Margrave
In the feudal hierarchy of the Kingdom of Akerlan a margrave (female: margravine) is a Count who governs either; a march-county astride a frontier road that exits the realm, or an interior county whose principal feature is a royal-approved military fort. Margraves outrank ordinary counts, but remain subordinate to the eight Duke's and, ultimately, the Crown. In precedence they stand immediately below the unlanded higher nobility and above all titled counts. There are presently eleven march-counties and four fort-counties, bringing the total number of margraves to fifteen.
Duties
Border Defence: Maintain at least one stone castle or royal fort and every beacon tower within a day’s ride. Keep a standing garrison of 150–300 professionals (archers, engineers, wardens). Patrol the frontier road and issue riders’ passes to travellers leaving or entering Akerlan.
Military Command: On royal or ducal muster, field 300 armoured men-at-arms plus county levies (≈600–1 000 foot). Provide siege engines and 40 engineers for any offensive campaign originating along their march. Fiscal & Judicial: Collect border tolls (road, bridge and gate) and the March Tariff (3 % ad valorem) on imports/exports. Convene the March Court twice yearly to try smuggling, espionage and capital crimes committed within one league of the frontier.
Diplomacy: Exercise limited authority to grant 24-hour safe-conducts to foreign envoys and merchants.<br>• Report immediately to the King’s Council on sightings of foreign banners or large armed bodies.
Civil Administration: Supervise repair of the royal highway, frontier bridges and beacon lines. Keep grain magazines at one-year capacity for troops and local population during sieges.
Military Command: On royal or ducal muster, field 300 armoured men-at-arms plus county levies (≈600–1 000 foot). Provide siege engines and 40 engineers for any offensive campaign originating along their march. Fiscal & Judicial: Collect border tolls (road, bridge and gate) and the March Tariff (3 % ad valorem) on imports/exports. Convene the March Court twice yearly to try smuggling, espionage and capital crimes committed within one league of the frontier.
Diplomacy: Exercise limited authority to grant 24-hour safe-conducts to foreign envoys and merchants.<br>• Report immediately to the King’s Council on sightings of foreign banners or large armed bodies.
Civil Administration: Supervise repair of the royal highway, frontier bridges and beacon lines. Keep grain magazines at one-year capacity for troops and local population during sieges.
Benefits
Revenue Streams: 40 % of all bridge and gate tolls. 1/10 of royal fines levied in the March Court. Monopoly on quarrying “fort-stone” within the county borders.
Military Autonomy: May order a March Muster (up to seven consecutive days of compulsory levy service) without prior ducal approval when the frontier is threatened.
March Tariff Share: Retains 25 % of collected customs; the rest is remitted to ducal and royal treasuries.
Heraldic Augmentation: Entitled to bear a crenellated chief (a horizontal embattled line) above their familial arms; fort-county holders add a black key in dexter chief, while march-county holders add a silver road-stripe in base.
Right of Fortress Coinage: May mint low-value copper march-tokens for garrison payroll and local trade (redeemable for royal coin twice yearly).
Salvage & Spoil: Keeps half of captured enemy materiel taken within their march; the remainder is forwarded to the Crown.
Precedence & Trial: Tried only by the royal bench or a jury of three peer margraves; sits ahead of counts at all ducal diets and royal ceremonies.
Military Autonomy: May order a March Muster (up to seven consecutive days of compulsory levy service) without prior ducal approval when the frontier is threatened.
March Tariff Share: Retains 25 % of collected customs; the rest is remitted to ducal and royal treasuries.
Heraldic Augmentation: Entitled to bear a crenellated chief (a horizontal embattled line) above their familial arms; fort-county holders add a black key in dexter chief, while march-county holders add a silver road-stripe in base.
Right of Fortress Coinage: May mint low-value copper march-tokens for garrison payroll and local trade (redeemable for royal coin twice yearly).
Salvage & Spoil: Keeps half of captured enemy materiel taken within their march; the remainder is forwarded to the Crown.
Precedence & Trial: Tried only by the royal bench or a jury of three peer margraves; sits ahead of counts at all ducal diets and royal ceremonies.
Accoutrements & Equipment
Regalia & Symbols: Margravial Coronet – Silver-gilt circlet with five visible embattled points alternating with pearls (signifying walls and watch-lights). Mantle of the March – Deep crimson velvet lined with sable fur; the collar is embroidered in silver thread with stylised battlements. Seal of Guarded Passage – Oval seal showing the castle or road emblem unique to the march flanked by crossed keys; affixed to safe-conducts and toll charters. Baton of the Border – Black ash stave capped with iron ferrules, carried when reviewing troops or opening the March Court.
Military Dress & Arms: Field Harness – Dark-blued half-plate over mail; breastplate etched with the crenellated chief and personal arms. Ward-Key Sword – Arming sword whose quillons curve upward to suggest a key-bit; awarded by the Crown at investiture. Standard of the March – Swallow-tailed banner: county colours overlaid by a silver battlement and central black key (fort-county) or white road-stripe (march-county).
Household & Forces: Castle Guard – 60 elite halberdiers in scarlet-and-iron livery; oath-bound directly to the margrave. March Wardens – Mounted scouts (usually 40–60) expert in night signalling and beacon-lighting. Herald-Pursuivant of the Frontier – Junior herald tasked with controlling use of the crenellated chief and recording enemy banners sighted along the border. Siege Train – By royal statute each margrave owns at least two counterweight trebuchets, four scorpions and a portable forge, stored within the main march-fort.
Military Dress & Arms: Field Harness – Dark-blued half-plate over mail; breastplate etched with the crenellated chief and personal arms. Ward-Key Sword – Arming sword whose quillons curve upward to suggest a key-bit; awarded by the Crown at investiture. Standard of the March – Swallow-tailed banner: county colours overlaid by a silver battlement and central black key (fort-county) or white road-stripe (march-county).
Household & Forces: Castle Guard – 60 elite halberdiers in scarlet-and-iron livery; oath-bound directly to the margrave. March Wardens – Mounted scouts (usually 40–60) expert in night signalling and beacon-lighting. Herald-Pursuivant of the Frontier – Junior herald tasked with controlling use of the crenellated chief and recording enemy banners sighted along the border. Siege Train – By royal statute each margrave owns at least two counterweight trebuchets, four scorpions and a portable forge, stored within the main march-fort.
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