As you all by now know, the first release will feature the Reunited Kingdom, Harad, and the barbarians of Rhûn. The next few updates will feature profiles of the most famous units from each faction.

The Guards of the Citadel

The Guards of the Citadel are some of the finest soldiers in all the lands of Middle-earth. They are tasked with protecting the Citadel of the City of Minas Tirith, and most especially the Court of the Fountain where the White Tree now stands. In the days of the Stewards they were the only men allowed to bear the livery of the kings: the White Tree for Gondor, surmounted by seven stars and a high crown for Elendil, first High King of Arnor and Gondor.



Even though they have ceremonial duties, the Guards should not be mistaken for ceremonial troops. Entrance into their ranks is something attempted by many but achieved by few, for only those who are valiant, hardy, and skilled in arms are admitted. 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 Guards have fought in most of Gondor’s numerous wars, and those of the Reunited Kingdom since it was reforged by Elessar Telcontar. At the Battle of the Morannon men of the Guard stood by the Great King’s side, and they went with him to subjugate the wild peoples of the East.



The Guards of the Citadel are robed in black, and their helms are high-crowned, with long cheek-guards close-fitting to the face, and above the cheek-guards are set the white wings of sea-birds; but the helms gleam with a flame of silver, for they are indeed wrought of mithril, heirlooms from the glory of old days. Upon the black surcoats are embroidered in white a tree blossoming like snow beneath a silver crown and many-pointed stars.



Under their black surcoats the Guards wear hauberks, with rings forged of steel, black as jet, made by the master metal-workers of Gondor. They are armed with spears and swords, but prefer the former upon the field of battle. They also carry large shields, with which they, if the situation requires it, will form a thangail (Sindarin: ‘shield-fence’) or shield-wall, a formidable formation that is a headache for any captain of men - even were it not the Guards of the Citadel behind the shields.



In battle, the unit will be one of the best defensive forces in the game; they were, after all, recruited with the aim of protecting the rulers of Gondor. That said, they are pulled from the finest soldiers in all Gondor and do not lack attacking prowess.



Should you wish to celebrate your respect and support of the Guards of the Citadel on our forums, we've prepared some signatures for you to use.




Equally, if you want to profess your love of all things Gondorian to your friends, family and colleagues then what better than a Fourth Age: Total War wallpaper?




- The Fourth Age Team.