[NancyBrooke]

Can anyone speculate - or, better yet, does anyone know anything about titles of rank in Gondor's army?

What might you call the level where one first gets to command one's own company, or whatever?

Any ideas?

[Rhapsody]

[NancyBrooke]

That would be very nice. Thanks.

[Rhapsody]

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[Rhapsody]

Sorry for the delay, RL whacked me around the ears:

This is what we figured out (it is more military, but might be useful)

This overview covers the forces of Gondor after the death of Isildur.

Cimate is rated Warm, as the center of Gondor's power, whether Osgiliath or Minas Anor/Tirith was sheltered from the north and west by the White Mountains (Ered Nimrais), and Gondor had a much warmer climate than Eriador, with snow only being found in the high mountains of Ered Nimrais.

Gondor expanded its borders aggressively during the first half of 3A although it also was invaded from time to time, notably by Easterlings. After the Kin-strife civil war, Gondor was much more on the defensive, although occasional invasions of enemy territory took place.

Unlike in 2A, the forces of 3A Gondor made extensive use of mounted troops (eg. RotK, p406). Most were professionals of Gondorian origin, and are described as unifomed knights in full armour (RotK, p45, 189). The best equipped had vambraces in addition to their full hauberks (RotK, p142), hauberks that must have included armour for the limbs, since Rohirrim are described in corselets (as opposed to full hauberks), even when these are long (TT, p35, 139). Chausses (mailed hose) might be unlikely since it is said that only Dain's Dwarves knew hoe to make them (Hob, p261). Knights would have worn heraldic devices (TT, p357). Generals seem to have fought with the knights; even Faramir, captain of the Ithilien company, fought mounted in open battle (RotK, p94, 108, 110).

Knights often fought on foot like their Numenorean forebears, and did so as spearmen (RotK, p273).

Other cavalry, such as those few that were maintained in the cities that may have been more lightly equipped (RotK, p21, 80), and/or, in the later parts of the 3A, recruited from militiamen within Gondor (RotK, p182). Foreigners could also serve; Northmen among them (RotK, p400; UT, p311) and served prominently (RotK, p399). Such Northmen would first have become available after Turambar's eastern conquests (RotK, p396), and were still serving even after Rhovanion was conquered by the Easterlings (RotK, p406). Larger contingents of Northmen are classified as allies (UT, p290), since they could serve against Gondor as well as with her (RotK, p398).

Most soldiers however served on foot. Various companies of Guards existed (RotK, p41; UT, p292), as well as other men-at-arms on foot (RotK, p45). The Guards of the Tower wore black surcoats bearing the royal arms over their mail (RotK, p22, 91). The Guards and men-at-arms are assumed to be spearmen as were their Numenorean predecessors.

Other foot-soldiers, as in Numenor, were archers.

Regarding Gondorian ranks:

Denethor was the Steward, Boromir came second in rank as Captain of the White Tower, official title for the Stewards heir, Faramir earned the title of Captainof Gondor as leader of the Ithilien company. So if you look at military ranks it seems plausible that they never could get higher than Captain..

Man-at-arms - First Rank
Sergeant-at-arms - Second Rank
Lieutenant - Third Rank
Captain - Fourth Rank
Captain of Gondor - Fifth Rank
Captain of the White Tower - Sixth Rank
Steward - upper rank.

2A=Second age
3A=Third age

I hope this helps.

[NancyBrooke]

Yes, thanks. It helps with my current drabble and I'm sure I'll refer to it in the future. Thanks for sharing your work, Rhapsody.

[Rhapsody]

No problem, but this is a co-joined effort with a friend of mine, so I don't want to take the full credit for it. Enjoy drabbling!