Portal:Discworld/Article of the day/9

Article of the day

Ankh-Morpork city watch coat-of-arms

The Ankh-Morpork City Watch (originally the Night Watch, commonly referred to as "the Watch") is a fictional police force within the Discworld, based in the city-state of Ankh-Morpork. While Pratchett initially intended only to give the Watch a minor role in the Discworld novels, it has since made frequent appearances, and several books feature the Watchmen prominently. As Pratchett himself has stated,"I wanted to give them a spot to shine in the sun, but it turned out to be a full blown tropical vacation."

Watch uniform consists of a brown shirt and knee breeches (hence the derogatory nickname of "brownjobs"), chainmail, an iron breastplate, an iron and copper helmet, sandals or boots and a waterproof cape. A watchman will also be issued with an oak truncheon, a sword and crossbow (or cultural weapons of choice) and an hourglass and bell. Dress uniform for a Commander of the Watch includes a highly polished breastplate, red tights, and a helmet with plumes. Vimes does not wear this if he can possibly avoid it.