War Office (Great Nortend)

His Majesty's War Office

Department overview
Formed	1734
Jurisdiction	Great Nortend
Headquarters	War Office Building, 3 Fettercourt
Minister responsible	Rt Hon. Frederic Hondel, Secretary of State for War
Department executive	Sir Colin Edford KMT, Under-Secretary

His Majesty's War Office is the department of the Erbonian Government responsible for the administration and implementation of the Government defence and military policy. It is under the control of the Secretary of State for War, and operates in conjunction with the Royal Army and Navy Royal, and their respective commanders.

The War Office takes a proactive role in the military defence of Great Nortend as opposed to the primarily civil duties undertaken by the Erbonian constabularies and fire brigades. Though there are no foreseeable military conflicts in the immediate Erbonian region, it regularly coordinates humanitarian, peace-keeping and offensive action with other Astyrian forces.

Dagger

The symbol of the War Office is a pike-head, depicted in a stylised fashion pointing down. Often, it resembles a triangle with a cross, lending it the nickname of the 'fishbone'. The pike-head is usually accompanied by the initials “W.O.”.

Ministerial officials

The civil head of the War Office is the Under-Secretary of the War Office. Appointees to the position traditionally do not have any military experience; however, with the introduction of muster and service, most appointees have had some experience in the military.

Military officials

The Lords and Staff Board (LSB) are the senior military advisors to the Secretary of State for War and the Prime Minister. It comprises the Lord High Admiral, the King's Marischal, the Captain of the Forces, as well as senior branch staff and a Lieutenant of the Board who acts as secretary. The King's Marischal only sits ex officio, and does not play a large role in the actual command of the armed forces. The Lord High Admiral, on the other hand, is the professional head of the Navy Royal.