Part 2/7:
In the historical context presented in Fire and Blood, the magnitude of maintaining an army becomes apparent when we examine Lord Orman High Tower’s formidable host, which comprised nearly 20,000 soldiers. Among these were 1,000 heavily armored knights, 1,000 archers prepared to unleash a storm of arrows, and a menagerie of 15,000 levies and sellswords—peasant soldiers seasoned with varying degrees of combat experience.
Additionally, the army was supported by an even larger contingent of camp followers—cooks, blacksmiths, and stable hands—numbering around 10,000. These individuals play a crucial role in ensuring the army remains operational, fueling the essential processes of feeding, maintaining weaponry, and caring for the horses.