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Men at Arms
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For the 1952 novel by Evelyn Waugh, see Men at Arms (Waugh novel). For the 2021
novel by Steven Pressfield, see A Man at Arms.

Men at Arms is a fantasy novel by British writer Terry Pratchett, the 15th book in
the Discworld series, first published in 1993. It is the second novel about the
Ankh-Morpork City Watch on the Discworld. Lance-constable Angua von Überwald, later
in the series promoted to the rank of Sergeant, is introduced in this book. Lance-
constable (in the course of the novel promoted to Acting-constable) Detritus is
introduced as a new member of the watch as well, though he had already appeared in
other Discworld novels, most notably in Moving Pictures. Also notable is the only
appearance of Lance-constable Cuddy (also promoted to Acting-constable).
Men at Arms
Men-at-arms-cover.jpg
First edition
Author
Terry Pratchett
Cover artist
Josh Kirby
Language
English
Series

Discworld
15th novel – 2nd City Watch novel (3rd story)

Subject

Affirmative action, firearms, and crime novels

Characters:
The City Watch, Havelock Vetinari
Locations:
Ankh-Morpork

Genre
Fantasy
Publisher
Victor Gollancz
Publication date
1993
ISBN
0-575-05503-0
Preceded by
Lords and Ladies
Followed by
Soul Music
PlotEdit
Edward d'Eath, an Assassin and son of a down-and-out noble family, becomes
convinced that the restoration of the Ankh-Morpork monarchy will solve the social
change in the city which he blames for his family's humbling. He researches the
history of the royal family and determines that Carrot Ironfoundersson is in fact
the rightful heir to the throne.

Meanwhile, Captain Samuel Vimes, captain of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, prepares
for his imminent wedding to Sybil Ramkin, the richest woman in Ankh-Morpork. He
also must deal with a new group of recruits that he has been required to take on
for the sake of diversity: Cuddy (a dwarf), Detritus (a troll), and Angua (a
werewolf—but Carrot is unaware of this, and believes she is included because she is
female). When a string of seemingly random murders occur among the Guilds of the
city, Lord Vetinari forbids Vimes to investigate in a successful ploy to ensure
Vimes does investigate. Cuddy and Detritus are forced to work together, resulting
in them becoming friends as they overcome their deep-seated racial enmity. Angua
works with the talking dog Gaspode, and also forms a romantic connection with
Carrot, who loses his virginity to her but handles the discovery that she is a
werewolf poorly.

It is revealed that d'Eath has stolen the gonne, the Disc's first and only handheld
firearm, from the Assassins' Guild, with the intention of discrediting Vetinari's
government through the murders. Any possessor of the gonne seems to become obsessed
with the device. After d'Eath reveals his plan to Dr. Cruces, head of the
Assassin's Guild, Cruces murders him and takes up the plan himself. The Watch
prevent Cruces from killing Vetinari, but Cuddy and Angua are killed in the
process. Vimes and Carrot confront and disarm Cruces, and Carrot helps Vimes resist
the gonne's allure. Cruces gives Carrot the evidence that he is the royal heir,
upon which Carrot kills Cruces with his sword and has both the evidence and the
dismantled gonne buried with Cuddy. Angua gets shot 3 times by Cruces; as a
werewolf can only be killed with a silver weapon, Angua is revived upon the moon's
rising.

Vimes and Ramkin are married. Recent events have raised the Night Watch's profile,
bringing a slew of new recruits. Carrot visits Vetinari, who is expecting Carrot to
make personal demands as he is now in a strong position to blackmail the Patrician.
What Carrot actually brings is a request for Vetinari to implement a plan for
reforming the City Watch into an effective, integrated, comprehensive police force
with better working conditions. Vetinari accedes, making Carrot Captain of the
Watch and elevating Vimes to the recreated position Commander of the Watch, and the
rank of Knight.
CharactersEdit

Angua
Fred Colon
Cuddy
Detritus
Carrot Ironfoundersson
Nobby
Lord Vetinari
Samuel Vimes

Reception
References
External links
Last edited 2 months ago by Nihiltres
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