Town of High Bridge
High Bridge is a newly built town on the border between the Duchy of Grenwich in the Kingdom of Lesser Imesse and the County of Aramor in the Kingdom of Aria. High Bridge is named after the arched stone bridge that has been completed there to cross the Teeth River (Eau d'Dents, in Arian) and that allows hundreds of carts and wagons per day to cross into and out of the Duchy.
Demographics
Mostly Human, with about 500 Halflings living on or near the river.
Government
The Briary is administered from Crossings Castle, the residence and official seat of the Briar. The Castle is located about half a mile from the town walls. The Briar maintains a small residence and office within the town, as well, for town business or for when he must sit as the Justiciar for the Duke.
Defences
Within the town, the Briar houses two Company of Foot full time, with one manning the walls and the other manning the bridge and gates. At the Castle, the Briar houses a short Regiment of Lancers that can patrol the roads and river bank to deter illegal crossing of goods to avoid the Duke's taxes.
Industry & Trade
The town has all the usual productive means of self-sufficiency, including farms, smithies, a quarry and quite a number of large sheep operations. However, the true value of the Town of High Bridge to the Duchy of Grenwich is the staggering amount of revenue it generates from taxes and tolls collected at the crossing. Traders from Imesse returning after doing business in Aria pay a tu'pense each to cross the bridge. Foreigners coming into Imesse pay a sixpense each, and for each wagon or cart the tax is two shillings (2s) per ox/mule/horse used to haul the vehicle. Thus, the heavier the wagon, the higher the tax. On any given average day, the tollhouse at High Bridge can collect more than 75 guilders, meaning more than 2,000 guilders a month in revenue just from the bridge itself. To place that in perspective, that is the equivalent of $540,000 per month.
Infrastructure
Nearly every building in the town is less than ten years old. Roads are smooth, paved and rut-free. The walls are stoutly built and well manned. The gates are strong and secure, closed every night at sunset and opened every morning an hour after sunrise.
Type
Town
Inhabitant Demonym
4,800
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Additional Rulers/Owners
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
