Which Names Were Worth "1,000 Mail-Clad Knights?

[Uruk's Bane]

I'm asking you guys about this one, because it is a somewhat special case. Obviously, the Rangers of the North were as not well known among the people of Middle Earth as the men from Gondor or others (except for the mysterious wanderer reputation, of course). With that said, however, these were kinsman of Aragon, descendants of the same linage. Like Aragorn, it seems implied in the books that they were skilled fighters and trackers. Halbarad, the leader, seems to be greatly loved by Aragorn. The coming of the Rangers also seems to greatly relieve Aragorn. The Rangers of the Grey Company must have been valiant warriors, because although they were few, they made a great impact both psychologically and physically on the battle of Pelennor Fields. After all, the Rangers were the only men Aragorn actually took with him on the corsair ships to Minas Tirith. The dead stayed behind.

So, would the kinsman of Aragorn (at least some of them, like Halbarad) be considered names worth "1,000 Mail-Clad Knights"?

[Inziladun]

Welcome to the Downs, Uruk's Bane!

Aside from Aragorn, known to Sauron as a claimed Heir of Elendil, I honestly wouldn't think the rest of the Northern Dúnedain would have been thought a serious threat to him.
Their numbers were so greatly diminished that, skilled as they were, they were no real impediment. After all, they had been unable to even prevent the Nazgûl from entering the Shire earlier.
No doubt Sauron would have taken pleasure in utterly destroying the Dúnedain from North and South when they were gathered right in front of his gates, but I doubt he had thoughts for any of the remnant of the Men of Arnor by name except Aragorn.

[Uruk's Bane]

Good thoughts, and you're probably right.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I find it hard to believe that the Eagles would have been on the list. True, they seem powerful, but never do they seem to me to be part of the army. They only show up when Gandalf is in need (including to drive off the Nazgul). There is no mention of them at Pelennor Fields, and no mention of them on the march or even in the battle up until the point when they attack the Nazgul. I'm skeptical, then, that Gandalf had them in mind when before setting off on the march he said that in the army were names worth 1,000 mail-clad knights.

[Eönwë]

Wasn't there a line where Théoden said something along the lines of Aragorn's Dúnadan kinsmen being worth more that than normal people?

edit: Looked it up. This is what I meant. I suppose it's not really the same.

Originally Posted by LOTR, ROTK, The Passing of the Grey Company

Théoden was indeed glad of the news. "It is well!" he said. "If these kinsmen be in any way like to yourself, my lord Aragorn, thirty such knights will be a strength that cannot be counted by heads."

[Uruk's Bane]

Originally Posted by Eönwë

Wasn't there a line where Théoden said something along the lines of Aragorn's Dúnadan kinsmen being worth more that than normal people?

edit: Looked it up. This is what I meant. I suppose it's not really the same.

I think it's assumed that they WERE like Aragorn in skill, so it still kind of speaks to their importance. :\

[Galadriel55]

Speaking of the Dunedain, I think they are just as skilled as Aragorn. Aragorn is more powerful than they are internally, that's the main difference between them. Even so, I think an average Ranger would have a much, much stronger willpower than regular folk. That's the reason, in my opinion, that Theoden, Eowyn, and Eomer told Aragorn that his people would be a great help in actual fighting and in keeping up hope.

[Uruk's Bane]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Speaking of the Dunedain, I think they are just as skilled as Aragorn. Aragorn is more powerful than they are internally, that's the main difference between them. Even so, I think an average Ranger would have a much, much stronger willpower than regular folk. That's the reason, in my opinion, that Theoden, Eowyn, and Eomer told Aragorn that his people would be a great help in actual fighting and in keeping up hope.

Agreed. Aragorn was of course the Heir of Elendil and had a much more important role, not to mention his strength of purpose. But, I'd still say the Dunedain might have been on Gandalf's list.