Originally posted by ESB -1138
Not no Gandalf the Grey. What's why Saruman was head of the White Order and not Gandalf. Saruman was stronger then Gandalf the Grey, not Gandalf the White.
Quote the Silmarillion, page 300 my version "Of The Rings of Power And The Third Age"
"and in that time it was first made the Council of the Wise that is called the White Council, and therein were Elrond and Galadriel and Cirdan, and other lords of the Eldar, and with them were Mithrandir and Curunir. And Curunir (that was Saurman the White) was chose to be their chief, for he had most studied the the devices of Sauron of old . Galadriel had indeed wished that Mithrandir should be head of the Council , and Saurman begrudged them that, for his pride and desire of mastery had grown great; but Mithrandir refused the office , since he would have no ties and no alleigance, save to those who sent him, and he would abide in no place not be subject to any summons. But Saurman now began to study the lore of the Rings of Power, their making and their history"
Saurman was head of the Council it seems because he knew the most about Sauron, and because Gandalf refused the office. Not because he was the most intelligent of powerful of them, the most prideful and ambitous maybe. The order of the Istari seemed to have no true rankings in the colouration by looking at them who would deem that Blue was lower or higher than Brown and Grey. From what we can tell they viewed each other as Equals. Saurman the White probably wore White robes before he was head of the Council and thusly the Council was named the White Council. The adoption of the White Robes by Gandalf need not be showing his new power, more than he was showing that he now was head of the Council and the Order. I vote for Gandalf.