King of the World

After Morgoth had darkened the Two Trees of Valinor and stolen the Silmarils, he fled to Middle-earth. Descending into the depths of his ancient stronghold of Angband after three ages of captivity in Aman, he took up again the mantle of the Dark Lord and claimed power for himself over the lands of Middle-earth. At this time he claimed the title of King of the World and forged himself an Iron Crown in which he set the gleaming Silmarils.

In the depths of Angband Morgoth had mighty servants, among them the Maia Sauron and the Balrogs, as well as hordes of Orcs. At the time of his return, the lands of Middle-earth were held only by Elves who, having lived free of danger for many centuries, were unprepared for Morgoth's sudden assault from the North. The Noldor returned to Middle-earth and aided their fellow Elves in the Wars to follow, but ultimately Morgoth conquered almost all the lands of the Elves and their allies the Edain.

Though Morgoth counted himself King of the World, that title was also given to Manwë, the Elder King who dwelt beyond the Great Sea. Eärendil brought a plea for aid into the West, and Manwë and the other Powers agreed to intervene. An immense force crossed to Middle-earth, and the Dark King was ultimately thrown down. By this time one of his three Silmarils had already been recovered, but now the two remaining Jewels were taken from his Iron Crown. The Crown itself was reforged into a collar for its former bearer, before the Valar cast him out into the Void beyond the world.