In TA 2463, while the strength of Dol Guldur was increasing, Lady Galadriel requested the help from the Elves and the Wizards. That is when, as a group, they formed The White Council or Council of the Wise.
History
Second Age
The Second Age is the time when the first Council of the Wise existed. Led by the last High King of the Noldor, Gil-galad, the First White Council formed in the middle of the Second Age. The cause, of course, was Sauron, who grew his power in Mordor. Some of the partners that discussed Sauron in the Second Age were also a part of this group during the Third Age.
Third Age
Shortly after a relatively peaceful period that lasted from TA 2064 to TA 2460, and was known as The Watchful Peace, Lady Galadriel formed the White Council. Affiliates of the assembly involved Cirdan the Shipwright(who had carried Narya, the Ring of Fire, before giving it to Gandalf), Bearers of the Three Rings of the Elves(Gandalf, Galadriel, and Elrond Half-elven), Radagast the Brown, Lord Glorfindel and of course the wizard Saruman. Possibly, some other, wise beings also contributed to the White Council. The group decided to meet because Gandalf was suspicious of the Necromancer. By Gandalf's discovery, the Necromancer happened to be, in fact, Sauron. He was hiding at Dol Guldur, where he was regaining his strength.
When the White Council was forming, Lady Galadriel wished Gandalf the Grey would be the Council's leader, but that wouldn't be the case. Instead, Saruman the White became the head of the group. Saruman was the one that managed to talk the Council's members out of taking action. He was insisting that Sauron was no longer dominant, and there was no way he could regain strength and go back to his old self. The two wizards could agree on the plan during the whole meeting. Saruman and Gandalf's arguing took a different level when Gandalf accused Saruman of wanting the One Ring. In TA 2939, Saruman found that the Dark Lord's helpers were exploring The Great River, Anduin. That meant that Sauron found out that Isildur died near Gladden Fields, and that is the place the One Ring may be found. Saruman decided not to notify the Council of his findings.
However, in TA 2941, Saruman realized he needed to stop the Dark Lord from obtaining the Ring, so he ultimately allowed the attack on Dol Guldur. The attack was a success, considering it forced Sauron outside of Dol Guldur. Unfortunately, not long after, Sauron reappeared in Mordor in 2951. That is when he announced himself willingly and started collecting power. At The Council's final meeting in TA 2953, Saruman wrongly insisted the One Ring ended up in the sea. Later, Saruman went on to Isengard, to fortify it and make it his realm and home until his defeat in the War of the Ring.
When the White Council was forming, Lady Galadriel wished Gandalf the Grey would be the Council's leader, but that wouldn't be the case. Instead, Saruman the White became the head of the group. Saruman was the one that managed to talk the Council's members out of taking action. He was insisting that Sauron was no longer dominant, and there was no way he could regain strength and go back to his old self. The two wizards could agree on the plan during the whole meeting. Saruman and Gandalf's arguing took a different level when Gandalf accused Saruman of wanting the One Ring. In TA 2939, Saruman found that the Dark Lord's helpers were exploring The Great River, Anduin. That meant that Sauron found out that Isildur died near Gladden Fields, and that is the place the One Ring may be found. Saruman decided not to notify the Council of his findings.
However, in TA 2941, Saruman realized he needed to stop the Dark Lord from obtaining the Ring, so he ultimately allowed the attack on Dol Guldur. The attack was a success, considering it forced Sauron outside of Dol Guldur. Unfortunately, not long after, Sauron reappeared in Mordor in 2951. That is when he announced himself willingly and started collecting power. At The Council's final meeting in TA 2953, Saruman wrongly insisted the One Ring ended up in the sea. Later, Saruman went on to Isengard, to fortify it and make it his realm and home until his defeat in the War of the Ring.
Portrayal in Adaptations
Peter Jackson's The Hobbit films
Unlike the books, the movies do not refer to the White Council calling that name. Instead, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [1] describes it as "the great council of the white wizards, masters of lore, and great magic.". The White Council assembles in Rivendell throughout the Dwarves' visit. The novel, however, doesn't mention a passage that could be related to this one. That is when Gandalf displays his proof about Sauron being the Necromancer. He urges them to the Quest of Erebor, explaining its importance. The wizard warns the Council about the spreading evil inside Mirkwood and explains why Sauron and the mighty dragon Smaug can not be permitted to meet and fight together. At first, Elrond is suspicious of Gandalf's case, and Saruman doesn't like any of it. However, Galadriel continues to support Gandalf's intentions because she as well, feels the presence of evil.
The Forrest Lothlorien, to some known as Lorien, was an Elven realm near Mirkwood. Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlorien, could feel evil energy as it was growing near her home. Decisive to stop the Council from questioning his claims, Gandalf exposes the Morgul-knife, known for being used by Nazgul to poison enemies. The blade was enough evidence to prove Galadriel and Elrond. Sauron is probably back. The meeting stops when the Council finds out of Dwarves leaving Rivendel. Before she leaves, Galadriel promises Gandalf, she is by his side if he needs her to be. Although the Council remains active, it doesn't develop in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. [2] Galadriel advises Gandalf (and probably Radagast) to examine the graves of the Nazgul. After doing so, Gandalf finds the crypts have been touched and goes away by himself. He sets on a calling to Dol Guldur. This is when he discovers that Sauron exists like the Necromancer.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies [3] shows the entire White Council meeting at Dol Guldur before the battle. There are quite a few inconsistencies in the movie and the book when it comes to the charge on Dol Guldur. The entire Council was ready to take out Sauron, this is why Gandalf leaves the Dwarves to join them. In the movie, however, the Council members are forced to rescue Gandalf from Sauron. Moments before, the two wizards met, and Sauron incapacitated Gandalf. As a result of that encounter, Gandalf isn't included in the fight at Dol Guldur. Alternatively, Galadriel, Elrond, and Saruman are the central fighters in the action. The movie and the book differ about who was the leader of the Council in this fight.
The book registers that it was Sauron who charges, but the film shows Galadriel as the one who is leading their side. The first one to arrive was Galadriel. She saves Gandalf. A bit before, Saruman and Elrond arrive. They fight the Dark Riders while Radagast(wasn't a listed part of the group in the film) takes Gandalf away to safety. The Dark Lord himself shows in front them and distinctly tries to sway the Lady of Lothlorien to fight for him. Galadriel resists Sauron, and she, not Saruman, ends up as the person to push him out of Dol Guldur, unlike in the novel where Gandalf mentions that Saruman's devices drove Sauron away. However, Saruman most likely did shape the offense, so the movie maybe isn't that inaccurate.
The Forrest Lothlorien, to some known as Lorien, was an Elven realm near Mirkwood. Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlorien, could feel evil energy as it was growing near her home. Decisive to stop the Council from questioning his claims, Gandalf exposes the Morgul-knife, known for being used by Nazgul to poison enemies. The blade was enough evidence to prove Galadriel and Elrond. Sauron is probably back. The meeting stops when the Council finds out of Dwarves leaving Rivendel. Before she leaves, Galadriel promises Gandalf, she is by his side if he needs her to be. Although the Council remains active, it doesn't develop in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. [2] Galadriel advises Gandalf (and probably Radagast) to examine the graves of the Nazgul. After doing so, Gandalf finds the crypts have been touched and goes away by himself. He sets on a calling to Dol Guldur. This is when he discovers that Sauron exists like the Necromancer.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies [3] shows the entire White Council meeting at Dol Guldur before the battle. There are quite a few inconsistencies in the movie and the book when it comes to the charge on Dol Guldur. The entire Council was ready to take out Sauron, this is why Gandalf leaves the Dwarves to join them. In the movie, however, the Council members are forced to rescue Gandalf from Sauron. Moments before, the two wizards met, and Sauron incapacitated Gandalf. As a result of that encounter, Gandalf isn't included in the fight at Dol Guldur. Alternatively, Galadriel, Elrond, and Saruman are the central fighters in the action. The movie and the book differ about who was the leader of the Council in this fight.
The book registers that it was Sauron who charges, but the film shows Galadriel as the one who is leading their side. The first one to arrive was Galadriel. She saves Gandalf. A bit before, Saruman and Elrond arrive. They fight the Dark Riders while Radagast(wasn't a listed part of the group in the film) takes Gandalf away to safety. The Dark Lord himself shows in front them and distinctly tries to sway the Lady of Lothlorien to fight for him. Galadriel resists Sauron, and she, not Saruman, ends up as the person to push him out of Dol Guldur, unlike in the novel where Gandalf mentions that Saruman's devices drove Sauron away. However, Saruman most likely did shape the offense, so the movie maybe isn't that inaccurate.
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