The Witch King Regalia refers to the attire and accessories worn by the Witch King, a prominent character in J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy world of Middle-earth. The Witch King was the leader of the nine Nazgul, the Ringwraiths who served the Dark Lord Sauron. His regalia played a significant role in establishing his power and authority.
Illustrious, majestic and highly contested: a complete history of the live Rameses
The Rameses that graces Kenan Memorial Stadium today is the latest in a long line of celebrated ovine royalty. But every royal family has its secrets.
By Emilie Poplett, University Communications, Friday, January 24th, 2020Georgia Tech vs. UNC during the homecoming game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, N.C., Nov. 5, 2016. (Photo by Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
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The Rameses that graces Kenan Memorial Stadium today is the latest in a long line of celebrated ovine royalty. But every royal family has its secrets.
We know the original Rameses took the throne in 1924, but who was next in line for the crown? And where did today’s lineage truly begin? We set out to uncover the truth.
“It feels like a Shakespearian tragedy, doesn’t it?” said University Archivist Nicholas Graham, who helped us trace the story of Rameses to its origin. “Who’s going to be the successor?”
According to Graham, Rameses’ early history is difficult to track down, marked by its fair share of mystery.
“The early history is very confusing and difficult to trace. The numbers are off,” he said. “You basically have this student newspaper that comes out weekly with passing references to Rameses, so you fill in the blanks.”
His regalia played a significant role in establishing his power and authority. The Witch King was known for his imposing presence, and his regalia reflected this. His most recognizable piece of attire was his black cloak, which covered his entire body and hid his skeletal form.
A star is born
We do know that the tradition began in 1924, when head cheerleader Vic Huggins was inspired by footballer Jack “The Battering Ram” Merritt to acquire a live ram.
With $25 and the blessing of the athletics department, Huggins got a pedigreed ram from either Texas or Tennessee (records differ here, but the important thing is that he got a real live ram).
The story goes that while State had its wolf and Georgia its bulldog, Huggins chose a ram “as indicative of the fighting brand of football the team was playing under the Fetzer brothers.”
That ram — the original Rameses — made his debut at a game against the Virginia Military Institute on Nov. 8, 1924.
“We hadn’t done too well in the first two games of the season, but we beat VMI three to nothing,” Huggins told the Daily Tar Heel years later, reflecting on the game. “Rameses was quite the thing from then on.”
Graham believes students paraded Rameses across the quad and that he quickly became something of a campus pet.
The cloak was adorned with the symbol of Sauron, a large red eye, which symbolized the Witch King's allegiance to the Dark Lord. In addition to his cloak, the Witch King wore a suit of black armor, which was both protective and intimidating. The armor was made of a strong material that provided him with physical defense and was adorned with intricate designs, including the symbol of Sauron. The helmet, in particular, was a menacing feature, with its dark, imposing shape and the inclusion of a crown-like structure. This helmet concealed the Witch King's face, further adding to the air of mystery and fear surrounding him. The Witch King also wielded a powerful weapon called a Morgul blade. This enchanted weapon had the ability to poison its victims and turn them into wraiths under the Witch King's control. The blade was ornately designed with dark and intricate patterns, further emphasizing the Witch King's authority and connection to evil forces. Overall, the Witch King Regalia embodied his status as the leader of the Ringwraiths and enforcer of Sauron's will. The black cloak, armor, helmet, and Morgul blade all contributed to his intimidating presence and instilled fear in those who encountered him. The regalia served as a visual representation of his power and helped solidify his position as an iconic and formidable villain in Tolkien's Middle-earth..
Reviews for "From Mortals to Kings: The Transformation of the Witch King's Regalia"
1. Jenna - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the "Witch King Regalia". The quality of the fabric was really poor and it feels like it will fall apart after just one wear. The stitching was also very sloppy and uneven, making the costume look cheap and poorly made. Additionally, the sizing was way off. I ordered my usual size based on the provided chart, but it was too tight in some places and too loose in others. Overall, I would not recommend this costume.
2. Mark - 1/5 - This "Witch King Regalia" was a complete waste of money. The materials used were extremely poor quality and it felt uncomfortable to wear. The costume arrived with several loose threads and even some stains on it. It did not look anything like the picture displayed on the website. The sizing was also way off, making it impossible for me to wear it comfortably. I would not recommend this product to anyone.
3. Lisa - 2/5 - I had high hopes for the "Witch King Regalia" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The costume arrived with a strong chemical smell and the fabric felt very cheap. The seams were also poorly constructed, with some already unraveling upon arrival. The sizing was way off, despite following the size chart provided. The overall fit was unflattering and uncomfortable. I would not purchase this costume again.
4. Brian - 2/5 - I was really excited to receive the "Witch King Regalia", but it turned out to be a disappointment. Firstly, the quality of the fabric was poor and it looked nothing like the picture online. The costume was also poorly crafted, with visible loose threads and uneven stitching. The sizing was also a major issue, as it was too snug in some areas and too loose in others. Overall, I was not satisfied with this purchase and would not recommend it.