Саруман (Saruman) — различия между версиями

Версия 17:08, 7 ноября 2011

Биография

Саруман Белый был Главой Ордена Мудрых. Он был мудр и могущественен, но также горд. Он возжелал Единое Кольцо и попал под волю Саурона. Он создавал армии и машины и пытался найти способ преувеличить свои силы. Но в итоге все творения Сарумана были разрушены силой, более великой, чем все его машины, а он сам пал от руки одного из своих слуг.

Саруман был Майа, известным как Курумо. Майар были духами, которые помогали Валар в Бессмертных Землях. Курумо был одним из Майар Аулэ, Вала, создавший материю земли. Аулэ был кузнецом и умелым мастером, и Курумо многому научился у него.

Саурон также был одним из Майар Аулэ. Он обратился ко злу и захотел захватить Средиземье. Валар послали эмиссаров, чтобы они противостояли ему. Курумоо был выбран Аулэ и стал одним из Истари, Мудрых. Миссия Мудрых была помогать свободным народами Средиземья в их борьбе с Сауроном, но при этом не искать власти или силы для себя.

Курумо прибыл в Средиземье примерно в 1000 году Третьей Эпохи. Сказано, что он прибыл первым из Мудрых, однако, согласно другим записям, супруга Аулэ Йаванна попросила его взять с собой Радагаста.

Люди, среди которых он проводил много времени, назвали его Саруманом. Эльфы дали ему имя Курунир. Подобно другим Магам он был облачён в облик старца. Саруман был высок и благороден обликом. Его волосы были чёрными, но со временем поседели. У Сарумана был чисты и прекрасный голос, который он использовал, чтобы убеждать других. Одежды Сарумана были белыми, что символизировало его главенство в Совете Мудрых.

Сперва Саруман много путешествовал по Средиземью. Вместе с Синими Магами, Алатаром и Палландо, он совершил путешествие в Рун далеко на восток. Когда Саруман вернулся, Синих Магов с ним не было.

В 2463 году был образован Белый Совет, включавший в себя Магов и Эльфов - Сарумана, Гэндальфа, Эльронда, Галадриэль и Кирдана. Больше всего их беспокоила злая сила, занявшая крепость Дол Гулдур в Темнолесье. Они опасались, что это был Саурон. Когда пришло время выбирать главу Совета, Галадриэль предложила Гэндальфа, но тот отказалса, и Саруман принял главенство.

Саруман затаил обиду и ревность на Гэндальфа. Он осознавал, что Гэнальф могущественнее его, и, несмотря на смирение, намного более влиятелен среди народов Средиземья. Саруман знал, что Гэндальф носит Нарья, одно из Трёх Эльфийских Колец. Саруман крайне завидовал этому, потому что думал, что Кольца Власти попадают исключительно в его область знаний. Саруман долго изучал историю Колец и их создания и даже попробовал своё мастерство, чтобы создать собственное Кольцо небольшой силы.

Но главным образом Саруман интересовался местоположением Единого Кольца - Правящего Кольца, выкованного Сауроном, забранного Исильдуром и потерянного Ирисных Низинах, когда Исильдур погиб. Саруман много раз посещал архивы Минас Тирита и много узнал об Исильдуре. Среди множества свитков, изученных Саруманом, был один, в котором Исильдур описал Кольцо.

Кроме того, в архивах Саруман нашёл информацию про палантири, Видящие Камни, - устройства, которые позволяли получать информацию и обмениваться ей через расстояния. Саруман узнал, что один из палантиров находится в башне Ортанк в Айзенгарде - крепости во Вратах Рохана близ южных отрогов Туманных Гор. Хотя Айзенгард находился на территории Рохана, но принадлежал Гондору. Крепость очень слабо охранялась. В 2759 году Саруман попросил основать в Ортанке свою резиденцию и возглавить его оборону. Он получил Ключи от Ортанка из рук Берена, Наместника Гондора.

В тот же год Саруман присутствовал на коронации Короля Фреалафа в Рохане. of Rohan. Он раздавал дары и восхвалял храбрость Рохиррим. Рохан только что перенёс вторжение из Дунланда и Долгую Зиму. В последовавшие тяжкие годы Рохиррим осознали выгоду от дружбы с Саруманом и были счастливы, что Маг в крепости охраняет их западные границы.

Саруман познакомился с Древобородом, старейшим из Энтов в близлежащем лес Фангорн. Он прогуливался среди деревьев и беседовал с Древобородом. Из этих бесед Саруман узнал много нового, но сам практически не раскрывал своих знаний.

Белый Совет собрался в Ривенделле в 2851. Гэндальф сказал, что он был в Дол Гулдуре и узнал, что злой, поселившееся там, действительно Саурон. Гэндальф посоветовал атаковать Дол Гулдур, но Саруман высказался против. Саруман сказал, что он уверен в том, что Кольцо навсегда потеряно в Море. Оно не вернётся, а без него Саурон не сможет восстановить свои силы. Совет согласился и продолжал ждать, но Гэндальф продолжал сомневаться.

На самом деле Саруман начал поиски в Ирисных Низинах, чтобы найти и присвоить Единое Кольцо. Изучая свойства Кольца Саурона Саруман прельстился его силой и надеялся занять место Саурона. Саруман был уверен, что если он найдёт Кольцо, то сможет использовать его, чтобы подчинить себе мир Людей.

Саруман рассудил, что Кольцо быстрее обнаружит себя, если его будет искать создатель из Дол Гулдура. Но в 2939 Саруман узнал, что Саурон также ищет Кольцо на Ирисных Низинах. И когда Гэндальф второй раз предложил атаковать Дол Гулдур на собрании в 2941 гоуд, Саруман согласился. Благодаря устройствам Сарумана, атака была успешной, и Саурон покинул Дол Гулдур.

Втайне для Совета, Саурон готовил ответную атаку. Он вернулся в свою исконную крепость в Мордоре и начал собирать силы. Он открыто заявил о себе в 2951, а в 2953 Белый Совет собрался последний раз. Они узнали, что Саурон активно ищет Кольцо. Саруман убедил их в том, что Кольцо покоится на дне Моря и Саурон никогда не найдёт его.

Ни Саурон, ни Саруман не нашли Кольца на Ирисных Низинах. Саруман нашёл пустую коробку и цепочку, на которой висело Кольцо, а также Элендильмир - символ королевской власти Арнора, который был у Исильдура в момент смерти. Саруман спрятал эти сокровища в Ортанке среди многих других вещей, собранных им. Но Кольцо исчезло надолго. Голлум подобрал его и унёс глубоко под землю, в пещеры под Туманными Горами, где оно было найдено Хоббитом по имени Бильбо Бэггинс.

Саруман не знал о находке Бильбо, но заметил интерес Гэндальфа к Хоббитам и предположил, что Гэндальф знает о них что-то тайное. Саруман посещал Шир, сменив облик. Но он боялся, что Гэндальф разоблачит его и чаще посылал шпионов в Южный дел, чтобы они разузнали, что же интересует Гэндальфа в этой маленькой стране.

Саруман втайне начал курить Трубочное Зелье из Шира, хотя публично высмеивал Гэндальфа за эту привычку. Он купил табачную плантацию у Брейсгирдлов и Саквилль-Бэггинсов, а также подкупил некоторых из них, чтобы они шпионили за Хоббитами.

После последнего собрания Белого Совета Саруман перестал покидать Айзенгард. Изначально он был лейтенантом Намесника и стражем башни, но сейчас он присвоил крепость себе и начал увеличивать её мощь. Он уничтожил прекрасные сады Айзенгарда и вырыл ямы, которые наполнил кузницами и механизмами. В качестве топлива Саруман использовал деревья Фангорна.

Саруман начал собирать собственную армию. Он завербовал Людей из Дунланда, ненавидящих Рохан, и собрал Волков и Орков. Среди этих Орков были Урук-хай - большие и сильные орки, не боящиеся солнца. Среди слуг Сарумана было некоторое количество Людей с примесью орочьей крови. Они могли произойти в результате экспериментов Сарумана по скрещиванию Орков и Людей. Кроме того, Саруман кормил своих Урук-хай человеческой плотью.

Примерно в 3000 году Саруман начал использовать палантир. Сперва Саруман мог видеть далёкие события и видения в камне Ортанка, но вскоре вступил в контакт с другим палантиром - камнем Итиля, принадлежавшим тогда Саурону. Честь Сарумана была ослаблена его деяниями, совершёнными на пути поиска власти, и поэтому Саруман был уязвим к превосходящей воле Саурона. Вскоре Саруман был вынужден использовать палантир для отчётов перед Сауроном. Разговор в палантирах проходил на уровне мысли и похоже, что Саурон смог узнать от Сарумана больше, чем тот хотел открыть.

Саруман продолжил свой план по захвату власти и начал завоевание Рохана. Рохан был сильнейшим союзником Гондора, и Саурону было на руку его ослабление. Уруки Сарумана спустились с Туманных Гор и угоняли лошадей Рохиррим, а Орки Саурона устраивали набеги с востока.

Саруман завербовал Человека из Рохана по имени Грима, чтобы он был его шпионом при дворе Короля Рохана Теодена. Грима стал советником Теодена и начал распространять свою влияние. В 3014 Теоден тяжело заболел, что стало последствием яда, подбрасываемого Гримой. Теоден преждевременно состарился, его разум затуманился, и он стал зависеть от советов Гримы. Саруман замышлял ослабить Короля и таким образом оставить Рохан беззащитным.

Кроме того, Саруман надеялся найти Единое Кольцо, которое до сих пор желал оставить себе. Он подозревал, что Гэндальф подозревает что-то о местоположении Кольца и потому проводит столько времени в Шире. Шпионы Сарумана докладывали, что Следопыты Севера охраняют Шир, а в 3001 удвоили охрану.

Летом 3018 Саруман узнал, что Девять Назгул покинули Мордор и ищут кого-то по фамили Бэггинс в Шире. Саруман решил заманить Гэндальфа в ловушку, чтобы узнать, что ему известно. Он послал Радагаста с посланием для Гэндальфа. Саруман просил рассказать о поисках Назгул и приглашал его в Айзенгард для совета.

Гэндальфа прибыл в Айзенгард 10 июля. Саруман продемонстрировал Кольцо, которое он выковал и сказал Гэндальфу, что он больше не Саруман Белый, а Саруман Многоцветный.

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 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.

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. It is likely that these birds were in the service of Saruman and reported back to him with news of the Ring-bearer's southward progress. On January 18, messengers from Moria arrived at Isengard and reported that the Fellowship had passed through Moria and was heading south. Saruman sent out scouts led by Ugluk to find them.

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, Ugluk and his company 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.

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. 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

Additional Sources:

The Silmarillion: "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age" (p. 299-303) covers the early White Council meetings and Saruman's deception.

Unfinished Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields" (p. 276-77) mentions Saruman's discovery of the Ring case and the Elendilmir. "The Hunt for the Ring" gives different versions of the the Witch-king's visit to Saruman and includes the essay "Concerning Gandalf, Saruman and the Shire" about Saruman's pipe-weed use and his spies in the Shire. "The Battles of the Fords of Isen" gives more detail on Grima's control of Theoden as well as Saruman's military strategy and the "Appendix" covers Saruman's occupation of Isengard. "The Istari" gives background information on Saruman as the Maia Curumo of Aule. "The Palantiri" has general information on how the palantiri worked as well as Saruman's use of the Orthanc-stone.

The History of Middle-earth, vol. X, Morgoth's Ring (p. 418-19) mentions Saruman's cross-breeding of Orcs and Men.

The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull: "The Departure of Boromir," p. 360-61; "The Uruk-hai," p. 378-79 includes excerpts of Tolkien's Scheme which gives dates and details on the actions of Ugluk and Grishnakh.

Important Dates

Third Age:

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.

c. 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. January 18: Messengers from Moria arrive at Isengard and report that the Fellowship passed through Moria and is heading south. Saruman sends out scouts led by Ugluk. January 30: Saruman receives a report from Ugluk and sends reinforcements with orders to capture the Hobbits alive.

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: Ugluk's company attacks 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. February 30: Saruman goes to the edge of Fangorn to investigate. He finds the burned corpses of his Uruk-hai but does not know what happened to the Hobbits. He is spotted by Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn.

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