The Halsingly March

The Halsingly March is unique among the other sub-divisions of The Kingdom of Brisland in that control of it is not solely a hereditary title. While the title of Marquis of Halsingly has been passed from father to son in the past, it is traditionally a military appointment made by the King. At any time, the King has the power - according the to Articles of Unification - to revoke the position and title from the current holder and to grant it to any man whom he considers more suited for the task. Normally, the Marquis of Halsingly also fills the role of Master-of-Arms for the kingdom; the highest military rank below that of the King himself. The March itself stretches along the southern coast from the city of Seaview to the town of Tommen's March, and from there up the Verdant River all the way to the Frostcap Mountains. All of the earls and barons under the provisions of the march are referred to as Marcher Lords, and they are expected to have a higher degree of military readiness than in other parts of the kingdom. However, most of these practices are outdated. While still recognized and executed in some form or another, the original tenants of the marcher lords - and indeed the Marquis himself - are upheld more out of tradition than practicality. When the Kingdom was originally formed in 415 I.R., the lands to the east were full of roaming tribal bands who were more accustomed to looting and pillaging than they were to agriculture or diplomacy. Because of this, a strong eastern border defense was required. This situation lasted for almost two hundred years, and the marcher lords were key in driving off raiders who would have otherwise ransacked the Verdant River basin.

Since the tribes united under the banner of a single king in 678 I.R. - as the Kingdom of Teugoras - there has been little need of a strong military presence on the eastern border of Brisland. In fact, the two kingdoms have enjoyed a peaceful coexistence and healthy trading partnerships for over a hundred years. However, there is also the not-to-be-forgotten matter of the Greenfields War; which lead to the conquering of the Verdent River Basin by those who now control it. The memories of the past fade slowly, and traditions are not easily broken; so what is nominally administered as a traditional duchy this day is still - on paper - a military governorship.

Type

Geopolitical, County / March

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Command/Planned economy

Currency

The official coin of the Kingdom of Brisland is used within the March.

Legislative Body

While the law handed down by the King applies to the March, the Marquis has absolute authority to issue proclamations that would affect the well-being of the lands in the fact of a military crisis.

Judicial Body

Like in the duchies, the Marquis is the absolute enforcer of the law in the March; and the marcher lords below him are extensions of that authority. Unlike in the duchies, magistrates are not appointed from citizen nobility in the larger cities. Rather, they are appointed from among the ranks of military commanders who serve the Marquis.

Parent Organization

Kingdom of Brisland

Related Ethnicities