Baron
Within the feudal hierarchy of the Kingdom of Akerlan a baron (female: baroness) is the lowest rank of landed high nobility. Each barony comprises a single stone castle, its attendant village-cluster, and the surrounding demesne (typically 15–25 square leagues of fields, woods and pasture). Barons owe direct homage to the Count, Margrave or Duke under whom the barony lies, and through them to the Crown. They form the backbone of rural defence and administration: collecting rents, enforcing the King’s peace, and furnishing the first bodies of troops when war is declared.
The baronial rank anchors Akerlan’s countryside, projecting royal authority into every valley and village. Though lesser in precedence than counts or margraves, barons wield near-absolute power within their modest domains—commanding troops, dispensing justice and shaping the economic rhythms that sustain the kingdom’s greater lords above them.
The baronial rank anchors Akerlan’s countryside, projecting royal authority into every valley and village. Though lesser in precedence than counts or margraves, barons wield near-absolute power within their modest domains—commanding troops, dispensing justice and shaping the economic rhythms that sustain the kingdom’s greater lords above them.
Duties
Feudal & Military: Maintain the castle garrison (25–40 professional guards) and one beacon tower. Provide 15 armoured household knights, 60 men-at-arms and the village levy (200–400 foot) when summoned by their liege. Keep at least one light trebuchet or ballista in working order.
Civil Administration: Hold fortnightly manorial courts to judge petty crimes, land transfers and labour obligations. Collect Crown tithe and ducal hearth tax, remitting the proper share (92 % and 90 % respectively) upward. Oversee repair of local roads, mills, bridges and the castle ford.
Economic Stewardship: Grant and police licences for brewing, milling and woodland pannage. Operate the baronial granary and seed store; enforce winter rationing in famine years.
Religious & Cultural: Serve as lay patron of the parish church and any abbey within the barony, nominating priests for episcopal approval. Host seasonal fairs, tourneys and holy-day celebrations.
Hospitality: Provide lodging and escort for travelling counts or ducal inspectors up to three nights per year.
Civil Administration: Hold fortnightly manorial courts to judge petty crimes, land transfers and labour obligations. Collect Crown tithe and ducal hearth tax, remitting the proper share (92 % and 90 % respectively) upward. Oversee repair of local roads, mills, bridges and the castle ford.
Economic Stewardship: Grant and police licences for brewing, milling and woodland pannage. Operate the baronial granary and seed store; enforce winter rationing in famine years.
Religious & Cultural: Serve as lay patron of the parish church and any abbey within the barony, nominating priests for episcopal approval. Host seasonal fairs, tourneys and holy-day celebrations.
Hospitality: Provide lodging and escort for travelling counts or ducal inspectors up to three nights per year.
Benefits
Demesne Revenues: All rents, mill fees and forest dues on baronial land (average 5 200–6 800 silver crowns annually).
Court Fines: Retains 70 % of manorial court fines; remainder forwarded to the county exchequer.
Low Tolls: May levy a penny passage on every cart crossing bridges maintained by the barony.
Juridical Standing: Immune from arrest by non-noble officers; tried only in the county assize or higher.
Hunting Rights: Exclusive right to hunt hare, roe deer and game birds in demesne woods.
Wardships: May assume guardianship of minor knightly heirs inside the barony, receiving their estate income.
Coin Privilege: Authorised to issue lead-and-tin tavern tokens (redeemable quarterly) for payment of soldiers and serfs.
Court Fines: Retains 70 % of manorial court fines; remainder forwarded to the county exchequer.
Low Tolls: May levy a penny passage on every cart crossing bridges maintained by the barony.
Juridical Standing: Immune from arrest by non-noble officers; tried only in the county assize or higher.
Hunting Rights: Exclusive right to hunt hare, roe deer and game birds in demesne woods.
Wardships: May assume guardianship of minor knightly heirs inside the barony, receiving their estate income.
Coin Privilege: Authorised to issue lead-and-tin tavern tokens (redeemable quarterly) for payment of soldiers and serfs.
Accoutrements & Equipment
Heraldic & Ceremonial Items: Baronial Coronet – Plain silver circlet with six visible pearls and no leaves. Mantle of Office – Forest-green wool lined with faux ermine, secured by a clasp depicting the castle gate. Great Seal – Round lead seal (6 cm) showing the baronial castle on obverse, the family crest on reverse; impressed on land deeds and levy writs.
Martial Ensemble: Mail Hauberk & Nasal Helm – Standard battlefield wear; surcoat in house colours bearing simplified arms. Bastard Sword of Office – Straight, single-handed sword with guard shaped as twin oak leaves signifying land stewardship. Household Standard – Triangular pennon (0.9 m) with full family arms; when levies muster, a red border is added to denote war.
Household & Staff: Household Knights (up to 15) – Serve as garrison captains and field lances; surcoats quartered with baronial colours. Castellan – Day-to-day administrator of the keep when the baron is afield. Reeve – Manages agricultural accounts, corvée labour schedules and seasonal rents. Herald-Serjeant – Doubles as crier; ensures proper display of arms at tourneys and proclamations.
Martial Ensemble: Mail Hauberk & Nasal Helm – Standard battlefield wear; surcoat in house colours bearing simplified arms. Bastard Sword of Office – Straight, single-handed sword with guard shaped as twin oak leaves signifying land stewardship. Household Standard – Triangular pennon (0.9 m) with full family arms; when levies muster, a red border is added to denote war.
Household & Staff: Household Knights (up to 15) – Serve as garrison captains and field lances; surcoats quartered with baronial colours. Castellan – Day-to-day administrator of the keep when the baron is afield. Reeve – Manages agricultural accounts, corvée labour schedules and seasonal rents. Herald-Serjeant – Doubles as crier; ensures proper display of arms at tourneys and proclamations.
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