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

[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.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Uruk's Bane

But, I'd still say the Dunedain might have been on Gandalf's list.

I have no doubt of that.

[Forlong the Fat]

I agree that the Dunedain potentially had the skill/inner power to qualify for the "list." But I wonder if Sauron knew about them. He apparently knew nothing about Aragorn, as evidenced by his reaction to Aragorn's reveal in the palantir. Though I am not at all sure how Aragorn manages to escape his notice.