What were the Barrow Wights and where did they come from? | Lord of the Rings Lore | Middle-Earth
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The Barrow Wights haunted the land of Tyrn Gorthad also known as the Barrow Downs. These Walking Dead are among the most mysterious creatures in the World of Middle-Earth, and in this episode we seek to unravel these mysteries as we delve into the History of Arnor, the Dunedain, the Witch-King and the spirits behind these cursed beings.
In this series, we explore the history of places in Middle-Earth, Characters or events that took place.
The information is presented in an orderly easy to understand way so that it is friendly to people that are new to the Lord of the Rings Lore and Mythos.
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Hey guys hope you enjoy today video! I'm sorry if I sound a bit off but I've got a cold at the moment (Again!). :) Subtitles will be up shortly!
GeekZone it sounds good to me and great video as always! 👍🏻
Cheers buddy, wrong franchise though
Hope so, really strained my throat for it 😂
You're welcome William. I'll take your advice! ;) (Well Elrond's!)
@@GeekZoneMT not wrong franchise, just a sentiment wishing you well. Even I got that, and I am not the sharpest tack in the box.
I love how Tolkien succeeded in creating the barrow wights and the Nazgûl in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable whilst reading. It goes to show how good of a writer he was.
I am so sad when I think of all the things he didn't have time to finish.
It's a shame this part was cut out of the films. It's easily one of the spookiest bits of the books.
Yeah true, however they'd have had to include Tom Bombadil and the Old Forest also which would have resulted in a really long run time. It would work well in a series, though not so much as a film imo :)
THE spookiest!
we still had the ringwraights appearence in the weathertop, i remember watching that and giving me the creeps, really well done, the music really made the atmosphere
This adventure didn’t advance the overall story, although it was quite nerve rattling and nearly doomed the entire expedition.
The barrow-wight blade was that which brought down The Witch King.
Tom Bombadil was supposedly the fictional version of CS Lewis who has quite a bombastic mannerism compared to Tolkien’s more reserved mien. As the two were friends, it seems as if Tolkien is paying homage to Lewis.
As Tolkien stated, every great story must have one great mystery and Tom is one the greatest mysteries in LoTR
I undestand why they left this + TB out but my god, i would have loved fellowship part one (backstory and escapi g the wraiths, coming to rivendel sp) and part two (journey out of rivendell, etc) but it would have been a lot.
My dad passed on his love of Tolkien to me when I was a teenager. He was a wealth of Tolkien knowledge, and I felt I'd lost that when he passed away a few years ago. We loved discussing Tolkien and he loved explaining things as we read the books together. I stopped reading/watching it for a few years after dad's passing, then your videos started popping up in my recommended section and I decided to take a look. Well done on these, they give me that extra insight and re-sparked that old love of Tolkien in me again. I'd totally forgotten about these Burrow Wights in the books. Keep up the good work on these videos.
I'm sorry for your loss, and I'm sure that you shared a powerful bond together considering how it effected you. I'm glad my videos helped you somewhat and I appreciate that you shared your story with us, it actually moved me quite a lot. It's great to have you as part of our fellowship, and I wish you all the best friend! :)
You should look within to muster the strength to live on the passion your father had and passed on to you. He's clearly a good man. Pass on that legacy and celebrate him. I say this with love brother. Do not act out of fear and sorrow. Make him proud brother
Rip🙏
You forgot one detail about frodo and his companions when they go lost in the fog in the Barrow Downs. Tom bombadil warned them not to tarry and risk getting caught there at night. Naturally, the hobbits had a picknick, took a nap and awoke at dusk. That's how they got caught, just for those that don't know ;D
Thank you for sharing your deep love of J.R.R. Tolkien's great works. I am now 74 and have had a long relationship with these works but every time I tune into your expositions, I am rewarded with new insights. Thank you.
I'm rewarded knowing a 74 year old is chillin watching lotr lore on youtube😊
I am a 77 year old who has loved LOTR since my first reading. Love these critiques and discussions.
@@ladyalaina42 you guys are awesome
@@daveb6904 Tolkien unites generations ☺️
Every time you upload, I feel the urge to sit down and marathon LotR and the Hobbit until I make it through the 20+ hours or pass out haha
#Respect
Same. Lol
Step 1: Play LotRO with with wife
Step 2: Put in the movies, extended edition
Step 3: Argue with wife about difference between Movies, Books, and Games and which one is better
I did exactly this during the holidays!!!
Naw man read the books instead
I have read those books almost every falll since I was 12. I’m 50 now with many mile and still get drawn into the lore of these books! Thanks for posting it brings back many memories for me!!!!
Ah the barrow downs one of the few things i really missed in the movies, the defeat of the witchking made little scence without it.
Yeah, I can understand why they couldn't fit it in though :(
What do you call an undead Ian McKellen?
Gandalf the Wight :)
you are officially banned from TH-cam, good sir.
O snap son
How do you not have 800k Likes?
🤣🤣🤣
Good lord... This is appalling...
I believe that the One Ring woke them up when Frodo approached the barrows!
The barrow-wights are one of the best representation of Tolkien's subtle magic system, it really contributes both to the wonder and terror of the story. Besides that, I wonder how the spirits of elves(in contrast to that of men, which as you said seem to be the ones in this case) that didn't answer the calls would differ in properties, powers and behavior
Tom Bombadill, a straight up Middle Earth G!
This reminds me so much of the drauger in Skyrim
Me too!
Love the closed captions making this video about the Barry Whites lol
When I read the books, the first thing I thought of was: the barrow wight was going to turn the hobbits into wights in place of himself. That may be far fetched on my part. But I think the barrow wight wanted to be set free, and this was how he thought he could accomplish it.
I dunno, unfortunately I think freedom wasn't something they could obtain by choice (especially if they were enslaved spirits). I believe they wanted to snuff out the life that they were so jealous of :(
@@GeekZoneMT Hmmm, that did not cross my mind. That, right there, is why I like listening to your vids. Like I said before, I am not the sharpest tack in the box!!!
@@franceslambert8070 ah, don't undersell yourself. You're not the dullest either! 😀
the barrow wights were no match for tom bombadil.
His rap skills are unbeatable
@@GeekZoneMT I have a question who is a match for Tom bombidil what do you think bombidil is
GeekZone Even the Barrow Wights have tried to claim Bombadil’s powers, even being so bold as to try to enter his domain, only to fall by his power.
I doubt anything or anyone really is a match for Tom Bombadil
@@James3-5 Tom Bombadil was a maiar, who had chosen to stay in Middle-Earth all the way from the First Age, and despite his goofy appearance, is actually one of the most powerful beings left in Middle-Earth during the third age, he just simply didn't really care about anything outside his domain.
I really do appreciate your usage of LOTRO to explain things that aren't otherwise there. Thank you for your content!
The One Channel to Rule Them All!
And in the lore, bind them
Another great video! This area of Middle-Earth has been my favorite since I ready The Hobbit. Bilbo's description of the land as Thorin's company road through really drew me into the story. Bilbo gives just a brief hint of the history of the land with its ruined towers ruled by cruel men.
I think the ritual that they wights were performing on the hobbits was an old one from when the men who dwelt there were estranged from the Valar. Perhaps they were similar to the rites of the Black Numenoreans who worshiped the Dark Lord. Or maybe their spirits were influenced by the power of the Witch King.
Either way I think these spirits were always a danger to those that searched for treasure there but were invigorated by the Witch King in order to create fear in the hearts of those that passed by and perhaps to act as a net to ensnare anyone trying to sneak through the wild lands off of the main roads.
i remember when i first started playing lotro and one guy was helping me level up. we traveled for some minutes until we reached a place with many hills, stone pillars and fog. some strange creatures starting attacking us and we spent around 4 hours leveling up. at the time, i hadn't read the books, so i did not know that i was in the barrow downs. seeing this video now brings me heartwarming memories.
As an active Lotro player, I really think its cool that you use scenes from it. Again another great review and Im glad to have subbed a while back
what is the game footage included in the video?!
@@blkluvsu I looked it up and it gave me "Lord of the Rings Online". Check it out if you still wanna
I love the shot of the Ranger in the Barrow-downs in LOTRO, using the campfire and banner skill! Well done :)
Barrow-Wights always struck me as zombie/draugr looking, but then BFMEII they looked like ghosts, this video helped clear that up - thanks.
Yeah I'd say they were kinda a mixture of both
One theory about the emergence of zombie movies in the 20's is that in encapsulated the collective trauma of WW1.
Older mentions of undead don't have the iconic rotten corpse appearance.
Draugr show up in the state of their death. A drowned man would appear dripping wet, a slain man with bleeding wounds etc.
It is unclear to what extend they're physical, but Old Nordic sagas don't really have such evolved concepts about those things as we have today.
thank you, I have often wondered about the Barrow Wights and what they were.
You're welcome buddy, I hope I answered most of your questions! :)
The Barrow Wights could have been looking for new servants and decided that Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin would be excellent janitors
Loving your Uploads mate . All the best from England
Cheers Lozz, glad you're enjoying them buddy!
Thank you fir your valuable input with Lord of the Rings. Very much appreciated and enjoyed
I just finished reading the lotr books for the second time (I listen while welding in school) your videos are amazing it like your videos are a extension of the books and explain the parts that arnt explained! Thank you
Thanks Kyle that's an awesome compliment mate. I'm glad you find them useful! :)
I've got to get down to the book store and start in reading the books again! Thank you for this great channel!
Another great video! What a great treat! Thank you!!!!
You're welcome buddy, glad you liked it! :)
I'm always blown away by your depth of knowledge and analysis of The Lord of the Rings lore....I'm re-reading the book as well as The Silmarillion...its all so fascinating and you provide amazing context!!
Yes! Keep it going, man. This channel will be as timeless as lord of the rings.
Thanks man, that would certainly be an achievement!
No, it wouldn't. It already is.
Very good narration on this video I enjoyed hearing the history of the barrow wights great video! 👏🏻
I have been waiting for you to cover the Barrow Whites and you did not disappoint, thank you!
Awesome, glad you liked it mate ! :)
@@GeekZoneMT I still come back here to re-watch this specific video. You have such detail and literary talent! :)
Goosebumps, man. Goosebumps. Good work! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Cheers buddy, glad you enjoyed it! :)
so spooky were the Barrow Wights, yet so fascinating for anyone intrigued by archeology
You should definitely check out the Story of Baldor if you like that type of lore! :)
I just found your channel and I’m very glad I did! I love Lord of the Rings.
I also really like your accent.
Cheers! :) Welcome to the fellowship, I hope you'll enjoy my content! :)
Amazing synopsis and summary of this dark and spooky chapter of Tolkien’s work. Your content of artwork and footage from games and films brings it all together in mesmerizing detail. Thank you for another fabulous video and story!
Thanks mate! Comments like these really fuel my motivation to keep improving! :)
That was excellent. Your knowledge is wonderful.
I thoroughly enjoy all of your videos GeekZone. The World of Middle-Earth is so vast and filled with mountains of knowledge. I am always reading more about it, but will always learn something new from your videos :-) Thank-you.
My favorite chapter in the books
Good choice ;)
Dear GeekZone ,
I listen to your videos everyday. Sometimes i'm working simultaneously on another window while your narrating voice enters my ears in the background. The combination of LOTR lore & your narration is one of a kind. It placates me and soothes me.
please make a video explaining the history of Mount Doom & Barad Dur.
Im now 33 years old and vividly remember being 12 or so and being more freaked by the Barrow Wights than any other creature in middle earth . To this day I cant really explain why, killer video brother !
gotta remember that these weren't the actual dead, just fel spirits reanimating them. but yah they were def. creepier than the nazgul themselves as you could see who they were at some point.
Yeah for sure, they were simply animated bodies.
This part of the book was one of the things i missed the most in the movies. it was an important part for the hobbits in many ways, they finally found evil in their lives and knew that the world outside their protected Shire was a place to be cautious in. Also
One of my favorite channels on youtube bringing us more awesome content. Thanks Carl!!!
You're welcome David! :)
Great content, I'm addicted to your channel. Happy new year from Brazil! After reading LOTR for years in Portuguese, I've been reading in English for the first time and your channel is very helpful to help with the lore. Thanks!
One of those things that Tolkien mentions and then leaves us to ponder and wonder...
I think we managed to unravel quite a lot of it though ;)
@@GeekZoneMT The thing I have noticed with Tolkien is every time he answers a question he leaves more unanswered, so while you did indeed unravel a lot, you created even more things to look at.
True, he was known for that. It's a great way to expand his universe, and make it feel alive!
One of the greatest contributions to the wonder and mystery of Middle Earth was Tolkien having left a sense of things that even he himself did not know about its lore. It made it seem much less like he created it himself and much more as if he was only telling to the best of his recollection a story that he had experienced.
That's what really makes it an experience for us
Runescape has barrows brothers which are a direct refrence to this.
Different sort of lore, but they are essentially the same, cept the brothers are wraiths similar to the nazgul and even fell the same way they did (a stranger offers them valuable armour and weapons that boost the power of these men, like the rings of power. Overtime the brothers become corrupted and became slaves to their master, sliske.
Absolutely love the channel man
I have been waiting for this for a long time !:) thanks Carl
You're welcome mate!
You are telling the great stories of old ,the ones that really mattered full of darkness and danger they were sometimes we didn't even want to know the end but I understand now with your Chanel I want to know the end because even darkness must pass
4:57 really good
The Barrow Wight section in Fellowship of the Ring always creeps me out! I'm like the Hobbits...want to stay with Tom Bombadil and Goldberry as long as possible before facing that!
I always figured that the barrow-wights were drawn to the power of the Ring, and likewise the Ring itself subtly caused the Hobbits to disregard the advice Bombadil gave them for passing safely through the barrow-downs. This would be quite plausible considering that the Witch King visited the area, and Carn Dûm (the fortress of Angmar) factors into the evil dream Merry has whilst trapped inside the barrow.
i enjoy your lore reviews of lotr..its pretty well made and the inclusion of lotro visuals is fitting..keep up the good work mate, subscribed
Im a massive fan of the game footage your using itreally adds to the vid try an keep it up and all the other great work you do.
Cheers Matt, yeah I try to use as much video footage as I can, helps bring the story to life imo :)
The barrow wights seem more like living zombies or skeletons than wraiths in this video. I always thought of them as Ghosts or wraiths. But I suppose that's a matter of preference.
I finnaly understand this part of the tale, thanks !
Their chant seems like something Gollum has said before in the movies, although I can’t quite place it
Nice catch! He actually says it when looking into some pool of water. Something like 'Cold be heart hand and bone, cold be traveller far from home, they do not see what lies ahead when sun has failed and moon is dead'
th-cam.com/video/Cewdg-lxXXg/w-d-xo.html
there ya go :)
@@GeekZoneMT Many thanks! Great video as usual :)
yes. it's one of the reasons why I don't like the movies. parts that peter jackson cut out completely, he would sometimes take lines and place them in places where they have no relevance.
two other instances of this: Arwen's "there is no ship now that can bear me hence" was said to Elrond in the movie when he found out she chose mortality when, in the book, she said it to Aragon on his deathbed. In the extended for Two Towers, jackson decided to put Old man Willow in Fangorn and it traps Merry and Pippin. What Treebeard says to it is exactly what Tom says to it.
I perked, when I heard, "sun fails and moon is dead" for that very same reason.
I feel that the spirits were cursed and bound souls of men from earlier times and had since lay dormant, until a being of immense power and sorcery (The Witch-King) would summon them and give them purpose. Perhaps the Witch-King wished for a defensive vanguard to help protect Angmar or to simply recruit more soldiers in order to sow chaos and fear...
What is this theme you use in a lot of your videos, Carl? It’s haunting and beautiful. Thank you for all your hard work, I’ve learned so much from your videos!
Sorry, I should ask what the composition that is playing at the very start of this video is
You're welcome Jordan, I'm happy to know that you're enjoying my content :) That soundtrack is called 'Sandman's Theme' from Spiderman 3.
GeekZone wow, I would have sworn it was part of a score for a Tolkien adaption, it works so well with your content. Again, thank you so much, I will be following your channel eagerly
Dude that's awesome I asked for this video and you did it lol. Thanks man. Love this page
You're welcome Zack, I'm always open to suggestions! :)
There were no halls beneath the barrow wight's graves. Tolkien modeled them on passage tombs, with an entrance corridor and one or more chambers within.
The barrow wights were the enthralled spirits of evil men who served Melkor or Sauron.
I always thought that maybe the power of the ring reached out to the wights and attracted them to the hobbits
Excellent as always! Thank you for making these videos.
You're welcome buddy, thanks for being a part of our community :)
Coming late to this video (new viewer to this site, old fan of the books). My thoughts on the Barrow Wight differ from yours. After the battle with the forces of Carn Dum there was apparently enough time and enough survivors to inter the dead in a crypt with grave goods. It was some time after the kingdom finally collapsed and men withdrew that the wights moved in.I don't think it was the spirit of the person who fought against Angmar that was enslaved and made a wight. He fought for his country, died in its defense and was buried nobly by its survivors. His spirit passed on. I believe it was. instead, a deceased captain of the Witchking of Angmar's own forces that became the wight of that barrow, given dominion over his slain enemy as an a insult to the corpse. His memory of that battle and its outcome penetrated Merry's recollection. Now Sauron's will was awake and searching desperately for the Ring, the strength of which activated the Nazgul crossing the Anduin, the Balrog of Moria stirring, orcs multiplying. Legolas says at the Council of Elrond, "The dark things that were driven out in the year of the Dragon's fall have returned in greater numbers..." The wight, vassel of the Witchking of Angmar, leader of the Nazgul, heard that call and awoke as well. Sorry for the length, been a fan for decades and love discussing the story.
I read that chapter just last night. Still spooky as hell.
Such a well made video, it's honestly just amazing.
Cheers Sylvester!
I may have a idea,maybe you should do a livestream where you maby can answer some questions from people
Hey Rick! I've got to finish the Q and A video (Months later I know 😅) Today I've actually had a great idea for a live stream, I'll need some people that play LOTRO though!
@@GeekZoneMT What server are you on?
I play on Anor pretty regularly
The whole barrow wight thing is creepy af, it's 8 o'clock in the morning and I'm shivering.
By the end of this video, all I wanted to do was play Skyrim...can't put my thumb on why...
Carl, good job with this video! This topic hasn't been talked about enough.
What video game did you get the footage from?
Thanks man! The footage is from 'Lord of the Rings Online' :)
You make such incredible videos and i really enjoy watching them. You are awesome!
Thanks Samuel, I'm glad you're part of our Fellowship mate ;)
Tom Bombadil: Is the purest of heart being on Middle Earth, completely incorruptible, and some would argue he's the incarnation of Illuvatar Himself.
also Tom Bombadil: bandalizes a graveyard to its utter destruction and robs a dead woman out of her jewelry to give it to his wife
Huzzah! Home walk video again. Perfection
It's going to become a trend soon 😂
@@GeekZoneMT that is fine by me, dont even skip the ads to be safe lol
Perfect video for me to watch for the halloween season
Happy the see a new video of yours. Keep it up! Greets
Cheers mate! I've uploaded quite a few in the past weeks, perhaps you didn't get the notifications?
@@GeekZoneMT I watched all of them and can't get enough 😀
Great video Karl, hope you feel better!
Thanks Lilith, hopefully well enough to get a video out this week 😂
@@GeekZoneMT I am the one who tweeted you about Thuringwethil :D I also thought that a video on Queen Beruthiel might be interesting. I love cats but she didn't, according to a later letter by Tolkien. Please let me know if you get tired of my ideas! Have a great day!
Oh I remember! Not at all, I really enjoy listening to the community's ideas and suggestions, and I take note of them for future videos :) So please, suggest as many topics as you like!
@@GeekZoneMT I'm so happy to hear that! Your videos are very good! Hope that you do feel better soon, having a cold is no fun.
Well wouldn’t you hate having to live eternity in a forever rotting body and not being able to go anywhere where darkness wasn’t
Yea I would
When I played lotro I always liked grinding Wights for loot.
it still amazes me how much Tolkien left us with, every page has so much detail and is always interesting.
A wonderful video friend.
Thanks Tulkas! He truly did an incredible job at fleshing out his work. :)
Always wondered about this! Keep up the great work and thank you
Cheers mate, hope I answered most of your questions!
I hope that new skyrim like Lotr themed game will come out. It would be awesome :3
Oh which one?
@@GeekZoneMT sorry i wrote it wrongly i hope that game like that will come out
@@wonderfuljinn1096 that would be really cool
Thank you for explaining this one, I was always puzzled. Sometimes I struggle when it comes to Tolkien's world building. But I know a lot about Catholic history so it opens some things up.
Interesting that the incantation the Wights recite is later said by Gollum/Smeagol in the LOTR movies!
Btw all, the Divide and Conquer mod for Medieval 2 Total War has a Carn Dùm faction that can get barrow Wights as their elite greatsword infantry.
Amazing video!
Thanks Bryan! :)
hey i was just watching the first of the lord of the rings and it had me wonder how would the story change if gandalf couldnt beat the balrog in Moria
Sounds like a potential video topic ;)
LotR War in the North had a good level set in the barrow downs. Pretty spooky boss fight too- 7:55.
Yeah but impossible to get a first person point of view from it for recording purposes :(
It's a late post I know and I apologise if it's already been pointed out, but the ritual is very similar to a burial ritual. It seems to me that the wights were attempting to create more wights. The nature of the original enchantment may have stipulated 'those buried in these barrows', or even more specific language, meaning that to continue the cycle the same conditions must be met. On the one hand this could have been Sauron's intention, on the other, perhaps more sinister hand, this could indicate that the wights had their own ideas and dark ambitions.
Waking up in the dead of night as your audiobook plays....
*cold be heart*
*and hand*
*and bone*
You should try it.
Love your channel :)
Thanks patrick, I'm glad you're part of this community! :)
5:43 The OG Kool Aid Man
that sure is some interesting stuff about the Barrow Wights! really freaky, a part of me does kind of wish that it was brought to life on the big screen in Fellowship, but at the same time! I understand why it is PJ didn't do so! one, it would've made the movie a bit longer, and I'm sure it would've scared the living daylights out of a lot of kids! hey, who knows, maybe amazons LOTR show might make a two or three part episode about that scene in the book, you never know! thanks for another awesome video on the lore of my favorite Fantasy franchise!
Yeah, though I wish the amazon TV series focused on the timeline of Arnor, cause that way they'd have to include the barrow-wights for sure :(
Draugr! Quick, use a fire spell!
FUS RO DAH!
YOL TOOR SHUL
FEIM
Or Dawnbreaker, it makes them explode at times!
Great work. Keep it up
Thanks Danushka!
The Barrow Wights appear to identify with the trinkets of “golden rings and chains” that they adorn themselves with. As if taking the treasure is symbolic or identified with the taking of the bodies as well somehow. It is interesting to me that the Hobbits are surrounded with just such trinkets. It seems clear to me that the Hobbits are intended to be “new recruits”. Once dead their bodies would become newly “cleansed” habitations for other disembodied spirits. The reference “till the dark lord lifts his hand” may imply the Witch King’s or even Sauron’s involvement in this process. The ritual complete the spirits now housed within the Hobbits’ reanimated corpses would then take up the shields, swords and treasures that lie around them, and join the ranks of their comrades. The white robes may also be a mark of their ranks, however in time most of the garments would rot away along with the unnecessary flesh. Perhaps the bodiless arm that was crawling along, maimed from some battle long ago, was a spirit itself in need of a new “complete” body.
Nice video bro :)
Thanks mate! :)