Royal Army of Arnor and Gondor
In both Gondor as in Arnor, all men are at first soldiers, all are bound to join the standards at a given moment to repel an attack or make an invasion. The Royal Army (Sindarin: Dagarim-en-Aran) is the primary military force of the Reunited Kingdom, serving alongside the Royal Navy.
The Royal Army traditionally maintains an high level of discipline, strategic prowess and organisation. There are two ground forces types: the Royal Hosts, a standing army of professional soldiers under High King's permanent and direct command, and the territorial forces, raised, maintained and organized by local lords or captains, such as the Rangers of Ithilien. The latter ones have the task of immediate border defence and resistance against the enemy, while the central armies have the task of conducting major war operations. However, during major wars, territorial forces can be put under High King's direct command.
History
The history of the Royal Army of Arnor and Gondor, while being based on Gondorian military tradition, can be started at the War of the Ring.
Early years: a difficult situation
At the moment of the return of the King, the military of the Reunited Kingdom primarily consisted of the Gondorian army. After the battles of Osgiliath, of Pelennor Fields and of the Black Gate, the army was under the heaviest strain and the situation was dire. In Minas Tirith there were around 5,000 troops with some 1,000 injured or otherwise unable to immediate combat; in Dol Amroth, another 2,000; finally, by May T.A. 3019, the mustered militia from the other regions amounted to other 3,000, in consideration of the season and of the need for local defence. Rangers of Ithilien, on the other hand, numbered around 2-300 troops. In the North, the Dúnadan militia guarded their small and scattered settlements in the Angle and the Rangers of the North were fully absorbed in the Troubles in Eriador. The reestablished Kingdom counted on less than 10,000 soldiers in the South and on around 1,000 (at their full mobilisation efforts) in the North.
The main and foremost task was the consolidation of borders. In late T.A. 3020, Steward Faramir launched a breif campaign in North Ithilien, reaching the ill Morgulduin. He regained back Osgiliath and the Emyn Arnen, where a series of watchtowers was quickly built. Yet the remaining portion of South Ithilien was controlled but not occupied. Osgiliath was made a fortified outpost and the abundant harvest of T.A. 3020 allowed to divert some surplus to military needs.
Early campaigns and rebuilding of the forces
By T.A. 3021/Fo.A. 1, the levy was maintained and the army was increased to 15,000 soldiers, while Rangers of Ithilien built up their strength to a 500-strong force. Yet the Reunited Kingdom could not afford the task of igniting a war, for too deep the wounds caused by the war were, and still fresh. In Fo.A. 2, the 500-strong White Company was established and, together with Rangers of Ithilien, formed the Guard of the Emyn Arnen.
In Fo.A. 3 a 10,000-strong joint Rohirrim-Gondorian army crossed Anduin at Pelargir, and, pairing with a northern offensive, quickly regained to Gondor the southern part of South Ithilien. At the Crossing of Gondor, a fortified outpost was established. The campaign lasted for about two years, subjugating Harondor. Once having secured the border at Harnen, High King Elessar recruited from some of the more reliable tribes and peoples of Harondor. By Fo.A. 8, the Gondorian army in the South numbered around 20,000 troops.
In the meantime, the North formed an Archers Company from the Shire, a Dunelnding Company and the Dúnadan Company (consisting of a selection of the Angle militia).
Royal War Council
Founded in Fo.A. 45 in the reign of Tar Elessar, the Royal War Council is a council of five generals and senior civil servants who controlled army appointments, the finances of warfare, and the deployment of forces. It also handles civil and military administration of the border region of Rhovanion.
The Royal War Council exerts control over the military to the will of the High King of the West.
Military organisation
| Name | Strength | Subordinate Forces | Commander | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Hosts (Dagarim-en-Aran) |
All arms | All Hosts, Armies, Companies | High-king, Captain-General | |
| Host (Dagarim) |
20,000–50,000+ | 2+ Armies, or Army + Auxiliaries | Host Leader (Cáno Dagarim) | The Northern Host provides defence to Arnor and allied countries |
| Army (Dagorwaith) |
10,000-20,000 | 3-6 Great Companies, or numerous Companies | Army Leader (Cáno Dagorwaith) | Major provinces are garrisoned by an Army |
| Great Company (Asta) |
1,000–6,000 | 2+ Companies, and/or numerous Bands | Lord General (Asthir) |
Prominent cities and lords usually provide forces at this level. The Great Company is the main strategic unit for military operations other than full-scale war. |
| Company (Tudnas) |
400–1,200 | 2+ Bands | Commander (Condir) | The Company is the main tactical unit, but also capable of accomplishing limited strategic tasks. |
| Band (Boronas) |
100–300 | 2+ Troops | Knight banneret, Chieftain | The subdivision in Troops is usually temporary |
The emblem of the army staff itself consists of the Eagle on a round shield, supported by two eagles, symbolizing the mandate of Manwë. In the achievements of the lower divisions of the army the Eagle is supported by heraldic beasts like peacocks or griffins.
Ranks within the Royal Hosts
Within the Royal Hosts there are several ranks, each corresponding to a different responsibility:
- Captain-General (S. Berthir i Dagarim). The rank insignia is a Monster head placed on seals, accompanied by a personal cipher.
- High-Captain (S. Cáno Dagorim). The rank insignia is an Eagle placed on seals, accompanied by a personal cipher.
- Army Leader (S. Cáno Dagorwaith). The rank insignia is a Griffin placed on seals, accompanied by a personal cipher.
- General (S. Asthir). The rank insignia is a Bear placed on seals, accompanied by a personal cipher.
- Commander (S. Condir): commander of a Company.
- Knight banneret/Chieftain: commander of a Band. If he is a staff officer of a larger unit, he is always styled Knight Banneret.
- Bannerman (S. Turmahîr; W. Hamilqâsuna): usually deputy of the Band commander or in charge of detachments of the Band.
- Cornet (S. Rom; W. Raspûta): lowest officer, drawn from full-time warriors after a dedicated training period.
- Sergeant (S. Bior; W. Zhaisha): usually in charge of detachments of the Band, drawn from full-time warriors.
- Knight/Man-at-Arms (S. Rochben/Maethor; W. Lohora/Razhûliha)
- Soldier (S. Ohtar; W. Nazûra)
It is to note that both local forces and Central Army use the same rank system within their units, in order to enable the whole military to co-operate without excessive confusion.
Captain-General
The Captain-General (Berthir i Dagarim) of the Reunited Kingdom is appointed by the High King. The Captain-General of the Reunited Kingdom is responsible for organizing of readiness of the Army and the activities related to employment and government personnel, training and logistics. He proposes to the High King programmes about the Army in order to prepare the operational plans of the Army.
The Captain-General of the Reunited Kingdom is heard by the Quartermaster-General for the preparation of general financial planning of the military, for the identification of operational goals and for all scope and operational activities related to staff the Army.
The Captain-General of the Reunited Kingdom is the supreme commander of all the Royal Hosts, both Gondorian and Arnorian. Subject to him, there are the two Captains-General (also titled Berthir i Dagarim), who independently command the military of Arnor and of Gondor.
General
A General (Asthir) is a high ranking Western military officer in the Royal Army of Arnor and Gondor, in charge of a Great Company. From the times of the Kingdom of Gondor in middle Third Age, Generals have received large shares of the militaries rewards at the end of a successful campaign, which made the position a lucrative one, so it could often attract even aristocrats or other high ranking figures within Gondorian politics.
A General holds full power of his Great Company. The Senior Captain would delegate duties to his command staff, which then would carry out his tasks. The men who fill the office of General are usually drawn from among the noble class of the Dúnedain, but also Dúnadan commoners and other nobles and commoners may arise to this position, although less commonly.
Royal Hosts
The Royal Hosts are the primary military force of the Reunited Kingdom. The Royal Hosts consists mainly of heavy infantry, although also a substantial number of heavy cavalry Companies are deployed. Compared to Gondor, the northern Arnorian armies make less use of mounted troops. Footmen are the most numerous part of the army.
Main roles of Royal Hosts consists of ensuring the High King's authority and providing security and defence to the Reunited Kingdom against any invasion.
Most of the armies were trained and drilled to fight in tight infantry formations, supported by archers and cavalry.
Cavalry
Traditionally, Gondor had a small cavalry force; the Reunited Kingdom inherits this feature, in consideration of the existence of its close ally Rohan, which often supplies the bulk of its cavalry forces. However, several first-rate mounted units are present, both in the Royal Hosts and in the forces supplied by lords and captain: the elite of these forces is represented by the Swan-Knights of Dol Amroth.
The strategic core of the Royal Hosts is the heavy cavalry, which consists of about 27,000 heavily armed riders and knights, organised into 45 Companies (600 warriors per Company). Regular heavy cavalry units may be of Maethorin, i.e. professional soldiers, or of Rochbin, i.e. semi-hereditary sworn knights (Rídend if Northmen). As of Fo.A. 275, there are 15 Rochbin Companies and 30 professional Companies.
Heavy cavalry units have mail hauberks with integral coifs and aventails, conical helmets, heavy warhorses with quilted or lamellar barding, lances, kite-shaped shields and heavy longswords. Only few Companies, both of the regular forces (four Rochbnin and three Maethorin Companies) and of the fiefdoms (almost only the Swan Knights of Dol Amroth), wear the full plate armour.
Rochbin Companies are actually military Orders (Quenya: Heren) which are given a predefinite form in order to be deployed alongside other regular troops. These knightly Orders are brotherhoods of armoured warriors who ride into battle atop barded warhorses into battle. To be or become a Knight is also to be or become one of the most elite warriors the Empire has to offer.
Apart of scout companies and bands, light cavalry is almost entirely provided by local forces and militias.
Infantry
Infantry has always played a large role in the wars of all Numenorean, Gondorian and Arnorian kingdoms. As of Fo.A. 275, The infantry consists of about 75,000 men-at-arms, both lightly and heavily equipped. There are 35 Heavy Infantry Companies (for 42,000 troops: 1,200 warriors in each Company) and 45 light infantry Companies (for 27,000 troops: 600 warriors in each Company).
The infantry of the Royal Hosts is relatively standardised; most of the soldiers use the black and white flag of the Kings on their armours or vests.
Heavy infantry
Heavy infantry is the mainstay of the military of the Reunited Kingdom: it represents the anvil on which the cavalry hammer must beat. Its equipment consists of a chainmail undercoat with either a black tabard or plate armour over it (the plate armour is worn only by most elite units). Their standard weapons are long spears, arming swords, and longbows, complemented by tower shields.
Alongside the High King's own heavy infantry Companies, there are several heavy infantry units of the local forces, such as the Guard of Ithilien or the Swan Men-at-Arms of Dol Amroth: territorial heavy infantry units usually make use of mail hauberks, steel helmets, round or almond-shaped shields, swords and long spears. Territorial troop dresses vary from province to another but usually consist of reliable and solid troops, comparable to regular troops.
Pikemen units
Pikemen units are the standard infantry units of the Royal Hosts. They are tasked to absorb the attack of enemy knights, before other troops counterattack the stalled knights.
If well-manouvred, these formations are essentially immune to the attacks of mounted men-at-arms as long as the knights attack frontally and the foot soldiers remain steady under the morale challenge of facing a cavalry charge, but the closely packed nature of pike formations renders them vulnerable to enemy archers and crossbowmen. dismounted men-at-arms are also more effective than the cavalry against a pike formation.
Pike formations tend to have better success when they operate in an aggressive fashion against a packed enemy. At the Battle of the Hoarwell (Fo.A. 112), Arnorian pikemen overwhelmed the infantry forces of the opposing Orc army while the Orcs were crossing a narrow bridge. At the same time however such aggressive action requires considerable tactical cohesiveness and suitable terrain to protect the vulnerable flanks of the pike formations, especially from the attack of mounted man-at-arms.
Regular heavy infantry pike formations consist of men-at-arms and in rare cases even of Rochbin: their professional nature allow them to be equipped with chainmail armour and helms. As of Fo.A. 270, there are 9 professional Pike Companies (10,800 warriors) and one Rochbin Pike Company (1,200 warriors).
Swordsmen units
Swordsmen units are the most common heavy infantry fielded by the Reunited Kingdom. They wear a steel helm, a chainmail armour and a tower shield, and are armed with an arming sword. While pike units are the battering ram for frontal attacks, swordsmen have the task to mollify enemy pikemen and/or attack enemy formations on their flanks and route them.
As of Fo.A. 270, there are 13 professional Swordsmen Companies (15,600 warriors) and 2 Rochbin Swordsmen Companies (2,400 warriors).
Light infantry
Light infantry is usually provided by local forces, with varying degrees of efficiency; however, regular light infantry is deployed where the local forces (if any) are untrustworthy or are not available.
Army engineering corps
In order to facilitate this organization and the army’s self-sufficiency, Gondor had established, by the late Third Age, an engineering corps. In the Reunited Kingdom the engineering corps was maintained and reorganised by Aragorn II Tar Elessar.
The chief of the engineering corps is the Quartermaster of Smiths, and in each Army and in each fortress there is a chief architect who is responsible for the construction of war machines who also assures that all artillery constructions in the field are level. The main use of artillery is in the siege of fortified places. Ensuring that constructions were level was the job of the achine operators, who would also launch missiles and other projectiles (on occasion) during battle. The engineering corps is also in charge of massive production, frequently prefabricating artillery and siege equipment to facilitate its transportation.
War machines operators and architects are usually counted outside the military personnel, and are organised into Columns of about 100 people each. In turn, a Column contains several war machines. A Column may be attached to a Great Company or to a Company, according the need, and usually are deployed alongside the infantry.
Battering ram
A battering ram is a siege engine that is designed to break open the masonry walls of fortifications or splinter their gates. In its simplest form, a battering ram is just a large, heavy log carried by several people and propelled with force against an obstacle; the ram would be sufficient to damage the target if the log is massive enough and/or it is moved quickly enough. War-proofed rams encase the log in an arrow-proof, fire-resistant canopy mounted on wheels. Inside the canopy, the log is swung from suspensory chains or ropes. Most battering rams are made from large tree trunks, and most have metal heads forged to resemble a ram, dragon, or monstrous head.
Rams often prove effective weapons of war because wall-building materials such as stone and brick are weak in tension, and therefore prone to cracking when impacted with force.
Bolt-thrower
The bolt-thrower is a war machine used by Westerners. This mechanism is very versatile, as capable of showering the enemy regiment with the barbed bolts, as it is capable of downing a Giant with a longer, well-placed missile. Each Great Company has a cart-mounted bolt-thrower every 100 soldiers. Each cart-mounted bolt-thrower is carried by mules and operated by ten private soldiers.
The Royal Navy marines and the Pelargir Sea Guard are particularly efficient in the use of well-crafted bolt-throwers, that not only play pivotal roles upon the battlefield, but also bristle from the sides of Western warships and the battlements of fortresses.
Siege tower
A siege tower or breaching tower is a specialised siege engine, constructed in order to protect assailants and ladders while approaching the defensive walls of a fortification. The tower is often rectangular with wheels with its height roughly equal to that of the wall or sometimes higher to allow archers to stand on top of the tower and shoot arrows into the fortification. Because the towers are wooden and thus flammable, they have some non-flammable covering of iron or fresh animal skins.
Siege towers are of unwieldy dimensions and are therefore mostly constructed on site of the siege. The siege tower sometimes house spearmen, pikemen, swordsmen, archers or crossbowmen who shoot arrows and quarrels at the defenders. Because of the size of the tower it often is the first target of large stone catapults but it had its own projectiles with which to retaliate. When a siege tower was near a wall, it would drop a gangplank between it and the wall. Troops could then rush onto the walls and into the castle or city.
Catapult
A catapult is the type of war machine used for sieges (and even for field battles) by the West armies. Catapults are massive wooden-structured war machine. The catapult uses a counterweight to swing the arm; through a series of levers, cogs and winding mechanisms, the large arm of the trebuchet is drawn down into a firing position, with sizeable masonry counterweights attached to the other end. A large sling is usually attached to the arm of the catapult that can hold rocks, masonry or even dead cattle; sometimes it is used a large rigid (wooden) platform. When the catapult is fired, the extra impetus that the sling adds to the firing arm means that it can fire further and with more power.
Only large cities and powerful lords are in possession of a heavy catapult, for they are time consuming to create and are individually hand-crafted.
Host
The Host is the largest subdivision of the Royal Army. It has a territorial scope, and the Host Leader (Cáno Dagarim) is in charge for the all defensive and offensive operations within the boundaries of his own Host. Not counting the border corps (which is akin a nearly-unmovable militia tasked with guarding forts and towers), each Hosts has under its own control at least an Army, alongside several feudal forces and city militias; however, some hosts have as many as two Armies under their control. Military Districts are directly subordinate to the relevant Host.
The number of Hosts varies according the strategic situation of the West, but there never have been more than six Hosts and, from 250, there are five such regional commands. The current five Hosts are four assigned to the Captain-General of Gondor, and only one to the Captain-General of Arnor, who nowadays concurrently holds the position of Host Leader for the Host of Annùminas.
The military of the West is projected over the East, while the southern marches of the Reunited Kingdom are paid less attention:
- Southern Host: it provides defence to Harondor and Umbar;
- Annúminas Host: it encompasses the territory from Fornost Erain to the Isen, heavily relying on Rohan's reinforcements in case of war. It also provides defence, protection and assistance to the Free Land of the Hobbits, including Shire, Westmarch and Eastmarch;
- Anor Host: it is in charge for Gondor and the military relationships with Rohan. Usually, the Captain-General of Gondor concurrently holds the position of Host Leader of the Anor Host;
- North-Eastern Host: it is in charge for Rhovanion and the military relationships with Rhovanion petty kingdoms;
- Eastern Host: it is in charge for Núrn.
Military districts
Military districts (Drann Dagarim) are formations of the Royal Army of Arnor and Gondor which are responsible for a Province. They are more responsible for administrative than operational matters, and handle parts of the conscription cycle. Each Military District is subordinated to the relevant Host.
Military districts also function as a means of regional defence, to defend the designated provinces. Each district commander has a limited authority to begin operations with forces available in the district. As personal representative of the King, the provincial head is in charge of the military district in his own province.
Army
Armies consist of several Great Companies and Companies, both on horse and on foot, each of them headed by a Senior Captain or by a Second Captain. Companies are quite large forces, sometimes composed of cavalry squadrons and infantry troops: the Company is the smallest unit which may combine cavalry and infantry Bands, each commanded by a Knight banneret or Chieftain.
Great Company
The Great Company (Quenya: Asta, literally "division"; Westron: Zharikabîr) is the smallest combined echelon of the Royal Hosts. An ordinary Great Company, led by General (also known in Gondorian Sindarin as Asthir, i.e. division commander), consists of 2-3 Infantry Companies and at least 3-4 Cavalry Bands. The Master of the Camp (and his secretaries and notaries) is in charge of making sure the Great Company is stocked with food and arms. Usually combined Great Companies are concentrated in a single garrison, meaning that Great Companies are deployed on frontiers and in restless or sensitive areas.
Riverine Great Company
In Eriador, the theatre of operations is dominated by three great rivers: the Brandywine and its tributaries; the hydrographic basin composed of the Greyflood and its two main tributaries, i.e. the Bruinien and the Glanduin (and their own tributaries); and, last but certainly not least, the hydrographic basin composed of the Isen and of the Adorn. While there are vast higher lands, outside the hydrographic basin properly intended, and while some of these higher lands are to be garrisoned, nonetheless a force wishing to effectively protecting the North-South Road must rely on infantry forces, supported but not supplanted by cavalry. Gondor, both in Anorien and south the White Mountains, presents a similar strategic situation: while the cavalry is necessary to achieve a tactical advantage and hard-hitting element, heavy and light infantry can move along the main roads, maintaining a good cohesion thanks to the high discipline and morale.
Therefore, the forces of the Reunited Kingdom which are deployed south of Brandywine and the Great East Road and west to Anduin mostly consists of Great Companies centred around the heavy infantry and supported by the cavalry.
The main mission of these infantry-based formations is to garrison, protect and defend river crossings, fords, bridges, to protect mountain passes, as well as to conduct patrols along roads and across lowlands.
Such Great Companies are known as "Green Great Companies" because during the expansion campaigns of the early Fourth Age they were granted standards and flags adorned with green ribbons. Green Great Companies are based on two heavy infantry companies (a pikemen company and a swordsmen company), supported by 1-2 light infantry company (usually a pikemen company and a swordsmen company). The infantry core is supported by a heavy cavalry company and by a light cavalry company.
The overall strength of a Green Great Company is 4,200 to 4,800 troops. Of these troops, usually light units are provided by local fiefdoms, levies, and urban settlements combined (i.e. the light Companies are in turn consists of individual Bands, each of these provided by a particular territory or town), while more armoured forces are provided by the Royal Hosts. However, given the individual conditions, this arrangement may vary.
Company
The Company (Westron: Tudnas) is the basic military unit of the Royal Army of Arnor and Gondor. Each Company is commanded by a Condir, with infantry Companies 600–1200 strong and cavalry units 400–600 strong.
Infantry Company is formed by three Bands, while the cavalry Company is subdivided into six Bands. In some infantry companies, spearmen form up to two Bands, while the remaining third consists of archers.
Mixed Company
Sometimes, in order to provide tactical autonomy to the infantry Company, both heavy and light infantry forces are assembled in the same unit. This model is considered as being an optimum for the small clashes. This arrangement is a relatively new concept, being developed in late Third Age and in early Fourth Age, and still this is to be generally accepted.
Mixed Company (Westron: Tudnas Makhlôgh) are formed by 1,200 men, and around three-quarters of the men are armoured spearmen and one-quarter are archers (either armoured or non-armoured men).
Band
The Band (Sindarin: Boronas, pl. Berenais) is the basic unit of Western warfare. The strength of a Band typically consists 10 to 300 men (usually 100-200). Each Band is led by a veteran knight banneret, or by a small lord (in case of aristocratic forces) who has received lands from the king for the express purpose of providing his Band whenever the king demands it.
Individual soldier
The Western warfare is the direct evolution of the Gondorian military of the late Third Age and relies on three types of soldiers: professional soldiers, life soldiers and mustered soldiers.
Professional soldiers
The individual professional warrior (Sindarin: Maethor, pl. Maethorin) is the heart of the High King's armies. Professional soldiers usually come from the agricultural freeman class of Gondor and serve as both infantrymen and cavalrymen and are maintained only by the High King. Usually Maethorin form the large majority of standing heavy infantry units.
The Rochbin (Sindarin for Cavalrymen) are full-time, sworn warriors. They are either maintained directly by the High King, or maintained by the Hîr as personal retainers, estate managers or officials during times of peace, or given a their own keep (especially in border or unresting areas) on the High King's demesne. In contrast to the Ohtar, a Rochben receives support from his Hîr even while not mustered for a campaign (through a salary, by a bequest of lands, or by living in the Hîr’s household). During times of war, the Crown provides a stipend to each Rochben. Rochbin are semi-hereditary, for their sons have to serve first as rank-and-file ohtari, proving themselves before ascending to their fathers’ positions. An especially valiant or competent ohtar could expect to be made a Rochben. Rochbin use the same arms and armour as the ohtari, but of finer quality and with the addition of an arming sword, and round shield with their own personal symbol.
Mustered soldiers
The rank-and-file bulk of Western companies are made up by non-professional infantry soldiers levied and mustered at need. Every five households are required to provide one Othar (Quenya for warrior, an infantryman) to muster for military service when called by the local Hîr, by the local town or by king's magistrates at the king’s command. Since the same individual usually serves over and over again, also non-professional Ohtari tend to be experienced and well-trained.
Training, when not mustered, takes place at least once every season but, in regions with a strong warrior traditions, also more frequently. These sessions last two to three days and take place under the guidance of the local full-time warriors, the Maethorin, or of the local sworn knights, the Rochbin. An Ohtar trains with the spear, shortsword (eket) and, if Dúnadan, steel bow, wears body-mail, a conical helm (often decorated with the gull-wings of Gondor or with the star of Arnor) and carries an oval shield. The weapons and armour are the property of the crown, and stored in armouries at havens and fortresses or in the Hîr’s hall when not in use.
On campaign, ohtari carry two days’ rations, a bag with emergency supplies, a personal kit, a sleeping bag and spare clothes. One baggage pony per 20 men was typically furnished to carry extra supplies. While mustered for war, ohtari received a royal stipend of coins, rations and materials through the Hîr or the commander of their Company. When not mustered for war or training, Ohtari and their families often farm their own lands and serve as key men in their communities, due to their access to the local structures of governance.
Force types
There are four classifications of troops:
- The guard troops stationed in the capital cities.
- The regular soldiers of the mobile Royal Army are recruited from subjects of the empire and from mustered citizens.
- The border corps. The border corps perform their duties of guarding frontiers and garrisoning border posts. The border corps is not considered strictly part of the Dagarim-en-Aran and it is not organized in the mobile army formations. They are the subject of many folktales of their heroism.
- The feudal forces and city militias. The private armed retainers of generals, officers of lesser rank and the rich, the feudal militias are a significant portion of a field army. The size of a retinue depends on the wealth of the employer. They take solemn oaths of fidelity to their patron and of loyalty to the High King.
Guards of the Citadel
The Guards of the Citadel are the Great Company of Minas Anor which is charged with protecting the Citadel, the highest and most important tier of the city, and by extension the High King. When on duty they are not permitted to leave their post for any cause, save at the command of their lord. They also guard the White Tree that stood in the Court of the Fountain.
The Guard of the Citadel consists of three subordinated Companies, each of which has its own storehouse and is commanded by a Commander. The Captain-general of the Guards is usually the heir of the throne. The troop is composed of cadets of noble families and the highest order of gentry. The royal bodyguard accompanies monarchs to all foreign wars.
Knights of the Fountain Court are élite of the élite, selected from the very best of the Royal Guard, swearing to give their lives in the service of the King and to be fearless in combat. Fountain Court Guard is known for its ferocious and blind loyalty to the King. Apart from protecting the person of the sovereign, they have the most holiest of tasks: Standing guard beside the White Tree and entrance to Mount Mindolluin, the only shrine of Eru Ilúvatar in Middle-earth.[1]
The royal guards normally wear a black hose uniform, white cotton shirt and flowing white overcoat with gold trimmings. When in the presence of the sovereign, or the guards are on duty at a state occasion, they wear crimson, black and silver liveries of Númenor. Royal guard surcoats are white with black and crimson trimming, bearing the design of the crown and seven stars. When on duty at a state occasion, royal bodyguards are supposed to be the very image of the first Men of Núménor to settle the shores of Middle-earth. Thus they are issued the ancient armour of Númenor, along with blades and hollow-steel bows of Westernesse, all heavy with both age and dignity. Officers are distinguished by their silvered or gilded scale armour and Númenórean karma-style helmets with bright and heavy plumes.[2]
Rangers of the North
Rangers of the North are an elite unit of the Kingdom of Arnor. They are recruited exclusively among the Dúnedain of Arnor. They protect Eriador, although their secretiveness historically made other peoples consider them dangerous and distrustful. They are an elite force of soldiers who are highly motivated, well-trained, and well-equipped.
History
Arvedui's son and heir, Aranarth claimed the title of the Chieftain, who would rule the remnants of his people. As a claimant king, Aranarth never gave up the service to his father's former kingdom, whose society was rapidly deteriorating. Therefore, he and his successors continued to struggle to preserve the peoples of the former kingdom of Arnor.[3]
Each of Aranarth's heirs would be secretly born and raised in Rivendell. The Dúnedain became a secretive people, far from Sauron's spies; however, while in hiding, they organised themselves to protect Eriador and fight off the evil. During the War of the Ring, Dúnedain were concentrated in the wild and hidden valleys of the ancient kingdom of Rhudaur, not far from Imladris and the Bruinien. Aragorn II's Rangers were scattered and diminished. Aragorn eventually became King Elessar of the Reunited Kingdom and the Rangers became once more a united people under the line of Elendil in the Fourth Age. Once reclaimed the North, however, King Elessar did not disband his Rangers, and many Dúnedain chose to live in the Angle, between the Bruinen and Mitheithel rivers.
Mission
Nowadays, as of 275, the Rangers of the North are a mobile intervention unit, ordinarily tasked with patrolling northern Eriador (the central and southern Eriador are populated enough to keep for themselves). The northern regions the Rangers patrol are those lands comprised north the Evendim Hills, and those lands between the Weather Hills, the North Downs and the Ettenmoors, as well as unknown lands of the ancient evil kingdom of Angmar. However, should the need arise, they are able to dispatch reinforcements where they are needed.
The main task of the Rangers of the North is to defend Eriador against any possible invasion by patrolling the northern frontier west of the Misty Mountains. Alongside the classical military tasks, Rangers are a sort of mobile police force with fire brigade-style interventions against crisis erupting across Eriador or even outside Eriador.
They report on the intrusions of evil creatures and probably gather forces to repel roving raids. They also may help to keep the roads clear of bandits, thus ensuring the safe passage of merchants and travelers.
Organisation
Rangers of the North operate trough roving patrols which watch over the frontier lands and the northern countryside, as far south as the Eregion, prioritising the less-inhabited areas. As of the late III century, the numbers are not as high as may have been in the late Third Age: there are no more than five hundred Rangers across Eriador, organised into small Berenais of thirty to fifty, patrolling assigned regions. In Rivendell, a 200-strong Rangers Boronas is available at all times for sudden emergencies, together the local militia of the local Dúnedain. As of 275, there are 12 wandering Berenais.
The Rangers of the North are still formally led by the High King of the Reunited Kingdom in his capacity of Chieftain of the Dúnedain of the North. A senior officer, known as the First Ranger, is in charge of the actual command and is considered being a Commander (Condir). The First Ranger is assisted by a dedicated staff and each Boronas is led by an experienced ranger, known as Chief Ranger (equal in rank to a Knight Banneret). The reserve Boronas is led by a proper Knight Banneret.
The uninhabited or frontier areas of Arnor are grouped into Wards, each of them is provided of at least an hidden keep, its small garrison and led by a Warden. Wardens rank as Knight Banneret, but are senior to Chief Rangers. Nowadays, there are eight Wards in the North: Eregion (Hunumidor of Cimlong), Amon Sul (Bodorlin of Daudil), Imladris (Felbor of Galrin), East Rhudaur (Saulendor of Dúdormir), West Rhudaur (Galman of Gillaith), Hitgaelir (Hulor of Jerlan) and North Downs (Betlor of Cascilhant). The eighth Ward runs between the Lhun and the Ered Luin; its Warden is Camrozôr of Súhordol. Each wandering Boronas is assigned to an individual Ward and the relevant Warden, which uses it as the operational pawn.
Rangers of the North are grim in appearance and are usually dressed in grey or dark green, with a cloak-clasp shaped like a 6-pointed star. Each wandering Boronas in known by a colour, which is the preferred tincture of its symbol and mantles and cloaks. Traditionally, since the War of the Ring, the most prestigious wandering Boronas is the Grey Company (currently led by Chief Ranger Varmanwë the Goldenhand of Sergon).
Feudal forces and city militias
Alongside the Royal Hosts, there are another type of forces: these forces are maintained by individual cities or lords, as well as by some fiefdoms and even whole regions within the borders. Larger portions of the army seem to have come from southern fiefs. The defence of fiefdoms is the responsibility of the respective lords of these territories. Their training, strength in numbers, and armaments varies from each fief (Lossarnach fiefdoms deploy axemen, while the men of Morthond Vale mainly consist of archers). The greatest of these fiefs is Dol Amroth, well known for its cavalry.
In effect, larger feudal forces are small private armies equipped and paid by wealthy influential people. As such they are often better trained and equipped, not to mention motivated, than the regular soldiers.
Local forces are usually organized as a single Company under the command of the local lord but this may vary. Most of times these "local Companies", consisting of the whole military of the single city or fiefdom, are combined Companies. Some other times, if the Company comes from a hill, mountainous or wood region, or it is recruited in a town, it is composed of only infantry: this is the case of the Rangers of Ithilien, who are under the Prince of Ithilien, or of the Bree Militia. When the fief or the province is significantly larger, or with large plains, units tend to be of bigger dimension and to be either on foot either mounted. This is the case of the feudal troops of Dol Amroth.
Usually local forces are not as highly trained as Central Army, although there are several exceptions: Rangers of Ithilien or Rangers of the North are among best scouts and explorers, and they are part of the "local forces".
Usually, notable cities provide large infantry-only forces, called "militias", consisting of citizens and farmers, and therefore not highly trained as other local forces are. Some large cities, alongside infantry troops, provide also some cavalry forces, usually at the Band level.
Key roles of local forces are both internal order keeping and first-time border defence against invasions, as well as providing troops for major wars, in an integrative role to Central Army.
The most known local standing forces are provided by large fiefdoms or unincorporated lands:
- Knights of Dol Emrath of House Eldamis (heavy cavalry, Company);
- Knights of Dol Alin of Houses Forilk, Vamalgil and Maldilair (combined arms, Company);
- Company of Alabaster of several Houses (combined arms, Company);
- Dúnedain Guard of the Angle (combined arms, Company);
- Heralds of Talsir of several Houses (light cavalry, Company);
- Blessed Swordsmen of Erech of House Eldamis (heavy infantry, Company);
- Pikemen of Dusk (heavy infantry, Company);
- Edhellond Pikemen of House Maldilair (heavy infantry, Company);
- Talons of Lomost of Houses Forgedûn, Arrion and Pergorath (heavy infantry, Company);
- Spearmen of Lond Cobas of House Irramzôr and Beflad (heavy infantry, Company);
- Silverpelts of Lossarnach of House Dréroal (heavy infantry, Company);
- Shadowmanes of Lossarnach of House Forlong (heavy infantry, Company);
- Puremane Company of Lossarnach of several Houses (heavy infantry, Company);
- Silver Guard of Anorien of several Houses (heavy infantry, Company);
- Territorial Militia of Sarn (heavy infantry, Company);
- Shadow Guard of Nimrond (light infantry, Company);
- Sentinels of Astaril (light infantry, Company);
- Scions of Anfalas (light infantry, Company);
- Ashen-cloaks (light infantry, Company);
- Grey Rangers (light infantry, Company);
- Skyhawks of Enedwaith (light infantry, Company);
- Elven Sentries of Ithilien (light infantry, Band).
Two Provinces provide exclusively feudal forces: Ithilien, which recruits the Guard of Ithilien, and Dor-en-Ernil, which recrutis the Feudal Troops of Dol Amroth.
Guard of Ithilien
The Guard of Ithilien is among the most famous Local Forces within the Gondorian hosts. The Guard consists of four military units which defend the region under the Prince of Ithilien: the Moonborn (bodyguard cavalry unit) Rangers of Ithilien (light infantry and reconnaissance), the White Company of the Steward of the West and the small Watch of Emyn Arnen (heavy infantry). In addition to the Mannish forces, the Elven Sentries of Ithilien may be recruited, should the need arise. This Elven unit consists of a Band of light infantry rangers, hailing from Calen Herglad, the small Elvish settlement in Ithilien.
Feudal troops of Dol Amroth
While the whole Province of Belfalas is held in fief by the Prince of Dol Amroth, armoured troops hailing from this Province are ordinary troops, with the unusual characteristic of being exclusively of pure Númenórean blood; the only exception are the light infantry forces, which predominantly consist of hill men. On the other hand, The fief of Dol Amroth, Belfalas, ruled by Princes since immemorial times, provides the famed feudal troops of the promontory of Dol Amroth in Belfalas, consisting of two Great Companies of pure Númenórean blood: the Great Company of the Swan Knights of Dol Amroth and the Great Company of Longswords of Dol Amroth, both commanded by Princes of Dol Amroth.
Under the Ship-and-Silver-Swan, the thriving Númenorean population ordinarily provides more than 6,000 warriors for the High King's wars. Led by their Prince, they are a shining beacon of light and purity, and they have been so even in the darkest days. The Swan Companies of Dol Amroth are the most elite warriors the Reunited Kingdom has available. Brave and noble, they are a memory of days long since passed. Both Swan Knights and Swan Longswords represents the honourable forces of the City of Dol Amroth; all warriors are sworn servants of the Prince, holding the rank and the dignity of Rochben as household retainers. Being of pure Númenorean blood, they prize the traditions of Westernesse and a young noble or an aspiring commoner training for membership in the Swan Companies is expected to excel not only in the use of arms, but in customs and courtesies. To become a Knight or a Longsword is to bear the colours of the Prince and to be the representative of his will to the people of Dol Amroth, and to do so with anything less than the best of manners and decorum would be uncouth. The main feature of these warriors is their physical prowess: tall, large, very similar to Númenórean warriors of old. Their battle cry is "Amroth for the West!".
The Great Company of the Swan Knights of Dol Amroth is a unit based on heavy cavalry, known for they big grey horses. The tall Swan Knights of Dol Amroth are the very elite of the warriors of Gondor and of the Reunited Kingdom as a whole. Swan Knights function as both bodyguards for the Princes and lords of Dol Amroth, and also as a vital part of the mounted forces of the Reunited Kingdom. They wear the finest plate armour the smiths can manufacture, and even their mounts are heavily armoured. As weapons they use long ash-shafted spears for charging, longswords for close combat, and a solid cavalry shield. The incumbent commander of the Swan Knights is Senior Captain Cimren. The Great Company consists of four heavy cavalry Companies and of one light cavalry Company (600 cavalrymen), with exploration and vanguard tasks.
The Great Company of Longswords of Dol Amroth is a heavy infantry force, led by Autherdir Morranlin of the House of Bucran. The Great Company consists of two heavy Pikemen Companies, two heavy swordsmen Companies and one light Company (1,200 warriors per Company) with reconnaissance functions; however the light Company rarely operates as a whole.
Town guards and militias
To protect the city, there are the corps of their city guards; these are composed of foot soldiers, recruited among young people of the places they are then called to preside, and are armed and paid by taxes collected on the spot. The mandatory period in the corps lasts usually 20 years.
In smaller towns there are ranks awarded on the basis of seniority of "Man at Arms", "Sergeant" and "Ensign" for the commander of the town guard; in larger cities, on the other hand, as long as they belong to a prominent family and have some disposable income, people can reach the two positions of high command of "Constable" (corresponding to "Commander" when at war) and "Commander of Arms" or simply "Commander".
The city guard carries the roles of police in the city in which it operates, and patrolling of the area they belong to, an operation that is performed on horseback. In addition, in the event of a military attack by enemies, the guard is committed to the defense of the town to the bitter end until the arrival of the regular troops.
During the reclamation of Eriador, at the points where covering crossings and passage ways have been built small towers called “Tirith” and were manned by local guards. Tower watches are responsible only for their area and do not follow the regular army on campaigns. Members of the tower watches are aged between 17 and 50 years of age and are trained in the use mainly of projectile weapons and in the art of sending signals. Chosen by the elders of the nearby villages, their mission is to whether armed enemy groups or ships passed from their area of responsibility. Signals are transmitted from one watch tower to another, thus putting the local military forces on alert, while, with appropriate signals, the inhabitants of the region are also alerted in order to seek refuge together with everything that may be useful to the enemy.
As of Fo.A. 275, only an handful of cities and towns can provide a whole Company on their own:
- Pelargir City Guard: 1,200 to 1,500 men-at-arms and up to 5,000 militiamen;
- Osgiliath Guard: 1,500 to 1,700 men-at-arms and up to 4,000 militiamen;
- Tharbad City Guard: 1,300 to 1,600 men-at-arms and up to 3,000 militiamen;
- Minas Anor City Militia: 1,200 men-at-arms and up to 5,000 militiamen;
- Annùminas City Militia: 1,000 to 1,200 men-at-arms and up to 3,000 militiamen;
- Fornost City Militia: 800 men-at-arms and up to 2,000 militiamen.
Border corps
The border corps consists of territorial garrisons based mainly along the frontiers, and are considered outside the count of the Dagarim-en-Aran. However, these units are well trained and they are the subject of many folktales of their heroism.
In addition, during the periods of relative peace, the territorial corps are responsible for the day-to-day work of policing the borders: collecting information on enemy intentions, controlling routine movements and generally maintaining the peace. This customs and policing role is essential in providing a level of security for provincial economics, maintaining internal security (banditry was a serious and endemic problem in some areas) and controlling trade.
The border corps units could hold their positions in defensive strong-points and hamper an invasion, but not defeat it in battle. To do this requires the mobile army.
A special part of the border corps consists of the signal fortresses in the upper Anorien, which act as inner place of surveillance of local routes and as a conduit for emergency communications between Gondor and Rohan, as well as the northern Eriador.
Fireplaces had been set up by Isildur, and by T.A. VI century were upgraded to small fortifications. In T.A. XVII Century, magical beacons were placed on towers' summits and they were generally strengthened. King Earnur ordered the strengthening of the beacon-tower furthest east, Amon Din. By T.A. 2536, the chain of fortresses was complete. After his return, King Elessar ordered all seven towers repaired and expanded, resulting in a chain of strong fortresses running north and west of Minas Tirith.
Maintaining of the signal-towers is among the responsibilities of the Host Leader of the Anor Host, which also oversees the position of Commander of the Northern Towers, in turn being the immediate superior of the commanders of the towers' garrisons.