Pledges would-be queens (5)
I believe the answer is:
pawns
This clue could be a double definition.
'pledges' is the first definition.
(pawn is a kind of pledge)
'would-be queens' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pawns that I've seen before include "made pledges" , "Chess pieces" , "Puts into hock" , "Minor chessmen" , "Men on board" .)