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The '''Guards of the Citadel''' (known also as the '''Tower Guards''' and variations thereof) were those honoured guards of [[Minas Tirith]] who were charged with protecting the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]], the highest and most important tier of the city. At the end of the [[Third Age]], they were the only soldiers of the city to be liveried in the arms of [[Elendil]] himself - a white tree in blossom, surmounted by a silver crown and stars, all embroidered on a field of black. They also bore heirlooms of [[Gondor]]'s ancient wealth, tall helmets wrought out of mithril, and bearing the carved wings of sea-birds. The numbers of these Guards is not known, but there seem to have been at least three companies (at least, one of their number - [[Beregond]] - is said in The Lord of the Rings to belong to the Third Company).  
[[File:Angelo Montanini - Tower Guard of Minas Tirith.jpg|thumb|[[Angelo Montanini]] - ''Tower Guard of Minas Tirith'']]
The '''Guards of the Citadel''' or '''Tower of Gondor''' were those honoured guards of [[Minas Tirith]] who were charged with protecting the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]], the highest and most important tier of the city, and participated in official functions.<ref name="MT">{{RK|V1}}</ref>  When on duty they were not permitted to leave their post for any cause, save at the command of their lord.<ref name="Siege">{{RK|V4}}</ref>


In the past, they had watched over the [[White Tree]] that stood in the [[Court of the Fountain]], though at the time of the [[War of the Ring]], that Tree had been dead for nearly one hundred and fifty years. After the War, the new King [[Aragorn Elessar]], with the aid of [[Gandalf]], found a new seedling of the Tree, and the Guards' great duty was refounded.  
They also guarded the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] that stood in the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]]. At the time of the [[War of the Ring]] it had been dead for nearly 150 years,<ref>{{App|TA}}, 2872</ref> until the new King [[Aragorn|Elessar]] and [[Gandalf]] found a new seedling of the Tree,<ref>{{RK|VI5}}</ref> and the Guards' great duty was refounded.


[[Category:Armies]]
==Appearance and Attire==
At the end of the [[Third Age]], they were the only soldiers of [[Gondor]] entitled to wear the [[Livery of Elendil]] [[Elendil|himself]] - a white tree in blossom, surmounted by a silver crown and stars, all embroidered on a field of black. They also bore heirlooms of [[Gondor]]'s ancient wealth, tall helmets wrought out of ''[[mithril]]'', with close-fitting cheek-guards and bearing the carved wings of sea-birds.<ref name="MT"/> On [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> [[Peregrin Took]] was arrayed as a Guard of the Citadel, at the command of the [[Stewards of Gondor|Steward]] [[Denethor]].  His appearance in this uniform gave strength to the rumour that he was indeed ''[[Ernil i Pheriannath]]'', the Prince of the Halflings.<ref name="Siege"/>
 
==Organisation==
There were at least three companies, each of which had its own storehouse; [[Beregond]], son of [[Baranor (man of Gondor)|Baranor]] belonged to the Third Company.<ref name="MT"/> The Captain-general of the Guards was probably the heir of the throne; during the time of the [[Ruling Steward|Ruling Stewards]] it was the heir of the Steward.
 
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Armies]][[Category:Gondor]]
[[fi:Linnan kaarti]]

Latest revision as of 11:34, 16 July 2015

Angelo Montanini - Tower Guard of Minas Tirith

The Guards of the Citadel or Tower of Gondor were those honoured guards of Minas Tirith who were charged with protecting the Citadel, the highest and most important tier of the city, and participated in official functions.[1] When on duty they were not permitted to leave their post for any cause, save at the command of their lord.[2]

They also guarded the White Tree that stood in the Court of the Fountain. At the time of the War of the Ring it had been dead for nearly 150 years,[3] until the new King Elessar and Gandalf found a new seedling of the Tree,[4] and the Guards' great duty was refounded.

Appearance and Attire[edit | edit source]

At the end of the Third Age, they were the only soldiers of Gondor entitled to wear the Livery of Elendil himself - a white tree in blossom, surmounted by a silver crown and stars, all embroidered on a field of black. They also bore heirlooms of Gondor's ancient wealth, tall helmets wrought out of mithril, with close-fitting cheek-guards and bearing the carved wings of sea-birds.[1] On 10 March T.A. 3019[5] Peregrin Took was arrayed as a Guard of the Citadel, at the command of the Steward Denethor. His appearance in this uniform gave strength to the rumour that he was indeed Ernil i Pheriannath, the Prince of the Halflings.[2]

Organisation[edit | edit source]

There were at least three companies, each of which had its own storehouse; Beregond, son of Baranor belonged to the Third Company.[1] The Captain-general of the Guards was probably the heir of the throne; during the time of the Ruling Stewards it was the heir of the Steward.

References[edit | edit source]