[ghettoelleth]

Inglor! You're alive! Good gawd I thought you had been spirited off by flying monkies or sommat.

That said, this site is awesome for real warfare tards like myself. This is going to come soooo in handy if I can only manage to work past my shyness somehow.

So...how you durrin?

[SpaceWeavil]

Seconded. I've snagged the URL and will have a look later on to see if they have any opinions on English Civil War stuff. Can't have enough research...

[Alassante]

[ghettoelleth]

[Rhapsody]

yeah, actually I do, Return of the King,

The Batlle of Pelennor fields:

And now the fighting waxed furious on the fields of the Pelennor; and the din of arms rose upon high, with the crying of men and the neighing of horses. Horns were blown and trumpets were braying, and the mûmakil were bellowing as they were goaded to war. Under the south walls of the City the footmen of Gondor now drove against the legions of Morgul that were still gathered there in strength. But the horsemen rode eastward to the succour of Éomer: Húrin the Tall Warden of the Keys, and the Lord of Lossarnach, and Hirluin of the Green Hills, and Prince Imrahil the fair with his knights all about him.

and:
East rode the knights of Dol Amroth driving the enemy before them: troll-men and Variags and orcs that hated the sunlight. South strode Éomer and men fled before his face, and they were caught between the hammer and the anvil.

The pyre of Denethor:

Everywhere men were rising from their despair and dread, seizing their weapons, crying one to another: ‘Rohan has come!’ Captains were shouting, companies were mustering; many already were marching down to the Gate.
They met the Prince Imrahil, and he called to them: ‘Whither now, Mithrandir? The Rohirrim are fighting on the fields of Gondor! We must gather all the strength that we can find.’
‘You will need every man and more,’ said Gandalf. ‘Make all haste. I will come when I can.

The Last Debate:

‘That night we rested while others laboured. For there were many captives set free, and many slaves released who had been folk of Gondor taken in raids; and soon also there was a great gathering of men out of Lebennin and the Ethir, and Angbor of Lamedon came up with all the horsemen that he could muster. Now that the fear of the Dead was removed they came to aid us and to look on the Heir of Isildur; for the rumour of that name had run like fire in the dark.

And:

‘We have not only to reckon with those who fought on this field ‘ said Aragorn. ‘New strength is on the way from the southern fiefs, now that the coasts have been rid. Four thousands I sent marching from Pelargir through Lossarnach two days ago; and Angbor the fearless rides before them. If we set out in two days more, they will draw nigh ere we depart. Moreover many were bidden to follow me up the River in any craft they could gather; and with this wind they will soon be at hand, indeed several ships have already come to the Harlond. I judge that we could lead out seven thousands of horse and foot, and yet leave the City in better defence than it was when the assault began.’

What happened before that (and numbers) and why the cavalry of Gondor was really not so large as one would assume..:

ROTK: the Siege of Gondor:

'Yestereve I lay at Cair Andros, the long isle in the River northward which we hold in defence; and horses are kept on the hither bank. As the dark drew on I knew that haste was needed, so I rode thence with three others that could also be horsed. The rest of my company I sent south to strengthen the garrison at the fords of Osgiliath.

So now the Lord Faramir had gone forth again, and had taken with him such strength of men as were willing to go or could be spared. On the walls some gazed through the gloom towards the ruined city, and they wondered what chanced there, for nothing could be seen.

It was Gandalf that brought the first tidings. With a handful of horsemen he came in the middle morning, riding as escort to a line of wains. They were filled with wounded men, all that could be saved from the wreck of the Causeway Forts.

‘Nay, I came rather to guard the hurt men that can yet be healed; for the Rammas is breached far and wide, and soon the host of Morgul will enter in at many points. And I came chiefly to say this. Soon there will be battle on the fields. A sortie must be made ready. Let it be of mounted men. In them lies our brief hope, for in one thing only is the enemy still poorly provided: he has few horsemen.’
‘And we also have few. Now would the coming of Rohan be in the nick of time,’ said Denethor.

Now the main retreat was scarcely two furlongs distant. Out of the gloom behind a small company of horsemen galloped, all that was left of the rearguard. Once again they turned at bay, facing the oncoming lines of fire. Then suddenly there was a tumult of fierce cries. Horsemen of the enemy swept up.

And then a trumpet rang from the Citadel, and Denethor at last released the sortie. Drawn up within the shadow of the Gate and under the looming walls outside they had waited for his signal: all the mounted men that were left in the City. Now they sprang forward, formed, quickened to a gallop, and charged with a great shout. And from the walls an answering shout went up; for foremost on the field rode the swan-knights of Dol Amroth with their Prince and his blue banner at their head.
‘Amroth for Gondor!’ they cried. ‘Amroth to Faramir!’

The cavalry of Gondor halted. Behind their screen the out-companies re-formed. Now steadily they came marching back. They reached the Gate of the City and entered, stepping proudly: and proudly the people of the City looked on them and cried their praise, and yet they were troubled in heart. For the companies were grievously reduced. Faramir had lost a third of his men And where was he?

Now I have to freeze all those Imrahil and Dol Amroth bunnies... But can you imagine what could have happened if Imrahil wasn't at Minas Tirith (since he was called there for a council meeting)?

[NancyBrooke]

You are just awesome, Rhapsody.

[NancyBrooke]

Next question is, do the Nazgul succeed in crossing at Osgiliath, or does the bridge being destroyed repel them?

Sounds to me like on the Witch-King/the Black Captain is 'seen', and that he doesn't cross.

But if not then, when? Don't really have to know that last bit but I like to be thorough. I only posess LOTR and Peoples; is there any mention elsewhere?

PS: Sent my little battle treatment to my wargaming friend after all. So, one more foot out de closet I guess.

[SpaceWeavil]

From 'Unfinished Tales: The Hunt for the Ring':

[Rhapsody]

Just another thought.... first they set out with horses for Eriador... they needed that bridge. But later on, during the Siege of Gondor, they had their fell beasts... with wings, so the river wouldn't be an obstacle any more.

[NancyBrooke]

Thanks, Rhapsody! I had read that but it had been pushed aside and forgotten. That changes things a bit, so, good to know!!

[Rhapsody]

[SpaceWeavil]

[Rhapsody]

[SpaceWeavil]

Yeah, but according to UT, they crossed the bridge on horseback during the battle. That was my point. According to that account, that was the whole point of Sauron's attack on Osgiliath - he was causing a fracas to cover the Nazgul going out after Gollum and the ring. So they crossed the Anduin on the 20th June or thereabouts.

[NancyBrooke]

Thanks, Space, you are absolutely right. This is why I need you guys!!!

Very different than I had envisioned it.

But I think I'll fudge a little bit ... don't just want an army of Mordor over-running a little garison and successfully allowing the Nazgul to cross, then the rest of Gondor's force arrives to expel Mordor back to the east side and blow the bridge. That hardly seems like fun - though as I now understand it, accurate. Plus there's that whole 'testing Denethor' component to wrestle with.


Thanks friends, you've all given me more than enough to work with for a while!!