Monstrous Regiment, the. The Borogravian army squad consisting of Lieutanent Blouse, Sergeant Jack Jackrum, Corporals Polly "Oliver" Perks and Maladict, Privates Alice "Wazzer" Goom, Jade ("Carborundum"), Betty "Shufti" Manickle, Igorina, Magda "Tonker" Halter and Tilda "Lofty" Tewt, and belonging to the Tenth Foot, Light Infantry, also known as the Ins-and-Outs or the jolly old Cheesemongers. The squad was nicknamed 'Monstrous Regiment' because it boasted a troll, a vampire and an Igor (and was also rumoured to include a werewolf, although this was false).
     The squad became famous when The Ankh-Morpork Times published a story of how, soon after the squad's formation, they met with and defeated a small cavalry troop in Plotz. During this incident Private Perks kneed their captain in the nuts, not knowing at the time that the captain was Prince Heinrich of Zlobenia. This gave the story "human interest" and turned the public opinion in Ankh-Morpork, which before then had been supporting Zlobenia, towards Borogravia.
     The squad later broke into the keep, which had been taken by Borogravia's enemies, dressed as washerwomen. That is, the enemies took the keep dressed as washerwomen, and that was also how the Monstrous Regiment got in. They managed to release the prisoners, who re-took the keep.
     When the army discovered that the squad consisted mainly of women dressed as men, they were brought into trial, during which Private Goom was possessed by the spirit of Duchess Annagovia, who convinced the high command to recognise the squad for their actions, allow women into the army, and to offer truce to the Alliance.