Henchemology 101

Every villain worth his salt knows that for a successful plan execution you're only as good as you're weakest link; your henchmen. Henchmen are the expendable adherents of the main villain; always ready to do the master's bidding. Kill or be killed, and often they are. Either by the hero before reaching the master, or by the villain himself as punishment for failure (or just for kicks).

The word henchman, refered originally to one who attended a nobles horse. Henchmen were members of royal court or a noble household. It wasn't until the 1800s, long after Tudor Queen Elizabeth I abolished the royal henchmen, known also as the children of honor, that they became stock characters in many adventure stories as the villain's lackey.

Just to be clear; a villain has henchmen, minions, or lackeys, not sidekicks. While this is partially a convention in terminology, it also reflects that few villains are capable of bonds of friendship and loyalty, which are normal in the relationship between a hero and sidekick. There may be some exceptions to the rule, but generally its a pretty safe bet. Villains don't like to share the spotlight.

It's a fine line between having henchmen that are, competent enough to pull off instructions and henchmen that are ambitious and want to overthrow the master. It's finding that special blend of intelligent and lazy. Most of the time you'll find yourself settling for stupid. Just hope that sheer numbers will prevail.