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Things of Middle-earth

Guards of the Citadel

Type: Miscellaneous

Other Names:
the Guard
the Guard of the Tower of Gondor

Description:

The most elite unit of the soldiers of Gondor, who guard the Citadel, the topmost level of Minas Tirith, where the Steward governs.
The Guards of the gate were robed in black, and their helms were of strange shape, high-crowned, with long cheek-guards close-fitting to the face, and above the cheek-guards were set the white wings of sea-birds; but the helms gleamed with a flame of silver, for they were indeed wrought of mithril, heirlooms from the glory of old days. Upon the black surcoats were embroidered in white a tree blossoming like snow beneath a silver crown and many-pointed stars. This was the livery of the heirs of Elendil, and none wore it now in all Gondor, save the Guards of the Citadel before the Court of the Fountain where the White Tree once had grown.

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith

Presently he noticed a man, clad in black and white, coming... towards him....

'I am named Beregond son of Baranor. I have no duty this morning, and I have been sent to you to teach you the pass-words....'

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith

Beregond laughed, 'I am no captain. Neither office nor rank nor lordship have I, being but a plain man of arms of the Third Company of the Citadel. Yet, Master Peregrin, to be only a man of arms of the Guard of the Tower of Gondor is held worthy in the City, and such men have honour in the land.'

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith

This is the storehouse and buttery of my company of the Guard.' said Beregond. 'Greetings, Targon!' he called through the hatch. 'It is early yet, but here is a newcomer that the Lord has taken into his service. He has ridden long and far with a tight belt, and has had sore labour this morning, and he is hungry. Give us what you have!'

They got there bread, and butter, and cheese and apples: the last of the winter store, wrinkled but sound and sweet; and a leather flagon of new-drawn ale, and wooden platters and cups.

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith

Presently Denethor waved to Pippin and dismissed him again for a while. 'Go to the armouries of the Citadel,' he said, 'and get you there the livery and gear of the Tower. It will be ready.'....

Pippin soon found himself arrayed in strange garments, all of black and silver. He had a small hauberk, its rings forged of steel, maybe, yet black as jet; and a high-crowned helm with small raven-wings on either side, set with a silver star in the centre of the circlet. Above the mail was a short surcoat of black, but broidered on the breast in silver with the token of the Tree....

Now he was one small soldier in a city preparing for a great assault, clad in the proud but sombre manner of the Tower of Guard.

In some other time and place Pippin might have been pleased with his new array, but he knew now that he was taking part in no play.... The hauberk was burdensome, and the helm weighed upon his head.

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 4, The Siege of Gondor

Contributors: Elena Tiriel 23Jul06

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