Yeomanry
Yeomanry properly named Yeomanry League also called Yeomanry Freehold.
Structure
All those bearing arms, those who have borne them in the past, and artisans and craftsmen are entitled to elect spokesmen. The Freeholder must be elected from one of the several score of greater landowners, but he is ruled by the council of Common Grosspokesmen. He conducts government affairs and directs the Free Captains of the Battles.
Assets
Foodstuffs, cloth, silver, gems
History
The peoples who settled the territory west of the Javan River, north of the Hool Marshes and below the Jotens were mixed tribes of Flannae-Suel. Some Oeridians also came into the area, accepted by the original settlers as long as the newcomers did not infringe the lands or rights of those al ready there. These peoples developed the habit of holding annual meetings of all the tribes in the region, where disputes were settled and arrrangements of all sorts made. All warriors were treated equally, but each tribe appointed one spokesman for each dozen. Eventually, as numbers grew, this became one for every 12 dozen. with the 12 spokesmen electing a 13th to speak for all. This democratic tradition persisted when the region came under Keoish rule. Despite its isolated position, considerable commerce was carried on between the kingdom proper and the Yeomanry, for the latter area was very rich. Although they exploited them, the Keoish also brought many benefits to the inhabitants of the land. The Keoish monarch, regarding the yeomen as persons of gentle birth and their appointed spokesmen as lesser nobility, gave the region a voice in council (and exposu reto the affairs of the world beyond the boundaries of the Yeomanry). Many thousands of yeomen served in the Keoish military for decades, but when the kingdom began its wars of conquest, the freemen of the territory revolted and closed their frontier to Keoish rule forever. The move was successful primarily because the kingdom was beset with rebellion everywhere, but the result was the founding of a state ruled by all of its warriors through election! All those bearing arms, those who have borne them in the past, and artisans and craftsmen are now entitled to elect spokesmen.
Demography and Population
Population: 100,000
Demi-humans: High Elves (2,000), Dwarves, Halflings
Humanoids: Few (many in mountains)
Demi-humans: High Elves (2,000), Dwarves, Halflings
Humanoids: Few (many in mountains)
Territories
Yeoman Freehold, is situated in a valley between the Jotens and the Tors in the southwest corner of the greater Sheldomar Valley. The moderately sized realm is nearly surrounded by the Crystalmists and its spurs, though its eastern border with Keoland is generally regarded as the western bank of the Javan across from the county of Cryllor. Its border continues south to where the great river enters the Hool Marshes and the lands of the Sea Princes. The climate is hot nearly year round in the central valley, though the temperature moderates as one approaches the foothills, particularly in late fall and winter. The Yeomanry is a land populated largely by freemen farmers, who are mostly a Suel-Flan mix. With foodstuffs and cloth the major industries of the nation, the town of Longspear on the eastern border forms the major trading center for the country and the destination for most of its excess goods. Here, foreign visitors are usually welcomed, and much commerce is conducted, particularly with Keoland, the Yeomanry's nearest neighbor.
Military
Nearly all common men and women of the Yeomanry own at least leather armor, a hand weapon, and a bow of some kind, and many own polearms as well. Landowners equip their peasants with such armor and weapons and train them in self-defense militia as a matter of course.
The soldiers of the Yeomanry are mostly spearmen and crossbowmen. The mountaineers provide healthy pole armed troops and light slingers. The greater freeholders furnish the small cavalry contingents. Demi-humans are enlisted in time of need, for they too are electors of the land. Elvish spear and bow units, dwarvish mailed foot, and halfling light troops are brought to the field when the army of the Yeomanry sallies forth.
The soldiers of the Yeomanry are mostly spearmen and crossbowmen. The mountaineers provide healthy pole armed troops and light slingers. The greater freeholders furnish the small cavalry contingents. Demi-humans are enlisted in time of need, for they too are electors of the land. Elvish spear and bow units, dwarvish mailed foot, and halfling light troops are brought to the field when the army of the Yeomanry sallies forth.
Foreign Relations
Despite its wealth and strength, the Yeomanry does not seek political muscle in the Flanaess. Keoland is distrusted because of its historical ambitions on the land, and there is a powerful mood against sending aid to the north. The Yeomanry extends support directly only to the demihumans in the hills and mountains around its borders, and maintains its excellent armies of spearmen, crossbowmen, mountain troops, elvish spear and bow units, and dwarven mailed infantry.
Trade & Transport
The Yeomanry is wealthy from trade, but does not import mercenaries to defend the vital silver and gem mines in its hills and the Jotens; it is proud to protect them itself in alliance with dwarves, strengthened by refugees from Sterich. The state is also notable for a small minority of high elves, who are important in commerce and trade and also form the core of a small but powerful group of mages centered around Loftwick.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
Yeomanry League, Yeomanry Freehold
Demonym
Yeoman
Leader
Leader Title
Government System
Democracy, Representative
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Traditional
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
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