sneered. "It serves as a beginning. White cloth may be dyed. The white
page can be overwritten; and the white light can be broken." The Fellowship
of the Ring: "The Council of Elrond," p. 272 Chief Saruman
came to the Shire in September of 3019 and took over as Chief from Lotho Sackville-Baggins.
He was also referred to as Boss. The Return of the King: "The Scouring
of the Shire," p. 292
Sharkey Saruman
was called Sharkey by his people in Isengard as well as by the Chief's Men in
the Shire. Saruman thought it was a term of affection, but it was probably derived
from the Orcish word sharkû meaning "old man." The Return of
the King: "The Scouring of the Shire," p. 298 |