March of Middlemead

Overview

The so-called Western Marches of the kingdom, from Mandismoor in the northwest to Blerfield in the southeast, formed the early western border of Keoland in the nation’s first century. These marchlands were primarily settled by Oeridian tribes who migrated south from the Fals Gap into the Sheldomar Valley, driving Flan and humanoids in their wake. These peoples joined with the migrating Suel houses, who had primarily congregated along the Sheldomar River, to form the core of the Kingdom of Keoland. Preeminent among these early marches is generally agreed to be Middlemead, the most populous and prosperous of the provinces. It is centrally located along the road from Niole Dra to Cryllor, east of the Good Hills.
The Margrave of Middlemead, Lord Morvend Reebense, is like most noblemen of the midlands primarily of Oeridian descent. Middlemead’s lands stretch across the breadbasket of the kingdom, where there are few communities of more than 2,000 souls, but numerous villages and thorps. Instead, expansive manors dot the landscape, which administer large farms and grasslands for grazing. Agriculture dominates the economy, though Middlemead is also known for its woven goods, earthenware, and famous fermentations, which are standard fare in taverns throughout the kingdom. Morvend's domain is very representative of those of Blerfield and Sedenna, which abut his realm to the north and south.
Lord Morvend is the head of what is often termed the “Lords Faction” in the Council of Niole Dra along with follow lords such as the margraves of Blerfield, Sedenna, and the Earl of Gand. As such, he is regarded as a proponent of limiting the powers of the Throne of the Lion and asserting the primacy of the independent lords in the Council of Niole Dra. It was the margrave’s support that tipped the decision in favour of the election of King Temend I Sedenna to the throne some decades ago. Lord Morvend hoped to gain an ill-prepared and disinterested monarch by choosing Temend. For the most part he got his wish, but recent events, including the rise of the archmage Lashton as a power at court, have made Morvend sour upon the decision. It’s unknown who he would support following King Temend's reign, though many curry his favor. It is well known that as Lord Morvend goes, so do most of the lords of the midlands.

Type

Geopolitical, County / March

Capital

Middlebridge

Leader

Morvend Reebense

Leader Title

Margrave

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Feudal state

Parent Organization

Keoland