DARK History of the Death Eaters (Est. 1938) - Harry Potter Explained

Where did the Death Eaters come from? What name did they operate under originally? How did their hierarchy work? And where did the Dark Mark come from? For answers to these questions and more check out today's video of Harry Potter Theory.

Today we’re going to be discussing the history of Voldemort’s faithful servants - the Death Eaters. Specifically- we’ll be looking at their founder, how they formed, what name they ORIGINALLY operated under, how you can become a death eater, why some members WEREN’T pure-bloods, their role in both wizarding wars, and what happened to the Death Eaters AFTER the second wizarding war had ended.

Let’s get in to it.

It all started with a young orphan boy by the name of Tom Riddle who began attending Hogwarts School in 1938. Though on the outside Riddle appeared to be a normal young man, deep down he had an unimaginable number of demons- demons that haunted him every single day of his life. Why? Well, Tom didn’t exactly have a normal chi*ldhood- he was abandoned by his witch mother Merope Gaunt at the steps of Wool’s Orphanage right at the time of his birth.

Because Tom Riddle Jr never had a mother or father figure- he also never had any concept of love, or family. Like many powerful, evil, and enigmatic figures of history - Riddle had a rough start to his life- and this paved the way for the dark path that he was destined to follow. But, when Riddle eventually began to act on his dark nature, and began pursuing dark endeavours- he wasn’t alone, and he was able to bring many other dark witches and wizards along for the ride.

Queue the FIRST iteration of the Death Eaters...

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[HarryPotterTheory]

Thanks for watching folks! A lot went in to this one, it should be the most comprehensive video on the Death Eaters around. Enjoy!

Edit- I made a mistake at 3:13..She did NOT leave him on the front steps. I think I overdramatized this a bit too much in my head..

[ThisIsJaySol]

Tom wasn’t a pure blood, he didn’t understand love and was created through fake love. He was just an empty vessel from the start, the ultimate backfire from the love potion created the most hateful being.

[boonyslipps]

rowlings creativity is unmatched. she is able to create things in her head and convey them to others as though it was or is a real story.

[Wmuthoni]

There’s one question that has always bugged me and that’s how come Voldemort and his death eaters were never haunted by the magical ghosts of their victims. As we know from the books that moaning myrtle haunted one of the her classmates that ruthlessly mocked and bullied her until her spirit was banished back to Hogwarts by the ministry of magic spirit division.

[nafemurray]

Merope didn't leave him on the steps. He was born in the orphanage and she died just after giving birth. Her last action was to have him named Tom Riddle jr.

[makaihana]

The irony here is Voldemort and the death eaters terrorised the wizarding community more than he did the muggle community.

[SureAce]

I have always wanted to know why Dumbledore, or any other professor at Hogwarts could never be able to lift the curse that Voldemort put on the defense against the dark arts class, by only allowing a teacher to go for one year.

[Brightstarvids]

Herminoie: i read about them in “death eaters, a history.”

[shoresean]

This is only speculation, though backed up by Voldemort's graveyard speech: I think that, after his return and prior to the Battle Of Hogwarts, Voldemort demanded that any who came aboard with him make complex public declarations of loyalty, both to unnerve the general populace and to ensure, in the off-chance of another retrenchment or temporary retreat, that no one serving him was able to ever again claim Imperius or simple fear-recruitment. This loyalty mechanism of his made the gathering of the remaining followers a clean sweep. I see the Malfoys and perhaps the Zabinis turning state's evidence on Death Eater and followers' hideaways, this to protect their sons.

[laly]

It seems like Slughorn was able to survive after saying “no” to death eaters because he was a sort of father figure to Voldemort. 😅 of course, he could have just stunned them and disapareted. But it feels like the job offer came directly from Voldemort himself and he kinda wouldn’t want to kill a guy who let him in on what horcruxes are. Idk😂

[patrickwilkerson]

Also Slughorn may been wanted because he knew Voldemort's secret of the horcruxes.

[Huskytabby]

Video idea for you to do:

What additional effects do spells have that are not seen in the movies? For instance, what else can the patronus charm do besides ward off dementors?

[sbentsen]

I really like your vocal delivery in how You're not trying to be funny or silly. Excellent 😄👌🏼

[theresnocomingback]

Voldemort was conceived under the influence of a love spell put on his father which affected Voldemort not allowing him to be able to feel love or to love anyone

[ryanwalker]

Good to know what the original name was. I did always assume that Death Eaters was probably not so much what they called themselves, and more what the rest of the wizarding world dubbed them.

[chana]

Merope didn't abandon him, she just died immediately after his birth

[johnvermette]

Loved the video! I hope you'll do the history of the Order Of The Phoenix next, please!

[evelyngrammar]

I would not say that Merope Riddle abandoned her son. She went to the orphanage toward the end of her pregnancy. She delivered at the orphanage, gave the baby the name of Tom Riddle then died.

[bailatwerski]

Thank You Harry Potter Theory for this new video!!! Happy 2023😊

[terri]

I believe that even from the beginning Tom Riddle's personality formed into something darker and darker. After all his mother deceived his father for her own "love" obsession.