&PORT

A MEDIEVJ.i\L BARONY AND PORT To

By Phillip McGregor
 CONTENTS
BARONY OF ITHURA (MAP) 1 The New Manor House 95
Overview 2 The Old Manor House (Description) 96
Basic Stats 2 The New Manor House (Description) 102
Area 2 Other Settlements & Sites 101
Population 2 Twyford Serjeanty 101
Baronial Levies 2 Inhabitants 109
Baron Ithura 4 Twyford Home Farm Map 109
Attford Manor 4 The Home Farm Compound 110
Crundel Manor 5
Farkeep Manor 7 FORCYTHWYRU ABBEY 111
Hrycbaed Manor 10 Overview 112
Crossford 13 Education, Library & Scriptorium 112
Crossford Local Area (Map) 17 Lands, Produce & Income 112
Other Manors 18 Military Service Requirements 114
Afenscaep Manor 18 The Abbey 115
Alford Manor 19 Area A 115
Blaestvil Manor 19 Night & Day, Day & Night 115
Beorghstane Manor 21 The Cellar - Food & Lodging for the Poor 115
Blycceholt Manor 23 Food & Lodging 116
Breitbae Manor 24 The Cellarer 116
Brymclyfu Manor 27 The Porter 116
Dunstaen Manor 32 Night Access 117
Fyrthburh Manor 34 The Porter 117
Heastor Manor 37 Lay Brother’s Frater 117
Sylvabearh Manor 40 Lay Brother’s Dorter 117
Upper Ouse Manor 42 Accommodation in the Dorter 118
Wynaern Manor 45 The Lane 118
The Kitchen 118
CURSUS ITHURIAE 47 Area B 118
Alford to Balestvil 48 The Cloister 118
Alford to Hrycbaed 51 The Garth 119
Breitbae to Heastor 51 The Parlour 119
Brymclyfu to Blaestvil 56 The Chapter House 119
Crossford to Dunstaen 61 The Vestry (Sacristy) 119
Porthaven to Afenscaep 62 Area C 120
Porthaven to Crossford 63 Area D 120
Royal Coastal Highway 68 Warming House 120
Monk’s Dorter 120
ALFORD MANOR (MAP) 73 Accommodation in the Monk’s Dorter 121
Overview & Map 74 Reredorter (Necessarium) 121
Alford Vill 75 Area E 121
The Alford Estate 75 Misericorde 121
Major Freeholders 76 The Abbot’s Palace 121
Housing the Villagers 78 Accommodation in the Palace 124
Basic Structural Types 78 The Abbot & The Monks 124
Internal Arrangements 79 St Swithun’s 125
St Judas Thaddeus 85 The Rule of St Benedict 126
St Judas Thaddeus Rectory 89 The Cellarer 126
Alford Manor 91 Guests 126
The Manor 91 The Porter 126
The Manorial Levy 92 The Lay Borthers 127
The Lord & His Family 92 Mealtimes 127
Other Residents & Staff 93 Food 127
The Manor Houses 95 Drink 128
The Old Manor House 95 Kitchen Duties 128
 Restraint in Speech 128 Inns & Taverns 199
Sleeping Arrangements 129 Inns 199
Community Rank 129 Taverns 200
The Prior 129 Markets & Marketplaces 200
The Election of the Abbot 130 Market Cross – Saturday Market 200
This Rule only a beginning of Perfection 130 New Market – Wednesday Market 202
Market Prices 203
CASTLE PORTHAVEN 131 The Rule of Three 203
Overview 132 The Saturday Market 203
Castle Porthaven Map 132 The Wednesday Market 205
The New Residence 133 Mills 207
The Baron’s Strip Maps 136 Sanitation 207
The Baron’s Library 140 Bath-Houses 208
The Cost of Ordering a Book 141 Privies 208
The Old Keep 143 Waste Disposal 209
The Castellan’s Tower 148 Waterfront & Warehouses 211
The DeCoucy Tower 151 Water Supply – Conduits & Wells 214
Other Features 152 The Conduit 214
The East Tower 152 Public Water Carriers 215
The Barbican 152 The River 215
The Drawbridge 152 The Wells 215
The Walls 153 Business Directory (General) 216
The Moat 153 Alchemists 216
The Baron’s Household 153 Mystical Alchemists 216
Travelling Entourage 153 Practical Alchemists 217
Manorial ‘In Residence’ Entourage 154 Armour & Weapons 218
Castle ‘In Residence’ Entourage 154 Armourers 218
Bowyers 220
PORTHAVEN 155 Cutlers (Edged Weapons) 220
Overview 156 Military Blacksmiths 221
The Town Corporation 156 Military Tailors 221
Porthaven Map 157 Shield Makers 222
Porthaven (Gazetteer) 158 Bankers & Goldsmiths 222
Bridges Gates & Walls 158 Blacksmiths & Braziers 227
Churches & Religious Establishments 159 Blacksmiths 227
Accommodation Directory 160 Braziers 228
Long Term Accommodation 160 Book & Related Trades 228
Tenements 160 Commission Agents (Booksellers) 228
Commercial Rents 160 Copyists 229
Residential Rents 160 Carpenters & Woodworking Trades 230
Short Term Accommodation 161 Cabinetmakers & Woodcarvers 230
Boarding Houses 161 Cartwrights 231
Common Lodging Houses 164 Cooper 232
Inns 165 Joiners & Panellers 232
Civic Buildings 179 Carriers (Transport Trades) 232
Guilds & Guild Halls 180 Common Carriers` 232
Food & Entertainment Directory 182 Public Carriers 233
Bakers, Pastrycooks & Confectioners 182 Cloth & Clothing Trades 233
Bakers 182 Clothiers 233
Confectioners 184 Dyers 234
Pastrycooks 185 Spinners 234
Bath-Houses 186 Tailors 234
Opening Hours & Prices 186 Weacers 235
Regular Bath-Houses 187 Industrial Areas 235
Bawdy Houses & stews 188 Northeast Industrial 235
Cookshops 191 Riverbank Industrial 235
Gambling & Gaming 192 Greengarth (Southern) Industrial 236
Dice Games 192 Lawyers & Notaries 236
Board Games 193 Lawyer (The only one in Town) 236
Taverns 193 Notaries 237
 Leather Trades 237

FOREWORD
Armourers 237
Cobblers 237
Leatherworkers 238
Tanners 238
Libraries 238 Of the first three books of the Orbis Mundi2 Kickstart-
Medical 240 er, this one, Ithura & Porthaven has, paradoxically,
Apothecaries & Herbalists 240 been the hardest to write – OM2 itself was a doddle,
Barber Surgeons & Midwives 242 since it was all fact-based and was practically wrote
Hospitals & Hospices 243 itself once the research was done and collated (and a
Physicians & Surgeons 245 huge chunk of the research and writing had been
Mills 246 done before the Kickstarter began, in any case).
Moneylenders & Pawnbrokers 246
Schools & Tutors 248 The Marketplace was only a little harder as it involved
Schools 248 a lot of new research had to be done, post Kickstarter,
Seafaring, Shipping & Maritime Trades 250 but, once done, the writing was easy since it was
Provisioners 250 almost all fact based.
Sailmakers 251
Shipping Agents 251 Ithura & Porthaven, however, while also heavily fact
Ships based in Porthaven 252 based, involved a heck of a lot of extrapolation based
Shipwright 253 on those facts as well as a lot of almost entirely
fictional material written to fit into the parameters set
USING THIS BOOK 254 by the real medieval world … and it was getting the
Location, Location, Location 254 fictional material ‘just so’ that proved to be the most
Local & Regional Organisation 254 time consuming part of the entire campaign to date.
Fantasy Elements 254
Not only that, but the book required a lot of maps of
Index 256 various sorts – and these are (for me) the slowest of all
processes. For example, the ‘strip maps’ that are used
extensively to show the main routes in the Barony
were the result of hundreds of hours trying to draw
‘real’ (i.e. something like Ordnance Survey) maps …
something it soon became evident I have absolutely
no skill in doing.

Then, while trawling through the internet for pictures

for other chapters, I noticed that medieval ‘cartog-
raphers’ used itineraries … strip (linear) maps show-
ing major towns or landmarks and the distances
between them … and it turns out these were easy
enough to create with even my level of skill. Even
better, they are ‘historically appropriate.’

The interior and building plans were much easier to

draw, though still time consuming to get ‘just so’ and
then fiddle with the arcane pdf converter software to
transform them from Profantasy files to PDFs and
then insert them into the page layout … but I
eventually worked out the best way of doing both
(well, a way that worked well enough … there may be
a better way, but I haven’t discovered it yet!).

Anyway, the book is largely complete as of the end of

February 2019 and only needs to have the Table of
Contents (this) and an Index as well as a wrap around
cover for the final print version to be done …

– Phil McGregor (March 2019)

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 OVERVIEW
The Barony of Ithura, named after one of the main Likewise, only the major rivers are shown plus the one
rivers running through the area, is situated on the major lake (Deaðlacu aka Dark Lake) and adjacent
coast and encompasses 23 Knight’s Fees comprising 18 marshlands – and the same approach has been taken
Manors (including the smaller Market Villages of with the roads and tracks, with only the Royal High-
Crossford and Upper Ouse) and about two-three times way, Secondary Roads and important Tracks shown
as many Serjeanties (or equivalent freehold steadings), rather than every footpath, game trail or intermittent-
a Market and Port (Porthaven) and adjacent Castle ly used cross country route.
(Porthaven Castle, the Baron’s residence), a small
castle at Brymclyfu (at the mouth of the Lydda) and Likewise, only the most important roads and tracks are
an Abbey (Fortcythwyru Abbey, holding lands equiv- shown. If the GM allows Players to travel ‘off the beaten
alent to 3 Knight’s Fees direct from the King. track’ it is up to their judgement as to the exact terrain
and natural features they will encounter along the way.
Porthaven has a Royal Charter and has a population of
~2500. Crossford and Upper Ouse are simply large BASIC STATS
villages which have a Baronial license to hold weekly
markets for the surrounding area. The main area map covers ~ 320 square miles (16 x
20 miles) or ~828 square kilometers (~25 x 32 klicks).
Terrain and ground cover are mixed (the map over-
leaf shows only the major features, much else is omitt-
ed for clarity/readability) with some areas of forest Urban, ~2500; Rural, ~15000. Average population
(shown) and rising ridge and hilly terrain landforms density is ~55 per square mile.
to the right side of the map.
Porthaven is an moderately important coastal port with
No directional information is given – north is not, as is a degree of access to international (overseas) trade so the
often the case if not otherwise indicated, at the top of the bulk of its population is, in fact, ‘supported’ by rural
map … unless you choose it to be (though, for the sake populations external to the region.
of easy description, it is assumed to be in the following
pages). The intent is to allow the Barony to be dropped
in to any coastal region – and it could even be dropped The Barony of Ithura can be called on to provide the
onto the shores of a major lake without any trouble. following levies (Fyrd) who are expected to serve at
their own expense for up to 45 days within the Barony
Only the major Landforms and Vegetation features are and adjacent lands. Service outside of those bounds
shown on the area map – additional detail is shown on has to be paid for by the Crown – and is normally at
specific area maps as well as on the Strip Maps covering the discretion of the vassal.
the main roads. The rest is left up to individual GMs.
For external service the Barony can be expected to field
One important note – the wooded areas shown on the maybe 20-30% of the normal Fyrd for 45-60 days or half
Area map are very close to the ‘forest primeval’ and, that, probably less, for more than two months – think of
though they are not always Royal Forests (though most this as being the later medieval equivalent of the Select
of them are), they are always the private possession of Fyrd or Select Levy.
the Baron, this or that Manorial Lord, the Abbot and, in
some instances, the Count. In emergencies, every able bodied man in the Barony is
expected to be available for home defence – for service
(at least theoretically) anywhere within the Barony (but
practically only the next Village over) you can expect to
roughly double the number of Spearmen (many of the
extras will be armed only with agricultural implements
rather than actual Spears), add half again as many
Archers, 20% more Serjeants, Squires and Knights.

For immediate defence of a particular settlement,

double the number of Spearmen again (the extras will be
armed with ad hoc weapons rather than spears) for four

2 times the base amount – but these added guys won’t

normally fight anywhere else.
 B
Baron Ithura: The Baron holds five Manors compris-
ing 7 Knight’s Fees and can call on 7 Lances (each of
a Knight, a Squire and 3 Mounted Serjeants), 21
Serjeants (7 Mounted, 14 Foot) and 150 Fyrdsmen (50
Archers, 100 Spearmen).

Total: 7 Knights, 7 Squires, 28 Mounted Serjeants, 14 A

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Foot Serjeants, 50 Archers and 100 Spearmen.

Baronial Vassals: The other 13 Manors comprise 16

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Knight’s Fees and can call on 17 Lances (organised as
above), 38 Serjeants (13 Mounted, 26 Foot) and 390
Fyrdsmen (130 Archers, 260 Spearmen).
The town is also obliged to provide three ships in time
Total: 17 Knights, 17 Squires, 65 Mounted Serjeants,
30 Foot Serjeants, 130 Archers and 260 Spearmen.
of war, two of at least 20 tons and one of at least 40
tons burthen (~10 crew each for the 20 tonners, 15 for
the 40 tonner). These are normally requisitioned or N
Y
Serjeanties & Freeholders: In addition to the hired merchantmen and will be manned either by
Knight’s Fees held directly from the Baron, there are mercenaries or by royal troops … not the local Fyrd.
a number of smaller estates rated as Serjeanties as well
as some land held, in freehold, but owing military Total: Field Force (Fyrd), 10 Mounted Serjeants, 15
service and whose inhabitants normally muster as Men-at-Arms (Foot Serjeants), 50 Archers and 50
part of any Baronial force. Billmen; Militia, 15 Mounted Serjeants, 35 Men-at-
Arms, 50 Archers and 150 Billmen. 3 Ships (as above).
All up there are 7 Freehold Serjeanties which provide
one or more Mounted Serjeants and 18 which provide
one or more Foot Serjeants which provide a variable
The town can call on a levy of the citizenry to help man
the walls in extremis (in the case of a siege, for example) O
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number of Archers and Spearmen. which consists of another 150 Spearmen equipped from
civic stocks of equipment or previous militia now too old
Total: 18 Mounted Serjeants, 30 Foot Serjeants, 100 to serve except in emergencies.
Archers, 150 Spearmen.
As a matter of practicality, the Monastic Levies and the
Total Baronial Levy (819 men): 23 Knights, 23 Porthaven Militia nominally muster with the Baronial
Squires (+Baron/Squire = 24/24), 116 Mounted & 68 Levies, but each have their own independent command-
Foot Serjeants), 270 Archers, 490 Spearmen. er who may or may not follow the orders of the Baron
(or the Baron’s commander).
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Forcythwyru Abbey (90 men): The Abbott holds 3 Hospitallers (Porthaven): 3 Knights, 4 Mounted
Knight’s Fees directly from the Crown and is obligat- Serjeants, 8 Foot Serjeants may be available, but the
ed to field 3 Lances (organised as above), 5 Serjeants Order does not owe direct feudal duty to the Crown

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(2 Mounted, 3 Foot) and 70 Fyrdsmen (20 Archers, 50 (something the Crown is unhappy with).
Spearmen).

This is the theoretical Levy – in reality the Abbots have The Barony, inclusive of the forces of Forcythwyru
used dubious legalities to claim they owe far fewer men
while keeping a large number of additional armed Lay
Brothers and Monks as their own private army mainly
Abbey, the Hospitallers and Porthaven Town (but not
including the Town’s garrison) can field a force of up
to 29 Knights, 26 Squires, 146 Mounted Serjeants, 94 U
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used to terrorise their tenants. See the Forcythwyru Foot Serjeants, 340 Archers, 590 Spearmen & Bill-
Abbey chapter for more details. men. 3 Ships (35 crew). 1255 men in total.

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Total: 3 Knights, 3 Squires, 11 Mounted Serjeants, 3 As noted above, the Select Fyrd would be only 20-30%
Foot Serjeants, 20 Archers, 50 Spearmen. of the above amount (5-8 Knights, 5-8 Squires, 28-42
Mounted Serjeants, 17-26 Foot Serjeants, 64-96
Porthaven (125 Fyrd [Field], 250 Militia [Reserve]): Archers and 118-177 Spearmen & Billmen. All three
The town is obliged, under its Charter, to maintain a Ships and their crews are nominally part of the Select
Militia of 25 Mounted Serjeants and 300 Footmen (50 Fyrd but how many might be called into service varies
Men-at-Arms, 100 Archers, 150 Billmen) and be ready from none to all three.
to field 8 Mounted Serjeants, 12 Men-at-Arms, 50
Archers and 50 Billmen as part of the general levy, the
rest being retained for local defense. 3
 Squire, having served as a Page in the Baron’s house-
BARON ITHURA hold), trains the Militia … he has the income of a well off
The current Baron, Henry Fitzalan, is the fifth of the Mounted Serjeant as his living and his Destrier and that
Fitzalan family to hold the Barony as a fief from the of his son, as well as the Palfrey his wife rides and two
Count (of wherever) and the Fitzalan family is the pack animals, are fed and looked after at the Manor’s
second to hold it since it was seized by William I after expense as well.
the Conquest, in 1067 … acquiring it through marr-
iage with the last heir, a feudal heiress Lisabetta de Sir Roderick gained the living as a reward for many
Coucy, about a century and a half ago. years service as a Household Knight to the current
Baron and his father, including significant stints of
This is generally known in the area in a vague sort of overseas service under their banner, and also regular
way – mainly as the Church of St Dismas in Porthaven, stints as part of the required garrison at Brymclyffu
the Church where the Baron’s family worships (when Keep and some other Royal establishments.
they’re in town), has the Baronial Crypt in its foundat-
ions … and the names of all the post-Conquest Barons Manor House: This of the ‘tower’ style, and is four
(and many of the wives) are to be found at the entry-way. storeys tall with crenellations above, all in a ¼ acre
compound surrounded by a ditch, mound and hedge
Even the illiterate can have the names pointed out to rather than a wall as such – set at the edge of the
them by those in the know. Demesne (Home Farm).

The Baron directly holds five Manors, four equivalent The ground floor is for storage and stabling a small
to a single Knight’s Fee (Attford, Crundel, Farkeep and number of horses in an emergency and is accessed by a
Hyrcbaed), and one with lands and income equivalent heavy iron-bound oaken door normally barred from the
to that of three Knight’s Fees (Crossford). He also has inside as well as a trapdoor to the 1st (US 2nd) floor
substantial holdings in and around the Town of Port- through which a ladder can be put down. Access to the
haven which brings in substantial incomes that supp- upper floors is via a separate staircase separated from
ort the garrison of Castle Porthaven and his primary the main door on the 1st floor by an 8’ gap between it
residences there and in the Town proper. and the iron bound oaken door and drop down mini-
drawbridge.
ATTFORD MANOR (K16)
The Manor and Village of the same name on the east The 1st floor (US 2nd) is mainly the kitchen and servant’s
bank of the Wæterstréam River at Attford Ford, though quarters. The 2nd (US 3rd) floor is partly Sir Roderick’s
the estate controls lands on both sides of the river. It (roughly ¾ of the space) and partly that of his son(s)
is the equivalent of a single Knight’s fee. (Geoffroi, who is at home, and Stephen, who is serving
as a Household Knight with the Count – roughly ¼ of
Seneschal: Sir Roderick de Boiton manages the the space) while the third floor is reserved for the Baron
Manor for the Baron and is quartered on the 2nd floor when he is in residence.
(US 3rd) of the Manor house with his wife, though they
have to squeeze into only one half of the space The roof level is crenellated and is entirely of stone with
available when the Baron is in residence. wooden guard-stations (providing cover against incle-
ment weather for one guard) on the NE and SW corners.
Sir Roderick is in his late 50’s and has been given the job
as a sinecure – mostly just overseeing the Bailiff and Home Farm: This consists of three large fenced (with
holding fortnightly (occasionally weekly, if needed) hedges) fields in the Celtic-style divided into strips by
Manorial Courts on behalf of the Baron as well as ditches/mounds that are the artifact of continued
supervising the training of the Select Fyrd on a Sunday ploughing over many generations) plus the (separate)
while his youngest son, Geoffroi (who acts as his father’s home pastures for the Baron’s horses, mules and oxen
(the Mules and Oxen are bred commercially).

There is also a Dovecote and a small Apple Orchard

(~2 acres) and a dozen adjacent Beehives.

The estate also runs ~100 Sheep, 50 Cattle, 30 Goats

and a like number of Pigs on the commons and the
waste lands and has fish weirs on the river as well as
artificial fishponds for the raising of assorted fresh-
water fish.

4 The Sheep are mainly kept for wool and mutton, but do
produce a small amount of milk and cheese in season.
 B
The cattle are mainly for milk, cheese and meat as are
the goats – with hides tanned and used by local village
craftsmen. The pigs are kept purely for meat.

Vill: There are around 450 people living here, about

80 families, mainly engaged in mixed farming and
some stock raising. About 40 of the families are Serfs A
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with close to a full holding plus Croft and Toft,
another 20 have smaller holdings but supplement
these by working for those with full plots, by running

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larger than average flocks of sheep, goats or even
cattle (mainly for dairying).

The remaining 20 families include the specialists time Verger (a caretaker cum assistant – he has the
below (4 families, all ranked as Freemen) as well as 4
Free status families who rent or own land but owe few
or no feudal dues, plus those Serfs who possess little
right to dig graves @ ¾d each, usually ½d for himself
and ¼d for an assistant … usually one of the Cottars)
who has the small Cottage and garden plot equal to N
Y
or no land – including Crofters (those with only Croft that of a Cottar next to the Church as part of his
and Toft, and no strips in the village fields) and salary where he and his family live.
Cottars (who have only a Cottage and, at best, a
mini-garden) who work for wages to eke out a precar- Father Cuthbert is well-liked by the locals and teaches
ious living. three or four of the smarter boys their letters part-time,
some for pay but others for charity … and he hopes at
There is a part-time Blacksmith, a part–time Carpent- least one will be able to study for the Priesthood.
er (who also acts as a Builder) servicing the commun-
ity and working their land in their off time or, more
commonly, hiring day labour to do most of the work.
Hamlets: There are two Hamlets large enough to be
included on the map, that of Grénian (L17), which is O
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situated ~1½ miles NE of the village and Cýðercrúc
There is also a Carter servicing the community (work- (Martyr’s Cross, [L20]).
ing regularly for the Baron, partly as his feudal dues,
partly for hire) and also contracts locally – he also has About 20 families (~120 people) live in Grénian, 18 of
a smaller plot than most, but more rights to pasture Serfs and two of Freemen – the former are mainly
his animals. involved in mixed farming while the latter also run
substantial flocks of Sheep (~400 between them) for
A Miller rents the right to run the water-mill from the
Baron on a 10 year lease that comes with a house and
garden plot as well as about ¼ the amount of land the
wool and mutton.

Another dozen families (~90 people), 10 of Serfs and I

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average Serf works – like the Blacksmith and Carpen- two of Freemen, live at Cýðercrúc and do some mixed
ter he mostly hires day labour to do the farming work. farming and raise a number of pigs (producing the
finest quality Bacons) but are mainly involved with

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The Miller charges 1/14th to any Freemen who use the coppicing firewood in woodlots adjacent to the nearby
Mill and 1/12th to the Serfs … and is not particularly well forest land.
regarded in the village (but then few Millers are).
CRUNDEL MANOR (J11-K11)
There are five large Celtic-style fields in which the
Serfs have separate strips of land allocated by the
Village Council every five years and several smaller
The Manor and Village of the same name situated at
alongside banks of the Monafelmu pond (fed by
several small hill-streams) at the headwaters of the U
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fields of varying size which are the freehold or Udso river. It is the equivalent of a single Knight’s fee.
leasehold property of the Freemen of the Manor.
Bailiff: The Manor is administered by a Bailiff rather

A
As noted in OM2, the ‘Open Field’ system touted as being than a Seneschal – that is, someone of the commons.
the standard arrangement in medieval agriculture was The Bailiff here is Richard Andfengend (aka Richard
confined to parts of the Midlands and the North in the Greedy … but not to his face) who owns a small
England – elsewhere smaller ‘Celtic’ fields were the norm. Freehold estate as a Foot Serjeant.

Church: St Boisil’s. Stone built in the Anglo-Saxon Richard is not so much greedy as he is mean – he can
style with no tower and a half-timbered Manse and squeeze a farthing until it squeals – but is reputedly
wooden Tithe Barn. Father Cuthbert is the current scrupulously honest in his dealings with taxes and tithes.
Priest, holding the living directly as the gift of the
Baron, assisted by Cedric Broke-nose who acts as a full
But he will adhere to the letter of any agreement rather
than the spirit – and is not universally loved as a result. 5
 Even though the income and status of his position as There is also a Rabbit Warren (a managed hunting
Bailiff would allow him to serve as a Mounted Serjeants, area for rabbits) belonging to the Manor at the edge
he has repeatedly used legal trickery to minimise his of the woods and a Herb Garden (~1 acre, managed
dues to the lesser status of Foot Serjeant. by Father Harald of St. Hilda’s for a yearly salary of
7/8½ [92½d]) which produces prime medicinal herbs
He lives on the second floor (US 3rd floor) of the Manor sold at Porthaven markets four times a year.
House and is entitled to the use of half of the floorspace,
reduced to ¼ when the Baron is in residence. His main Father Harald’s herbs are regarded as premium quality
farmhouse, Scylfhús (Hill House [K11] – after the near- at the Porthaven market. They are reputed to be much
by woods which, several generations ago, came up to more potent than the generic herbs brought to market
where the dwelling is situated) is rather run down as a and so attract a price premium of 10-20%. Sales at the
result, and is rented out by the room to his farmworkers. markets bring in a profit of £5-6 per year for the Manor.

His two sons, Bryan of the Green Bow and Harald The estate also runs ~50 Sheep, 50 Cattle, 25 Goats
Strongarm, live in Cotts (Cottages) on his lands with and a like number of Pigs on the commons and the
their families – these are small, but well maintained. Due waste lands. These are mainly for local consumption
to their father’s meanness they are unable to equip – with wool and hides an incidental and cheeses and
themselves even as Foot Serjeants, but Bryan is a prize other dairy products only available for sale when
winning Bowman who is employed as one of the King’s there is an excess.
Foresters and Harald is an adequate bowman, but
highly skilled with Spear or Sword (and a locally well Vill (J11): There are around 500 people living here,
known wrestler). about 85 families, mainly engaged in mixed farming
and some stock raising. About 60 of the families are
Manor House: This of the ‘tower’ style, and is four Serfs with close to a full holding plus Croft and Toft,
storeys tall with crenellations above is sited on the top another 15 have smaller holdings but supplement
of the scarp that overlooks the village (K11), on a these by working for those with full plots, by running
section that juts out and is quite steep on two sides. larger than average flocks of sheep, goats or even
The Manor compound is protected by a ditch cut cattle (mainly for dairying).
through the two non-scarp sides with a mound topped
by a wooden palisade with a wooden tower protecting The remaining 10 families include the specialists
the bridge over which traffic normally proceeds. below (4 families, all ranked as Freemen) as well as 6
Free status families who rent or own land but owe few
The ditch, mound and palisade is not entirely for show or no feudal dues.
– there is a parapet behind the wall, but it is too long for
the normal defence force to defend against a serious or There are no Crofters or Cottars at Crundel – the village
concerted attack. The real defensive structure is the is rather more prosperous than most.
Tower House – which is almost identical to that Attford
Manor (except that the walkways around the roof level There is a part-time Blacksmith, a part–time Carpent-
are roofed over for protection from the elements rather er (who also acts as a Builder) servicing the commun-
than it having only two covered sentry positions). ity and working their land in their off time or, more
commonly, hiring day labour to do most of the work.
Home Farm: As with the other Manors within the
Barony, Crundel’s Home Farm is divided into three Whilst several of the better off Villagers own Carts and
large Celtic-style fields divided into strips internally by will hire them out from time to time, there is nor formal
ditches/mounds (the result of generations of plough- Carter as such in the Village. Even the Home Farm has
ing) plus home pasture for the Baron’s horses and its own Carts (two) rather than hiring them as needed –
other livestock. but the Bailiff will be happy to hire them out for coin if
there is a demand for them.

There is a windmill situated on some land bought a

generation ago from the Baron, leased to Miller by the
Vill on a 5 year lease that comes with a house and
garden plot but no additional land – the current
Miller has a lease on a Freehold plot equivalent to
half a Serf’s share, on a ten year lease.

The Miller charges 1/16th to anyone Serf or Freeman of

the Manor, 1/14th to the Baron and 1/12th to anyone else
6 … Old Nick, the Miller, and his family are small scale
entrepreneurs from Porthaven and, after some initial
 B
suspicion on the villagers’ part, have become warily
respected members of the community.

There are six medium sized Celtic-style fields in which

the Serfs have separate strips of land allocated by the
Village Council every seven years and several smaller
fields of varying size which are the freehold or lease- A
R
hold property of the Freemen of the Manor.

Church: St Hilda’s. Stone built in the Early Norman

O
style on an older Anglo-Saxon foundation with a two
storey tower, St Hilda’s has a stone-built Manse in a
two acre plot, including the graveyard, fenced with a
drystone wall, and half-timbered Tithe Barn near the
path leading up the scarp to the Tower House.

Father Harald is the current Priest, holding the living N

Y
directly as the gift of the Baron, assisted by Stephen
Book-man who acts as a full time Sub-Deacon (and which is otherwise subject to Forest Law. He is also
who has a room in the Manse) paid for by the Vill, as allowed to redeem a certain proportion of any moneys
well as Wilfred o’ the Green, a full time Verger (a owed the estate by the Foresters in the form of the right
caretaker cum assistant, paid for by the Church – he to hunt additional Deer, up to double the basic amount).
has the right to dig graves @ ¾d each, usually ½d for
himself and ¼d for an assistant … usually chosen This tends to keep him onside with the Royal Foresters
from one of the Cottars)

The Verger has the small Cottage and garden plot equal
when they (as they inevitably do from time to time) make
questionable decisions regarding the Manor’s tenants or
when Crown payments are in arrears (all too frequent an O
F
to that of a Cottar next to the Church as part of his occurrence).
salary and this is where he and his family live.
Hamlets: There is one Hamlet large enough to be
Father Harald is noted for his knowledge of herbal included on the map, that of Misthliþ (J10), where
remedies and basic medical care and basic medicines about 25 families live (22 Serf families, 3 families of
and first aid services to his parishioners, often assisted freeholders) or about 150 people, all involved in
by one or two of the Wise-women of the Village (who mixed farming except for one of the Freeholder
normally act as Midwives, amongst other things).

Stephen Book-man supplements the stipend paid to

families who are skilled Beekeepers who have ~18-24
hives in and around their fields at any given time and
also have the rights to collect honey from wild hives in I
T
him by the Vill by teaching the smarter boys (and the woods to the east and south-east (they make Mead
some of the girls) their letters – typically 1d per child and sell it and honey, on the local Markets, but
per week, with the students providing their own con- mainly at the Porthaven Markets – they also sell the

H
sumables (slates/chalk or wax tablets/styli) and is Honeycomb wax to Chandlers in Porthaven for a tidy
generally well-liked. He also assists the Bailiff on amount and are beginning to work on making their
Court days, keeping records , and assists the Baron’s own candles on site to increase their profits).
Notary when there is a Baron’s Court present.

Royal Foresters: Scylfwudu is a Royal Forest and so

is subject to Forest Law – a Serjeant of the Forest and
FARKEEP MANOR (K04-K05)
Village and Manor of the same name, the Manor has
a Tower House for the Lord’s residence. Farkeep is U
R
two Warders and their families live and are based out one of the more productive Manors in the Barony (the
of the Manor. Their houses are situated at the top of Hamlets of Fosterburh and Fiscaþpyll being part of its
the scarp, away from the Vill below, and in their own lands as well as Stæþcwudu.

A
ditched 6 acre compound.
Seneschal: Sir Bryon de Burgh manages the Manor
The Foresters are paid for by the Crown, quarterly, in for the Baron and has the exclusive use of the ‘old’
cash (at least nominally – their pay is often well in Manor House (see below).
arrears, but they are allowed to draw on any fines levied
on miscreants by the Forest Court in lieu and can draw Sir Bryon is the son of a Serjeant knighted on the
on the Baron’s stocks as part of his dues to the Crown). battlefield by the Count himself and directly owns
lands equivalent to a Mounted Serjeant’s holdings near
One of the feudal rights of the Lord of Crundel Manor is
the right to hunt three Deer per month from Scylfwudu,
Porthaven his wife was a foundling raised by the Nuns
at the Convent of the Holy Foundling in Porthaven. 7
 Sir Bryon is in his early 40’s and has a pronounced limp There is room to comfortably sleep another 20 people –
(left leg) from battle injuries sustained while command- but this is rarely required unless there is an overflow
ing a section of the baronial levies in the place of the during the Baron’s regular stays … and he mostly tailors
Baron for foreign service. Unlike many Knights, he is not the staff who accompany his progress around the
only literate but competently so, and his wife, the Lady Barony with a view to the available quarters at each stop.
Katharine (convent educated and in her late 20’s), is a
particularly skilled keeper of accounts – the two of them Manor House (K05): There are actually two Manor
together make a formidable management team and have Houses at present – the new one, described below,
been put in charge of Farkeep for this reason. which is for the use of the Baron and his household
when they are in residence, and the old one, which is
They have a young family, the oldest, Violet, is nine used by the Seneschal, Sir Bryon, and is described
years old, and they have twins, Richard and Blanche, above (Seneschal’s Quarters).
who are only four. The Lady Katharine is currently
expecting another child. The New Manor is a Tower House design of six storeys
inside a separate ditched enclosure in the larger
Sir Bryon’s family background may, or may not, ditched area that forms the core of the Manor’s
entirely at your discretion, mean that Sir Bryon is seen ‘Home Farm’ area and is in the process of having a
as something of an upstart by at least some of the local stone wall added inside the ditch – with parapets only
and regional families who have a long pedigree as part along the wall either side (and over) the entry gate.
of the Knightly class.
There are no current plans to add parapets to the walls
He (and his wife) certainly don’t have the long standing elsewhere along its length. As with the ‘keep’ at Brym-
network of intertwined family relationships that the clyfu, the rear side of the Tower House (six storeys) forms
longer established Knightly families do – but his father part of the curtain wall.
was favoured by the old Baron, and Sir Bryon has an
excellent relationship with the current Baron and is seen Access to the Tower House is by outside stairs to the first
as something of a troubleshooter by him. floor and, in a limited way, via a reinforced door to
stables at the ground level … there is a trapdoor and
As part of the feudal responsibilities that come with ladder arrangement that can only be operated from the
the Seneschal’s position he has to perform regular first floor allowing access to that level.
stints as part of the required garrison at the nearby
Brymclyffu Keep. Home Farm: As with the other Manors within the
Barony, Farkeep’s Home Farm is divided into several
Seneschal’s Quarters: The ‘old’ Manor House is a (five, two large and three medium) Celtic-style fields
stoutly built mixed stone and half-timbered structure divided into strips internally by ditches/mounds (the
of 1½-2 storeys (1½ over the small and cramped result of generations of ploughing) plus home pasture
‘Great Hall’, about 2/3rds of the length of the for the Baron’s horses and other livestock.
building) and 2 storeys behind that, where the
Kitchen (Ground) family quarters are (1st Floor). Farkeep is well known for wool it ships down for
shipping and export to Brymclyfu from the hills and
It is small and relatively cramped – a half dozen full uplands around the Farkeep village – an area which
time household staff sleep in the Kitchen or attached supports around 1000 sheep.
service areas, three personal staff (an attendant for Lady
Katharine, a manservant for Sir Bryon and a Nanny for About ¾ of these sheep belong to the Manor. Of the
the children) who sleep in rooms in the family quarters, remaining 250 or so, 175 are owned by the better off
and a dozen ground/farm staff who sleep in the Great Freeholder families and the remaining 75 are spread in
Hall or have small rooms in the half-storey over that. small flocks amongst the remaining Freeholders – few
Serfs own more than a half a dozen.

The Manor also has a large enough population and

extensive enough lands to support farming as well,
especially in the bottomlands along the Wæterstréam
river – and surplus wheat and barley is floated down-
river to Brymclyfu for shipping elsewhere in much the
same way as the wool from Farkeep.

There is also a Pear & Apple Orchard of several acres

adjacent to the Home Farm compound and enclosed
8 by a thick hedgerow and ditch. This is managed by
Lady Katharine and several assistants plus some seas-
 B
onal hires from the Village and produces Perry, Cider
and a Perry-Cider Mix that is well known for its
quality in these parts.

Lady Katharine is allowed to keep one quarter of the

product for her own use in return for her management.
A
R
Lady Katharine keeps some of the Perry & Cider for use
by her family, but sells a considerable amount of her
quarter share at the Porthaven Market (along with a

O
considerable amount of the Estate’s share). Her Perry-
Cider mix is regarded as premium quality and so attracts
a price premium of 10-20%. Sales at the markets bring
in a profit of £1/10/-£2 per year for her efforts,
considerably more for the Estate proper (another £6-7,
as the estate sells considerably more of its share at the
markets, retaining less for use on the Baron’s visits).
his wife a year, firewood and the right to run a dozen
Sheep on the Lord’s pastures looked after by the Lord’s
Shepherds. N
The estate also runs ~250 Cattle, 175 Pigs and 125
Goats on the commons and the waste lands. These are
mainly for local consumption – with wool and hides
He has a Croft & Toft as part of his wages and is allowed
to keep enough flour for a single loaf from every consign-
ment brought to him for milling. He is paid 1d per day
Y
an incidental and cheeses and other dairy products when the Mill is works for a morning or afternoon only
available for sale when there is an excess. and 2d a day if it works both morning and afternoon.

Vill (K04): There are around 400 people living here,

about 48 families, mainly engaged in mixed farming
and some stock raising. About 36 of the families are
There are two large and three medium Celtic-style
fields where Serfs have separate strips of land allocat-
ed by the Village Council every five years and several O
F
Serfs with close to a full holding plus Croft and Toft, smaller fields of varying size which are the freehold or
another 6 have smaller holdings but supplement these leasehold property of the Freemen of the Manor.
by working for those with full plots, by running larger
than average flocks of sheep, goats or even cattle Church: St Merefin’s. Originally a small stone built
(mainly for dairying). chapel dating back to Saxon times with seating for no
more than a dozen people, this now forms the east
The remaining 6 families include the specialists below end of a larger half-timbered structure with seating
(3 families ranked as Freemen) as well as 3 Free status
families who rent or own land but owe few or no
feudal dues.
for 50-60 people at a time.

The current Priest is Father Nicodemus who holds the I

T
living directly from the Baron, but who was recom-
There are no Crofters or Cottars at Farkeep – the village mended by Sir Bryon (who, in turn, was encouraged
is rather more prosperous than most. by lady Katharine who knew him when he was one of

H
the Pastors to the Nunnery where she was raised).
There is a part-time Blacksmith, a part–time Carpent-
er (who also acts as a Builder) servicing the commun- The old stone Chapel is reputed locally to have been
ity and working their land in their off time or, more constructed on the site of a hermitage used by the Saint
commonly, hiring day labour to do most of the work.

Several better off Villagers own Carts and hire them out
as a retreat from the ‘sins of the world’ … but this claim
has never been formally recognised by the Church
authorities. U
R
from time to time, there is no formal Carter in the Vill.
Even the Home Farm has its own Carts (two) rather than Having a confirmed holy site would probably attract
hiring them as needed – but the Seneschal will be happy pilgrims, Father Nicodemus, with the encouragement of

A
to hire them out for coin if there is a demand for them. Sir Bryon, has been researching the manorial records
and those at Fortcythwyru Abbey and Porthaven in the
There is a windmill adjacent to the Home Farm – and hope he will be able to put together an argument to
the mill is owned and run by the Manor. present to the Bishop (at the County Seat) for the Church
to be declared a minor pilgrimage site.
The Miller charges 1/14th to any tenant or freeman of
the Manor, 1/12th to anyone else and is (of course) ‘free’ It is situated at the end of the vill furthest away from
to the Baron. The Miller, Casca One-Eye is on staff at the Home Farm, just over a small brook crossed by a
the Home Farm and has the right to take his mid-day
meals in the Kitchen, two sets of clothing for himself and
neolithic stone slab footbridge and a ford for animals
and vehicles. 9
 The Manse is based on what is reputed to have been The villagers sell fresh fish at Porthaven and also salt
thee guest-quarters for those visiting St. Merefin when down/air dry quantities which they sell at the end of
he was in residence and is built into a cluster of summer or the end of autumn). They also hunt whales
massive boulders, each the size of a house or larger, (Black Whales, ~15’ long when mature, a slow, inshore,
which form 2½ of the four sides, filled in with sections swimmer) mostly in winter … catching 4-6 per year.
of drystone walling and quite ancient … the other
sides are standard half timbered construction. The Hamlet is around 30 meters inland from the
inland edge of the dunes and the beach and is
Local legend has it that the Manse was built on the site situated at the base of a cliff (about 10-12 meters high)
of one of the holy places of the ‘old men’ … possibly the where a pool (Gegælen séaþ – ‘Old One’s Pool,’ in the
Druids, or, according to some versions of the story, even sense of being either ‘magic’ or ‘enchanted’) of clear,
older inhabitants of the regions. fresh water flows from a fissure in the large rocky
outcropping – the overflow from the pool forms a year
If there are Elves or Dwarves in your campaign world round stream that runs into the sea in the inlet.
then one or the other of them will occasionally appear at
the site, usually at Imbolc, and spend several days in the There are persistent rumours, stoutly denied by the
area – keeping vigil throughout the actual night (1-2 inhabitants, that pagan (possibly Druidic – possibly
February most commonly). even older) rituals are still held at the mouth of the spring
at the solstices … and the locals do become touchy and
There is also a full time Verger (a caretaker cum withdrawn when strangers are seen around about those
assistant with the right to dig graves @ ¾d each, ½d times of year.
for himself and ¼d for an assistant … usually one of
the Cottars), Aelfric the Rýne (Mysterious) so called Fosterburh is a settlement of around 28 families (~180
because he is ‘not from around these parts.’ people) and is closely associated with, if separate
from, the nearby hamlet of Fiscaþpyll and is more
The Verger has the small Cottage and garden plot equal involved with mixed farming and the raising of sheep
to that of a Cottar next to the Church as part of his and goats, almost exclusively for milk and meat, on
salary and this is where he and his family live. the coastal scrublands.

Father Nicodemus is employed by Sir Bryon and Lady The villagers run ~250 sheep, 100 pigs and about 150
Katharine to tutor their children and a small number goats of their own and pasture another 400 sheep that
of the smarter boys and girls of the Vill. He also assists belong to the Manor.
on Court days and in acting as a Notary for the Manor.
Even though the name means ‘Bondsman’s Village’ four
Hamlets: There are two Hamlets large enough to be of the families have managed to buy their freedom over
shown on the main map, Fiscaþpyll (H04) and Foster- the last two or three generations through concentrating
burh (I05). their efforts on raising sheep for meat, milk, cheese and
wool – between them they own 150 of the sheep.
Fiscaþpyll is a hamlet of around 20 families (~100-
120 people) and is closely associated with the nearby Another family runs around 80 of the pigs and 100 of
inland hamlet of Fostrburh due to the short distance the goats and produce Goat’s milk, cheese and hides as
between the two. well as what are regarded locally as premium grade
Bacons and Hams which they sell in Porthaven (and
This is a primarily fishing village, situated on a sandy which are often snapped up by Factors for merchants in
beach ~¼ mile long sheltered between two jutting, the Capital) – they have only recently bought their
rocky, promontories that provide good shelter from freedom from feudal dues, but, unlike the other four free
the prevailing winds, though the fishing boats are still families, only have a Croft and Toft and pasturage rights
drawn up onto the beach when not in use. on the Commons and Coastal Scrub and do not have
plots in the common fields.

HYRCBAED MANOR (J09-10)

Village and Manor of the same name. The bulk of the
village is at the top of the scarp, approached by a
switchback path wide enough for a single cart – about
¾ of the inhabitants live there, the rest living at the
bottom in what is a physically and functionally
(though not administratively) separate hamlet.

10 Reeve (Bailiff or Seneschal): The Manor would norm-

ally be administered by either a Bailiff (a commoner)
 B
or a Seneschal (sometimes a commoner, mostly some-
one of the Knightly class) but, due to a series of recent
misadventures, both the last Seneschal and the Bailiff
who replaced him died within a short period of time,
so the Reeve (the elected representative of the
Villagers), Eodward the Lucky has been appointed as
interim administrator, assisted by Father Osric, the A
R
Parish priest, in the role of Notary and Secretary.

Sir Henri de Bouton, his wife and two children were

O
drowned in a shipwreck while travelling on the Baron’s
business between Porthaven and The National Capital
around eighteen months ago. His senior assistant, Abel
of Lincoln, was appointed interim Bailiff but was killed
in a hunting accident around four months ago (he fell off
his horse while searching for a pack of wolves that had
allegedly been spotted nearby … and hit his head on a
(US 2nd) floor accessed from stairs on the long side of
the building and protected by a gap and a stout door. N
Y
rock, lingering in a coma for several days before dying). The Ground floor (US 1st) is a combined stable and
storage area which is accessed through a stout iron-
Eodward is the most successful freehold farmer on the bound wood door at the short side and a trapdoor
Manor and runs a flock of 100 sheep on the Commons through which a ladder is dropped down from above.
and in the Wastelands, owns a part share in the Manor’s
Windmill, an Apple Orchard of 100 trees and an entire There are no plans to extend or expand the Manor
Celtic-style field (180 acres), largely worked by hirelings House – though a new Byre for wintering Cattle and
by himself … all managed in his lifetime (he is 58 years
old) by a combination of canny business sense and, as
his nickname suggests, a little luck (and, as he
Sheep and a new Granary and Barn are in the process
of being built in the Home Farm compound.
O
F
continually claims, ‘hard graft!’). Home Farm: This is divided into three large Celtic-
style fields subdivided into strips internally by ditches
He bought his family’s freedom from serfdom almost a and/or mounds (the result of generations of plough-
quarter of a century ago and is angling for the status of ing) plus a much larger than normal home pasture, a
Foot Serjeant, possibly even Mounted Serjeant, for him- small part of which is reserved for the Baron’s horses,
self and his family, especially his eldest son, Samson but around 600 acres of pasture, heath and scrubland
Freóriht (aka Samson the Freeman). is used for running 1750 sheep (mainly for wool, but

He and his eldest son have ¾ Mail Armour, Conical

Helms, Shields while the other sons and grandson have
meat, milk and cheese are also produced in quantities).

Medieval sheep breeds tended to be of a general purpose I

T
Mail Shirts, Conical Helms and Shields. All are capable nature rather than specially bred to excel at either wool
Archers who have received training with Knight’s Swords or meat or milk/cheese.
– Eodward and Richard have combat trained horses and

H
some training in fighting on horseback while the other The Manor also possesses extensive Hay Meadows
four have riding and pack horses. If called up as part of (~300 acres in several smaller patches) which produce
the Fyrd they will mostly serve as Mounted Infantry. the needed fodder to allow around a third of the
sheep to be kept over winter.
The family has a two storey half-timbered ‘Home Farm’
adjacent to their lands … with room for all family
members. Eodward and his wife are, for the moment,
Unusually, the Manor has a four Cottars (~20 people) on
its ‘staff’ (that is, people who have a separate house U
R
living in the Bailiff’s rooms in the Manor House. rented from the Manor, but no Croft, no adjacent garden
plot) in addition to the household servants – the male
The Baron is currently looking for a new Seneschal or Cottars are employed as full time Shepherds and their

A
Bailiff – he has no members of his entourage who are wives/daughters run the Manor’s dairy and cheese-
due such a posting (or who have the skills needed) and making operation.
is more likely to choose a Bailiff as a result.
Apart from this, the Home farm mainly produces
There is wide regional interest in the post amongst the mixed crops (about 60% Wheat and 40% Barley on
Gentry, but, as one would expect, Eodward the Lucky, average) and has an extensive ‘herb’ garden for
the Reeve, is angling for the appointment for himself. growing vegetables and 2-3 Hives for producing small
amounts of honey.
Manor House (J09): This a standard two storey stone
structure with the main living quarters on the First Vill (J09): There are about 65 families living in the 11
 Vill, or around 600 people – but it is split into two firewood and the right to run a dozen Sheep on the
parts by a scarp running through the area. About 20 Lord’s pastures looked after by the Lord’s Shepherds.
families (~150 people) live at the bottom of the scarp
while the remainder (~450 people) living at the top He has a Croft & Toft as part of his wages and is paid
near to the Manor House/Home Farm. 1d per day when the Mill is works for a morning or
afternoon only and 2d a day if it works both morning
The two parts of the Vill are separated by about a and afternoon.
quarter of a klick horizontally and 100 meters vertically
– there is a switchback path wide enough for a single There are three large and four medium Celtic-style
cart (with turnoffs) connecting the two. fields where Serfs have separate strips of land allocat-
ed by the Village Council every five years and several
About 48 families are Serfs who have a full holding (or smaller fields of varying size which are the freehold or
close) plus Croft and Toft. Another eight have smaller leasehold property of the Freemen of the Manor.
holdings as well as Croft and Toft, but supplement
their income by working for the Manor or the other Church: The parish Church, St Wihtberht’s, is curr-
landowners during the busier times of the farming ently without a Parish priest – Father Odo perished in
year – and at least one runs 100 head of sheep on the the same accident that took the lives of the Seneschal,
Commons and is relatively well to do as a result. Sir Henry de Bouton. Currently, religious services are
performed by Brother Tibba (who is ordained) second-
Four families have only Croft and Toft (i.e. are rated ed temporarily from Fortcythwyru Abbey.
as Crofters) and work full time (or as much as they can)
for the other landowners or the Lord – and supple- The living of St Wihtbert’s is in the gift of Baron Ithura
ment their income by processing some part of the and is, like the position of Seneschal/Bailiff a matter of
Lord’s wool clip and weaving it into cloth, especially considerable interest to local and regional clergy – but
over winter. the Baron is in no particular hurry to fill the position as
he is attempting to curry favour with the Abbot of Fort-
There are no Cottars at Hrycbaed proper – though some cythwyru for political reasons by hiring one of the
are employed full time at the Home Farm (see above) Brothers (as noted above).
and are counted as ‘staff’ there rather than as Villagers.
Even so, he needs to appoint a permanent Priest some-
The remaining five families are specialists or Freemen time soon … presumably someone who has some political
who rent land for money from the Manor or own their influence or is otherwise able to make a case to the
own plots outright for minimal or no feudal dues. Baron for the position.
They include a Carpenter, Blacksmith and Carter who
have plots they hire labour to work but earn most of The Church itself is quite small, with space inside for
their income from the pursuit of their trade. only 50 or so worshippers at a time, but is stone built
– dating back to Saxon times at least. The Manse is
About five years ago the Lord of the Manor had a located nearby and is also stone built, combining the
Windmill (J10) constructed to replace the older Tithe Barn and the priest’s living quarters in the same
treadmill for grinding grain. half-timbered structure.

The Miller is a hireling of the Manor and the Lord Unusually, though the Church is situated on a small
charges 1/14th to grind grain for any tenant or Freeman plot of land in the village surrounded by a drystone
from the Manor or 1/12th to anyone else. The Miller, wall, the graveyard is actually on the outskirts of the
Gristra Mylenweard is on staff at the Home Farm and village (at the top of the scarp) and, while the Mass for
has the right to take his mid-day meals in the Kitchen, the Dead is held at the Church, the deceased is then
two sets of clothing for himself and his wife a year, carried to the graveyard for the final interment where,
traditionally, the Priest leaves any further ceremonies
St Wihtberht’s to the deceased’s family and friends.

The village market, such as it is, is held in the graveyard

on Sundays while the small churchyard is used for social
gatherings and wedding ceremonies (normally a Village
Market would be held in the churchyard – and, indeed,
on a Sunday, even during Mass!).

Ceremonies at the Graveyard routinely incorporate

‘heterodox’ elements that are probably pagan or pagan
12 inspired – the Priests appointed here mostly ignore this,
but charge a ‘fine’ for the separate ceremony.
 B
Hamlets: Hrycbaed has only a single Hamlet, Sceap-
cotlif (I09), about a mile north of the Vill, of about 24
families and 180 people, mainly involved in mixed
farming and tending the Hay Meadows belonging to
the Home Farm.

CROSSFORD (D18) A
R
The largest of the manors belonging to Baron Ithura,
the combined lands, industry and population make it
the financial equivalent of three Knight’s Fees.

The Manor is centred on the Vill of Crossford which

is situated at the spot where an important trade route
crosses a bridge (recently constructed) over the Ithura The current Seneschal is one John de Vlanderen,
O
river near its confluence with the Axe.

Seneschal & Bailiff: The Manor’s administration is

originally from Porthaven, but who had been a succ-
essful Wool Factor (trading with Flanders, hence the
appellation) for more than twenty years before being N
Y
… unusual. Because of the large population of the Vill convinced by the Baron’s father to take on the job and
and the much higher than normal level of economic turn the then quite new focus on sheep grazing into a
activity there than is usual for a settlement still legally profitable business … which he has been quite success-
a Village the administration is split between two ful in doing.
officials – a Seneschal appointed by the Baron and a
Reeve chosen by the wealthier Freeholders of the Vill He and his family (wife, Matilda and teenage daughter,
but who must ‘hold the confidence’ of the Baron. Ianthe) live in a suite of rooms above the kitchen suite in

The Seneschal administers the Manor as a whole and

is the chief judge, hearing most criminal cases as well
the main Manor House while his eldest son (Charles)
continues to represent the family’s interests as well as
those of the Manor/Baron in Porthaven proper … while O
F
as civil cases involving those who do not reside within his second son, Mark is serving as a Squire in the
the formal bounds of the Vill proper and which either Baronial court, and due to be Knighted when he turns
involve goods or property of more than £1 or are the 21 in a little over a year’s time.
subject of an appeal by one of the parties involved
from the Reeve’s Court. The Reeve is one Keavan of the Green, one of the
wealthier local Freemen, essentially of an economic
The Hamlet of Overford is subject to the Seneschal’s and social equivalency to a Serjeant’s status, though
authority even though the overflow of trade on Market
days is increasingly found using spaces and facilities
there rather than in the authorised Marketplace in
this has not been formally confirmed as yet (but
probably will be, with the Baron’s support, if he
continues to perform his duties successfully). I
T
Crossford, though the Reeve has been claiming judicial
authority for civil disputes arising from Market-related He and his family, (wife Breadghed, four children – a
business there on Market days … a cause of ongoing sixteen year old son, Alain, who assists his father and is

H
disputation between the two officials, and a matter learning his letters and numbers at the Church school; a
which has not yet been decided by the Baron, to their twelve year old daughter, Alice, who is being privately
mutual disgust. tutored by one of the Beguines and the twin five year
olds, Daffyd and Flora) lives in a large well appointed
The Reeve administers the Vill and the Market and
only the Vill and the Market and also sits as Judge of
the Market Court, which deals with all Market related
two storey half-timbered house (with private bedrooms
upstairs and working and public rooms downstairs)
situated on an entire corner tenement facing the main U
R
civil matters, as well as the Petty Court, which deals Market Square …
with civil cases involving parties who are residents of
the Vill – unless the value of the goods or property The house takes up about a third of the tenement with

A
involved is worth more than £1. the rest of the area including a stable/byre/granary and
a large herb (mainly actual vegetables, but some actual
The Market Court also hears any criminal cases related medicinals) garden and, along one of the sides, there are
to the conduct of or committed in the Vill on Market three semi-permanent stalls/shops he rents out to traders
Days, but only for non-capital crimes – the Reeve is (or uses himself to sell his own produce) on Market days.
supposed to determine whether crimes before him are
capital or not and he has been known to make question- Manor House: The Manor House is a three storey
able decisions where residents of the Vill are involved, stone structure which forms one side of a stone-walled
another area where there are tensions between the Reeve
and the Seneschal.
compound, part of the Home Farm, about a mile from
the Village. There is a simple tower over the gateway 13
 and the walls are crenellated along the three other for those fields over the river are based in Overford
sides of the compound which contains separate rather than Crossford.
stables (which has a half floor for hay and some living
space for the staff) as well as a Smithy and some other Around a third of the land (about what an ‘average’
work and living spaces for the Home Farm’s craftsmen. single Knight’s Fee would expect to work) is set over
for cereal grains, about 2/3 Maslin and 1/3 Wheat.
The Manor House proper has a single entrance for
horses, carts and livestock on the ground floor and The other 2/3 is used for livestock (horses, pigs, goats
storage space for grain and other foodstuffs as well as and cattle) – the Manor is a big breeder of horses,
pens for some animals and several stalls for horses. mainly work (Cart- and Pack-) and riding horses
There is access to the 1st Floor via a trapdoor through rather than warhorses, and sends several score off to
which a ladder can be let down from above. the markets each year; the manor also produces signif-
icant quantities of cheese (from both Cows and Ewes)
The First Floor (US 2nd Floor) contains the Great Hall, and salt and dried meat (Pork, Mutton, Beef) as well
Kitchen, Pantry and other food service/storage spaces as a large wool clip (from ~1500 sheep) plus hides and
as well as rooms used by the Seneschal/Lord for the even leather.
conduct of Manorial business and hold important
records. There is a private dining area (newly added The Riding Horses bred on estate are managed by Sir
and the height of luxury) for the Baron and select Istvan Oláhpatak, a Hungarian Knight who met the
guests behind the Great Hall at the end opposite the Baron on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land some years ago
Kitchens as well. and is reputed to have saved his life. The younger son of
a Hungarian noble family he had little chance of
There are only high, narrow, slits at the top of the walls making his way at home, but was a horse-breeder and
to allow light in on the external side of the 1st Floor and trainer of proven skill – so Baron Ithura invited him to
lower, still narrow, windows that double as arrow slits on start up a Horse stud on his lands back in <wherever>.
the internal side, facing the courtyard.
He has the right to raise horses on a portion of the
The Second Floor is really two half-floors at each end Baron’s lands and receives a stipend plus a percentage
of the building and an open space above part of the of the sales in return for his efforts. The horses he has
Great Hall. The rooms above the Kitchen are the bred and trained (with an injection of bloodstock
living quarters of the Seneschal while the rooms at the brought all the way from his family’s estates in western
opposite end of the Hall are those used by the Baron Hungary) have a reputation for stamina and toughness
and his family when they are in residence (there is a and attract a significant premium at the local or regional
balcony on the Seneschal’s end where musicians can markets, and a higher one at the national capital.
play to those gathered below).
He has parlayed some monies he inherited from his
The windows here, on all sides, are arrow slits – except mother’s estate, profits from several ventures in the Holy
for one (facing the courtyard) which opens on to the Lands and money gained from his horse breeding efforts
Solar used by the womenfolk of the Baron’s household. to purchase some freehold land of his own in the area –
It is a massive 2’ wide and 3½’ high – decadent luxury! equivalent to two Mounted Serjeant’s portions … or
When not in residence, or in emergencies, there is a stout around 2/3rds of a Knight’s Fee.
iron bound oak-wood shutter affixed on the inside for
security – secured by two stout oak crossbars. He is currently affianced to the daughter of George
Fitzpontus (a rich Freeman recently raised to the status
Home Farm: This consists of several large Celtic-style of Mounted Serjeant), Aileen, whose considerable dowry
fields on both sides of the Ithura river, most of which would bring his holdings close to a full Knight’s Fee.
are managed by the Seneschal – though the workers
Ohla House: Sir Istvan is currently constructing a large
two storey half-timbered House on his property which is
referred to as Ohla Manor by the locals, only somewhat
in jest. The compound in which it is set is surrounded by
a ditch and hedge and it has several large stables for
housing his personal herd of horses – including two
stallions and several mares which are to form the nucleus
of his Combat/War Horse breeding and training efforts.

Istvan’s ‘Ohla Manor’ is around five miles north of

Crossford just off the main road (on the forest side of the
14 road, surrounded by the woods on three sides) to the
County seat and slightly off the map.
 B
The Manor also has several acres devoted to apple
and pear trees and is widely known for the production
of good quality Cider and Perry which is sold at
Porthaven as well as regional and national markets.

The Home Farm also supports two score farmed and

many more wild Beehives and each year and produces A
R
significant quantities of Honey, Beeswax and Mead …
and has been producing Wax Candles in recent years)
and Mead.

Because of the more extensive lands (three Knight Fee

equivalents!) of the Manor the Home Farm is, of
course, much larger and has a much larger staff than half-timbered or stone well-houses, stone paving for the
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usual – there are about 25 household staff (many of
whom work in the dairy or carding/spinning wool
when the Baron’s entourage is not in residence) plus
main market square and the main road leading to the
bridge, several rows of covered stalls for rent to those
attending the market (with plans to eventually turn some N
Y
about twice that number who work as Shepherds, into enclosed spaces), stone-built granaries for use by the
Cattle Herders, Swine- and Goatherds, Beekeepers, villagers and traders and a ditch and mound around the
tend the large Herb (mainly vegetable) garden, are full village with simple boom gates and a shelter for the gate
time fieldhands and the like. operators for use on market days to allow the collection
of market fees from those attending.
About fifteen of the additional staff have Toft and Croft
located away from the Manor/Home Farm compound – As a result, the Village has some features of a Manor-
out closer to the fields or flocks they are responsible for
working or tending.
ial Vill and some of a Chartered Town, though it is
still legally the former. There is no formal Town
Council, but the Reeve (elected by the Villagers) acts O
F
Vill: There are ~110 families who live in Crossford, as an informal ‘mayor’ … and there are, additionally,
approximately 800 people in all … and more in the a number of full time tradesmen who run businesses
Hamlet of Overford on the other side of the Ithura throughout the week, not just on market day.
River, across the Bridge.
Tradesmen: Two Blacksmiths, one specialising in
Though Overford is, legally, administratively and phys- shoeing horses, making/repairing farm implements and
ically, separate from the Vill of Crossford it functions in general smithwork, the second in general tools, nails and
many ways as if it were a part of the Vill.

Situated on an important trade road and at the

materials other tradesmen), a Carpenter and Mason
(who can build wood or stone buildings up to a multi-
story Tower or Manor House given the time and work- I
T
confluence of the Ithura and the Axe rivers, the Vill force), a Cooper (making barrels for the Apple Cider the
has always been an important crossroads and as a region is famous for etc.), a Chandler (a relatively new
result of the through traffic there has always been an arrival, making wax candles) a Wheel- & Cartwright

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impromptu weekly Market. About two generations ago (repairs and construction) and a Potter (making basic
the Baron was persuaded to regularise matters and he pottery items).
granted a license to hold a weekly Market on the
grounds of St Martin Caballero, overseen by the Priest Unusually, the Village actually (sort of) has an Inn –
of said church and the Bailiff of the Manor.

Crossford Market: The Market brings in ~£50 per year

though it’s on the outskirts of the settlement and not
formally part of the Manor and not really part of the
Vill, just very close by. U
R
– £5 (1200d) goes to the Church as a tithe, £2/10/-
(600d) to the Priest for his services as a Notary and The Sign of the Crescent Moon (Inn): The Crescent
Treasurer (and those of his assistants), £1/10/- (360d) to Moon has a stone wall (about 8’ high, but with no

A
the Bailiff for his services (and those of his assistants) and walkway or crenellations) around an Inn Compound
£1 (240d) for the Keeper of the Scales. The remaining with several buildings. The main Inn building has four
£40 is split between the Village in common (£5, 1200d), separate bedrooms with bed-space for 20 and floor (or
several of the wealthier Villagers (£10, 2400d), and the stable) space for another 30. The other buildings are a
Manor (£25, 6000d). large Stables, a small Granary and a Smokehouse where
the Inn smokes its own sausages and dries meat for
The Village’s share of the profits has been used to fund traveller’s rations.
the building of a variety of civic improvements – stone
water troughs for horses and mules (and other animals)
along the main street(s), proper stone-lined wells with
There is also has a larger fenced off field (~1 acre) where
carters and larger parties can store their vehicles and 15
 pen their draught animals – and even camp overnight, Beguinage: Unusually, one of the houses in the Vill is the
sleeping on or under their carts or even in tents. A supply living and working place of three women who have
of firewood is kept close by for the use of those camping taken on the vows of the Beguine movement, Catherine,
here and there are several stone lined fire circles just Mary and Richenda, all daughters or widows related to
outside the fencing for their use … all included in the some of the better off town families.
price of admission, so to speak.
The Beguines were a lay organisation of women who
The Inn has a staff of around 12 – the Innkeeper, Titus took no religious vows, but did vow to perform what we
Cwylla (‘Wellspring’), his wife, Beda, and their two today would call ‘social services’ – they nurse the sick,
eldest children, Edwina and Everard (identical twins) act as midwives, care for orphans or children from poor
plus 5 permanent staff and 3-4 seasonal or market day or single parent families, try and assist the poor and
hires and has an excellent reputation for good food, generally do ‘good works.’
drink and cleanliness.
In Crossford they also teach some girls reading and
Church: The parish church is St Martin Caballero writing (including Edwina from the Sign of the Crescent
which is overseen by Fathers Ambrosius (the actual Moon) and Alice, the Reeve’s daughter, and also teach
Parish Priest), John and Peter (his assistants). The them their numbers and some basic record keeping –
Church itself is a quite large stone structure built only something that is not otherwise available for them, as the
25 years ago on the profits of the Market in the Church School only accepts boys.
Norman style with a tower, spire and space inside for
around 80 worshippers. Hamlets: Crossford has three Hamlets – Overford
(C17-18, D17-18) (across the Ithura, and almost a
When the market was still informal, traders used the suburb of Crossford), Gegylden (about 4 miles north
Churchyard and the Commons behind it for their on the road to the County Seat [C20]) and Rýne (about
activities – and the original Charter formalised this, 2 miles northeast on the Axe River, [E19]).
with the stallholders and non-livestock traders setting
up in the Churchyard and the livestock traders using Overford (~300 people) is just over the Crossford Bridge
the Common field … but the market has long and ownership is split between Crossford and Dunstaen
outgrown the original space and, though some stalls Manors (roughly ¾ to ¼) – and is slowly becoming a
are still erected in the Churchyard, most are now ‘suburb’ of Crossford, effectively, if not legally.
situated in the (recently) paved square in front of the
Church (funded partly by the Village and partly by the While it is not supposed to occur, the large crowds
Church), though the livestock are still sold on the attending some of the Market days at Crossford often
Commons. spill over with their buying and selling into Overford …
which can (and does) often lead to all sorts of legal
The profits from the Market have also allowed the complications and disputes between the locals and the
Parish to refurbish and extend the original single Baron’s authorities.
storey half-timbered Manse with a second storey and
a new stone-built kitchen and storage area at the rear Gegylden – hamlet of around 30 families (~250-300
– and also includes a school-house where around people) who do mixed farming along the river (along
fifteen students of all ages (3 on Scholarships paid for with a fish weir belonging to Crossford Manor but run
by the Church [2] and Village [1] and the rest fee by the locals as part of their feudal labour service), run
paying from the families of the better off villagers). some goats and pigs in Deopwudu and also support
charcoal burning in coppices along the forest’s edge as
Everard, the son of the owner of the Sign of the well as harvesting of wild honey.
Crescent Moon, is one of the fee paying students here,
as is Alain, the son of the Reeve. Rýne A hamlet of around 20 families (~200 people)
alongside the River Axe and belonging to the Manor of
Crossford. There are no paths alongside the river, as the
terrain south of the hamlet is too rough and broken
(though it is passable by those on foot or with sure-footed
mounts, though at normal [human] walking pace) –
access is normally by paths through Deopwudu of which
there are several (and are subject to whatever dangers
may reside in the forest).

The Hamlet survives on mixed farming, beekeeping

(both wild hives in the forest and 30-40 farmed hives
16 belonging to the Manor and the Villagers), sheep grazing
on the rough broken land and moorland around the Vill,
 B
running goats and pigs in the forest as well as charcoal 3d/£1 (1¼%) toll on all goods or livestock being brought
burning and general forestry. into the Crossford Market with an estimated value of 5/-
(60d) or more.
Crossford Bridge: This is a major two (narrow) lane
wooden bridge over the Ithura built and maintained
by the better off residents of Crossford Vill in return
for the right to split any tolls collected between them-
The Bridge is theoretically closed between an hour after
dusk through to an hour before dawn – but, in fact, the
Warden (or a deputy) is normally on duty (sleeping, A
R
selves and the Lord of Crossford Manor. mostly) in a shack alongside the boom gate that closes it
off and will open it to allow passage on payment of a
The Bridge Warden charges non-local riders and carters ‘Special Night Fee’ of 6d and double the normal toll.

O
¼-1d per riding animal or cart to use the Bridge but
allows those on foot to pass over for free. He also charges

CROSSFORD LOCAL AREA

N
Charcoal
Burners
Y

O
F
To Rýne

DEOPWUDU

Sign of the Crossford

Crescent Manor
Moon

ITHU
RA
RIVE
Market
I
E

St Martin Commons
AX

R
Caballero

T
ER
RIV

Beguinage

H
id rd

OVERFORD
Br ssfo
ge
o
Cr

Vill Boundary (Ditch & Mound)

River

Bridge
U
Major Road

Cobblestone Street
R
Secondary Road or Track

Scarp
A
Hamlet Boundary

NOT TO SCALE – REPRESENTATION ONLY

17
 involved in some other local or regional war, possibly as
OTHER MANORS a Mercenary.
There are 13 Manors held by vassals of Baron Ithura
comprising 17 Knight’s Fees – 10 x 1 Fee Manors and While he was absent the Manor was managed by
2 x 2 Fee Manors and 1 x 3 Fee Manor. Gregor de Coucy (see below) but closely supervised by
Jehan’s wife, Matilda. They had three children before
AFENSCAEP MANOR (A10) he left, two of which (a son, 12, and daughter, 8, have
Afenscaep mainly does mixed farming, though it also survived).
produces hay to feed the sheep & cattle run by the
Lord in and around the Hamlet of Buttucholt (A09) Bailiff: Gregor de Coucy, a distant descendant of the
and has a number of fish-ponds and several fish weirs original (post-Conquest) holders of the Manor, he is a
across the River Weth providing freshwater fish for Freeman and holds enough freehold land in and
n=both local consumption (mainly fresh) and for sale around Porthaven to qualify as a member of the
in Porthaven (mainly dried, boated downriver). Gentry by virtue of that alone. If the Levy is called out
either he or his eldest son serve as a Mounted Serjeant
Lord/Fee Status: The estate is a single Knight’s Fee, with the Select Fyrd while the other and the second
held from the Baron Ithura by Sir Jehan Fitzgeorge, son serve as Foot Serjeants in the Militia.
whose family has held it since the time of the de
Coucy’s (the original landholders) – it is his only major Manor House: The original Manor House was a four
consolidated landholding, though he does own some level stone Tower, entry on the first (US second) floor
land in Porthaven, including several rented Tene- (and a well in the basement) and was quite cramped
ments and a medium sized Town House. … over the last several generations a much more
comfortable level half-timbered hall has been added
He also owns freehold property (Eabrerd – ‘River’s with two storeys at the tower end (the tower still acts
Edge’, P09), rated as being able to support a Mounted as a secure retreat of last resort) for the family’s
Serjeant near The River Inn (south of Upper Ouse) – quarters (about ¼ of the length), an open two level
originally (two generations ago) part of that Manor, it space over the great hall proper (½ the building’s
was part of a dowry that went to the Fitzgeorges and is length, and two storeys for the Kitchens and Staff
semi-independent, owing no feudal dues to the Manor of quarters at the opposite end (about ¼ of the build-
Upper Ouse while still partly under its legal jurisdiction ing’s length) with a balcony overlooking the Great
(the serfs, not the free tenants), a source of ongoing Hall which can be used by musicians or other enter-
confusion and resulting friction and disputation. tainers at need.

Sir Jehan is in his early thirties and has spent time The Manor House, Stables, Well, Pigeon Coop, Bee-
(depending on the year in which your campaign is set) hives, Hay Barn and Byre are all situated inside a
either Crusading or on pilgrimage to the Holy Land to ditch and mound enclosure and there is a stout 12’
defend it against the Infidel. high stone wall along the top of the mound, though it
is not crenellated and has no walkway.
If you place the Barony somewhere where this is less
likely (in Eastern Europe, say) then alternative Crusades, Home Farm: Is split roughly 75:25 between the Serfs
perhaps local ones, could substitute – possibly he fought and Free leaseholders and the Lord, with the Lord’s
against the Balts alongside the Teutonic Knights, for lands being extensively improved over the last couple
example, or against the Muslim states in Iberia alongside of generations – being better drained and irrigated as
the Iberian crusading orders. well as regularly limed and manured (with manure
from the Lord’s flocks and herds and waste fish bits
If you have place the Barony in a non-Earth or other- from the fish-drying process).
wise ahistorical milieu then Sir Jehan has, perhaps, been
Sales of fish, dried and fresh, and wool, hides, mutton
and beef (mostly salted from local salt-springs) as well
as of cheese from Ewe’s and Cow’s milk also supple-
ment the Manor’s farming income.

Vill: The Vill has around 70 families and a populat-

ion of around 550. Twelve of those families are free-
holders, 45 are serfs of various degrees of success and
amounts of land leased while the rest are Cottars with
only croft and toft.

18 There is a Windmill belonging to the Lord of the

Manor at the west end of the Vill on a low hill, leased
 B
out to John the Miller who charges 1/12th of the grain
as the cost of milling.

Church: The Manor is served by the parish church of

St Neot’s and its priest, Father Tancred. The Church
itself is of half-timbered construction with a small bell
tower (and small bell) at the east end and can only A
R
seat about 80 people for services.

The Manse and Tithe Barn are situated on a separate

O
plot alongside the Church grounds and include a
significant croft where the Priest, his Deacons and
hired workers grow vegetables and keep Bees in sever-
al hives alongside two dozen apple trees. administer the estate through his Seneschal in order

Father Tancred is known to be able to produce a very

passable (alcoholic) Apple Cider and and equally pleas-
to avoid possible conflict with Baron Ithura – though
the two have a generally cordial, if not particularly
friendly, relationship. N
Y
ant Mead (and often takes Apples and/or Honey as
tithes to make more of these drinks than the Church’s Iron Hills is slightly larger in area and population than
lands in the Vill directly support). Ithura, but doesn’t have a Market Town within its
boundaries … though there are three large Villages that
Hamlet: Buttucholt (A09) is the only Hamlet associa- have regular Markets, on with a population of 900 and
ted with the Manor and has a population of ~120 (15 the others with 750 and 600 respectively. The main
families) of whom three are directly involved with wealth of the Barony comes from farming, sheep raising
looking after the Lord’s herds and flocks (including
shearing and spinning wool and tanning hides,
salting mutton and beef and making cheese).
and the Iron Mines which produce around 200 tons of
rich ore per year … mostly shipped to London or one of
the other great coastal cities for processing. O
ALFORD MANOR (D09-10/E09-10)
Alford Manor is dealt with in greater detail in a
separate chapter.
Seneschal: The Seneschal is Louis de Paris, a
Frenchman (insofar as the term has any meaning)
from the Ile de France around Paris who ended up in
F
England and in the service of an English Baron as his
It is a rich two Fee Manor due to the extensive black- estate manager by divers circuitous means.
soil bottom-land in and around the junction of the
Ithura and several other rivers/streams and, despite
the wide co-ordinate range, is not all that large – it just
happens to be at the intersection of the fours areas.
He has been in England for over 20 years and speaks
reasonable, if accented, English and, of course, the Ile
de France region’s dialect of French … which is I
T
different from the mutating Norman French of most
The Manor includes the Hamlet of Throsmig Dale of the local nobility, and regarded as somewhat
(G10) and is the site of an important bridge over the ‘elitist’ … which may have more to do with the fact

H
Ithura River (Alford Bridge [E09]). that he studied at the University of Paris for long
enough to complete his Bachelor’s Degree.
BLAESTVIL MANOR (O16)
The Manor is is involved in mixed farming with a He doesn’t talk about why he left. Rumours of heretical
recent (the last generation) move by some of the
Villagers (and, to a lesser extent, the Lord) investing
in sheep farming on the extensive commons. It is also
beliefs? Accusations of Witchcraft or Magic Use (perhaps
a student of Philosophical … or real … Alchemy)?
Political or personal entanglements? U
R
unusual because the Lord and the Villagers have
erected competing Windmills … and the latter is set up Louis is in his late forties and walks with a limp (left
for a dual purpose, grinding grain and as a Fulling leg) and has a wife, from a local Gentry family, Alice,

A
mill (i.e. processing the wool clip). ten years younger than him, and four children, three
girls and a boy who is currently studying at Fortcyth-
The area is well enough watered with brooks and wyru Abbey in preparation for studying Law at the
streams, but they are either too small or too poorly Inns of Court in London.
situated for the siting of an effective Waterwheel Mill.
He uses the Manor House, a typical 1½ storey (i.e. two
Lord/Fee Status: The manor is rated as one Knight’s storeys at each end, and an open to the roof hall in
Fee and is owned by Sir Miles FitzMaurice, Baron between) half-timbered design, for work only, keeping
Iserngeswiru (‘of the Iron Hills’, the Barony to the
east, off the map – and he rarely visits, preferring to
the accounts and holding manorial courts there when
the Lord isn’t present, but he and his family live in a 19
 two storey Farmhouse of mixed stone and half-timber- an innovation pioneered by Louis the Seneschal –
ed construction nearby, the centre of a freehold hold- who has copied the wealthier local families (both Serfs
ing equivalent to that of a Mounted Serjeant. and Freeholders) who had been shifting to this for
several generations.
Because of his bad leg, Louis unable to ride a horse for
combat and pays scutage to Baron Ithura in lieu of such Most of the inhabitants are involved in the weaving trade
service. For home defence role he serves as a Foot in any spare time they have from farming and, indeed,
Serjeant, though he is not a skilled swordsman – though many of the Cottars and poorer, landless, Serfs manage
he makes sure that the Cottars who work his lands are to make a modest year-round living by contract weaving
properly equipped and armed at his expense in lieu. when their labour isn’t needed in the fields.

Manor House: As noted above, this is a relatively Louis has used the greater resources of the home farm
modest 1½ storey half-timbered structure with two to introduce better wool-producing breeds, including
storeys at one end for the Lord and his family, a great some Merino-precursors smuggled over from Spain,
hall open to the rafters in the middle, and 1½ storeys and the wool the Home Farm flocks are producing is
(the second storey open to the rafters) at the opposite of significantly higher quality than that of most of the
end where the Kitchen, Pantry, Buttery and other other producers on the estate.
utility areas are situated.
Sensibly, Louis has made the services of the Home
The house itself is situated in a walled compound Farm’s best Rams available – for a price, of course – to
(stone walls, 12’ high, but not crenellated) surrounded those on the estate (and in the local region as a whole),
by a water filled moat (actually a fish-pond more than a source of additional profit to the Manor. This has the
anything, and mostly ornamental) within a larger double benefit of increasing the prestige of the Manor’s
compound of around four acres delineated by a ditch wool clip as a whole and minimises any possible conflict
and hedge with two gated entries along the east and arising from a perceived ‘unfair advantage’ which might
west sides otherwise have resulted from keeping the new Rams
exclusive to the Home Farm.
Home Farm: The estate’s land is split roughly 70:30
between the tenants (Serfs and Freeholders) and the Vill: The Vill has around 95 families and a populat-
Lord and the Home Farm, though large, is mainly ion of around 680 souls. Twenty of the families are
given over to mixed farming and is only moderately freeholders, 60 are serfs of one degree or another and
productive. the remaining fifteen families are Cottars with only
croft and toft.
A major portion of the estate’s income comes from
running sheep – mainly for wool This has largely been There are two windmills in the Manor, one belonging
to the Lord and one in common by some of the better
off freeholders. The Lord has been trying to force his
Serfs to use his Mill and originally forced them to pay
1/12th of their produce as a fee, but has had to reduce
this to 1/14th to retain any custom at all.

The legality of this is, at best, dubious, and several of the

better off Serfs (those with significant flocks of sheep,
and close to being able to buy their freedom) are funding
a case before the Court of Chancery to demand an
injunction against what they see as an illegal (worse,
‘novel’) attempt to extend existing Common Law.

Historically, it is likely they will win … if they can afford

the legal fees and appeals.

The Freehold mill charges 1/16th for tenants of the

Manor (Serf or Free) or 1/14th for non-manorial resi-
dents.

Church: The Manor is served by the parish church of

St Nevin’s and its priest, Father Timothy. The Church
itself is of half-timbered construction with a small bell
20 tower (and small bell) at the east end and can only
seat about 80 people for services.
 B
The Manse and Tithe Barn are situated on a separate
plot alongside the Church grounds and include a
significant croft where the Priest, his Deacons and
hired workers grow vegetables and keep Bees in sever-
al hives alongside two dozen apple trees.

Father Tancred is known to be able to produce a very A

R
passable (alcoholic) Apple Cider and and equally pleas-
ant Mead (and often takes Apples and/or Honey as
tithes to make more of these drinks than the Church’s

O
lands in the Vill directly support).

Hamlets: None on the map, or visible on the Map. One

is about a mile off the road leading off the map (at
F17) called Wudugeata (‘Wood’s Gate’) where 18
families (14 Serf, 4 Freemen) are involved in mixed
farming, beekeeping (20 hives spread amongst 3
Seneschal/Household Knight: The Seneschal is Sir
Richard Œcerman who was knighted while on Cru-
sade (or otherwise serving with the ‘Royal’ army on N
Y
families), flint knapping (making the flints for Flint & overseas/foreign) service for a mix of bravery and
Steel and other firelighting purposes) and some goat skilful leadership as a Mounted Serjeant …
herding (including making goat cheese)/
Richard, originally the third son of a Mounted Serjeant,
The other is located at (O19, under the Map Header who managed to garner enough booty and make the
decoration) and is called Smygelstane (‘Stone Bur- right contacts to buy an freehold estate on this Manor
row’) because of the relative scarcity of timber on the equivalent to a Mounted Serjeant’s portion, coupled with
uplands around it, necessitating most of the dwellings
to be of drystone or clay-mortared stone construction
rather than wood. This hamlet consists of a dozen
investments in Tenements and other property in
Porthaven that give him an income equivalent to about
£20 pa – along with his salary as Seneschal (£8) and O
F
families, six of serfs involved in a mix of farming and livery and maintenance as a household Knight (£12) his
sheep herding, the rest being freehold or contract total income of £40 makes him about as financially well
miners working a rich deposit of copper, partly of ore off as the average landed knight.
but with wide veins of native copper metal scattered
through the ore body. His ‘common’ background means he is not always well
thought of by some of the other Knights in the Barony
The miners produce 3+1d6 tons of pure copper a year, (and in the Kingdom in general) – but his modest
carted by road down to Forcythwyru Abbey for boating
down the river to Brymclyfu for shipping to London (or
the national capital/nearest large city or town) and, to a
reputation as a skilled and cunning warrior means that
he has solid contacts with those of a more military bent.
I
T
lesser extent, to Porthaven. Richard’s wife, Aethele, is the daughter of one of the
richest members of the Merchant-Adventurer’s Guild in
BEORGHSTANE MANOR (M10-N10) Porthaven and, as such, is a skilled businesswoman –

H
Manor and Village of the same name, it exists on a and is as much the reason why he was chosen to be
mixed economy based on sheep (wool, meat and (and has been successful as) Seneschal as his own
cheese), forestry (a mix of large timbers from Beorghs- skills (he was schooled to latin grammar level by his
wudu and charcoal burning from coppices around the family before he went off to war). They have two sons,
edge of the wood) and farming (including intensive
market gardens to supply the Market at Upper Ouse
and an Off-map Town (east of the River Inn).
both under age ten (Stephen and Michael) and a
fourteen year old daughter, Melisande.
U
R
While Richard and his family have a suite of rooms in the
Lord/Fee Status: This is one of three owned by Sir Manor House which they routinely use when the Lord is
Geoffroi de Burgh in the Barony (the other two are not in residence, they also have a two storey half-

A
Dunstaen and Wynaern) the former a single/the latter timbered farmhouse they are in the process of extending
a double fee, making him the second biggest land- and upgrading and a smaller, but still comfortable,
owner in the Barony after the Baron. It also makes townhouse on some of the land they own in Porthaven.
him responsible for fielding four ‘Lances’ of Knights
in case of a callup of the Select or General Fyrd. Aethele also schools her daughter, Melisande, and a
select number of the Manor’s brighter girls … some fee
Sir Geoffroi and his household form one such. The other paying, from Freeholder families, but some ‘free’
two are the Seneschals of the other two Manors acting as students from Serf or even Cottar families and has
Household Knights with their positions being taken over
by the Bailiff of those manors in the short term.
contacts with the Convent of St. Arilda in Porthaven
where she was educated and has arranged for the very 21
 brightest girls to be further educated there … again, Home Farm: The Estate is split roughly 75:25
some as fee payers (though usually subsidised as part between land held by Freeholders and Serfs and that
of the Nunnery’s commitment to ‘good works’) and directly worked by or for the Lord. Most of the estate
some as free students (often those who show some is involved in mixed farming and sheep-herding, but
vocation to become Nuns). the Lord has spent money on creating and expanding
a charcoal burning ‘industry’ based on the adjacent
Bailiff: The Bailiff of the estate is Cerdic the Lame, Beorghswudu.
one of the Freeholders of the Manor who inherited the
family’s land when his older brother died in a freak These woods also support a forestry operation that
logging accident … Cerdic’s leg broken badly when he cuts down select trees, doing at least basic shaping
was young and he was being taught his letters and (and often cutting them into beams or sawing them
numbers at Forcythwyru Abbey school and so was into planks) which are sold at the Upper Ouse market
able to make a success of managing the family’s lands and even floated downriver to Brymclyfu for sale at
when recalled … Porthaven or one of the other coastal Towns or Cities
of the Kingdom.
Cerdic was such a pronounced success that he was a
natural for Sir Richard to choose to be his second and Vill: Thee Vill is the home of 80 families, around 600
backup in case of a military callup, even though he is people. Of these, 52 are Serfs, 10 are Freeholders, 12
only 22 years old. are Cottars and six are Cottars directly employed by
the Lord as workers in the Coppicing and Forestry
Manor House: The Manor House is a five bay 1½ concerns run by the Estate.
storey half-timbered structure … one bay at each end
(for the Lord and his family at the north, for the The six Cottars employed by the Lord only have a
kitchens [ground level] and quarters for the Seneschal cottage and garden but no rights to run animals on the
[1st floor, US 2nd) at the south) with two storeys (and, Commons (though they can, and at least a couple do,
in the case of south end, a balcony overlooking the pay a small quarterly ‘fine’ of ¼d per animal to gain
Great Hall below) and three bays open to the ceiling such rights), they do not have the full Croft & Toft rights
(with the roof supported by hammerhead beams) of the ‘regular’ Cottars …
forming the Great Hall.
However, they don’t work full time for the Lord, and are
There is a stone Granary and a stoutly built timber able to hire themselves out for at least some of the time
Barn with a half storey with quarters for staff – during high labour demand parts of the year (sowing
usually empty except for the stable-staff unless the and harvesting). They are only a little better off than
Lord’s retinue is in residence), a Byre, a Dovecote and day labourers.
a Smithy all inside a ditched enclosure of around 3
acres … with a mix of hedge and wooden fencing The estate has a watermill sited on the edge of the
running along the mound on the inside of the ditch. scarp where the land starts to slope down significantly
and the head of water can be quite strong … and there
The Smithy takes advantage of the cheap charcoal is space for a large mill-pond to ensure a steady, not
available on the estate to smelt iron and make horseshoe too strong, flow to the wheel.
blanks which are then sold at the markets in Upper Ouse
(and probably further afield). Eowric the Smith is also Church: The Parish church is that of St Grimbald and
an expert Farrier, able to craft specialist shoes to help the Parish Priest is Father Thomas, who is assisted by
repair/prevent further damage to damaged or deformed Norbert o’ Dale as Deacon.
hooves … and has a Barony-wide reputation.
The Church itself is of stone construction and in the
Romanesque style, and is only large enough for 100
worshippers with the Manse situated on an adjacent
plot – it is a substantial two storey stone structure with
rooms for the Priest and assisting Deacon as well as a
room off the Kitchen used as a Schoolroom where a
number of the village boys (mostly paying students
from Freehold families, but two or three ‘free’
students from amongst the brighter serf families).

There is also a substantial cruck-framed Tithe Barn

adjacent to the Manse.

22 Hamlet: The Estate has no Hamlets large enough to

show on the map, but there are another dozen famil-
 B
ies who have land scattered around the fringes of the
wood on the top of the scarp where the estate is
situated – eight are freeholders and four are Serfs who
have special rights to run pigs in the forest as well as
keep bees – between them they have ten hives.

BLYCCEHOLT MANOR (A06) A

R
In addition to mixed farming, the Lord of the Manor
and some of the wealthier freehold peasants run
around 400 cattle between them. They produce cheese

O
and drive cattle to Porthaven for sale to the Butchers
there – and also provide a significant amount of hides heavy iron bound oaken door in the middle of the
to the tanners. upper floor – though there is an equally stout double
door in the lower floor which allows access to the
Lord/Fee Status: Blycceholt is a single Fee estate
held by Lady Matilda FitzWarren, the widow of the
late Sir Cai FitzWarren, as the guardian of their son,
stables and store-rooms on the lower level (and there
is a trap-door and ladder arrangement to allow access
from the upper floor). N
Y
Gerald and his twin sister, Katherine (7 years old), one
of two estates held by her – the other being the three The interior is arranged in the more or less standard
Fee estate of Upper Ouse. pattern of the Lord’s quarters at one end, an open
Great Hall, and Kitchens and some storage areas at
Theoretically Lady Matilda and her children should be the opposite end.
under the control of the King or a male relative, but she
is the sister of Baron Ithura … the favourite sister of the Home Farm: The estate is split roughly 65:15:20
Baron, and one he has always regarded as a favoured
advisor in matters relating to local and County politics
and the administration of his estate and lands.
between the Serfs, wealthy Freeholders (four of them,
owning or leasing 6%, 4% 3% and 2%) and the Lord.
As noted, the Freeholders and the Lord are heavily O
F
into cattle herding – and provide a substantial
As a result, she has been able to ignore all attempts by amount of the livestock to the Porthaven Markets.
the Crown to enforce its nominal authority over her, her
children, and the estate as Baron Henry has conveyed There is a single water Mill owned by the Estate,
to the King the polite fiction (recognised by all as just which charges a medium range 1/14th of the product
that) that Lady Matilda is under his guardianship. being milled.

Blycceholt was, originally, the personal dower of their

mother, Richenda (deceased), bought with her cash
inheritance from her mother and went with Matilda
Vill: There are around 75 families in the Vill (~580
people) who are mostly involved in mixed farming. 60
of the families are Serfs, only five are Cottars and the I
T
when she married. remainder are Freeholders (including the four very
wealthy ones noted above in the Home Farm section).
The Manor is a favourite ‘rural’ retreat for her and her

H
children, and they spend at least two months here every Even the less well off Freeholders and the Serfs take part
year, usually in Summer … often being visited by her in Manor’s livestock trade to Porthaven, though they
brother and a small party of his closest friends for part mostly sell Goats, Pigs and Sheep (including Goat’s and
of that time. Ewe’s Cheese) rather than the larger and more expensive

The rest of the year she spends in Upper Ouse and she
normally overwinters in Porthaven (she has a pleasantly
Beef cattle.

Church: The Parish church is St Osburga’s and is U

R
comfortable townhouse there) where she can visit her ministered to by Father Leofric who is an appointee
brother in Porthaven Castle (or be visited by him). of the Bishop of Coventry who has traditional rights
to do so based on the grant of a minor relic (her left

A
Bailiff: The Manor is managed by Harald Longlocks, little finger) of the Saint several generations ago. The
a substantial Freeholder on the estate (owning or income from the parish is split between the Bishop
leasing 6% of the land). He has offices in the Manor and the incumbent (roughly 20:80) – though income
House (off the Kitchen) but doesn’t live there – he from pilgrims attending to worship at the reliquary of
resides in a substantial two storey half-timbered St Osburga is split 50:50.
cottage on the edge of the Vill.
The number of pilgrims to the Church varies according
Manor House: The Manor House at Blycceholt is a to seasonal and other factors but, in a good year, might
two storey stone building. Entry is normally by stairs
up to a gap bridged by a small drawbridge and a
number several hundred from afar and twice that many
from Porthaven. 23
 The Nuns of St Osburga’s Nunnery in Coventry send a BREITBAE MANOR (C14-D14)
delegation to tend to the reliquary and worship at the Breitbae Manor is situated on the Porthaven-Crossford
Church every year for her holy day (21st January). road where it crosses from the right bank of the Ithura
to the Manor and Village of Breitbae on the left bank
The Church is a substantial stone built structure, over a solidly built single-lane stone bridge built by the
which was recently extended with additional internal Count about twenty years ago. This location gives the
space, and a chapel for the Reliquary of St Osburga, locals a lot of passing trade for food and drink,
all done in the Anglo-Norman style all completed amongst other things (accommodation, smithing and
around five years ago after around a decade of on and farrier’s services etc.), bringing something resembling
off again construction (based on the number of a cash economy to the Manor.
pilgrims the Parish attracted each year).
Lord/Fee Status: The Manor is held by the Count of
The Church is now large enough to seat around 150 Fill in the Blank (the local County to which the Barony
people in comfort or squeeze in 200. belongs) and is a single Fee estate. It was chosen for
retention by the Count when the Barony was created
Hamlet: The Estate has only one Hamlet on the map, due to its key location on the Porthaven-Crossford-
Gledelf, with ~12 families involved in mining the County Seat road – even though, originally, the river
outcroppings of black anthracite coal nearby which is crossing was merely an unimproved (weather limited)
widely used in Porthaven for heating and cooking, ford over the Ithura.
though not for ironworking or other purposes and
another 8 families involved in mixed farming The Count only rarely visits the Estate since it is so small
– and, mostly, when he does, it is when he overnights
The Estate has another Hamlet off map, directly to the when passing through on his way to Porthaven
west, on the verge of the Deofulwudu, along a second-
ary track continuing the Porthaven-Blycceholt road, Seneschal: The Count has appointed Sir Rogier du
Ælfsgeata (‘Elf’s Gate’) which is reputed to have Mont, one of his long serving household Knights, as
originally been (and maybe still is, depending on the the resident Seneschal. The appointment is something
status of the Elves, if any, in Deofulwudu in your of a sinecure as Sir Rogier is in his mid 50’s and,
campaign) a settlement which has had links with the though still in good health for his age, is no longer
forest’s Elves … and possibly still does. really fit for foreign campaigning … though perfectly
OK for local defence leading the Manor’s Fyrd.
The inhabitants of Ælfsgeata pursue mixed farming as is
common, but also run many pigs in the forest … and, Sir Rogier has a wife, Jaqueline, who is in her mid 40’s,
unlike most of the other Hamlets and small steadings the daughter of Freehold Serjeant from elsewhere in the
around the Deofulwudu, suffer minimal losses, most of County, and they have four children surviving … three
which are readily attributable to the depredations of daughters (one a Nun in Coventry, two married to well-
natural predators. They produce some of the best to-do landowners [one the Lord of a Manor elsewhere in
Bacons in the region (sold for a premium at the markets the County, one the holder of a wealthy Mounted
in Porthaven) as a result. Serjeanty likewise) and a son, Marc (23), who has taken
up his father’s post as a Household Knight in the Count’s
They also seem to have a knack in gathering Honey service and who is currently working as a trusted courier,
from wild hives in the forest as well as, of course, high herald and envoy in the Count’s direct service.
grade beeswax – around 4-500 pounds of honey and
80-100 pounds of beeswax four times a year (typical While Sir Rogier (assisted by his wife) oversees the
medieval beekeeping can only manage to bring honey in general management of the Estate, the day-to-day
twice a year … and that requires either destruction of or running is managed by the Bailiff …
the causing of severe damage to the hive.
Bailiff: Nicodemus the Grey is the Bailiff, and is city
boy from London (or whatever the national capital is
in your campaign) where he was born into a poor
family but was so talented he was noticed by the
Parish Priest and was tutored and then granted a
Grammar School scholarship and secured a clerkship
with a middling rank London merchant.

He managed to save enough money to purchase a

Freehold Serjeanty on this estate and, because of his
skill set was a natural choice for the job of Bailiff. In
24 fact, he really does almost all of the administration of
the Estate under the light supervision of Sir Rogier.
 B
Nicodemus is in his late 40’s and has a wife, Lucinda
(his second) in her early 30’s as well as two young
children still at home (Stephen, 11 and Maria, 7) as well
as a married daughter in London (Eunice, 22, married
to a Master Carpenter) and a son, Tancred (16) clerking
for a Lawyer (at the Inns of Court, if they exist in your
chosen time period). A
Nicodemus is an excellent book-keeper and knows the
‘Italian system’ (aka ‘Double Entry book-keeping’ R
O
which means his accounts are always accurate and,
indeed, have enabled him to make Breitbae the most
profitable Manor for its size of any owned by the
Count … and a number of the Count’s Men of Accounts
have spent time at the Manor learning these new-
fangled accounting methods (for which Nicodemus
earns a handsome premium for teaching).
places and latrines for use by travelling merchants
and their waggons and/or pack animals at the nomin-
al charge of ½d per Waggon or six pack animals … the N
Y
Villagers are generally quite happy to sell food and
Manor House: The Manor House is a two storey stone fodder to any such who stay here.
structure with, as is usual, the main entry and living
quarters on the upper floor (Lord’s quarters at one Within the Home Farm Compound there are several
end, Hall in the middle, Kitchen, Pantry, Buttery etc large Cruck framed buildings, a Stable for horses and
and some Staff quarters at the other end) and other riding, vehicle or pack animals as well as a Byre
Stables/Storehouse on the ground floor (accessed for cattle (normally Dairy cattle roughly from mid
through a stout, iron reinforced, double door or by a
trapdoor and ladder from the main floor).
Spring through to mid autumn) and two stone-built
granaries with raised storage bins inside.
O
F
Unusually, there is a three level Tower set about 20 Some of the junior household staff and the farm staff
yards away from the Manor House, perhaps originally sleep in quarters over the Stables, and these normally
intended as a defensive/control point at the ford as have space for another dozen or so travellers to sleep
the ground floor and part of the first (US second) in, unless the Count and his retinue are present.
levels are of recognisably Roman work with Anglo-
Saxon repairs … and with Norman additions and There is also space above the Byre for around twenty
further repairs on the upper parts. people to sleep on paliasses and these are normally

Access is only at the middle level, which acts as a

‘Hall’ for the Seneschal, the lower level is for stores
unused except on the rare occasion when the Count
and his entire travelling household (rather than mere-
ly his personal retinue) are in residence. I
T
and has a stone lined well, and the third level
functions as the private quarters. The roof level has Space in these two areas are available to common
crenellations and a fighting walkway around the travellers – typically ¼d per person for sleeping space.

H
edges and a lead lined wooden roof in the centre … the The Manor’s Kitchen will provide a simple meal of
whole tower is around 35’ tall, which is rather short Pottage for an additional ¼d and add some meat or fish
for a more modern stand-alone tower, but perhaps not for another ¼d (½d all up) including a small mug of
for one of its obvious vintage. weak beer in both cases.

Home Farm: The Estate is split 75:25 between the

tenants (Serf and Freehold) and the Lord as far as the
Better off travellers will be invited to dine with the
Seneschal in the Great Hall and might be put up in the U
R
farmland is concerned. However, the Estate has retain- Lord’s quarters (sparsely furnished and mostly unused
ed the key lands around the Bridge over the Ithura unless he is in residence) – usually at no cost except good
and the prime black-soil farmland along the river’s fellowship and conversation and news of the wider world.

A
banks (and some fishponds and weirs which allow the
estate to produce fresh fish for the table and smoked Vill: There are 73 families in the Vill, or around 600
or air-dried fish for sale to travellers or shipped to people – there are 48 Serfs, 15 Cottars and 10 freemen
Crossford or Porthaven for sale) so that the split of or freeholders. The Serfs and Cottars are mostly invol-
income producing property (less the Bridge and Tolls) ved with mixed farming as day labourers, though
is more like 60:40 between tenants and estate. some of the latter work seasonally at the estate’s fish
ponds and weirs or smoking, salting and packing the
While there is no Inn nearby, and, of course, no fish harvested from them.
Tavern in the Vill, the Home Farm has a hedge and
ditch walled compound of several acres with fire- There are two waterwheel Mills in town, one leased 25
 from the Lord on a ten year contract, charging 1/14th charge has always been of that name. Always. If
to estate residents or 1/12th to others. The other Mill anyone questions this, the locals and the current
is on the lands of one of the freeholders which charges Priest will claim that this is traditional – the agree-
16th to residents and 1/14th to others but is inconven- ment between the fiefholder (dating back even before
iently located several miles out of the Vill proper, the Norman conquest and the reign of the current
upstream, and at a site where the mill race powering Count) and the Church is that the Priest appointed to
it freezes over for around three months of the year minister to the Parish must take that name … though
(early midwinter to early spring). the reasons are not clear. Tradition? Something else?

The Blacksmith is more full-time than is common in The core of the Church building is quite old – parts of
a mere rural Vill due to the passing trade and is a it are obviously repaired (or possibly salvaged) Roman
passable farrier as well … and the Carpenter is able to period work, and there are several secret signs from
repair (but not make) cart and waggon wheels and that period … the Fish and the “Sator-Arepo-Tenet-
generally maintain and repair carts (and can build Opera-Rotas” christian palindrome … one the face of
Farm Carts, less the wheels). some of the oldest stones.

Around a dozen of the village households (eight Serf Literally ‘The farmer Arepo works a plough’ the letters
and four Free) produce Ale to sell to travellers, and can, in fact, be worked into an anagram cross around
there are usually at least four or five who will the central ‘N’ to form ‘Pater Noster’ down and across
currently have stock on hand while the others will be with A-O in the top left-right quadrants and O-A in the
in the process of brewing. bottom ones … a secret sign that Christians worshipped
there, one seemingly innocuous to an unbeliever.
Most of the families in the Vill will happily make room
for a traveller in their homes or outbuildings and The original church has been extended several times
provide a meal – but expect some small payment or a and the original, Roman, part now forms the Apse,
contribution of food to go into the meal being prepar- Altar, Sanctuary and Chapel while most of the Nave
ed by the housewife. is Anglo-Saxon work with some later Norman
additions including a tower added at the rear of the
Some of the better off Serf families and most of the Apse with a small bronze bell donated by the Count’s
Free families will also happily prepare bread or pies grandfather.
to be baked in the village ovens in the morning so
Travellers can start their day’s journey with fresh There are rumours amongst the great unwashed in Port-
baked goods, either to consume before they start out haven that the Priest has always been the one person
or packed carefully away to consume on the road – or who has ministered to the parish ‘since time out of mine’
they can make griddle cakes quickly for travellers … disappearing as an old man and then reappearing as
during the day or who are in a hurry. a younger one soon thereafter. Similar stories may be
found, deeply buried (not hidden, as such – but because
The cost of food and drink ‘to go’ is typically around the Church regards the stories as just that, stories) in
1/3rd of the price of similar food in a Town. Church records around the country … generally with
commentaries about the gullibility of the uneducated.
Church: The Parish Church is that of Saint Peter
Simeon (i.e. the Peter, the disciple of Jesus, the first However, there are the occasional circumspect and
Bishop of Rome, crucified by the Emperor Nero) and obscure comments about the Parish in the archives in
the Priest in charge is Father Simeon … in fact, if one York and Canterbury (or the two nearest Archbishoprics
were to examine the Parish records, the Priest in if your Barony is not situated in England) and some of
the local Bishoprics and Abbeys … vague claims that the
community may harbour heretical Petrine views regard-
ing the relationship between Jews and Christianity
rather than the Pauline gentile-style version that is
mainstream in ‘modern’ Christendom.

Hamlets: There is only one Hamlet large enough to

show on the map Twifcotlif (South) (E16) which is
unusual (in the Barony of Ithura) in that it is split
between two estates.

Twifcotlif (North) on the other side of the road running

through the Hamlet belongs to the Manor of Crossford.
26 Twenty families live here, around 100 people all up,
 B
a dozen are Serfs, six are Cottars and two are
Freeholders – one with lands that rate them as a Foot
Serjeant and the other with lands that rate them as a
Mounted Serjeant.

The Cottars work most of their free time as day labour

on the lands belonging to the two freeholder families. A
R
Two work for the Foot Serjeant and four for the Mounted.

Most of the families are involved in mixed farming,

O
but the Freeholders also raise goats and sheep and
produce meat, skins or fleeces and cheese for sale,
mostly in Crossford.

Ithura Bridge: The Count built a single lane stone

bridge over the Ithura to supplement the Ford over
the river which could be quite dangerous in the early N
Y
Spring with the melting of the winter’s snow upstream
or, less commonly but not infrequently, when heavy
rains in the catchment caused the river to rise. Estate and his town house in Porthaven. Sir Osric has
only recently inherited the estate – as his father, Sir
The Count charges non-locals ¼-1d per riding animal or Tancred, was lost at sea during an unseasonal storm
cart to use the Bridge but allows those on foot to pass when returning from personal business in London
over for free. He also charges 3d/£1 (2½%) toll on all several months ago.
goods or livestock not being moved by those with Burg-
age rights in Porthaven – but only for cargoes or live-
stock with an estimated value of 10/- (120d) or more.
Sir Osric is only 24 years old and is still a bachelor,
which makes him an excellent catch for suitable un- O
F
Royal Officials, those who hold the Count’s Warrant, married local girls, especially those with an attractive
and Baronial Officials with the Baron’s Warrant do not dowry many of whose families have been trying to
pay anything … but other nobles and gentry do. attract his eye.

The Bridge is nominally open only from sunrise to The smarter families, or the female portions thereof,
sunset, but there is a full-time watchman-toll collector have instead been working to bring their particular
who lives in a small cottage next to the Bridge on the side candidate to his mother’s attention.
opposite the village who can be woken to open the boom
gates after hours for a 1d fee for his trouble, plus a 1d
surcharge to the normal toll (to the Count).
Even though he has been fully trained, serving as a
Page to the Count and then a Squire to the Baron I
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before being Knighted three years ago he hasn’t any
BRYMCLYFU MANOR (M03-N03) actual combat experience – only militia duty and
The main part of the estate lays to the west of the regular turn at being part of the Garrison at Brym-

H
mouth of the Wæterstréam River, extending as far clyfu Keep (over the river).
west as the Barrows and including the Hamlets of
Weardsteall (‘Watchtower’) south of the Highway) and He is mad keen to take part in the Crusading movement
Wuduæppelbearu (‘Wild Apple Grove’) to the north. (or mercenary work, if there are no current Crusades
The estate also extends off the map to the east a short
way along the coast, south of the Royal Highway to
Another Town (off the map).
running) but his mother has been pressuring him to
ensure the succession by marrying and siring a son as
soon as possible. U
The estate has multiple sources of revenue – there are
fishermen who gather oysters and crayfish in the
His mother, Dame Louise (42) is currently using her
many contacts amongst the local nobility and gentry R
A
estuarine waters and others who catch inshore fish in to search for potential brides for her son and is also
the calmer waters of the bay; flax is widely gathered, on the lookout for potential husbands for her
retted, and spun into thread, to be onsold at daughter, Osric’s younger sister, Iolanthe (16).
Porthaven or Another Town off the map to the east (up
the coast) and, of course, normal crops are grown. Sir Osric’s older sister, Nicola (26), has been married to
a well-off Knight from a different Barony within the
Lord/Fee Status: The estate is large and wealthy County for eight years and has two young children, a
enough to qualify as a two Fee estate for the purposes boy (7) and girl (4).
of taxation and feudal obligations and is held by Sir
Osric FitzHerbert who splits his time between this The Estate is responsible for providing two Knights 27
 (or Knight equivalents) for the Select and General Fyrd is a half floor above the lord’s quarters and the
and, when Sir Tancred was alive, after his son was kitchen end under the roof beams … but the Great
knighted, he and Sir Osric filled those requirements. Hall opens directly onto to the roof beams and under-
side of the slate shingled roof.
Prior to Osric’s knighting, however, his father had
arrangements with several of the Free households on There is access to the ground floor from a latch-
the estate to provide two Mounted Serjeants or one ed/locked hatch (with ladder) in the Great Hall.
Mounted and two Foot Serjeants over and above their
normal dues, outfitted and paid for at the Estate’s The Manor House is set in a walled compound with a
expense, in lieu of the manning shortfall. stone wall on three sides and the Manor forming the
fourth. The wall is not crenellated and has no wall
While there has been no explicit continuation of this walk and is about 12’ tall. There is a reinforced gate
agreement under Osric, the framework is there and it is normally kept locked at night, though there is a Night
very likely that it would be continued as needed. The Porter who has a small one roomed cot next to it.
eldest son of Thomas of the Green (the long-serving There are also stables for the Lord’s household’s
Bailiff), John Ridda (‘John the Horseman’, 34 years old) horses along one side, a well and a small stone cottage
has always been one of the Mounted Serjeants chosen to alongside the other wall which has rooms for several
fulfill these obligations for the last ten years. Men-at-Arms on the Lord’s payroll.

Bailiff: There is no Seneschal as Dame Louise person- This stone walled compound is in a larger (10 acre)
ally manages the Estate’s business, just as she did for area bounded by a deep ditch and hedge with wooden
her husband when he was still alive … and does so bridges (permanent, but easily burnable) at the north
quite successfully. and south ends. This area has a variety of mostly
half-timbered or wood structures including a Hay
Dame Louise has a reputation for being a hard, but fair, Barn, Byre, Stables, two Granaries, a Smithy and a
bargainer – and someone not to try and trick or double Carpenter’s shop (including a Sawpit).
cross, as no few of the shadier or more chauvinist local
businessmen have found to their cost over the years. Home Farm: The lands of the estate are split roughly
25:75 between the Lord and his Tenants, and the
To assist her in day to day matters there is a bailiff, Home Farm concentrates on two things – firstly, high
Thomas of the Green, one of Freemen of the estate, a value cereal crops, especially Durum wheat which is
Mounted Serjeant in status and holdings, who has especially prized by regional pastrycooks but also
been working with and for Dame Louise in this role including regular wheat and, secondly, the produce of
for more than a decade quite effectively. a carefully medium large apple orchard – the Apple
Cider produced from his crop is well known and
Manor House: The Manor House is a 2½ storey stone popular as far away as the Regional (County) Capital.
structure with access via double reinforced wood
doors to the ground (storage/stable) floor and via a The Durum wheat was imported by a previous Lord
side staircase with a small drawbridge leading to a more than a generation ago after he encountered it on a
reinforced door in the side of the Great Hall. pilgrimage (or Crusade, depending on the timing of your
campaign) in the Middle East
Internally, the upper floor has three sections – private
rooms for the Lord and his family at one end, Great The Farm buildings are part of a separate compound
Hall in the middle and Kitchen and related stores around the Manor House (see above).
(plus some staff accommodation) at the other end.
Vill: There are 88 families in the Vill, or around 700
The Upper floor is nominally 1½ storeys in that there people – there are 60 Serfs, 18 Cottars and 10 freemen
or freeholders.

Most of the Serfs are involved in mixed farming, but

two families have begun to run significant numbers of
sheep in the last generation and have been successful
enough to buy down their feudal obligations to the
Manor to the level where they owe less than half the
normal amount of labour service as well as leasing
additional land, freehold.

It seems very likely that one of them (the family of Osric

28 Farfeld) will soon be in a financial position to buy out
their remaining feudal obligations.
 B
The Cottars, as usual, mostly work as day labourers,
but two of them own fishing boats and work these with
their families in the mouth of the Wæterstréam and
inshore, selling fish to the other villagers, the Lord’s
household, the garrison of the watchtower over the
river and air-drying, smoking or salting down the rest
for sale, often by taking it down the coast to the A
R
Porthaven markets when there is a large enough ship-
ment. As a result, these two nominally ‘cottar’ families
are almost as well off as the average Serf in the village,

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but have less in the way of labour obligations.

Fish in the river are the property of the Lord, but fish in Church: The Parish Church is that of St Margaret of
the estuary are not – nor are those caught offshore. The Wessex, established due to her connection with river
fisher families also harvest rock oysters in the estuary a
couple of times a year and either ship them (fresh mostly,
but sometimes smoked) to Porthaven or sell them locally.
Ferries … the ferry across the Wæterstréam having been
established in late Anglo-Saxon times as a partly
charitable work by local donors in her name. N
Many of the Serf and Cottar families are involved in
the wool processing industry – the Porthaven investors
who own the Fulling Mill (see below) run a large scale
The Priest, Father Willem, is newly appointed, the last
Priest (Father Ethelburgh) died unexpectedly a year
ago, and is only in his mid 20’s. He comes from a
Y
‘putting out’ operation employing them to card, spin regional gentry family (third son) who were able to
and then weave the wool they provide. This is mainly ensure he holds the benefice free and clear.
a late autumn and winter activity and brings in addit-
ional income for those families involved, so they tend
to be better off than their farming activities alone
would support … and the additional money means the
This particular Parish was a definite choice as its
location along a Royal Highway and at an important
river crossing and crossroads mean that there are plenty O
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Vill as a whole is wealthier than expected. of travellers who pray in the Church, increasing the
donations it receives and, of course, meaning a higher
Amongst the Freemen of the Manor is a Blacksmith income for the Parish Priest.
(repairs/makes farm implements, shoes horses,
repairs waggon/cart bodies, smelts local ore (for sale Father Willem uses part of his income to purchase scribal
every quarter at Porthaven); a Carpenter/Cartwright supplies as he is writing a regional history from pre-
(makes/repair carts and cart wheels) and a Potter Roman times (in usual medieval fashion a lot of it
(with rights to the clay found along the riverbank) who
makes common unglazed ware (mainly for local con-
sumption (but some of which is shipped to Porthaven
consists of ‘tall tales,’ unsubstantiated and often untrue
or, at least, heavily garbled, local legends leavened with
a modicum of truth) … so he is an authority of some I
T
or Upper Ouse for sale in the markets there). repute for information regarding historical locations and
events for the region (if he doesn’t know something about
There are two watermills just outside the Vill, one a place or event then he will know someone/some other

H
owned by the Manor, charging the locals 1/14th of source that may be consulted for more information).
their grain to grind into flour – non locals pay 1/12th.
The second is owned by investors from Porthaven and He is also a moderately knowledgeable Medicus with
is used in the fulling of locally sourced wool. a good working knowledge of locally available medical

As a Village, there are no Inns or Taverns, but the

passing trade along the Royal Highway mean that
herbs – and has a herb garden in the back of the
Manse where he grows those which can be cultivated
as well as a small number of those which normally U
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there are two of the Freemen families who offer rooms grow wild, but which he is working on domesticating.
and meals to travellers at 2/3rds standard Inn rates –
one family has space in their large Barn, on the upper He also has training as a bone-setter and can do basic

A
level, and can accommodate a dozen travellers on surgical procedures – though this is based mostly on
individual paliasses while the other family has two book learning rather than extensive practical exper-
additional rooms in their main house which can sleep ience (he assisted in the Infirmary at the Minster
six people in two beds. where he was trained, so he has some experience).

The Manse has rooms available as well, and, if full, Unusually for a Priest, he owns a complete set of Mail
other families in the Vill have space in their barns or Armour, Sword, Mace, Dagger and Lance and prac-
storerooms which, though somewhat less comfortable, tises regularly with the Serjeants of the Manor – and
will be cheaper … room only at 1/3rd the cost of a bed in
an Inn, room and a meal at ½ the Inn cost.
he very much wants to participate in a Crusade to the
Holy Lands in the near future. 29
 He has a war-trained horse, just not a Destrier, and can the river (equal to a Croft and Toft), marry her and take
fight as either a Mounted or Foot Serjeant. over the running of the Ferry in partnership with some
of her family.
The Church itself is of the Norman style and can seat
~80 people at a time with room for another 40 or so The lease of the Ferry-right is traditionally for a life-
standing at the back. term with the right of the heir(s) to continue it on the
death of the leaseholder (attracting an additional fee
The Manse consists of a substantial stone core with an over and above the normal lease payments to confirm
added half-timbered wing hanging off one end, form- the transfer, of course). Dafydd was lucky in that the
ing an ‘L’ shape. The local Priests have always offered previous leaseholder was getting too old to operate the
rooms to passing travellers at about ½ to ¾ of stand- Ferry and had no sons to continue in the job, so he
ard Inn rates, and the extension has room for a dozen was able to organise a buyout of the lease from the old
travellers in three rooms (one has a bed for two, one owner and organise confirmation by the County auth-
has a bed for three and the third has two beds, one for orities at a cost that was well within his means.
two and one for three.
The leasehold comes with some feudal rights to plots of
There is also a Stable with pens that normally take a half land on both sides of the river. There is a substantial
a dozen horses or similar, but which can take twice that half-timbered cottage with croft and toft (separate to the
many if doubled up – and there is a half-storey hay loft one Dafydd has purchased in the Vill proper) which
above the rear part with room for half a dozen paliasses. Dafydd has granted to his brother-in-law as payment for
Additional horses and draught animals can be kept his labour and that of his sons in working the ferry and
overnight in a small fenced paddock at the back of the a smaller single-room structure on the west (Vill) side
Barn and there is space in the large block on which the which can be used by those manning the ferry at night
Manse is situated for Carts and/or Waggons. waiting for possible night-time business – and which can
also be used as shelter by those waiting for the ferry in
Hamlets: There are no Hamlets as such in the Manor, inclement weather.
but six of the Cottar families live on the far edge of the
Vill, about a mile from the centre (where the Parish Additionally, the ferry-right comes with the right to
Church is) on lands leased by one of the Freeholders, collect mussels, oysters and other shellfish along the
right up against the scarp, where there are a number banks for a half mile on each side of the ferry landings,
of pit and shaft mines which yield a quantity of good the right to catch fish in the same stretch of the river
quality iron ore each year, usually mined after the proper and the right to collect clay, harvest flax and
Harvest is in and before spring planting. rushes and other plans that grow within a Rod (22 yards)
of the high water mark on the river bank area detailed.
Wæterstréam Ferry: The river is too deep and fast
flowing for a bridge to easily be built here so there is The lease payments consist of 1/10th of the tolls collected
a Ferry connecting Brymclyfu and Brymclyfu Keep. and free passage for those on the Count’s business or
The Ferry-right is leased from the Count, and the with a Royal Warrant. This includes those on duty at the
current Ferryman is Dafydd the Welshman who is Keep, opposite, Royal Judges and those Royal Bureau-
married to a local girl and runs the ferry with his sons crats of similar importance, Royal Messengers etc – and
and his brother in law, Osouf the Quick. the Ferryman will (perhaps grudgingly) take the Ferry
over immediately on their instruction.
Dafydd was an experienced sailor whose ship was blown
up onshore in a storm around a decade ago – he was The ferry is a flat bottomed barge and is normally
badly hurt and was nursed back to health by the Priest, poled across by Dafydd or Aelfnoth (or other members
and fell in love with one of his volunteer nurses, a local of the family) and their sons – though they may allow
girl from a Cottar family, Mélonie, eventually deciding travellers to assist for a slight reduction in their fare.
to use his savings to purchase the lease on some land by
It takes 10-15 minutes – depending on the tide, the
height of the river (longer when the tide’s going out or
when the river’s it’s faster flowing in flood) and the
weight of the cargo and passengers being carried (more
helpers can’t reduce the time to less than 10 minutes).

There are four long oars stowed aboard for those

occasions where the tides/river current is strong enough
to force the ferry into deeper water, each capable of
being worked by up to three people. When worked by
30 only one person, triple the crossing time, by two, double
it and by three increase it by 50%.
 B
The ferry has room for four carts (plus two passengers
(i) (h)
each) and their draught animals (if there are only two, (a)
the animals may remain hitched, otherwise they’ll have
to be unhitched to fit) and a waggon (with four passeng-
ers) counts as two Carts (and must have its animals
unhitched). Four riding horses (including their riders) or
eight pedestrians are also the equal to a Cart. Even when
(c)

(f)
(g)
A
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full with Carts or Horses (and their riders or passengers)
there is also room for half a dozen extra foot passengers. (d) (e)
(b)

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The tolls are ¼d for a foot passenger or anyone with Brymclyfu Keep (not to scale)
Burgher status at Porthaven, Another Town (the one in the Serjeants of the Garrison and the members of the
the next Barony over, off the map to the east) and the personal ‘Lance’ of the rotating garrison commander
County Seat , ½d for locals with flocks or carts and 1d and a 3rd floor (US 4th) which is arranged as the quarters
for those with riding horses (horse and rider).

Operational Hours are normally dawn to dusk – the

for the Commander of the garrison and his personal
servants (and, occasionally, for his wife as well – though
not all those appointed here bring their wives or families
N
Y
ferry only crosses when the Ferryman feels he has a along). The roof level has a parapet and crenellations of
profitable enough load or (at least nominally, consid- stone around the edges and a central range (the actual
ering medieval timekeeping technology) every half ‘roof’) of wood covered with lead sheeting to make it
hour – getting him to cross when he isn’t good and both waterproof and resistant to incendiaries.
ready can cost anything from 3d to 6d (depending on
a range of factors) There is a single tower/gateway complex (b) facing the
Royal Highway and the Ford.
It isn’t impossible for a Bridge to be built here – but the
muddy bottom would require substantial (time costly
and time consuming) preparation work to set any found-
There are Stables (c) (space for 8-10 riding or pack
animals and a half storey for hay and fodder storage
O
F
ations and would be at the very cutting edge of the that has space for a half dozen to sleep comfortably
currently available bridge building technology. For the on palliasses, or twice that many in a pinch) along the
moment it’s cheaper to ship things by sea. west wall; a Carpentry/Cooperage workshop (d) and a
Smithy (e), both with attached rooms for the families,
Brymclyfu Keep: This isn’t a purpose built ‘Keep’ it a stone-lined Well (f), gravel surfaced parade ground
is the site of a Roman watchtower (see photo above of (g) in the central range, a detached Kitchen (h) with
what it would have looked like in Roman times) and some stores and an larger Granary and Stores
defended beaching site for Pictii (coastal defence
warships). The villagers, possibly descendants of late
Roman Laeti (barbarians settled as local militia) kept
building (i).

The Stables, Carpentry Shop, Smithy and Kitchen are

I
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the walls in a not too ruinous state and the last all of half-timbered construction and have slate roofs to
Anglo-Saxon Kings to have the watchtower rebuilt and make them resistant to incendiaries that might be thrown
strengthened in a modern style. or shot over the walls. The Granary and Stores building

H
is of stone construction with slate roof and has a raised
The ‘Keep’ consists of the Tower (a) with easy entry wooden floor with a 2’ crawl space underneath to ensure
only from the parapet or stairs up from the ground good air circulation beneath the grain bins.
level (there is a storeroom in the lower level of the
Tower, with ground level access from the courtyard,
through a heavily iron banded door with an easily
blocked trapdoor and ladder arrangement for access
The fort is under the command of a Castellan nomin-
ally appointed and paid for by the Crown, but, in fact,
this has been devolved to the local Count as part of his
U
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to the upper levels) and which forms part of the feudal obligations. He, in turn, has passed on some of
circuit, 20’ high walls (a mix of Roman stone-brick-tile the responsibility to Baron Ithura who, likewise, has
and more recent stone facing and rubble fill) with devolved as much responsibility as possible.

A
parapets all around.
The Castellan’s job is a rotating position held by one
The Tower has three internal levels and is roughly 40’ of the Barony’s Knights, usually for a two month tour,
high – the ground floor storeroom, an entry level (1st with his immediate Lance (Squire and Serjeants) in
floor, US 2nd) which doubles as barracks for the charge of the two Serjeants (and their families), six
permanent garrison (the Archers and Spearmen) and a Archers and 12 Spearmen, resident Blacksmith and
stone lined channel running down through the walls to Carpenter and a half a dozen servants (Kitchen staff,
a well level underneath the tower to secure the water stable hands etc.) who form the permanent garrison.
supply for the garrison if they are forced to hole up
inside; a 2nd Floor (US 3rd) with curtained off ‘rooms’ for
There is two wheel Cart and a four wheel Waggon plus
horses to pull them on establishment as well.
31
 DUNSTAEN MANOR (A16) system of simple channels copied from what he saw on
Dunstaen Manor: Vill and manor of the same name, his adventures in the Holy Lands, greatly increasing the
much of the estate’s lands (including three Hamlets) output of several previously marginal fields.
are off the map to the west. The road from Crossford
continues off map to the Next Barony. Réné (~16) is currently training in Sir Geoffroi’s
household, learning the social skills needed by one of the
The Manor’s income is derived from a mix of general gentry as well as the arts of war suitable to his station.
farming, dairy and some copper mining and smelting
from close to surface deposits. Manor House: The Manor House is a two storey stone
structure with a small tower at one end. The ground
Lord/Fee Status: The Manor is one of three owned by floor (US 1st) is used as a granary and food store and
Sir Geoffroi de Burgh in the Barony (the other two are is accessed via double doors on one side – and by a
Beorghstane, at M10-N10, and Wynaern, at G14) all ladder let down through a trapdoor from the main
are of single Fee status. (1st, US 2nd) floor above.

Seneschal: The Seneschal is one Guibert of Lisieux, The 2nd floor has rooms for the Lord’s family at one
originally employed by Sir Geoffroi as a Man-at-Arms end, a Great Hall in the centre range, and a kitchen
and whose long and trusted service saw him rise to the and related facilities at the other end. The Lord’s
status (and pay) of a Mounted Serjeant, learning to quarters and the Kitchen have half storeys under the
read and write on an expedition to the Holy Lands in roof while the Great Hall is simply open to the beams.
his Lord’s service. Access is via steps and inset door on the long side near
the kitchen end.
The Seneschal has rooms in the half storey above the
Lord’s quarters in the Manor House and the use of the The rooms over the Lord’s quarters are used by the
2nd (US 3rd) and 3rd (US 4th) floors of the Tower there. Seneschal and his family and are connected to the 2nd
(US 3rd) floor of the Tower by a substantial oak wood
He is married to Nathalie, the daughter of a Black- door bound with iron bands and rivets. Access to them is
smith from Porthaven and they own some freehold directly from the Great Hall – there is no need to go
land in the Manor bought with a mix of his savings through the Lord’s rooms (and no direct means, either).
and loot from his crusading days plus his wife’s dowry
… which is enough to support them and their three The Tower is of four storeys, but is only 20’ in internal
children (Iris, Mary and Réné) at a level equal to his diameter. The ground (US 1st) floor has a well and is
social status (and nicely supplemented by his salary as used for food storage, the 1st (US 2nd) floor has access
Seneschal). from the Lord’s rooms and is normally empty except
for some racks for weapons (mostly spears) and tubs
Nathalie is well versed in the keeping of accounts, of arrows and crossbow bolts – the 2nd (US 3rd) floor is
having assisted her mother in doing just that for her part of the Seneschal’s quarters as is the 3rd (US 4th).
father’s substantial smithing business, and between them The roof is of stone and is crenellated.
they are running the Manor quite effectively … indeed,
Nathalie has been instrumental in increasing the profit All the floors are accessed by a narrow spiral staircase
of what had previously been a minor copper mining winding around the inside of the walls from level to level.
operation by having a stamping mill and smelters built
(in conjunction with Porthaven investors) producing in- The two floors used by the Seneschal are accessed
gots for sale through her father’s business contacts. through a door from the half floor over the Lord’s rooms.
The 2nd (US 3rd) floor is the Seneschal’s bedroom while
Guibert has taken the dairying and farming business in his daughters sleep on the 3rd (US 4th) floor. Réné, when
hand and has had some irrigation works done using a he’s at home, sleeps in a small room in the half floor, the
rest of that area being Nathalie’s (the Seneschal’s wife’s)
‘Solar’ cum private dining room.

The Tower is the oldest part of the structure – the house

part was added later – the stonework is of different styles
(and types of stone). The join between the house and the
tower is – clumsy, the doors leading from the Lord’s
quarters (and the Seneschal’s) don’t match up with the
floor level in the tower, the former stepping down two
steps, the latter up two steps.

32 The original entrance to the tower was in the wall of the

1st (US 2nd) floor of the tower, but has been expertly
 B
(though visibly) sealed up with stonework at the time the
house was added and the stairs leading up to it removed.

The Manor House is situated in a compound surr-

ounded by a ditch and hedge with entries on three
sides, two suitable for carts and one for foot traffic
only, bounds an area approximately three acres in A
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size … it encompasses a Byre, Stable, two Granaries
(one half-timbered, one stone), a Dovecote (stone),
Smithy, Carpenter’s workshop and several small two-

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room wooden cottages for the more senior servants
(including the Smith, the Carpenter, the Porter – the
latter near the main entrance to the compound).
Church: The Parish Church is St Edmunds (of Abing-
Home Farm: The lands of the estate are split roughly
80:20 between the tenants and the lord, but the
Lord’s lands are, of course, the most fertile (or other-
don) and the Parish Priest is Father Walter, who is
mostly absent (he is from a wealthy and powerful
noble family and holds a dozen ecclesiastical ‘livings’ N
Y
wise valuable) parts of the manor (including previous- … spending most of his time in a townhouse in the
ly marginal meadowlands that have been improved County Seat). He visits this parish perhaps once a year,
through the use of some basic irrigation measures, see usually on his way to somewhere else, and rarely for
information on the Seneschal, above). more than a day or two.

The Lord’s lands grow high value wheat as the main His religious duties are performed by a Curate, Father
crop but there are also pastures where a herd of Simon-Peter who receives about 15% of the income of
around 100 milk cows graze, producing around 500-
600 liters of milk which is turned into 50-60 kilos of
cheese (or 5-6 Wheels each of ~10 kilos).
the Parish (with constant complains from Walter
about ‘collections being too low’) and does his best to
administer the parish relief, but, again, Walter is O
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more than usually niggardly in how much of the tithes
The Manor sends off a cart full of cheese (and other he allows for this purpose … and constantly complains
products) to Porthaven each week, usually on a Monday. about ‘indigent wretches who need to find paid work
rather than leech on the income of the parish!’
Lady Nathalie, the Seneschal’s wife, supervises a 5
acre plot where assorted ‘herbs’ (vegetables) are grown Father Simon-Peter supplements his inadequate income
on Manorial land as well as a similar sized field that by teaching letters and sums to the village boys whose
is part of the family croft and toft – some of the
vegetables are sold, fresh, mostly at Crossford, but the
bulk are smoked, dried or salted and stored in barrels
families can afford to pay 1d a week and also assists the
Seneschal when the manorial court is in session, between
visits by the Lord (who has his own scribes). I
T
which are shipped down to Porthaven or up to the
County Seat for sale. Hamlets: There are no Hamlets on the map – but
there are two off the map to the west, these are Cyper-

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The profits from this venture are more than modest – wic (‘Copper Place’) and Symbelwic (‘Festival Place’).
Lady Nathalie’s lands return an income of £2-3 for the
year and the Lord’s lands (with greater access to the Cyperwic is situated about a mile off the map, about
manure from his Dairy herd) returns perhaps twice that a half mile off the road leading to Dunstaen Vill and
amount … and the Lady Nathalie is paid £1 for her good
stewardship.
adjacent to a knob of rock protruding from the
countryside. Legend has it that this was once a place
where the locals could trade with the Dwarves (and, U
R
Vill: The Vill has around 78 families, or about 600 depending on whether you have such in your cam-
people – 54 Serf families, 16 Cottars and eight Free paign world, this may, once, have actually been true).
Tenants. The majority of the tenants are involved in

A
mixed farming, but one of the Freehold families runs Certainly there seems to be some reason for it as knob
about 80 sheep, mainly for milk, and one of the better is riddled with pits and shafts … including one that
off Serf families runs about half that many. snakes in a rough spiral down around 20 meters and
which opens up into a large chamber about 30 meters
The sheep produce around 1-1½ liters of milk per day, across, the floor of which is a large body of copper ore
so the larger herd produces 3-3½ wheels of Cheese (~10 rich with numerous inclusions of native copper which
kilos each) per day and the smaller herd produces about make it extremely rich and easy to smelt.
half that much – these cheeses usually go to market once
a week to Porthaven on the same cart that takes the
Cheeses from the Home Farm.
There are a half a dozen mining families here, all
Cottars with Croft and Toft but paid a weekly wage for 33
 mining and helping run the water-powered rock The pool rarely overflows, which, given the constant
crusher and the smelter. The Smelter is overseen by a inflow, indicates there is probably a subterranean
master Coppersmith and three Journeymen (all work- stream that originates here and may connect to one of
ing on a salary as well as a share of the profits). the region’s creeks … given that the original deity was a
water goddess it is possible that offerings from ancient
The smelter produces around a ton of refined copper times may be found there.
ingots (of 20 [Tower] lb [~7 kg] by weight) a week which
generates a profit of about £3/15/- (900d) at Porthaven The Chapel is on the ground floor of a two storey stone
or about £5 (1200d) at the London Markets. A fifth goes structure constructed from a mix of natural and
to the Crown, another 10% to the Church, the remaining crudely shaped fieldstone and is tended by a Hermit,
70% is split between the investors and the manor … traditionally called the Ealdamann (‘The Old One’).
~40% of the total to the former and the remaining 30% The current resident is one Hwita of Wulfhil, who has
to the latter (i.e. 360/270d to 480-360d per week). allegedly taken minor orders or, at least made some
sort of holy vow – the exact story differs – and main-
The contract between the investors and the Lord has 8 tains the shrine (and himself) by herding goats for
years to run of a ten year agreement. milk, hair, meat and hides and by acting as a hedge
vet and bone-setter for the locality (dispensing well
Symbelwic is a larger hamlet (15 families, mostly serfs) tried traditional remedies).
situated around four miles down the road, off map, at
the edge of Ealdwudu (‘Old Forest’) where there is a In fact, he is an acolyte of semi-secret pre-Christian cult
chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Forest … though represented by the Halgawestensetla (‘The Old One’)
locals can, if questioned carefully, tell you that it is on who resides near Deaðlacu … and can be relied on to
the site of a holy spring where a pagan water spirit was provide help and lodging for those worshippers of the
worshipped. old ways who know the correct passwords.

There was a yearly festival at Beltane – now celebrated FYRTHBURH MANOR

as a Holy Day. The ‘spirit’ worshipped was the Celtic Fyrthburh is situated about a half a mile from the
goddess Belisama, a goddess of lakes and rivers. coast and is mostly involved in mixed farming and
some forestry (mainly of coppices on the edges of the
The Chapel is next to a clear rock pool fed a spring Deofulwudu). Some fishing is done seasonally, mainly
issuing forth from a carved limestone head set into a for local consumption, by a few families who keep
rock face on a local hillock … the face is ancient and small boats pulled up on a nearby sheltered beach.
no longer really recognisable as anyone or anything
(or even, really, if it is of a male or female – or even of Lord/Fee Status: Fyrthburh is a single fee Manor,
a human), except that tradition is that it was miracu- and the Lord is Sir Frédo FitzGuibert, more common-
lously carved into the rock overnight by the first ly known as Sir Frédo de la Turris Alba (‘of the White
missionaries to arrive in the region on the 8th century. Tower’) due to his famous act of bravery in holding a
tower on the borders of the Principality of Acre against
a ‘horde’ of attacking Saracens during his sojourn in
the Holy Lands about fifteen years ago.

He owns the Manor as the dower of his wife, Mélonie,

a favoured daughter of the Count (of the County to
which the Barony of Ithura belongs).

As her dower, it will (probably) form part of the inherit-

ance of her eldest daughter, Yvaine, when she dies … but
Mélonie is only 38 and her daughter only 14, so that is
likely to be some time off. The Count has organised
things such that the estate is entailed to his daughter and
her chosen heir … that is, he has organised it so that
lawyers in Porthaven hold the estate in trust for her,
following her instructions and disbursing any income as
she sees fit even though, nominally, married women can
own no property.

(This is becoming an increasingly common arrangement

in the period, done with the specific intent to ensure that
34 female relatives are not stripped of their dower or
inheritance by a feckless or uncaring husband)
 B
This is not ‘his’ only Manor, but it is a favourite of his
wife so they spend at least a month a year here or in
a townhouse in nearby Porthaven, usually in Spring or
Summer (the rest of their time they spend in the
County Seat or travelling between their several other
Manors, some of which are in Normandy).
A
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There is no particular subtext here – Sir Frédo is not
necessarily the sort of husband that needs to be guarded
against … that decision is up to you, as GM.

Seneschal: This is Coenbehrt of Lincoln who was

originally the senior assistant to the Cofferer of the
Count’s Wardrobe (i.e. the official in charge of the
openable from the inside (and which are heavily
reinforced with iron bands and rivets) … and this level
is used for storage (and quarters for staff and garrison,
O
Count’s personal accounts and treasury), he was
offered this post as a trusted member of the Count’s
administration who would ensure Mélonie’s interests
mostly in times of actual use, when the Lord’s entour-
age is in residence, as it has a number of narrow slits
just below the floor of the next level for ventilation) N
Y
were held first and foremost in any decisions made with access to the 1st (US 2nd) floor through a drop
regarding the estate and its income. down staircase and trapdoor from above.

He was offered a life interest (for himself and heritable The main entry is through a stairway and platform
by his wife, then reverting to the Count on their deaths) leading up to the first level, but set out about two
in a tenement in Porthaven (worth £1/10/- [360d] per meters from the tower wall and the door to the 1st *US
year in rents and with a suite of rooms for his personal 2nd) level bridged by an easily removed wooden
use) plus the promise of a Corrody (annuity/pension)
worth ~£40 on his retirement (generating a pension
income of ~£4 per annum, enough to live in a consider-
bridgelet. The main entry level serves as a Great Hall
with a large fireplace for both heating and cooking
(though there is now an external kitchen that is more O
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able degree of comfort). commonly used in the Tower compound, see below).

Coenbehrt married late in life (he is age 60), and his A tile-lined conduit leads down through the this tower
wife, Godive (daughter of the Cofferer), is only 32 years wall alongside the fireplace to a well/cistern built into
old … and they have three children, two daughters the bedrock beneath the small motte on which the
(Eve, 13, and Adeline, 6) and a son, Nicolas (10). tower rests).

He is an excellent manager of money, but not so good

with the personnel and farming side of running the
Manor and relies on a Bailiff, Grimbol o’ the Wold, the
Access to the upper levels is via a staircase running along
the inside of the walls.
I
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richest of the Manor’s freeholders who, as the name The 2nd (US 3rd)
floor is divided into three apartments,
suggests, has lands adjacent to the Deofulwudu and is one used by the Seneschal full time and two used by
reputed to be an ‘Elf Friend’ … senior members of the Lord’s household when they

H
are in residence … though the smallest one of them is
The status of ‘Elf Friend’ may mean nothing in your used by the Seneschal as his office at other times.
campaign, even if it allows that Elves exist – the name
doesn’t refer to Grimbol, but to one of his ancestors. The 3rd (US 4th) floor is used as the private quarters of
Still, it is of interest that his lands are well watered even
in the driest of seasons and manage to return a living
profit in even the worst of famines … but that could
the Lord – divided into two small semi–private rooms
(for the Lord and his Lady) and a larger semi-public
area which doubles as a common room for the family, U
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simply be because he is an excellent manager (which, of sleeping areas for any children with them (normally
course, is why he works for Coenbehrt! curtained off) and a Solar for the Lady of the Manor
and her guests and friends …

A
Manor House: Because of the proximity to the coast
and the possibility of foreign or pirate raids, the this The Solar has a massive window (for the time and place,
is a Tower Manor of four floors (ground and three of course) – roughly a third of a meter (~2’4”) wide by a
upper) and has a platform for a signal/warning fire on meter and a third (~4’6”) tall and situated to catch the
the roof … and such a signal can be seen from both sun for as long as possible during the day. And, of
Porthaven and Porthaven Castle when lit. course, with a thick and strong iron bound oak shutter
for to secure it in times of trouble.
The Tower is set on a small mound, perhaps 5 meters
above mean ground level, and entry is, as is common,
through doors to the ground level that are only
Home Farm: The lands of the Manor are split roughly
85:15 between the tenants and the Lord – however, 35
 the Lord has devoted most of his lands to intensive (~100 people) live closer to the verge of Deofulwudu in
market gardening, growing herbs (both vegetables and what would be classed as a ‘hamlet’ except for the fact
actual herbs) for sale in the nearby (only ~4-4½ miles that they are all within ½-¾ mile of the Village proper.
off) Porthaven markets, hosting 40 hives (for Honey,
20 in thee bounds of the Home Farm, another 20 Fifty nine of the households belong to Serf-tenants, a
scattered in groups of 3-5 along the forest verge)) and Baker’s Dozen are Cottars and the remaining eight
running Dairy Cattle (producing cheese and honey are freeholders – including a Miller, Blacksmith, Car-
Yoghurt) which are also sold in Porthaven. penter and the remaining five mostly run sheep (for
wool, mainly) as an addition to general farming …
Yoghurt was not widely (if at all) known in Western between them they run around 500 sheep.
Europe until the early 16th century, though it was widely
consumed in Muscovy and the Middle East. Sir Frédo Church: The local Parish Church is St Mary Cleophas
picked up a liking for the stuff in his sojourn in the and the Parish Priest is Father Jude. The Church is
Crusader states and brought back some servants who unusual in that it is situated in a walled enclosure on
knew the process – it is a popular food in Porthaven but a small rocky promontory on the coast around a half
does not travel well in a period without refrigeration, a mile from the Village.
and so has not spread outside of the immediate region).
The wall is old, probably late Roman work, but was
The Market Gardening, Honey (and Beeswax) and been carefully maintained and repaired in Anglo-
Dairy products of the Home Farm make the relatively Saxon times – the top third is noticeably different
smaller amount of land about two thirds as profitable as (somewhat cruder, with re-used stones) to the bottom
would normally be the case – equivalent to the income (Roman) two thirds and is about 25’ high, but is not
generated by lands equivalent to 25% of the total crenellated, and seals off the narrow neck of the
Manorial acreage. promontory with a gate, bridge and ditch.

Vill: The Vill is, unusually, walled – after a fashion. The Church is late Saxon with more recent (though
The ‘wall’ is merely an irregularly shaped log stockade still a generations ago) Norman embellishments –
with drystone and wood entry gates, four wooden except for the tower, unusually at the north end,
towers (~30’ tall with a partially enclosed platform at which is octangular for about 35’ of its 45’ height
the level of the wall walk (~15’ up) and a roofed while the remaining 10’ is round. The lower section is
(wooden shingles covered with nominally green hide) late Roman work but the new addition at the top is
upper level with crenellations. All of this is enclosed late Anglo-Saxon or, more likely, early Norman.
by a double ditch … dating back to ‘the old people.’
There is seating for around 60 parishioners in the
Local historians – such as the Parish Priest here or Church proper.
Church authorities in Porthaven – know, on some level
(i.e. they’d have to do a bit of digging) that the earth- Though the Tower butts against the Church, it is not
works are Roman, possibly late Roman (though they actually a part of that structure – the Church seems to
may simply have been re-used in the late Roman period have been constructed against the tower at some
and actually have been much earlier) and may have much later date. Entry to the tower is at the ground
been associated with the ‘Saxon Shore’ coastal defences. level and has obviously been cut the thick walls here
Or not – they may simply be a much earlier marching – there are four internal levels (Ground, 1st and 2nd
Camp for a Legionary detachment. floors and the roof/belfry – US 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th) and
the original entry seems to have been in the 1st/US 2nd
Most of the Villagers live inside the walls, 65 house- floor, but later carefully closed up with good quality
holds or ~580 people, but another fifteen households Norman stonework).

The ground level door is heavily reinforced wood and

the area here is used for storage, mainly for food and
drink, with a staircase in front of the door leading up to
the 1st-2nd/US 2nd-3rd floors which act as the Manse, living
quarters for the Priest on the upper floor and for the
Deacon and Verger on the lower, along with the Kitchen.

The ‘grounds’ of the Church are quite restricted,

perhaps another 60 or so people could gather inside
without being crowded – the original Tower was prob-
ably part of the Saxon Shore defences as well.
36 The cemetery is actually on the other side of the Vill,
 B
surrounding by a ditch and hedge, and is the site of
the usual informal Sunday ‘market’ found in most
rural settlements of any size. This is where most of the
village social activities take place – and there is a large
wooden shed with walls on three sides only and with
room enough underneath for ~ 50-60 people to gather.
A
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Most weddings take place here – during the Middle Ages
weddings did not take place inside a Church, but only
on the Porch or at the Doorway … the limited space

O
inside the Church grounds here mean that weddings take One of the Latin inscriptions mentions ‘Flavius Magnus
place in the Cemetery grounds. Maximus Augustus’ and styles him ‘Imperator et Caes-
ar’ which dates it to AD 383-388 … Magnus Maximum
Father Jude tutors the two oldest children of the was the last actual Roman ‘Emperor’ (usurper) to hold
Seneschal and some sons and daughters of the
freeholders and a few of the better of Serfs (as well as
some of the brighter children from poorer families) –
the province, it being effectively lost after his death in
battle in 388. Better known as Maxen Wledig to the post
Roman Britons, and to the locals here, who have, N
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the Boys in the mornings five days and the girls in the somehow, preserved the name and a rough story of his
afternoon three days a week. battles with the ‘King of the Romans.’

Hamlets: There are three Hamlets in the Manor, The legend claims that his body was spirited away from
Ærsceafta (‘Place of the Ancients’), Þéodland (‘First the battlefield where he was executed by the vengeful
Field’) and Heargeard – but only the latter is on map. King of the Romans and buried in a hidden crypt
‘nearby’ … along with the obligatory hidden treasure
Heargeard is a small settlements of about 80 people
situated at the head of a small sheltered inlet on a
stretch of sheer coastal cliffs around 60-80’ high.
and claim that he will return to defend the locals in their
hour of need.
O
F
Þéodland has around 60 people snuggled up against
The inlet is tricksy to find unless you already know it’s Ofersæwiscwudu (Foreign Woods) – a grove of full
there – and even then it can only be seen as an inlet if grown Lebanese Cedars back to ‘time out of mind.’
one is heading more or less directly into it already.
If real Elves exist in your campaign, then these may be
About half of the locals make most of their income ‘Sylvan Cedars’ and the site may be connected to the
from fishing and collecting mussels, oysters and ass- Elves (if any) from Deofulwudu … and it is generally
orted crustaceans for sale at Porthaven. Their farming
and stock raising pursuits are secondary – and carried
out mainly by their womenfolk.
acknowledged to be bad luck to cut down more than a
few trees every generation (maintaining a minimum of
36 ‘ancient’ trees … six being a sacred number to the I
T
Sylvan Elves of the region).
The other half of the population are farmers who
engage in traditional agriculture – but use seaweed as HEASTOR MANOR (I19)

H
a fertiliser and mulch so, during the farming season, Heastor is situated in the hills north of the Village of
their fields can smell strongly of this material. Attford on an (alternative) major road leading down to
the Axe River and thence on to the County Seat. It is
Ærsceafta is the largest of the three Hamlets, with a situated in the cleared land between Weasta and
eighteen families and ~130 people living there. It gets
its name from an inscribed (broken) pillar alongside
the royal highway, reputed to date back to the times
Easta Cráwawudu (East and West Crow Woods).
While the Manor does engage in mixed farming, it is
heavily involved in sheep grazing and produces U
R
of the ‘old men.’ The Hamlet is about a mile down mutton (mainly for sale at Upper Ouse) and wool,
the Coastal Highway off the SW edge of the map and shipped by road to Attford and thence downriver.
is involved mainly in mixed farming and sheep herd-

A
ing (there are around 500 sheep grazing locally, Lord/Fee Status: Heastor is a single fee Manor and is
mainly owned by two Freeholders and a wealthy Serf). owned by Sir William FitzGeorge, one of several he
owns spread across the County as a whole, but the
The column is around 3 meters tall, and broken at the only one in the Barony of Ithura.
top … definitively broken as part of two inscriptions are
shorn off mid letter or mid word. There are five separate Sir William is an close friend of the Count and, as
inscriptions, two in Latin, one in Ogham, one in Runic such, tends to spend almost all of his time at the
and one in an unidentified alphabet (Phoenician, in fact County Seat or at those of his Manors closest thereto.
– this is the most worn of all of them, with only a few
words or parts of words still, faintly, legible).
He visits Heastor infrequently, usually no more than
once every two years or so. 37
 Seneschal: Because Sir William is such an infrequent quarter of the length of the structure and the service
visitor, having important business in the County Seat areas at the south (also two full storeys plus a half
most of the year, he relies on Gædric Notwrítere storey), and also about a quarter of the length. The
(Gædric the Scribe), an experienced book-keeper and Hall proper is open right to the roof beams.
manager whom he hired away from one of the merch-
ants in the County Seat. The door(s) to the Lord’s quarters are of heavy oak and
reinforced with iron bands and bolts but the building is
Gædric is a man in his early 40’s and is married to not really fortified, it is merely strongly built.
Eidyth, who is, unusually, close to him in age at 39,
and a widow of a well-to-do tradesman in the Town The Seneschal’s family has the use of the room(s) in
when they married fifteen years ago. She has a son the half-storey at the Lord’s end of the building and
and daughter by her first marriage, Rysc (21) and Gædric has an office and store-room for the Manor;s
Nora (17) – together, they have three children, Breri records in the service end, on the ground floor next to
(14, male), Solange (10, female) and Garrin (7, male). the main service entrance.

Rysc manages his (dead) father’s Smithy at the County The Manor House is set in a two acre plot surrounded
Seat and looks after (and resides in) his mother’s dower, by an ancient and well maintained ditch and hedge
a tenement/boarding house which returns a profit of border with two (wooden) gated entrances suitable for
£2/10/- a year to her, after all expenses. Nora is recently vehicles and horses on the east and south-west sides
married to the son (Slean Strong-Arm, 23) of another and pedestrian entrances (also gated) on the west and
Blacksmith from town and also lives in the County Seat, north sides.
but with her husband’s family.
About ½ acre of the internal space at the north end of
Breri boards at Forcythwyru Abbey School where he is the compound is devoted to a formal garden arranged
learning numbers and grammar, training to be a Notary according to the continental style for the use of the
or Seneschal like his father. Garrin is still being schooled Lord and his Lady and their guests and attendants.
by Father Simon Peter, the parish priest, though he is There are fruit trees, decorative flower beds, fragrant
expected to head off to the Abbey School in the next herb plots, vine-laced bowers and shaded seats as well
year’s intake. Solange is also learning her letters, house- as a small pond.
keeping and accounts from the priest and her mother.
Home Farm: The manorial lands are split roughly
Manor House: Originally entirely of half-timbered 70:30 between the tenants and the Lord but, while
construction with wattle and daub and of 2½ storeys, most of the tenants are engaged in mixed farming, the
the Manor House is currently in the throes of being Lord and several of the freeholders are heavily involv-
refurbished, almost rebuilt. The wattle and daub ed in sheep-grazing, for wool, cheese and meat.
infill between the timber baulks is being progressively
replaced with carefully selected small stones mortared There are around 800 belonging to the Lord and per-
in place. haps half again that number belonging to the tenants, ¾
to Freeholders or one or two wealthier serfs.
The Manor House is in the form of a long hall with the
Lord’s quarters at the north end (two full storeys and The mixed farming manages to feed the population
a half-storey directly under the slate roof), about a with a modest surplus that can be sold at the markets
– the real profitability is in the flocks of sheep and
their produce, however.

Since there are no streams large or well sited enough

to be used for a Water Mill, the Lord of the Manor has
recently had a Windmill constructed at the edge of the
Home Farm lands, near to the Vill, to replace the
animal or human powered mills used previously.

The Mill is leased to Piers the Strong, a Miller from the

area around London (or the national capital) in his late
50’s who has extensive experience in the running and
maintenance of Windmills, assisted by his two adult sons,
Todd (about 30) and Jerald (about 26). They charge a
fee of 1/12th of the grain to be ground into flour – but
the locals don’t complain too much, if at all, as the new
38 mill grinds the grain much faster than the older ones and
the general opinion is that the speed makes it worthwhile.
 B
Vill: There are 74 families living here as of the last
census, or around 520 people. Fifty-two of the house-
holds belong to Serf-tenants, a fifteen are Cottars and
the last seven are freeholders – including the Miller,
Blacksmith and Carpenter.

Three of Freeholders were originally Serfs but have A

R
bought their way out of their feudal obligations and
have even bought, freehold, their Croft & Toft, leasing
land on which they run around 2-300 or so sheep each.

O
One or two other nominally Serf families are on track to Vill where the secondary all-weather road to the
do the same – having partly bought their way out of County Seat crosses the Axe River at a year-round ford.
some of their feudal dues, possibly on a year to year There are also forest paths through Deopwudu leading
basis rather than permanently … so far. to Crossford to the west. The Hamlet is home to 18

On the downside, with the increasing importance of

the sheep flocks, the Lord has less and less use for the
families and ~120 people, 10 Serf families, 6 Cottars
and 2 Freemen.
N
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mixed-farming operations and, over the last generat- The Serfs engage in mixed farming and also harvest and
ion or so, a number of previously serf farming families process large quantities of Flax seasonally, shipping it
have been converted into cottars (not willingly, either) off to Crossford and Porthaven. The Cottars are mainly
though, so far, they have been employed by the Lord involved in charcoal burning, a fairly large scale oper-
or the wealthier freeholders to look after the flocks ation run by one of the Freeholders and utilising exten-
and the related business and are not, yet, too resentful. sive coppices along the verge of the Deopwudu. The
second Freeholder family has the right to keep Hives at
Late in the period, some Manors began to ‘dispossess’
long-term tenants and convert their lands (usually marg-
inal ones increasingly affected by the end of the med-
the edge of the Forest, collect honey and wax from wild
hives within its borders … they also have a license to run
Pigs in the forest in season, allowing them to be fattened O
F
ieval warm period) into pastures for the grazing of sheep up and turned into prime quality Cráwawudu Cured
which were better able to utilise the marginal lands. Ham which is regarded as a regional delicacy and sold
at the County Seat and Porthaven (selling for a 20%
Church: The parish church is Saint Jerome’s, so premium and with +1 food value).
named because the Church is the proud possessor of
a complete copy of the Vulgate (Latin) Bible as origin- Stánclyf is on the eastern side of the Cráwawudu and
ally translated by Jerome as well as several other is the base for the Royal Foresters as well as being the
books on Dogma also written by him … the gift of the
Lord’s grandfather, having acquired them while on
Crusade when he was a young man.
site of a quarterly Forest Court where Forest Law
offences are brought, fines and punishments levied
and licenses for Pannage (feeding pigs on fallen I
T
acorns) and Agistment (allowing cattle and horses to
St Jerome’s is the only Parish church in the Barony to graze on forest land) are let out.
have an entire copy of the Bible.

H
The Hamlet has a population of fifteen families (~90
The Parish Priest is Father Peter, who is rather old (63 people), 10 Serf families (mostly involved in mixed
years of age!) and lives most of the year in Upper Ouse farming), four Cottars (two are regular hires looking
while his Curate, Father Calixus (23 years of age) after the Lord’s sheep flocks when they are in the
serves the Parish on a pittance (he is paid 5/-, 60d, a
quarter plus board - the latter taken from the portion
of the Church tithes that are nominally intended for
area, the other two are charcoal burners working for
the single Freeman). There are also a Forest Serjeant
and four Forest Constables and their families, about U
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poor relief … a matter of some resentment, directed 20 people all up – all of whom have cottages with croft
towards Father Peter, amongst the villagers). and toft (the Serjeant has six acres, the Constables
half that) which come with the position as well as, of

A
To supplement his income, Father Calixus carves intric- course, receiving wages (which may or may not be
ate wooden crosses which he sells through a merchant regular, depending on a variety of factors).
who regularly travels to the Crossford market and also
takes on paying students from the better off local famil- Local Legends: There is rumoured to be a Menhir
ies, teaching them to read, write and do basic sums. somewhere in the wood called Cráwamen (‘Crow’s
Stone’) associated with the ‘old men’ (pre-Christian,
Hamlets: There are two Hamlets in the Manorial pre-Roman, and possibly even pre-Druidic), widely ass-
lands, Cráwahróst (F20)and Stánclyf (L20). ociated with ritual sacrifice – of Crows and, depending

Cráwahróst is a little over two miles north-west of the

on who you talk to, men as well though at such a
distance in time who can be sure? 39
 Trying to find the stone is regarded as … unwise … but his mother, Desdemon (48), who has been encourag-
there are probably locals who could guide you there. ing (read ‘manipulating’) him to find a new wife to
produce a son and heir.
The Royal Foresters know where it is, but it is in a thick
and difficult part of the woods so they rarely go any- Desdemon is a one manipulative and quite nasty piece
where near it and, of course, they tend to be very of work (think Lady Macbeth or Cruella deVille) – and
suspicious of non-noble types who just seem to want to Sir Hubert was happiest when his wife was alive, as
wander around the Royal Forest … but they could guide Severine was more than a match for her, and, while she
a party there, if they believed they were above board (or was still alive, Desdemon lived in a suite of rooms (part
were handsomely bribed!) and if doing so didn’t conflict of her dower) in the County Seat … plotting, mostly
with their regular duties. ineffectually, until Severine’s death enabled her to stage
a return.
The actual significance of the site is up to you as a GM
– but it might be imbued with ‘old magic’ or even be the Seneschal: Since Sir Hubert lives so close to the
site of an ancient Barrow grave. estate, he doesn’t require a Seneschal, employing Bors
Greensward (the Estate’s wealthiest and most efficient
While it doesn’t have the negative reputation as does freeholders) as Bailiff. Bors lives in a well-appointed
Easta Cráwawudu, historic land-clearing around the 1½ storey half-timbered cottage on his croft and toft
much reduced rump of Weasta Cráwawudu has turned and manages the estate’s businesses from an office in
up a number of man-height or less Standing Stones (not the Manor House.
menhirs, and only crudely shaped) with the sorts of
markings associated with the ‘old men’ (i.e. spirals, Manor House: The Manor House consists of two parts
trumpets, ‘spectacles’, weird animals etc.) … – the original stone-built two storey fortified structure
(separate external access to the ground floor storage
SYLVABEARH MANOR (G7) cum stable area plus a trapdoor and ladder from what
Sylvabearh is one of the smaller estates (by area) on was originally the 1st [US 2nd] floor kitchen area and
the map, being bordered by the Ithura river and the stairs up to a reinforced door leading into what was
main road north to the County Seat in the west, the the original ‘great’ hall) which has been internally
scarp which forms its border with Hrycbaed in the rebuilt into a larger suite of private rooms for the
east, Sylvawudu to the south and Afenwudu to the Lord and his family (now mostly unused as the old
north – but its proximity to the river and to Porthaven Lord died several years ago and his other children,
mean it is able to support a larger than expected three daughters, have all been married off and live
population even though there are no hamlets and elsewhere … though they occasionally visit with their
only the one Vill. families, of course.

Lord/Fee Status: Sylvabearh is a single knight’s fee The old ‘Great Hall’ has been split in additional private
manor and belongs to Sir Hubert deGrassi, and is the chambers and a private dining area for the Lord and his
only landed estate he owns, though he has invest- intimate guests … a new fangled idea that is only starting
ments in the form of landed property in Porthaven to catch on and which is still regarded by some as being
and the County Seat (improved tenements for the most overly elitist.
part, but some meadowlands just outside both towns
which he rents to local farmers) which return as much To this older portion of the structure has been added
income from rents as the entirety of Sylvabearh. a larger half-timbered 2½ storey Hall and Kitchen
area on the end of the old Kitchen – the Hall is open
Sir Hubert, 29, is a widower – his wife, Severine, died to the roof beams and the Kitchen and storage areas
a bit over two years ago in childbirth, as did their are at the far end from the old section. There is a
child, a boy. He has been spending time at his rooms ground level running through the length of the new
at the County Seat and Porthaven in the last year with addition which acts as a granary and food storage
area, including a separate Buttery (for Butts of Wine,
Ale and Beer as well as for brewing of the latter) which
has external doors as well as an internal staircase up
to the (new) Kitchens.

The 1st floor (US 2nd) is ¾ taken up by the new ‘Great

Hall’ and the remainder is the new Kitchens with a
half-storey over them for quarters for the more
important staff members (mostly only used when the
Lord is in actual residence).
40 Access between the two parts of the building is through
 B
a single large door connecting the 1st (US 2nd) floors of
the old and new wings. The door is constructed of heavy
oak and reinforced with iron bands, just as if it were an
external door – and is able to be barred from the ‘old’
Manor side of the structure. It is normally kept open
24/7 these days …
A
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Home Farm: The estate is split 60:40 between the
tenants and the Lord who has invested heavily in
market gardening, producing herbs (actual herbs and

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vegetables) for sale at Porthaven, dairying (mainly Most of the Serfs on the estate are involved in Mixed
cattle, secondarily goats, producing quantities of Farming, but the estate’s proximity to Porthaven
cheeses – plus salt meat and smoked sausage from the mean they also tend to grow a lot of herbs or raise
end of season slaughter) and raising significant livestock (Chickens, Goats and Pigs are especially
quantities of pigs for the production of Bacons.

The Home farm also produces enough Wheat to make

popular as they require little in the way of formal
pasturage or commercial feedstock) for sale at the
Markets … and, in general, get better prices for their N
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first quality bread and pastries for when the Lord and crops because it costs them less to transport them to
his entourage are in residence and enough Barley and such a well developed market.
Oats as feed for his war, riding and draught horses.
This, in turn, means the Cottars (almost all of whom
Vill: There are sixty families (~480 people) in the Vill have Croft and Toft, if no lands in the main fields) are
of which 47 are Serfs, eight are Cottars and five are better off than normal as they, too, can sell home-
Freeholders (including the Blacksmith, Carpenter, raised herbs and animal products at the same markets
Miller and Old Niklaus, a horse breeder and trainer.

Old Nicklaus is a Basque (possibly a Cathar?), from SW

– and can get steady work for the Lord or the several
Freeholders working on their lands and helping them
with their cash crops. O
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France and, for many decades, brought trained and sold
hunting and war trained dogs from there to the import- Just outside the Vill is a relatively newly constructed
ant Fairs in Germany and France. About fifteen years Windmill (owned by the Lord, leased to a Miller, Yann
ago he met the current Lord’s father, Sir Stephen while the Fat) replacing the previous muscle powered mills
the latter was on a pilgrimage to Santiago de … it charges 1/14th of the grain ground for the
Compostela (there was an attack by Bandits involved, Freeholders and 1/12th for the Cottars and Serfs (a
and Nicklaus and his dog/s intervened) and he became point of some contention on the estate).
convinced that there was a market for such animals to be
bred and trained for combat and hunting purposes in
England (or wherever your campaign is set). Sir Stephen
The goodwives of the Village, in a traditional arrange-
ment that dates way back, possibly to Roman times, I
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essayed to provide Nicklaus with access to the commons have the right to gather as many Acorns, Chestnuts,
on his estate, sell him some freehold land for a dwelling Walnuts and other edible nuts as they can gather each
and the necessary kennels, barns and training yards at in the forest each year.

H
a cheap rate and invest in the business as a silent partner.
The women process and grind these nuts into meal
Since then the business has gone exceedingly well and flour, mix with honey from local hives, locally gath-
sells several dozens of trained war and hunting dogs ered herbs using an ancient (and secret) recipe
(some are precursors to the modern English Mastiff,
probably related to the Alaunt, introduced to England
by the Normans or descendants of the Molossian of
(passed down from mother to daughter), and bake
into a dense, heavy loaf of Waybread which they sell
at the Porthaven markets. U
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ancient Greece and Rome, surviving into ‘modern’ times
in the Basque lands) at the Porthaven markets each.
Often used as a traveller’s food since it is both highly

A
“Never, with them on guard, need you fear for your nutritious and it doesn’t go ‘stale’ in any meaningful
stalls, a midnight thief, or onslaught of wolves, or way for a year or more.
Iberian brigands at your back.” – Virgil
Nutrition: 1C, 1P per oz. Cost: 1 lb (Tower), 1/- (12d),
Some of Nicklaus’s dogs have been trained to wear comes in a Cloth Bag; ¼ Pound (3 oz), 6d.
armour and trained for combat while others are mainly
trained for security work or as hunting dogs. All of them Availability: S[carce] @ Porthaven Market, U[ncom-
are of top quality and have been bred for loyalty and mon] or S[pecial] O[rder] @ Sylvabearh; elsewhere
friendliness to their owners or handlers from breeds
noted for their endurance, strength and intelligence.
within the realm, I[mport] O[nly] – and unavailable
outside its borders. 41
 Church: The parish church is Saint Adela’s, having The Village exists in the corner of what was an ancient
been built as the fulfillment of a vow by Henry of Celtic oppida (tribal capital) re-used as a fortified settle-
Blois (Bishop of Winchester [1129-71] and brother of ment in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries by the late
Stephen I, King of England [1135-1154]) since the Roman forces in the region and, as a result, the village is
estate had been part of the inheritance left to him by walled – two sides are still largely Roman while the
his father, Stephen Henry, Count of Blois and is a others are more recent construction from materials
well-constructed stone building in the anglo-norman scavenged from the local ruins.
style with enough seating inside for 100 and standing
room for fifty or sixty more. Lord/Fee Status: Upper Ouse Manor has the income
and is taxed as a three (3) Fee estate and the Lord is
There no appointed Parish Priest as the ownership of Sir Ector Théroude (48) of the famous Anglo-Norman
the Living is being disputed between the Bishopric of Théroude family.
Winchester, Forcythwyru Abbey and the Sir Hubert – it
is a complex case and has been kicked around Shire, This is his only estate, as he is only a second cousin,
Ecclesiastical and Royal Courts for at least a decade). but he is well respected within the family as a whole
and has served as a trusted messenger cum ambassa-
As a result, the Church has no full-time Priest, only a dor and military commander for the Count* on a
Sub-Deacon who can perform those rites which do not number of occasions over the last twenty years.
involve the saying of a Mass … and a Priest from one
of the Porthaven churches (which are not involved in * Most Théroude family lands are in France, and this is
the dispute) comes out at least once a month, usually where the Count lives – he is not the local Count.
(but not always) on a Sunday, and says a full Mass.
The extent of the property would, by itself, be worth
Hamlets: The estate has none, though there are a only 1½, certainly less than 2, Fees – but the commercial
number of smaller settlements, originally fortified importance of the Vill’s Market and its growing
farmsteads, with a couple of dozen residents, usually population make up the difference with Charges, Fees
members of 2-3 often related families, scattered and Rentals being very lucrative in their small way.
around the estate – amongst these are one near the
crossroads with the road from the Vill and the Sir Ector was born on his father’s lands in Normandy
Porthaven-Crossford road and one in Sylvawudu. but, as a second son and with no sisters, the only estate
he inherited were his mother’s dower lands – the Manor
Sylvawudu (‘Woods Woods’): These are on the south of Upper Ouse.
side of the road and are the property of the Lord of
Sylvabearh Manor (he reserves about ¾ of the woods Being a trusted confidante of the Count means Sir
for hunting – the remaining ¼ consist of copses used Ector has not spent much time in residence until quite
intensively to grow wood for use in Porthaven … some recently, relying on managers to keep the estate run-
as plain firewood, but a fair chunk as charcoal for use ning, when his second wife, Felicité, bore him a son
in industry (and a nice little earner for the Manor!). (now two years old) … his first surviving child … and
he has withdrawn a little from his previous pursuits to
UPPER OUSE MANOR (N11-O11, O10) take the running of his long-neglected estate in hand.
Like Crossford, this ‘village’ is situated on an import-
ant trade route and outside the normal ‘catchment’ Seneschal: Another reason for Sir Ector’s full-time
area for the Barony’s Porthaven market … and yet far return is the death of his long-time Seneschal, Sir
enough away from that of Another Town (off the map Réné FitzGarone who had been his mother’s Senesch-
to the East) in the next Barony over and the County al. The position is currently vacant, though the Town
Seat (off the map to the North) to be a difficult fit for Reeve, Grimbol o’ Fleóte, who assisted him and acts as
either of them as well. the Clerk of the Market. A search for a replacement is
underway, and Sir Ector is using his family contacts to
help narrow down a list of candidates.

Manor House: The ‘Manor House’ of the estate is,

unusually, situated in one corner of the Vill’s walled
area and is based on the remnants of a Late Imperial
fortified Camp. The walls around the compound are,
like those of the Village, mostly Roman on two sides
(with a twin-tower gate complex on one, though these
are low Roman-style towers), the Manor House itself
forms most of a third side.
42 It is a three storey Tower House-like structure (ground,
 B
storage and stables; 1st/US 2nd Hall, Kitchens and
some rooms for senior staff and guests; 2nd/US 3rd
Lord’s quarters – main access is to the 1st/US 2nd floor
and thence by internal stairs to the upper level and a
let down ladder to the ground level), the fourth wall is
constructed from scavenged materials.
A
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The roof is pitched and covered with fired clay tiles but
has a crenellated wall and reinforced wood walkway
around all four sides which allow it to be used militarily.

The walls have parapets/crenellations all the way

around except where the Manor House forms part of
the circuit where there are stairs down to the interior
O
ground level. The Manor’s internal 1st/US 2nd floor (at
the external parapet level) has no external windows on
the outside … but does have arrow-slits on the 2nd/US N
Y
3rd level, facing all around.

Home Farm: The estate is split roughly 70:30 be-

tween the tenants and the Lord and, unusually, most The Reeve was originally entirely the appointee of the
of the Lord’s fields are situated some distance from Lord of the Manor, but when the richer freemen and
the Vill and from the ‘Manor House.’ tradesmen of the Vill bought part of the Market rights
they also purchased the right to elect a Town Reeve
As a result, there is a substantial half timbered House
situated adjacent to the nearest part of those lands
which was used as the Seneschal’s dwelling while he
from amongst their number. The only caveat was that,
whomever was elected, they had to receive the approval
of the Lord … which, to date, has never been withheld O
F
was alive and which contains not only family rooms, (though the current Lord’s mother did, on at least one
a miniature hall for semi-private (or semi-official) occasion, let it be known before such an election that one
functions while the Lord was not in residence and particular candidate would never be acceptable to her –
offices where the Estate records were (are) kept and and, unsurprisingly [if one knew the dowager Lady in
from which the Seneschal ran the estate’s business. question] that candidate received exactly one vote).

The Offices are still in use by the Town Reeve who is Of the 120 families, ~40 (~250 people) are tradesmen,
doing some parts of the Seneschal’s job – but records
are split between the offices here and the actual
Manor House as the Lord is immersing himself in the
shopkeepers and others who are either completely or
mainly involved in the non-agricultural craft and
trade-related pursuits brought to the Vill by the I
T
running of the estate now that he is present and likely Market … the remaining 80 families (~650 people) are
to remain so much more frequently than in the past. mostly involved in farming and stock raising, though
a significant number are involved in raising stock or

H
Vill & Market: Upper Ouse has a population of running what are in effect Market Garden operations,
around 120 families (~900 souls) and was able to the produce of which is intended for sale in the Market.
secure the grant of a weekly Market from Baron Ithura
at around the same time as Crossford was. Because the Vill was walled, most of the ‘attached’ croft

The Market is held on what is reputed to have been the

site of the old Roman Town Square, centred on a re-
and toft held by Serfs, Freeholders and Cottars was
actually outside the walls, with only relatively small
garden plots inside. U
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maining Roman pillar (broken off at about 15’ high)
probably from the Basilica (Town Hall). As the Market has become more and more important, the
value of the land inside the wall circuit has risen so much

A
Upper Ouse is neither ‘just’ a Manorial Vill nor is it that those who have been able to have constructed
(yet) a Chartered Town – it has features of both. For tenements (i.e. rental buildings for accommodation
example, there are the beginnings of a Town Council, and/or commercial purposes) on that land and moved
(run by the wealthier freemen, and partly recognised their ‘gardens’ to part of their farmlands, usually the
by the Lord) headed by the Town Reeve (who is parts closest to the Vill …
elected by the Villagers but who must be approved of
by the Lord), assisted by the Freemen and Tradesmen Others, too poor to improve their tenements, have mostly
of the Vill – a body which has gradually become sold their plots (sometimes even with their houses) inside
wealthy enough to buy a substantial portion of the
rights to manage the Market from the Lord.
the walls. A very few have retained them – for example,
Mother Jeevika retains a small plot left her by her late 43
 husband on which she keeps Goats and a few Milk Cows Church: The Parish Church is that of St Michael the
from which she provides fresh milk to all and sundry and Archangel and was originally built in the Anglo-Nor-
also has stable space for several horses and a reputation man style but, with the income from Market tithes and
as a skilled horse-leech which attracts repeat business. donations from those of the Vill who have grown
wealthy from their participation in the Market it is
The Market brings in ~£65 per year – £6/10/- (1560d) currently being rebuilt and expanded in the English
as a Church tithe, £3/5/- (780d) to the Council (upkeep Gothic style … see the photo below left of the partially
of Walls, Water Mill, a Well and Well-House, Granary, complete building.
Weigh Station, Covered Stalls [for rent], Public latrines
[off the Market Square] and Horse troughs scattered The old Church only had seats for ~60 parishioners to
around the main streets), £3/5/- (780d) to the Reeve (as be seated and another 30 or so standing – when the new
Notary and Judge of Market Court) and his assistants building is completed it is expected there will be twice as
(administrative costs and salaries – running expenses). much seating and standing room. Currently there is
reduced seating (~40 seats) and increased standing room
The remaining £55 (13200d) is split between the Village (~60 places) because of the ongoing construction.
in common (£5, 1200d), the Manor (£25, 6000d), and a
consortium of the wealthier Freeholders and tradesmen Because of the size of the congregation the Parish
(£25, 6000d). supports two Priests, Father Denis (63 years old), the
senior, and Father Osouf (29) who arrived only a few
There are three Blacksmiths, two specialising in shoeing years ago. There is also, usually, a full time Deacon
horses, making/repairing farm implements and general (i.e. a Priest in final training, able to perform all rites
smithwork while the third makes general tools, nails and except Masses) present to assist them in their duties.
materials for the other tradesmen; two Carpenters (one
who specialises in Barns, Granaries and other farm Father Denis suffers from arthritic knees and is finding
structures, the other in Half-Timbered houses) and a it increasingly difficult to get around without the assist-
Mason; several Fullers (who process the Wool Clip); a ance of a cane or staff, and is the one who most needs
Dyer who dyes some of the processed wool; Spinners the assistance of the Deacon. He does still manage to
and Weavers who spin the wool into thread and weave tutor the advanced students in the Parish school, how-
it into cloth, a full time Tailor; a Cobbler/Bootmaker; a ever, as he can, of course, do this sitting down. He also
Potter (with a sideline in Bricks/Glazed tiles) and a directs the cultivation of the Parish’s Physik Garden,
Wheelwright/Cartwright (who makes and repairs where a variety of medicinal herbs are grown, with the
wheels, carts and waggons). assistance of the Verger – and he has some training as an
Apothecary and so can mix herbal and other remedies.
There is a ferry between Upper Ouse and Lagulád (the
Hamlet across the river) which has similar rates and Father Osouf takes on the more demanding parts of
capacity to the one at Brymclyfu – but the Ferryman running the Parish (he is the one who visits those on
has recently been bought out of his rights by the same Parish relief or who cannot attend church because of
consortium of rich freeholders and tradesmen who have age or sickness, for example) and teaches 30 or so of the
become important in the Village. children of the wealthier families. He is a trained
surgeon and can set bones, sew up wounds and prescribe
basic herbal remedies – for minimal cost (a donation) to
parishioners for his time plus whatever cost might be
involved for ingredients for any medicines. He also acts
as the personal chaplain to Sir Ector and his family.

Upper Ouse Ferry: Runs between Upper Ouse and

Lagulád (the Hamlet across the river). Tolls are ¼d for
a pedestrian (locals pay nothing, burghers from
Porthaven, Another Town and the County Seat also if
there is spare room – paying passengers get priority);
¼d for locals with flocks/carts and ½d for those with
riding horses (horse and rider), double that for others.

Operational Hours are dawn to dusk – the ferry only

crosses when the Ferryman feels he has a profitable load
or (nominally) every half hour or so – getting him to
cross when he isn’t good and ready can cost anything
from 3d to 6d (depending on a range of factors).
44 The ferry is a flat bottomed punt worked by two or four
 B
long oars, each capable of being worked by up to three
people. The basic crossing time, assuming two oars in
use, each used by one person, is fifteen minutes – if the
oars are worked by two persons each, crossing takes ten
minutes, by three, 7½ minutes.

It has room for four carts (plus two passengers each) and A
R
their draught animals (if there are only two, the animals
may remain hitched, otherwise they’ll have to be
unhitched). A waggon (with four passengers) counts as

O
two Carts (and must have its animals unhitched). Four
riding horses (including riders) or eight pedestrians are
also the equal to a Cart. Even when full with Carts or
Horses (and their riders or passengers) there is also room
for half a dozen extra foot passengers.

The Ferryman has recently been bought out of his N

Y
ferry rights by the same consortium of rich freeholders
and tradesmen who have become important in the
Village, including a small (existing) Cott on the Vill
side and enough land from his Croft and Toft on the premium prices) as a number of the local families
other side for a similarly sized structure – these are clubbed together to import pure-bred Spanish rams to
used by the newly hired ferry-men (they are part of cross breed with local ewes, with great success.
their wages, a dwelling place for themselves and their
family) and also provide some shelter from inclement
weather for those patrons waiting for the ferry to cross.
Lord/Fee Status: Wynaern is a two fee Manor and is
one of three owned by Sir Geoffroi de Burgh in the
Barony (the other two are Beorghstane and Dunstaen) O
F
The original Ferryman retains a substantial half-timber- which are both of single Fee status.
ed cottage with croft and toft there supplemented by
several small fields (about 2½ acres all told) he (and his The main reason for its enhanced status is not so
father before him) have bought as freehold over recent much additional land, though it does have around
decades for market gardening, dairy cattle and sheep. half again as much land within its borders than the
average for the Barony, it is that the additional land
He utilises his feudal right to gather hay or reeds within is mainly suitable for grazing sheep.
a rod of the river bank on either side of the river for a
mile on each side of the ferry crossing to provide addit-
ional feed for his stock. He is in the process of buying
Prior to the move into running sheep, the Manor was
very average in terms of income, and barely rated as I
T
these rights as freehold from the Crown, using the one fee in terms of income – but the move into sheep
(substantial) purchase price paid for the ferry-right has more than doubled manorial income without
causing an increase in the population of the Manor

H
Hamlets: The Manor has two Hamlets, Lagulád (N11) (in fact there has been a slight fall as the Lord has
and East Ouse (off map to the east, north of the river). converted more of the land to sheep grazing purposes.

Lagulád has a population of 40 families (~180 people) Bailiff: As the largest of his estates, Sir Geoffroi
and is in the slow (or not so slow) process of becoming
a de facto ‘suburb’ of the Vill of Upper Ouse.
spends a much greater portion of his time here than
at the other two … so he doesn’t employ a Seneschal,
as he and his entourage perform much of the U
R
East Ouse is smaller, only 20 families live there, about additional functions the former normally would when
90-100 people, mostly involved in forestry (charcoal they are present.
burning), pig raising and sheep herding.

A
Instead he employs Erwan o’ the Green, a native of
WYNAERN MANOR (G14) Brittany and a skilled Archer whom he met while
Wynaern is one of the larger and wealthier Manors in serving with Royal forces in garrison in Caen as a
the Barony, heavily involved in the wool trade … and Bailiff – not because of his prowess as an Archer but
around a thousand sheep are grazed on its lands by because he had experience on his father’s estate with
freeholders and perhaps twice that number by the the raising and managing of sheep.
Lord (the source of its unusual wealth).
Erwan’s father was a successful sheep farmer, but Erwan
The Manor is known for its sheep – the quality of the
fleeces produced are widely known (and attract
was a third son and never going to inherit … so he sought
service with the English as an archer. During his service 45
 he came to the attention of Sir Geoffroi, first as a the Lord and his entourage aren’t in residence and are
Vintenar (leader of 20 Archers), then as a Centenar there mainly because the Lord and his guests are in
(leader of 100 Archers) … showing he had a real under- residence for longer than is usual during the average
standing of the management of sheep, enabling raids he year. At other times the staff sleep, as is normal in the
and Sir Geoffroi were on to make more profit than others. medieval period, in or near their duty stations (i.e.
kitchen hands in the Kitchen) or in the Great Hall on
Erwan brought his new wife, Loana, the daughter of a paliasses on the floor in any spare nook or cranny.
miller in Brittany, with him and they have had two
children in the years he has been serving as Bailiff – Above the private entertaining area at the North End
Rozen (called ‘Rose’, by the locals, a direct translation are the Lord’s personal rooms – a large room for
of her name) and Samzun (called Samson, but named himself and his lady wife, a mid-sized room for use as
for his red hair … ‘little sun’). a Solar and two smaller rooms, one for any male
children and one for any female children. There is
Initially Erwan had rooms in the Manor House – and he also a balcony looking out onto the Great Hall below.
still has an office there where he does almost all of the
managerial work, but he has secured a freehold farm The 2½ floor (attic) is mostly unused, but is divided
and a substantial cottage which he uses to run premium into two large rooms. When there are older children
spanish pre-merino sheep and for general farming. (adults or near adult) in the family they are often
given these rooms for something resembling ‘privacy.’
Manor House: The Manor House is of substantial
new construction, a 2½ storey structure with a stone Home Farm: The Estate’s lands are split roughly
ground floor and a half-timbered upper floor (and a 70:30 between the tenants and the Lord, but,
half storey directly under the roof). unusually, about half of the Lord’s lands are open
pasture used to run sheep, which is where most of the
The ground floor is semi-fortified but occupied. It has additional income that makes the Estate equivalent
slit windows and heavy, iron reinforced, doors but is to a two Fee one comes from
(unusually) the site of the Kitchen (south end), Bake-
house and some storage areas (Pantry, Buttery etc. The Lord runs around 2000-2500 sheep on his lands,
and for Dry Goods) associated with it, the Great Hall mostly for wool, but the estate also produces salted
in the centre (and open to the roof beams) and a mutton (or drives sheep to Porthaven for slaughter)
private dining room and reception area for the Lord and hides at the end of autumn from stock that they
and his close confidants and friends at the north end. cannot feed over the winter.

The second floor (and half floor above it) only exists Vill: Around 75 families live in the Vill, five
at the north and south ends – at the south end, above freeholders, 25 Cottars and 45 Serfs, or about 550
the Kitchen area, there are further storerooms for people all up. The current Lord and his predecessors
household items, rooms for lesser guests (or travellers have been gradually converting Serf-leasehold into
deemed worthy of accommodation by the Bailiff when sheep grazing and forcing the previous occupants off
the Lord isn’t in residence) and for some of the more the estate or converting them to Cottar status, a
important household staff … and a balcony overlook- matter of some concern amongst the inhabitants.
ing the Great Hall where musicians can play without
interfering with the festivities below. The half storey The Windmill used for grinding grain on the estate is
has accommodation for some lesser household staff. on freehold land and is owned privately – and charges
1/12th of the grain ground as a fee.
The rooms used by Staff on the 1st (US 2nd) floor and in
the Attic (2½ floor) are only available for their use when Church: The Parish Church is that of Saint Mary
Salome (one of the women who found Jesus’s tomb
empty after the crucifixion) and the Parish Priest is
Father Zebedee … who is an absentee who spends
most of his year in Porthaven, employing Father
William as a stand in.

To supplement the pittance he is paid by Father

Zebedee, Father William takes payment for teaching
some of the Village boys and girls their letters, helps the
Bailiff with farm records and the Lord with the records
of the Manorial Court.

46 Hamlets: There are none.

 C
U
R
S
U
S

I
T
H
U
R
I
A
E
Medieval maps were pretty darn simple, and equally crude
– even compared to graeco-roman maps, which had been
no great shakes. They were also pretty darn rare. One
‘common’ type which had some pretence at being useful
was the ‘strip map’ or ‘itinerary’, two examples of which
can be seen here. Once ancient, one modern. 47
 There is nothing really much like a modern map of
England (or whatever principality you have decided to ALFORD TO BLAESTVIL
place the Barony of Ithura in) – and such as do exist
are large, bulky, not particularly accurate (and not
meant to be so) and really not much of use to anyone

Wuduwésten
except as a sort of work of cartographic art.
Blaestvil
However, as with maritime maps and improvements
in navigation, there were the beginnings of useful
maps – following on older, classical era, graeco-roman

2 miles
traditions. One common more or less useful form was
the Strip Map showing elements of a route (or routes)
from point A to point B – sometimes only in a written
format (more properly an Itinerary or Periplus) but
also in a mix of written and fairly basic cartographic
Forcythwyru Abbey
representation.

The maps given in this chapter are simplified rep- Bidstow

resentations of such Strip Maps with accompanying
snippets (of varying length) of information about the To Attford – 5 miles Upper Ouse
route and what may be seen along it. 3 miles

Note: It is best if these Maps are used in conjunction with

the large scale modern style map of the Barony provided
elsewhere … and the information, especially on Manors,

Six miles
Porthaven and Forcythwyru Abbey given elsewhere as

Beorghwudu
there is space for much more detail in those sections.

ALFORD TO BLAESTVIL
Alford Manor: The site of the Manor and Village of
the same name, which sits astride the Ithura River
near where the Nith, Udso and Weth rivers flow into it. Scylfwudu
For more detail see the separate chapter on the Manor.

Ithura, Nith, Udso and Weth Rivers

Crundel
Alford Bridge: The Alford-Crundel-Blaestvil road
does not cross the bridge – it runs from the milestone Monafemlu To Hrycbaed
in the road junction in front of Alford Manor. 2 miles

Alford-Crundel Road (2 miles)

3½ miles

Afenwudu (‘River Woods’): One Baron Ithura’s

Afenwudu
hunting preserves – mainly wild boar and red deer.
Throsmig

The Foresters are based out of Throsmig Dale as

Dale

relations with Alford have been poor for many years

due to heavy handedness dealing with locals who have To Nithford
been going about their lawful business that Lord of 2 miles
2 miles

Alford Manor complained about to the Baron’s Court.

East bank of the Ithura River only

South bank of the Udso River only

Throsmig Dale: A Hamlet halfway along the road to Alford

Crundel where a half a dozen families of Charcoal
Burners burn wood from adjacent coppices under the
watchful eyes of the Baron’s Foresters protecting
48 Afenwudu. There are also 18 farming families, 16
Serfs and 2 Freeholders (a population of ~120 all up).
Not to Scale – pictorial representation only
 C
Alford-Crundel Road (3½ miles) Scylfwudu (Hilly Forest): An extensive stand of ‘for-
South bank of the Udso est primeval’, Hilly Forest is a declared Forest and
Ford over the Udso subject to (Royal) Forest Law – the Foresters are based
Track to Nithford Hamlet – 2 miles in Crundel (HQ) and Wynaern.

Nithford: A small farming hamlet at a ford over the

Nith river. There are 15 families here, 12 Serfs and 3
Scylfwudu is particularly noted for the presence of at
least two packs of wolves, possibly more, and (depend- U
R
Freeholders, and a population of ~100 people. ing on where and when it is in the campaign) possibly
some (Brown) Bears as well.
Udso Headwaters: The Udso river starts here at the

S
Monafemlu (‘Moon Maid’s Pond’) where several small More commonly, there are substantial numbers of
streams come together from the higher land to the several types of Deer and smaller game such as rabbits
right and around. The pool is a clear blue all year and birds (depending on the season).
round and never runs dry even in the worst droughts,

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even when the streams feeding it do, as it is evidently Crundel-Bidstow Road (6 miles}
fed from an underground spring/aquifer as well. Scylfwudu – north of the road only
Beorghwudu – south of the road only

S
Monafemlu was used by the ‘old people’ of the region
(i.e. those here before the adoption/imposition of Christ- Bidstow (‘Meeting Place’): A small hamlet belonging
ianity) as a ceremonial site. Parts of the pond are quite to Forcythwyru Abbey, but on the west bank of the
deep – deemed ‘bottomless’ by the locals (and probably Wæterstréam River at the year-round ford known as
where the underground stream issues from) and there are the Cattle Crossing.
old tales about how specially chosen ‘year kings’ were
sacrificed here by being bound and thrown into the pool This is where the Abbey’s tenant farmers live, around

I
to drown and ensure the river continued to run. 200 people all up, making it rather large – it probably
should be a Village, but the Abbots have always
Crundel Village: Is situated on the banks of the upper refused to allow the locals to build the Church that

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reaches of the Udso and up to the shores of Mona- this status requires … insisting they worship in (and,
femlu at the foot road where it climbs a gentler slope of course, pay tithes and other dues to) the Abbey
on the scarp that surrounds the village on three sides. Church (St. Swithun’s).

The village is the main HQ of the (Royal) Foresters who

look after Scylfwudu – and, as is common, their relations
with the villagers are mixed – and it is the site of the local
Relations between the people and the Abbey are not at
all good – the Abbots have always been harsh admini-
strators who work to squeeze every last farthing from
H
U
Forest Court which deals with (alleged) breeches of their tenants and to force freeholders into servile status,
Forest Law and collects any related finds. often using usurious lending practises.

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Crundel Manor: The Demesne and the Manor Proper Only the need to ensure that the villagers have the bare
(a Tower Manor) is sited on the top of the scarp that wherewithal to answer a callout of the Feudal Levy has
overlooks the village, on a section that juts out and is prevented their being reduced to absolute penury – on

I
quite steep on two sides. The Manor compound is two occasions within living memory requiring the inter-
protected by a ditch cut through the two non-scarp vention of the Royal Justices against the Abbots.
sides with a mound topped by a wooden palisade with
a wooden tower protecting the bridge over which Track to Attford – 5 miles

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traffic normally proceeds. Road to Upper Ouse – 3 miles
Wæterstréam River
The ditch, mound and palisade is not entirely for show ‘Cattle Crossing’ Ford

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– there is a parapet behind the wall, but it is too long for
the normal defence force to defend against a serious or ‘Cattle Crossing’ Ford: A year-round ford over the
concerted attack. The real defensive structure, and the Wæterstréam, the river is broad and shallow here and
main fallback position, is the Manor House/Tower. the river bottom is rocky and smooth. When it floods,
the river tends to spread out over the low laying land
One of the feudal rights of the Lord of Crundel Manor is on either side preserving the relatively easy crossing.
the right to hunt three Deer per month from Scylfwudu,
which is otherwise subject to Forest Law. This tends to Forcythwyru Abbey (Lonely or Distant Abbey): A
keep him onside with the Royal Foresters when they (as Benedictine (Black Monks) Abbey established on a
they inevitably do from time to time) make questionable royal grant two centuries ago on lands equivalent to
decisions regarding the Manor’s tenants. what constituted three Knight’s Fees at the time.

Track to Hrycbaed – 2 miles Careful management and investment in improve- 49

 ments has enriched it over time and it now enjoys an to assist with this business – despite the Church’s nomin-
income of around £400 per year and has acquired al attitudes towards usury. Their lending practises vary
additional land equivalent to another three Knight’s according to how powerful their ‘client’ is … from the
fees for which it has used cunning legal maneuvering legalistically predatory to modestly rapacious – it hasn’t
to strip of any obligations as to Feudal service. added all that land by being all Christian and charitable.

There are only about 40 Brothers in residence and Fortcythwyn-Blaestvil Road (2 miles)
perhaps as many at subordinate houses (off map) or
in properties owned by the Abbey in the Capital or Wuduwésten (‘Wild Forest’): Another tract of ‘the
other important cities or travelling on the business of forest primeval’ stretching for several miles off the
the Abbey. Most of the work on the Abbey’s Demesne edge of the map to the east.
lands, however, is done by Lay Brothers, of which
there are around 80 – they are relatively well treated, Depending on the nature of your campaign, the ‘Wild
as compared to the serfs in Bidstow, and tend to look Forest’ or ‘Wild Wood’ is either royal land, subject to
down on them (as do most of the Brothers). Forest Law, with most of the Foresters based off the
map to the east (a few may be found in Blaestville, but
The Abbey’s Scriptorium produces several ‘new’ books only intermittently) or is nominally under Royal
each year, either on commission or to add to its extensive authority but is really, as is tacitly understood, the
Library of over 100 books consisting of ~180 major titles ancient possession of the High Elves.
(some of which are bound together on the one ‘book’).
Assuming High Elves exist in your campaign world. If
It has a medium sized Vineyard which produces around they don’t, but ‘lesser’ Elves do, then it might ‘belong’ to
1000 gallons of fairly good wine each year, mostly Wood Elves (though not the group who dwell in Deoful-
reserved for the Abbott and the Brothers (and important wudu, SW of Porthaven). Regardless, the few who tread
guests) on special occasions. It also has relatively exten- the paths and game trails that criss-cross the Forest have
sive orchards and produces a large quantity of Perry not seen an actual Elf for many centuries, perhaps not
and Apple Cider each year – enough for even the Lay since pre-Roman times and no-one can remember any
Brothers with a quantity reserved for trade. tradition of human habitation or use for at least as long.

The Abbey also loans money and provides some banking There might be the occasional sign of inhabitants, often
services and has Factors in Porthaven and the Capital only the sense of travellers ‘being watched’, but even
they are few and far between. The whole area teems with
ALFORD TO HRYCBAED all sorts of wildlife – Deer, Wild Boar, Wolves, Bears and
even the occasional small herd of Aurochs.

Alford Few locals are willing to hunt within its bounds as there
are rumours those who are cursed (and anecdotes of
mishaps, deaths and ‘bad luck’ for those who risk it,
Afenwudu either in the forest or after their return) … though
whether this is superstition cum coincidence or the result
of actual intervention by the ‘guardians’ (human, elven
or otherwise) or their ‘curse’ is entirely up to the GM.
2 miles

Sylvabearh
On the rare occasions when game animals from the
woods are found outside its borders they are, however,
fair game – but this is a rare occurrence, almost as if the
animals know they’re safe within but not without!

Wuduwésten (south of road)

Sylvawudu
Blaestvil Manor: Manor and Vill of the same name,
of interest because the Lord and the Villagers have
erected two competing Windmills to grind grain for all
those on the Manor as well as some of the
4 miles independent Freehold settlements in the region.

Hrycbaed The area is well enough watered with brooks and

streams, but they are either too small to power a decent
50 Not to Scale – pictorial representation only Water Mill or they are poorly situated for the siting of an
effective Mill.
 C
The Villagers’ Mill is also set up for the fulling of wool The women process and grind these nuts into meal
cloth as the whole area is well known for the large flour, mix with honey from local hives, locally gath-
number of sheep being grazed – and most of the ered herbs using an ancient (and secret) recipe (passed
inhabitants are involved in the weaving trade in any down from mother to daughter), and bake into a
spare time they have from farming and, indeed, many of
the Cottars and poorer, landless, Serfs manage to make
a modest year-round living by contract weaving when
dense, heavy loaf of Waybread which they sell at the
Porthaven markets.
U
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their labour isn’t needed in the fields. Waybread (1C, 1P per ounce)1 lb 1/-12d, comes in a
Cloth Bag. ¼ Pound (3 oz) = 6d. This is a 12 oz (Tower
Pound) loaf. Availability: S[carce] @ Porthaven Market,
ALFORD TO HRYCBAED
S
U[ncommon] or S[pecial] O[rder] @ Sylvabearh. I[mport]
Alford Manor: The site of the Manor and Village of O[nly] anywhere else in the realm – and unavailable
the same name, which sits astride the Ithura River outside its borders.
near where the Nith, Udso and Weth rivers flow into it.
For more detail see the separate chapter on the Manor.

Ithura, Nith, Udso and Weth Rivers

Sylvabearh-Hrycbaed Road (4 miles)

Hrycbaed Manor: The bulk of the village is at the top U

S
of the scarp, approached by a mildly switchbacked
Alford Bridge: The Alford-Crundel-Blaestvil road path wide enough for a single cart at a time – and
does not cross the bridge – it runs from the milestone about ¾ of the inhabitants live there. There is the
in the road junction in front of Alford Manor. equivalent to a Hamlet at the bottom and a track
along the edge of the scarp leads north to the small
Alford-Porthaven Road (2 miles) Hamlet of Cotlif which also belongs to the Manor.

Afenwudu (‘River Woods’): One of the hunting reserv-

es of Baron Ithura – mainly wild boar and red deer.
Foresters are based out of Throsmig Dale as relations
As in Sylvabearh, the Lord of the Manor has recently
constructed a Windmill to replace the older treadmill,
but it is still relatively new. I
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with Alford have not been good for many years due to
heavy handedness’ in dealing with locals who have
been going about their lawful business that Lord of BREITBAE TO HEASTOR

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Alford Manor complained about to the Baron’s Court. Breitbae Manor: The Porthaven-Crossford road cros-
ses from the right bank to the Manor and Village of
East bank of the Ithura River only Breitbae on the left bank over a solidly built single-lane
Sylvabearh Turnoff-Sylvabearh Road (2 miles) stone bridge built by the Count.
Crossford Porthaven Road – 2 miles

Sylvawudu (‘Woods Woods’): These are on the south

The Count charges non-locals ¼-1d per riding animal or
cart to use the Bridge but allows those on foot to pass U
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side of the road and are the property of the Lord of over for free. He also charges 3d/£1 (2½%) toll on all
Sylvabearh Manor (he reserves about ¾ of the woods goods or livestock not being moved by those with Burg-
for hunting – the remaining ¼ consist of copses used age rights in Porthaven – but only for cargoes or live-

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intensively to grow wood for use in Porthaven … some stock with an estimated value of 10/- (120d) or more.
as plain firewood, but a fair chunk as charcoal for use
in industry (and a nice little earner for the Manor!). The Heastor road leads off to the east on the east side
of the River, heading in the direction of Wynaern.
Sylvabearh Manor: The site of the Manor and Village
of the same name. The Lord of Sylvabearh Manor has
recently had a Windmill constructed to replace the
Wynaern Road – 4 miles
A
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older treadmill setup which had been (and still is) Breitwudu (‘Bright Woods’): This area of woodland
owned by the villagers. runs along the right bank of the Ithura river upriver
from Breitbae to the Twifcotlif hamlets. The woods
Even though he charges more for the use of his Mill’s belong jointly to the Manors of Breitbae and Wynaern
services it has captured most of the ‘market’ due to its – and the uncertainty over the actual border between
ease of use and speed and, though not yet abandoned, the two holdings in the woods has led to continued
the older mill is mostly unused at present. disputes between the two holdings.

The goodwives of the Village, in a traditional arrange- There is a border. There are border markers. They run
ment that dates way back, possibly to Roman times, along a track through the forest – but, as with most
have the right to gather as many Acorns, Chestnuts, medieval roads/tracks, this is merely a ‘right of way’ and
Walnuts and other edible nuts as they can gather each
in the forest each year.
the route is, therefore, somewhat uncertain to begin with.
Worse, someone (and both involved parties claim this 51
 from time to time) occasionally moves one or more of the
BREITBAE TO HEASTOR boundary markers.

Wynaern Manor: Wynaern is one of the larger and

wealthier Manors in the Barony and actually the
Cráwahrost equivalent of two (2) Knight’s Fees for feudal dues. The

Deapwudu
Manor has had a Windmill for grinding grain for over
sixty years and, unusually, it is owned by one of the
Easta Cráwawudu local Freeholders rather than the Lord of the Manor.

2 miles
The Manor is known for its sheep – around a thousand
sheep are grazed on its lands by freeholders and per-
haps twice that number by the Lord. The quality of the
Heastor fleeces produced are widely known (and attract prem-
ium prices) as a number of the local families clubbed
together to import pure-bred Spanish rams to cross breed
with local ewes, with great success.

Wynaern-Attford Road – 6 miles

Scylfwudu – south of the road
Weatende Dysmaefen – north of the road
5 miles

Cráwawudu Deaðlacu – north of the road

Grennesdale &

Pass over the Stánbeorg (‘Rocky Hills’)

Stánclyf

Scylfwudu (Hilly Forest): An extensive stand of ‘for-

est primeval’, Hilly Forest is a declared Forest and
subject to (Royal) Forest Law – the Foresters are based
in Crundel (HQ) and Wynaern.

The Old Stones Blaestvil - 5 miles Scylfwudu is particularly noted for the presence of at
least two packs of wolves, possibly more, and (depend-
Attford
ing on where and when it is in the campaign) possibly
some (Brown) Bears as well.
The Old One

Forcythwyru Abbey
Deaðlacu
5 miles More commonly, there are substantial numbers of
several types of Deer and smaller game such as rabbits
and birds (depending on the season).
6 miles

Stánbeorg

West end of Deaðlacu

Scylfwudu

North of Wynaern-Attford road

Dysmaefen (Dismal Marsh): The land at the western

Dysmaefen end of Dark Lake is an moderately large marsh with
many small hummocks above the water level, but few
(almost literally) of any size. Several extended families
Wynaern live in the bounds of the marsh harvesting reeds for
flooring, rushes for rushlights and flax plants which
they rett (‘rot’) to process and spin into thread to be
4 miles

Breitwudu sold to weavers in Wynaern and other nearby hamlets

and villages.

Retting flax plants is extremely smelly – and the small

islets where the families live can be detected a long way
off when the process is underway.
Breitbae
The Marsh is a waypoint on the migration route for
numerous species of waterfowl and the residents, as well
as villagers from around the area, make the most of this
52 Not to Scale – pictorial representation only and use nets to capture large numbers of birds as part of
their feudal rights.
 C
The carcasses are smoked, salted, dried or otherwise
preserved and widely eaten during the winter by the
locals – at least two or three times a season the Marsh-
dwelling families cart quantities to Attford where they

U
are taken by boat down to the Village Market at Upper
Ouse for sale (along with the linen thread they produce).

R
The Marsh families are one of the two groups who have
boats that are commonly used to ferry worshippers
across Dark Lake to the Old Stones for the quarterly

S
druidic/‘old one’ ceremonies held there (the other is the
Old Man’s compound).
‘Old Man’s’ compound which is really only of use for
North of Wynaern-Attford Road those who are expected as the distance between the

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compound and the opposite shore of the lake makes
Deaðlacu (‘Dark’ or ‘Death’ Lake): Fed by two attracting attention more problematic.
streams flowing down from the hills on either side as

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modest waterfalls, Dark Lake is, despite the name, At the edge of the lake are several boats or coracles, used
surprisingly clear – on a sunny day it is possible to see for fishing or to gain access to the Wynaern-Attford road,
the sandy and rocky bottom at even the deepest parts but also (mainly) used to ferry worshippers attending the
of the lake (and some seem to be very deep – especially ceremonial nights at the Old Stones across the lake.
at the narrow middle section near the Gamelstaen.
There are currently five or six people living here more
The origin of the name goes back to the time of the or less full time in a complex of one large, two med-

I
‘old people’ (i.e. pre-Christian, probably pre-Roman ium and three smaller huts.
inhabitants) when the lake and the Dismal Marsh were
associated with human sacrifices of prisoners taken in The large hut is the home of the eponymous Old One

T
war or raiding and of Year Kings in times of need. and where he does his meditation and teaching. The
three smaller huts are for his students or servants, and
The original name (still used by the locals, especially there are currently three students and two servants,

H
when no Christian Priests or Monks are around) is Lleig while the two medium huts are for the livestock and for
an buaidh (roughly ‘Layth a bueeth’ and meaning storage. The whole compound is around an eighth of an
something like ‘Lake of Victory’ or ‘Victorious Lake’). acre and is surrounded by a wicker fence – and a larger
area of 2-3 acres is defined by a ditch and bank (this is

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The lake is, via an impressive series of small waterfalls where the animals belonging to the residents graze).
and rapids (a drop of 150’ over half a mile), one of the
two major tributaries of the Wæterstréam River that Of course, ‘religious’ didn’t (originally) imply christian

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then flows down past Attford. – whispered stories (never, ever, in the presence of any
church authorities or devout Christians, of course)
North of Wynaern-Attford Road link the site with the Gamelstaen to the east and Dark

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North of Deaðlacu Lake and probable druidic practises.
North East edge of Dysmaefen
The current ‘Old Man’ (there have been ‘Old Women’
Halgawestensetla (‘The Old One’): As long as anyone in charge of the site in the past, even in living mem-

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can remember, possibly back to pre-Roman times, ory) and his ‘students’ purport to be Christian hermits
there has been or a small, isolated, quasi-religious – and he provides instruction for the (allegedly) dev-
community living here near the lakeshore and on the out students in all sorts of esoterica.

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margin between the marsh and the dry land.
Exactly what this means in your campaign depends on
Access from the west is mostly blocked or made very how much, if any, ‘magic’ is present and how much of it
difficult by the Marsh, while from the east rocky might be usable or learnable by the Player Characters.
precipitous rapids of one of the streams feeding Dark
Lake prevent easy travel. The ‘Old Man’ and his students are, in fact, Druidic
hold-overs (and are very careful to conceal this) – and
To the north the steep and rocky cliffs and slopes of the he, at the very least, teaches traditional Bardic skills,
indicated Scarp prevent easy access as well … most Oral traditions, Druidic Medicine (Herbal remedies and
visitors gain access by using the good offices of the simple to moderately complex Surgery). Does he teach
Marsh dwellers (which is easiest as they are often found actual magic – that’s your choice.
actively working near the edges of their Marshy domain)
or by being ferried over on the boats belonging to the Note: Only the ‘Old Man’s’ compound and the families 53
 who live in Dismal Marsh have boats which can be used what goes on here … it is even possible that a few,
to ferry passengers across the lake – but they can only descended from the pre-Conquest nobility, may be semi-
carry one horse at a time. active ‘old believers’.

North side of Deaðlacu Access to the site is easiest by boat from the other side of
North of Wynaern-Attford Road the lake – to the east the rapids of one of the streams
feeding Dark Lake make access tricky and from the west
Gamelstaen (‘The Old Stones’): This is a double ring the marsh is sufficient to deter most people. To the north
of rough cut standing stones, ten in the inner circle, the scarp is steep enough and has no real paths down
about head high (about 6’ or 1.8 meters) and 20 in the and so makes access difficult to impossible.
outer circle, about twice that in height (about 12’ or
3.6 meters) … each standing individually (no lintels Other festivals may be celebrated from time to time,
connecting any of them) and firmly set into the earth but these are generally much smaller and even more
(about 3’ or 0.8 meters are buried, and this is addition- secretive – almost always held by the ‘Old Man’ and
al to the height above ground level. his students and a few, carefully selected, others.

All of the stones are still standing upright and are intact The Old Stones are reputedly a place of great magic
except for some latin graffiti … some dating to Roman potential – if there is magic in your campaign.
times, some more recent … of the ‘I wuz here’ variety.
Stánbeorg (‘Rocky Hills’): The road to Attford can-
The site is relatively isolated and so is little known not pass between the hills/scarps here due to the
except to the locals – and they keep knowledge of its presence of Dismal Marsh and Dark Lake and there-
existence to themselves, certainly they don’t let any- fore makes its way over them.
thing even vaguely related to the Church know unless
they are also known to be sympathetic to the ‘old The slope on the Wynaern side is steep, though not as
ways’ – and it is only actively used four times a year, steep as it is elsewhere along the western hillside, and
usually by select and trusted representatives from consists of three hairpin switchbacks to minimise the
Villages throughout the region. need for extra animals to be hitched to carts travers-
ing the route, adding ~25% to the travel time for this
The festival days are, of course, the Celtic-pre Roman part of the route. On the Attford side the slope is much
festivals of Imbolc (1st-2nd February), Bealltainn (May gentler and simply meanders down to the river ford.
1st), Lughnasa (1st August), Samhainn (October 31st-
November 1st). The ceremonies held are a mix of the ‘old Between Scylfwudu and Deaðlacu
ways’ with admixtures of classical Roman and Celtic Wynaern-Attford Road
Christian practices … and would be very likely to be Ford over the Wæterstréam River
found to be anathema to higher level Church authorities Track to Bidstow and Forcythwyru Abbey – 5
miles (west side of river Wæterstréam)
Some of the local Priests may know, as, indeed, do some
of the local Lords – but they prefer to avoid any con- Attford Ford: This an important ford over the Wæter-
frontation with the commoners and don’t officially know stréam River which is usable except after heavy rains,
when the water can be deep and fast enough to make
crossing impossible for up to a day, and more difficult
or dangerous to cross for perhaps two more days after
that … it all depends on how heavy the rains were.

The Lord of Attford has contemplated building a bridge

but has\ preferred to spend his coin on improving to the
Demesne Farm and building and improving his Tower
Manor, both of which have been quite expensive,

Attford Manor: The Manor and Village of the same

name on the east bank of the Wæterstréam River at
Attford Ford, though the estate controls lands on both
sides of the river. The Manor House is of the ‘tower’
style, and is four storeys tall with crenellations above,
all in a ¼ acre compound surrounded by a ditch,
mound and hedge rather than a wall as such.

54 Track to Blaestvil – 4 miles

Track to Grennesdale, 2 , and Stánclif, 3 miles
 C
Easta Cráwawudu (‘Eastern Raven’s Wood’): This
wood is Crown property and under Forest Law, much
to the continued annoyance of the tenants of Heastor.
The Royal Foresters are mainly based off the map to

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the north, but there are usually one or two in Heastor
and Stánclyf (the Hamlet on the east side of the wood).

R
There is rumoured to be a Menhir somewhere in the
wood called Cráwamen (‘Crow’s Stone’) and associated
with the ‘old men’ (pre-Christian, pre-Roman, religion

S
and possibly even pre-Druidic). The stone is widely (but
provably) associated with ritual sacrifice – of Crows and,
depending on who you talk to, men as well though at
such a distance in time who can be sure?

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lands have been turned to growing hay for overwintering
Even allowing for the fact that non-noble access to the the flocks of sheep.
Woods are restricted by Forest Law, trying to find the

S
stone is regarded as, if not exactly curse, certainly an Weatende Cráwawudu (‘Western Raven’s Wood’):
unwise and unlucky pursuit … but there are probably This may, long ago, have been connected to Easta
locals who could guide you there. Cráwawudu but the land between the two wooded
areas has been cleared and under the plough (or used
The Royal Foresters know where it is, but it is in a thick for grazing) for several centuries before the Conquest
and difficult part of the woods so they rarely go any- (and is recorded as such in the Domesday Book).
where near it … they could guide a party there, if that

I
didn’t conflict with their regular duties. Unlike the larger portion of the wood, Weatende Crá-
wawudu is the property of the Lord of Heastor and he
The actual significance of the site is up to you as a GM maintains it as a hunting preserve in part – though in

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– but it might be imbued with ‘old magic’ or even be the recent years he has allowed the clearing of some of the
site of an ancient Barrow grave. margins to increase the amount of land available for
grazing and for use as hay meadows.

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Attford-Heastor Road (5 miles)
While it doesn’t have the same negative reputation as
Heastor Manor: The Manor and Village of the same Easta Cráwawudu, the land clearing process has turned
name, the manor controls the lands over the pass into up a number of man-height or less standing stones (not

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the hills north of Attford and down to Cráwahróst and exactly menhirs, and only crudely shaped) with the sorts
the south bank of the Axe River. Since there are no of markings associated with the ‘old men’ (i.e. spirals,
streams large or well sited enough to be used for a trumpets, ‘spectacles’, weird animals etc.) … What may

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Water Mill, the Lord of the Manor has recently had a lay hidden deeper in the Lord’s woods?
Windmill constructed to replace the animal or human
powered mill used previously. Heastor-Cráwahróst Road (2½ miles)

A significant portion of the lands belonging to the

Manor are given over to grazing for sheep – there are
around 800 belonging to the Lord and perhaps half
Cráwahróst (‘Raven’s Roost’): A Hamlet belonging to
Heastor Manor on the Axe River. The river is fordable
here, and the forest paths through Deopwudu leading
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A
again that number belonging to the tenants, ¾ to west to Crossford and north, off the map, are easily
Freeholders or one or two wealthier serfs. accessible here.

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Several of the Freeholders were originally Serfs and Ford over the Axe River
have managed to buy their way out of their feudal Deopwudu (north bank only)
obligations and even buy, freehold, their Croft & Toft, Road to County Seat (off map, north)
on the sheep’s back, so to speak. One or two other
nominally Serf families are on track to do the same – Axe River: The banks of the River Axe from its
having partly bought their way out of some of their confluence with the Ithura upstream as far as the
feudal dues, possibly on a year to year basis rather than Attford-Heastor-County Seat road (off map) are mostly
permanently … so far. marshlands with scattered ‘islands’ of higher ground,
some of which remain dry even in the spring thaw or
Apart from what is needed for the Villagers themselves, flooding after heavy rains. These tend to be the per-
the Manor doesn’t produce a huge surplus of crops manent settlements of Rush harvesters (and weavers)
(enough to ensure all but the worst crop failures won’t
cause absolute disaster) – a lot of the more marginal
and Flax Retters – who hold the land in unacknowl-
edged freehold (mainly because no-one else wants it). 55
 There are no tracks on either side of the river, though
travellers can pass through Deopwudu or Easta Cráw-
awudu on any number of semi-formal or informal
BRYMCLYFU TO BLAESTVIL
trails and game trails … with the risk of getting lost if

Attford – 5 miles
not a local … or by Punt hired from one of the local Blaestvil
families (passengers only, no horses or the like).

2 miles
Deopwudu (‘Deep Woods’): These woods are situat-
ed on the high ground above Crossford, between the
Axe and Ithura rivers. The woods cover some hilly Forcythwyru
terrain and deep ravines and valleys and are notor- Bidstow Abbey
ious for having been infested with at least one pack of
ferocious wolves within living memory … a pack (or
packs) with a reputation for being mankillers, at least
during winter.

Wuduwésten
Yes, it is unusual, if not completely unprecedented, even

4 miles
in medieval times, for wolves to take on or take down
men – unless in extremis. They are more likely to try and
take down their animals, if they can be separated,
especially dogs … but livestock who aren’t kept securely
penned or watched are obvious prey. Upper Ouse

In a Fantasy campaign, however, these wolves – or their

recent ancestors, might be/might have been different. Or Lagulád
the man-killer(s) may, in fact, have been Dire Wolves or
even Wargs or similar. There’s always room for these
long thought gone creatures to reappear. Beorghswudu

3 miles
BRYMCLYFU TO BLAESTVIL 2 miles
Brymclyfu: Village and Manor of the same name, the
main part of the settlement lays to the west of the
mouth of the Wæterstréam River. The estate has Beorghstane
multiple sources of revenue – there are fishermen who
gather oysters and crayfish in the estuarine waters
and others who catch inshore fish in the calmer
3½ miles
waters of the bay; flax is widely gathered, retted, and
River Inn
spun into thread, to be onsold at Porthaven or Anoth-
Stæþcotlif
er Town off the map to the east (up the coast) and, of
course, normal crops are grown.
2 miles
Stæþwudu

The Manor extends as far west as the Barrows on the

3½ miles

Farkeep
Brymclyfu-Porthaven Highway, including the Hamlets Middes
of Weardsteall (‘Watchtower’) south of the Highway)
and Wuduæppelbearu (‘Wild Apple Grove’) to the north
and also extends off the map to the east. 4 miles
3 miles

The Lord has a medium large apple orchard and the

Apple Cider produced from his crop is well known and
popular as far away as the Regional (County) Capital. 1½ miles
Porthaven Another Town
Royal Coastal Highway – 10 miles to Porthaven 10 miles xx miles
Coastal Woods
Wæterstréam Ferry
Brymclyfu Brymclyfu Keep
Wæterstréam Ferry: The river is too deep and fast
flowing for a bridge to easily be built here so there is
56 a Ferry that runs between Brymclyfu and Brymclyfu
Keep as needed.
Not to Scale – pictorial representation only
 C
The ferry is a flat bottomed barge and is normally poled
across by the ferryman and an offsider – though he may
allow travellers to assist for a slight reduction in the fare
charged – and takes about ten to fifteen minutes depend-
ing on the local tide, the height of the river (longer when
it’s faster flowing in flood) and the weight of the cargo
and passengers being carried. U
There are four long oars stowed aboard for those
occasions where the tides/river current is strong enough R
S
to force the ferry into deeper water, each capable of
being worked by up to three people. When worked by
only one person, triple the crossing time, by two, double
it and by three increase it by 50%.

The ferry has room for four carts (plus two passengers
each) and their draught animals (if there are only two, Roman Laeti (barbarians settled as local militia) kept U
S
the animals may remain hitched, otherwise they’ll have the walls in a not too ruinous state and the last
to be unhitched to fit) and a waggon (with four passeng- Anglo-Saxon Kings to have the watchtower rebuilt and
ers) counts as two Carts (and must have its animals strengthened in a modern style.
unhitched). Four riding horses (including their riders) or
eight pedestrians are also the equal to a Cart. Even when The fort is under the command of a Castellan nomin-
full with Carts or Horses (and their riders or passengers) ally appointed and paid for by the Crown, but, in fact,
there is also room for half a dozen extra foot passengers. this has been devolved to the local Count as part of his

The tolls are ¼d for a foot passenger or anyone with

Burgher status at Porthaven, Another Town (off the
feudal obligations. He, in turn, has passed on some of
the responsibility to Baron Ithura who, likewise, has
devolved as much responsibility as possible. I
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map to the east in the adjacent Barony) and the
County Seat , ½d for locals with flocks or carts and 1d In effect, the Castellan is a rotating position held by
for those with riding horses (horse and rider). one of the Barony’s Knights, usually for three months

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at a time, with his immediate Lance (Squire and
Operational Hours are normally dawn to dusk – the Serjeants) who commands the ‘garrison’ of two Ser-
ferry only crosses when the Ferryman feels it is prof- jeants, six Archers and 12 Spearmen plus a resident
itable or (allowing for medieval timekeeping Blacksmith and Carpenter and a half a dozen ser-
technology) approximately every half hour – getting
him to cross when he isn’t good and ready costs from
3d to 6d (depending on a range of factors)
vants (Kitchen staff, stable hands etc.)

The ‘Keep’ consists of the Tower, now with easy entry U

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only from the parapet or stairs up from the ground
Travellers with a Royal Warrant are exempt from – level (there are stables in the lower level of the Tower,
the Ferryman has Crown grant in the village direct with ground level access from the courtyard, but an

I
from the Crown that provides enough additional easily blocked trapdoor and ladder arrangement for
income (at least in theory) to compensate . access to the upper levels) and which forms part of the
circuit, 20’ high walls (a mix of Roman stone-brick-tile
This includes those on duty at the Keep, opposite, and more recent stone facing and rubble fill) with
Royal Judges and those Royal Bureaucrats of similar
importance, Royal Messengers etc – and the Ferryman
will (perhaps grudgingly) take the Ferry over immed-
parapets all around. There is a single tower/gateway
complex facing the Royal Highway and the Ford.
A
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iately on their instruction. It’s not the latest technology, and wouldn’t be able to
hold out for very long against a serious army – but it’s
It isn’t impossible for a Bridge to be built here – but the mainly intended for coastal protection against raiders,
muddy bottom would require substantial (time costly and could withstand such a force for a while.
and time consuming) preparation work to set any found-
ations and would be at the very cutting edge of the Royal Highway – east, xx miles to Another Town
currently available bridge building technology. For the Blaestvil Road to Farkeep Turnoff – 1½miles
moment it’s cheaper to ship things by sea. Farkeep Turnoff to Farkeep – 3 miles
Wæterstréam River
Brymclyfu Keep: This isn’t actually a purpose built Track to Middes (east of river) – 4 miles
‘Keep’ it is the site of a Roman watchtower and
defended beaching site for Pictii (coastal defence war-
ships). The villagers, possibly descendants of late
Farkeep: Village and Manor of the same name, the
Manor has a Tower House for the Lord’s residence 57
 and is in the process of having a stone wall added While this is not, exactly, a secret, it isn’t well known
inside the ditched enclosure – with parapets only outside of the locals … and its existence certainly isn’t
along the wall either side (and over) the entry gate. broadcast by the inhabitants of Brymclyfu or the
ferryman there as this would harm their access to the
There are no current plans to add parapets to the walls passing trade that believes it has to pass that way.
elsewhere along its length. As with the ‘keep’ at
Brymclyfu, the rear side of the Tower House (six storeys) Middes Ford over the Wæterstréam
forms part of the curtain wall.
Middes Ford (‘Halfway Ford’): This the lowest point
Access to the Tower House is by outside stairs to the first at which the Wæterstréam river may be forded. As
floor and, in a limited way, via a reinforced door to noted elsewhere, its existence is common knowledge to
stables at the ground level … there is a trapdoor and the locals, but not widely advertised to outsiders – and
ladder arrangement that can only be operated from the the Middes Path is more a series of farm tracks and
first floor allowing access to that level. game trails rather than an actual ‘right of way.’

Farkeep is one of the more productive Manors in the Middes (‘Halfway): A small Hamlet belonging to the
Barony, Fosterburh and Fiscaþpyll being part of its Manor of Farkeep … roughly half way between Brym-
lands as well as the Stæþcwudu. It is well known for clyfu and The River Inn. It is the site of the Middes
wool it ships down for export to Brymclyfu from the Ford, the lowest ford over the Wæterstréam.
hills and uplands around the Farkeep village – an
area which supports around 3000 sheep Wæterstréam river
Track to River Inn (east of River) – 2 miles
The Manor has a large population and extensive Track to Brymclyfu (east of River) – 4 miles
enough lands to also support farming, especially in
the bottomlands along the Wæterstréam – wheat and Stæþcotlif (‘Riverside Hamlet’): A small settlement
barley is floated down to Brymclyfu for shipping belonging to Farkeep Manor nestled up against the
elsewhere in the same way as wool from Farkeep. eastern side of Stæþwudu. The hamlet is famous for
its Pear groves and produces a large quantity (about
Farkeep turnoff to Stæþcotlif – 3½ miles 10 Tuns are available for sale at the end of the season)
Stæþwudu – both sides Brymclyfu-Blaestvil road of excellent Perry (Pear Cider) each year.
and west of Wæterstréam river
Stæþcotlif-River Inn Road – 3½ miles
Stæþwudu (‘Riverside Woods’): Ownership of these Beorghstane Turnoff
woods is split between the Manors of Brymclyfu (to the Wæterstréam–Beorghstane Road – 2 miles
east of the road) and that of Farkeep (to the west).
Beorghstane: Manor and Vill with a mixed economy
The road through the wood is kept clear, intermittently, based on sheep (wool, meat and cheese), forestry (a
to ~15 yards either side of the nominal right of way in mix of large timbers from Beorghswudu and charcoal
practise this means that large trees are cut down if they burning from coppices around the edge of the wood)
are closer than ~5 yards either side but left along, and farming (including intensive market gardens to
though smaller trees, saplings and bushes around them supply the Market at Upper Ouse and an Off-map
are cleared, more or less, between 6-15 yards. Town (east of the River Inn) with produce.

The Farkeep side of the road is generally more carefully Beorghswudu: The wood belongs the Lord of
cleared than the Brymclyfu side. Beorghstane Manor who reserves part of it for hunting
but who has allocated a substantial portion for the
This close to the two Manorial Villages means that there culling of large trees to be cut down for construction
are no regular bands of thieves or brigands active in the purposes – most of the large buildings in the Manor
woods … but there are occasionally bouts of highway and for miles around originate here and ships built at
robbery, probably carried out opportunistically by Porthaven rely on the large timbers for keels and masts.
dishonest types ‘just passing through.’
Wæterstréam Ferry & Ford
Middes Path – 3 miles
Stæþwudu – east of road, west of river Wæterstréam Ford: The ford is just below the junct-
ion of the Wæterstréam and the Middesfleóte rivers
Middes Path: This is a series of farm tracks and game but is only usable from late Spring to late Summer
trails that runs through the eastern part of Stæþwudu when the rivers are at their lowest – even then, it can
from roughly 2 miles north of the Farkeep turnoff and become unusable after even moderately heavy rains.
58 runs down to Middes Ford which is the lowest point
at which the Wæterstréam river can be forded. Wæterstréam Ferry: Since the Ford here is seasonal
 C
and unreliable, there is a Ferry that operates when the outside the normal ‘catchment’ area for the Barony’s
river is otherwise impassible. It has similar rates and Porthaven market … and yet far enough away from
capacity to the one at Brymclyfu (and, as there, the that of Another Town (off the map to the East) in the
Ferryman has a land grant, direct from the Count, to next Barony over to be a difficult fit for it as well.

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supplement his intermittent income).
Importantly, the Village is actually situated on the site
River Inn: This large Inn is well known throughout of an old Roman ‘tribal’ Town which had substantial

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the region as a haven of peace, quiet, plentiful accom- late Roman walls. As a result, the Village is actually
modation and good food on the route between the walled – two sides of the wall are largely Roman with
western part of the Barony, the County Capital and repairs and improvements made over the last couple

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Another Town (off the map to the East). of centuries, while the other two are more recent
construction made from materials scavenged from the
The Inn consists of a walled compound with a stone ruins of the old walls and other structures from the
built building with two wings (later additions to the abandoned part of the town.

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original small building) for the Inn proper and a large
Half-Timbered Stable and smaller outbuildings for The Lords of Upper Ouse, the Théroude family, have
storage. also utilised the Late Imperial fort that was situated

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in one corner of the town as the basis for their Manor
The Inn also has a Smithy who can shoe horses and compound – the walls are, like those of the Village,
repair carts and waggons … he mainly services mostly Roman on two sides (and include a twin-tower
travellers but also does work for sale at the Upper gate complex on one, though these are low Roman-
Ouse and Another Town markets. style towers), the Manor House itself forms most of a
third side, the fourth is constructed from scavenged
The Inn has seven rooms with a total of twenty beds materials. The walls have parapets and crenellations

I
and can sleep 25-30 people there. Space on the floor all the way around – except where the Manor House
of the Common Room can sleep another 20-30 and proper forms part of the circuit.
the Stables can accommodate a like number of sleep-

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ers and twice that many horses. About the same time as the weekly Market at Cross-
ford was regularised, the Théroude also managed to
Surrounding the walled Inn compound is a large convince Baron Ithura to make them a Market grant

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paddock enclosed by a mound and ditch topped by a as well – and the weekly Market is held on the site of
hedge which serves as a place where Carts, Waggons the old Roman Town Square, centred on a remaining
and additional draught animals can be parked when Roman pillar (broken off at about 15’ high) probably
there is no room inside the Inn compound (and, of from the Basilica (Town Hall).

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course, the Carters can sleep under/on their vehicles
rather than inside the Inn or Stables. The Vill is neither ‘just’ a Manorial Vill nor (yet) a
Chartered Town – it has features of both. There are

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The Inn is owned by the Gaestas, who hold it and even the beginnings of a Town Council, headed by the
surrounding lands (around 200 acres all up, mostly Reeve (elected by the Villagers), assisted by the
good, rich, black soil bottom land) as a Freehold Freemen and Tradesmen of the Vill – a body which

I
Serjeanty. has is wealthy enough to buy a substantial portion of
the rights to manage the Market from the Lord.
The Geastas are a distant branch of the original pre-
Conquest noble landowners – the only branch of the The Market brings in ~£65 per year, of which £6/10/-

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family to survive and/or hold onto substantial lands in (1560d) goes to the Church, £3/5/- (780d) to the Council,
the land redistribution aftermath of that event. £3/5/- (780d) to the Reeve (acting as Notary and Judge
of the Market Court) and his assistants. The remaining

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Turnoff to Another Town – xx miles £55 (13200d) is split between the Village in common (£5,
Middesfleóte Ford 1200d), the Manor (£25, 6000d), and a consortium of
the wealthier Freeholders and tradesmen (£25, 6000d).
Middesfleóte Ford: This is year round ford, unlike
the one across the Wæterstréam as the Middesfleóte is There are three Blacksmiths, two specialising in shoeing
a much smaller river (more of a large stream). horses, making and repairing agricultural implements
and general smithwork while the second makes general
Middesfleóte (‘Middle River’): This smallish river tools, nails and materials for the other tradesmen; two
joins the Wæterstréam here – rising off the map to the Carpenters (one who specialises in Barns, Granaries and
east in lands belonging to another Barony. other farm related structures, the other who specialises
in Half-Timbered houses) and a Mason; several Fullers
Upper Ouse (Population ~900): Like Crossford, this
‘village’ is situated on an important trade route and
(who process part of the local Wool Clip); a Dyer who
dyes some of the processed wool; Spinners and Weavers 59
 who spin the wool into thread and weave it into cloth, a is a Benedictine institution (Black Monks) and was
full time Tailor; a Cobbler/Bootmaker; a Potter (who established here on a royal grant around two centur-
does a sideline in Bricks and glazed tiles) and a Wheel- ies ago on lands equivalent to what constituted three
wright/Cartwright (who makes and repairs wheels, carts Knight’s Fees at the time.
and waggons, especially those passing through).
Careful management and investment in improve-
Wæterstréam River ments has enriched it over time and it now enjoys an
Upper Ouse Ferry income of around £400 per year and has acquired
additional land equivalent to another three Knight’s
Upper Ouse Ferry: The ferry between Upper Ouse fees for which it has used cunning legal maneuvering
and Lagulád has similar rates and capacity to the one to strip of any obligations as to Feudal service.
at Brymclyfu – but the Ferryman has recently been
bought out of his rights by the same consortium of There are only about 40 Brothers in residence and
rich freeholders and tradesmen who have become perhaps as many at subordinate houses (off map) or
important in the Village. in properties owned by the Abbey in the Capital or
other important cities or travelling on the business of
Lagulád (‘Across the Water’): A hamlet belonging to the Abbey. Most of the work on the Abbey’s Demesne
the Manor of Upper Ouse sitting across the river from lands, however, is done by Lay Brothers, of which
the village – it is in the not-so-slow process of becom- there are around 80 – they are relatively well treated,
ing a ‘suburb’ of the Market Village. as compared to the serfs in Bidstow, and tend to look
down on them (as do most of the Brothers).
Upper Ouse-Forcythwyru Abbey Road – 3 miles
The Abbey’s Scriptorium produces several ‘new’ books
Bidstow (‘Meeting Place’): A small hamlet belonging each year, either on commission or to add to its extensive
to Forcythwyru Abbey, but on the west bank of the Library of over 100 books consisting of ~180 major titles
Sumway River at the year-round ford known as the (some of which are bound together on the one ‘book’).
Cattle Crossing.
It has a medium sized Vineyard which produces around
This is where the Abbey’s tenant farmers live, around 1000 gallons of fairly good wine each year, mostly
200 people all up, making it rather large – it probably reserved for the Abbott and the Brothers (and important
should be a Village, but the Abbots have always guests) on special occasions. It also has relatively exten-
refused to allow the locals to build the Church that sive orchards and produces a large quantity of Perry
this status requires … insisting they worship in (and, and Apple Cider each year – enough for even the Lay
of course, pay tithes and other dues to) the Abbey Brothers with a quantity reserved for trade.
Church (St. Swithun’s).
The Abbey also loans money and provides some banking
Relations between the people and the Abbey are not at services and has Factors in Porthaven and the Capital
all good – the Abbots have always been harsh admini- to assist with this business – despite the Church’s nomin-
strators who work to squeeze every last farthing from al attitudes towards usury. Their lending practises vary
their tenants and to force freeholders into servile status, according to how powerful their ‘client’ is … from the
often using usurious lending practises. legalistically predatory to modestly rapacious – it hasn’t
added all that land by being all Christian and charitable.
Only the need to ensure that the villagers have the bare
wherewithal to answer a callout of the Feudal Levy has Fortcythwyn-Blaestvil Road (2 miles)
prevented their being reduced to absolute penury – on
two occasions within living memory requiring the inter- Wuduwésten (‘Wild Forest’): Another tract of ‘the
vention of the Royal Justices against the Abbots. forest primeval’ stretching for several miles off the
edge of the map to the east.
Track to Attford – 5 miles
Road to Upper Ouse – 3 miles Depending on the nature of your campaign, the ‘Wild
Wæterstréam River Forest’ or ‘Wild Wood’ is either royal land, subject to
‘Cattle Crossing’ Ford Forest Law, with most of the Foresters based off the
map to the east (a few may be found in Blaestville, but
‘Cattle Crossing’ Ford: A year-round ford over the only intermittently) or is nominally under Royal
Wæterstréam, the river is broad and shallow here and authority but is really, as is tacitly understood, the
the river bottom is rocky and smooth. When it floods, ancient possession of the High Elves.
the river tends to spread out over the low laying land
on either side preserving the relatively easy crossing. Assuming High Elves exist in your campaign world. If
60 Forcythwyru Abbey (Lonely or Distant Abbey): This
they don’t, but ‘lesser’ Elves do, then it might ‘belong’ to
Wood Elves (though not the group who dwell in Deoful-
 CROSSFORD TO DUNSTAEN

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wudu, SW of Porthaven). Regardless, the few who tread
the paths and game trails that criss-cross the Forest have
not seen an actual Elf for many centuries, perhaps not
since pre-Roman times and no-one can remember any

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tradition of human habitation or use for at least as long. Dunstaen

Dunstaenwudu
There might be the occasional sign of inhabitants, often

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only the sense of travellers ‘being watched’, but even
they are few and far between. The whole area teems with
all sorts of wildlife – Deer, Wild Boar, Wolves, Bears and

S
even the occasional small herd of Aurochs.

3 miles
Few locals are willing to hunt within its bounds as there
are rumours those who are cursed (and anecdotes of

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mishaps, deaths and ‘bad luck’ for those who risk it,
either in the forest or after their return) … though
whether this is superstition cum coincidence or the result

S
of actual intervention by the ‘guardians’ (human, elven
or otherwise) or their ‘curse’ is entirely up to the GM. Breitbae – 5 miles
Overford
On the rare occasions when game animals from the
woods are found outside its borders they are, however,
fair game – but this is a rare occurrence, almost as if the
animals know they’re safe within but not without!

Wuduwésten (south of road) Crossford

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Blaestvil Manor: The site of the Manor and Village of Not to Scale – pictorial representation only
the same name, of special interest because the Lord of
the Manor and the Villagers have erected two compet- of the richest Freeholders in the area, heading a group

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ing Windmills to grind grain for all those on the of the better off Freeholders of the Manor, and he
Manor as well as some of the independent Freehold granted a license to hold a weekly Market on the
settlements in the region. grounds of St Martin Caballero, overseen by the Priest
of said church and the Bailiff of the Manor.

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The area is well watered with brooks and streams, but
they are either too small to power a decent Water Mill or The Market brings in ~£50 per year – £5 (1200d) goes
they are poorly situated for the siting of an effective Mill. to the Church as a tithe, £2/10/- (600d) to the Priest for

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his services as a Notary and Treasurer (and those of his
The Villagers’ Mill is also set up for the fulling of wool assistants), £1/10/- (360d) to the Bailiff for his services
cloth as the area is well known for the large number of (and those of his assistants) and £1 (240d) for the Keeper

I
sheep grazed – and most of the locals weave in any spare of the Scales. The remaining £40 is split between the
time they have and many of the Cottars and landless Village in common (£5, 1200d), several of the wealthier
Serfs make a modest year-round living by contract Villagers (£10, 2400d), and the Manor (£25, 6000d).
weaving when their labour isn’t needed in the fields.

A
As a result, the Village is neither ‘just’ a Manorial Vill
nor is it (yet) a Chartered Town – it has some features
CROSSFORD TO DUNSTAEN of both. There is no formal Town Council, but the

E
Crossford (Pop ~800): Situated on an important Reeve (elected by the Villagers) acts as an informal
trade road and at the confluence of the Ithura and the ‘mayor’ … and there are, additionally, a number of
Axe rivers, the village has always been an important full time tradesmen who run businesses throughout
crossroads – though the Ford was seasonal, and often the week, not just on market day.
impassable for several weeks after the snow melt in
early spring or at any time after heavy rains. As a There are two Blacksmiths, one specialising in shoeing
result of the traffic there has always been an horses, making and repairing agricultural implements
impromptu weekly gathering of people from many of and general smithwork while the second makes general
the nearby Manors of some sort here, which often led tools, nails and materials for other local tradesmen, a
to informal trading between the attendees. Carpenter and Mason (who can build any sort or size of
wood or stone building up to the size of a multi-story
About two generations ago Baron Ithura was persuad-
ed to regularise matters by the Fitzpontus family, one
Tower or Manor House), a Cooper (who makes barrels
for the Apple Cider the region is famous for, amongst 61
 other things), a Chandler (who makes Wax candles themselves and the Lord of Crossford Manor.
culled from the Beeswax of the many local tamed and
wild Beehives) a Wheelwright/Cartwright (who makes The Bridge Warden charges non-local riders and carters
and repairs wheels, carts and waggons, especially those ¼-1d per riding animal or cart to use the Bridge but
passing through) and a Potter (who makes basic pottery allows those on foot to pass over for free. He also charges
items of all sorts for local consumption). 3d/£1 (1¼%) toll on all goods or livestock being brought
into the Crossford Market with an estimated value of 5/-
Unusually, the Village actually has an Inn – though it’s (60d) or more.
on the outskirts and not formally part of the Manor.
Overford: A large Hamlet on the west bank of the
The Sign of the Crescent Moon (Inn): The Crescent Ithura, just over the Crossford Bridge (ownership is
Moon has a stone wall around an Inn Compound with split between Crossford and Dunstaen) – it is slowly
several buildings, four bedrooms with bed-space for 20 becoming a ‘suburb’ of Crossford.
and floor (or stable) space for another 30 and a larger
fenced off field (~1 acre) where carters and larger parties While it is not supposed to occur, large crowds attending
can store their vehicles and pen their draught animals – some Market days at Crossford often spill over with their
and even camp overnight. buying and selling into Overford … which can (and
does) often lead to all sorts of legal complications and
The Inn has a staff of around 12 – the Innkeeper, Titus disputes between the locals and the Baron’s authorities.
[Cwylla – ‘Wellspring’], his wife, Beda, and their two
eldest children, Edwina and Everard (identical twins) Dunstaen Turnoff
plus 5 permanent staff and 3-4 seasonal or market day Dunstaen – 3 miles
hires and has an excellent reputation for good food,
drink and cleanliness. Dunstaen Manor: Vill and manor of the same name,
much of the estate’s lands are off the map to the west.
Crossford Bridge The road continues off map to the Next Barony.

Crossford Bridge: This is a major two (narrow) lane Dunstaenwudu: Belongs to the Manor of Dunstaen
wooden bridge over the Ithura built and maintained and is strictly kept a a hunting preserve for the Lord
by the better off residents of the Market Village in of the Manor – who even restricts traditional rights to
return for the right to split any tolls collected between gather fallen wood or let pigs run free when the acorns
drop, keeping the villagers very much offside.
PORTHAVEN TO AFENSCAEP
Afenscaep
PORTHAVEN TO AFENSCAEP
Porthaven (Pop ~2500): The main Market town for
Another Barony
the region and a moderately important Port with both
xx miles
1 mile national and international links. See the stand-alone
Alford 4 miles chapter for more detail on the Town.
Buttucholt
Ithura River
Deofulwudu 3 miles Extensive Marshes (Ithura Estuary)

Baron’s Bridge: A stone bridge over the Ithura built

Blycceholt by the previous Baron to replace the Ferry that prev-
iously operated here/ The bridge is just below Drown-
2 miles ed Man’s Rapids, which has always preclude shipping
heading further upstream.
Porthaven Gledelf
Castle The Baron charges non-local riders and carters ¼-1d per
2 miles
riding animal or cart to use the Bridge but allows those
on foot to pass over for free. He also charges 6d/£1
1 mile (2½%) toll on all goods or livestock not being moved by
those with Burgage rights in Porthaven – but only for
goods with an estimated value of 10/- (120d) or more.
Alford 4 miles
Brymclyfu The Bridge is, just, wide enough for two standard carts
10 miles PORTHAVEN travelling in opposite directions to pass each other – and
62 Not to Scale – pictorial representation only
there are cut-outs at several points along each side for
pedestrians to dodge into if passage becomes tight.
 C
Extensive Marshes (Ithura Estuary) Blycceholt Manor: The site of the Village and Manor
Porthaven Turnoff of the same name. In addition to mixed farming, the
Royal Highway (1 mile) – Porthaven Castle Lord of the Manor and some of the wealthier freehold
peasants run around 400 cattle between them. They
Porthaven Castle: See the stand-alone chapter for
more detail on the Castle. Its is the seat of Baron
Ithura near the mouth of the River Ithura.
produce cheese and drive cattle to Porthaven for sale
to the Butchers there.
U
R
Blycceholt-Buttucholt Road – 3 miles
Deofulwudu
Buttucholt: A small hamlet just outside of Afenscaep

S
Deofolwudu (‘Devil’s Woods’): Remains of the once mainly of pastoralists and herders running a mixed
extensive primeval forest that covered much of the bag of cattle and sheep either for themselves or for the
Barony – this is not a Royal Forest (and isn’t subject Lord of Afenscaep Manor. While they specialise in
to Forest Law), it nominally belongs to the Baron, but cheese (from both) their herds/flocks also provide
he doesn’t enforce his rights for a variety of reasons …

There are rumoured to be a number of Druid’s Groves

meat, hides and wool.

Alford Turnoff – Alford (4 miles) U

S
where devil worshippers allegedly gather on ‘unholy’ Buttucholt-Afenscaep Road – 1 mile
days and, according to legend, in the darkest heart of
the woods is a stone Henge surrounding a Barrow that Afenscaep Manor: The site of the Vill and Manor of
supposedly leads into the realm of the Fae. the same name. Afenscaep is mainly devoted to mixed
farming, though it also produces a significant amount
Hunters and Gamekeepers who have attempted to use of additional hay to help feed the flocks of sheep and
the woods for their own ends have returned with stories herds of cattle run by the Lord at Buttucholt. The
of constantly feeling the sense of a ‘presence’ watching
them … and not a few of them haven’t returned at all …
Manor also has a number of fish-ponds and several
fish weirs across the River Weth owned by the Lord
and used for the provision of a variety of Trout, Pike I
T
Alternately, if your campaign allows for the existence of and other freshwater fish both fresh, for local con-
Elves, Dwarves and other mythical or supernatural sumption (mainly by the Lord), and dried, for sale in
creatures, the Woods may be the ‘holding’ of a Clan of Porthaven (boated downriver in the latter case).

H
Wood Elves (perhaps 40-60 all up) who may or may not
have any truck with the local human authorities. River Weth

They may hold the Wood as being independent of PORTHAVEN TO CROSSFORD

human authority, and have the woodcraft to make it
stick – probably in return for some nominal displays of
allegiance to the Crown – and carry on trade in exotic
Porthaven Castle: See the stand-alone chapter for
more detail on the Castle. It is the nominal seat of
Baron Ithura near the mouth of the River Ithura U
R
and otherwise hard to obtain herbs and medicinal plants (though his wealthiest Manor is Crossford and he has
with the local human population. much income producing property in Porthaven).

I
If relations are less congenial, the Elves are likely to be Royal Coastal Highway (1 mile)
the source of the ‘watched’ feelings – and the reason for Extensive Marshes (Ithura Estuary)
any disappearances … though investigation will show
that the ‘disappeared’ were almost certainly up to no Deofolwudu (‘Devil’s Woods’): The remains the once
good inside the bounds of the woods. In this case some
of the local farm families closest to the Woods probably
have some positive contacts with the Elves going back
extensive primeval forest that covered much of the
Barony – this is not a Royal Forest (and isn’t subject
to Forest Law), it nominally belongs to the Baron, but A
E
many generations, and may even have a little Elven he doesn’t enforce his rights for a variety of reasons …
blood, but keep their contacts secret for fear of negative
reactions from the authorities, especially the Church. There are rumoured to be a number of Druid’s Groves
where devil worshippers allegedly gather on ‘unholy’
Porthaven-Gledelf Road – 2 miles days and, according to legend, in the darkest heart of
the woods is a stone Henge surrounding a Barrow that
Gledelf: A hamlet belonging to Blycceholt Manor with supposedly leads into the realm of the Fae.
~12 families involved in mining outcroppings of black
coal nearby and 8 involved in mixed farming. Hunters and Gamekeepers who have attempted to use
the woods for their own ends in the past have always
Deofolwudu south of the road and Manor returned with stories of constantly feeling the sense of a
(see body text on previous page)
Gledelf-Blycceholt road – 2 miles
‘presence’ watching them … and not a few of them
haven’t returned at all … 63
 Alternately, if your campaign allows for the existence of
PORTHAVEN TO CROSSFORD Elves, Dwarves and other mythical or supernatural
creatures, the Woods may be the ‘holding’ of a Clan of
Wood Elves (perhaps 40-60 all up) who may or may not
County Seat 20 miles have any truck with the local human authorities.

Cráwawudu
Crossford

Weatende
They may hold the Wood as being independent of
human authority, and have the woodcraft to make it
stick – probably in return for some nominal displays of
Dunstaen allegiance to the Crown – and carry on trade in exotic
Overford and otherwise hard to obtain herbs and medicinal plants
with the local human population.
3 miles
Diegcomb If relations are less congenial the Elves are the source of
2 miles the ‘watched’ feelings and the reason for any disappear-
Twifcotlif ances … though investigation shows the ‘disappeared’
were up to no good. Some local farm families closest to
the Woods have positive contacts with the Elves going
5 miles

back many generations, and may even have a little Elven

blood, but keep their contacts secret for fear of negative
reactions from the authorities, especially the Church.
Breitwudu
Breitbae Baron’s Bridge: A stone bridge over the Ithura built
3 miles by the previous Baron to replace the Ferry that prev-
iously operated here/ The bridge is just below Drown-
ed Man’s Rapids, which has always preclude shipping
Wynaern heading further upstream.

The Baron charges non-local riders and carters ¼-1d per

4 miles

riding animal or cart to use the Bridge but allows those

on foot to pass over for free. He also charges 6d/£1
Haewenwudu
(2½%) toll on all goods or livestock not being moved by
those with Burgage rights in Porthaven – but only for
Twyford goods with an estimated value of 10/- (120d) or more.

Alford The Bridge is, just, wide enough for two standard carts
travelling in opposite directions to pass each other – and
4 miles 5 miles there are cut-outs at several points along each side for
pedestrians to dodge into if passage becomes tight.
Afenscaep
Crundel
Blyccetholt Turnoff: This leads to Blyccetholt Manor
2 miles

Afenwudu
and the village of the same name. There is a Hamlet
(Gledelf) about halfway along the road where a dozen
2 miles
4 miles

families mine outcroppings of coal.

Deofolwudu south of the road and Manor

2 miles

Sylvabearh
Porthaven (Pop ~2500): The main Market town for
Sylvawudu the region and a moderately important Port with both
national and international links. See the stand-alone
Blyccetholt 3 miles PORTHAVEN chapter for more detail on the Town.

Brymclyffu Brymclyfu Turnoff: The Royal Coastal Highway

e roughly follows the coast and heads to Brymclyfu
1 mil 10 miles
Manor and the mouth of the Wæterstréam River.
Porthaven Castle
Royal (Coastal) Highway (10 miles)
Coastal Hills, Rocky Cliffs, Pebble Beaches
64 Not to Scale – pictorial representation only Scattered Coastal Woods & Copses
Crossford Road (2 miles)
 C
Runs alongside the Ithura River Manor and the village of the same name which is five
Extensive Marshes along the west Bank miles down the secondary road.
Sylvabearh Turnoff
Sylvabearh (2 miles), Hrycbaed (4 miles) Throsmig Dale: A Hamlet halfway along the road to

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Crundel where a half a dozen families of Charcoal
Sylvabearh Turnoff: This turnoff leads to Sylvabearh Burners burn wood from adjacent coppices under the
Manor and the village of the same name which is two watchful eyes of the Baron’s Foresters protecting

R
miles down the secondary road – which then Afenwudu. There are also 18 farming families, 16
continues for another 4 miles to Hyrcbaed Manor and Serfs and 2 Freeholders (a population of ~120 all up)..
village of the same name.

S
Alford Manor: The site of the Manor and Village of
Sylvawudu (‘Woods Woods’): These are the property the same name, which sits astride the Ithura River
of the Lord of the Manor (he keeps about ¾ for near where the Nith, Udso and Weth rivers flow into it.
hunting – the remaining ¼ consist of copses used For more detail see the separate chapter on the Manor.

U
intensively to grow wood for use in Porthaven … some
as plain firewood, but a fair chunk as charcoal for use Afenscaep Turnoff: This leads to Afenscaep Manor
in industry (and a nice little earner for the Manor!). and village, four miles down the secondary road on

S
the bottom side of the River Weth.
Sylvawudu – south of the road
Track to Afenscaep – 4 miles
Afenwudu (‘River Woods’): One of the hunting reserv- Ridda Bridge (over the Ithura)
es of Baron Ithura – mainly wild boar and red deer.
The Foresters are based out of Throsmig Dale as Twyford: Just to the east of Alford Manor is Twyford
relations with Alford have not been good for years due Serjeanty, which is held directly from the Crown – at

I
to heavy handedness’ in dealing with locals who have a rent of one Destrier or five Cavalry Horses every
been going about their lawful business that Lord of year. The Ridda family (the tenants) are famous for
Alford Manor complained about to the Baron’s Court. the quality of the horseflesh they raise/train – and

T
have sold Destriers to high ranking and wealthy nobles.
Afenwudu – east bank of the Ithura River
The bridge over the Ithura here is a single lane wooden

H
Alford Bridge: Situated at the lowest point at which structure which has proved slightly more durable than
the Ithura may be forded, a wooden bridge was the one that was replaced by the stone structure at Alford
constructed here about 80 years ago … unfortunately proper due to a slightly different river-flow geometry.
the original structure and its replacement both proved

U
to be vulnerable to severe winter storms and flooding There is no toll, but the bridge cannot take heavy loads
and were washed away. – maintenance is paid for by a legacy from one of the
previous Baron’s widows, left in the care of the Priest at

R
The current single lane bridge is stone and two parts, St. Judas Thaddeus, and realising ~10/- (120 d) per year.
sitting astride an islet in the middle of the river
slightly downstream from the ford. The tollhouse sits The bridge over the Nith is also single lane wooden

I
on the islet and is open from dawn to dusk – booms structure, but can take heavier carts – it is maintained by
are lowered at the island end of each section at night. the Ridda family because, though fordable, the stream
bottom is quite boggy and carts and waggons have a
Tolls are typically ¼-1d per riding or pack animal or hard time getting across otherwise (those on animal back

A
cart (and 2½%, or 6d/£1, for commercial cargoes worth or on foot generally have no problems).
more than 10/- [120d]) excepting ‘locals’ … anyone who
can show they are residents of the Barony or who have Weth Ford (on Alfenscaep Road)

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Burgage rights in Porthaven. Crossford Road (4 miles)

The Porthaven-Crossford road doesn’t cross the Ithura Haewenwudu (‘Blue-Green Hills): The trees that grow
here, it skirts around Alford and on towards Breitbae on here on the left bank of the Ithura are dominated by
the right side of the river. The Afenscaep road, which species that have a green-gray foliage, appearing
joins the Porthaven-Crossford road to the right of Alford almost blue in some lighting, making the hills appear
Manor is the road that actually crosses the bridge here. as if they are Blue-Green.

Crundel Turnoff The woods are fairly small, at least compared to the
Throsmig Dale (3 miles), Crundel (3 miles), others on the map of the Barony, and can be assumed to
Forcythwyru Abbey (6 miles) belong to Breitbae Manor.

Crundel Turnoff: This turnoff leads to Crundel Alternately, if your campaign allows for the existence of 65
 Elves, Dwarves and other mythical and supernatural from time to time) occasionally moves one or more of the
creatures, then there is a small Dwarven Hold (no more boundary markers.
than a dozen families, perhaps 50 Dwarves all up,
mostly adults) situated somewhere here … carefully Twifcotlif Turnoff – Diegcomb (2½ miles)
concealed, of course, with multiple entrances and exits. Crossford Road – Overford (2½ miles)
Crossford Road – Crossford (3 miles
The Dwarves have struck a rich vein of copper, some of
which is pure native metal, which also contains a signif- Twifcotlif Turnoff: This is the site of twin Hamlets
icant amount of silver … which the Dwarves have the (Twifcotlif) on the east bank of the are situated where
technology to extract (something the locals do not). a tertiary track leads to the small Hamlet of Diegcomb.
Depending on the nature of the relations with the locals,
the Dwarves may (like the Elves of Deofulwudu) claim The Hamlet is split between the two Manors – the part
the Hills are theirs and not acknowledge any human north of the track is Crossford territory while that part
overlordship … or acknowledge it nominally by paying south of the track is Breitbae territory.
a yearly ‘tithe’ of silver to the Crown (or Count … ).
Twifcotlif Ford
But, being secretive, is that ‘tithe’ the Dwarves pay an
actual tenth? An interesting question for the GM and Twifcotlif Ford: This is a spot where the river is
players – and note that the Dwarves will quite probably broad, relatively shallow, and has a firm bottom for
have a different answer … and good reasoning behind it, steady footing. The ford connects the Hamlet of the
even though the Crown (or Count) may not agree. same name to the main Porthaven-Crossford road.

Breitbae Manor: The Porthaven-Crossford road cros- Dunstaen Turnoff

ses from the right bank to the Manor and Village of Dunstaen – 3 miles
Breitbae on the left bank over a solidly built single-lane
stone bridge built by the Count. Dunstaen: A village and manor of the same name,
much of the estate’s lands are off the map to the west.
The Count charges non-locals ¼-1d per riding animal or The road continues off map to the Next Barony.
cart to use the Bridge but allows those on foot to pass
over for free. He also charges 3d/£1 (2½%) toll on all Dunstaenwudu: Belongs to the Manor of Dunstaen
goods or livestock not being moved by those with Burg- and is strictly kept a a hunting preserve for the Lord
age rights in Porthaven – but only for cargoes or live- of the Manor – who even restricts traditional rights to
stock with an estimated value of 10/- (120d) or more. gather fallen wood or let pigs run free when the acorns
drop, keeping the villagers offside.
Wynaern Turnoff
Wynaern (3 miles), Attford (4 miles) Overford: A large Hamlet on the west bank of the
Ithura, just over the Crossford Bridge (ownership is
Wynaern Turnoff: This turnoff leads to Wynaern split between Crossford and Dunstaen) – it is slowly
Manor and the village of the same name which is becoming a ‘suburb’ of Crossford.
three miles down the secondary road which then
continues through the Stánbeorg (‘Rocky Hills’) to While it is not supposed to occur, large crowds attending
Attford Manor and the village of the same name on some Market days at Crossford often spill over with their
the Wæterstréam River (‘River River’). buying and selling into Overford … which can (and
does) often lead to all sorts of legal complications and
Crossford Road -Twifcotlif (3 miles) disputes between the locals and the Baron’s authorities.
Haewenwudu (see above)
Crossford Bridge
Breitwudu (‘Bright Woods’): This area of woodland
runs along the right bank of the Ithura river upriver Crossford Bridge: This is a major two (narrow) lane
from Breitbae to the Twifcotlif hamlets. The woods wooden bridge over the Ithura built and maintained
belong jointly to the Manors of Breitbae and Wynaern by the better off residents of the Market Village in
– and the uncertainty over the actual border between return for the right to split any tolls collected between
the two holdings in the woods has led to continued themselves and the Lord of Crossford Manor.
disputes between the two holdings.
The Bridge Warden charges non-local riders and carters
There is a border. There are border markers. They run ¼-1d per riding animal or cart to use the Bridge but
along a track through the forest – but, as with most allows those on foot to pass over for free. He also charges
medieval roads/tracks, this is merely a ‘right of way’ and 3d/£1 (1¼%) toll on all goods or livestock being brought
66 the route is, therefore, somewhat uncertain to begin with.
Worse, someone (and both involved parties claim this
into the Crossford Market with an estimated value of 5/-
(60d) or more.
 C
Crossford (Pop ~800): Situated on an important can store their vehicles and pen their draught animals –
trade road and at the confluence of the Ithura and the and even camp overnight.
Axe rivers, the village has always been an important
crossroads – though the Ford was seasonal, and often The Inn has a staff ~12 – the Innkeeper, Titus [Cwylla

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impassable for several weeks after the snow melt in – ‘Wellspring’], his wife, Beda, and their eldest children,
early spring or at any time after heavy rains. Edwina and Everard (identical twins) plus 5 permanent
staff and 3-4 seasonal or market day hires and has an

R
As a result of the traffic there has always been an excellent reputation for good food, drink and cleanliness.
impromptu weekly gathering of people from many of
the nearby Manors of some sort here, which often led Ithura River – Left Fork

S
to informal trading between the attendees. Road to the County Seat (20 miles)
Axe River – Right Fork
About two generations ago Baron Ithura was persuad- Deopwudu (between the rivers)
ed to regularise matters by the Fitzpontus family, the

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Lords of Crossford Manor, and he granted a license to Deopwudu (‘Deep Woods’): These woods are situat-
hold a weekly Market on the grounds of St Martin ed on the high ground above Crossford, between the
Caballero, overseen by the Priest of said church and Axe and Ithura rivers. The woods cover some hilly

S
the Bailiff of the Manor. terrain and deep ravines and valleys and are notor-
ious for having been infested with at least one pack of
The Market brings in ~£50 per year – £5 (1200d) goes ferocious wolves within living memory … a pack (or
to the Church as a tithe, £2/10/- (600d) to the Priest for packs) with a reputation for being mankillers, at least
his services as a Notary and Treasurer (and those of his during winter.
assistants), £1/10/- (360d) to the Bailiff for his services
(and those of his assistants) and £1 (240d) for the Keeper Yes, it is unusual, if not completely unprecedented, even

I
of the Scales. The remaining £40 is split between the in medieval times, for wolves to take on or take down
Village in common (£5, 1200d), several of the wealthier men – unless in extremis. They are more likely to try and
Villagers (£10, 2400d), and the Manor (£25, 6000d). take down their animals, if they can be separated,

T
especially dogs … but livestock who aren’t kept securely
As a result, the Village is neither ‘just’ a Manorial Vill penned or watched are obvious prey.
nor is it (yet) a Chartered Town – it has some features

H
of both. There is no formal Town Council, but the In a Fantasy campaign these wolves (or their ancestors)
Reeve (elected by the Villagers) acts as an informal might be Dire Wolves or Wargs. There’s always room
‘mayor’ … and there are, additionally, a number of for these long thought gone creatures to reappear.
full time tradesmen who run businesses throughout

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the week, not just on market day. Gegylden – 4 miles north of Crossford

There are two Blacksmiths, one specialising in shoeing Gegylden (‘Golden’): A hamlet of around 30 families

R
horses, making/repairing farm implements and general (~250-300 people) who do mixed farming along the
smithing while the other makes tools, nails and materials river (along with a fish weir belonging to Crossford
for some of the other tradesmen (including the Carpent- Manor but run by the locals as part of their feudal

I
er, Mason and local Miners), a Carpenter and Mason labour service), run some goats and pigs in Deopwudu
(who can build any sort or size of wood or stone building and also support charcoal burning in coppices along
up to a multi-story Tower or Manor House), a Cooper the forest’s edge as well as harvesting of wild honey.
(making barrels for the Apple Cider the region is famous

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for), a Chandler (who makes Wax candles culled from Axe River: The banks of the River Axe from its
the Beeswax of the many local tamed and wild Beehives) confluence with the Ithura upstream as far as the
a Wheelwright/Cartwright (who makes and repairs Attford-Heastor-County Seat road (off map) are mostly

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wheels, carts and waggons, especially those passing marshlands with scattered ‘islands’ of higher ground,
through) and a Potter (who makes basic pottery items of some of which remain dry even in the spring thaw or
all sorts for local consumption). flooding after heavy rains. These tend to be the perm-
anent settlements of Rush harvesters (and weavers)
Unusually, the Village actually has an Inn – though it’s and Flax Retters – who hold the land in unacknowl-
on the outskirts of the settlement and not formally part edged freehold (mainly because no-one else wants it).
of the Manor.
There are no tracks on either side of the river, though
The Sign of the Crescent Moon (Inn): The Crescent travellers can pass through Deopwudu or Eastwudu on
Moon has a stone wall around an Inn Compound with any number of semi-formal or informal trails and
several buildings, four bedrooms with bed-space for 20 game trails … with the risk of getting lost if not a local
and floor (or stable) space for another 30 and a larger
fenced off field (~1 acre) where carters and larger parties
… or by Punt hired from one of the local families
(passengers only, no horses or the like). 67
 Rýne – 2 miles northeast of Crossford on the Axe
ROYAL COASTAL HIGHWAY Rýne (“Dark Riddle’): A hamlet of around 20
families (~200 people) alongside the River Axe and
belonging to the Manor of Crossford. There are no
paths alongside the river, as the terrain south of the
River Inn 6 miles hamlet is too rough and broken (though it is passable
Brymclyfu Keep
Middes 4 miles by those on foot or with sure-footed mounts, though at
normal [human] walking pace) – access is normally by
paths through Deopwudu of which there are several.

Farkeep 4½ miles The Hamlet survives on mixed farming, beekeeping

Brymclyfu
(wild hives in the forest and 30-40 farmed hives),
Beorghstane 8½,
sheep grazing on the rough moorland around the Vill,
River Inn 10½ miles
running goats and pigs in the forest as well as
charcoal burning and forestry.

Weatende Cráwawudu (‘Western Raven’s Wood’):

5 miles

This may, long ago, have been connected to Easta

Cráwawudu but the land between the two wooded
areas has been cleared and under the plough (or used
for grazing) for several centuries before the Conquest
(and is recorded as such in the Domesday Book).
Ecgclif Fiscaþpyll
1½ miles Unlike the larger portion of the wood, Weatende
1½ miles Cráwawudu is the property of the Lord of Heastor and
he maintains it as a hunting preserve in part – though
Sylvawudu in recent years he has allowed the clearing of some of
the margins to increase the amount of land available
for grazing and for use as hay meadows.
5 miles

While it doesn’t have the negative reputation as Easta

Cráwawudu, land clearing has turned up some standing
stones (not exactly menhirs, and only crudely shaped)
with the sorts of markings associated with the ‘old men’
(i.e. spirals, trumpets, ‘spectacles’, weird animals etc.) …
What may lay hidden deeper in the Lord’s woods?
PORTHAVEN
Alford 4 miles
ROYAL COASTAL HIGHWAY
Fyrthburh: Situated about a half a mile from the
Blycceholt 3 miles coast and is involved in mixed farming and forestry,
1 mile

mainly coppices on the edges of Deofulwudu (see

below) as well as seasonal fishing, mainly for local
consumption, by a few families who keep small boats
2 miles

Porthaven Castle pulled up on a nearby sheltered beach.

Deofulwudu Because of the possibility of foreign or pirate raids,

Heargeard
the Lord’s dwelling is a Tower Manor of four floors
(ground and three upper) and has a platform for a
2 miles

signal/warning fire on the roof … this can be seen

2 miles from Porthaven and Porthaven Castle when lit.

Royal Coastal Highway – Heargeard – 3 miles

Fyrthburh Deofulwudu (NW of road)
Coast – rocky with some cliffs

Deofolwudu (‘Devil’s Woods’): The remains the once

68 Not to Scale – pictorial representation only extensive primeval forest that covered much of the
Barony – this is not a Royal Forest (and isn’t subject
 C
to Forest Law), it nominally belongs to the Baron, but shows respect, or maybe it has no real effect beyond the
he doesn’t enforce his rights for a variety of reasons … hamlet not farming as intensively as it could because of
the number of fisherfolk vs active farmers).
There are rumoured to be a number of Druid’s Groves
where devil worshippers allegedly gather on ‘unholy’
days and, according to legend, in the darkest heart of
the woods is a stone Henge surrounding a Barrow that
Royal Coast Highway – Porthaven Castle – 2 miles
Rocky coastline – few, stony, beaches
U
R
supposedly leads into the realm of the Fae. Porthaven Castle: See the stand-alone chapter for
more detail on the Castle. It is the nominal seat of
Hunters and Gamekeepers who have attempted to use Baron Ithura near the mouth of the River Ithura

S
the woods for their own ends in the past have always (though his wealthiest Manor is Crossford and he has
returned with stories of constantly feeling the sense of a much income producing property in Porthaven).
‘presence’ watching them … and not a few of them
haven’t returned at all … Royal Coastal Highway – Porthaven – 1 mile

Alternately, if your campaign allows for the existence of

Elves, Dwarves and other mythical or supernatural creat-
Extensive Marshes (Ithura Estuary)
Baron’s Bridge
U
S
ures, the Woods may be the ‘holding’ of a Clan of Wood Baron’s Bridge: A stone bridge over the Ithura built
Elves (perhaps 40-60 all up) who may or may not have by the previous Baron to replace the Ferry that prev-
any truck with the local human authorities. iously operated here/ The bridge is just below Drown-
ed Man’s Rapids, which has always preclude shipping
They may hold the Wood as being independent of heading further upstream.
human authority, and have the woodcraft to make it
stick – probably in return for some nominal displays of The Baron charges non-local riders and carters ¼-1d per
allegiance to the Crown – and carry on trade in exotic
and otherwise hard to obtain herbs and medicinal plants
with the local human population.
riding animal or cart to use the Bridge but allows those
on foot to pass over for free. He also charges 6d/£1
(2½%) toll on all goods or livestock not being moved by I
T
those with Burgage rights in Porthaven – but only for
If relations are less congenial, the Elves are likely to be goods with an estimated value of 10/- (120d) or more.
the source of the ‘watched’ feelings – and the reason for

H
any disappearances … though investigation will show The Bridge is, just, wide enough for two standard carts
that the ‘disappeared’ were almost certainly up to no travelling in opposite directions to pass each other – and
good inside the bounds of the woods. In this case some there are cut-outs at several points along each side for
of the local farm families closest to the Woods probably pedestrians to dodge into if passage becomes tight.
have some positive contacts with the Elves going back
many generations, and may even have a little Elven
blood, but keep their contacts secret for fear of negative
Blyccetholt Turnoff: This leads to Blyccetholt Manor
and the village of the same name. There is a Hamlet U
R
reactions from the authorities, especially the Church. (Gledelf) about halfway along the road where a dozen
families mine outcroppings of coal.
Heargeard: A small Hamlet (part of Fyrthburh

I
Manor) of about 80 people on a small sheltered inlet Porthaven (Pop ~2500): The main Market town for
on a stretch of sheer cliffs around 60-80’ high. The the region and a moderately important Port with both
inlet is tricksy to find unless you already know it’s national and international links. See the stand-alone
there – and even then it can only be seen as an inlet chapter for more detail on the Town.
if one is heading more or less directly into it already.

About half of the locals (or at least the adult males in

Sylvawudu (‘Woods Woods’): These are on the south
side of the road and are the property of the Lord of A
E
the family) make most of their income from fishing Sylvabearh Manor (he reserves about ¾ of the woods
and collecting mussels, oysters etc for sale at for hunting – the remaining ¼ consist of copses used
Porthaven. Farming and stock raising pursuits are intensively to grow wood for use in Porthaven … some
secondary – carried out mainly by their womenfolk. as plain firewood, but a fair chunk as charcoal for use
in industry (and a nice little earner for the Manor!).
The other half of the population are farmers who
engage in traditional agriculture – but use seaweed as Royal Coastal Highway – Crossroads – 5 miles
a fertiliser and mulch so, during the farming season, Rocky coastline with intermittent sandy beaches
their fields can smell strongly of this material.
Crossroads: The tracks leading off to the hamlets of
The locals claim that, as a result, they have never had Fiscaþpyll and Fosterburh meet the Highway about a
any problems with the ‘evil’ emanating from Deoful-
wudu (maybe the Elves/Druids don’t like it … or think it
quarter mile apart at a spot that was evidently of some
significance to the ‘old men’ (i.e. pre-Anglo-Saxon, 69
 probably pre-Roman), indicated by the presence of Carters and Pack trains usually park their vehicles and
two Barrows/Mounds and a single Menhir. graze their animals in the innermost ‘bailey’ of the
earthworks … and the drivers may sleep on/under their
Being half-way between Porthaven and Brymclyfu, it vehicles and there are several rough shelters (roof and
is also the site of the Crossroads Inn. three sides, open on the fourth – which faces away from
the direction of the prevailing winds) for muleskinners to
The Crossroads (Inn): The Crossroads sits on a small use. The use of such facilities is considered part of the
hill off the Royal Coastal Highway, utilising a system of cost of using the commons for their animals (½d per
several roughly concentric earthworks (ditches and Cart, ¾d per Waggon, 1/4d per four Pack Animals).
mounds) that are reputed to date back to the time when
the Barrows nearby were built, either as defensive works The Inn has a staff of around 10 – the Innkeeper, John
or, possibly, as a ceremonial compound. These enclose [of the Green], his wife, Mary, and their eldest son,
an area of roughly five acres and the Inn proper is Harald Oathkeeper and his wife (Gwenhyfar). There
situated in one corner, with a ‘new’ ditch along one side are 4-5 permanent staff and 3-4 seasonal or at-need hires
and a wooden palisade surrounding the Inn Compound. sourced from the two nearby Hamlets when business is
particularly, well … busy.
The Inn itself is unusual in that it incorporates a defen-
sive tower, rather like a small Keep, which is actually a Hlæwfjell (‘Barrow Fell’ aka ‘The Mounds’ or ‘The
rough-and-ready rebuild and repurposing of what was a Faerie Mounds’): Two large(ish) Barrow mounds, one
partly ruinous late Roman coastal Signal tower. on (roughly) either side of the Highway. The one north
of the highway is west of the track to Fosterburh while
This tower is roughly 40’ tall (the lower 15-20’ is made the one south of it is east of the track to Fiscaþpyll.
of stone, brick and tile courses while the remaining They are certainly pre-Anglo-Saxon and probably pre-
15-20’ is made of coarser work, mostly re-used Roman Roman in origin.
stone or brick with some coarser and more roughly
shaped fieldstone collected locally) and is adjacent to The NW Barrow is roughly rectangular, ~ 40 meters
the main Inn building. (~65’) long and 8 (~25-26’ wide) at the base, rising to a
tapered mound around 3-4 meters (9½-12’) above the
Access is via a strongly built, iron banded, door at ground level. This is either a long barrow (a Neolithic or
ground level large enough for horses and similar Celtic burial) or a ship burial (an Anglo-Saxon or
livestock to be brought in and a door on the first floor Germanic burial) – probably of one or more high status
(US 2nd floor) from the Inn owner’s quarters (likewise individuals over a short period of time in the former case
heavily built and iron banded … and opening onto a or of a single high status individual in the latter.
short passageway, around 5’ long, and a second such
door opening onto the tower proper. If it is a long barrow there will be a stone lined internal
burial chamber, often with a series of smaller chambers
The ground floor is for food storage, but there are spaces radiating off it – there may have been a long shaft-
for several horse-sized animals, and access to the upper tunnel entrance as well but there is, currently, no sign of
floors is via a trapdoor in the roof (the floor of the 1st this on any of the faces of the mound.
floor) through which a ladded can be dropped down
from above at need. The ceiling here is around 15’ high. If it is a ship burial then there was never any ‘entrance’
– the high status burial was either under a wooden
The 1st Floor (US 2nd) is one big room, mostly for general superstructure built on top of the buried ship’s hull or in
storage, but with several beds used by the owner’s a similar, but smaller, wooden chamber covered over by
children on occasion. The 2nd Floor (US 3rd) is mostly an upturned ship. It is possible that the wood has rotted
empty, but there are chests and a rack for the armour away, wholly or partially, leaving only traces in the soil
and weapons owned by the Innkeeper (who is nominally – if any part of the wooden structure remains it will be
rated as a Foot Serjeant for tax, but who is not required dangerously unstable.
to perform military service outside of the Barony and,
mostly, outside of the immediate area around the Inn. The SE Barrow is much much larger and differs in
Both these floors have roughly 8’ ceilings. The roof of shape – being very close to a perfect circle, allowing for
the tower is crenellated with a stone walkway around the weathering and damage, around 30 meters across ands
four sides and a strong wooden roof in the centre, up to 8 meters tall. Part of the circle mound has a
covered with raw hides to make it fire-resistant. retaining wall of drystone construction (intact in some
places and partially ruinous in others) and where there
The main building has three bedrooms with bed space is no wall currently there are signs in the ground that it
for 14 people and floor space in the Common room for has either collapsed and been buried by time or has been
another 25 or so. The Stables has an upper loft which robbed by the locals for building and other purposes.
70 has a long dormitory with two beds (sleep six people
between them) and floorspace for another dozen. This was most probably a place of many high-status
 C
burials and would normally have had some sort of and is closely associated with the latter due to the
monumental post and lintel ‘doorway’ of stone on one short distance between the two.
side facing some astronomical alignment.
The hamlet’s inhabitants are heavily involved in
There is currently no sign of such an entrance – either it
has been deliberately covered over or it has been covered
by the collapse of one of the parts of the circumference
fishing as the settlement is situated along a sandy
beach about ¼ mile long, sheltered between two
jutting, rocky, promontories that provide good shelter U
R
of the mound where there is no longer a retaining wall. from the prevailing winds, though the small fishing
boats are still drawn up onto the beach, above the
Internally, the long passage leading to the main central high tide mark, when not in use.

S
chamber and the chamber itself will have been of large
stones and are likely to be mostly intact – burials are The villagers bring in large quantities of fish which they
most likely in smaller chambers radiating off the main sell fresh at Porthaven (they also salt down/air dry
one or in stone lined and capped pits in the floor. which they mostly sell at the end of summer or the end

Whether the burial(s) involved grave goods, whether

those goods have some value to ‘modern’ (i.e. medieval)
of autumn) and hunt whales (probably Black Whale,
~15’ long when mature and a slow, inshore, swimmer)
mostly in winter … typically catching 4-6 per year. U
S
people and whether the burials have been robbed in
some previous time are all matters for the GM to decide. It is situated inland at the base of a cliff (~10-12
meters) where a pool (Gegælen séaþ – ‘Old One’s Pool,’
In the same vicinity, north of the highway and east of in the sense of ‘magic’ or ‘enchanted’) of clear, fresh
the road to Fosterburh is a single Menhir (standing water flows from a fissure and the overflow forms a
stone) called Ieldrafæderstaen (‘Grandfather Stone’ – year round stream that runs into the sea in the inlet.
taken as a reference to the ‘old men,’ but, equally
possibly, a folk memory of a particular personage) by
the locals because of the bearded, wild looking, face
carved deeply into the ‘side’ facing east. The stone
There are persistent rumours, stoutly denied by the
inhabitants, that pagan (possibly Druidic – possibly
even older) rituals are still held at the mouth of the spring I
T
itself is roughly rectangular in shape, around 4 meters at the solstices … and the locals do become touchy and
tall, and tapers slightly at the very top. withdrawn when strangers are seen around about those
times of year.

H
The face may be original, or it may be a later addition
– the locals believe it dates back to the time of the ‘old Fosterburh (‘Bondsman’s Village’): Another hamlet
men’, as does the stone itself, but, apart from local folk belonging to Farkeep Manor, it is a settlement of
stories there is nothing to support either theory. around 28 families (~180 people) and is closely assoc-

It most likely dates back to at least neolithic times – such

megaliths are rarely directly associated with burials
iated with, if separate from, the nearby hamlet of
Fiscaþpyll but is more involved with mixed farming
and the raising of sheep and goats, almost exclusively U
R
(though chance finds may be found buried near them for milk and meat, on the coastal scrublands.
and it is possible small items may be found buried
underneath … similar to ‘time capsules’ in content, if not The villagers run ~300 sheep and 150 goats of their own

I
intent, to those often buried beneath the cornerstone or and pasture another 500 sheep that belong to the Manor.
foundation of more recent buildings) or burial sites
though, as in this case, they may be situated near other Royal Coastal Highway – Brymclyfu 5 miles
structures that were burial sites. Coastal Woods

Anyone familiar with Pictish or Germanic culture (pre-

Roman … or, at least, from areas not occupied by Rome),
Mixed rocky and sandy coastline

Brymclyfu: Village and Manor of the same name, the A

E
depending on where you have situated the Barony, main part of the settlement lays to the west of the
should be able to recognise, with the appropriate Check, mouth of the Wæterstréam River. The estate has
that there are similarities to carvings from that culture. multiple sources of revenue – there are fishermen who
gather oysters and crayfish in the estuarine waters
Which may or may not mean anything at all – invader? and others who catch inshore fish in the calmer
random traveller? waters of the bay; flax is widely gathered, retted, and
spun into thread, to be onsold at Porthaven or Anoth-
Track to Fosterburh – 1 mile north of Highway er Town off the map to the east (up the coast) and, of
Track to Fiscaþpyll – 1 mile south of Highway course, normal crops are grown.

Fiscaþpyll (‘Fishing Inlet’): This small hamlet of The Manor extends as far west as the Barrows on the
around 20 families (~100-120 people) is part of Far-
keep Manor (as is the nearby hamlet of Fosterburh)
Brymclyfu-Porthaven Highway, including the Hamlets
of Weardsteall (‘Watchtower’) south of the Highway) 71
 and Wuduæppelbearu (‘Wild Apple Grove’) to the north It isn’t impossible for a Bridge to be built here – but the
and also extends off the map to the east. muddy bottom would require substantial (time costly
and time consuming) preparation work to set any found-
The Lord of the Manor has a medium apple orchard ations and would be at the very cutting edge of the
and the Cider produced here is well known and currently available bridge building technology. For the
popular as far away as the Regional (County) Capital. moment it’s cheaper to ship things by sea.

Royal Coastal Highway – 10 miles to Porthaven Brymclyfu Keep: This isn’t actually a purpose built
Coastal Woods ‘Keep’ it is actually the site of a late Roman watch-
Wæterstréam Ferry tower and defended beaching site for Pictii (coastal
defence warships). The local villagers, possibly de-
Wæterstréam Ferry: The river is too deep and fast scendants of late Roman Laeti (barbarians settled as
flowing for a bridge to easily be built here so there is local defence militia) kept the walls in a not too
a Ferry that runs between Brymclyfu and Brymclyfu ruinous state and in the late pre-conquest period the
Keep as needed. Kings paid to have the watchtower rebuilt and
strengthened in a modern style.
The ferry is a flat bottomed barge and is normally poled
across by the ferryman and an offsider – though he may The fort is under the command of a Castellan nomin-
allow travellers to assist for a slight reduction in the fare ally appointed and paid for by the Crown, but, in fact,
charged – and takes about ten to fifteen minutes depend- this has been devolved to the local Count as part of his
ing on the local tide, the height of the river (longer when feudal obligations. He, in turn, has passed on some of
it’s faster flowing in flood) and the weight of the cargo the responsibility to Baron Ithura who, likewise, has
and passengers being carried. devolved as much responsibility as possible.

There are long oars stowed aboard for occasions where In effect, the Castellan is a rotating position held by
the tide /current is strong enough to force the ferry into one of the Barony’s Knights, usually for three months
deeper water – if this occurs, double the crossing time. at a time, with his immediate Lance (Squire and
Serjeants) who commands the ‘garrison’ of two Ser-
The ferry has room for four carts (plus two passengers jeants, six Archers and 12 Spearmen plus a resident
each) and their draught animals (if there are only two, Blacksmith and Carpenter and a half a dozen ser-
the animals may remain hitched, otherwise they’ll have vants (Kitchen staff, stable hands etc.)
to be unhitched to fit) and a waggon (with four passeng-
ers) counts as two Carts (and must have its animals The ‘Keep’ consists of the Tower, now with easy entry
unhitched). Four riding horses (including their riders) or only from the parapet or stairs up from the ground
eight pedestrians are also the equal to a Cart. Even when level (there are stables in the lower level of the Tower,
full with Carts or Horses (and their riders or passengers) with ground level access from the courtyard, but an
there is also room for half a dozen extra foot passengers. easily blocked trapdoor and ladder arrangement for
access to the upper levels) and which forms part of the
The tolls are ¼d for a foot passenger or anyone with circuit, 20’ high walls (a mix of Roman stone-brick-tile
Burgher status at Porthaven, Another Town and the and more recent stone facing and rubble fill) with
County Seat , ½d for locals with flocks or carts and 1d parapets all around. There is a single tower/gateway
for those with riding horses (horse and rider). complex facing the Royal Highway and the Ford.

Hours are normally dawn to dusk – but only crosses It’s not the latest technology, and wouldn’t be able to
when the Ferryman feels there is enough profit or (at hold out for very long against a serious army – but it’s
least nominally, considering medieval timekeeping mainly intended for coastal protection against raiders,
technology) every half hour – getting him to cross and could withstand such a force for a while.
when he isn’t good and ready can cost anything from
3d to 6d (depending on a range of factors)

Travellers with a Royal Warrant are exempt from –

the Ferryman has Crown grant in the village direct
from the Crown that provides enough additional in-
come (at least in theory) to compensate .

This includes those on duty at the Keep, opposite,

Royal Judges and those Royal Bureaucrats of similar
importance, Royal Messengers etc – and the Ferryman
72 will (perhaps grudgingly) take the Ferry over immed-
iately on their instruction.
 (7)
(1)
(6) A
(2)
(3)

L
F
O
R
D
(4)

M
A
N
O
R

(8)

(5)

73
 OVERVIEW
Alford (aka ‘Old Ford) is a not so typical ‘typical’ The Open Field system had large fields in which
medieval village – since there was, of course, no such each landholder held long, thin, rectangular strips
thing. It is atypical in a number of ways that are optimised for ease of ploughing, separated from all
normally glossed over by most general texts on the the others within the larger field by a simple ditch
makeup of such settlements – and mound, probably further defined by some sort
of very simple stone boundary marker.
· Unity & Compactness: It was uncommon, if not
unprecedented (certainly in England), for Villages Celtic Fields, on the other hand, were usually more
to be entirely part of the one Manorial estate – squarish than rectangular and, though they could be
even before the Norman Conquest and the redist- part of a larger ‘field,’ had more carefully defined
ribution of land to the favoured invaders. Alford boundaries, usually a hedge and ditch, to physically
(‘Old Ford’) is a single Estate (originally Erecg separate them within any larger ‘field.’
Beocford or ‘Lower Ford’, but now sharing the
name of the Village). · Parish Boundaries/Church: The Parish Church
of Alford is Saint Judas Thaddeus (one of the
· Open Field/Celtic Field: Most sources assume original Apostles, and not Judas Iscariot – and the
Medieval Villages worked the land using the Open patron saint of Desperate or Lost Causes).
Field (or Three Field) system – even though this was
unique to northern England. Elsewhere, most Villages that were split between two or more Estates
settlements used the older ‘celtic’ system. were split as to where they worshipped. They worsh-
ipped in the Church that was official to their estate
Alford is neutral this way – the field layout shown regardless of whether it was the nearest to the phys-
can represent either arrangement. ical location of their dwelling place or not.

Fenlonde
ith
Nið – N

dso

Blaeclonde
Twyford
U

Greenlonde
River

River Iðura
Fordlonde
Altmaed Alford

Bridumlonde Aedscaefmaed
Weð

Altenlonde
r
Rive

Horninglonde Riv
erI
thu
ra

74 Horninglonde
 THE ALFORD ESTATE
ALFORD VILL
Alford Vill (Manor) is situated on lands in and around
the junction of several local rivers – the Iðura (Ithura
A partial summary of the fields, pasture, commons
and land that makes up Alford Manor (~2000 acres
all up) follows –
A
– ‘River River’), the Udso (‘River Water’), the Weð (Weth
= ‘River River Mouth’) and two streams, the Nið (Nith =
‘River Brilliant’) and a smaller, un-named, one – and Altenlonde {‘Old Field’): 180 acres on the north bank L
F
the village of Alford sits astride the Ithura itself. of the Ithura, south of the Commons and the road,
and off the map to the right.
The site of the Village was important from pre-Roman

O
times because it is the location of the lowest ford on Blaeclonde (‘Black Field’): 90 acres on the north
the Ithura (supplemented by a stone bridge built by bank of the Ithura, between the Udso river and the
the Lord of Alford Manor) which, though not on a Manor road leading up.
Royal Highway, is an important secondary route.

The river here is not deep for anything larger than small
fishing boat to make its way this far upriver (and then
Bridumlonde (‘Island Field’): ~1¼ acres bounded by
roads left of the Ithura and right of the Nith rivers.
R
D
only with a degree of difficulty) – and, in any case, the Fenlonde (‘Marsh Field’): 309 acres on the top bank
rapids just above the Baron’s Bridge at Porthaven would of the Ithura, between the Udso and Nith rivers.
require even these to be portaged around them.
Fordlonde (‘Ford Field’): ~½ acre along the bottom
Though flat along the river, the surrounding terrain is bank of the Ithura east of Twyford Bridge.
generally high enough such that even the worst rem-
embered floods rarely inundate much more than the Horninglonde (‘Horning’s Field’): 330 acres on the
areas closest to the banks and that mainly upstream
from the village – though the Hamlet of Twyford (‘Two
Fords’) would be more frequently affected if it were
left side of the Ithura and right of the Weth.
M
A
not protected by a raised earthen bank. Northlonde (‘North Field’): 220 acres on the top side
of the Ithura, above the Manorial compound between
Floods are relatively rare – and ones severe enough to be the Manor road leading topwards and the road to the

N
remembered occur maybe once every couple of gener- right leading to Porthaven.
ations. Worse floods are possible, and might actually
flood the Village itself, but are likely only once every
century, perhaps once every several centuries. Grenessfeldlaes (‘Green Pasture’): 60 acres right of

Most of the land along the riverbanks is rich black soil,

but there are some sections where it is much thinner
the Manor and Porthaven road.

Aedscaefmaed (‘New Meadow): ¾ acre adjacent to O

R
over rocky outcroppings and these have usually been and left of the Village.
left as pasture … and there are surviving woodlands
and coppices in some areas where, for one reason or Altmaed (‘Old Meadow’): 2 acres left of the Weth
another, the soil or the nature of the underlying terr- along the banks of the Ithura River and off map.
ain makes the area less suitable for farming.
Forcythmaed (‘Far Meadow’): 40 acres of Meadow off
Alford Manor is supports a mixed economy – while the top of the map.
farming is the main activity (and main source of income
for the residents), in recent decades sheep and cattle- Eowedenstow (‘Sheep Pasture’): 80 acres of Pasture
grazing have grown in importance … for wool in the first off the bottom of the map.
instance and for dairying and salt-beef in the second.

Note: Important locations are keyed in the text, a red 4 Dimnahaeth (‘Dark Heath’): Approximately 240
digit number refers to the map on page #74 and a black acres of wasteland (Heath) off the top and right of the
1-2 digit number refers to the master map on page #73. map.

INHABITANTS Grenewudu (‘Greenwood’): 120 acres of woodland on

There are ~56 separate tenant families in the Vill either side of the Weth and off the left of the map.
proper as well as a Blacksmith, Carpenter and Miller
and the Church, Priest, and associated Glebe (church Forwudu (‘Far Wood’) and Blaecgesweoru (‘Black
lands) for a total population of ~450 people (not Hills’): 300 acres of mixed hills, heath and wood-
including the Lord and his family or the staff of the
Manor House or the immediate Demesne estate) –
lands off the bottom of the map.
75
 · Freeholders: There are seven Yeoman families · Blacksmith (1, 1710-11, 1810-11): The Smith
with in the village, ~70 adults and children in all, holds about 20 acres, roughly half freehold and
occupying the larger village plots, often with mult- half copyhold and has a wife and four children –
iple buildings thereon as a sign of their relative he has a monopoly of sorts on all ironwork for
well-to-do status. which he owes yearly service to the Manor.

They typically own and/or lease at least 30-40 acres The ‘monopoly’ is more along the lines of ‘the Lord
and often have a small number of full time employees won’t allow another Smith to set up business on land
working for them either in the house or on their lands. owned by the Manor’ rather than ‘Serfs and Cottars
must bring all their smithwork needs to the local
· Successful Serfs: There are 10 Peasant families Blacksmith’. The bog advantage he has is that he is
(~80 adults/children) who have been successful johnny on the spot – sparing any local the need to
enough to allow them to lease additional land make a day trip (or longer) into Town to get smithing
from the Lord and/or to buy their way out of at work done.
least some of their feudal obligations … both of
which mean they are able to devote more of their The local Smith is one Hugh the Strong, 38 (not very
time to farming their own lands. imaginative, the locals) who is, indeed, the strongest
adult in the village and is around 17 stone, all of it
They typically have copyhold (feudal tenure) and muscle, and 5’11” tall who inherited the business
leasehold on 15-20 acres and may be able to hire from his father only about five years ago. He is ably
extra labour to assist them at key times of the year, assisted by his eldest son, Slean o’ The Hammer (to
especially in the ploughing and harvesting seasons. his friends, ‘The Mooncalf’ to those not so inclined),
16 who is taller (6’) and at least as heavy as his
· Other Serfs: There are around 32 other Peasant father, and is still growing.
families (~250 adults and children) who hold land
by copyhold (i.e. through feudal obligation), Hugh’s wife, Ailean, 32, assists him in the smithy
usually anywhere from 8-12 acres. with finer work, or in the completion of those items
for which a higher standard of finishing is required
· Cottars: There are seven Cottars (~ 20 adults and (engraving, incising, polishing etc.) which she is quite
children) – locals whose only landholdings in the good at – mainly because she was a Smith’s daughter
village is the land their house is on (the Toft) and (her father has a smithy in Porthaven) … as does their
a variable sized garden plot around it (the Croft) daughter, Siobhan, 14.
plus, for some, a few acres of land held by copyhold.
They have two younger sons, Richard, 12 and Pier,
This is not enough to support their families (and, in 10. Richard is apprenticed to his mother’s father in
some cases, not enough to even allow them to have a Porthaven and Pier attends the Grammar School at
family) and they must earn the bulk of their living by Forcythwyru Abbey where he is a successful student
hiring out their labour to the Lord, the more – possibly destined to become a Priest or a Monk).
successful Serfs or even the Freeholders. They also have a six year old daughter, Aisleen.

MAJOR FREEHOLDERS Hugh’s father and Slean’s grandfather, Irfan Iron-

The Blacksmith, Carpenter, Miller and the Reeve are hands’ (58) gave up smithing when his arthritis had
the most important – the former three make most of become too bad for him to be able swing a hammer
their living from their respective crafts while the any more and lives with his wife, Sibbe, in a separate
Reeve is typically chosen from the wealthiest farmer Cot owned by the family down near the river where
as his position involves much managerial work on the he spends his summer days watching several fishing
agricultural side of things, something the three trades- lines from a shady spot under a tree on the bank and
men don’t have the expertise to be involved in. his winter ones carving wooden toys and decorative
items which he either gives away or sells for pocket
St Judas Thaddeus money at the Sunday market in the churchyard.

· Carpenter (2, 1710): The Carpenter holds about

12 acres, of which 4 acres are freehold, and has the
right to harvest a set number of mature trees from
the Lord’s woods each year as part of his tenure.
He may purchase the right to harvest additional
trees on top of the basic amount at a set price up
to double the base amount, then at a negotiated
76 price for any additional trees. The Carpenter has
a wife and three children.
 A
As with the Smith, the Carpenter doesn’t have a true
monopoly – but no-one else has the right to harvest as
many mature trees from the Lord’s forest as he does,
which means he has an effective one on any large
projects (such as building a barn, house or similar
sized structure).
L
F
The Carpenter is Jabrion the Dark, 29, a native of
Chester on the Welsh border and dark complexioned
(hence the nickname) since he is of borderer descent

O
and presumably has some Welsh blood.

He somehow managed to meet, woo and wed the old

Carpenter’s only surviving child, his daughter, Brona
(25), whose husband died while serving in the Welsh
border campaigns with the Fyrd … while Jabrion was
working as a journeyman Carpenter maintaining one
granary building (in addition to the main one on the
Mill leasehold proper) over the road on an acre of the
freehold land they hold in the Estate). R
D
of the castles.
Blaise (their eldest son, 17) boards at the St Dismas
Brona and her first husband, Aikin, had two child- Minster in Porthaven studying Latin and other sub-
ren, twins, a girl, Lyveva and a boy, Parle (10) and jects needed to secure employment as a Notary or
she and Jabrion have a son, Caden (5) and she is (perhaps, eventually, as an Advocate) or for a Clerk-
expecting a second child with him. ship in a Merchant or Noble household or in some
sort of government position.
· Miller (3, 1703-05): Leases the site of the Mill and
the Mill itself as well as 10 acres as freehold and
has the same sort of ‘monopoly’ as do the Black-
· Reeve (4, 1304-1404): The Reeve is elected yearly
by all those who have the right to Croft and Toft. M
A
smith and Carpenter. For the last six years this has been Hugh o’ Black-
londe (52) who owns ~60 acres runs a herd of
The villagers are free to grind their own grain cattle/several flocks of sheep and has one of the

N
(tedious and time consuming) or to take it else- biggest houses with croft and toft in the Vill.
where for milling (the next nearest Mill is about 10
miles off, so the cost is in extra time – and most of Hugh also has a Byre (for his cattle and their feed)
the locals simply can’t be bothered as it’s the best and a Barn (for his sheep and work animals, includ-
part of a working day to do so) so most use the local
Mill and the Miller makes a handy living over and
above the leasehold payment to the Manor.
ing two plough teams, one of oxen and one of horse,
which he rents out, and four Cart horses, a [single
horse] Farm Cart, a [one horse] Cargo Cart and a O
R
[two horse] Waggon which he uses to run a General
The Miller is one Franklynn of Porthaven (42), who, Haulage business) and a small dairy where the milk
as the name suggests, is a freeman from the largest from his sheep and cattle is processed into Cheeses.
(only!) town in the Barony. He has been the lease-
holder here for seven years and has fourteen more His wife, Alais, died several years ago but several of
years to go on a 21 year lease – he managed to secure their children still remain at home.
the lease by marrying Edwina, the daughter of the
previous leaseholder, and through the financial sup- The eldest son, Richard (28), runs the family’s Haul-
port of his father (recently deceased) who owned, age business so efficiently that even the Estate uses
freehold, two Mills in Porthaven proper which Frank- their services rather than have their own carts or
lynn, as a third son, was never going to inherit. waggons, so he is often away on business down to
Porthaven, the County Seat or one of the other
He and his family (Wife, Edwina [35]; children, Rusc nearby Market Towns carrying produce from the
[male, 14], Eloise [female, 10] and Genifer [female, other farmers or the Lord to market, or goods bought
7]) don’t live in the house that comes with the lease of there back to the Estate on order.
the Mill, which they use mainly for storage … or,
occasionally, as an informal agreement with the Lord Richard’s wife, Joan (24), is from Porthaven, the
of the Manor, to provide accommodation for import- daughter of a Cheesemaker, and she runs the fam-
ant travellers who cannot be provided with rooms in ily’s dairying and cheesemaking, assisted by Rich-
the Manor proper). ard’s youngest sister, Matilda (18).

The family actually lives in a substantial two storey

half-timbered cottage with stables and a secondary
The middle son, Thomas (25), manages the day to
day operations of the family lands, especially the 77
 Such a house would be the sort a better off Commoner
HOUSING THE VILLAGERS (especially after the Black Death) or Freeholder might
Many archaeologists feel the term ‘Peasant’ housing aspire to – less well off commoners would have smaller,
is misleading since it covers, in popular terms, a or at least less substantial, houses. The estimate includes
Cottar or Serf with only the land his Cot stands on, all framing (including tie beams, wall plates, roof
those with an extensive Croft and Toft but no other ridging and rafters etc) and all floorboards, internal
land, those with land held by feudal lease through to walls, screens and other fixtures.
Free men with little land but a Trade (Blacksmiths,
Carpenters and Millers, for example) or Freeholders Most tenants had the (feudal) right to fell a specified
who have quite extensive lands. number, size and type of trees from the Lord’s wood-
lands (the collection or harvesting of which was closely
BASIC STRUCTURAL TYPES watched by the Manorial officials) when they were
Though it depended on the location most ‘common’ building a house, the amount depending on the extent
housing was wood framed – though the robustness of of the Lord’s woodlands … but this was rarely, if ever,
the framing and/or its extent varied direct proportion enough for a whole structure.
to the wealth of the owner. The infill between the
framing blocks (and their size) was mostly what is This is where a Carpenter became important as he had
called wattle and daub, but this could vary from a the right to fell a specified amount of trees as well, and,
very loosely woven base for the poor through to a more importantly, had the right to fell even more trees
substantial and tightly woven one for the better off. at a specified cost … so his involvement was a necessity.

In fact, in cheaper structures the ‘wattle’ might not be In some areas where the woodlands were inadequate in
woven at all and might only consist of vertical withies. or otherwise tied up (Royal Forests, for example), com-
mercially bought lumber from local or regional towns,
Both were covered (‘daubed’) with a mix of wet soil, often shipped in from areas of plenty (even, as the
clay, sand, straw and dung which was then normally period progressed – at least in England – from overseas
covered with clay or limewash (or other similar mater- sources, especially the Baltic).
ial) both inside and out to seal it and make it water-
proof (or water-resistant).
Mature Oak trees (suitable for the major Cruck/Box
The white clay or limewash used also had the effect of divisions or as major structural timbers need to be a
increasing the brightness of the interior of the structure minimum of 24” in diameter) from within England cost
due to its double reflectivity and overall contrast. 8d each and smaller trees (at least 4-6” in diameter) cost
3d each in 1500 on the open (commercial) market.

A substantial four-section Cruck House (or Barn) Prices in the 14th century would have been perhaps a
required the equivalent of 1¼ acres of woodland to be half to two thirds of that.
felled for the entire project – perhaps a quarter of this
would need to be mature trees at least 40-50 years old A four-bay cruck (or box) framed house (a fairly com-
(at least 2’ thick), the rest could be smaller trees, mon size for middling well-to-do families) required about
usually of at least 10 years of age (at least 4-6” thick. 10/- (120d) worth of unfinished timber (roughly trimmed
trees – with at least the smaller branches removed, as the
The ‘wattle’ could either be made from thin saplings larger ones were often used to become an integral part
(usually less than 1”) sourced from local Coppices or of the house frame) bought at commercial prices (from
split off in thin withies from slightly larger saplings native rather than imported wood) in 1500, so perhaps
(2-3” thick) sourced from regular woodlands. 5/- to 6/8d (60-80d) in the 14th century.
This is a typical home for a poor Cottar (someone who has no
leased fields) who has a tiny area around his Cot (perhaps the
equivalent to a modern Australian ‘Quarter Acre Block’) for a toft
at most and who may not have any rights to use the Village commons.
Simply constructed, with only a single cruck or box ‘frame’ at
either end and a single room – as Cottars rarely had more than a
handful of animals at most (Goats, Pigs or Sheep, perhaps a
Chicken or two) held in a makeshift pen such as is shown.
Any food or other goods would have simply been stored in any
handy space there was inside. The occupants would have either
slept on paliasses laid on the floor or, for the very poorest, directly
on the bundled rushes that served as a universal floor covering.
There might be a simple table and a stool or two (rarely enough
for all) and a wooden or wicker chest or box (perhaps two, but
78 Cottar’s House – Single Storey, One Frame
rarely more) in which special belongings could be stored (blankets,
additional items of clothing, cooking and food service utensils etc.)
The cost of turning those trees into usable structural and Poor Commoner’s Single Storey Two Frame House
internal material probably doubled the price (10/- to
13/4d [120-160d] in the 14th century).
Main Room
A
L
The cost of a finished structure, including all the labour
and finishing, probably doubled it again (so £1-£1/6/8
[240-320d] in the 14th century) for something like a barn

F
(with a simple internal layout) and doubled that again Livestock
(so £2-£2/13/4 [480-640d] for a common dwelling with
Storage
a single storey (which tallies with the median price for
such structures of ~£4 in 1500 or so).

INTERNAL ARRANGEMENTS
It is important to keep in mind that, as noted in OM2,
A step up from a Cottar’s single room home, this is typical for a
poorer Serf or even a better off Cottar (who probably has a
substantial croft & toft of ½-1 acre and some right to use the O
R
Village commons).
corridors (except as cross corridors running the width Simply constructed, with two cruck/box frames it is divided into
of the house, separating functionally different areas – three parts, with a floor to cross-frame wall between the two,
and these were not all that common even in wealthy separating the Main Room from the Storage and Livestock areas

D
and a chest high fence between the latter two.
homes) were generally non-existent and rooms
The furniture is still quite sparse, a small table for food prep, a
opened directly onto other rooms. chest (perhaps of wicker) and simple box or two for the few items
of value the family possesses (additional items of clothing, blank-
Chimneys & Fireplaces. Chimneys appeared in ets, pots, pans and other cooking utensils) and the entire family
northern Europe by the 12th century and in England will probably have paliasses to sleep on, though they will be
placed on the rush-bundle covered floor rather than a bed frame.
at least by the end of that period. However, they were
initially limited to elite structures and, even so, re- There is no evidence that this was common in cruck or

M
mained uncommon until many centuries later. box-frame buildings from the Norman or post-Norman
period, at least not in the (thousands of) surviving
These early chimneys were almost always confined to examples, but it is quite possible that these openings

A
Kitchens and the private apartments of the household were filled in over the centuries since.
and were rarely found in the public spaces where an
open fireplace in the centre range of the room still Doors. Except for the very simplest dwellings, extern-
tended to be commonplace. al doors were of hand cut and finished wood planks.

Initially they were not always placed above a fireplace

recessed into a wall, they might be placed over a fire
The most common type was a double plank arrange-
ment with 2-3 vertical planks on the outside and 4-5
horizontal ones (rarely, they might be diagonal) on
N
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hood placed over an existing open fire, which would the inside – slightly cheaper (using less wood) was a
often have been in the centre of a room. batten and plank arrangement with the 2-3 vertical
planks on the outer face but only 3-4 horizontal

R
Even if they served a fireplace recessed into a wall, early battens holding them together on the inner face.
chimneys were, even in multi-storey buildings, almost
always single use for that one fireplace – rather than Surviving English examples are mostly of Oak – but this
operating on a more modern ‘stack’ design where all may simply be because it was more likely to survive than
fireplaces on all floors were placed above each other other varieties which may have been used.
and connected to the one chimney stack.
The planks were butted together edge to edge until
In chimneyless, homes, despite what is often stated, the late 13th/early 14th century when tongue and
smoke from open hearths and cooking fires was not groove fittings begin to appear to make the door more
(or not always) left to simply billow into the ceiling water/wind-proof over a longer period (the old meth-
and dissipate (or not) through (or in the case of od allowed shrinkage to open up gaps).
Thatch, into) the roof structure – there was always a
series of offset vents (in a sort of vertical zig-zag External planks are vertical as this makes them more
arrangement) above where the fireplace was which able to shed water – important in helping prevent
allowed a degree of ventilation, though this was shrinkage and opening of gaps, which was especially
obviously much less efficient than a chimney. important before the use of tongue and groove affixing.

Alternately, it is known that, in Anglo-Saxon era homes, Planks were typically 1-1½” thick, so a double plank
the triangular space under the roof at each end of the door would be 2-3” thick overall. Plank and Batten
house was left at least partly open with enough space for doors would only be that thick where the battens were.
small birds to fly through and this would also have acted
to allow cross circulation and the dissipation of smoke
from the building.
Despite surviving examples almost exclusively having
iron nails holding them together, iron hinges and, 79
 often, some iron cross-banding archaeologists believe (in the Bayeaux Tapestry) and by the late 14th century
the original doors would have been held together with the making of keys from an impression was made illegal
wooden pegs, hinges were probably a wooden pintle in London ‘by reason of the mischiefs that have happen-
and socket or vertical post arrangement – iron cross- ed’ and a Lockyers Guild is known to have existed as
bands were usually only found in external doors of early as 1422, and possibly earlier.
the very wealthiest of households.
Note: Locks were external (i.e. not fitted inside the door
Iron is expensive, remember, and worked iron is even structure) and often used relatively little metal … often
more so – all those medieval doors with dozens, scores, only enough for the internal cross bar and latch and, of
even hundreds of protruding nail heads on the outside course, the key, with the frame being of wood.
(the point was hammered flat on the inside) done for
decorative effect come from elite structures. There was often very little difference between extern-
al and internal doors where there were internal doors.
Door closure was mostly a simple wood, or wood and Not all internal doorways in the homes of common
rope, internal latch/external handle – warded locks people would have had doors – in many cases they
were uncommon except in elite structures and, even would simply have been left open or, occasionally,
there, the main door was as likely to have a porter or they might have a curtain affixed across them (but
doorman stationed there at night to unlatch/remove cloth was expensive, so this was probably rare).
the internal security cross-bar as needed.
Surviving examples of period are now displayed as
Locks did exist and were used in elite structures – there having bare (perhaps oiled, stained or polished) surfaces
are depictions of Castle or Town Keys being surrender- it is very likely they were originally ‘painted’ with lime-
ed to besieging armies from as early as the 11th century or whitewash which has since worn or been stripped off.

This type of house belongs either to a very well off Serf, one who Furniture & Furnishings. The first thing most
probably leases additional land for money over and above the
land he works under feudal arrangements or who may have (for
moderns would notice about the furnishings in a
the period) a small flock of Sheep or Cattle (or other animals) medieval commoner’s home is how little there is. In
which provide additional income or it may belong to a moderately the very poorest homes there may be no moveable
well off freeholder with less land, but not held under feudal tenure. furniture at all with the whole family eating and
It consists of four cruck/box frames and is divided into three sleeping directly on the floor (or, perhaps, a raised
unequal areas – a Food Prep and Storage area divided from the
‘Great’ Hall by a floor to cross-frame wall and an area for the
section of it) on the bundles of rushes even the poorest
Livestock and some feed storage divided from the main room by used as a floor covering – no beds, no paliasses,
a chest-high fence. possibly only a single blanket and spare clothing
Such a family will have many more possessions than those who thrown over themselves at night to keep them warm –
live in the previously described dwellings – there will be several no stools, possibly not even a table, only a small
work tables in the kitchen as well as some stools and/or benches
for the women of the household to sit on while working (not
cleared area or wooden board for very basic food
always cooking, but processing food, carding or spinning wool preparation.
etc.) There will also be some shelves on the walls where the more
common utensils and crockery will be stored. Even marginally better off households will have at
The Main Room will have an actual Table at which the family least a simple (small) table for preparing food and on
members sit around for meals, though there will probably be only
one chair, for the head of the household, and the rest will sit on
which common bowls or plates of food will be placed
stools. Chests or Boxes for storing personal possessions and bedd- at mealtimes, though the family will still likely sit on
ing will more likely be of wood, probably with an upright the floor to eat, or there may be a stool for the head
cupboard somewhere, and at least some of the family members of the household. Sleeping might still be directly on
may have a bed frame on which to place their sleeping paliasses, the floor, but the sleepers will have either two blank-
though most will still place them on the rush-bundle covered floor
to sleep.
ets for very cold winter nights, one blanket plus addit-
Middling Commoner’s single storey four-frame house ional (winter) clothes or a combination of both … and

Food Preparation
& Storage

‘Great’ Hall
(Main Room)

Livestock &
80 Feed
 A
Well-to-do Commoner’s 1½ Storey four-frame house, mid to late 14th century (Ground Floor)

L
Food Preparation
& Storage

‘Great’ Hall
Livestock
& Feed
F
O
(Main Room)

there is a likelihood that at least the head of the

household and their spouse will have a paliasses to
This is almost identical to the previous house and, in fact, is
probably a retrofit of such with the half storeys being the most
recent additions.
R
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sleep on, though still laid directly onto the floor. The main difference is that there is a half storey above the Food
Prep area which serves as a bedroom for the head of the
household and his wife (if any) and which will normally have a
As the scale of (relative) wealth increases there will be proper bed rather than merely a paliasse on the floor (the rest of
a table for eating from, with stool(s) for all the family the family will likely still sleep on such downstairs in the main
members, and the head of the household may have a room). Access is via the staircase in the Kitchen (which has
chair … perhaps, if wealthy enough, his wife will as storage space for foodstuffs and utensils underneath).
well (and for the very wealthy commoners, all of the There is also a half storey above the Livestock area, but this is

M
accessed by a ladder leading up rather than stairs and is
family may have chairs, though those of the head of commonly used for storing animal feed for overwintering.
the household/spouse are likely to be more ornate, The other major difference between the previous house and this
better built and generally more expensive looking). is in the furnishings and possessions in general – notice, for

A
example, that there are two tables in the main room and that the
At this level, the Head of the Household will certainly main table has a chair for both the husband and his wife …
implying that they family is well enough off to have at least one
have a proper bed – though it may be a truckle bed or two servants or employees who live in.

N
that is stowed against the walls during the day.
Despite what is often depicted in movies or stated in
Only the very wealthiest commoners are likely to have older works (or poorly researched fiction) loose rushes
a separate room away from the Hall – but only the don’t seem to have ever been used as a floor covering …
head of the household is likely to have one that is
more or less private, other family members will share
them. Of course, the most important servant may
outside of stables, perhaps … mainly for practical
reasons (they tend to bunch up where unwanted and be
swept away from heavy passage areas). O
R
have a small semi-private area in the pantry/buttery
which is a perk of their position … and means they are Internal Finishing. Unless the building had an
close to their workplace for security etc. upper floor (either a half- or full storey), rooms were
open to the roof beams … and any internal walls
Floors. Archaeologists are uncertain as to how often might not go higher than the cross-beam.
wood flooring on joists was present in non-elite hous-
ing – the best guess is that it was probably present in The underside of the roofing material would be plain-
all but the poorest (or oldest) dwellings by the start of ly visible – thatching mostly, but possibly wood
the 14th century when construction of external walls shingles or, in areas near to where it could be mined,
was raised off the ground onto a stone base rather slates even less commonly.
than placing timbers directly into post holes.
The external walls were the same all the way through
Even before this , it is thought better off households still – mostly the same degree and type of finish, lime--
had internal wooden floors. Part of the problem with wash or white clay. Internal walls were also mostly
interpretation is that in most surviving examples of wattle and daub in a less solid wood framework than
medieval housing such floors have been retrofitted. In the outer walls – and the fencing between the main
at least some cases the crawl space underneath seems to room and the livestock area might be just wickerwork.
have been used for additional storage.
Decoration of any sort was extremely rare – and only
Floors were rarely, if ever, bare – they were most found in dwellings at the higher end of the price
commonly covered with bundles of rushes (probably range, and was quite sparse even then. Finishing
fist size thick) or with mats woven from rushes … more
likely a combination of both.
standards, however, could be quite high, with the
exposed woodwork carefully smoothed. 81
 Exposed woodwork was carefully worked with either an One important thing to note is that, at least in good
Adze or a Plane – Adze work was more common on the weather, a significant amount of actual cooking/food
larger structural beams. prep is thought to have taken place outdoors – but
how much is uncertain.
Kitchen. By the late 13th century at least, a separate
or semi-separate food preparation and cooking area What did a typical ‘kitchen’ area contain – the most
with room for some food (or other) storage as well was prominent ‘fixture’ was the fireplace, a simple open
found in most houses with multiple rooms. hearth over which pots, pans, cauldrons, skillets and
other containers would be hung over, placed along-
Before this change there might be only two separate side or even placed in the coals for cooking.
areas in larger houses – one for the livestock and for
storage and the other the ‘Hall’ in which everything was Everything else in the room was secondary – there
done – where people worked on domestic tasks; might be some work-tables, shelving or hooks for the
prepared, cooked, served and ate food; where they slept. utensils and containers, boxes or bags of foodstuffs
Older structures might still have this layout, but even in waiting to be used, hooks on the cross-beams from
those cases they had mostly been modified by this period. which herbs, cured meats and the like could be hung
and buckets, tubs or barrels of water.
This type of house is a development of the type frequently owned
by commoners – but is a more expensive (and expansive) version of The most obvious thing to modern eyes would be how
the sort that would have been owned by wealthy commoners on a little there is in the way of actual physical contents
rural estate. It has two storeys rather than merely 1½, though the
full upper floors are only situated over the two ends of the structure
(which really applies to the whole house) – and how
(see full details and layout of the upper floors overleaf) and the crude, simple and basic most (if not all) of the tools and
ground floor is more specialised and contains much more furniture containers are.
and other possessions than even a well-to-do family would have.
The main room has a much larger fireplace placed at one end, Interestingly, one thing that you would rarely find in
and it has a simple smoke hood placed above it, though it is still
connected to a smoke vent (rather larger than normal) in the roof
such a kitchen was an oven for baking bread and
rather than a true chimney. The furnishings include a table for the pastries … these were almost always in a separate
head of the family, his wife and adult children, all provided with building or, in rural villages, there might only be one
chairs rather than stools, almost like the ‘High Table’ in a noble’s in the entire village – at the village Baker’s house
residence, and a long table with benches for any other members of (and, of course, at the Lord’s Manor).
the extended family or the servants and farm workers which such
a wealthy commoner would employ in his service.
The servants sleep on paliasses on the rush floor as probably the This was partly because of the increased fire risk from
members of the extended family do, though the latter may have such – but mainly because the cost of fuel was such that,
truckle beds that are pushed up against the walls during the day or unless one was particularly wealthy (and, therefore, had
sleep elsewhere (see below). a very large household) it was generally quite
The Kitchen is more specialised and better fitted out and has
more utensils and crockery and about the same space for
uneconomic to operate an oven … it was cheaper to pay
immediate food storage, though there is (very likely) more space at the Village Baker for the use of theirs, splitting the costs
the other end of the house and, for more expensive foodstuffs, in between all the Villagers who used his service.
the room behind the main table which contains the staircase to the
family rooms upstairs. Roofs. The most common roofing material, at least in
At the opposite end of the building may be an expanded livestock
and storage area or, very possibly for the top range such wealthy
England, was Thatch – though the composition of the
families, a room serving as a pantry/buttery and, possibly, with a thatching material varied regionally.
small room or curtained off area for the senior staff or family
member responsible for managing these provisions – or it could be Different parts of such a roof were also commonly of
a general storage area which serves double duty as overflow sleep- different types of Thatch – the material used for the
ing space for guests or additional servants/workers.
Wealthy Freeholder’s two storey, four frame house (Ground Floor below, 1st/US 2nd over)

To Family
Rooms
‘Great’ Hall – Main Room
Livestock and/or
Storage

Kitchen &
Food Prep

82
 The room at the top of the è

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ç The room at the top of the
stairs is for the family’s children Stairs here is normally for storage
and may be divided by curtains – unless the family is wealthy
or interior walls where there are enough to have a separate barn
or byre for their animals to be

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boys and one or more girls (or the
girls may sleep upstairs and the kept in overnight (or over winter)
boys downstairs). in which case the ground level will
The parents have the inner be used for storage and the upper
level may be used either for stor-

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room and, if anyone in the family
has anything like a proper bed age of more valuable items (their
rather than a paliasse on the may be a door at the top of the
floor, this is where it will be. The stairs or for additional rooms for
the family’s children (usually

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household’s valuables will also
very likely be stored here. older males) or both

This is a full storey level This is a full storey level

sloping sides generally not being strong enough to be

run across the roof’s ridgeline.
it was rare for roofing using those materials to be found
on structures more than a day’s trip from their sources.
Rare, but not unheard of. R
D
Wood Shingles were sometimes used, but access to
suitable trees and the cost involved meant they were Note that Tiles weren’t size standardised in England
uncommon in England (most forests and woods were until 1477 (at 10½ x 6½ x ½”)
the jealously guarded preserves of the elite – and if
available for commercial lumbering, significant costs Most structures had no ceiling between the upper-
were involved which made shingles uneconomic in most floor and the roof beams and the interior of the
most cases) and this was the same in most of western roof material – the roof structure and supports were
and mediterranean Europe.

In areas where there were large swathes of remnant

directly open to view.

Unlike public areas in elite structures it was extremely M

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primeval forests and woodlands, mostly in Scandinavia, rare for any sort of carving or other adornment to be
the Baltics, Poland, Muscovy and other parts of Eastern used to decorate these exposed beams or other roof
Europe Shingles were, of course, the dominant roofing elements – and such elements were quite simple in

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material for structures for the wealthy as, even there, the their construction/display.
woodlands belonged to someone. In these areas you
also find Sod roofs (strips of birchbark, the waterproof Rooms. In most box/cruck framed houses (such as
element, covered with layers of sod to hold them in those depicted on these pages) the rooms ran the
place). These were more typically found in the houses of
the commoners.
width of the house but only took up a portion of the
length. For structural reasons any internal walls were
almost always situated at the major structural timbers O
R
Slate was rarely found as a roofing material in non- which divided the house into ‘bays’ … though there
elite structures and was only slightly more common in weren’t necessarily walls at each. Most commoner
elite structures and, when and where it was used, it homes were divided into two or three separate parts,
was only in areas very close by to slate quarries. no matter how many (or few) bays they consisted of.

Tiles were, similarly, rarely used except where fire As noted in ‘Kitchens’, above, while a three ‘room’ style
proofing was important – which mostly meant their was common, certainly by the late 13th century, it had
use was confined to elite structures and were general- not always been the case.
ly only found close by the brickmaking areas.
Earlier structures, at least those for the better off
Both Slates and tiles were normally affixed to the roof commoners who could afford a large and elaborate
battens with wooden pegs (most commonly Oak) inserted enough structure to have more than the one ‘room’,
into holes drilled or otherwise formed into them. A two might have only two areas – one for the livestock and
peg arrangement was the most common, especially for general storage and one for everything else the
the heavier Slates – but a single peg could be used in occupants might do or want to do indoors.
some circumstances for both.
The simplest arrangement was an area livestock and
It is possible that in some elite structures that copper dry goods (feed and grain for animal and human)
nails may have been used with Slates – using iron nails usually separated by a wood and wicker fence about
was a much later development. chest high rather than a floor to roof wall with the
remaining space divided into two, usually unequal,
The main limitation in the use of Slates and Tiles was
the cost of transport – even for elite users this meant that
parts and usually divided by a floor to roof-beam, if
not floor to roof, wall – one (the smaller) for cooking 83
 and food prep/storage and the other (the larger) for Shelves may also be found in the Main Room where
eating, sleeping and other activities that might (or expensive items (for the wealth level of the household)
might need to be) done indoors. will normally be displayed for status reasons. These
might be expensive (relatively or actually) ceramics of
Until the late 13th century it was rare for commoners to various sorts, metal items (usually those of some more
have a ceiling or half-floor above the main room(s) – the expensive than normal metal – brass or bronze, silver or
occupied areas were directly under the thatched or gold, or perhaps decorated or plated with such).
shingled roof.
In very well-to-do households the Kitchen and/or the
During the 14th century, especially after the Black Main Room may have a Cupboard – with shelves
Death, it became increasingly common for commoner inside for storing valuable household plate and other
houses to have a half floor over (usually) just the Kitchen items. The doors can be closed and, perhaps, locked
where the parents would have their sleeping quarters – (but, remember, locks are expensive and relatively
at the wealthier end of the spectrum this might extend rare outside of elite households) but will usually be
over part of the common area as well and might be open at mealtimes as the plate inside will need to be
divided into two rooms, one for the parents and one for used – or, at least, displayed in a way to show off the
the children. wealth of the household.

Occasionally, especially at the wealthier end of the Drawers don’t exist. So, no, no Chests of Drawers … no
spectrum, the area above the animal section might also Desks with drawers.
be turned into a half floor and used for storage of
animal feed, grain and other foodstuffs for human con- Windows. Most residences will have a window or
sumption. windows of some sort – except, perhaps, for the one
room Cot of a very poor, landless, Cottar.
Note: These are half-storeys. They actually sit on the
main cross-beam creating the triangular space under the In such a single roomed dwelling, the door does double
roof (making them an ‘attic’ of sorts), which means that duty – letting in any needed light. That said, even in
the only place where an adult can stand fully upright larger structures belonging to the more prosperous,
(depending on how tall they are, of course) is under the external doors are important light sources.
roof ridge and a little on either side. Beds will, therefore,
be placed along the centre-line of the floor space and the Most windows are simply holes in the wall(s) – if
space on either side used for storing boxes, chests, external weather and/or temperature is such that they
baskets and other items that do not need head room. need to be ‘closed’ then there will be shutters of some
sort – possibly hinged (but hinges, of iron, are expen-
Storage. In most places that aren’t hung on hooks or sive – so probably not), but more likely simply fitted
pegs on the wall (or from the roof beams), possibly in and chocked or latched into place at need.
cloth bags or wicker containers, are mostly stored in
boxes or chests, either of wicker or wood. Sacks and In houses belonging to better off commoners, such as
bags of coarse cloth may also be found in use. the wealthy Freeman’s house shown, one or more
windows may have ‘panes’ of thin translucent Horn
Most chests and boxes are pegged together with or of oiled Parchment which will allow a generally
wooden dowels rather than nailed and will rarely yellowish light to filter through and still provide pro-
have any metal fittings … and where metal fittings are tection from the elements. These windows will still
used they will be limited to the bare minimum except have shutters for more extreme weather – and these
in the very wealthiest of commoner households. may, indeed, be hinged with iron hinges.

Kitchen utensils will either be hung from hooks on the These sorts of windows will be found in areas close to
wall or from the roof beams, stored on shelves on the where the householder (or one of his servants) does the
walls or, for very large items, may be left hanging over household accounts and any record keeping needed –
the fireplace even when not in use. reading and writing, in effect.

Glass is expensive. Glass is rare. Glass comes in small

pieces, usually diamond shaped (at least for windows)
that have to be carefully fitted together with lead edg-
ing. Glass is extremely unlikely to be found in windows
of non-elite households such as are being described here
– and it’s rare even in elite households!

84
 A
sheep and cattle and is courting the daughter of one
of the other important Freeholders in the town, and
a marriage is expected in the near future when the
patriarchs of the families can agree to the specifics of
the marriage contract (inheritance and dowry) etc.

The youngest son, Ralf (23) is one of the best Archers L

F
on the Estate and, since he can also read and write
(as can the whole family – their mother insisted that
all the children be literate), he has often been em-
St Judas Thaddeus

O
ployed as a Vintenar of Archers for the Select Fyrd
from the estate and is often away from home, com-
manding the infantry part of the garrison at Porthav- The current building is based on an older Anglo-
en, the Baron’s castle or some of the other military Saxon structure (parts of the Nave and Chancel), the
facilities in the region and also acting as a clerk to
the (noble) commander (at additional pay).
church has been substantially rebuilt (Nave and
Chancel) and added (North and South Aisles, Tower)
to in the Anglo-Norman style – the most recent work R
D
He has also been on foreign campaigns with the (only about thirty years ago) being the addition of two
Royal Army as part of the Count’s contingent where bays to the South Aisle.
he was promoted to Centenar for the duration, and
was lucky enough to come back with some substant- Fragmentary and unclear records held at Alford and in
ial booty which he has invested in annuities with Porthaven which are thought to date back to the ~7th-8th
Porthaven Council which return an income of centuries suggest the ‘original’ Anglo-Saxon church was,
£1/10/- [360d] a year and a tenement in the town on itself, built on the ruins (or the ruinous site?) of an older
which there is a boarding house and shops which
returns profits from rents of a further £2 [480d]!
structure, either a late Romano-British temple or very
early church.
M
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· The Seneschal (5, 0308). The current Lord’s It is possible the Anglo-Saxon building was built over
uncle, Sir Harold DeGuelf (58) is his representative either a Crypt (a tomb for its founder/founding family?)
and manager when he is not in residence and or the Cella (where the cult image of a Roman-style

N
normally lives in rooms in the Old Manor in the temple was placed) of any earlier structure.
Home Farm compound – but he has purchased
some land of his own within the Manor, and is in Certainly there have been traces of roman-style stone-
the process of having a modestly sized 2 storey work with the give-away pattern of interleaved tile or flat
stone farmhouse (use the Rectory floorplan) built
outside the village opposite the Altmaed pasture
where he runs some of his large flock (100+) sheep.
brick courses uncovered in the very lowest levels of the
foundations during the course of the new construction –
something known to the Mason’s Guild in Porthaven (in O
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the sense that there are surviving Masons who worked on
Part of the woods adjacent to his Farm compound the refurbishment 30 years ago and still remember and
are also part of his freehold purchase and he has that there are some written records mentioning it in the
plans to fell the trees (probably floating them Guild archives, not in the sense that it is ‘common
downriver to Porthaven for sale to help defray the knowledge’) and the local Priests (the parishioners mere-
costs of the new farmhouse) and construct Stables, a ly know that ‘the old men’ had something to do with the
Barn and other outbuildings. place, though those who were adults or even teenagers
during the building works 30 years ago may have the
ST JUDAS THADDEUS (6, 1705-1707) same information as the Porthaven Mason’s Guild … but
St Judas Thaddeus is the Parish Church for the entire it’s not the basis of ‘general knowledge’) and the infor-
Alford estate. The Parish Priest is Father Notthelm mation probably appears in the Manor’s records,
who is assisted by Father Herbert. though that doesn’t mean the current lord or his senior
staffers necessarily know that.
Horned Helmet of Alford
The one thing that can be stated with some certainty is
that the current Church structure doesn’t incorporate a
Crypt – even the Lord’s family tomb is in the form of a
separate, and at least partly above ground, mausoleum
in the graveyard.

The original Anglo-Saxon parish church was dedicat-

ed to St Neot, but was rededicated to St Judas Thadd-
eus by the first Norman lord in fulfillment of a vow 85
 made when seeing the Anglo-Saxon army arrayed (with cavorting angels and devils) and an iron bound
against the Normans at the Battle of Hastings. and studded single door – the site of most of the
weddings in the Parish.
St Neot’s feast day of July 31st is still formally celebrated
in the Parish, traditionally with the baking of special Medieval weddings are not conducted inside a Church
Alfred Cakes (griddle cakes made with honey and nuts) – so the Porch where they are conducted can be quite
commemorating the story told in St Neot’s hagiography elaborate as a result.
about the King burning the cakes while hiding from the
Vikings and with a procession of a randomly chosen The main entrance is through a double door in the
‘King’ and ‘Queen’ vanquishing a costumed ‘Viking.’ west side of the Tower, the door is elaborately carved
in geometric patters, enhanced with brass nails and
Note: The ‘Viking’ carries an ‘ancient’ axe and ‘horned brass coated hinges.
helm’ found in a pagan interment uncovered when older
building works were done around eight years ago – both There is also a single, plain, secondary door close to
of Bronze (which means they are most definitely not of the middle of the North Aisle which is usually used by
the Viking era – and are almost certainly celtic, probab- those who arrive late for a service so they can enter
ly from the period well before the Roman conquest). unobtrusively.

The Manor’s situation on the major crossing of the Finally, there is a narrow, concealed, wooden door in
Ithura for many miles up- and down-stream has sup- the north-east part of the Chancel which can only be
ported (and been handsomely remunerated by) the seen from inside the Chancel (though it is plainly
construction of the stone bridge here and, over several visible from the outside of the Church) – the purpose
generations, paid for the gradual refurbishment and of which is uncertain, but is thought to have been one
rebuilding of the Church, its fit-out and furnishings. of the entrances to the older Anglo-Saxon structure.

This is a more expansive (and expensive) church than This door is rarely used and is normally barred so that
you would normally expect in a Village of this size. it cannot be opened from the outside. On those occasions
when it is not barred, it is opened by a simple metal twist
ring and latch arrangement. Unlike the others, which
There are four entrances, three of which are in com- have Norman (Romanesque) style arches, this door con-
mon use and one which is rarely used. The formal sists of a simple stone post and lintel design – not even
entrance close to the western end of the South Aisle than the common anglo-saxon round arch, which hints
and incorporates an elaborately carved stone porch that it is older than even the anglo-saxon Church.

The only internal doorway is the one which provides

access to the narrow spiral staircase in the SW corner
of the Tower, a plain wooden door with plain iron
hinges, which leads to the upper levels of the Tower
(the Belfry level, a doorway to the church roof, and to
the open crenellated upper level of the tower proper.

All of the window spaces along both aisles are filled

with glass – those in the north aisle with standard
(diamond shaped pieces held together with leading)
windows of clear glass while the windows of the south
aisle show seven of the Stations of the Cross, in stained
glass interspersed with wall murals between them
showing the other seven.

Behind the Altar at the east end of the Chancel is a

large triple-bay window filled with a stained glass
representation of the three aspects of St Jude – with a
crown of flames and holding an image of Jesus in the
centre, holding a Carpenter’s square on the left and
holding a Club on the right.

The font is unusual in that the top is carved in the

86 Icon of St Judas Thaddeus (behind the altar)
shape of a Turtle, with a partly open shell serving to
hold the Holy Water and the base is carved in the
DeGuelf Burial Chapel, Alford Approx 5’

A
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F
O
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D

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form of river rushes with a clutch of eggs shown partly The DeGuelfs and their ancestors have been the hereditary lords
of Alford Manor since it was granted to Rollo DeVroom, a Flemish
concealed by them, and with a baby turtle just Knight who had enlisted in William of Normandy’s army for the
emerging from one of them. invasion England – though not always through the direct line. At

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least once it was inherited by a cousin and another time it passed
through a feudal heiress who married William DeGuelf.
Tower. This 75’ tall with three internal levels – one The Burial Chapel is a substantial stone building (limestone and
ashlar) and a slate-tiled roof. The walls are ~18” thick and are

N
15’ above the ground level which was used by the pierced in three places along each of the long sides with narrow
masons doing the last two additions as a drafting floor windows with the normal piecework glass windows as well as by a
(the pencilled outlines of the window and door arches wider (~3 diameter’) stained glass rose window above and behind
used by the Masons who were involved in the the altar.

O
construction works can still be seen on the wood) and There are four sconces for torches evenly spaced along each long
wall – and these normally have fresh, ready-to-go torches in them
is currently used for storage; one at 35’ which has a which are only lit as needed. For special masses these are replaced
door opening up onto the roof of the South Aisle and by wax candles.

R
which contains spare tiles, lead and other roofing Inside there are five stone lidded sarcophagi running down each
supplies and the third at 55’ which is the level at long side on which the coffins of the deceased are placed for display
which the Bells are hung. before the funeral service and, afterwards, in which they are
encased). The plan is that when all the sarcophagi are full the
oldest ones will be opened and, assuming the body has decomposed
The top internal level has a series of ladders up down to bones, the remains will be removed and then re-interred in
through the vaulted internal structure of the upper the charnel house crypt underneath the structure.
tower leading to a trapdoor opening onto the roof of There is a stone font for holy water and a stone altar at the west
the tower proper, which has a crenellated wall all end of the building, normally covered with an altar cloth on which
a 12” tall silvered bronze Cross is placed. Behind the altar is the
around and a clear view for many miles. trapdoor which leads to the crypt (currently empty).
In the SW corner is a chest (with a simple lock) which contains
Bells. The church has three Bells, the Sanctus Bell additional altar cloths, some cushions for the pews occupied by the
(~60 lbs), brought all the way from London as a senior family members, some candlesticks (silvered bronze) and
bequest from the widow of one of the previous Lords some wax votive candles.
In the NE corner are several sacks of pitch torches, some nails,
– it is of cast Bronze and is inscribed Deo Gratias mortar and other building materials as well as some masonry and
(‘Thanks be to God’) on one side and Petrus de Veston carpentry tools for use in the maintenance of the chapel and in the
me fecit (‘Peter Weston made me’) on the other and is interment process.
rung at the height of the Mass being performed inside The crypt below is only 15x15’x6’and is entered through the trap
and on other special occasions. door shown on the map, which is at the west end of the space. It is
lined with squared brick-sized ashlar blocks and has square niches
in the wall roughly 3’x3’x3’ to eventually take the bones of bodies
The two other bells are the Curfew Bell (~30 lbs) and moved from the sarcophagi above. There is a sump in the centre of
the Angelus Bell (~35 lbs) which are, along with the the room about 4’x4’x4’ covered with an iron grate and leading to
Sanctus Bell, rung together on special occasions and to
mark the end of the Mass – and to mark the official
a crudely line stone drain 3’x3’ which runs in the general direction
of the Ithura. 87
 start of night-time (after which those out and about ing to DeGuelf ancestors. The one furthest from the
should bear a light and householders should rake over Chapel belongs to Rollo DeVroom, the founder of the
their fire – the Curfew) and to summon the faithful to line, and his wife, Edna, buried under the DeVroom
Mass (the Angelus) Cross (see the illustration below).

The next burial site is a simple stone slab set in the

The Churchyard proper is surrounded by a drystone ground with a carved Knight in mail armour with his
wall and shaded by ancient Oak trees along the SE lady alongside and two children at their feet. It is
corner. The enclosure includes the common burial inscribed with the names of Eric and Maria DeVroom
area, a Burial Chapel (and several more elaborate but and Philip and Rosina, their children.
stand-alone graves) belonging to the Lord’s family
and his ancestors and the Rectory. A further inscription reads ‘Hic iacet Rollo DeVroom et
Edna uxor eius qui quidem Rollo obijt xix Iunus anno
DeGuelf Burial Chapel. (see plan above) was built domini XXXX quorum aiabus propicietur deus Amen’ –
around the time of the last additions to the Church which reads (more or less) ‘Here lies Rollo DeVroom and
proper and has only three burials so far – the old lord Edna, his wife. Rollo died on 19th June XXXX [choose
who built it, Samuel DeGuelf, his mother (the current your year ], may God have mercy on their souls. Amen.”
Lord’s grandmother), Elaine and his son, the current
Lord’s younger half-brother, William. Two shorter inscriptions, both in English, under the
images of the two children have their names, ages at
There is space for another seven burials and, when death (8 months and 3 years, respectively both during
that is full the bodies inside the will have fully decom- the lifetimes of Rollo and Edna) and the obligatory ‘May
posed down to bones, there is a crypt under the chapel God have mercy on their souls’
(access by a trapdoor behind the altar) which has
niches in its walls to allow it to be used as a charnel The third burial site, the one nearest the Chapel, is for
house (there are, at present, no bones in this space). Richard DeGuelf, the great great grandfather of the
current Lord. It consists of a stone gravestone showing
The family Chaplain, Father Osmas, says a Mass for the a mounted Knight on a rearing horse with a sword,
dead here every month, and this is attended by as many smiting down on a generic moslem … with the
of the family as are present at the Manor. inscription Deus Vult (‘God Wills It’) below and a latin
inscription with the name, date and place of death (in
Occasionally the dowager lady DeGuelf (the old Lord’s the Holy Land, while on either Pilgrimage or Crusade,
widow) has a private mass said here for herself, her depending on which fits the timeline better)
daughters, her attendants and, sometimes, the current
Lord and his wife (if they are at the Manor) – and The additional lines below the carving read ‘Bellator
regularly on the anniversary of her husband’s death Dei, procul domo, terra sancta premit’ (‘God’s Warrior,
he lies in sacred ground far from home’) indicate that
When not in use the Chapel is normally kept locked – this is actually a cenotaph (an empty grave).
and is considered important enough by the Lord to
have a iron warded lock on the stout oaken door (the The Common Cemetery. As with all medieval cemet-
Lord, his mother, the Seneschal of the Manor and the eries, the plots here are only for parishioners or for
Church all have copies of the key). those who can pay a burial fee … not that the locals
didn’t pay, they just didn’t pay as much.
DeGuelf/DeVroom Burials. Just to the SE of the
Chapel (above) are three important gravesites belong- While, technically, burial plots were not held in perpet-
The DeVroom Cross is a re- uity, this was rarely a problem in the period covered, at
used Anglo-Saxon era monu- least not outside major urban areas.
ment (possibly not even a tomb-
stone but a marker for the holy In Alford all the marked or known burials or burial areas
site) found buried in situ when
the new Anglo-Norman Church
in the churchyard have been there for a long time and
was under construction. some care is taken not to impinge on them – though
It stands 2.65 metres (~8’7”) burials for those too poor to afford a grave marker (the
tall and the cross arms are 1.3 vast majority of the villagers) are buried much closer
metres (~4’3”) from tip to tip. together than is normal in modern burials.
On the side facing the grave
the carvings show two angels
above Daniel struggling with It was relatively common for several generations of the
the Lion. On the other side are one family to be buried in the one plot, as commonly on
two birds (Doves?) feeding on top of each other rather than side by side, especially if
88 bunches of grapes and with a
grape laden trellis below them.
they could afford a grave marker to indicate where the
burial plot was.
 A
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F
ST JUDAS THADDEUS: THE RECTORY cannot accommodate, or who do not wish to impose
O
The Rectory is a four bay design with some similarities
to the wealthy freeholder’s house. The obvious extern-
al difference is that it is built either entirely of
on the latter’s hospitality for one reason or another)
… often servants of more important guests.
R
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mortared stone or, possibly, of brick. It is divided into At night the servants sleep on the floor of the main
three main parts but is more like a noble’s Manor in room on paliasses – except for the kitchen staff who
that, instead of an area for the stabling livestock at sleep on the floor of the kitchen.
one end of the ground floor there is a cross hall with
doors at both ends and a storeroom instead. The Porter, Deacon and Sexton have proper truckle
beds (stored in the storeroom at the east end of the
building during the day) and sections of the main
The kitchen is more upscale as well – it has an oven
in the SW corner and a proper fireplace (recently
added) in both the kitchen (used for cooking) and in
room can be curtained off at night to give them a
modicum of privacy. The Porter’s assistant sleeps on
a paliasse next to the south door in the cross-corridor. M
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the Main Room (normally for heating and light, but
there is usually a medium sized cauldron of soup The Porter’s assistant is responsible for attending to
(Minestrone) bubbling away there, ready to be served anyone who knocks on the door during the night – and

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to any (important enough) passer-by, day or night. determining whether they should be admitted or not. If
they are, he is then responsible for determining whether
There are many more utensils and crockery in the he can feed them and provide them with bedding
Kitchen than in a freeman’s house and ready to be without disturbing the rest of the household or whether
used at mealtimes in the main room.

Unsurprising as the Church takes a full tenth (a ‘tithe’ of

others need be involved, up to and including waking the
Porter (who would then decide whether the Priest(s)
should be woken). O
R
the crops and income of the villagers as well as other
taxes and charges). A number of additional paliasses are available in the
storeroom for guests not deemed important enough to be
There are only two chairs at the High Table (norm- given one of the beds in the upstairs guest quarters.
ally), used by the two Priests, though more may be
brought down from the Priest’s quarters upstairs if Floor covering throughout the ground floor is the
important guests arrive at mealtimes. usual bundles of rushes – except at the base of the
west and east stairs and under the High table where
The ‘High Table’ may be on a slightly raised platform, there are woven rush mats.
no more than about 6” in all likelihood, or maybe the
fact that it has a rush mat underneath it and the chairs Lighting is relatively extravagant throughout – the
is enough of an indicator of the special status of the tables in the main room are lit by wax candles, for
Priests (and any possible guests). example, and there are many torch sconces in the
main room which will hold either burning pitch
The common table can seat up to eight, but at most torches which are replaced every morning. At night
daytime mealtimes there are only 3-4 present (the one Torch is kept burning inside near each of the
Porter [sub-Deacon] and his lay assistant, a Deacon external doors of the main room and cross corridor
[trainee priest] and the Sexton [a layperson charged and inside the door to the kitchen.
with maintaining the church and grounds] and his
assistant). At night there are normally 1-2 more, Windows to the main room are filled with piecework
usually fellow religious passing through or travellers glass and have elaborate surrounding stonework (with
important enough to be welcomed into the Rectory
but not seated at the high table (and whom the Manor
Norman arches) but elsewhere are wooden grilles and
shutters in square stone frames. 89
 The main external doors to the cross-corridor are of stairs in the Church) along with the other important
thick oak and have elaborate iron studding and fancy keys to the Rectory (see below) – the long narrow room
iron hinges. The kitchen door is as solidly built but behind the door is divided into two parts, the larger
has plain iron hinges and only enough nails to firmly part is immediately inside the door and has shelves
secure the cross planks. full of papers and pipe rolls containing the parish
records (Births, Deaths and Marriages as well as the
None of them have locks as there are staff nearby 24/7 Tithe and Offering accounts and legal papers).
whose responsibility it is to keep them closed at night
and greet visitors during the day. At the north end of the room is a metal and wood
lattice grille door, also with a lock and a padlock,
inside which is an iron-bound chest, also normally
As with many elite houses of the period, the Rectory secured with a padlock, which contains the Parish
has an upper floor – but the upper floor doesn’t run Treasury – depending on the time of year there can
the whole length of the building, most of the space be anywhere between £(4+1d6) and £(14+6d6) in coin
over the main room is left open to the roof beams and and other valuables stored here.
only areas at each end are actually floored.
All the keys to the locks above are carried by Father
The west suite of rooms is Father Notthelm’s (the Notthelm as noted above. More money will be held just
senior Priest of the Parish) while the east suite is after the harvest has come in and been sold (both from
partly for Father Herbert, his assistant, and partly for Tithes from the Villagers and from the Church’s lands on
guests or assistants. the Estate) than at other times of the year.

The west suite of rooms consists of a single large The eastern suite of rooms is divided into two parts,
room, with an open fireplace, which is the actual the inner room(s) are those of Father Herbert (a train-
bedroom and office of Father Notthelm, with a mod- ed Herbalist and Surgeon) and are furnished with a
estly carved four poster single bed, a desk with writing slightly less grand four poster bed, table and a work-
gear, a large chest for his clothes and common poss- bench where he prepares his salves and potions.
essions and a small one, next to the fire, for his more There is a chest containing his common items (mostly
expensive ones. There is an elaborately pattern woven clothing) and a smaller one, locked (he carries the key
rush-and-straw mat on the floor which, of course, is on a chain around his neck) containing his valuables
covered in bundles of rushes as is the common rule – a Silver-Gilt Reliquary containing (supposedly) a
for all such interior rooms. thorn from the Crown of Thorns (~£1, 240d) purchas-
ed during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, a portable
Father Notthelm’s valuables include an elaborate silver Writing Desk (folds up into a satchel sized package,
and polished gemstone decorated Crucifix (worth ~15/- contains some paper and parchment, two ink horns,
or 180d); three rings, two of silver with polished gem- some gold leaf [6/- or 72d], several quills, a bottle of
stones (~7/6d and 6/-, 80/72d) and one of gold with a fine sand for blotting, made of embossed leather with
cabochon cut ruby (~12/- or 144d); a cloth-of-gold Stole silvered brass fittings – worth 15/- [180d], not includ-
(worn for celebrating special Masses, ~6/6d or 78d); a ing the contents), a leather Case with his surgical
fur lined, richly embroidered, purple velvet riding cloak instruments (£2/10/- or 600d) and a silver-gilt Signet
(~15/- or 180d); and a luxurious Book of Hours (~£3 or Ring with his family’s Crest on it (£1 or 240d).
720d) amongst other things.
The small closet has a padlocked door and contains
In the SE corner of the room is a reinforced oak door shelves with bundles, packets, flasks and bottles con-
with a lock (Father Notthelm carries the key on a ring taining the herbs, chemicals and other ingredients as
at his waist – unless he is performing services, in well as some of his finished concoctions.
which case he stores it in a casket behind the pulpit
The area just outside of Father Herbert’s
rooms is divided into two by a curtain and
contains two plain single beds. These are
normally given to important visitors but
the inner one is commonly used by any
Deacon who is present at the Church as
part of his final training before ordination
– though he is expected to give it up if
someone more important arrives and sleep
down in the main room.
There may be a stool and a small table
in addition, and a small box or chest for

90
the traveller’s goods, but otherwise these
two areas are empty.
 The Lord’s private Dining Room

A
The thing about St Judas Thaddeus is, as noted, that it
has been built on a site used for over five hundred
years (since Anglo-Saxon times, at least) and possibly
since late Roman times as a place of Christian wor-
ship and there are certainly older burials from these
earlier periods on site. Indeed, some bones have been
found during the building and expansion works – L
F
and, when they are, they have either been carefully
reburied in a single grave or, as often, entombed in
the walls of the new construction.

The site also dates back to pre-Christian times and, while

possible Roman or Romano-British pagan temples were
not normally associated with burial sites, the pre-Roman ALFORD MANOR (7 )
O
celtic site that predates all of them seems to have been.
Certainly the Horned Helmet and Axe of Alford found
here indicate that … though that’s modern era informat-
The Manor House and Home Farm compound com-
pound consists of an irregularly shaped area surr-
ounded by a (dry) ditch with a decorative hedge (no R
D
ion neither really known nor really understood by the wall) on the inside partly screening it off from the
locals regardless of their level of education (and may surrounds.
only be the subject of limited and faulty understanding
of more educated men such as the Parish Priest or even This is not meant as a defensive structure, merely as a
the Bishop in Porthaven). property demarcation indicator and a means of provid-
ing increased privacy – but the ditch and hedge are
substantial enough to inconvenience, if not prevent,
The Rectory is a substantial stone or brick structure of
two storeys situated in the SW corner of the church
grounds with its own well behind the building. It has
unauthorised access.

There are two entrances, simply unditched stretches M

A
been recently expanded and refurbished – just after of the perimeter with simple wooden gates, the main
the last work was done on the Church proper (about one (with an adjacent gatekeeper’s cottage) facing the
18 years ago). minor road to the WSW and another the main Home

N
Farm field to the NNE.
For more information, see the floor plans above (for the
Ground Floor) and over (for the 1st/US 2nd) and the THE MANOR
associated sidebars. As noted in the section introduction, Alford Manor

The Rectory has its own private Well behind the main
building, in a substantial roofed and partly walled
comprises around 2000 acres of land, which is moder-
ately larger than the average Knight’s Fee of 1200-
1800 acres … but much of the land is unimproved, O
R
Well House. either woods or heath.

The income generated for the Lord by the estate is

In a separate area (with a wooden split rail fence) around £45-55 (10800-13200d) per annum (depend-
adjacent to the Churchyard proper is the Parish’s ing on the success of the harvest and the price gained
Tithe Barn where the tenth of all produce (crops, from the wool clip) and this is one of two more or less
livestock and other items) is counted in, recorded and completely owned by this branch of the DeGuelf
stored after the harvest. family (they have the equivalent of another one, as far
as income goes, consisting of scattered parcels of rural
Some is retained as foodstuffs for the Priests and their freehold in other estates as well as some civic tene-
household, some (less than the locals generally would ments in Porthaven and the County Seat, some of
like) is reserved for poor relief and the rest is generally which are William’s wife’s [Mary Marina’s] dower).
sold or traded so that the Priests can purchase foods
and manufactured items the Village doesn’t produce. The DeGuelf’s total income is on the order of £130-150
(31200-36000d) pa, making the family rather wealthier
The Barn is fullest just after the harvest comes in and than the normal knightly family. The two consolidated
empties out over the course of autumn and is emptiest estates are worth ~£90-100, Mary Marina’s dower ~£15-
just before the next harvest is taken in. 20 and the remaining (mainly tenements and suburban
plots in and around Porthaven).
Note that money raised from sales of tithed goods and
from other church services and fees (i.e. actual coin) is The remaining 25% is partly partial ownership of other
kept in the Parish treasury which is in a chest in a locked
room off Father Herbert’s rooms.
Knight’s Fee estates and partly investment properties
held, as noted, in Porthaven and the County Seat. 91
 THE MANORIAL LEVY THE LORD & HIS FAMILY
As a single Knight’s Fee, the Manor is obliged to field The current Lord of the Manor is William DeGuelf, 38,
a single Lance, consisting of a Knight, a Squire and (named after the first DeGuelf to hold the Manor – the
three Mounted Serjeants plus a General Levy of 3 name alternating through the generations) and the
Mounted Serjeants, 6 Foot Serjeants, 24 Archers and Manor is one of three he owns, though it is the only
48 Spearmen (or a Select Levy of a single Lance plus one held in the Barony of Ithura.
1 Mounted and 2 Foot Serjeants, 6 Archers and a
dozen Spearmen). The original holder, one Rollo DeVroom, was a Flem-
ish Knight (a younger son) who served as a mercenary
The Lord’s other Manor provides a levy of around the in William I’s invading army in 1066 and the years
same number – so, on campaign where the General after – but his male line died out and the last child, a
Levy is called, Sir William would lead a force of 2 feudal heiress, married a distant cousin, William De-
Lances, 6 Mounted Serjeants, a dozen Foot Serjeants, 48 Guelf, to keep the estate ‘in the family.’
Archers and 96 Spearmen (if only the Select Levy is
called, he would lead 2 Lances, 2 Mounted and 4 Foot Despite the name(s), both families (or these branches of
Serjeants, a dozen Archers and two dozen Spearmen). them) have been based in England since the Conquest.
They do have some ties with their continental branches,
but they are only distant cousins.
In addition, wholly outside the above minimum require-
ments for the General Levy, the Lord of Alford has six William is married to Mary Marina, 30 (the sister of
Men-at-Arms on his payroll who travel with him as Sir Frédo FitzGuibert of Fyrthburh Manor) and they
security, all provided with an allowance to purchase have three children, Geoffrey (14), Beatrice (9) and
their own armour and weapons (they tend to have a Mail Walter (5) and she is currently pregnant again.
Shirt [for new hires] or ¾ Mail [for longer term ones], a
Conical Helm, Shield and are armed with Sword, Spear Geoffrey is currently serving as a Page in his cousin, Sir
and Javelins). Frédo’s household (especially useful because of his wife’s
connection with the Count’s household and their frequ-
The Lord provides them with riding horses for when they ent attendance there and at the Baron’s Court at Port-
are travelling with his entourage but they are not trained haven), learning the niceties of feudal service for one of
to fight on horseback and will dismount if they need to. his class and station, including the social graces and the
Later in the period the Lord will also provide three necessary martial skills.
Crossbows from his own monies for their use and all will
have some training in wielding them. Also in residence when the family is Joan (55), Will-
iam’s mother.
When they are at one of his Estates or at his house in
Porthaven or the County Seat they typically divide the Alice de Beauville (39), Joan’s widowed half-sister (and
day into three watches, with two of them on duty at all William’s aunt), currently resides here full time (for
times and another two (minimum) nearby. the moment) with three of her children, Juliana (14),
Emma (11) and Avice (6), while Sir William and Joan,
When travelling all of them are nominally ‘on duty’ from her sister, help her arrange either a suitable marriage
dawn to dusk, though that generally means they need to or to assist her in remaining an independent widow.
be in the immediate vicinity for the most part … at night,
on those (as few as possible) occasions when the party Alice’s son, Roger (21), recently Knighted by the Count,
must ‘camp out’ they divide the night into three watches has inherited his father’s main estate in another Barony
each taken by two men-at-arms. in the same County only recently and is currently in
residence there making sure things are run to fit his
personal vision. Alice herself has a single Manor as her
dowry (also in another Barony) and the income from it
and some investments in Porthaven will constitute the
dowries of her daughters when they come of age.

Finally, Sir Harold DeGuelf (58), the old Lord’s (Sam-

uel’s) younger brother (and William’s uncle), lives in
rooms in the Old Manor House with his family, his wife
Richenda (46) and their youngest daughter, Elise (14).
At least he lives there most of the time while his new
stone farmhouse (5, 0308) is under construction.

92 Sir Harold made a fair amount money serving as a

mercenary, eventually being contracted to raise a small
 A
Company for the Crown for its foreign wars (or, altern- The Porter’s Cottage, main room
ately, made money from campaigning in the Crusades –
whichever fits your campaign era best) and invested it
wisely through the Templars, mainly in urban tenements
in London and Porthaven.

These city holdings, combined with the income from the L

F
land he has purchased at Alford (and the sheep he runs
on the estate) give him an income of ~ £30 per year …
quite respectable for a second son who would otherwise

O
have inherited very little but a knightly education.

OTHER RESIDENTS & STAFF

There are several important, or at least potentially
important, people who are associated with the Manor
and worthy of listing here.
This makes his legal work quite valuable for its clarity
– and he continues to copy items for sale, for his
patron, or on commission (usually books from the R
D
Father Guibert (Chaplain/Secretary). The De Guelf New Testament or Devotional material, but anything).
family’s private Chaplain, Father Guibert (42) is orig-
inally from Normandy but was engaged by Sir Will- While he is a skilled writer and draughtsman, he is no
iam when they met on his travels on the Continent artist – he can do decorative Capitals, but Illuminations.
when they were both younger. He is a graduate of the If that is required he has contacts at Forcythwyru Abbey
University of Paris and has an MA in Theology and who can do the work for him.
Law from that institution.

His father was a wealthy Notary in Caen and his mother

the heiress to a wealthy Merchant from that city as well.
Father Guibert is also a passable singer and plays the
Lute very well (and the Lute he uses is an expensive
Spanish-made import constructed using many M
A
As a third son he had no expectation of taking over different coloured woods for inlays … and often
either the Father’s business and properties or those his entertains the family and guests after meals or in their
mother inherited so, as is commonly the case, he was sent private quarters.

N
to a local Monastery to be educated … and proved to be
an excellent student. As a result he is always on the ‘look’ out for new songs
or ballads he can add to his repertoire … and, indeed, he
His parents paid for his studies at the University as his has a collection (in personally written manuscript form)
main share of any inheritance and, when they died
(within a month of each other, several years ago) he
received a moderate cash bequest from their estates –
of about 30 songs of various provenance collected in
recent years (and, of course, knows many more off by
heart – especially those of his Norman homeland). O
R
which he has invested in property in the County Seat
returning ~£7-8 per annum. Due to his travels and education he can speak Norm-
an French (where he was born and raised) and North-
Though an ordained Priest he has never served in a ern (Parisian) French (where he went to University)
Parish Church (or even as an adjunct in a Minster or like a native, Occitan (Southern French) and Spanish
Cathedral) – he has always been either a student, a (he travelled extensively in the south of France and in
secretary to a church/noble official or, most recently, Northern Spain) with a noticeably foreign accent and
personal Chaplain to the DeGuelfs – doing double word choice.
duty as a personal Secretary (and, because of his legal
training, legal adviser and Notary) to Sir William. Perhaps Father Guibert was involved in the Albigensian
business in southern France – or in supporting the
He has also tutored all the DeGuelf children (including Reconquista against the Muslims in Spain. Or both. Or
those of the Seneschal, Sir Harold) as well as one or two neither. Your choice based on when your campaign is set.
of the brighter children of the household staff, including
Richard the son of Henry Greenwood, the Majordomo His English is also accented, slightly, but he has been
– who was able to secure an apprenticeship with a in residence long enough to speak it fluently apart
Notary in Porthaven as a result. from that one thing. He also speaks Church Latin
(which is pronounced quite different from Classical
One of the skills he picked up at University was Latin – not that anyone in the current era speaks
writing in a clear, concise, book-hand … and doing it Classical Latin, of course ).
quickly and cleanly. This skill, used to copy texts for
other students (and himself, of course) helped pay for
the ‘extras’ his parent’s allowance didn’t.
He is literate in all the above languages, but his vocab in
Occitan and Spanish is not sufficient to work as a Notary 93
 or Secretary in that language, though it is perfectly Still a keen archer, even if he can no longer campaign,
adequate for private correspondence … though this is he trains with the rest of the General Fyrd, acting as
rarely a matter for concern as almost all important the second in command (or senior Vintenar) when it
documents are written in Latin. is mustered under its Centenar.

John of the/de Green (Steward). John (47) is a form- He is an excellent shot and regularly competes in target
er Vintenar of Archers who served with the manor’s shooting competitions at Porthaven and the County
Select Fyrd and the current Lord’s father on several Seat, usually ending up in the final round, though he
campaigns, distinguishing himself when he saved Sir has only won once, several years ago.
Samuel from drowning when his horse threw him
while fording a river. He is married to Jeanne (42), the Head Cook, and they
have two children, Roger (12) and Mary (8) and have
When a badly broken leg left him with a permanent a two room ‘suite’ in the servant’s quarters in the half
limp, Sir Samuel took him into his domestic service as storey of the new Manor House.
an assistant to the Butler (since he was literate, one of
the skills that made him a Vintenar), but he showed He recently inherited the feudal tenure of a Cottage (toft
such skill as an administrator and manager that he and croft) and a 10 acres of land on the estate when his
has been promoted to higher and higher positions … older brother, Alfred, died without surviving issue and is
eventually being promoted to Steward two years ago. in the process of negotiating with Sir William to turn it
into a mix of freehold and leasehold (making it a free
Originally referred to as ‘John of the Green’ or ‘John tenancy) in return for a large chunk of his savings.
o’Green’ (his family’s fields backed onto one of the
manor’s tracts of woodland), since he has been promoted His intention is to sub-lease the land to a tenant and use
to Steward he has begun to refer to himself as ‘John de the profits to recoup his investment, potentially buying
Green’ in correspondence and when introducing himself the remaining leased acres as well, which will help
to travellers (and insists anyone bringing travellers to provide for his family and, should he (and/or his wife)
him for any reason refer to him as such as well). live long enough, their eventual retirement.

This is his one vanity, though … although it could simply Jack Small aka ‘Jack the Sot’ (Porter). Jack ‘the
be seen as a manifestation of the late medieval trend Small’ (32) is the Porter at Alford – he lives in a small
towards adopting permanent surnames. 2 room (with a half floor over) Cot at the main (WSW)
entrance to the compound and ‘assists’ those not
He is literate, though he writes in a simple hand, but known to him who would enter by enquiring as to the
his accounts are always immaculate – and honest nature of their business and whom it is with, or if they
(unlike the previous Steward who was fired [actually don’t know the latter and he deems their business
he fled the region before he could be seized!] for important, he will direct them to the appropriate
peculation from the household accounts). member of the household staff.

He is also responsible for helping those admitted carry

any luggage or goods into the house (or store area) and,
in general, in the moving of heavy and bulky goods
(other than feed for the animals) around the compound,
for loading and unloading waggons and carts and as a
general dogsbody as needed.

At night he or, more usually, one of his several assist-

ants, is on duty at the closed gates to greet those who
would enter and decide if their needs are important
enough to disturb all or part of the household. The
assistant rotates and will wake Jack if the person or
party asking for entry meets some pre-set criteria.

Called ‘Jack Small’ as he is 6’4” tall (a \giant for the

time – average height being closer to 5’9”) … and ‘Jack
the Sot’ (only to the Villagers – he might take exception
if strangers called him that) because of one instance
when he was younger and got into a drinking com-
petition on a Mayday in Porthaven and which he’s never
94 been let to forget, though he normally drinks no more
than the average medieval male.
 A
As the gatekeeper, he is somewhat expert with the
Quarterstaff and Cudgel for dealing with Vagrants
and the unworthy … apart from the usual skills he
would be expected to have as a Spearman with the
estate’s general levy.

John is engaged to Godive (20) one of the serving girls L

F
with Sir William’s travelling retinue and has gained
his permission to marry her and set up housekeeping
in the Porter’s Cot while she has been given a perman-

O
ent position in the Manor’s kitchen staff so she can
remain here and give up her peripatetic life.

Godive is 5’10” tall with long blonde plaited tresses, blue Even though he will be retired, he is likely to continue to
eyes and a slightly broken nose she got when wrestling
with a would be suitor back home.
be consulted by the locals on matters relating to the care
of their horses and mules – which should bring in a
modest income to supplement his pension and savings. R
D
Her family (from another of the De Guelf manors) had
despaired of finding a husband for her when she was THE MANOR HOUSES
taller than almost all potential suitors and did not suffer There are two Manor Houses on site – the Old Manor
fools gladly, as a number of those self-same suitors could House, which is, however, not the original Manor (that
attest with black eyes, missing teeth and other injuries was converted into a Barn in the early Norman period
(when they woke up after she flattened them, anyway). and is still in use as such) and the New Manor House
which was built and (for the moment) finished in the
Old Edward (Stable Master). ‘Old’ Edward (62) has
been in charge of the Lord’s horseflesh for the last 20
years or more and is a skilled practical horse leech
last 20 years. Both are situated in the Home Farm
compound.
M
A
and specialised farrier (but not a full blacksmith). He
is in charge of the Lord’s horses (and mules) while on The interior is covered in some detail on the following
their circuit around the DeGuelf estates and super- pages, both as it was in its heyday before the con-

N
sedes the authority of the head Groom when the Lord struction of its newer replacement and how it is, for
is in residence at a particular estate. the moment, after that is finished. It is still in relatively
good condition – the walls are of solid and well main-
He is assisted in this important job by his second son, tained stone construction and the interior, extensively
Young Edward (32) who is on track to succeed in his
father’s position when he is too old to continue.
remodelled in the generation or two before it was
superseded, is likewise in good nick. The roof is also
in good condition and is regularly re-thatched. O
R
Having reached such an advanced age (by medieval
standards), Old Edward is slowing down – certainly the This is a substantial and strongly built fortified place
wear and tear of such a physical trade means he relies that has residential quarters included – which means
more and more on Young Edward to do the more phys- it is generally cramped (for the number of people in
ically demanding elements of the job. This means, for the Lord’s household and entourage) and often quite
example, that he has passed on all of the routine farrier’s uncomfortable in many ways as the needs of defense
work to his son and only works on complex shoeing and, always trumped creature comforts.
even then, more in a teaching capacity.
Even late in the period with all sorts of internal
However, he is still an excellent horse leech and super- remodelling and upgrades it remains uncomfortable –
vises all the veterinary needs of the horses and mules that the reason it is eventually replaced.
accompany the Lord’s retinue.
Eventually it will be pulled down as the New Manor
Recognising that Old Edward has reached the end of House adds rooms and wings and the maintenance of
his working life Sir William has arranged for him to two major inhabited structures on the estate is deemed
retire to Alford at the end of the year with an allow- uneconomic – though this will probably not be before
ance for accommodation (in a small Cot in the Vill), some time in the mid to late 16th century (the building’s
food, clothing and fuel which is effect a Corrody. size and nature make it extremely unlikely it could be
repurposed as a farm building).
Old Edward himself has enough in the way of savings
to provide some luxuries and fund a part time servant
to look after the house (and him), cook, wash and
clean (his wife died eight years ago).
Again, the interior is covered in some detail in the
following pages. It is, currently, less than 20 years old 95
 THE ‘OLD’ MANOR HOUSE dry goods and the other as stables for the Lord’s
This isn’t the original Manor House, that was merely horses and other important livestock.
a slightly bigger and better built (and furnished)
wattle and daub six bay cruck structure from late The Stables. There were originally six stalls, each of
Anglo-Saxon times, since converted into one of the which could holding two mid sized animals such as
Manor’s Barns, but it was built soon after the Manor ordinary riding/pack horses (or, rarely, oxen), or a
was granted to Rollo DeVroom. It is an all stone struct- single large animal such as a warhorse (which was
ure which originally had three storeys but was con- usually, wisely, kept stalled by itself because of its
verted to add a half storey in the roof area much later training). There was also space for storing either one
as the household’s needs expanded. or two of the Manor’s waggons or carts or for hay
bales or other feed for the livestock stabled here.
It is currently in a state of moderate disrepair as it has
been replaced by the New Manor (see following pages) In its current state, the stables are used for keeping the
and is now used for a mix of storage, administration, estate’s draught animals – depending on the actual
and as quarters for the Seneschal and his family (and period these may still be oxen or they may be large
much smaller household). draught horses (in an intermediate period you may have
a mix of both). They are the animals used to pull the
The plans shown on these pages are, however, ‘dress- estate’s carts or waggons as well as its ploughs – at least
ed’ as it was in its heyday – the written descriptions one of the Farm Carts and all of the Ploughs are stored
provide details for both that earlier period and how here as well.
things have changed in its current state.
The floor of the stables is lined with flagstones and
has two drains that lead to wooden underfloor piping
There is only one entrance to this level, reinforced that help keep the area dry.
double doors (iron banded oak, 8” thick) which open
inwards and are barred with three heavy crossbars on The wooden pipes that drained the area need(ed) regu-
the inside. lar replacement, something that has been neglected
since the new Manor has been constructed – so the floor
Currently, the doors are no longer barred from the has to be washed down, swept out and clean straw laid
inside (though they could be – if anyone can find the down at least once, sometimes twice, a day to keep it
crossbars), they are locked (if needed) with a length of usable for the animals.
chain and a simple warded padlock run through rings
affixed on either side of the outside of the door. At the eastern end of the stable area was a small
cubicle for the Head Groom which had a raised wood
There are no windows or arrow slits, but there are floor and enough room for a paliasses (possibly on a
ventilation slits evenly spaced around the walls, just rope-strung bed frame), a chest and other storage
under the floor of the upper level, each about 2” wide items, and lined with shelves holding horse grooming
and 8” tall, fitted with wooden block-shutters for use and medicinal items.
in times of emergency to prevent attackers from using
them to push incendiaries through. This cubicle is now used as a store-room for waggon and
plough harnesses and other fittings and as a workroom
The original design plan had this level divided into for the estate’s saddler/harness maker (who is one of the
two parts – one as a granary/larder for food and other villagers working here part time, as needed).

96 The Old Manor House, Ground (US 1st)Floor

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Old Manor House, 1st (US 2nd) Floor
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Larder. The western part of the ground floor is
separated from the stables by a 6” thick stone wall
and a 3” thick wood double door which can be barred
Access to the 1st (US 2nd) floor is via a ladder attached
to the west wall which leads to a trapdoor opening
into the Kitchen above.
D
from the inside with a single crossbar.

More recently the door has been fitted with two rings There is only one entrance from the outside – an iron
stapled on either side and a chain and padlock similar
to that used to secure the Stable (exterior) door is used to
keep the door shut. However, see below – it is possible
bound, 6” thick, oak door in the SE quadrant. This
door is reached from an external porch (with no rail
ings) at the top of stone stairs leading up from the M
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that the door has been removed completely. external ground level and is normally secured by
triple crossbars on the inside.
Inside, the wooden floor is up two steps from the

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stables and has airspace underneath so it is well Here and now the door has an external box lock affixed
ventilated as part of making it fit for its purpose as a to the inside of the door, with a keyhole on the outside
food storage area. as well. This is often used in preference to having a night
Porter on duty since the ‘old’ Manor is used by far fewer
The floor remains in place and is in good repair – unless
the Stable conversion mentioned below is in place.
people than in its heyday.

The other entrance is through the trapdoor in the O

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Originally it would have been partly or completely Kitchen which leads to a ladder down to the storage
full of Barrels, Boxes, Baskets, Sacks and Bags of a area of the ground floor – the trapdoor is normally
variety of staple foodstuffs sitting on the floor as well kept lock by an iron pin, loop and latch arrangement
as Strings (Onion, Garlic, Smoked/Dried Sausages or and, often, by placing heavy items on top of it as well.
other Smallgoods), Bunches (Herbs, Dried Vegetables)
and single items such as Bacons or Game Birds wait- There is pulley hook affixed to the roof beam overhead
ing to be ripe enough to cook. to allow heavy items to be hauled up more easily by
several people working together.
The degree of fullness will, of course, depend on the time
of year – the store will be chock-a-block after and As is common in buildings of this type, the interior is
emptiest just before harvest (and how empty is related to divided into three parts – the western end is taken up
how important the Lord deems it to keep a sufficient mostly by the Kitchen, the central range is taken up
supply of foods for emergencies). by the Great Hall and the eastern end is taken up by
a private Dining Room for the Lord and select guests.
Currently it may either still be used as a storage area,
either for foodstuffs, hay and animal feed or for dry Kitchen. This is quite large with a large fireplace on
goods needed by the Estate from time to time. Alternate- the east wall where most of the cooking is done – this
ly it may have been converted into additional stable was hooded and linked to a tiled conduit to the centre
space by simply removing the door, ripping out the of the roof to allow the smoke to dissipate there (this
wood floor, and adding stable cubicles. is not a chimney as such). Sully staffed it was capable
of preparing and cooking meals for 50-60 people at a
If the latter conversion is in place, this area is even more
poorly drained than the main stables.
time without issue – though that only occurred when
the Lord and his full retinue were in residence. 97
 The original fireplace was along the west wall, but was
moved around a century ago – before then it had an
opening through the wall just below the floor above
which vented the smoke outside. This arrangement pro-
vides limited heating to the Great Hall when the central
fireplace isn’t lit – as it usually isn’t (or isn’t fully) here
and now because relatively few people use it any more

One of the previous Lords evidently came across the idea

of the hypocaust in his travels in the East and had it
instituted in the Old Manor, in a rough and ready way
not based on a full understanding of the concept, when
he returned.
had a tapestry showing Knights in Mail armour joust-
In the SW corner of the Kitchen is an oven for baking ing towards the end of the main period of occupation.
bread, pies and other items – it is, unlike the fire-
place, still linked to a conduit in the wall which vents The Hall as shown is as it would have been in the last
outside just below the second (US 3rd) floor. century before the New Manor was constructed, set up
for a major meal – currently the old tables are still there,
The Kitchen and Ovens are only partly used in the mostly taken off their trestles and stacked against the
present day, usually only when the Lord is elsewhere side walls, and the few people still using the place eat at
and the Seneschal actually takes his meals here rather the former ‘High Table’ while the Tapestry has been
than in the New Manor – and then, rarely. There are moved to the New Manor.
only two staff, just enough to prepare meals for maybe
a half a dozen to a dozen people. Few of the current staff sleep on the rush floor here, they
mostly have space on the third floor. Guests deemed not
The Great Hall. This large open room has a central important enough to warrant space in the New Manor
fire pit, but a smoke hood leading directly up to the House and not important enough for a proper bed on
smoke vents in the roof were installed quite some time the second floor will (depending on space available and
before the building was mostly abandoned for the relative importance, of course), however, be given
New Manor House. The original design had the whole sleeping space here from time to time.
of the area between the Kitchen and the private
rooms to the east of the Hall open to the roof, but at Private Dining Room. At the east end is a medium
some time in the past the second floor was extended sized room which is set up as a private dining room –
(to add more space for accommodation) on both sides which was a late conversion of the original space,
to partly ‘cover’ each end of the Hall, though the which consisted of two rooms, the outer one being the
central range remains open to the roof beams. Lord’s Office (usually used by the Seneschal back in
the day) and the inner one a bedroom for one of the
The whole of the east end of the Hall is on a dais family’s (older) male children (or, when there weren’t
raised ~1’ above the level of the rest of the area – and any such, as a general storage area).
this is where the High Table for the Lord, his family,
and for important guests was situated. Latterly, prob- The adjacent stairs leading up to the second floor were
ably around the same time the second floor levels originally accessed only through the above office and
were extended, this dais was tiled over with patterned bedroom.
tiles as shown. The wall behind the High Table also
The Dining Room is still used these days, mostly by the
Seneschal, his family, and close friends when they wish
some privacy from the rest of their small household staff
– commonly the family eats daytime meals in the Hall
and most night-time meals in the Dining Room.

Stairs & Storage. This small room is where the stairs

to the family quarters on the second floor are, but
there are also shelves on the walls and storage space
under the stairs which are used for items the family
members would normally need to pick up on the way
out (and drop off on the way in) and moderately
valuable items used at the High Table.
98 The area is still used for this purpose, but there is much
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Old Manor House, 2nd (US 3rd) Floor

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less in the way of contents as it only serves the small the Great Hall below means that there would be enough
household of the Seneschal for the most part. There are, space for any performers to actually perform down in
however, many empty baskets and boxes still here. that space … especially given the reduced number of
people likely using it.
The door can be barred from the inside and has an
internal box-type lock which is (obviously) only used Lord’s (Seneschal’s) Family Quarters. At the east
when the whole of the family is out (and not always end of the floor are the main rooms belonging to the
then if the Manor is still ‘manned’ by staff. Lord and his family. The first room off the staircase
corridor is normally allocated to the Lord’s oldest son
(if adult) or the Lord’s manservant and the Lady’s M
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As noted above, the 2nd
floor only exists at each end maidservant otherwise (in the latter case there will be
of the building – the central range is open to the a truckle bed under the main one to be rolled out at
ceiling rafters as are the porches overlooking the night for their use).

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Great Hall below.
The Seneschal’s eldest son, either Richard (23) or
Guest Accommodation. The west end of the 2nd floor Gabriel (19) use the room when they are at home (if both
consists of a single large room split into curtained off are, one gets the truckle bed) and, when he isn’t, it is
areas each with either two single rope-frame beds and
paliasses or a single double rope-frame bed and a
larger paliasse. Each section has a simple wicker or
used by the Seneschal’s manservant and his wife’s maid
(the latter on a truckle bed).
O
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wood trunk with a peg type latch for the occupant(s) The room to the right of the above is divided into two
to place their belongings in and there are also pegs on parts by a heavy curtain or tapestry with the southern
the walls to allow them to hang up clothing and other portion being the Lord’s sleeping quarters and the
awkwardly sized or shaped items. northern being his wife’s.

The current configuration of this area is the same – and The idea of (noble or even well-to-do) couples sleeping
it is still in regular use. When the Lord is not in residence (as opposed to doing certain other more active things) in
at the New Manor, less important guests not warranting the same bed, while not unheard of, was less and less
space in the latter are quartered here – or the servants common the further up the social ranks you went. The
of more important guests who are not immediately re- Old Manor is in a sort of in-between arrangement.
quire by them (that is, other than their immediate per-
sonal attendants) and who are important enough not to The Seneschal, Sir Harold DeGuelf (58) and his wife
be given places on the floor in the Hall below. Richenda (46) are the current occupants.

Musician’s Balcony. At the east end of the Guest The room to the north of the entry-room is normally
Room on the second floor is a balcony overlooking the reserved for the family’s daughter(s) … depending on
Great Hall below – added to provide space for their number and age anywhere between one and
musicians and similar entertainers to use while not four might be slept here, 1-2 on the main bed and
taking up floor space for guests below. another 1-2 on a truckle bed stored beneath it or, for
the very young, in 1-2 cradles.
It would be extremely unusual for this area to be used
by performers currently – for the simple and obvious
reason that the reduced number of people likely using
More than that number will tend to be slept on truckle
beds in the Solar or even upstairs on the 3rd floor. 99
 The Seneschal’s youngest daughter, Elise (14) is the
current occupant (his older daughter, Edith (25) is The 3rd floor (attic) is a ‘half floor’ – that is, only the
married and lives with her husband on their estate in area shown in light blue is high enough for people to
another Barony). stand fully upright (except for the Treasury, which is
shown in brown as its floor is not covered in rush
The Solar. The largest room in the family’s quarters bundles – it is also tall enough to stand upright in).
and (retrofitted?) with the largest window in the whole
building – as well as several smaller windows. All of The areas shown in brown vary in height, but people
the windows have diamond-fitted glass panes – which moving through them will have to watch their heads or
makes this the warmest room in the manor (though bend down. Note that this assumes modern day people
braziers for additional warmth may still be needed in who tend to be an average of several inches taller than
the depths of winter, depending on actual location). was common in medieval times … medievals may be less
affected as a result.
The walls are hung with a variety of tapestries, at least
one of which is an expensive import from France (by Also note that the areas shown in brown (except for the
the late 13th or early 14th century) while the others are Treasury) don’t have rush bundle floor covering.
locally made … possibly even made by the ladies of
the household. The west end of the 3rd floor is additional servant’s
quarters with space for at least six paliasses on the
The floor is covered with the usual bundles of rushes and floor. More senior servants have space here as it is
woven rush/straw mats not carpets. more private than sleeping on the floor of the Great
Hall, which many of the lesser servants have to do.
Shelves around the walls have space for domestic
items and there is a single cupboard and chest com- Currently the space is used only for storage – though it
bination where cups/crockery and needlework and can be cleared out (or at least the stored items can be
sewing items are stored as well. consolidated on either side) is the Lord is hosting a
really large event and all other spaces are full.
The Seneschal’s family use the Solar in the same way,
but the room is now less richly appointed and, serving a The east end is used for additional children’s sleeping
smaller household, has less furniture (and the furniture spaces for the Lord’s family and for the Lord’s treas-
here is mismatched and old, items that weren’t good ury. There is space in each of the two rooms for 2-3
enough to move to the New Manor House) – the old children – their servants sleep on paliasses on the
Cupboard is still there, and the contents are similar, but floor in the low-ceilinged areas on either side.
the tapestries may have been removed (probably the
French import at the very least) to the New Manor The Treasury has an iron bound door with a box lock
House. The floor coverings are still of the same type. and rings and chain with a padlock – inside are chests
and boxes containing coin and important or valuable
Lord’s Balcony. Access to this balcony is only from household items (plate etc.)
the Solar, and allows the ladies of the household
(and, possibly, the older children) to see any enter- The Seneschal doesn’t have enough children to need this
tainments (either in the Musician’s balcony opposite space so it is used for storage. The Treasury contains old
or in the Great Hall below) without being present in records in Pipe Rolls stacked on the shelves and the
the Great Hall. Seneschal’s personal valuables in several chests.

100 The Old Manor House, Attic (3rd Floor, 4th Floor US)
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and has included (or been retrofitted with) many of
the latest architectural elements and interior fittings
which make it more of a substantial country home
than a fortified residence – with the exception of the
Tower which has aspects of both.

OTHER SETTLEMENTS & SITES

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Nithford (G12): A small farming hamlet at a ford over F
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the Nith river. Fifteen families live here and either
farm or run sheep nearby – 12 Serf and 3 Freehold
families giving a population of ~100 people.
things that legitimate travellers might have in their gear
Throsmig Dale (G10): This is situated half way along
the road to Crundel. Eighteen farming families (16 of
Serfs, 2 of Freeholders) are involved in mixed farming
that could used for poaching that this attitude is one of
the reasons why the relations between the Foresters and
the locals is so strained. R
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and sheep herding. There are also ~12 families of
Charcoal Burners (nominal Freeholders) who burn Alford Bridge (E10): Situated at the lowest point at
wood from adjacent coppices under the watchful eyes which the Ithura may be forded, a wooden bridge was
of the Baron’s Foresters protecting Afenwudu. The constructed here about 80 years ago … unfortunately
population of the Hamlet is ~120 all up. the original structure and its replacement both proved
to be vulnerable to severe winter storms and flooding
The Foresters have quarters outside of the Hamlet, close and were washed away.
up to the Woods, in a ditched compound with a thick
hedge around it containing a hall and a combined barn
and stables for their horses and other livestock (including
The current single lane bridge is stone and two parts,
sitting astride an islet in the middle of the river just M
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a pack of Bloodhounds which they won’t hesitate to use slightly downstream from the ford. The tollhouse sits
single or as a whole if they need to track game … or on the islet and is open from dawn to dusk – booms
poachers). are lowered at the island end of each section at night.

The 1½ storey Hall where six Foresters and a forester

Sergeant live – the Sergeant and his wife having the ½
storey at one end as their private quarters and the ½
Tolls are typically ¼-1d per riding or pack animal or
cart (and 2½%, or 6d/£1, for commercial cargoes worth
more than 10/- [120d]) excepting ‘locals’ … anyone who
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storey at the other end being for the Chief Forester when
he visits.
can show they are residents of the Barony or who have
Burgage rights in Porthaven.
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Note: The Porthaven-Crossford road doesn’t cross the
Afenwudu (‘River Woods’; F-G-H09, G-H10): Situated Ithura here, it skirts around Alford and on towards
to the south of the Udso river, these woods are a part Breitbae on the right side of the river. The Afenscaep
of Baron Ithura’s lands and is reserved for hunting – road, which joins the Porthaven-Crossford road to the
Boar and Red Deer mainly. As noted below, his For- right of Alford Manor is the road that actually crosses
esters are based in Throsmig Dale, but can be found the bridge here.
ranging the woods most of the year, especially in
spring and summer.
TWYFORD SERJEANTY
There are several small, single room, Crofts scattered Twyford is held directly from the Crown, though it is
around the woods which are used by the Foresters when part of the Parish of Alford and has no subordinate
they stay out for several days or when they are out feudal relationship with the Manor. The Serjeanty
during snow weather. They have water nearby, though grant consists of ~300 acres of land – 140 acres of
this is often a stream rather than a well and a water arable land, 80 acres of Pasture or Meadow, 50 acres
barrel inside as well as a small supply sea coal for their of Heath/Wasteland and a Coppice of 30 acres.
use buried somewhere only the Foresters know.
Annual disposable income for the estate, from all
There is no reason why travellers through the wood sources, is ~£20-25 (4800-6000d).
couldn’t use these shelters – but non-nobles will automat-
ically be viewed with suspicion as potential poachers by The Serjeanty was granted three generations ago to
any Foresters who encounter them. It is very likely they Edmund Calwig who made a reputation for himself on
will demand to search their belongings for anything that
might indicate such an intent – and there are so many
campaign with the King in the Holy Lands and whom
the King granted these lands to in lieu of some 101
 THE ‘NEW’ MANOR HOUSE work of leaded diamond shaped bits (and these don’t
‘New’ is relative – the building is newer than the ‘old’ open, as is normal for the era), except for the eastern-
Manor House, being constructed in (and during) the most ones, which are actually stained glass ‘rose’ win-
last 20 years because the ‘old’ one was deemed to be dows around 4½-5’ in diameter. All of them have wood-
too cramped and lacking in what passed for ‘creature en shutters which can be closed, but, obviously, this can
comforts’ in the period and not worth (or too difficult) only be done from the outside. This means that crashing
to make additions to. through the windows is an alternative means of entry.

The ‘New’ Manor will form the core of the modern day The windows in the kitchen area are of horn and can be
Manor House – with added wings, rooms, floors, a new removed from the frames to allow the shutters to be
roof, internal remodelling and other changes. But that’s closed and secured from the inside. They are also high
many centuries in the future! up in the wall and only 3’ square, and would be more
difficult to access – though breaking through them
The Manor is built on the same three section design would be much less noisy (perhaps not much at all if the
as was common, but is much larger and differs in that burglar is skilled) than crashing through the glass ones.
the main building is, while strongly constructed from
stone and brick, not really fortified like the older Entry Vestibule. Just inside the service entrance is a
building (all those ground floor windows make it 10’ square vestibule which may be empty or, at least
much less defensible, for example) – however, it does as often, may have some boxes, bags or wicker con-
include a proper fortified Tower (square rather than tainers with food or other household necessities stor-
the more modern round type), which is slightly out of ed there temporarily. Off the vestibule are –
place as Alford is not in an unsettled region.
The Butler’s Quarters. The most senior of the house-
You can either think of the Tower as being a very early hold (as opposed to personal) servants, the Butler has
example of the classic English tradition of the Folly (‘a his own private room, even if it is quite small. It has
costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, a proper bed, too, rather than merely a paliasse on
especially a tower or mock-Gothic ruin built in a large the floor, and space for a writing table, shelves for the
garden or park’ – though it really does have some utility household accounts, and for trunks or chests for
and purpose) or, if you’ve decided to place Alford (or storing his personal items.
merely the Manor House) in a more dangerous area
than Ithura, assume that the New Manor’s windows are, The Butler has keys to the Kitchen door, the Main doors,
in fact, narrow arrow slits rather than windows (except the Treasury, the Buttery (i.e. where the ‘butts’ for wine
in the Solar, where they will be smaller, perhaps 3’ wide and barrels of other alcoholic drinks are stored) and the
instead of 5-6’, and barred) … in which case the Fortified combined Pantry/Larder (where other dry goods and
Tower makes perfect sense. Your choice. foodstuffs are stored).

Also note that, unlike the Old Manor, there is no section Off his room is the household ‘Treasury’ where the
for the quartering of livestock – another example of it’s valuable crockery, cutlery, napery and table settings
(relative) lack of defensive features in the design. are stored in chests and other containers. The door to
the treasury has a box type lock to which only the
Butler has the key (in fact, the Butler has keys to the
The ground floor has three main entrances – two to Service Entrance, the Main Entrance, the ‘Treasury’,
the main building (a service entrance to the Kitchen the Buttery, the Pantry and to the ground floor doors
area at the west end of the building and the grand to the Fortified Tower [both the door from the Tower
main entrance, double doors, in the southern long to the private cross-corridor at the east end of the
side, at the west end of the Great Hall) and one to the Great Hall and the double doors on the east side of
tower (iron reinforced double doors on the east side). the Tower giving access to the storage areas therein).

The windows opening onto the Great Hall are 4½-5’ The contents of the Treasury are left to the imagination.
wide and actually have glass in them – the usual piece- The larger, bulkier, and relatively less valuable items

102 New Manor House – Ground (US 1st) Floor

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such as expensive cloth table coverings for the High
Table and enameled ceramics (as an example) will likely
remain here all the time (perhaps £5-10 worth), even
when the Lord’s household is elsewhere – only when the
Lord is actually in residence will the smaller, less bulky,
more valuable items be present, including most of the
silverware (which includes some few items of silver-gilt L
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and, perhaps, one or two smaller items of gold) and
expensive foodstuffs such as imported spices – all up,
perhaps another £25-40 in value.

The Pantry & Larder. The Manor is too small to

warrant separate areas for these – this one room
serves as both Pantry (for Bread and other ‘dry’ foods)
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and Larder (for Meats). The door has a box lock to
which the Butler has a key.
The Buttery

The Great Hall. Much bigger than the one in the Old R
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Storage is limited, enough (with food actually stored in Manor House, this one can seat ~100 people in some
the Kitchen proper as well) for only a single normal comfort. There is a large fireplace (with a smoke hood
meal. Additional foodstuffs are stored in granaries and that vents out the north side of the building) at the
barns (and the ground floor of the Tower!) elsewhere in west end. The main floor is covered in a mix of plain
the Home Farm compound and brought in as needed. and glazed terracotta tiles rather than rush bundles,
a definite touch of luxury, and the raised dais (~8”) at
The Kitchen. There are two entrances to the Kitchen, the east end where the Lord, his family and guests sit
one from the vestibule and one from the cross hall
which abuts the Great Hall. This is a much larger
Kitchen than in the Old Manor House as the number
is covered with painted oilcloth (in the chequerboard
pattern shown) and backed by two expensive (£20+
each) imported French Tapestries showing scenes M
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of guests the Great Hall can accommodate for special from the Grail Quest.
occasions is much larger as well.
Many of the Servants, especially the lower ranking ones,

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There is plenty of room for food preparation, a larger still sleep on the floor of the Great Hall – but all now
fireplace for cooking and even a oven for baking have bedstraw filled paliasses (which are stored in the
bread, pastries and pies. spaces under the staircases (the spiral one leading up to
the guest and senior servant’s quarters off the Kitchen
No running water, of course, though there is a well
outside – and the butts in the kitchen are constantly
replenished as needed by the junior staff.
cross-corridor and the regular one heading up to the
Lord’s private and family quarters off the Private
Dining room one. O
The Buttery. Off the kitchen, this room is where the
expensive beverages are stored – barrels of imported
Wine and some of Perry (pear-based Cider)
Private Dining Room. This is the Lord’s private
dining room for when he wishes to entertain a small
group of his guests rather than the whole banquet’s
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worth that would require the use of the Great Hall.
‘Ordinary’ beverages such as Beer and Ale are kept in
the Brewhouse (a separate building) and barrels are The room is wood panelled and has tapestries hung
brought to the kitchen (or stood outside the service door on three of the walls – two are colourful Persian rugs
for immediate use) as needed. with a geometric pattern (brought back from the Holy
Land as spoils of war) and the other two are worked
The Cross Corridor. This feature, dividing the Great with the family’s Coat of Arms (these are the ones
Hall in the central range of a Manor House from the behind the chairs at the head and foot of the table).
Kitchen range at the one and, often, also the Lord’s
Family’s rooms at the other is present in both instan- Tower Corridor. This corridor leads to the Ground
ces in the New Manor House. Floor of the Fortified Tower. At the tower end is a
metal reinforced door which opens inward into the
This feature was introduced to provide some privacy Tower – it has a box-key lock but can also be barred
and also to allow easier access to the sides of the Great from the inside of the Tower.
Hall for the servants as the space inside could be
extremely crowded for many of the events held there. Private Staircase. This wooden staircase leads up the
Lord’s private rooms on the 1st (US 2nd) Floor and is
Spiral Staircase. This is a wooden spiral staircase
leading up to the First (US 2nd) Floor.
cunningly arranged so that the stairs can be hoisted
up from above, blocking off access from below. 103
 Spiral Staircase. This stone staircase leads to the
The ground floor of the fortified tower is used entirely upper floors of the Tower and is accessed by a heavy
for storage. wooden door which is normally kept open but which
can be barred (with a double bar) from the inside.
Entry Vestibule. This area is accessed iron reinforced
double doors which are secured from the inside with
heavy crossbars (two of them) and is normally kept At the present stage of development the First Floor
empty. There is a heavy wooden door (also secured only covers the western and eastern ends of the Manor
from the inside) at the western end of the vestibule proper – the central range (over most, but not all, of
which gives access to the … the Great hall) is still open at this level, but not right
to the underside of the roof, only to the floor of the
Inner Vestibule. This is accessed by the heavy wood Attic/Second Floor.
door to the east, leading to the Entry Vestibule and
three standard internal wooden doors – one, to the The western end of the floor is given over almost
west, leading to the West Corridor; one to the north entirely to guest quarters (five rooms), except for a
leading to the North Storage Room and the last one, to Musician’s (or Entertainer’s) Balcony overlooking the
the south, leading to the South Storage Room. Great Hall on the east side.

This is where the Tower Porter has his quarters – VIP Guest/Senior Retainer. The room to the immed-
sleeping on a paliasse and with space for his personal iate left of the spiral stairs (leading down and up) is
items in a chest or other containers. He is responsible the largest and best appointed and would be given to
for controlling access to the Tower – theoretically the highest status guest of the Lord … or, possibly, to
both day and night, though it would be unusual for one of his senior retainers if there are no guests. It has
anyone to want to enter the Tower at night over entry a bed, desk, rush flooring with a woven rush and
at the Service Entrance (to the Kitchen) or the Main straw mat, a chest and shelves for their belongings
Entrance (to the Great Hall). and the door has a box type lock with a key (held by
the Butler until it is needed).
North Storage Room. This is most commonly used
for storing dry goods in boxes, baskets, and other When the Lord’s entourage is in residence this room is
containers. It is never less than half full – as a part normally given to the senior Gentleman (effectively his
hedge against possible attack, but as much a hedge Chamberlain) of his household.
against poor harvest years. The door is has a box key
lock – the Tower Porter the key. Common Bedroom. This large open room directly
across from the spiral staircase has room for five
‘Dry Goods’ in British English usage – that is, dried or proper beds and a curtained off privy … and another
preserved foodstuffs, rather than US usage which is 2-3 people can be squeezed in on paliasses on the
textiles. Important difference. reed bundle-covered floor if needed.

South Storage Room. This area is used as an exten- Common Room. Off the Common Bedroom (above)
sion to the Buttery and has Casks of Beer, Ale, Cider is a slightly smaller room – it can be set up as shown,
and other fermented alcoholic drinks (Perry and Wine with a table and chairs by the fireplace, and used as
are kept in the smaller Buttery in the Kitchen range a common area for the guests but, in need, it can fit
at the other end of the ground floor). The door has a another 3-4 beds and 1-2 paliasses on the reed-bundle
box key lock. The Tower Porter has the key. flooring (the additional bed frames are of the knock-
down variety and are stored in the Attic/2nd floor
West Corridor. This connects the Manor House door storage area).
with the Inner Vestibule and the Spiral Staircase lead-
ing to the upper floors of the Tower – and is common- Off the common room are two private rooms for
ly used for overflow storage, usually of dry goods (see guests or senior staffers of the Lord’s entourage or for
above), but, sometimes, of drinkables or other items. important guests …

New Manor House

1st (US 2nd)Floor

104
 A
The Corner Room. So called because, unlike the Side
Room (below) its single window is in the short side of
the building and is smaller. There is room for a bed,
a chest, and some shelving as well as a corner fireplace.

The Side Room. So called as it has two windows

along the long side of the building and is slightly L
F
larger than the Corner Room. It has room for a bed, a
chest, shelving a writing desk and a corner fireplace.

O
The Cross Corridor. This separates the Musician’s (or
Entertainer’s) Balcony from the Guest Rooms. At each
end is a curtained off privy chair.
The Dressing Room/Office. This room sits between
Musician’s (Entertainer’s) Balcony. Overlooks the
Great Hall and has space for musicians and entertain-
ers to stand – the railing is just above waist height.
the Lord’s bedroom and his wife’s and is a shared,
but private, area. There are two tables – a desk where
the Lord can work privately and a dresser where the R
D
Lady can work on her personal care.

The eastern end of the 1st Floor is given over to the Medieval gentry (and nobility) husbands and wives
Lord’s family’s rooms and the western rooms are didn’t sleep together in the same bed – they slept separ-
directly over the High Table/Dais in the Great Hall ately except, of course, when they weren’t ‘sleeping’ J!
below. Access is by stairs from below in the SE corner Their private quarters were also commonly arranged so
and, alongside those, stairs leading up to the 2nd Floor that access to the women’s quarters weren’t directly
Attic which contains the children’s rooms.

The Entry Landing. This open area has two cubicles

accessible (or not easily) … so the Lord’s bedroom, in this
instance, is placed so that to get to his wife’s bedroom
means either going through his bedroom or, alternately, M
A
with curtains, each containing a privy chair. There going through the Solar (for which, see below).
are doors to the west leading to the Lord’s Bedroom,
to the north to the Solar and to the east to the Tower. There are also two chests – a large one for the Lord’s

N
There is storage space underneath the stairs leading ‘travel money’ (silver ingots, a mix of 1, 2 and 5 Mark
upwards which contain paliasses and truckle beds for Silver ingots) worth about £40-50 … or, at least, it
the family’s personal servants who sleep in this space. contains this when the Lord is in residence, and a
smaller one for some of the lady’s expensive cosmetics
The Lord’s Bedroom. This has a proper four poster
bed (with curtains for privacy and a truckle bed
underneath for the Lord’s manservant to use), a
and perfumes (perhaps £3-5 worth).

Most of the ingots are English and the Mark is based on O

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comfortable chair, chests for storage and an early the Tower Pound – 10/1d (121d) per Mark. A few may
cupboard* cum ‘chest of drawers.’ The floor is covered be based on the Troy Pound – 10/9d (129d) per Mark.
with the usual rush-bundle arrangement, but there is They are stamped by weight, purity and mint mark so it
a large woven straw/rush mat in front of the fireplace is easy to tell which is which.
where the Lord’s chair usually sits.
The Lady’s Bedroom. Larger than the Lord’s (there
*Early medieval cupboards were simply that – shelves is space for the Lady’s two personal servants to sleep
inside an upright boxy structure for displaying really on the floor, one on a truckle bed, one on a paliasse),
expensive items of silverware and crockery. Drawers of but similarly furnished.
any sort didn’t exist (yet). The Lord of Alford has a very
early transitional piece of furniture that is somewhat The Solar. The family’s private living area – with fine
between the two in form and function – two chest-like wood panelling, comfortable chairs and a number of
compartments placed on top of each other but with front tables. The Lady, her older daughters and her serv-
opening doors. The doors have internal box-key locks ants and companions are commonly found in here
for which the Lord has the keys. doing needlework or entertaining themselves during
many of the waking hours while the Lord and the
Inside the ‘upright chest’ he stores his more expensive older male children tend to be present less frequently.
clothing, valuable documents, some personal items of
silver, silver-gilt and even a few of gold (belt buckles, The Lady’s companions sleep on truckle beds here* (the
cloak pins/broaches, belts with silvered or silver-gilt beds are stored under the stairs in the Entry Landing) –
plated metal furniture – perhaps £5-7 worth) and several unless there are relatively few children using the rooms
coffers containing gold and silver coin (approximately
£10 worth) needed for ‘immediate’ use.
and beds on the 2nd Floor, in which case the companions
may have the use of those spaces in part. 105
 The door to the Solar from the Entry Landing has a More space is devoted to foodstuffs and fuel/lighting
box-key lock and only the Lord and his Lady (who has material as this has a dual peacetime and wartime usage
two) normally have the keys, though one of the Lady’s and can therefore defray any nominal costs. Actual
is normally left on the inside of the door at night so military supplies tend to be minimal unless you have
the companions who sleep here (and the Lady, if she sited the Barony in a borderland region (or somewhere
decides not to use a Chamber Pot) can access the else where the threat of violence is elevated) or unless
privies in the Entry Landing area. there has been some warning of possible violence and
the Lord has had time to order in additional supplies.

Access is from the Entry Landing in the family quart- Tower Chapel. This small private chapel is for the
ers of the Manor through a reinforced wood door use of the Lord’s family and the most important
(which can be barred from the inside of the Tower) members of their household – there is only seating
and by the spiral staircase (stone) in the NW corner (two pews, the front with cushions for the Lord, his
which leads to the other levels of the structure. wide and immediate family, and an additional bench
seat) for 8-10 worshippers.
The internal walls (except \around the stairwell, which
are stone) shown are all of wood and, though well and The walls behind and on either side of the altar are
solidly constructed, are designed to have the wall panels covered with hand-sewn embroidered tapestries of the
between the joists removed to open up the internal space story of David and Goliath from the Old Testament
in case of a siege (which, realistically, the Tower isn’t done by the current Lord’s mother some years ago.
strong enough to withstand for long enough to make
such an internal rearrangement a viable option). Father Guibert’s Rooms. Father Guibert has been
granted these rooms as part of his role as the Lord’s
The Hallway. This area contains two separate privy Chaplain and Secretary – the outer room has a script-
chairs for those quartered here to use. orium table for writing and copying next to the win-
dow in the north wall, a workbench with some appar-
The Sexton’s Room. This room, in the SW corner of atus used for concocting herbal and other medicines
the Tower, is used by Father Guibert’s personal serv- in the NE corner and a wide padded bench along the
ant, Alain, who also looks after the care of the chapel south wall (this can serve as a makeshift bed if the
and the preparations for any services to be held there. good Father has a guest who cannot be accommodat-
There is room for a paliasse and some trunks for his ed elsewhere) which he uses as a day bed.
clothes and other possessions.
Behind a curtained opening is his bedroom in the NE
Tower Stores. This long room in the SE of the tower corner of the tower. This has a proper bed (not a four
is used for storage – either non-perishable foodstuffs poster, though) and a number of shelves which are
(usable in a siege or on campaign) or military supplies normally used to hold some of the finished medicin-
(i.e. arrows, crossbow bolts, spears and javelins, pitch, als he has created as well as church records, work he
torches and candles etc.). is doing for the Lord, and some religious materials
(including a complete copy of the New Testament, in
three separate volumes – one [fully illuminated] con-
taining the four Gospels, the other two [in simple,
clear, book-hand with only initial capitals in red ink]
one containing the Pauline Letters [including to the
Hebrews] and the second containing the General
Epistles and Apocalypse of St John).

The illuminated Gospels are worth ~£4. The two other

books are worth ~£2 each. All three books are on parch-
ment, not paper.

On the shelves are some quite expensive/rare medicinals

– these include some Aqua Vitae (~160 proof alcohol,
one 8 oz. Glass Bottle [6 doses] and two Glass Phials [1
dose each] – the alcohol is worth 1/- [12d] per dose [1
ounce], the Bottle is worth 1/- and the Phials are worth
5d each), Balm of Gilead (volatile aromatic form in a
three Glass Phials (each of one dose, each dose worth
10/- [120d]) and Balsam (3 small earthenware Ointment
106 Jars, each containing 2 ounces [12 doses] worth 1/- [12d]
per ounce).
 A
New Manor House – 2nd US 3rd) Floor

L
The wall between the central storage area and the F
O
This is an attic or half-floor. The only areas where one eastern children’s rooms is of brick and is not pierced
can stand fully upright throughout are in the central with any door or other opening.
range, shown in light blue (which indicates the areas
where there is the usual rush-bundle floor covering). Children’s Rooms. The east range of the Manor

The areas along either side slope down towards the

outer edges – it is possible to stand upright right at the
House attic is used for rooms for the Lord’s children
and for the modern luxuries of a private bathroom!
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inner edges (as, for example, when entering or exiting The large western room has space for four wood-
the spiral staircase – but only part of the eastern frame beds, though it may not always have that many
staircase) and one would need to crouch down along occupants (nor that many beds). It can be used as a
the outer edge. nursery for very young children (in which case their
nurse or nanny will sleep in, on a paliasse on the
The area surrounding the half floor, shown in the floor) or for any girls – or for a combination, by
brown tile pattern, is part of the roof (which is also simply curtaining off the two parts.
tiled – or possibly shingled with slate if it is close to a
slate producing area). The eastern room is somewhat smaller but typically
only has 2-3 wood-frame beds and is used by the older M
A
Servant’s Quarters. The west end of the attic is used boys of the family. It also has a door giving access to
as quarters for some of the more important or favour- the adjacent tower level.
ed servants – the Main Room shown (directly off the

N
spiral staircase) has room for a minimum of five The central curtained off area has a separate area
paliasses on the rush-bundle flooring as well as for curtained off to contain a privy chair and, luxury of
chests or trunks containing the occupants’ possess- luxuries, another curtained off area containing a hip
ions, and a small table and some stools. bath for private ablutions (the water needs to be

At the very west end of this area are two small cubicles
for senior household servants – with room enough for
brought up, a bucket at a time, from the fireplace in
the Solar below).
O
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a bed, a trunk, possible some other containers and
shelves, and not much more. They do offer some Unlike the Tower’s first floor, all the internal walls
privacy and do have simple fixed-shackle padlocks so here are of brick as the rooms are intended to be part
offer a modicum of security as well. of the permanent quarters for the Manor’s levies.

Either side of the Servant’s Quarters is used mainly for Access is by the iron reinforced door to the second
additional furniture (extra trestle tables and seats for floor of the Manor House which can be barred from
the Great Hall, additional collapsible wood frame inside the Tower and via the spiral staircase in the
beds for the Guest quarters and the like). NW corner.

The wall between this area and the central range is of Militia Barracks. These two rooms in the NE half of
brick and has one entry – a central doorway, secured the tower are normally empty (even the paliasses are
with a fixed shackle padlock like those supplied for the stored elsewhere, and without bedstraw) these rooms
small cubicles at the other end. can sleep up to 8-10 members of the Fyrd if they have
been summonsed.
Storage. The central range of the attic is used for
additional storage – some foodstuffs and drink, some Stores & Privies. The SE hallway is used to store
for anything that might not be immediately needed additional weapons and expendables (arrows etc) in
elsewhere but for which a future use may be deemed the racks, shelves and baskets arranged here and also
possible. gas two curtained off privy chairs.

Which may be as likely as it is for most things in modern

storage attics! That is, not very!
There is normally little in the way of supplies or
weapons stored here unless there are Fyrdsmen 107
 occupying the barracks (or unless they are expected to more doses of Aqua Vitae, Balm of Gilead and Balsam
do so in the immediate future). The privies, however, (or the raw materials from which they are made) to be
will be in regular use by the permanent occupants of found here – or it may include actual magical potions
the SE rooms. which have some medical connection (Healing Potions
for example).
SE Rooms. Most of the time these are allocated to the
Knight contracted by the Lord as his feudal obligat- When the second Lance (the ones who are allocated
ion for his other Manor and for his Squire and they the private rooms on the 2nd Floor when present) are
will occupy the two private rooms in the SE corner in residence they also tend to use part of this floor for
with the individual wood frame beds and straw/rush private recreation – hence the table and chairs in the
mats on the floor. The two adjacent rooms will norm- NE corner.
ally be allocated to the Mounted Serjeants who com-
prise the remainder of that second manor’s levy. In a siege this would be used as more accommodation
space for the members of the household who have
Of course, the contract Knight and the Mounted retired behind its walls, combatants and noncombatants
Serjeants only use these rooms when the Lord and his both – and some parts might be curtained off to create
retinue are at Alford – and not always then. They may a semblance of privacy.
have remained at the other manor or may be on duty
elsewhere – or have leave to travel on personal business.
Another open level – there may be some food or war
However, in the event that the Tower is ever faced supplies stored here, but probably not much unless
with a serious siege or extended attack, these rooms some trouble is expected. As with the Third Floor, this
are reserved for the Lord, his lady, and their children. would be used to accommodate household members
during a siege.

The Third floor of the tower is the first Tower level

that has no connection to the Manor House – and, The wall walk around the edges is of flagstones
indeed, is above the roof level (barely) on the west though the central roof is tile or slate (to make it
side. Access is, therefore, only via the spiral staircase fireproof). The walls here are crenellated except in the
in the NW corner. NW corner where this is interrupted by the walls of
the watchtower – which contains the spiral staircase
The Laboratory. The floor has had a wooden room that runs from top to bottom.
added in the centre which is used by Father Guibert as
a laboratory for concocting some of the more involved
medicinals he knows how to make – a mix of tools, The spiral staircase is protected at the roof level by a
glassware and other materials which allow him to stone walled room – there is a ladder at the side of
transform herbs and other biologicals as well as some this and the roof is also crenellated and has a wooden
common (and not so common) chemicals. The door to roof (covered with green hides in case of actual siege)
the laboratory has a box-key lock to which only Father where a watch can be kept.
Guibert has the key.
All up, from ground level to roof, the tower is ~60’ (~18½
Some of this borders on Alchemy – and, depending on meters) high (add another ~6’ or ~1.8 meters for the
the campaign and whether Magic exists or not (and crenellations). To the top of the Watchtower add another
what the Church feels about Mages in general and 12’ (~3.7 meters) and another 6’ (1.8 meters) on top of
whether Clerics should be involved in magic or not in that for its crenellations.
specific), may have magical connections as well.

In practical terms this may simply mean that there are

3rd Floor 4th Floor

108 4th Floor 5th Floor

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Twyford – Home Farm Compound M

particularly valuable ransoms of captured Saracen
nobles (cheaper than paying actual money). Edmund
Serjeants and 8 Archers). They are only obligated to
provide 15 days service rather than the normal 30 A
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had enough loot in reserve to pay for many of the days because of the relatively small size of the holding.
improvements which have made the Serjeanty a profit-
able concern. They actually field 1 Mounted Serjeant, 1 Hobelar and
1 Foot Serjeant plus the relevant numbers of Archers and
INHABITANTS
The holder of the Serjeanty is Alfred Calwig (46), who
owes feudal duty as a Mounted Serjeant, usually acc-
Spearmen for the General and Select Levies.

For military purposes members of the Serjeanty’s Select O

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ompanied by his eldest son, Osmond (23) who, though and General Levy normally muster with Alford Manor’s
only obligated to serve as a Foot Serjeant, is equipped forces (except as noted below) and will mostly (but not
and armed as a Hobelar. always) follow the Lord’s orders. On those occasions
when there have been disagreements between the Serj-
His second son, Sherwyn (20), is equipped as a Foot eanty’s commander and that of the Manor’s force, their
Serjeant but is normally provided with a riding horse forces have, instead, mustered themselves under the
when they are called up (making him mounted command of Baron Ithura.
infantry in effect).
That said, the quality of their Select Levy contribution is
Alfred’s wife, Hilda (41) is the sister of Hugh o’Black- so high (Edmund and his descendants have always made
londe (the Reeve and one of the wealthiest freemen on a real commitment to their martial training) that it is
the Manor) and manages the business side of the common for the Count to pay for them to serve addition-
family’s holdings (Alfred is the expert on things to do al days as part of his personal contingent instead of his
with actual agricultural and animal husbandry). less reliable and less well trained levies.

The Calwigs have family connections to most of the They are also often found offering their services as
other Freehold families on the estate as well as the contract mercenaries when the King is raising forces for
surrounding estates. extended campaigning outside his realm (in France,
mostly – though possibly if he goes on Crusade) – most
commonly employed by the Count (who often subcon-
The Serjeanty owes a General Levy of 1 Mounted tracts to the King and takes with him his most reliable
Serjeant, 2 Foot Serjeants, 8 Archers and 16 Spear-
men (or a Select Levy of a 1 Mounted Serjeant, 2 Foot
contractors in such cases) as part of his contribution to
the Royal forces. 109
 THE HOME FARM COMPOUND In the NE corner is an Apple Orchard with (0512-
The Home Farm compound (8; 0310-0313, 0410- 0513, 0612-0613) which is planted around the family
0413, 0510-0513, 0610-0613) is much more exten- Cemetery. Some of the apples are consumed locally,
sive than Alford Manor but includes much more in some sold in Porthaven and some are processed and
the way of buildings for storage and industry than the turned into Apple Cider in the Brewhouse (0411)
Manor compound does – as this is where the Serjeanty which also malts barley or hops to make Ale (for local
makes much of its income, by value adding. consumption) or Beer (for local consumption and for
sale in Porthaven).

This is located at the top of grid 0511 (see map on Remember, Ale goes off fairly quickly, and doesn’t travel
previous page) and is a Wealthy Freeholder’s 1½ Storey as a result – Beer, on the other hand, lasts a lot longer
Four Frame House (#82-83) – the large building over and can easily be sold at the market in Porthaven.
the road leading in to the compound is a combined
Byre and Barn, with room for cattle, sheep and two The Cemetery is on the site of the burial grounds of the
storeys of fodder. last Anglo-Saxon lords of what eventually became Alford
– and the Calwigs are descendants of those (something
There are three large, solidly constructed, cruck-frame that is known to some of the locals, but not widely, and
Granaries (0312) and a Storehouse (0312) in the NW is not something openly discussed amongst them …
corner of the compound, a Livestock Pen (0311) for especially where those who might be in the favour of the
the animals bought for slaughter and processing in current Lord might be listening).
the Slaughterhouse and Leatherworks (0310) where
they salt, smoke, or cure the meat and process the The other smaller buildings around the compound
hides into leather (including the recently developed belong to family members not of the main line (one
and highly prized suede in small amounts). Uncle, two Cousins) and are all similar in design to
the two storey structure shown on this page.
These are two storey cottages with no internal storage or livestock
space – as the large Barns and Granaries of the Home Farm
compound provide all that is needed in that respect.
The ground floor has a well appointed kitchen and a well The archers who are subject to the Select and General
furnished main room with a backed wooden bench designed to act levies are all drawn from Freehold families of the
as a bed at night by placing a paliasse and pillow on it. This is
Serjeanty (that is, there are eight such families) – all of
where there the staircase leading up to the first floor is – and there
is storage space for household items (including additional bedding) whom own or lease between 15-30 acres of farmland
underneath. and who, somewhat unusually, all live close to their
The First Floor has the family’s sleeping and private quarters. actual plots (which are arranged in celtic style fields
The parents have the room nearest the head of the stairs which has rather than open fields – though they still use the three
a double bed, trunks and chests for storage and a workspace. The
field crop rotation cycle.
two rooms at the end of the short corridor are for the children and
may have fewer or more beds than shown. Normally the male
children get the outer of the two and the girls the inner, but this The remaining 24 families (those who provide the 16
family only has boys, so both rooms are set up for them spearmen for the General Levy between them) are
nominally Serfs of varying degrees of wealth, but the
practise of the Calwigs since they first came into
possession of these lands has been to encourage them
to buy their freedom and have made it relatively easy
for them to do just that.

That’s why there’s one quarter of the families on the

estate who are Freeholders – two who actually own their
entire holding, the rest of whom own some land and
lease the rest from the Calwigs.
Twyford – Family/Freeman Cottage
There are no Cottars in the Serjeanty, though the
Serjeanty does hire some of those who live in Alford
from time to time – especially in the lean times over
winter when they are often employed in cutting down
wood from the Serjeanty’s copses

110
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111
 OVERVIEW
Forcythwyru (‘Lonely or Isolated’) Abbey was founded EDUCATION, LIBRARY & SCRIPTORIUM
by monks sent here from the mother house of the The Abbey is especially important in the region be-
Benedictine Order in the early 13th century, but incorp- cause of its large Library (almost 200 titles contained
orated the Chapel, Dormitory, Library, Scriptorium in over 100 separate bound volumes!) and productive
and lands which had long been in the possession of Scriptorium, which can ‘churn’ out around a dozen
the pre-conquest Priory of St Columbanus, established and two dozen books per year, depending on length
in the 8th century and which was almost immediately and how heavily illuminated they are.
suppressed by the Norman Church as being tainted
with heretical Celtic practises. Some of the books copied are for the Abbey’s Library,
but most are done on commission – some for other
The Celtic Church had mostly died out, in public, in the religious bodies, but some for wealthy patrons. The
Anglo-Saxon realm(s) by that late date. In general it was books being formally commissioned tend to be those that
regarded as, if one was feeling kindly, backward and would be rated as ‘luxury’ versions, with varying
riddled with error in its beliefs – or, if one was feeling amounts of (expensive) illuminated illustrations (varying
harsh, ignorant and riddled with out and out heresy from ornate capitals and marginalia through part to full
(perhaps even demonically inspired). page works of art) using varying amounts of expensive
materials.
What were the actual differences between it and the
Roman Church (the following is a very simplistic Some of the Brothers who work in the Scriptorium are
summary) – the more obvious was that they disagreed on more than happy to take on private commissions – for
the date on which Easter should be celebrated, allegedly more workmanlike copies with few or no decorations or
following the Old Testament Laws far too closely rather illuminations other than, perhaps, red letter capitals.
than hewing to the Laws of the New Testament. Like-
wise, there was a tradition in some parts of the British As a result of this the Abbey is also home to an
Isles, for Clerics, even Abbots, to be married men – important Grammar School which typically caters to
completely at odds with the demands by the Roman 40-60 ‘private’ students (about 90% paying and the
Church that even Priests be unmarried and celibate. rest on scholarship) some of whom have taken minor
vows and are, in effect, Monks in training.
What happened to the Abbot and the Monks from before
the dispossession? The records, the public available ones LANDS, PRODUCE & INCOME
(such as they are) at least, are merely state they were The Abbey has a complement of 40 Monks and over
‘cast out in the filth and depravity of their heretical 80 ‘live in’ Lay Brothers and owns lands equivalent to
belief’ … but are otherwise silent. There are, however, no three Knight’s fees in the County – though two of them
records predating the Cistercian takeover in the Abbey’s are in another Barony off map to the east.
Library nor in any of the places around the Barony or
County where one would expect to find such information. The Monks are almost all scions of local or regional
gentry or nobility as, though this is not really part of the
Since then the Abbey has enjoyed a mostly cordial Benedictine Rule, the Abbey ‘expects’ (aka demands)
relationship with the local Duke and the Royal gov- rich gifts in money or property to accept a candidate
ernment and several Abbots have served as ambassad- into their ranks. Only a handful of the Brothers have
ors or envoys on diplomatic missions or have been been chosen (or, more usually, transferred from other
appointed to important administrative or judicial Abbeys) on the basis of merit from the commons …
posts locally or nationally. usually the most brilliant of the scholarship students
educated in the Abbey’s school.

The Lay Brothers do most of the real physical work

needed to run the Abbey but are second class members
– but they are still better off than the Serfs and
nominally freehold tenants of the Abbey’s lands, and
tend to lord it over the locals as a result.

The Abbey’s on map lands include a Vineyard and

Orchards as well as well tended farmland – the major-

112 ity of which belongs to the Abbey’s Demesne rather

than farmed by Serfs under feudal tenure.
 F
The Vineyard produces around 1000 gallons of fairly
good wine each year, mostly reserved for the Abbott, the
Brothers. The orchards support the production of a large
quantity of Perry and Apple Cider – enough for even the
Lay Brothers with a quantity reserved for trade.

On Map lands are 80% Demesne – that is, 80% are O

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directly owned by the Abbey (the Home Farm in effect)
and worked by day labour (Cottars who often don’t
even have a croft, or even a toft for growing vegetables

C
or running a few pigs or goats) for the Abbey rather
than being held under Feudal Tenure.

Feudal land tenure not only included lands in the Com-

mon Fields but also a Toft (enough land for a house and
a vegetable garden) and, usually, a Croft (additional
land for more vegetables, perhaps enough to have a few Y
T
fruit trees and run some pigs, goats or chickens). Serfs
have both, in varying degrees and of varying extent, in
addition to strips in the common fields – Cottars might

H
only have croft and toft and no strips. Very poor Cottars annum in both good years and bad … as the Abbey
may only have a toft – and possibly one with so little simply gouges the residences more in the latter
land attached that they do not even have a significant (heaven forbid that the Monks go without!).
vegetable garden.

The Abbey has used its superior financial and legal

position to strip almost all of the Serfs of their strips and
This is where the bulk of the tenant farmers from the
original land grant live, around 200 people all up, W
Y
convert them, effectively, into Cottars … and the original making it rather large – it probably should be a
Cottars have often had their crofts stripped from them Village, but the Abbots have always refused to allow
and, in some cases, even most of their toft. the locals to build the Church that this status requires

R
… insisting they worship in (and, of course, pay tithes
The remaining 20% of the Abbey’s lands are held by a and other dues to) the Abbey Church (St. Swithun’s).
mixture of increasingly marginalised Serfs, those who
held the largest amount of land before the Abbey was Relations between the people and the Abbey are not at
established (and generally have much reduced holdings
at present), and several Freeholders (in only slightly less
parlous a state) who have been able to hold on in the
face of the active unhelpfulness and downright rapacity
all good (which shouldn’t be at all surprising given what
you’ve read so far!) – the Abbots have always been harsh
administrators who work to squeeze every last farthing
from their tenants and to force freeholders into servile
U
of the Abbots over the last several generations. status, often using usurious lending practises.

A
The Off Map lands are less concentrated in the Only the need to ensure that the villagers have the bare
Abbey’s direct ownership, but only because they have wherewithal to answer a callout of the Feudal Levy has
been acquired recently and the Abbot and Monks prevented their being reduced to absolute penury – on
have had less time to work their financial ‘magic’ on two occasions within living memory requiring the inter-
the Serfs and Freehlolders there … but it is most
definitely a work in progress even there.
vention of the Royal Justices against the Abbots.
B
B
The Abbey also loans money, provides some banking As the Abbey has forcibly transformed Serfs into
services (Bills of Exchange redeemable at other Bene- Cottars they have also forcibly resettled them to locat-
dictine Houses or Priories all over Western Europe) ions more suitable for the Abbey’s purposes – usually

E
with Factors in Porthaven (all despite the Church’s small gatherings of 2-5 houses and 10-30 people scat-
nominal attitudes towards usury). tered around the estate and well away from the cent-
ral settlement of Bidstow.
Their lending practises vary according to how powerful
their ‘client’ is … from the legalistically predatory to
modestly rapacious – it hasn’t added all that land by
being all Christian and charitable.
Those unfortunate enough to have been forcibly reloc-
ated have mostly been stripped of all but a Toft barely
large enough for hovel and a token vegetable garden.
They are entirely at the mercy of the Abbey’s needs for
Y
All up, income from lands, loans and services provide
the Abbey with a surplus income of around £400 per
day labour and live under the most wretched condit-
ions, at most a meal away from real hunger. 113
 There are another 120-150 tenants scattered across Abbey to ‘willingly’ divest itself of much of its additional
the Abbey’s original lands (off map to the east, mostly) lands or, possibly, seize them, as the legal maneuverings
in these smaller settlement areas. used to acquire them without the attached Feudal service
and duties are, at the very least, questionable and very
The other two Knight’s Fees worth of land are off map likely illegal under the Statutes of Mortmain.
and the situation there is not as advanced as in the
original grant, with most of the tenants living in the MILITARY SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
Villages and Hamlets belonging to those estates still, The Abbott holds 3 Knight’s Fees directly from the
Crown and is nominally obligated to field 3 Lances
There is a real temptation to ‘run’ and attempt to escape (each of 1 Knight, 1 Squire and 3 Mounted Serjeants), 5
the iron fist of the Abbots – preferably to a Porthaven or Serjeants (2 Mounted, 3 Foot) and 70 Fyrdsmen (20
some other Town in the region where they will be able Archers, 50 Spearmen).
to gain their freedom if they can evade recapture for a
year and a day. The reality is that the Abbey has used dubious legal
maneuvering and claim they actually only owe the
Though, technically, the Abbots have no legal standing service of one Lance (nominally organised as above,
in Porthaven under the town’s Royal Charter, the Abbey but actually only fielding five Hobelars), 4 Archers and
is notorious for not caring and hiring thugs to kidnap 12 Spearmen for the Select Fyrd and perhaps twice as
runaways – even after they have notionally evaded them many Spearmen for the General Fyrd.
for the year and a day and acquired free status. After
all, who is going to stop them (there are no Police, The Lay Brothers, however, can field the equivalent of
remember? As long as it only happens to Serfs and only four Men-at-arms (with Mail Shirt, Cervelliere Helm,
occasionally, even the Town Corporation probably Shield, Sword and Spear) and 20 Spearmen (with
doesn’t feel any urgent need to act)? Cervelliere Helm, Aketon, Shield, Long Knife and
Spear) while the Monks, often being from noble or
gentry families, can generally field the equivalent of a
There is very little the Serfs and Freeholders on the Lance (Knight, four Mounted Serjeant equivalents)
Abbey’s estates can do to gain relief from these ongoing and five Men-at-Arms (with ¾ Mail but otherwise as for
depredations – the Abbey has money and influence and, the Lay Brothers).
most of all, a corporate existence which can grind them
down over generations, if need be. The Lay Brothers and Monks are only ever available for
defence of the Demesne – or, mostly, for the suppression
Any uprising would either be confined to the Abbey’s of any unrest on the part of their tenants (think of them
lands, and easily suppressed as a result, or, in the as the Abbot’s bully boys). The Abbot will deny the
unlikely event it was part of a wider peasant uprising, Abbey has any requirement to field them even as part of
still suppressed but with more widespread brutality. the General Fyrd, one reason why the Crown will prob-
ably move against the Abbey’s illegal acquisition of
However, it is very likely that the Crown will eventually lands in the near future.
(perhaps even during the campaign time frame) force the

114
THE ABBEY
Benedictine Monasteries were generally laid out on a
similar plan regardless of their location, so the plan
For the purposes of Monastic life, ‘night’ is from some
time after Vespers (~6 pm, ‘when the lamps are lit’, that
is, after around sunset) but before Compline (~9 pm,
F
below (of Beaulieu Abbey in England) can easily stand
in, in this instance, for Forcythwyru Abbey. The main
areas of the Abbey are keyed from A-E and its constit-
‘last prayers before retiring’) to some time after Prime
(~6 am, ‘morning prayers’, though not necessarily sun-
rise) but before Terce (~9 am, ‘mid morning prayers’) … O
R
uent parts are described below. without clocks (or reliable ones) the times obviously
varied with the actual length of the daylight hours
The main structures of the Abbey, as shown below, which varies according to the time of the year.

C
are constructed with stone walls and tiled (either with
relatively local slate or fired terra-cotta)
The Cellar (2), sometimes called the Buttery, does not
AREA A perform exactly the same function in a Monastery as
The southwest range includes the main Entry (1) to
the Monastery – through an impressive stone porch,
double iron-bound oaken doors and into a covered
it does in a private home during the medieval period.

The Cellar/Buttery of a monastery was originally a for Y

T
passageway which leads to Area B through a similar the storage of food and drink – and only sometimes
reinforced door. underground (often merely on the ground floor of a
two/two plus storey structure).

H
The only access to this passage is through the main
doors to the west and east and a door leading into the The Cellar at Forcythwyru is above ground, but on the
Cellar (2). The west and east doors are closed and ground floor of the west range of the Abbey, underneath
locked (and barred from the inside as well) at night. the Lay Brothers’ Dorter.

W
Y
C
R
(9)
U
(7)

A B
A
(2) (13)

(1) (12) (18)

B
(3)
(10) (19)

E
B
(5) (11)

(4)
(8)

E
(14)
(16)
(20)
D
(6)
(21)
(15)

(17) Y
115
 It gradually developed into a place where travellers Accommodation is mostly be space on the floor (covered
could seek food and, eventually, shelter (the latter with rush-bundle flooring, so not uncomfortable) – those
mostly only at larger institutions. without bedding might be provided with a rough blanket
(carefully counted out at night and back in the next
Forcythwyru has developed in this respect by the begin- morning, of course). There would usually be a fireplace,
ning of the 14th century. Before then travellers would though it might not be kept alight all night, except,
often be put up in the Lay Brothers’ Dorter (see below) possibly, in winter – especially if the ‘guests’ couldn’t
and fed with them – and the welcome may have been pay for the fuel.
slightly warmer than it currently is (or not – entirely at
your discretion). The Forcythwyru Cellar has space for two dozen travel-
lers in a reasonable degree of comfort, perhaps twice
The ‘doorway’ from the Entry to the Cellar is actually that many if crowded in … and moderately uncomfort-
a door with a serving hatch, and both are normally ably so if that is the case. Even though this is supposed
kept closed (and locked and barred from the inside). to be charity and part of the reason for the endowment
of the Monks in the first place, the Abbots and Monks
The windows shown on the plan have horn windows, here expect, not so subtly, to be paid for the food and
which allows some yellowish light to enter, but are accommodation they provide – a minimum contribution
heavily barred and have close fitting wooden shutters of 1-2d per person is expected (what you’d normally
for use in inclement weather. pay at a rural monastic hospice, but you’d normally get
much better quarters and food), though in reality they
The main entrance(s) to the Cellar are through two will try to gouge as much as they can and will happily
doors facing onto the porch around the courtyard, accept travellers willing to pay more over those who
one just inside and to the left of the main Entry and cannot afford as much.
the other at the north end of the area, near the side
entrance to the Abbey Church. Note: The Cellar is intended for commoners – and poor
ones at that. Those travelling on foot. Wealthier travel-
Travellers arriving in the evening would be welcomed lers, usually those travelling by horse, are accommodat-
(for some minimal values of ‘welcome’, at least at this ed elsewhere, according to their relative status and how
Abbey) by the Cellarer and, if they can pay, allowed much they can afford to pay.
entry into the inner part of the Abbey and provided
with a ‘free’ ration of food and a place to sleep.
The Cellarer at Forcythwyru is Brother Mark (54) who
is assisted by several Lay Brothers (chosen in rotation)
The food provided will be very basic – often Pottage who do most of the scut work and generally back him
(perhaps with some vegetables, if you’re lucky) or Gruel up, with fists and cudgels, if necessary.
(much more likely, and very watery) and a mug of (very)
weak Ale until towards the end of the period when Brother Mark is a dour individual – perfectly suited for
Bread (probably spread with lard and some salt or the nature of the ‘welcome’ the Abbey is prepared to
pickled vegetables – perhaps a turnip or swede, maybe give those travellers who aren’t wealthy enough to pay
an onion) and a mug of (again, very) weak Beer might … or pay for better accommodation than in the Cellar.
be served. He is of medium height and running to fat over his
former muscle – though he can still fell a recalcitrant or
would be guest with a single blow from his meaty fist
(and, if not, he has a cudgel in his belt)!

To the right (as you pass through the Entry) are the
quarters of the Porter (3), who controls access to the
Abbey interior. His quarters consist of two rooms –
the outer one, the one adjacent to the Entry has a
window and counter at which the Porter sits during
the day, recording the comings and goings of all those
who enter. There are benches and a table for the Lay
Brothers who have been assigned to assist him as well
as some shelving and boxes to contain the Entry
Ledgers he is responsible for.

The Lay Brothers act as runners to carry messages to the

116 Abbot, the Prior or others and can also assist with the
moving of any goods inward to the appropriate storage
 F
area(s). They also double as security, and carry cudgels
stuck through their belts while on duty.

The inner room is the Porter’s private quarters and is

equipped with a fireplace, four poster bed with sever-
al mattresses (and not just bedstraw ones, either), a
table and chairs, a writing desk and writing materials, O
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a trunk for his clothing and a coffer for his personal
valuables.

At night when the Abbey’s doors are closed to the

outside world (see ‘Night & Day, Day & Night’ above)
it is still possible to gain access to the Abbey – the Porter
Food is eaten from wooden trenchers (unless it is
soup, in which case the brothers will have individual
wooden bowls), though they may have thick rye bread
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(which usually means a junior Monk, or even a trusted
Lay Brother rather than the actual Porter) remains on
duty at his window. Travellers who wish to gain access
trenchers on top, at common tables while sitting on
trestle benches – and any conversation is expected to
be kept to a minimum. Food is brought from the Y
T
can either pull a bell-pull or knock loudly and the Night Kitchen on large trays by designated servers (the job
Porter will come to the main doors, open a small window rotates amongst the Lay Brothers in residence).
and query them as to their business.

H
Travellers who are important enough (that is, who have
If they deem it to be of consequence, then entry will be paid enough) to be given a bed in the Lay Brothers’
granted – so, for example, Couriers with messages for Dorter (see below) are also fed here.
the Abbot or Prior or well-to-do travellers with the money
to pay for food and accommodation (and an up front
bribe to whomever answers their call) are likely to be
allowed in. Others will likely be turned away – and, if
There are regularly spaced windows but these are
similar to those in the Cellar, heavily barred, with
‘panes’ of horn and heavy shutters. W
Y
persistent and noisy, the Night Porter may call on his
Lay Brother assistants to set on them with cudgels and
drive them off! Originally first (US 2nd) floor over the Cellar, Porter’s

R
Rooms and the Lay Brothers’ Frater serves as the Lay
Brothers’ Dorter or Dormitory (5). Access is via stairs
The Porter is Brother William (42) who is known by the down into the portico around the Cloister at the
locals (and experienced travellers) to always be in north-east side of the Dorter and stairs down directly
pursuit of ‘gifts’ to ensure his speedy co-operation …
bribes by any other name. The amount he expects
depends on the perceived social status of the supplicant
– he expects ½d for a poor commoner, a penny (1d) or
into the south side of the west end of the Abbey
Church from the north end. There are windows, but,
as with those in the Cellar, they are heavily barred
and have either window ‘panes’ constructed from
U
so for an average traveller up to 1/- (12d) or more for horn (which let in a yellowish light) or have heavy
someone of obvious wealth (though he is careful to not shutters, depending on the time of the year.

A
target the too powerful).
The dormitory consists of a single long room divided
If you want after hours access, these rates double – into six bed sections (three beds a side) by the vaulting
maybe more than double. He’ll happily barter for holding up the roof but otherwise open. The beds are
payment in kind – but will try and get at least double
the value he’d ask for in coin.
simple wood-frame types, either rope strung or with
wooden slats, and supports a bedstraw filled paliasse.
B
B
There is a plain wooden cross and a single shelf above
The Lay Brother’s Frater or Refectory (4) serves good, each bedstead, a trunk at the foot for the Lay Brothers’
hearty, food – but not a lot of meat. If meat is served, clothing and personal possessions, and a two common

E
then it is either pork or the cheapest cuts of mutton table with stools and trestles in the centre between each
or beef. On ‘meatless’ days the Brothers will typically unit of eight beds where the occupants can spend what
be fed Pottages or Stews with fish and vegetables plus little spare time they have in the evening after the
some cheese. evening meal.

Better cuts of beef or mutton are served on special

occasions. The fish served is often stockfish (i.e. air
dried or salt cured cod) but, occasionally, freshwater
There are 10 such sections, so the dormitory has a
nominal capacity of 60 beds – this was more than
enough for the original complement of Lay Brothers,
Y
fish from the Abbey’s fishponds or river – mostly Pike
rather than more expensive species (Trout or Salmon).
but short of what is needed for the current comple-
ment of 80. 117
 As a result, an additional single storey Dorter Annex locked from the inside and only opened at need. Their
(6) was constructed some years ago at the end of the location(s) and the circumstances/times when they are
Frater. This has six three bed dorms on either side of most likely to be in use/open will be detailed in the
a central common area providing an additional 36 relevant sections below.
beds for the increased staffing.

That’s 96 beds for ~80 Lay Brothers – leaving sixteen The Kitchen (8) prepares food for the Lay Brothers
spaces available for other purposes, such as … and the Monks, but, of course, serve different meals to
the two groups (as noted elsewhere). The Kitchen not
only prepares main meals to be served in the middle
Those who can afford better than the very basic (and of the day and in the evening, it also provides bread
overpriced) accommodation available in the Cellar can and a pickle (for the Lay Brothers) or bread and
pay extra and be given a bed in the Lay Brother’s cheese (for the Monks) for ‘breakfast’.
Dorter and meals in the Lay Brother’s Frater (or in the
Monk’s Dorter, for which, see). The Kitchen staff also bake bread in the morning and
send out meals to those of the Lay Brothers (and,
This costs 1½d per person for a bed in the original Dorm occasionally, a few Monks) who are working in the
(10 available) or 2d per person for a bed in the Annex fields (supervising, mostly) or away from the Abbey
(six available), and doesn’t include stabling (that is 1d and the Frater at mid-day mealtimes.
per horse/mule or 2d per warhorse extra). Again, this is
over the mark for what would be provided in a more
charitable institution. The Abbey Kitchen will sell lunches to travellers (those
who have paid to stay overnight) for consumption on the
road – typically they sell Pasties or a Sussex Sausage
The Lane (7) separates the more ‘public’ part of the (see The Marketplace, #176-77), but charge the listed
Abbey from the ‘private’ part mostly reserved for the price, which would normally be what you’d pay in a
Monks. There are three doors through the eastern Town, rather than a rural location or the equivalent
wall, one directly opposite the Entry, one at the north (yes, overpriced again). They’ll sell you a canteen full of
end near the Abbey Church and one at the south end Ale or Beer at city prices as well.
near the Kitchen.
AREA B
Lay Brothers who have duties in the ‘private’ areas
can pass freely between Area A and Areas B, D and E. The Cloister (9) is not what most people think it is – it
Other non-monks are only admitted to these areas if is not the whole area shown, but just the colonnade
they are invited in by the Abbot or the Prior (who will (covered walkway) around the central garth or court-
have been informed of their presence by the Porter) yard. The whole area is actually enclosed, after a
and will be escorted by either a Lay Brother or a Monk. fashion, with tall stone arches along all sides looking
into the Garth – allowing ease of access to the latter
There are other ways of entering the private areas of the and natural light to reach inside the covered area.
Monastery, but these are normally shut and securely
Access to the Cloister is from the Lane (west side); the
Kitchen and Monk’s Frater, Warming House (south
side); stairs to the 1st Floor (US 2nd) of the Monks
Dorter (SE corner); the ground floor of the Monk’s
Dorter, Parlour, Chapter House and Vestry (east side);
and to the Abbey Church (NE corner).

During the warmer spring and summer months you

will often find at least some of the Monks involved in
copying books and manuscripts working at tables set
up in parts of the cloister to take advantage of the
natural light.

Other Monks may be found walking around, praying

or meditating, and some may be found studying,
either individually or in small groups.

There is a small room off the cloister in the NE corner

118 which contains a number of books commonly used by
the copyists and those studying in the area – at least in
 F
summer. There are normally ~50-60 books shelved here
and an assistant to the Librarian on duty to check them
in and out. The door is solid oak and has a key lock (the
key is held by the Librarian at night or the assistant on
duty during the day).
O
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The Garth (10) is the central grassy open space of the
Cloister where the Monks can enjoy the sun (during
warmer weather, at least). There is a large oak tree in is used, the windows are filled with proper glass (in

C
the NE quadrant to provide shade and several the usual diamond square piecework, placed high up
wooden or stone benches stationed around the space. so plenty of light enters but high enough so that
anyone outside would be hard pressed to eavesdrop!)
In some Monasteries there may be laid out formal or even stained glass and the seating for the Monks is
gardens in this space (or in part of it) and there may be
several smaller trees and a fountain. Forcythwyru is
pretty ordinary in this respect – though you could have
equally decorative … the latter is usually spaced
around the walls facing an open central space, and
the seats for the Abbot and Prior are more ornate Y
T
a medicinal herb garden tended by the Abbey’s Infirm- (they are thrones of a sort, after all) and on a raised
arian or Herbalist. dais. The floor is often covered with marble, possibly
even with expensive tile, rather than mere stonework.

The Parlour (11) originally the one public place inside

the Monastery where the Monks could freely speak to
each other in an informal way – they could, of course,
The Forcythwyru Chapter House is just like this. The
last several Abbots have spared no expense in making
this a grand chamber … perhaps even more so than the
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take part bin any discussion or debate which took
place in the Chapter House.
Abbey Church itself. Continental Chapter Houses are
not always as ornate, and often have frescoes on their
walls rather than woodwork – if the walls are decorated W
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Forcythwyru has never hewn to a vow of silence for the at all, which is also less common than in England.
Brothers as a whole, except for a short time after its
(re)founding when a stricter interpretation of the Rule of

R
St Benedict was enforced, some of the more devout have, The Vestry (13) (aka the Sacristy) is used for storing
from time to time, taken such vows as individuals. the vestments used by those performing services in the
Abbey Church as well as those vessels, furnishings
and consumables used in such services.
The Chapter House (12) is where formal meetings of
the Brothers are held – commonly there is at least one
session every day where the whole of the community
(those present) gather to be addressed by the Abbot,
These include the vessels and plate used to perform Holy
Communion, the Altar Candles and other ceremonial
items. In great establishments such as the Abbey Church
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the Prior or other senior leaders of the community. at Forcythwyru these are normally of silver, silver-gilt or
These sessions may be informative, they may be held even gold and worth quite a deal of money. The plate

A
for teaching purposes, or they maybe discussions and other valuables stored here would be conservatively
about some important aspect of the Monastery’s valued at the equivalent of a year’s income for the
administration or theology. Monastery – perhaps £400 worth!

They are the venue for a formal meetings involving more

than just the Brothers – regional or national (even
international) Colloquys (discussions of theology and
At Forcythwyru the Sacristy also contains some of the
more important books needed for services - copies of
the Old and New Testaments, several Missals, Manu- B
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doctrine attempting to resolve disputes) or Church script copies of important Sermons given by past
Councils are often held in the Chapter Houses of Abbots as well as the Abbey Church’s records of
Monasteries (assuming they have the space). Marriages, Christenings and Burials.

They may also be used by the civil authorities to hold

important Court (mostly high level ones, especially if the
King or one of his directly appointed Justices is presid-
Records are only for the local gentry and nobility – the
Freemen and Serfs of the estate are rarely allowed in the
Abbey Church, and ceremonies involving their life stages
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ing) sessions or Parlements (i.e. discussions between the
Crown and its tenants-in-chief)

Befitting such a grand purpose, Chapter Houses tend

are held at St Swithun’s, the last (obvious – it is
rumoured that there may be other parts buried beneath
the current buildings or even hidden elsewhere on the
estate) remnant of the old Priory of St Columbanos (the
Y
to be constructed with many architectural and artistic
flourishes – lots of carved stone, carved wood where it
Celtic Monastery which was dissolved and handed over
to the Benedictines as a result of the Conquest). 119
 The Sacristy also contains a Sacrariuim, a special into the Nave (where the congregation stands/sits for
basin that drains directly into the earth where any left the main services) which runs east to the Quire (aka
over water used in ceremonies (i.e. baptism) or for the ‘Choir’ – the place where the Monks and other Clergy
ritual washing required by those preparing to conduct sit and, sometimes, the Choir as well. This is normally
holy services can be poured so that it doesn’t drain east of the Crossing, but at Forcythwyru it is situated
into a common sewer. to the west).

The Sacristy is the responsibility of Brother Jordan This is where the Crossing separates the North and
(56), the Sacristan, assisted by several younger Brothers South Transepts from the Presbytery (the space
and Lay Brothers. He is responsible not only for the around the Altar). Around the eastern edges of the
security of the valuables but also for ensuring the supply Transepts and all around the semicircular Ambulatory
of the holy oil, wine, bread and other consumables used (the east end of the Church) are Chapels dedicated to
in ceremonies as well as for the setting up of the required a variety of important local and regional donors and
materials in the Abbey Church in advance of such. their families (the ones who made endowments to the
Abbey) and a variety of important Saints (either
The Church Plate is stored in heavy iron chests with regional ones or ones endowed, again, by important
both integral locks and chains with padlocks which are, people – including, rather unsurprisingly, one ded-
furthermore, bolted to the sacristy floor for security. icated to St Benedict, he who wrote the Rule and
Consumables and vestments are kept in locked wooden founded the Benedictine Order).
chests secured with hasp and loop padlocked shut. The
Sacristan, Abbot and Prior all have keys to these chests. The windows at Forcythwyru are all glazed – about half
with regular piecework windows and the rest with
AREA C stained glass showing biblical stories or favoured saints
The Abbey Church of St Edmund the Martyr follows (including one of St Benedict),
an a slightly variant version of the standard layout of
a monastic establishment (aka a Minster in England). AREA D
For details of the layout, a Cathedral in all but name,
see A ‘Typical’ Cathedral (#144-145, OM2) – otherwise, When the Monastery was (re)founded, the Calefactory
for a condensed version, read on … (14) aka the Warming House was, apart from the
Infirmary and (obviously) the Kitchen, one of the few
Minster is an English term. On the continent they are rooms to be heated, holding the Monastery’s com-
Abbey Churches. munal fireplace. The Brothers would retire here when
they had finished their work in the other, unheated,
The main entry is at the west end where, unlike a areas of the Monastery or out in the fields (or when
Parish Church, there is no porch – entry is straight they returned from their travels).

Since that time, successive Abbots at Forcythwyru

have become markedly less strict in interpreting the
Benedictine Rule and, concurrent with the develop-
ment of smoke hoods and proto-chimneys, have grad-
ually installed fireplaces in all of the main spaces in
the inner Monastery. As a result, the Calefactory has
come to be used as a simple Day Room where the
Brothers can read, study or play approved games such
as Chess or the Philosopher’s Game.

Even though, nominally, the rule on ‘silence’ applies

here, it has been increasingly interpreted as meaning
‘quiet conversation only.’

The Monk’s Dorter (15, 16) is a two storey structure

where the Monks have their individual Cells. The
ground (US 1st) floor runs up to the Parlour only, but
the upper (1st/US 2nd) floor runs the whole length of
this wing, over the Parlour and Chapter House.

At the time of the (re)foundation, only the ground floor

120 existed and it was an actual Dorter (an open Dormitory)
rather than individual Cells. Since then the number of
 F
Brothers has increased and the Abbots and the Monks
have become less abnegatory, so individual cells were
retrofitted there and the upper floor was added.

There are 16 Cells on the ground (US 1st) floor and 26

on the 1st (US 2nd) floor – enough for the 40 Brothers
on the books with two extra for guests. O
Not all the Brothers will be in residence – perhaps
10-20% will be off travelling on the business of the R
C
Monastery (carrying letters or documents, visiting other
properties belonging to the Abbey, going to court to deal
with legal matters etc) or for academic purposes (lectur-
ing or teaching at other Monasteries or at Universities blocked). Unfortunately for would be escapees (or those
here or on the continent … or pursuing studies for a
degree or a higher degree at such).
considering it as a way of breaking in secretly), the drop
from the seat to the flowing water below is 5 meters
(~16’) below the seats. Y
T
Of those absent, 1d3+1 are expected to be away for a
long enough period such that possessions they haven’t AREA E
taken with them have been stored and their cells lay

H
empty, possibly available for paying guests to use. The Misericorde (18) is a legalistic way of getting
around the Benedictine Rule regarding the prohibit-
ion of eating the meat of four footed animals – the
As noted above, a number of Monk’s Cells are empty room was, entirely nominally, not part of the Monas-
and will be available for travellers who have the cash to
pay for it but not the required social status to stay and
sup with the Abbot himself. There are always at least 4
tery and, therefore, so the specious reasoning went,
those eating there were not subject to the Rule. The
usual arrangement was for half the Monks present to W
Y
Cells and there may be as many 6 available. eat their meal(s) in the Misericorde while the other
half ate in the Refectory – and change about each day.
Accommodation in one of the Cells costs 3½d, but this

R
includes meals in the Monk’s Frater (but not in the The system didn’t work that simply, and it is likely that
Misericorde – that is, meatless meals only). Stabling is a Monk could eat as many as 2/3rds of his meals in the
extra – 1½d per horse/mule or 3d per warhorse extra. Misericorde – and, at Forcythwyru, that is, indeed, the
case. St. Benedict would undoubtedly be very unhappy.

Attached to the ground floor of the Monk’s Dorter is

the Necessarium (17), also known as the Reredorter –
the latrines. These were unusual for the period –
The meals for the Misericorde are prepared at the
secondary Kitchen (see below) and not the main one –
and only Monks eat here, not even those guests who
U
archaeological evidence from English monasteries have paid for a Monk’s Cell as accommodation.
suggests there may have been a number of individual

A
cubicles equal to the number of Monks at the Monast-
ery, made private by the use of separating screens. The Abbot’s Palace (19) is an all stone, 1½ storey,
structure with a slate roof, recently refurbished and
Presumably the same layout applied on the continent – partly rebuilt with actual fireplaces and new, wider,
especially as there were are larger number of surviving
roman-era towns and buildings to act as exemplars
whereas Roman Britain had been ‘out in the sticks.’
glass paned windows. While it is rather small to be a
‘palace’ it is architecturally rich in stone and wood
carvings and is richly furnished in ways that would B
B
befit a Count or Duke.
Like Roman lavatories, a necessarium had the seats
placed directly over a conduit fed with running water The Ground (US 1st) Floor is laid out differently to a

E
from a nearby stream (part of which may have been ‘standard’ rural church or noble household – there is
deliberately diverted to serve this purpose) providing no need for protected spaces for tithes of livestock or
a continual flow ‘flush’ and the outlet was situated to grain, for example.
ensure that the waste did not contaminate water used
for washing, drinking or cooking.

This is, indeed, the case at Forcythwyru – and the

conduit is wide and tall enough for a man to crawl
The Kitchen (a) and Bakery (b) are set up for prepar-
ing foods and meals not allowed to the ordinary
Brothers as the Rule allows that the Abbot will need
to entertain the gentry and nobility, and acknowledg-
Y
through easily (and this is done occasionally, by the Lay
Brothers, to ensure the channel doesn’t become
es that it would be inappropriate to have them adhere
to the strictness of the ordinary Brothers’ diet. 121
 The Abbot’s Refectory (c) is a ‘refectory’ in name only such meetings are held in the Chapter House) – receiv-
– it is the Abbot’s formal dining room where he and ing local notables on formal and semi-formal occas-
his guests eat meals, if not fit for a king, then certainly ions surrounded by his key advisors (the Prior at least,
fit for a very wealthy noble! He and his honoured and the Treasurer as well as his own Private Secretary
guests sit at the ‘high’ table while important, but less and other senior Brothers as needed).
significant ones sit at the lower table.
He also uses this room when he is sitting in judgement as
On those occasions when there are no important guests the Manorial Court, and has the right of capital punish-
present at the Abbey the Rule allows the Abbot to invite ment, which he never hesitates to use in even the least
a selection of the Brothers to dine with him – this would criminal of criminal cases.
normally include those in senior positions such as the
Prior, Sacristan, Cellarer and Porter, though not all at The floor here is covered in the traditional rush-bundles
the one time (some are required to eat with the regular and may be used by those servants needed in relatively
Brothers in the Refectory to maintain discipline). close proximity to any important guests the Abbot has in
his household.
The floor of the Refectory is covered in terra-cotta tiles
in a chequer-board pattern rather than in the more The Jerusalem Chamber (e) is the Abbot’s private
common rush-bundles and the fireplace has a regular withdrawing room and solar – a comfortable space
chimney … one of the first in the region, added as part where he can enjoy his own company or that of his
of the last refurbishment of the Palace. guests or senior staff members. It is also tiled, but
with a different pattern to that used in the Refectory
Few servants ‘live in’ – and those who do sleep in the and the part nearest the windows is covered with a
Kitchen or the Bakery, at least on this level. The Head cunningly dyed and woven rush mat (no, not a carpet).
Cook and Head Baker are ‘civilian’ hirelings and are
relatively well paid – the rest of the Kitchen and Bakery The ‘secret’ door to the Vestibule is not so much secret
staff are local serfs who are slightly better off than their as it is concealed within the wood paneling which covers
downtrodden brethren in the Hamlet and on the Estate all the walls of the Chamber – and it is only ‘secret’ from
in general. this side.

The Abbot’s Reception Hall (d) has what is in all but The Vestibule (f) is normally occupied by two guards
name the Abbot’s Throne which sits alone on its own drawn from the Lay Brothers, day and night – though
small dais as the only furniture normally found in the at night the two doors leading into this space are
room. Here the Abbot sits in state on formal occasions normally locked and barred and the guards sleep
dealing with visitors (when he deals with the Brothers, here on paliasses.

(a) Kitchen.
(b) Bakery.
(c) Abbot’s Refectory. The Rule allows the Abbot to set (g)
an unrestricted table.
(d) Abbot’s Reception Hall. This is for formal recep-
tions and includes the Abbot’s throne (in all but name).
(e) Jerusalem Chamber. The Abbot’s solar and drawing
room – richly furnished.
(f) Vestibule.
(g) Lady (Private) Chapel. Used for private services,
especially when noble (or wealthy) guests are present.

(f) (c)

(a)

(d)

(e)
(b)

122
 (h)
(m)
(n)
(t) (u) F
O
(l) (s)
(i) (q)
(r)

(j) (k)
(o) (p)
(w)
(v)
R
The Lady Chapel (g) is the Abbot’s private Chapel The Treasury contains not only some of the Abbot’s
C
and is dedicated, of course, to Mary, Mother of God.
The Chapel tends only to be used for the Abbot’s
private prayers unless there are guests present, in
personal valuables, but much of the Monastery’s as
well – Abbots in recent generations haven’t really
differentiated between them. There are chests full of Y
T
which case (especially on Sundays) a formal Mass will coin and bullion in bar or other forms (~£50-150
be held here. depending on the time of year – more just after
harvest, less just before).

H
The floors are of marble and the windows all have
stained glass in them – the ones behind the altar have a The door is of iron reinforced wood and has an box lock
central pane with Mary holding the baby Jesus flanked incorporated in it as well as two separate hasps/loop
by those showing the Kings and the Shepherds attend- and chain fixtures with separate padlocks.
ing her. The ones on the long walls show key events in
Christ’s life. There are also some very valuable books (perhaps
magickal ones if you have such in your campaign) W
Y
Unless in use, the Church Plate is stored in the Abbot’s and documents (deeds, charters, legal documents,
Treasury (k). contracts [especially loan contracts]) as well as some
maps of the local area and, possibly, of the region

R
The First (US 2nd) Floor is split in two parts – the (perhaps showing ‘interesting’ sites not immediately
Abbot’s Suite Quarters (h-m) and Suites (n-q) and the known to the general public – and perhaps hidden in
Guest Suite(s) (s-w) separated by an open space (r) plain sight so that even the Abbot isn’t aware of them).
above the Abbot’s Refectory.

Straight off the spiral stairs from the Ground (US 1st)
Floor you enter the Anteroom (h) which is where the
servant(s) who look after this level can be found
There are also assorted valuables including random
items of jewellery, valuable cloth or clothing, scrolls
(perhaps magickal or otherwise important) and ass-
orted miscellaneous items worth real money. These
U
sleeping at night and, sometimes, during the day. include the Abbot’s Mace, Staff and Sword (which
may or may not be magickal – if they aren’t then they

A
Off the anteroom is the Abbot’s Day Room (i) where he are of such fine workmanship as to do +1 damage).
can have some private time, either alone or with close
friends and advisors. There is a reading desk with, Also stored here is the Abbot’s armour – a full set of
usually, an book from either his personal library (on Partial Plate (with Shield) and Sword (also of the
the bookshelves along the wall to the right) or from
the Monastery’s library here – unless he is (or has
recently been) dealing with personal correspondence
highest quality and +1 to damage) of the highest
quality and, though plainish, with decorative high-
lights in silver and gold (~£30 for the armour, £1 for B
B
and has writing materials at the ready. the Heater Shield).

There is often a Chess set (~£2) set up on the table It is possible that the Abbot’s armour is enchanted or

E
indicated – sometimes mid-game. The Abbot is a mad blessed, if your campaign has such things – in which
keen chess player (though remember the rules of Chess case it is has least +1 protection.
in this era are very different from the modern rules).
The Abbot has an actual separate Bathroom (l) off the
Off the Day Room are the Abbot’s Bedchamber (j) and
Treasury (k). The Bedchamber has a four poster bed
with curtains, a chest for some of the Abbot’s most
important personal possessions and clothing, an
Inner Vestibule and with tub, close stool and toiletries
– but the water has to be heated in the fireplace in the
Staff-Guest Dayroom (q). Y
armchair on a woven reed mat next to the window –
and its own fireplace.
Off the Anteroom is the Inner Vestibule (m) which is
normally empty, but where the servant(s) of the Staff 123
 or those Guests who are being accommodated close to as well). Knights, unless very wealthy, wealthy common-
the Abbot sleep at night – assuming they have any. ers (mere Guildmasters, Merchant Adventurers, City or
Town Councillors and Mayors might be, but only if
The three Private Rooms (n, o, p) and the Staff/Guest there are no nobles competing for the space(s).
Day Room (q) are normally allocated to guests
(wealthy nobles) who are, for some reason, are travel- Accommodation in one of the smaller rooms (o, p, t, u)
ling without a large entourage (and the entourage are costs a minimum of 1/- (12d) per night, which includes
accommodated elsewhere in the Abbey) who are meals at the Abbot’s Table. Servants sleeping in (m, q,
usually allocated Rooms (o, p) and to the Abbot’s or s) cost 3d each, which includes meals in the Abbot’s
personal Chaplain (usually in n, which therefore has Kitchen (normally meatless, or with any leftover meat
more personalisation and additional furniture and from the Abbot’s table). Stabling for horses and mules is
fittings – or as much as is allowed by the small space). 1½d or 3d for a Warhorse.

The two parts of the First (US 2nd) Floor are separated Taking the whole of the suite (s, t, u, v, w) costs 10/-
by a void (r) over the Abbot’s Refectory and is open to (120d) per night but includes meals at the Abbot’s Table
the unlined ceiling – but has decorative hammerhead for 8 people and in the Abbot’s Kitchen for a dozen.
beams supporting it from which hang a variety of
tapestries and banners for decoration. All of these costs are minimums. The Abbot will try to
gouge for more. Always. Of course, he’ll call it ‘donat-
The other side of the First (US 2nd) Floor is more guest ions to support God’s holy work’ or some such.
accommodation – there is a Common Room (s) with
table, chairs, curtained off close stool and a fireplace Finally, there is the Misericorde Kitchen (21) which
immediately off the stairs from the Ground Floor prepares the meat dishes for the Misericorde and also
and, off that space, four individual rooms. There are acts as an overflow Kitchen for the Abbot’s residence,
two smaller rooms (t, u) about the same size as those supplementing his personal Kitchen as needed.
in the Bishop’s quarters and two larger rooms – Room
(v) and Room (w).
It’s not a pretty picture of the Abbot and the Monks
Of the latter two, Room w is the larger and better presented here – most, probably the vast majority, of
appointed – in fact, it is the largest and best appointed Monasteries were nothing near as bad as Forcythwyru.
of all the guest rooms in the Abbot’s residence. Abbot’s varied a bit more, even if the Monasteries they
presided over were more ‘user friendly’ for the simple
This area is arranged so that it can be allocated as a (and obvious) reason that most of them gained their
‘suite’ for a larger party – the two larger rooms for position because they were from the ‘right’ (noble) social
(presumably) the husband and the wife and the two background and saw their role in that light rather than
smaller rooms for their children or principal attendants. in a more ‘christian’ one.
Truckle beds are available to allow other attendants to
sleep in the Common Room while lesser, but still import- And, of course, they presided over often very consider-
ant, servants (those needed to be in close attendance) able landholdings which generated a lot of mostly
will be accommodated in the Reception Hall on the untaxed (even for the low taxing regimes of feudal
ground floor. Europe) income which they were then quite happy to
loan out at usurious rates despite continually reissued
and reemphasised Papal denunciations of Simony and
Only wealthy nobles (no, not mere ‘gentry’ – Barons Usury. If they weren’t quite the ‘prince of the church’
and above) are likely to be accommodated in the (i.e. Bishops and above) they thought they should be,
Abbot’s Palace (yes, he’s not only a miser, he’s a snob they often behaved as if they were (especially in the
Holy Roman Empire where, occasionally, they were
actual Princes as well as being Abbots!).

All a huge temptation – yet relatively few Monasteries

and only slightly more Abbots succumbed too much. But
then, as now, it was a recurring popular trope in what
passed for ‘social media’ (fold takes, minstrel’s songs
and storied etc.).

The Abbot of Forcythwyru is Abbot Denis (42), the

youngest brother of the Duke of Wherever (i.e. the
Duchy in which the Barony of Ithura is located). He
124 very much acts as a rich secular lord rather than a
christian cleric.
ST SWITHUN’S
Situated on the Abbey’s demesne lands, St Swithun’s
was originally the ‘parish’ church of Bidstow before
F
the Benedictines were granted the lands of Forcyth-
wyru Abbey just after the Conquest and, as part of the
subjugation of the Anglo-Saxons and their Church, it O
R
was wrested away from the village.

St Swithun was the Bishop (and patron saint) of

C
Winchester (842-863) and it is not certain what his
connection to such a northerly location may have been is ‘standing room only’ and can squeeze in perhaps
(he was noted for restoring old and building new 80 worshippers. Of course, the locals are so unimpres-
churches, which may be an explanation) – and any sed with the way in which they are treated by the
records which may have explained this were evidently
lost (if they even still existed) when the Benedictines
seized control.
Monks and the way ‘their’ church has been wrested
from them and subverted against them very few
worshippers can be found here even on the High Holy Y
T
days. Which doesn’t matter to the Monastery, as they
The naming of the church after a Saint notable for his gouge more than enough in other tithes and taxes.
feeding of the poor rather than the rich is one of the true

H
ironies of the whole situation – one which has Some of the stones have fragments of latin inscriptions
completely gone over the head(s) of the Abbot and the carved into them – including ‘Leg …’ and ‘Lit … Sax …’
Monks. which suggest that at least some of them were scavenged
from one of the local legionary built Imperial structures
These days it is controlled by the Abbey for the Abbey
and provides little in the way of social services for the
long degraded to hamlet status settlement – it is used
(perhaps a tile works, the presence of which is noted in
some older Anglo-Saxon records held at the Cathedral in
Porthaven) as well as from one of the late Roman W
Y
as a means to further tax the wretched serfs and to ‘Saxon Shore’ fortifications found scattered along this
force those few remaining freeholders into penury coast (part of the system of which Brymclyfu Keep was
and effective serfdom. In short, it (and the priest once part).

R
appointed from amongst the ranks of ordained
Monks) is there more for the money than to save souls. In fact, the church was built on the site of a late Roman
watchtower settlement which allowed communication
The building itself is a late Saxon stone structure with between the coastal forts and the interior – and,
a roof of slate. The nave is 43’6” (13.3m) by 14’6” (4.4
m) wide, the walls are 2’4” (0.7 m) thick and 23’ (7m)
high. The chancel is 10’ (3m) square connected to the
nave by 5’3” (1.6m) wide 15’ (4.6m) arch. The original
unbeknownst to the current ‘owners’ the pre-Norman
monastery had a ‘secret’ crypt beneath the chancel
which was originally a strong-room for the watch-tower
and was later expanded and had a secret crawlway
U
small, round arched, windows (high up in the walls escape passage excavated under their watch which runs
except in the chancel) as shown above right/below left about 100 meters/yards to a still concealed entrance

A
were added to with or expanded into larger, pointed near a local rivulet.
arch, windows in the mid to late 13th century.
Hidden in the Crypt is a reliquary containing the
The Church only has enough space inside for perhaps (alleged) little finger bones of St Swithun – if the Abbot
65 seated worshippers, but only about a quarter of
the available space is taken up with pews and the rest
found out about this he would not hesitate to use it to
further enrich the Monastery.
B
B
There are occasional reports by the appointed ordained
Monk who presides over services that ‘disembodied
voices’ can be heard in the Chancel, especially on High

E
Holy days … but no-one has ever been able to find their
source and, indeed, when other Brothers have been
called in to listen for the ‘spirits’ they have been unable
to confirm these events.

Perhaps the dispossessed Celtic Brothers are still using

the Crypt for their own purposes? Y
125
 THE RULE OF ST BENEDICT who share our faith (‘As we have therefore opportun-
ity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them
“The Cellarer should be someone wise, mature in who are of the household of faith’, Gal 6:10) and to
conduct, temperate, not an excessive eater, not pilgrims.
proud, excitable, offensive, dilatory or wasteful, but
God-fearing, and like a father to the whole com- Once a guest has been announced, the superior
munity. He will take care of everything but will do and the brothers are to meet him with all the
nothing without an order from the Abbot. courtesy of love. First of all, they are to pray
together and thus be united in peace, but prayer
He should not annoy the brothers. If any brother must always precede the kiss of peace because of
happens to make an unreasonable demand of him, the delusions of the devil.
he should not reject him with disdain and cause
him distress, but reasonably and humbly deny the All humility should be shown in addressing a guest
improper request. on arrival or departure – by a bow of the head or
by a complete prostration of the body, Christ is to
Let him keep watch over his own soul, ever mindful be adored because he is indeed welcomed in them.
of that saying of the Apostle: He who serves well
secures a good standing for himself (1 Tim 3:13). After the guests have been received, they should be
invited to pray; then the superior or an appointed
He must show every care and concern for the sick, brother will sit with them. The divine law is read to
children, guests and the poor, knowing for certain the guest for his instruction, and after that every
that he will be held accountable for all of them on kindness is shown to him.
the day of judgment.
The superior may break his fast for the sake of a
He will regard all utensils and goods of the monast- guest, unless it is a day of special fast which cannot
ery as sacred vessels of the altar, aware that nothing be broken. The brothers, however, observe the usu-
is to be neglected. He should not be prone to greed, al fast. The Abbot shall pour water on the hands of
nor be wasteful and extravagant with the goods of the guests and the abbot with the entire community
the monastery, but should do everything with mod- shall wash their feet.
eration and according to the Abbot’s orders.”
After the washing they will recite this verse: ‘God,
we have received your mercy in the midst of your
“All guests who present themselves are to be wel- temple’ (Psalms 47[48]:10).
comed as Christ, for he himself will say: ‘I was a
stranger and you welcomed me’ (Matt 25:35). Proper Great care and concern are to be shown in receiv-
honour must be shown to all, especially to those ing poor people and pilgrims, because in them
more particularly Christ is received; our very awe of
the rich guarantees them special respect.”

Needless to say, most of the (excessive) religiosity is

routinely omitted by the 12th century, if not earlier –
and, even in the best run and most charitable of
Monasteries, the wealthy get preferential treatment.

Note that nowhere does it actually say that a Monas-

tery needs to provide free food and accommodation –
and at Forcythwyru the rule is bent, twisted out of all
recognition and almost completely broken.

“At the door of the monastery place a sensible old

man who knows how to take a message, deliver a
reply and whose age keeps him from roaming
about. He will need a room near the entrance so
that visitors will always find him there to answer
them as anyone knocks, or a poor man calls out.

The Porter should reply “Thanks be to God” or

126 “Your blessing, please” and, then, with all the gentle-
 F
ness that comes from the fear of God, he provides
a prompt answer with the warmth of love. Let the
porter be given one of the younger brothers if he
needs help.”

Until the early 11th century there was no difference O

R
between Monks and Lay Brothers – as the vast
majority of ‘Monks’ were actually laypeople (i.e. not
ordained) who had agreed to abide by whatever

C
Monastic ‘rule’ it operated under. and the brothers may go about their activities
without justifiable grumbling.
However, as western Europe became more settled,
the emphasis on learning grew greater and many From the thirteenth of September to the beginning
more of the inhabitants of any given Monastery
were now likely to be in Holy Orders – and the
differentiation between those who were and who
of Lent, they always take their meal in mid-after-
noon. Finally, from the beginning of Lent to
Easter, they eat towards evening. Y
T
weren’t became a serious issue.
Let Vespers be celebrated early enough so that
The main difference between the two classes was there is no need for a lamp while eating, and that

H
that the Monks were literate and had studied for everything can be finished by daylight. Indeed, at
many years to achieve Holy Orders while the Lay all times let meals be so scheduled that everything
Brothers were either illiterate or simply not educat- can be done by daylight.”
ed enough to make that leap.

The Monks then came to control the Abbey or

Monastery and its lands and possessions doing, at
At all other times of the year only one meal a day is
to be eaten, but the time at which it is to be eaten will
vary according to the season. W
Y
least nominally, the intellectual work of the Order
while the Lay Brothers were the workers and crafts- Of course, the reality was that by the 10th-11th century
men who kept the Abbey or Monastery running on most Monks ate two meals a day, just like the laity –

R
a day to day basis, but who had no control, and but one, usually with meat, in the Misericorde
who occupied a subordinate and inferior position. (which, the justification went, didn’t really count!).

In some Monasteries, there were few or no Lay Broth-

ers as the Abbot or the Monks preferred the hire and
fire power of having paid workers – at Forcythwyru
this is not the case. Here the Abbot has preferred to
ensure a division exists between the Lay Brothers and
“For the daily meals, whether at noon or in mid-
afternoon, it is enough to provide all tables with
two kinds of cooked food so the person who may
not be able to eat one kind of food may partake of
U
the local community so that the Lay Brothers will act the other … and if fruit or fresh vegetables are
as the ‘enforcers’ of the Monastic regime at the estate. available a third dish may also be added.

“From Easter to Pentecost the brothers eat at noon

and take supper in the evening. Beginning with
A pound of bread is enough for a day whether for
only one meal or for both dinner and supper. In the
latter case the cellarer will set aside one third of
A
Pentecost and continuing throughout the summer,
the monks fast until mid-afternoon on Wednesday
and Friday, unless they are working in the fields or
this pound and give it to the brothers at supper.

Should it happen that the work is heavier than B

B
the summer heat is oppressive. On the other days usual the abbot may decide to grant something
they eat dinner at noon. additional, provided it is appropriate and that
overindulgence … for nothing is so inconsistent

E
That is, two meals a day only from Easter to with the life of any Christian as overindulgence.
Pentecost – but this meant eating the same amount of Our Lord says: “Take care that your hearts are not
food as in one regular meal, but split between the two. weighed down with overindulgence” (Luke 21:34).

Indeed, the abbot may decide that they should

continue to eat dinner at noon every day if they
have work in the fields or if the summer heat
remains extreme. Similarly, he should so regulate
Young boys should not receive the same amount as
their elders, but less, since in all matters frugality
is the rule. Let everyone, except the sick who are
very weak, abstain entirely from eating the meat of
Y
and arrange all matters that souls may be saved four-footed animals.”
127
 Of course, from very early on, Monks found ways to there should bless God and not grumble. Above all
get around (and to justify getting around) the rule else we admonish them to refrain from grumbling.”
against eating ‘the meat of four footed animals.’ See
the Misericorde for further details.
The brothers should serve one another … no one
will be excused from kitchen duties unless he is sick
“It is with some uneasiness that we specify the or engaged in important business of the monastery
amount of food and drink for others. However, with for such service increases reward and fosters love.
due regard for the infirmities of the sick, we believe
that a half bottle of wine a day is sufficient … but Let those who are not strong have help so that they
those to whom God gives the strength to abstain may serve without distress and let everyone receive
must know that they will earn their own reward. help as the size of the community or local condit-
ions warrant.
Ale and Beer aren’t mentioned at all. This is partly
because they were usually much lower in alcohol If the community is large, the Cellarer should be
content than their modern equivalents and, therefore, excused … as should those who are engaged in
a lot more would have needed to have been drunk to important business.
achieve drunkeness (they were seen more as we see
soft drinks today, in fact), and partly because the On Saturday the Brother(s) who is/are completing
difficulty of ensuring a pure water supply meant Ale his/their work will do the washing of towels which
and Beer were a safer option than drinking water! the brothers use to wipe their hands and feet. The
utensils required for the kitchen service are to be
The superior will determine when local conditions, washed and returned intact to the Cellarer who in
work or the summer heat indicates the need for a turn issues them to the one beginning his week.
greater amount. He must take great care lest excess
or drunkenness creep in. At Forcythwyru (and, indeed, at most Monasteries)
this rule was soon broken – or, at least, it was claimed
We read that monks should not drink wine at all, that all of the Brothers were engaged in ‘important
but since the monks of our day cannot be convinced business’ and the Lay Brothers, or even hired
of this, let us at least agree to drink moderately and servants, would do the cooking and serving … though
not to the point of excess, for wine makes even wise there would usually be at least one Monk supervising
men go astray (Ecclesiastes 19:2, “Wine and women them (an assistant to the Cellarer, most likely).
will make men of understanding to fall away: and he
that cleaveth to harlots will become impudent.”).
“Let us follow the Prophet’s counsel: ‘I said, I have
Saint Benedict was writing in the first half of the 5th resolved to keep watch over my ways that I may never
century (died AD 547) – nothing had changed about sin with my tongue. I was silent and was humbled,
human nature, even amongst the devout, by the end and I refrained even from good words’ (Psalms
of the 14th century (or, for that matter, even by the 38[39]:2-3).
beginning of the 21st). The more things change, the
more they remain the same! There are times when good words are to be left
unsaid out of esteem for silence. For all the more
Where local circumstances dictate an amount less reason, then, should evil speech be curbed so that
than stipulated or even none at all, those who live punishment for sin may be avoided.

128
Indeed, so important is silence that permission to by the abbot or already existing among them.
speak should seldom be granted even to mature Absolutely nowhere shall age automatically deter-
disciples, no matter how good or holy or con- mine rank. Remember that Samuel and Daniel
structive their talk, because it is written: ‘In a flood were still boys when they judged their elders (1 Sam
of words you will not avoid sin’ (Proverbs 10:19); and 3; Dan 13:44-62).
elsewhere, ‘The tongue holds the key to life and
death’ (Proverbs 18:21). Therefore, apart from those mentioned above
whom the abbot has for some overriding consider-
Speaking and teaching are the master’s task; the ation promoted or for a specific reason demoted,
disciple is to be silent and listen. Therefore, any all the rest should keep to the order of their entry.
requests to a superior should be made with all
humility and respectful submission. For example, someone who came to the monastery
at the second hour of the day must recognize that
We absolutely condemn in all places any vulgarity he is junior to someone who came at the first hour,
and gossip and talk leading to laughter, and we do regardless of age or distinction.
not permit a disciple to engage in words of that
kind.” Boys, however, are to be disciplined in everything
by everyone.”

The monks are to sleep in separate beds and

receive bedding as provided by the abbot, suitable “In the past the appointment of a prior has been
to monastic life. the source of serious contention. Some Priors,
puffed up by the evil spirit of pride and thinking of
If possible, all are to sleep in one place, but should themselves as second abbots, usurp tyrannical
the size of the community preclude this, they will power and foster contention and discord. This
sleep in groups of ten or twenty under the watchful occurs especially in monasteries where the same
care of seniors. A lamp must be kept burning in the bishop and the same abbots appoint both abbot
room until morning. and prior.

They sleep clothed, and girded with belts or cords; It is easy to see what an absurd arrangement this is,
but they should remove their knives, lest they acci- because from the very first moment of his appoint-
dentally cut themselves in their sleep. Thus the ment as prior he is given grounds for pride as his
monks will always be ready to arise without delay thoughts suggest to him that he is exempt from his
when the signal is given; each will hasten to arrive abbot’s authority. “After all, you were made prior by
at the Work of God before the others, yet with all the same men who made the abbot.” This is an open
dignity and decorum. invitation to envy, quarrels, slander, rivalry, fact-
ions and disorders of every kind with the result
The younger brothers should not have their beds that, while abbot and prior pursue conflicting
next to each other, but interspersed among those of policies, their own souls are inevitably endangered
the seniors.

On arising for the Work of God, they will quietly

encourage each other, for the sleepy like to make
excuses.”

“The monks keep their rank in the monastery

according to the date of their entry, the virtue of
their lives, and the decision of the abbot.

The abbot is not to disturb the flock entrusted to

him nor make any unjust arrangements as though
he had the power to do whatever he wished. He
must constantly reflect that he will have to give God
an account of all his decisions and actions.

Therefore, when the monks come for the kiss of

peace and for Communion, when they lead psalms
or stand in choir, they do so in the order decided
129
 by this discord and the monks under them take been squashed (sometimes with extreme prejudice)
sides and so go to their ruin. out of hand.

The responsibility for this evil and dangerous They may be sure that they will receive a generous
situation rests on the heads of those who initiated reward for this, if they do it with pure motives and
such a state of confusion.” zeal for God’s honor. Conversely, they may be
equally sure that to neglect to do so is sinful.”

“In choosing an Abbot, the guiding principle

should always be that the man placed in office be “The reason we have written this rule is that, by
the one selected either by the whole community observing it in monasteries, we can show that we
acting unanimously in the fear of God, or by some have some degree of virtue and the beginnings of
part of the community, no matter how small, which monastic life.
possesses sounder judgment.
But for anyone hastening on to the perfection of
Goodness of life and wisdom in teaching must be monastic life, there are the teachings of the holy
the criteria for choosing the one to be made abbot, Fathers, the observance of which will lead him to
even if he is the last in community rank. the very heights of perfection.

If only! Abbots at Forcythwyru going back at least six What page, what passage of the inspired books of
or seven generations have been chosen for political the Old and New Testaments is not the truest of
reasons from amongst those Brothers who come from guides for human life?
a noble or gentry background – indeed, very few
non-noble or non-gentry Brothers have been admitted What book of the holy catholic Fathers does not
to the Monastery for at least as long … which explains resoundingly summon us along the true way to
everything. reach the Creator?

May God forbid that a whole community should Then, besides the Conferences of the Fathers, their
conspire to elect a man who goes along with its own Institutes and their Lives, there is also the Rule of
evil ways. But if it does, and if the bishop of the our holy father Basil.
diocese or the abbots or Christians in the area
come to know of these evil ways to any extent, they For observant and obedient monks, all these are
must block the success of this wicked conspiracy, nothing less than tools for the cultivation of virtues
and set a worthy steward in charge of God’s house. but as for us, they make us blush for shame at
being so slothful, so unobservant, so negligent.
Certainly not something the local Bishops or other
Abbots have done – and the recent Abbots of Forcyth- Are you hastening toward your heavenly home?
wyru have been so adept at playing ecclesiastical Then with Christ’s help, keep this little rule that we
politics (they have the cash to splash around to buy have written for beginners.
support as well!) that any attempt(s) to do this have
After that, you can set out for the loftier summits of
the teaching and virtues we mentioned above, and
Abbot’s Throne
under God’s protection you will reach them.

Amen.”

130
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131
 OVERVIEW
Porthaven Castle is the seat of the Barons Ithura, and day-to-day use in the Lord’s household). They also cut
specifically of Henry Fitzalan (the fifth of the Fitzalan some rooms for use as cellars for ‘cool’ storage and for
family to hold the Barony as a fief from the Count (of security.
wherever). The original castle was constructed as a
modified motte and bailey design (based on a natural The other towers and the curtain walls sit on the
hillock rather than an artificial motte) near to the remainder of the hillock and have foundations of
town of Porthaven and constructed immediately after varying depths to support their weight – and, for the
the Norman conquest of 1066. Castellan’s Tower to reach down to the underlying
bedrock in two levels of basement and cellar.
This all-wood structure lasted less than 20 years
before the original lords, the de Coucy’s, had a stone The three main buildings inside the curtain wall are
Shell Keep built to replace wooden one and, over the New Residence (a 3½ storey stone structure), where
intervening generations, this has been modified and the Baron, his family and their entourage live when in
added to with stone curtain walls around the circum- residence, the Castle Workshops (Armourer, Black-
ference, creating the Bailey, and stone internal build- smith, Brewer, Carpenter and Mason – though these
ings to make the Castle more comfortable as a resi- are not always in active use) and the Stables (for the
dence (for some limited values of ‘comfortable’). Lord’s more important horses plus room for fodder).

The castle sits on the top of a significant rise in the The three small ‘Cots’ shown are for the use of the more
land about a mile out of the town of Porthaven – the important non-noble staff – the Chief Smith, the Chief
Old Keep was constructed on a rocky outcropping at Carpenter and the Chief Mason.
one corner of that feature, the original builders level-
ling it off and cutting into the rock to expand a small Space for stores and quarters for the garrison and its
spring into a well and divert the runoff into a series of commanders are in the various Towers shown.
cisterns for use in the event of a siege (as well as for

Old Keep
PORTHAVEN CASTLE
Castellan’s Tower
Curtain Wall

Scale = 50’

New Residence

The Retreat

Stables and Stores Castle Workshops

Cots
Gatehouse

Curtain Wall

132 DeCoucy Tower

East Tower
 C
A
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THE NEW RESIDENCE
New Residence – Ground Floor
Beer and Ale are brewed in the Castle Workshops and
T
The original residence was the Old Keep which was
eventually replaced by a half-timbered two storey
Residence and, when this burnt down a couple of
brought over to the New Residence as needed. Wine is
stored in a locked section of the Castellan’s Tower (the
key held by the Butler of the New Residence) and also L
E
generations ago, the New Residence was built to only brought over as needed.
replace it … butting up against the north curtain wall
of the recently expanded Bailey. Bakery. The New Residence has a large enough likely
guest capacity to support an oven for baking bread,
The New Residence is a 3½ storey building, solidly pies and pastries. Unlike the Kitchen a fair bit of the
stone built and incorporates some of the latest in necessary flour (mostly wheaten, but some barley) is
medieval creature comforts (for some very limited actually stored here.
and totally relative values of ‘creature comforts’) –
including fireplaces with early type chimneys, tiled
floors in some areas, some indoor conveniences in the
As is normal, the staff mostly sleep on paliasses on the
rush-bundle floor covering, either here or in the Bakery. P
O
residential areas as well as a private garden area for
the Lord’s family. Between the Kitchen/Bakery area and the Great Hall
is a cross-corridor to conceal the comings and goings
THE GROUND (US 1ST) FLOOR

R
of the servants. At the north end of the cross corridor
There are three main entries – the reinforced door to are stairs to the guest rooms and the staff quarters
the Kitchen and Bakery on the east side, the reinforc- upstairs (1st-2nd/2nd-3rd US and Attic floors).
ed double doors to the Great Hall at its east end and
a reinforced wood door leading from/to The Retreat,
the private garden at the west end of the building.
The Great Hall. The central range of the ground floor
is devoted to the Great Hall which is used for large
scale events and common meals for the Lord’s T
H
There are also a row of windows (with shutters) along entourage. The High Table is situated at the western
the length of the Great Hall and the Private Dining end and there is room for at least four trestle tables
Room 5’ high, 4’ wide, rise to a pointed arch at the top which can accommodate at least 64 diners (plus the

A
and are filled with pieced together diamond glass four at the High Table).
panes (which, of course, don’t open), three in each
(two side by side, one in the arch) which could be Except for the dais on which the High Table is situat-
broken open (noisily, probably). ed, the floor of the room is covered, as is common, in

This level is ~15’ high, floor to ceiling, and the Great

Hall and Private Dining Room are wood paneled –
bundles of rushes – on which most of the non-Kitch-
en/Bakehouse staff sleep (as well as guests of the
lowest status when room on the floors above is fully V
E
the former with simple and the latter with more occupied). The dais is covered in terracotta tiles and
complex embellishments. woven rush matting.

N
The Ground Floor is divided into three parts, the Between the Great Hall and the Private Dining Room
Kitchen and Bakery at the east end, Great Hall in the is a cross-corridor to allow the guests at the latter
centre and Private Dining Room at the west end. more privacy and to conceal the spiral stairs in the
NW corner of the building which give access to the
Kitchen. Plenty of food preparation space and a Lord’s family’s quarters upstairs.
large fireplace with hooks and chains to hold cauld-
rons and rotisserie mechanisms. Food is largely stored The Private Dining Room. A private dining room for
elsewhere (for meat and perishables, in the ground the Lord and his special guests – the room has a
floor level of the Castellan’s Tower; for everything else,
in the ground floor level of the Old Keep).
terra-cotta tiled floor, curtained glass windows (with a
view into The Retreat through those in the south wall 133
 – these are standard fitted-diamond glass windows the reed-bundle floor coverings and have minimal other
and cannot be opened) and wall tapestries, the small- furniture (a wicker basket or chest, most likely).
er ones have been done by the ladies of the household
(of previous generations – there’s a lot of work in To the south of the eastern entry room (above) is
them) and depicting summer garden scenes while the another small room which may be occupied by a third
larger ones are (expensive) Flemish imports adult son or a third younger son (or sons) or close
relative (probably acting as a Page to the family).
The one on the west wall showing St George slaying the
Dragon (rather like the cover of Orbis Mundi2 in fact) Any or all of the above three rooms might have wider
while the one on the east wall shows Count Roland than normal beds and sleep two male children or young
blowing his horn at Roncesvalles, showing the chivalric adults in each – though for young adults, if there are
[and completely inaccurate] heroic version of his last that many present it would be more likely that they
stand there against the Muslims) – these have been would be given a private or semi-private room in the Old
bought over several generations (the one showing Keep or one of the Towers.
Roland is the most recent purchase, only eight years old)
and tend to accompany the Baron when he and his The Boy’s Common/Nursery. This large room is
family travel between the Castle Residence and his used by any and all of the boys and young adult males
Townhouse in Porthaven proper (which is how the St present for relaxation – their sleeping rooms are too
George tapestry survived the fire that burnt down the old small for anything much else except sleeping and
residence – it was hanging in Porthaven at the time). dressing. If there are younger boys they may be quart-
ered here, sleeping on truckle beds or paliasses (very
THE 1ST (US 2ND) FLOOR young babies, those still sleeping in cribs or cradles,
Access from the Ground (US 1st) Floor is via the spiral will still sleep in the Girl’s Common/Nursery.
stairs in the NW corner (which lead up to the 2nd/US
3rd floor as well) and the dual staircases (both down The Boy’s and quarters are deliberately situated to be
to the Ground/US 1st and up to the 2nd/US 3rd floors) between the entrance (the Spiral Stairs) and the Girl’s
in the guest quarters in the east range. rooms – for additional security. The beds in here are not
four-posters, they are standard wood frame beds –
The two parts of the floor have no connecting doors and though the posts will be somewhat elaborately turned
are separated by a 2’ thick stone wall (not shown to and the frames equally elaborately carved on surfaces
scale on the map below). which are likely to be visible.

Entry to Family Quarters. The spiral staircase ends The Lavatoria (Piscina). These two small rooms, both
in a small landing with two wooden doors – one to the with white marble floors and drains, are one of the
south and one to the east, both leading to 10’ square several ‘luxury’ features of the Residence – they have
rooms. If there are at least two adult (~13-14 years of Close Stools (concealing Chamber Pots which still
age or older) male children present then these two need to be emptied into one of the cesspools under-
rooms will be occupied by them – meaning their neath the Bailey by one of the servants, as and when
presence adds another layer of protection for the needed) and Hip Baths and small fireplaces where
interior rooms, especially for the women’s quarters. water can be heated for quick washing and shaving
(for the older boys) and to fill up the tubs, jug by jug
If there are no sons (or very close younger relatives – (the piping allows them to be emptied by the simple
cousins or nephews) old enough to be impromptu guards expedient of tipping them over on their side or end).
then these rooms will usually be occupied by (lightly
armed) servants who would otherwise have been allocat- ‘Lavatorium’ in its original, medieval sense – that is, as
ed floor space to sleep on in the other rooms – and, if a room where one washes up or bathes. Not the modern
this is the case, they will usually sleep on a paliasse on euphemism ‘bathroom’ = ‘toilet’ (and not always includ-

134 New Residence – 1st (US 2nd) Floor

 P
ing a bath). Hence ‘Piscina’ as an alternative – also
meaning a place where one bathes.

The Close Stools, as mentioned elsewhere (OM2/The

Marketplace) are boxes with a lid concealing a seat over
a chamber pot in a compartment in the chair’s base –
sometimes (later) called ‘the necessary.’ O
The western one is accessible only from the Boy’s
Common Room and the eastern one only from the Girl’s R
T
Common Room.

The Girl’s Common/Nursery. This room serves the

same purpose as the one in the boy’s section of the Alternate Family Room Plan
family quarters, but is much smaller – after all, every-
H
The Boy’s and Girl’s, as shown on the previous page, have been
one knows that girls need less space than boys since updated with a recently popular innovation – private or semi-
private spaces for sleeping. It is possible (probable, indeed) that
they are more passive (Medieval people being sexist? such an out of the way Barony’s residence, even its main one,

A
Who’d have thought!). might, instead, still hew to the older ‘open plan’ setting as shown in
the alternative plan above.
Access is only through the Boy’s rooms/Common Room This older arrangement does have the advantage of allowing more
beds to be squeezed into the same space.

V
or through the parent’s rooms (the Lord’s, then the
Robing Room, then the Lady’s) for security. personally write letters or keep a secret diary (assum-
ing he is reasonably literate) and where his wife can
The Girl’s Bedrooms. These two small rooms serve as primp and preen with perfumes, cosmetics etc. This
bedrooms – and might sleep one girl in each or, if
there are more than two who are old enough to not
sleep in the Nursery, they might sleep two to a bed.
is also where they bathe (though the bath may be
stored elsewhere), water heated in the fireplace.
E
N
Unfortunately, there are no drains here and the bath
Their big advantage over the bedrooms in the boy’s area has to be drained almost as laboriously as it is filled –
is that they have more privacy since they are not also a one jug or bucket at a time taken to dump down the
passageway to other rooms off them. The beds here are drains in the Lavatoria in the children’s rooms. Or it can
similar to those in the Boy’s rooms (i.e. wood frame be thrown out the windows onto The Retreat below.
rather than four posters)
Unlike almost all of the other windows in The Resi-
The Lord’s Bedroom. The Lord’s private bedroom –
very large, with plenty of space which is, even when
the Lord (and his peripatetic furniture) is present,
dence, the windows in this room are actually hinged to
open (they sit in a wrought-iron frame) – another of the
unusual luxuries found in the private quarters. C
A
much emptier than would be expected in the modern
equivalent. Apart from the four poster bed, a padded Also found here are shelves on which a small number
armchair, the sideboard, a chest and several trunks it of books and scrolls belonging to the Lord and his

S
is basically empty. Lady can be found – the Lord has a collection of
scrolls containing copies of all the Heraldic devices of
There is a curtained off Close Stool in the NW corner – his vassals and of the Barons of the surrounding
and the door from the room to the north (often where Baronies and all of their vassals with descriptions of
one of the family’s older sons sleep, if present) can be
locked and, in a pinch, barred from the inside, though
it isn’t of reinforced construction or materials and could
each and an assessment of the strength each can
count on in the case of the Select or General Levies
being called. T
L
be battered down in no more than a few minutes at need.
He also has a number of basic maps of the Barony
When in residence the Baron will have a locked coffer in (rather like the Strip Maps (see overleaf) provided

E
one of the chests containing personal jewellery (Signet earlier in this book) … professionally drawn by a
and other rings, Cloak Brooches, gold and silver Chains, Monk from Forcythwyru Abbey about 30 years ago
Buckles and the like) worth £10-15 and coin or bullion and updated in the hand of the Baron’s father and,
to the value £10-25. Unless he is present in the room and indeed, in the Baron’s own hand.
asleep he will have most of the jewellery and a large
chunk of the money on his person. Baron Ithura (the current one as well as his Grandfather
and Great-Grandfather) have a well deserved reputation
The Private Robing Room. This room is used by the as military men and have made a lot of money by
Lord and his lady wife for dressing and other things.
The Lord has a private desk here where he can
contracting to supply soldiers for the various domestic
and foreign campaigns undertaken by the King over the 135
 THE BARON’S STRIP MAPS
Did ‘strip maps’ exist in medieval times and, if they
did, what did they look like?

The answer to the first question is, yes, they most

definitely did exist, though few examples have sur-
vived (of course, as noted in OM2 and The Market-
place few examples of any medieval maps have
survived!). As for what they looked like, the illustrat-
ions on this page show portions of one of the most
famous (and best preserved) – the itinerary of the
pilgrim route from England to the Holy Land
written and drawn by Matthew of Paris (c. 1200 to
1259) as part of his Chronica Majora (a history of
the world from the Creation to 1253).

Matthew’s surname (or nickname – it isn’t certain generally understood graphic typology or key –
which it is) is misleading – he was, indeed, fluent in perhaps not, we simply don’t know) showing im-
French (and Latin, of course), but he most definitely portant features. For some of the more important
was not French, but English born. The reason for the stopping points there might also be named feat-
surname seems, most probably, to have been either ures, some connected to simple graphics, some
because he did some of his further education at the simply written beneath the graphic showing the
University of Paris (which explains his fluent French) town or city and sometimes written in the mar-
or, possibly, that this was his family name (there was gins.Very little detail and extremely limited infor-
a contemporary Paris family in Cambrigeshire). mation is provided.

As you can see, the map is extremely basic – it only The illustration on the bottom left shows a page from
shows major towns or cities connected by straight his itinerary – the leftmost strip shows the route from
lines with only general indication of distance London to Dover and over the Channel into Norm-
between them (or simply the name of the road andy (France) … and the next two strips continue the
which connected them) a vague relative indication route by land, the middle section runs through Paris
of their size and some attempt (perhaps based on a and the third runs to Lyon, crossing the Rhone and
Saone rivers.

The illustration on the top right shows a different

page with a more detailed (but still extremely limited)
depiction of London – including the names of some
of the key features such as Crupelgate (‘Cripplegate’),
Bishopsgate, Billingesgate (‘Billingsgate’), La Tur
(‘The Tower of London’ aka ‘The White Tower’) and
Lambeth (Palace) amongst others.

What do the Baron’s strip maps look like – they are

a mix of these two styles, but, as noted, include
more detailed notes in the personal hand of the
current Baron, his father and his grandfather.

Of course, since all three of those gentlemen actually

had fairly intimate knowledge of all the places on the
map, these additional notes are more of an aide
memoir rather than a detailed exposition. For exam-
ple, it might have a note to the effect that the current
Lord of such and such a Manor is extremely touchy
about his relationship with the Count due to a legal
dispute but not have any indication of exactly what
the nature of the dispute may be!

136
 P
HATH ANY LOVED YOU WELL And, doubtless, many a passionate hue
Hath any loved you well, down there, Hath made that place more fair,
Summer or winter through? Making some passionate part of you

O
Down there, have you found any fair Faithless to me down there.
Laid in the grave with you?
Is death's long kiss a richer kiss – Marie de France (1160-1215)

R
Than mine was wont to be
Or have you gone to some far bliss I SYNG OF A MAYDEN
And quite forgotten me? I syng of a mayden
þat is makeles,

T
What soft enamoring of sleep Kyng of alle kynges
Hath you in some soft way? To here sone che ches.
What charmed death holdeth you with deep

H
Strange lure by night and day? I sing of a maiden
A little space below the grass, That is matchless,
Out of the sun and shade; King of all kings

A
But worlds away from me, alas, For her son she chose.
Down there where you are laid?
He came also stylle
My bright hair’s waved and wasted gold, þer his moder was

V
What is it now to thee As dew in Aprylle,
Whether the rose-red life I hold þat fallyt on þe gras.
Or white death holdeth me?

E
Down there you love the grave's own green, He came as still
And evermore you rave Where his mother was
Of some sweet seraph you have seen As dew in April

N
Or dreamt of in the grave. That falls on the grass.

There you shall lie as you have lain, He cam also stylle
Though in the world above, To his moderes bowr
Another life you live again, As dew in Aprille,
Loving again your love: þat fallyt on þe flour.
Is it not sweet beneath the palm?

C
Is not the warm day rife He came as still
With some long mystic golden calm To his mother’s bower
Better than love and life? As dew in April

A
That falls on the flower.
The broad quaint odorous leaves like hands
Weaving the fair day through, He cam also stylle
Weave sleep no burnished bird withstands, þer his moder lay

S
While death weaves sleep for you; As dew in Aprille,
And many a strange rich breathing sound þat fallyt on þe spray.
Ravishes morn and noon:

T
And in that place you must have found He came as still
Death a delicious swoon. Where his mother lay
As dew in April

L
Hold me no longer for a word That falls on the spray.
I used to say or sing:
Ah, long ago you must have heard Moder & mayden
So many a sweeter thing: Was neuer non but che –

E
For rich earth must have reached your heart, Wel may swych a lady
And turned the faith to flowers; Godes moder be.
And warm wind stolen, part by part,
Your soul through faithless hours. Mother and maiden
There was never, ever one but she;
And many a soft seed must have won Well may such a lady
Soil of some yielding thought, God's mother be.
To bring a bloom up to the sun
That else had ne’er been brought; – Unknown Troubadour (before AD 1400) 137
 last 75 years or so … and have also taken small forces on ~6d to 1/- (6-12d) per page and there are around sixty
Crusade or to the Holy Land as contractors to the songs each of 1-6 pages (averaging ~2 pages).
Templars and/or Hospitalers.
The Lady’s Bedroom. The Lady’s private bedroom –
As such, it behooves him to have as much up-to-date only accessible from the Girl’s Common/Nursery or the
information as possible about the military capabilities of Robing Room – and as sparsely furnished as that of
his local Barons – as possible threats, of course, but her husband, though much of the furniture is more
more importantly as potential sources of reliable soldiers ornately decorated (also part of her dowry).
of a known quality for his contract force. Knowing the
layout of the local lands and the best travel routes is also When in residence Baroness Ithura’s jewellery and some
important for much the same reason. cash money will be found in a small locked coffer kept
in one of the small chests (also kept locked) in her room.
His lady wife has a collection of Ballads (two exam- Silver and gold jewellery, some with polished gems,
ples on previous page), many written out in her own worth £20-30 and coin worth £5-10 are notionally to be
hand, others written out for her and from a variety of found inside … but, of course, unless the Baroness is
sources (including wandering Troubadours and the actually physically present in the room and also asleep
like). Most are in Norman French, but a selection are she’ll likely be wearing a lot of that jewellery and
in English (most of these are in the local dialect carrying some of that money).
rather than what will, many centuries from now,
become ‘received pronunciation’ [aka ‘BBC English’]). The east range of the 1st (US 2nd) floor is occupied by
accommodation for members of the Lord’s entourage
Sadly, as noted elsewhere, the earliest record of ‘Green- who are more than common servants.
sleeves’ dates to the late 16th century. Perhaps they
include Sumer is icumen in – certainly they include Common Room. The stairs from the Ground Floor
Hath any loved you well and I Syng of a Mayden (see empty into a moderately sized open area which norm-
opposite). ally has two tables and a small number of chairs. This
is not so much an area for entertainment or eating
She also has a Book of Hours (heavily illuminated) as major meals (the occupants of these rooms would
well as those parts of Hildegarde of Bingen’s famous normally use the Great Hall or the outdoors for that)
Causae et Curae treatise on practical medicine which but for more mundane uses – having a quiet (or not
relate to pregnancy, childbirth and ‘women’s prob- so quiet) game of cards or dice after everyone else has
lems’ – both inherited from her mother. retired for the night, having a snack or drink (norm-
ally from one’s own supplies) likewise, sitting down to
The Book of Hours is worth ~£2/10/- (600d) and the dress/undress or put on bits and bobs of armour for
Causae et Curae ~£1/10/- (360d). The Songs are worth which assistance is needed (eg arming doublets), work-
ing on simple maintenance of one’s weapons, armour
and other gear etc.

Those who have just come in from the cold outdoors can
warm themselves before the fire – which is lit 24/7
whenever the Lord’s entourage is in residence (otherwise
they might have to wait for a fire to be lit).

Dormitories. These four large rooms have space for

paliasses on the floor and can sleep 5-6 in a degree of
comfort or double that if everyone is crammed in.

Space here is given to those members of the Lord’s

entourage who are nominally armed men – they are
upper servants who have a military background (prob-
ably having served as members of the Select Levy in the
past, if not currently) but who are not part of the Lord’s
bodyguard.

They will normally be rated as Foot Serjeants equip-

ment wise, and have some a Helm, Mail Shirt (perhaps
¾ Mail) and Round Shield plus a Sword, Light Axe
and/or Dagger – other weaponry such as Javelins or
138 Spears will be issued from the Lord’s stocks as needed.
While their weapons will be stored with them or handily
New Residence – 2nd (US 3rd) Floor

P
O
R
available at all times (even when travelling) their armour The second small suite is normally empty and can be
T
(other than an Arming Doublet) may not be and may be
stored in the Stables or packed away in chests or trunks
elsewhere rather than in these rooms.
allocated to a guest.

The Jakes. Even the staff enjoy modern conveniences H

A
– a separate room with three Close Stools. The floor
Even though they are armed and potentially armoured here is of flagstones and is not covered with rush
they are household staff first and foremost. They will bundles which makes it easier to sluice down.

V
defend the lord and the household in general from
casual violence or banditry but don’t stand in line of The Lavatorium. Even more luxury! This room has
battle under any but emergency circumstances. When two hip-baths and the piping needed to allow them to
the Baron goes on campaign those who accompany him be emptied out by pouring the contents down rather
will be found guarding his pack train or camp.

Small Cubicles. These three small rooms are allocat-

than taking it away a bucket or jug at a time. Unlike
the baths in the family’s quarters, however, these
need to be filled with water brought in from the E
N
ed to even more senior servants, those of gentle (or fireplace in the Common Room as there is no fireplace
burgher) status – usually only the Master of the Stables in the room – which also means it can get rather cold
(who is in charge of purchasing, training and caring in the winter!
for all the Lord’s war, riding and pack animals) who
is rated as a Mounted Serjeant. The other two rooms THE 2ND (US 3RD) FLOOR
are normally empty and can be allocated to guests of As with the 1st/2nd floor, this is divided into two parts
similar status – and can sleep 1-2 people. which have no direct connection – the west range is

The beds are simple wood-frame models. The Master of

the Stables, like the staff accommodated in the Dormit-
still the private family area and the east still for staff
and guests.
C
A
ory rooms, will always have his Arming Doublet, Sword, Solar. This is the largest room in the family quarters
Light Axe or Dagger with him at all times, but the rest of and functions as a modern Living Room. It has the
his armour might be somewhere else in a trunk. two largest (8’ wide) windows in the entire building

S
(designed to maximise the sun’s light and warmth
Small Suites. These consist of two small rooms, one within the room), though they are of an arched design
for sleeping and one for a ‘day room.’ When the in four 21” wide sections with a six inch mullion
Lord’s entourage is present one of the two is occupied (stone separator) filled with standard diamond shap-
by his Serjeant at Arms (a Mounted Serjeant) who is
responsible for the security of the household, not of
the Lord’s person and who normally uses the NE suite.
ed pieces held together by leading, all under a gothic
tracery at the point of the arch (the illustration
overleaf shows a similar, three section wide, window). T
The Serjeant at Arms is in charge of the armed
household staff who provide ‘civilian’ levels of ‘policing’
They don’t open, of course. And it needs to repeated –
the glass is not a single sheet as would be the case in a L
E
– mainly when the Lord is on the road and has to camp modern window … it is pieced together from smaller,
overnight, though also if he stays at an Inn or travels diamond shaped, pieces. Also note that while the glass is
outside the Barony and has to rely on hospitality (at a ‘clear’ it is indifferently transparent – there are imper-
fellow-noble’s Manor or a Monastery, for example) in a fections, physical and optical, in some or all of the
place where he has no existing garrison or deploying his individual panes which mean that viewing things
personal guards would be too confronting. through such a window is less than perfect.

When the Baron’s in Porthaven, the Castle Garrison is The floor is covered in rush bundles, as is normal, but
responsible for the castle and he is responsible only for
the New Residence.
has woven reed/straw mats placed strategically over it
(in a much wealthier household – one belonging to a 139
 THE BARON’S LIBRARY Yvain saves the Lion
There are ~30 books in the Baron’s Library, six are
moderately or expensively illuminated while the
rest are workmanlike copies in Book Hand with
only red letter capitals at the beginning of each new
paragraph for decoration.

Armoria Nova (‘New Armorial’). An illustrated

treatise on Anglo-Norman Heraldry and heraldic
rules which also includes painted depictions of
~300 Shields belonging to Knights and other
Nobles from the Counties/Shires around the Bar- authors added in an attempt to ‘complete’ the story
ony (wherever you have placed it) – many of which … another 3000 lines have been added. This copy
have marginal notes about the status of the family has a many smaller marginal illustrations rather
or of variations on the basic coats of arms used by than full or part page ones. Weight: ~12½ lbs.
collateral and cadet branches. Weight: ~15 lbs. Value: ~£6/10/- (1560d).
Value: ~£5 (1200 d).
Würzburger Fechtbuch (‘Würzburger Manual of
Arte della Spada (‘Art of the Sword’). A treatise on Arms’). A treatise on Sword and Buckler combat by
the use of the Sword in one hand (that is, without a a retired Knight, Luitger of Franconia, who became
Buckler) with additional material on Unarmed a Monk and wrote the manual in the last quarter of
Grappling and Offensive and Defensive use of the the 13th century. Heavily illustrated, the treatise is
Dagger or Short Sword. Written in Italian but with in Latin and, interestingly, some of the combat
marginal notes in several hands in Latin, French moves are shown with a female student. Weight:
and English explaining the moves. Weight: ~5 lbs. ~2½ lbs. Value: ~£2/18/4 (700d).
Value: ~£2 (480d).
Yvain ou le Chevalier au Lion (‘Yvain, Knight of
Liechtenauer Fechtbuch (‘Liechtenauer Manual the Lion’). Also by Chrétien de Troyes (last half of
of Arms’). A treatise on fencing (or something like the 12th century). A chivalric romance in 6800 lines
it) with the Longsword by a German fencing master and with several full page illustrations of chivalric
of international renown (c. 1389 in its earliest action and romance. Weight: ~8 lbs. Value:
known form, but probably based on an earlier ~£4/15/- (1140d).
version as Liechtenauer was active from c. 1350-60)
– translated into either English or French from the La Chanson de Roland (‘The Song of Roland’). By
original German and heavily illustrated. Weight: Turoldus (and other hands, 1040-1115), written in
~10 lb. Value: ~£3/15/- (900d). Norman French and about 4000 lines in length.
This is the epic of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass and
Perceval ou le Conte du Graal (‘Percival, the Story the death of Roland, nephew of Charlemagne, and
of the Grail’). The epic poem by Chrétien de Troyes leader of the Carolingian army’s rearguard against
(last half of the 12th century). A chivalric romance the advancing Muslims. Weight: 2½ lbs. Value:
of ~9000 lines, sadly left incomplete probably due ~£3/15/- (900d)
to the author’s untimely death. As with many
medieval copies, this one has added lines by later Roman de la Rose (‘The Romance of the Rose’)
The classic treatise (in the form of an allegory) on
The Death of Roland
the art of courtly love – widely read, and equally
widely condemned. Possibly the most read book in
Europe. This particular copy only includes only the
first 4058 lines (by Guillaume de Loris, c. 1230) not
the later additions. Weight: ~2½ lbs. Value:
£2/18/4 (700d).

The Perceval and the Grail and Yvain and the Lion
belonged to the Baron’s grandmother while the
Roman de la Rose is part of his wife’s dower. The
New Armorial was commissioned by his great-grand-
father and was added to and updated by his father.

140
De Arithmetica (‘On Arithmetic’). By Boethius, this
is the standard text on mathematics for those study-
ing the Quadrivium. Weight: ~2 lbs. Value: ~£1/10/-
P
(360d).

The Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Also O

R
includes ‘The Acts of the Apostles.’ Weight: ~3 lbs.
Value: ~£1/16/8d (440d).

T
De Grammatica Latina (‘On Latin Grammar’). By
an anonymous Monk – a standard latin grammar
suitable for those wishing to study the Trivium.
Weight: ~4 lbs. Value: ~£1/12/6 (390d).

De Re Militari (‘On Military Matters’). by Flavius

Vegetius Renatus. Highly regarded late Roman mil- H
A
itary miscellany. Weight: ~6 lbs. Value: £2/6/3
(555d).

V
Psalter (Book of Psalms). This is unusual in that it
only includes the Book of Psalms with none of the
additional religious material that it would norm-
ally. Even more unusual, it is written in Norman A heavily illuminated page from St Augustine’s

E
French rather than Latin. Weight: ~1 lb. Value: De Civitate Dei
£2/3/- (512d). two volumes, one of 370 leaves and the other of 388
(very large books).

N
The book was commissioned by the Baroness’s father
as a wedding gift. Copyist £31/5/- (74500d)
Parchment £11/5/- (2854d)
Vita Mea (‘My Life’) by William Fitzalan, subtitled, Gold Leaf (6 Initial letters) £1/10/- (360d)
‘Beeing an Akount of My Crusaide.’ Written by the Other Capitals (Red & Blue) £3/6/- (792d)
current Baron’s grandfather recounting his travels, Hiring of the Exemplar copy £4 (960d)
deeds and those events he witnessed. Includes some Repairs & Binding £3/12/- (884d)
useful descriptions of routes to and from the Holy
Land as well of some of the Towns and Cities
visited. Weight: 1½ lbs. Value: ???
Total Cost £54/18/- (13176d)
C
A
A sheet of vellum weighed in at 240-260 gsm (65-67
May also include ‘secrets’ … rumours of treasure or of lb) and the book in question had 27 x 40 cm leaves,
where legendary beasts may be found or, more mun- so each weighed ~28g. For 758 leaves that’s 21 kilos

S
danely, where trade opportunities possibly not known (~46¾ lbs) for the two books – medieval books were
to the wider world can be found. not lightweights. Oh, and the weights do not include
the weight of any binding! With heavy leather,
THE COST OF ORDERING A BOOK metal fittings and wood binding boards you could
There are often notes (colophons) at the end of
medieval books which give commercial informat-
ion about the book. One such surviving colophon
easily add another 10-15 pounds, perhaps more.

Of course, the two books in question were very large T

L
from 1374/75 gives the costs involved in creating in terms of both page count and leaf size – though
there were books that were larger in both areas,
though they were so expensive they were only found

E
in the libraries of the wealthiest Monasteries,
Cathedral Churches or Nobles.

The books in the Baron’s Library are much less

expensive – even the illuminated ones.

141
 Chief Tenant or Royal, for example – these might made and the uneven weighting and shape of these dice
even be actual woven carpets). influencing the probability of a given roll was always
there (and, of course, dishonestly weighted dice were
The Baron and his family, which means him, his wife, always a problem).
their older (adult) children (and possibly those not
adult but no longer relegated to the Nursery) and his Library. The Baron has quite a collection of Books
wife’s ladies in waiting and favoured relatives or very (see the two previous pages for some of the titles held),
close friends might be found here entertaining them- Scrolls (for most of the period these will mostly still be
selves with convivial conversation, parlour games*, actual scrolls – by the end of the period they may be
music and singing and even dancing. collections of loose sheets, or sheets tied together in
bundles by size or material and, occasionally, by
The ancestor of modern Playing Cards are only certain- general topic), Maps and other written material,
ly attested in western Europe from the last half of the including copies of letters written (and the originals
14th century, certainly no earlier than 1365 and only received), diaries, Deeds and Contracts and much
widely known from 1377. All of these were hand paint- more – and most of them are stored here. There are
ed and normally special order only. The first printed also the facilities and materials needed for any
Playing Cards (using woodblock printing) don’t appear scribal work.
until the second decade of the 15th century and don’t
become dominant until the middle of that century. Parlour. This is exclusively for the Baroness, her
attendants and any female guests she might have
Chess was known, but the pieces and rules were quite when they wish to conduct ‘women’s business’ apart
different until ~1200 and did not come close to the from the rest of the family and guests. Often the space
modern style of rules until the last quarter of the 15th is used for when they wish to do the limited range of
century. For example, the Queen was not yet the most domestic activities that gently born women are
powerful piece, Castling did not exist as a move, Pawns expected (and allowed) to do when the menfolk are
only moved one space even for their initial move and doing ‘men’s business’ in the Solar (or, more likely,
either white or black could move first. retiring to the Library).

Backgammon (aka ‘Jeux de tables’ or ‘Game of Tables’) Needlework, embroidery, tapestry work – perhaps some
was widely popular, increasingly so from its first app- spinning of wool into thread and weaving of thread into
earance in western Europe in the 11th century … though cloth very early on.
it may not have reached (or simply become popular) in
Scandinavia. THE ATTIC
This level has a wall down dividing off the area above
Dice games were also popular – but dice were hand- the family quarters in the west range of the building
from the staff and guest quarters in the east range for
security.

The eastern range is a large open area used for a mix

of storage (often additional furniture and bedding)
but some of the servants sleep here on paliasses –
usually those who are somewhat more senior than
those who are expected to sleep on the floor in the
Kitchen or Great Hall as well as those attending those
guests who have cubicles or small suites downstairs.

The western range is similar – mostly storage and

mostly open. However, it can have some rooms divid-
ed off if the family has too many children to fit into
the Boy’s and Girl’s quarters on the 1st (US 2nd) floor
– or such additional spaces can be used for elderly or
impecunious relatives as a ‘grace and favour’
arrangement.

142
THE OLD KEEP
P
Ground Floor

This was the first stone built Castle Porthaven, a Shell

Keep replacing the original wooden motte-and-bailey
structure. The Keep has six regularly accessible inter-
nal floors and a roof and is ~80’ (~24½ metres) high
from ground to roof with the battlements being an- O
R
other 8’ (~2.46 metres) to the top of the merlons and
4’6” (~1.39 metres) to the top of the crenels.

T
In addition to the easily accessible floors, there is a large
cistern underneath the basement which holds the Tow-
er’s water supply.

Access to the Ground Floor is through iron-reinforced

double doors in the SE quadrant, spiral staircases in H
A
the NW and SW corners of the tower and a trapdoor
in the ceiling of the SW room.

V
Before the castle was expanded into its modern form presence as medieval style Ale goes off very quickly, in
access was only via the spiral staircases and the trap- a matter of a few weeks at most.
door – the main entrance was originally via stairs up to
the 1st (US 2nd) floor level and a drawbridge across to the Beer lasts a lot longer than Ale (usually 4-6 months with
main door.

These days the main double doors are kept open

the tech available) so there will be somewhat more stored.

The room directly ahead of the entry is used mainly E

N
during the daylight hours when the Baron is in for dry good (cereal grains by the sack, mainly), but
residence as the basement is used to store provisions some with dried beans or other herbs (vegetables).
(along with the ground floor of the Castellan’s Tower)
that are used by the Kitchens in the New Residence. The long room in the NW corner is used for storing
crates, mainly baskets and boxes (and barrels, though
One of the castle’s full-time staff is always on duty at the not shown) but also some items hung from racks
entrance (the job rotates) when the doors are open and suspended from the ceiling – dried, pickled, salted
sleeps in the entry cubicle at night, though this is more
a long established routine rather than a specific security
measure.
and smoked fish, meat and vegetables.

There is also a trapdoor in the floor (as shown, but these C

A
days usually with containers of food on top of it) which
If the Baron is not in residence, then the doors are is one of two points of access to the cisterns below – but
kept closed, barred from the inside (there is no lock) the one most commonly used for maintenance access. It

S
and opened only at need by the permanent staff – opens alongside a substantial stone pillar (one of many
usually only when shipments of food and drink are forming the support for the keep proper) which has iron
arriving in advance of the Baron’s expected return. rungs stapled into its side but there is also a ladder
stored in the room in case one of the rungs has come
To the left of the main entry vestibule is a large room
used as a Buttery – storage for the Ale, Beer and Wine
consumed by the household.
loose (something which has happened in the past) as
well as ropes and pulleys to allow materials to be
lowered down into the cistern when needed. T
How full it is and what its contents are depends on the
period – there will always be some wine and ale there,
In the SW corner is the Well Room – where the Keep’s
water supply held in the cistern below is accessed and L
E
but beer only becomes common late in the 14th century. where additional barrels of preserved foods are stored.

Wine stocks will be highest when the last year’s harvest The ‘well’ is a raised circular wall around waist height
arrives as new vintage in the second quarter of the year with a frame for a pulley and rope to allow buckets to
– and will be lowest towards the end of the first quarter be dropped down into the cistern below. The cistern can
as medieval wine storage tech wasn’t airtight and the be accessed through this opening – and there are iron
wine went ‘off’ rapidly. rungs stapled to the west wall of the cistern to allow this.
The rope and pulley mechanism is also dual purposed
Ale stocks will be highest just before the Baron’s
entourage is expected and will remain high during their
and can be used to raise and lower work materials into
or from the cistern. 143
 When the Baron’s entourage is in residence and the Second Floor
Keep more fully occupied than normal there is usually
at least a couple of servants down here drawing water
for the kitchens and those who have been quartered in
the Keep rather than the New Residence. At other times,
when there is only a skeleton staff present, there is much
less likelihood of finding servants down here.

The two rooms in the middle of the western half of the

ground floor are almost always used for additional
food storage and can be found full of boxes, baskets,
barrels and sacks of assorted foodstuffs. However,
they can be used (and have been, in the past) as cells
for prisoners and a guardroom – which is how they
are presented.

This is why they have iron-grill ‘doors’ and secure locks.

Though, unless they are actually being used as cells
these doors are normally kept open and unlocked.

Wall Slits: These are ventilation slits though they pro- similar to those on the Ground Floor – they are not
vide minimal light. They slope upwards from the outside arrow slits. Those only appear on the upper levels.
to the inside and are only 6” wide and can be sealed
from the inside. They are not arrow slits. The SW corner room is the Kitchen which, these days,
is only fully utilised when the Baron’s entourage is in
residence and the Keep is used for overflow accommo-
Access to the 1st floor is via the spiral staircases in the dation for those who won’t be dining in the Great Hall
NE, NW and SW corners as well as via trapdoors in at the New Residence. The rest of the time there is only
the floor and ceiling of the Kitchen. a couple of staff here cooking for the small permanent
garrison who are quartered here full time.
This was the original entry level for the Shell Keep – the
main door entered into the room in the SE corner (one There are trapdoors in the floor and ceiling here. The
of the reasons why there isn’t a spiral staircase there), one in the floor is to allow large items to be hoisted up
along the south wall. from the ground floor and the one in the ceiling is to
allow the same to be done for the 2nd floor.
Note: The spiral staircase in the SW corner only leads
down to the Ground Floor. If you want to go up to The SE room is used for immediate ready-to-use food
higher floors you need to use the NE and NW staircases. and drink for the Kitchen and is often only partly full
unless the Baron is in residence.
Also note that the slits in the walls are ventilation slits
The two rooms in the middle range are used by the
First Floor ordinary soldiers who form the core of the full time
garrison of the castle and the long cross-room in the
north is normally empty unless the Baron is in resi-
dence when it will be partly or fully occupied by his
personal guardsmen.

This floor is at the level of the wall walks and there

are heavily reinforced doors in the eastern and south-
ern walls providing access (these were, of course, not
present in the original stand-alone shell keep design,
they’re later additions.

They can be barred from the inside but also have

internal box locks so they can ‘just’ be locked and so
allow access ‘on demand.’

144 In addition to the above, access to the 2nd floor is via

the spiral staircases in the NE and NW corners as well
 P
as trapdoors in the floor and ceiling of the southern
Third Floor
part of the Great Hall (these are offset so that the one
down to the Kitchen isn’t directly below the one up to
the 3rd floor.

The slits shown in the wall are arrow slits – about 12”
wide on the outside widening to 5’ on the inside, O
R
arranged so an archer can stand there and see a wide
arc outside as he moves from side to side yet only leave
a narrow target for fire from the outside.

There are only three rooms on this level – the Guard

room is in the SE corner and has four wide wooden
forms which can be used as seating during the day
T
but are wide enough to have paliasses placed on them
at night to convert them into something between a
‘proper’ bed and sleeping on the rush-bundle floor H
A
coverings … a well regarded innovation in the opinion
of the regular guards. There can be up to four of these
‘day beds’ found here – only 1-2 when the Baron is the CO and his wife (or possibly, a quickly erected thin

V
away or 3-4 when he is in residence. wood-lath walled off cubicle for the CO and his wife
(with two beds, curtained off) and a third cubicle for any
In addition, there are two cubicles with thin wooden daughters. Any sons will typically sleep on truckle beds
lath walls and curtain covered doorways which are when the trestle table is rolled away.
used by the Lieutenant and Sergeant of the Guard
when the Baron is in residence and by the Sergeant
and his Corporal when he is not in residence.
Edward is nominally Sir Edward, but is only a house
Knight – that is, he has little or no lands himself and E
N
relies mostly on the income from his position as the
The Lieutenant is only present when the Baron is – as garrison commander for the castle. He can reasonably
he is an officer of the Baron’s personal guards. The expect a corrody (pension) from the Lord when he is
Sergeant may be one of those guardsmen or one of the deemed to old for his duties – and will have some
regular garrison. The other guards tend to be those from savings, probably some investments (perhaps some
the regular garrison. rental properties in Porthaven) if he isn’t a spendthrift.

The large room on the western side of this floor was

the original Great Hall of the Keep and still serves a
similar purpose. The Garrison commander and, when
As a result is armed only as a Poor Knight, possibly only
as a Mounted Serjeant (the main difference being the
number of additional horses they have). His sons, being C
A
the Baron is absent, the Castellan, will attend meals of age and trained for war, are equipped with even older
here sitting at the High Table – the regular guards- armour and weapons and only with riding horses, so
men, the journeymen and artificers from the Castle only count as Hobilars.

S
Workshops and the stablehands eat at the low table.
When the Baron and his entourage is present then the
guards, journeymen and stablehands eat on the 1st Access is via the spiral staircases in the NW and NE
floor while those guests quartered here in the Old corners and a trapdoor in the floor of the priest’s
Keep are fed here.

Most food is brought up the NW staircase, but larger

room at the back of the Chapel.

The slits in the external walls on this level are also arrow T
L
items which might be difficult to bring up the narrow slits as described above.
spiral staircase are hoisted up in baskets through the
hatchway at the south end of the room. This was the Baron’s personal quarters when the Old

E
Keep was the Castle and includes the family’s private
The third room, the one in the NE corner, is normally chapel. The family rooms are mostly empty as most of
allocated to the garrison CO and his family. As depict- the furniture travelled with the Baron and, of course,
ed it is curtained off into three cubicles for the Cap- is found in the New Residence these days.
tain, Edward de Lacy (48) and his two sons, Guy (26)
and Norman (22). The furniture still here is older stuff that is no longer
fashionable (or is not in tip-top condition) and is mostly
Edward is a widower – if he was married then the space stacked away and not assembled. The furnishings
would be arranged differently, probably with two larger
curtained off cubicles with enclosed four poster beds for
shown on the floor plan are typical of what the rooms
would have been like ‘back in the day.’ 145
 The NE corner room was originally fitted out as the When the family is not in residence the Chapel is some-
family’s private dining area – the table and chairs are times used by the Garrison Chaplain and members of
still here, stacked against the wall. the castle garrison and staff, those who do not feel the
need to attend a church in Porthaven.
The next room to the south is the family’s private
withdrawing area – where they could gather together The Priests cubicle at the rear of the Chapel is not
for private time and entertainments. This is where the normally used by the family’s Private Chaplain any
Baroness and her ladies could embroider, spin and more, he rooms in the New Residence, but it can be
weave, depending on the time period, and the child- used by the Garrison’s Chaplain – if someone has been
ren could play (quietly) or do their lessons. appointed to such a post.

The room off to the west would have been used by the Whether there is or not is entirely at the GM’s discretion
male children, the older ones, and any overflow – it is a much less prestigious position than the family’s
would have been on to day beds in the withdrawing Private Chaplain and not as vital now that literacy is
room adjacent. more common and a direct administrative use is no
longer a requirement (though the Chaplain often does
The SE corner room was the Baron’s and would have dual duty as a clerk for the Seneschal).
doubled as his private study. The room to the west is
the Baroness’s and might also have a crib (or cribs) On those occasions when the Baron is playing host to
for very young children … and the room to the north an important guest – perhaps his superior, the Duke,
is for the older girls of the family. or another high ranking noble who outranks him as
well, he may feel that he can give these quarters to
The large room to running along most of the western that noble, or to elements of their party who cannot
side of the tower is the Private Chapel and the small be accommodated in the New Residence.
room at the south end was originally the family’s
Chaplain’s quarters. Such guests supplement or replace the limited furnish-
ings remaining with their own furnishings – unless, for
The Chapel is the only part of this floor that is still in some unusual reason, they are travelling without and
regular use and furnished as shown – while the family entourage and/or with limited baggage and servants
mostly has a private Mass said for them in their Solar in (uncommon, but not completely unprecedented).
the New Residence, sometimes they feel the need for
something more public, or simply wish to invite the Or, in the case of very important nobles, the Baron
attendance of those who they do not wish to accept into may even surrender his quarters in the New Residence
their private rooms – and so they have a Mass here. to them and move himself and his family back here.

Easter, Christmas and other important Holy Days are In the latter case the Baron will move most of his furnish-
likely candidates for such ceremonies (unless they ings here, or, at least, those which he can fit into the
decide, as they often do, to go to the Cathedral in much smaller space available. The rest may be left in the
Porthaven to ‘be seen’ – and occasionally they will do rooms in the New Residence, stored in the Attic there,
both a Mass here and a Mass in at the Cathedral). or even stored in the Ground Floor spaces of the Keep
(or split between the three).
Fourth Floor

Access is via the spiral staircases in the NE and NW

corners. The openings in the external walls are arrow
slits as described above.

Originally this floor was used for a mix of servant

accommodation and storage. These days it has been
divided into three open areas (along the north side,
with the hexagonal table; along the west side, empty;
and along the south side, with the oblong table) which
can be used as additional storage space or as addit-
ional accommodation space if a particularly large
number of guests are at the Castle for whatever reason.

There are railings and hooks along the ceiling placed to

allow some areas to be curtained off for privacy – so it
146 would be possible to use the space for ordinary servants,
who require (or get) no such thing or for guests of means
 P
who cannot be accommodated in the New Residence or Fifth Floor
any of the private or semi-private spaces on this floor
(read on for details).

When this is not the case (most of the time) these spaces
are used for indoor training by the garrison or the
Lord’s personal guardsmen … or even by the Lord, his O
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sons, and their guests on occasion.

The remainder of the floor has been divided up into

T
a number of private and semi-private rooms. The
single room to the south of the NE staircase is the
second largest private space, and is normally allocat-
ed to a single person – though that may include that
personage and their wife.

The three central rooms are normally allocated to two H

A
individuals, but could, in a pinch, be allocated to a
husband and wife.
If the area has ‘suddenly’ come under some major threat

V
The third area is a suite of two rooms entered from then there will have been attempts to increase the
the southern open area – an outer room which can amount of weaponry and ammunition stored here, the
serve as an office and private entertaining area and actual increase depending on how severe the threat has
an inner bedroom. been judged to be by the Baron and how long a lead

All of these rooms have minimal furnishings and are

sometimes allocated to guests important enough to
time he has had to prepare.
E
N
warrant hospitality when the Lord is not in residence, The battlements are 8’ (~2.46 metres) to the top of the
but not important enough to warrant accommodation in merlons and 4’6” (~1.39 metres) to the top of the
the New Residence. crenels and there is a 12’ wide stone walkway around
the corners of the tower. The rest of the roof area is
protected by a slate and lead covered reinforced wood
Access is via the spiral staircases in the NE and NW roof structure.
corners. The openings in the external walls are arrow
slits as described above.

This floor is the castle’s main Armoury – there are

There is no watch normally kept on the top of the tower
– or not regularly, anyway. The castle guard will usual-
ly make up to two or three visits per day as part of their C
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barrels containing arrows and/or bowstaves spaced regular sentry-go, but unless there is some more pressing
around the walls, racks of spears and other weapons, reason to keep a full-time watch, they don’t.
tables with shields and bits and bobs of armour,

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including some complete suits of older style mail That said, the smoke from the coastal watchfire system
carefully stored in oiled sheepskin to prevent rust. can be seen from ground level quite easily during the
day, as can the fire from the same at night … but it
Or, at least, it was. Now the floor’s racks, barrels and would be unusual for such messages to not be expected
tables are mostly empty – well, unless you’ve placed
Castle Porthaven in a region that is under threat (on a
hostile or potentially hostile border – or during a war
in a time of heightened uncertainty and danger.
T
L
where the enemy is likely to conduct seaborne raids), Accessed from the Ground Floor of the Keep, this is
that is. There are still some weapons and some armour partly hand-cut into the bedrock on which the Keep
here, but not nearly as much, and what there is is not is built and partly a natural depression. It is fed by a

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the latest or the best maintained. reliable permanent spring which was one of the
reasons the original Motte and Bailey castle was built
How much equipment? Assuming the region has been here in the first place.
peaceful for a reasonably long time, perhaps enough
melee weapons for 40-60 infantry (mainly spears), older There is a system of overflow pipes which allow the
style shields and simple metal (Cervelliere) skullcap type spring to continue to flow downhill to the Hamlet below
helms for half that number, 20-30 spare Bowstaves, ~80 the Castle, but these no more than 6” wide. There may
Sheaves (@24 arrows per Sheaf or ~1920, total) of be other access, perhaps a secret escape tunnel which
arrows plus several sets of older Mail (most Mail Shirts,
but at least one set of ¾ Mail).
may or may not be known to the current occupants – at
your discretion. 147
 THE CASTELLAN’S TOWER
The largest (and oldest) of the additional, new, towers,
the Castellan’s Tower has four internal floors and a
roof and is ~50’ (~15.4 metres) high from ground to
the roof with the battlements being another 8’ (~2.46
metres) to the top of the merlons and 4’6” (~1.39
metres) to the top of the crenels.

Access is via the spiral staircase in the NW quadrant

of the Tower and the reinforced wood and iron door
in the SW quadrant. There are no arrow slits on this
level, only ventilation slits which are too small to
show in this scale.
The NE quadrant is divided into two lockable ‘cells’
All of the spaces on this level are used for food storage for storing drinks – ale (and, later, beer) in the larger
– normally foodstuffs intended for consumption by one and wine in the smaller (both these have iron grid
the Baron’s household under normal circumstances ‘cell’ doors which are normally kept locked – and, in
rather than during a siege. a pinch, could be emptied out and used as cells).

The quadrant inside the SW entry door is for dry

goods (cereal grains, flour, dried or smoked vegetables There are, as noted elsewhere, two basement levels
and herbs etc.) in sacks, baskets and barrels. The SE under the Castellan’s Tower – both are accessed via the
quadrant is used for storing cured, salted, smoked spiral staircase in the NW quadrant from the Ground
and dried meats in barrels, boxes or hung from hooks. Level and are identical in size to the Ground Level, but
with no internal walls (at present – there’s no reason
The NW quadrant is used for foodstuffs for the Castel- why such couldn’t be retrofitted), just a large open space.
lan’s personal use (his kitchen is directly above) plus
some siege supplies (Hardtack and Stockfish). The first Basement level (B1) is used for storing siege
supplies – lots of Hardtack, Double Baked Bread,
The Castellan is expected to dine in his own quarters Stockfish, Salt Fish, Salt Beef and even hard grain
when the Baron is elsewhere – unless guests important Wheat (a relative rarity in Medieval Europe – stored
enough to warrant accommodation and dining in the here as it lasts longer in storage). The stocks are enough
New Residence in the Baron’s absence are present, in for 3 months for the normal ‘wartime’ garrison – that,
which case it is his duty to entertain/eat with them. the Lord’s entourage, household knights/men-at-arms
When the Baron is in residence he will normally eat in and the regular garrison (~200 people all up, of which
the Great Hall, often at the High Table – certainly very ~50-75 are combatants capable of actively defending
close to it, depending on how important any guests are the walls).
(generally speaking, the Castellan rates as a Knight).
It is expected that any civilians from the Hamlet below
Ground Floor the castle and other nearby villages will, if they seek
shelter within the Castle’s walls, have brought their own
rations with them … they cannot expect to be fed from
the siege stocks unless they are capable of manning the
walls and, then, rations will only be given to those
actually manning them, not their families (whereas
those in the normal entourage will be fed from siege
stocks regardless).

It is unlikely that the castle would actually be able to

withstand a serious siege of three months – realistically
not more than several weeks to a month unless the
besieging force is really just investing rather than active-
ly besieging.

The second Basement level (B2) is partly a reserve

cistern (fed by overflow from the one under the Keep
148 and by runoff from the tower roof funnelled down here
through pipes in the walls) taking up the eastern half of
 P
the space and partly a solidly constructed treasury (the 1st Floor
SW quadrant, 5’ thick mortared stone walls on two sides,
solid bedrock walls on the curved side) with two iron
grilled doors (keys held by the Castellan and the Baron)
in an ‘airlock’ configuration.

The Treasury originally held all of the important valu- O

R
ables of the Barony – coin and specie, mainly. Back
early in the period (say, 10th-12th centuries) there might
be £50-80 here [12000-19200 d], more after the tithes

T
and rents are in, less just before they’re due – in the
more settled times towards the end of the period (late
13th and late 14th centuries … the Great Famine and the
Black Death make the middle two quarters of the 14th
century problematic) there will be less than half that
(maybe as little as a quarter), as most of any surplus will
be invested in Porthaven, the County Seat or in London H
A
etc. in land, deposits/investments with merchants or in
annuities and shares in foreign trading ventures)
The NW quadrant is the Castellan’s kitchen which is

V
There are no ventilation slits in either basement level – normally for his (and his family) personal use –
the only air circulation comes down the spiral staircase, though during a siege it would help prepare food for
which makes the levels quite stuffy. soldiers manning the walls.

This floor is allocated to the Castellan as his personal

quarters. Access is via a spiral staircase in the NW
When meals are being prepared here for just the
Castellan and his household there are only going to be
3-3 servants preparing and cooking the food, or E
N
quadrant. The large piercings indicated in the tower readying it for serving.
wall can all be used as archer’s embrasures – those in
the NE quadrant are 4’ wide on the inside narrowing The NW quadrant is the Castellan’s day room, dining
down to 6” or so on the outside, the standard design. area and office – during the day he works here,
assisted by several clerks, and eats meals with them
However, those in the SW and SE quadrants are 4’ and his family at lunchtime. In the evening, however,
wide on the inside and 2’ wide on the outside with it is used as a private family area and only the family
iron bars (to prevent access) and wooden shutters
(which narrow the field of vision down to 6” or close
it off entirely for use in sieges) offering a touch of
will dine here – any servants dine in the kitchen.

Older male children will also sleep here at night – and C

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‘luxurious’ creature comforts for the Castellan. there is a ‘day bed’ arrangement already in place for
the Castellan’s youngest son, Henri (17) when he is at
‘Luxurious’ for some very limited medieval values of the home (he is apprenticed to a Serjeant at Law [one of his

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term – not according to modern day standards! No glass brothers-in-law, in fact] in York, learning the ins and
in them, so a mixed blessing in cold weather. outs of the law, and, in general, to be a ‘lawyer’ –
insofar as the trade exists in whatever period you have
chosen to place the Barony).

The large room in the SE quadrant is the Castellan’s

bedroom – though it is used by his wife (and her T
L
daughters) and her maid as a ‘solar’ when the Day
room is being used as an office by her husband. There
is a close-stool in a curtained off corner – another of

E
the perks of the accommodation (the staff use
chamber pots or privies in the Bailey).

The current Castellan is Sir Richard deWalde (55) who

was originally one of Baron Ithura’s household knights
– a combination of age and battlefield service has meant
he is no longer fit for front line service (though he can
still stand in defense of the Castle at need).

Because of his loyal service, as a sort of a sinecure, the 149

 Baron has appointed him Castellan – he’ll likely hold 3rd Floor
the position until he is too old to work any longer (when
the Baron will pension him off with a Church Corrody
purchased for him).

Finally, the smaller room in the SW quadrant is the

Castellan’s wife’s quarters – which does double duty
as a nursery and for any older, unmarried, daughter(s).

Sir Richard’s wife is Carolina of Durham (45), the

daughter of a well-to-do cloth merchant from Durham –
they have four surviving children (Henri, above; John
[22], doing garrison duty at a fortress on the continent
or border marches; Margaret [25], married to a wealthy
Porthaven merchant, and Matilda [27], married to the
Serjeant at Law to whom Henri is apprenticed).

If the family has too many children/daughters a second

bed will be put into the Castellan’s bedroom and for the
wife while the children sleep in the ‘wife’s’ bedroom. the Baron is hosting a much bigger than normal
Either that or other arrangements might be made to function (and those given sleeping space here will be
have the children boarded with relatives – sons sent off well down in the pecking order after those quartered in
to learn the chivalric ropes as Pages or Squires and girls the New Residence and the Old Keep).
to do similar things in the Baronesses’ servants.
Apart from that there is a curtained off area with two
close stools for use by the servants and by the guards
Access is via the spiral staircase in the NW quadrant doing sentry-go.
and by doors to the walls in the west and south walls
of the Tower. The slits in the walls are standard arrow
slits – wider on the inside than the outside. Access is via the spiral staircase in the NW quadrant.
The slits in the wall are all standard arrow slits.
This level would be used by that part of the castle
garrison allocated to the Tower and adjacent sections This level is normally used for storage during peace-
of the wall if the castle was under siege – as it is and time – barrels of arrows, bolts etc. and bags, boxes,
2-3 servants sleep on this level and another 3-4 of the crates of hardtack and stockfish for siege food supply.
castle garrison will be stationed here at night, two of There will also be a small number of older weapons
whom are supposed to be awake at all times. (spears, axes, short swords etc.)

There are rarely (if ever) more than six people sleeping
(or quartered) here during a non-siege situation … unless The battlements are 8’ (~2.46 metres) to the top of the
merlons and 4’6” (~1.39 metres) to the top of the
2nd Floor crenels and there is an 8’ wide stone walkway around
the edge of the tower. The rest of the roof area is
protected by a slate and lead covered reinforced wood
roof structure.

There is no watch normally kept on the top of the tower

– or not regularly, anyway. The castle guard will usual-
ly make up to two or three visits per day as part of their
regular sentry-go, but unless there is some more pressing
reason to keep a full-time watch, they don’t.

150
 P
spiral staircase in the NW quadrant. The slits in the
THE DE COUCY TOWER wall shown are actual arrow slits and are of standard
The second oldest and the middle in size of the newer wider on the inside than outer opening configuration.
towers, the De Coucy Tower was built on the site (and
re-used some of the structure) of an older tower added
several generations ago by the De Coucy’s, hence the
name. The tower has four internal floors and a roof
As with the other floors, this one is also empty most of
the time and has minimal furnishings – it would also
only likely be occupied if the castle is either under O
R
and is ~45’ (~13.89 metres) up from ground to the siege or the Baron is present and is hosting an event
roof with the battlements another 8’ (~2.46 metres) to with many, many, guests!
the top of the merlons and 4’6” (~1.39 metres) to the

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top of the crenels.
Access is by the spiral staircase in the NW quadrant
and the slits in the walls are all standard arrowslits.
The ground floor is accessed through an iron
reinforced door in the NE quadrant (leading onto the
Bailey) and a spiral staircase in the NW quadrant.
There are only narrow ventilation slits in the walls on
Again, the floor both sparsely furnished and rarely
occupied except in special circumstances (see above).
The barrels space around the walls may be empty, full H
A
this level, no arrow slits or windows. of water or sand for firefighting, or may have a limit-
ed amount of military consumables such as sheafs of
The interior of the floor is one large space and gener- arrows or cases of bolts … possibly even some javelins

V
ally contains a variety of barrels, baskets and sacks – or spears.
mostly containing foodstuffs, but some of which may
contain other consumable items needed by the
Baron’s household and the castle staff and garrison Access is via the spiral staircase in the NW quadrant.
(for example, charcoal for the smithy’s force and iron
bar stock for horseshoes).
The battlements/crenels/merlons are as described
above – the battlements are 6’ (~2 meters) wide and
the central part of the roof is tiled and leaded to make E
N
it waterproof and protect against fire.
Access is entirely by the spiral staircase in the NW
quadrant. The wall piercings are for ventilation only,
but are 4” wide and slope downwards. The ground and first (US 1st-2nd) floors were originally
part of an older structure – and it is possible that parts
As with the ground floor, this is all one large open of that incorporated spaces or accessways which are no
space and is normally unoccupied unless the Baron’s longer obviously in evidence, but which may still be
entourage and many guests are present, in which case
the space may be used for overflow accommodation
of the less important servants and guests – though
present in actuality.

There’s not enough space for anything very large in the C

A
there are minimal furnishings here, including a table walls as they’re only 5’ or so thick – though there could
and chairs, a curtained off close stool and some be space enough for a small chamber which could hold
bedding (empty paliasses and probably some sacks something the size of a small coffer.

S
containing bedstraw).
The floor of the Ground Level is different – the existing
During a siege this space would, of course, be used as floor consists of carefully laid and fitted flagstones, but
accommodation by whatever troops were manning the there is no indication of what, if anything, is beneath
tower and the adjacent walls. them. Perhaps nothing. Perhaps an abandoned (and
disused) cistern. Perhaps a secret passageway which
originally acted as a private escape tunnel – or a T
L
This is at the level of the wall walk and is accessed by conduit off that abandoned cistern which is large
two doors, one in the north side of the tower and one enough so that it could allow access.
in the east side, which lead onto that as well as by the

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Ground Floor First Floor Second Floor Third Floor 151
 to convince the Porter of either/both – if you want him
OTHER FEATURES to open up the gate for you at night.
THE EAST TOWER
The smallest and shortest of the new, towers, the East
Tower has only three internal floors and a roof and is The only access is by a continuation of the straight
~40’ (~12.3 metres) high from ground to the roof with staircase leading up and down and doors to the cross
the battlements being another 8’ (~2.46 metres) to the gallery between the two ‘towers’ and directly over the
top of the merlons and 4’6” (~1.39 metres) to the top entry. There are ventilation slits only on this level in
of the crenels. the towers, but the cross gallery has proper arrow slits
facing inwards and outwards – and has ‘murder
Internally, the floors are arranged and occupied very holes’ in the floor to allow the defenders to pour fire
similarly to those of the De Coucy Tower – given the (and incendiaries!) onto any attackers who manage to
difference that they (and the tower) are circular force the drawbridge and who are attempting to
rather than square. breach the portcullis and gates.

THE BARBICAN This floor is normally unoccupied during peacetime

This replaces an older single square tower which – even when the Baron’s entourage is in residence
included the main gateway on its lower level. The and the rest of the castle is brimming with overflow
structure consists of two ‘D’ shaped ‘towers’ connect- guests and servants.
ed by covered galleries which contain the mechanism
for the portcullis and drawbridge and other spaces.
Access is via a straight stairs as noted above as well as
doors leading onto the wall walks. There is also a
The two D shaped ground levels of the ‘towers’ are cross gallery running between the two towers – this
accessed only by doors to the rear, opening onto the contains the mechanisms for the raising and lowering
Bailey, and a long straight staircase on the walls of the Portcullis and the Drawbridge as well as arrow
opposite the gateway leading up. There are arrow slits slits facing in and out.
on the walls facing the gateway allowing those inside
to fire on anyone attempting to assault the portcullis This area is normally unmanned during peacetime,
and main gate from under cover. even when the Baron’s entourage and guests are
filling the castle to overflowing.
One of them (usually the one on the left as you enter)
is used by the Night Porter and his assistant(s) when
the gates are locked for the night and there is norm- This is counterweighted mechanism similar in arrange-
ally a guard or porter (or both) on duty at the gate ment to the one shown in the drawing at the bottom left,
during the day. but about twice as long overall. When fully ‘up’ the
bridge structure protects the slits through which the
You better be either an important (potential) guest or supporting arms retract. Note that, while the bridge and
bear an important message for the Baron – and be able arms are linked by iron chains, the arms and the bridge
structure are of wood and, therefore, a weak point.

It takes ~5-10 seconds to drop-release the counterweights

and raise the drawbridge, but doing it that fast can
damage the mechanism so, except in instant emergen-
cies, the defenders prefer to take it slow over at least a
minute.

To drop it is normally done by winching down the

counterweights, which takes 3-5 minutes, but they can
simply be detached and the bridge dropped in ~5
seconds … which, again, has the potential to damage the
bridge and, of course, means the counterweights then
need to be winched back into position and reconnected
before the bridge can be raised again.

During peacetime the drawbridge is normally down

even at night. During uncertain times, it may be drawn
up at or soon after dusk – or the garrison commander
152 may simply station a larger guard contingent at the
Barbican and rely on the Portcullis and Gates.
This is situated so as to drop down just inside the outer
side of the entry way, blocking off the passageway
under the galleries between the two D shaped towers of
P
the Barbican – it is a solidly built iron bolted and
reinforced structure (see the opposite) and can easily
withstand being dropped under gravity and hitting the O
R
ground (and anything that stands in its way) with real
force in ~5 seconds once the restraining pins are released.

T
The structure weighs over a ton and it is unlikely that
enough attackers could get close enough together to
gain enough purchase to lift it enough to allow others to
get under it – it would actually be quicker to use heavy THE CASTLE HAMLET
axes to chop through it. In any case, the same pins that
hold it in the ‘up’ position can be inserted in such a way
as to prevent it from being levered up.
At the base of the hillock, about 300 metres (~325
yards) south of the Castle’s main gate is a hamlet of
34 families, 30 Serfs or Cottars and 4 Freeholders H
A
(210 people).

This double gate is on the inside of the passage between Some of the inhabitants farm the Baron’s lands in the

V
the D shaped towers and opens into that passage – so immediate vicinity – two of the Freeholders make an
that anyone trying to batter it open from the outside is excellent living running what are effectively dedicat-
actually battering it more firmly into the stone frame. ed market gardens and another one runs a herd of
The left-hand door has a wicket door (i.e. a door within ~100 dairy cows which directly supply Porthaven.
the larger door) which can be used at night to allow foot
passage (or a dismounted rider and his horse) entry
without having to open the much bigger, heavier, and
The remaining Freeholder family runs a Pottery using
clay from their holdings supplemented by some from E
N
more awkward door. the Baron’s lands (for which they pay a yearly fee)
and, again, they supply the Porthaven markets.

This runs incorporates the roof of the D shaped The Serfs and Cottars also make some money from
towers and their connecting gallery and has battle- selling to the markets but are mainly involved in
ments, merlons and crenels as noted above. Access is traditional mixed farming … but some of the family
via a straight staircase, as noted, from the lower levels. members pick up ‘seasonal’ work in the Castle when

THE WALLS
From ground level to wall walk the walls are 28’ (~8.6
the Baron’s entourage is in residence acting as
additional servants, mostly in a support capacity.
C
A
metres) high, with the battlements being another 8’ THE BARON’S HOUSEHOLD
(~2.46 metres) to the top of the merlons and 4’6”
(~1.39 metres) to the top of the crenels. Household. Including the Baron, his wife and child-

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ren, guests (possibly relatives) and/or important em-
The walls are 15’ (~4.6 metres) thick, the battlements ployees (such as his Chamberlain or House Knights)
being ~1.5 metres (4’10½”) making the walk behind the Baron’s personal Household is normally around
them 3.1 metres (~10’). The outer face of the wall is, a fifteen people when travelling.
likewise, ~1.5 metres and the inner face ~½ metre, the
rest is a rubble fill in a mix of clay and mortar. Guards. In addition to the Baron and any of his male
children old enough to fight there are usually two T
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THE MOAT more Belted Knights in his travelling party, one of
The castle is on a hillock which, though not particu- which will be a Household Knight. In addition, there
larly high, has steep enough slopes on two of its four will normally be six Mounted Serjeants enabling the

E
sides (the North and West sides) to obviate the need Knights to form two over-strength Lances.
for any sort of moat for those.
In addition, perhaps a dozen of the Servants are
The slope on the East side is such that only half of the capable of wielding arms – typically eight of them are
wall length, measured from the East Tower, requires Longbow armed and four are Men-at-arms (i.e. armed
a moat which is then connected to the moat in front with sword, spear and shield and with some Mail
of the South wall … this is a dry moat and is 30’ (~9.2 armour). These are not primarily guards, but simply
metres) wide and 12’ (~3.7 metres) deep with a vertic- adult males who are part of the Select or General Fyrd
al face on the outside and a sloped face on the inside
to trap any attackers caught in it without cover.
who just happen to also be members of the Baron’s
household. 153
 Servants. The Baron’s travelling entourage includes may have their own mini-entourage of servants to be
~50 full time servants to serve the Household. When housed and fed) will be added on top of that.
in residence another 20 or so lesser servants are typic-
ally employed. Guards. The regular garrison of the Castle consists of
two Lances, one under the Garrison Commander and
another under one of the Household Knights (that is,
Household & Guests. When in residence the number 2 Knights, 2 Squires, 6 Mounted Serjeants), plus 4
of people in the Baron’s household, either those who Men-at-Arms and 8 Longbowmen.
are normally in residence at the location or invited
guests, increases – typically adding another half a In addition, the additional permanent staff at the Castle
dozen people at a minimum. add another 4 Men-at-Arms and 8 Longbowmen while
the temporary additional staff add one extra ‘guard’ for
Guards. When at one of the Baron’s Manors there every 4 temporary servants, in the ratio 2 Longbowmen
will normally be an additional Lance present typic- to one Man-at-Arms.
ally a Household Knight, Squire and three Mounted
Serjeants. As noted above, these are not actual guards, merely
adult staff who qualify for service in the Select or
In addition, add one extra ‘guard’ for every 4 tempor- General Fyrd and who can be called on in an emergency.
ary additional servants, in the ratio 2 Longbowmen to
one Man-at-Arms. Servants. There are an additional 20-30 servants and
other staff (including such maintenance staff as the
As noted above, these are not actual guards, merely Master Smith, Master Carpenter and Master Mason)
adult staff who qualify for service in the Select or plus an additional number of temporary staff equal
General Fyrd and who can be called on in an emergency. to 2-3 additional servants for every guest the Baron is
hosting (again, this includes the lesser demands of
Servants. There are an additional dozen servants ‘on ‘looking after’ the servants of such additional guests).
staff’ for each Knight’s Fee the Manor represents and
you can add another 2-3 servants for each additional
guest the Baron is hosting (this includes the lesser
demands of ‘looking after’ the servants of such addit-
ional guests).

Household & Guests. When in residence at Castle

Porthaven the Baron’s household generally increases
by a minimum of a dozen additional family, friends
and guests …

For special occasions (Christmas? Easter? A Tourna-

ment? Marriage?) another 20-30 guests (each of whom

154
 OVERVIEW
Porthaven was chartered by the Bishop of Wherever charter to include some of those lands into what has
(somewhere local-ish) about forty years after the Con- become known as the New Town.
quest ordering the construction of the stone-built St.
Cecilia’s to replace the old half-timbered Anglo-Saxon The Baron was paid £25 per annum for ten years for
parish church, established a weekly Market and a allowing this (he was rebuilding and expanding Castle
ferry across the Ithura to ensure the Town’s viability. Porthaven – an expensive proposition), but retained
some traditional rights while ceding most of the larger
The earliest settlers, probably pre-dating even the Anglo- administrative powers to the Town Corporation.
Saxons, and probably even the Romans, were attracted
to these salterns (tidal salt pools) and it was the availab- Then, about 20 years after gaining a Royal Charter, the
ility of salt that led to the growth of meat and fish curing Corporation was again able to negotiate with the Bishop
in the locality – and this, in turn, attracted traders from – still building that expensive Cathedral – and bought
NW Europe and their presence led to a growing trade of off the ‘perpetual’ Fee Farm for a one time payment of
locally grown wool and grain. These early activities were £240 while still recognising some limited ‘traditional’
conducted along the riverbank near the old Roman rights he held over some aspects of the administration.
coastal road – and the Bishop saw the possibilities.
The blurred lines of control resulting from the three
The town prospered under the early Episcopal admin- historical administrative layers have led to the occas-
istration, becoming a hub for coastal and internat- ional dispute between the Town Corporation on the
ional trade (especially wool) – so much so that the one hand and the Bishop and Baron on the other, all
burghers were able to buy their freedom from the keen to ensure their rights are being acknowledged,
Bishop and a Royal Charter by the mid 13th century. especially as both the Bishop and the Baron own a
large number of tenements (the Bishop in the Old
The Town Corporation paid the Bishop, committed to Town and the Baron in the New Town).
building an expensive, new Cathedral at Wherever, the
astonishing sum of £160 for their freedom and agreed to THE TOWN CORPORATION
pay a Fee Farm of £80 per annum ‘in perpetuity’ for ‘all The Town Corporation has the right to elect a Mayor
rights to tolls, fees, fines and market rents.’ and Aldermen who comprise the Town Council and
for that body to govern the town. Voting for the
Soon after the growing population outside the original elective positions is by open acclamation of candid-
walls on some of Baron Ithura’s lands led to an ates by the Burghers assembled – by Ward for the
agreement to extend the boundaries and the town’s Aldermen and as a whole Folkmoot (general assembly
of Burghers) for the Mayor.

There are six Wards – Tower (between Steelyard Dock

and Market Street, north of Market Cross), Market
(south of Tower Ward to the Middelfleet, east to The
Rows), Middelfleet (east of The Rows to Millgate &
Ditchgate, between the Greyfleet and the Middelfleet),
Minster (north of Deanery Row, west of Friary Street
to the Middelfleet), Abbey (east of Minster Ward and
Hospital Walk, between Middelfleet and the Millfleet)
and Millfleet (south of Deanery Row, west of Hospital
Walk, south to the River Sleet).

The current Mayor is Adam Bellevue (53), and the

Aldermen are William FitzJohn (Tower Ward), Gilbert
Waterman (Market Ward), Richard of Newburgh (Mid-
delfleet Ward), Peter deCoucy (Minster Ward), William
the Goldsmith (Abbey Ward) and Simon of Lincoln
(Millfleet Ward).
Ithura River PORTHAVEN
Tower
Place
(21) (1)
Greyfleet
Brid
ge S

Tower Street
tr
Baron’s eet
(2)
Bridge
(27) H V (12)
H

t
ow

t Stree
(28) @
Market R
@ Greyfleet
(41) H

Marke
Stee
lyard V Eas (6) (29)
Dock (35)
t Str
G (13) H eet
H

reet
(22)

Millgate
@ (36)
(24) G Market Cross

ch St
@
G @ East S

Chur
treet
(42)
The Rows
V (3)
Trin ity Row (23)
H Moneyer’s Row (31) (14) @ H
(37) (30)
Ba H
(7)
Minster Street

wd
’s
La

Newgate
Chu

ne
(38)
r ch
ridge

Middelfleet (8) Be
vu H
lle
Stre
Stoneb

Ditchgate
e V (15)
et

@
New
V (9) Market G (25)
(43) Hansa (16) wg
ate
Ne
M
id

Row H
de
lg

(39) (10)
at
e

e
gat
Bellevue

del
@ M id
G V V Middelfleet
Friary S

(26)
(17) Abb (18)
treet

Deanery Row ey St
reet

H (40)
(20)
River

(44)
Deanery Street

(19) V
Hospital Walk
Street

V
(32) H
(33) k (4)
Wal
@ H Mill
feld

(11) Millfleet
Millfleet

@ Major Shopping Street

Gr e

Waterwheel/Mill
enga

H Inn
rth

@ Concentrated Industrial Area

G Town Hall/Guildhalls
(34)
H Little Sleet

River Sleet
(5)
 double gates (Virgingate) in the newly constructed
PORTHAVEN walls. On the Middelfleet side the Tollhouse at Middel-
The following information is keyed to the full page fleet Gate was treated likewise.
map of Porthaven shown on the previous page.

BRIDGES, GATES AND WALLS After buying out the Bishop and acquiring a Royal
The Town was originally unwalled, relying mainly on Charter, the Town continued to grow and soon
natural features to form the initial boundaries – the needed to expand – and, in an arrangement with
Ithura to the west, the Greyfleet to the north and the Baron Ithura incorporated some of his lands into the
Middelfleet to the south. Town proper.

While this was initially marked only with a ditch and

Only to the east was there are partial reliance on mound along the east side, the Corporation levied
man-made defences – the connection between the murage on all non-burghers with such a degree of
Greyfleet and Middelfleet shown on the map didn’t success that it was soon able to extend the walls
exist – or not fully. It ran to where the Eastgate was southwards along the line of the ditch (which was dug
and no further so the remaining section of the bound- deeper and wider and turned into an extension of the
ary was formed by the excavation of a slope sided moat connecting the Greyfleet and Middelfleet …
ditch with the spoil used to form a turf covered running right down to the Little Sleet). This wall was
mound cum wall on the western (inside) and topped then extended down the River Sleet to its junction
by a 6’ (~2 meter) wooden fence. with the Ithura and Southgate constructed as the new
main southern gate (the latter section is shown in
dark blue).
As the Town became more prosperous, the need for
stronger defences became a priority and the Town The wall and gates along the Middelfleet were demol-
Council and the Abbot combined to erect the first ished and, indeed, some of their stones were used in
town walls –stone, 15’ (~4.6 meters) to the wall walk the new wall as well as in the construction of the all
with a parapet another 6’ (~2 meters) on top. This ran stone Middelfleet Bridge.
along the inside length of the Greyfleet from its
junction with the Ithura to the inlet that ran down to
Eastgate (which was widened, deepened and extend- The final, most recent, stage has been the annexation
ed all the way to join up with the Middelfleet) thence of the fields between the Middlefleet and the River
along the line of the ditch and mound to Middelfleet Sleet into the town’s sphere – and the extension of the
and then turning west along the inside of that water- town walls and the Greyfleet-Middelfleet-Millfleet moat
course to its junction with the Ithura. The course is right down to the Little Sleet.
shown by the part of the brown line and all the red
line on the map. This also involved the construction of the Southgate
and, theoretically, the demolition of the walls and
The original Tollhouses at Oldgate and Eastgate were gates along the Millfleet – however, while the new wall
demolished and single towers were built alongside and gate complex have been completed, the ‘old’ wall
is still mostly intact and the gate tower has only been
stripped of the actual gates and the levels above the
wall walk.

1) Oldgate. Originally ‘North Gate’ when the town

was founded, now more commonly known as Oldgate.
This was one of the three formal entrances to the
original Town as founded by the Bishop of Wherever
and was merely a wooden tollhouse denoting the
formal boundary of the town at a ford over the Grey-
fleet (a tidal inlet). Now it is a formal stone double
tower gate complex in the wall that surrounds the
town and is fronted by a solidly constructed two lane
wooden bridge.

2) Watergate. Constructed around 40 years ago when

the several Water Mills were constructed here and
closer access was needed for countryfolk and burghers
bringing in bales of wool (to the Fulling Mill) or sacks
of grain (to the Flour Mill).
This is not a toll-gate and is only opened when carts
or pack animals are bringing in a load – and, while
manned at night, is not supposed to be opened for late
arriving travellers (who are directed to Oldgate). It is
a single tower with an integral single-lane gate and a
single lane wooden bridge across the Greyfleet.

3) Eastgate. This was the site of one of the original

wooden tollgates constructed alongside an inlet off
Greyfleet. Like Oldgate, was rebuilt in stone as a
double tower gate in a stone wall with an adjacent two
lane, double arch, stone bridge while the inlet was
widened and deepened to act as a natural moat.

4) Feldgate. Constructed when the town walls were

extended to include New Town and named for the sign of their wealth and political power within and
fact that much of the new land enclosed was open commitment to the Town Corporation.
fields or wasteland (and much of it still is). It is a
single tower gate with a single lane wooden bridge 10) Bellevue Bridge. Named after the Belvue family,
and, while it is open during the day and manned at one of the founding families of Old Porthaven who
night, it is, like the Watergate, not supposed to be can trace their family line back to a Serjeant who
opened to late arriving travellers at night (such are served with Duke William during the initial invasion
directed to Eastgate). and the Conquest and who took land in the locality
as his reward for service. The family have provided no
5) Southgate. Newly constructed as an integral part less than three Mayors over the centuries and their
of the stone wall erected around the town when it family mansion is at the end of Bellevue Street near
incorporated the lands that became New Town, this the north end of the Bridge (and is, naturally enough,
gate is fronted by a two lane, three arch, stone bridge called Maison Jolie – ‘Beautiful House’).
and leads directly onto the Royal Highway just off
map to the south. The Bridge itself replaced the original ford over the
Middelfleet and has stone abutments at either end but
6) Bishop’s Bridge. This was originally a ford over an a central span of wood supported by piles hammered
intermittent inlet off Greyfleet but, when the inlet was into the floor of the fleet. It has 1½ lanes – that is, it
widened and deepened to allow the construction of is wide enough for a single waggon or cart going in
industries needing access to water but which also one direction and a horse or mule, perhaps two, going
needed to be further away from the main residential in the other.
regions, a wooden bridge was constructed over the
new channel by the Bishop (who owned many of the 11) Virgingate. The site of the old south gate of the
tenements being let out to the Tanners and other second stage town walls, as noted elsewhere the gate
tradesmen who were being moved there). tower has been stripped down to the level of the wall
walk and the wall here is still largely intact while the
7) Newbridge. Built at around the same time as gates in the tower have been removed entirely. The
Bishop’s Bridge and for much the same reason – the bridge across the Millfleet here is a double lane wood
widening and deepening of the tidal inlet here for bridge with stone footings.
industrial and commercial purposes. It is a single
lane wooden bridge. CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS
As with many medieval towns and cities, Churches
8) Middelfleet Bridge. This was the site of one of the and other religious establishments have a large and
original tollgates, Middelfleet Gate, but that has been noticeable presence in Porthaven – not just the actual
long demolished. The original gate was fronted by a Churches or Monastic buildings themselves, but in
single land wooden bridge, but that has long since the ownership of considerable swathes of commercial
been replaced by a two lane, three arch, stone one. tenements they let out to the residents … and from
which they derive considerable additional income.
9) Stonemason’s Bridge. This new three arch stone
bridge was built only a decade ago and is regarded as 12) Dominican Priory of the Annunciation. Estab-
a local marvel as it not only has two lanes, each wide lished just over a century ago, this walled compound
enough for a large waggon, it also has safety bays for (the walls are 12’ high on three sides – the fourth side
pedestrians to enable them to dodge out of the way of is actually the town’s circuit wall) contains a number
such large vehicles when they squeeze by each other. of substantial stone buildings and was built on land
It was constructed by the Mason’s Guild as a public originally held freehold and used as warehouses and
 floor has at least two bedrooms for the family and
ACCOMMODATION a solar or common room and possibly some addit-
This can be either long term or short term in nature ional storage space.
– and both types are readily available in Porthaven.
Depending on the nature of the craft being pursued
LONG TERM ACCOMMODATION the rear of the tenement might be additional work
This is exclusively rental accommodation and may space or at least part of a small garden, in both
be for the whole or part of a tenement. cases it will have an outhouse and either a stables
or henhouse or similar.

In Porthaven a full tenement was originally four Yearly (Basic Location) = 16/- (192d) Ground Rent,
Perches (66’) wide and twelve Perches (198’) deep 3/6 (42d) Church Tithe (paid as 10½d/Quarter).
(~0.3 acres or 01.2 Hectares) when the town was Quarterly = 4/6d (54d) plus 1/- Church Tithe.
founded – but relatively few privately owned tene-
ments in the ‘old’ (Stage One) part of town remain A Basic Location is on a street in one of the Indust-
undivided. rial Areas, but not on a Major street (those leading to
either Market Cross or New Market, but which aren’t
In the Stage Two area (between Middelfleet and Main Roads, +25% to rental) or Main Road (leading
Millfleet) the size of the tenement was reduced to from one of the Town Gates to one of the Markets,
two Perches (33’) by six Perches (99’) and this has +50% to rental). Premises on one of the Market
remained the nominal size in the Third Stage area Squares is double the above rate.
(between Millfleet and the River Sleet). Though in
these later areas it was not uncommon for wealthy Yearly Rents are actually paid quarterly as ¼ of the
burghers who desired additional space to purchase yearly rate. Quarterly Rents listed are only where the
two or more adjacent tenements. property is rented for less than a full year and are
slightly elevated for the inconvenience.

Small Shop. A 1½ storey, unfurnished, half-timber- In Porthaven, Burgage Rents (i.e. payment of which
ed building on only ¼ of a tenement, regardless of makes one a Burgess and gives voting rights in town)
which Stage it is located in. This is a Small Cottage are 1½d per quarter – in some cases this may be
(see below), but has a workshop at the front, facing included in the listed yearly rental rates, but it is as
the street, a kitchen and common area in the rear likely that it isn’t.
and the owner and his wife and, possibly, his
children, sleep in the half storey while the apprent-
ices sleep in the workshop or kitchen. Cottage. A small, unfurnished, half timbered 1½
storey structure (two rooms downstairs, bedrooms
Yearly (Basic Location) = 8/- (96d) Ground Rent, upstairs in the half storey). For a reduced size
1/9 (21d) Church Tithe (paid as 5¼d per Quarter). (Stage Two/Three) tenement this includes an Out-
Quarterly Rent = 2/6 (30d) plus 6d Church Tithe. house, a Herb (Vegetable) Garden and a Stables,
Henhouse or similar out the back all fenced in.
Average Shop. A two storey, unfurnished, half-timb-
ered building on a half a tenement in Stage One or Yearly Rent = 4/- (48d) Ground Rent, 10½d Church
a full tenement in Stage Two/Three. The ground Tithe, paid quarterly (2¾d per Quarter). Quarterly
floor has a workshop out front with a storeroom Rent = 1/3d (15d) plus 2¾d Church Tithe.
behind and a kitchen at the rear while the upper
Small Cottage. A small, unfurnished, half timbered
1½ storey (two rooms downstairs, bedrooms
upstairs in the half storey) building. This is a part
tenement, usually around ¼ of the original depth,
and has only an outhouse and either a very small
garden or a stables/henhouse out back. These are
usually found in the Stage One area of town.

Yearly Rent = 5/- (60d) Ground Rent, 1/1 (13d)

Church Tithe, paid quarterly (3¼d per Quarter).
Quarterly Rent = 1/6d (18d) plus 3¾d Church Tithe.

Small House. A two storey half-timbered, unfurn-

ished, building on a half-depth tenement (Stage
One) or a full depth one (Stage Two/Three). Three
rooms downstairs (Kitchen, Common Room, Store-
room cum Servant’s quarters) and the same up-
stairs (two Bedrooms and a Solar). Out back is an
outhouse, a small garden (usually for growing
Herbs) and a Stables or Henhouse or similar.

Yearly Rent (Stage Two/Three Property) = 8/- (96d)

Ground Rent, 1/9 (21d) Church Tithe, paid quart-
erly (i.e. 5¼d per Quarter). Quarterly Rent = 2/3
(27d) plus 5¾d Church Tithe.

Yearly Rent (Stage One Property) = 10/- (120d)

Ground Rent, 2/2 (26d) Church Tithe, paid quart-
erly (i.e. 6½d per Quarter). Quarterly Rent = 3/- your budget anywhere from a main street to a back
(36d) plus 7d Church Tithe. alleyway (and location doesn’t necessarily translate
directly to the quality).
Yearly Rents are actually paid quarterly as ¼ of the
yearly rate. Quarterly Rents listed are only where the Bellevue Boarding House (Middelgate, near the
property is rented for less than a full year and are Bellevue Bridge). A two storey building on a small
slightly elevated for the inconvenience. Burgage riverside tenement owned by the Franciscan Friary
Rents are as for Commercial premises, above. over the road, it has a kitchen and six rooms on the
Ground (US 1st) and eight on the First (US 2nd) Floor.
SHORT TERM ACCOMMODATION
There are three types of short term accommodation Each room is around the same size as a Friar’s Cell
available in Porthaven includes Boarding Houses, and is furnished with a bed, table, one or two stools
Common Lodging Houses and Inns. and a chest … most of the rooms have a single bed,
but four have a double bed.
Boarding Houses and Common Lodging Houses are
terms that well and truly postdate the period covered The establishment is run on a day to day basis by
and, in fact, really only come into use in the 18th and Edwina the Less (late 40’s) who cleans and cooks,
19th centuries when they started to be regulated by and she has the use of one of the rooms with a
newly empowered town and city councils. However, double bed for herself and her husband, William
similar housing arrangements must have existed in Black, who is a servant at the Friary.
the medieval period – so the terms are used here even
though they are anachronistic. Rooms with a single bed are 1d per night or 6d per
week while those with a double bed are 1½d per
night or 9d per week. An evening meal of a mug of
Boarding Houses offer single rooms for rent with Ale and a bowl of Pottage is included. Edwina will
space for a paliasse or, increasingly as the period cook food brought in by a resident for ¼d per meal.
progresses, a simple bed. They usually have at least
a stool, a small table and simple chest (though few 1d2+1 rooms with a single bed and 1d2-1 with a
rooms have anything more than a simple door double bed are usually available for rent.
latch for ‘security’). Meals are included in the price
unless otherwise specified. East Street Boarding House (Corner of East Street
& Newgate). Convenient to the industrial area and
These may vary from marginally to obsessively clean mills to the north of East Street, this is on the upper
and the food can vary from cheap and nasty to simple two floors of a 2½ storey half-timbered house which
but wholesome – but they are always a giant step up is owned by Richard the Baker.
from a Common Lodging House.
The First (US 2nd) Floor has six rooms of varying size
The owner or manager usually have their rooms – four are single occupancy (single bed, table, stool,
placed so they have a clear view of any comings or chamberpot) and the two larger ones have a double
goings which ensures a minimal level of security for bed. The Half Storey has a dormitory style hall with
their lodgers’ belongings. six single beds.

There are many such establishments scattered Richard rents the rooms on the First Floor by the
around the town, only a small selection are detail- week only – the smaller rooms go for 6d, paid in
ed below – you can be certain to find one to suit advance, and the double rooms for 9d. Evening
meals of a mug of Ale or Beer, a Bowl of Pottage Mark’s wife, Jenny, cooks their own meals and they
and some Bread and Cheese are included. get a slightly reduced room rate as they are looking
to rent a small cottage nearby in the near future.
The single beds in half storey can be rented by the
night for ½d or the week for 2½d. An evening meal Greengarth Boarding House (Greengarth). This
of a mug of Ale, Bread and Cheese is included. Boarding House is situated next to the Millfleet and
has been converted from one of the farm outbuild-
There are usually 1d2 single rooms and a 1:6 chance ings that had originally been here before the Stage
of one of the double rooms being available for rent. Three expansion of the Town Walls. It is a 1½
Space in the dormitory is almost always gone by 7 pm. storey long wattle and daub cruck-framed building
on a narrow but deep tenement.
Golden Cockerel (Hansa Row). This is the first (US
2nd) floor of Gilbert FitzOwen’s Sailmaking Shop The Ground Floor has a kitchen at the rear, the
and is owned by his family and run by his wife Meg private rooms of Sarah the Jew (the owner) and ten
and daughters Mabel and Enid. Lodger access is by tiny single rooms (each with a paliasse and a stool)
stairs at the side of the shop; the family have access while the Half-Storey has a dormitory with space for
through their rooms at the front of the first floor. a dozen paliasses.

There are six single rooms furnished with a bed, Sarah charges 1d-1½d per night without/with for the
table, chair, stool and a simple wood chest (the small rooms and ½d-¾d per night without/with meals
occupant needs to provide their own lock, if they for space in the dormitory. Meals include a mug of Ale
desire) as well as a chamberpot and two slightly and a bowl of Pottage (they’re also as kosher, though
larger rooms which have four poster beds, a truckle she doesn’t advertise this fact, obviously).
bed, a table, two chairs, two stools and their own
fireplace (feeding into the same chimney). The rooms are scrupulously clean, as is the kitchen,
and her establishment is popular with the locals on
One of the single rooms is rented by John o’ Ghent, a this side of the Virgingate Bridge despite her being a
Journeyman Shipwright who works at Master Jer- Jew as she is known to help those locals down on their
ome’s at the end of the street and one of the larger luck with a simple meal when she can.
rooms is rented by Mark deGoode and his wife,
Jenny and their baby son, Peter (3 years old) who is Matilda’s Place. Situated on the first (US 2nd) floor
also a Journeyman at Master Jerome’s. of a Warehouse with entry via stairs in a side alley,
Matilda’s Place has four multiple occupancy rooms,
There are usually 1d2 single rooms available for The largest has floor space for eight paliasses; the
rent at 1½d per night (9d per week, or 8d per week middle two have three and two beds respectively,
if paid in advance) and there is a 20% chance that each of which can sleep up to three people; and the
one of the larger rooms will be available are 2d per smallest has two single beds.
night (1/- per week or 10d per week if paid for in
advance). Charges are ¼d per night for a paliasse (+¼d for
fresh bedstraw at the beginning of the stay, not per
Evening meals (Fish or Meat Pottage with Ale or night), ½d for space in a multiple occupancy bed
Beer) and some bread and cheese in the morning and ¾d for a single bed.
for one person are included in the room rate, for
each additional person add +½d. The owners will There are typically 1d2+1 spaces in the common
cook food brought in by the lodgers for ¼d a meal. room, 1d3+1 spaces in the multiple occupancy beds
and there is a 50% chance there is a vacancy in the
small semi-private room (if there is, then there is a
50% chance that both beds in that room are available).

Meals are not normally included, but she will provide

some watery gruel and a mug of watered down ale for
¼d in the morning … or cook any food a guest may
bring along for ¼d per 2 lbs.

The three larger rooms and their furnishings are

worn and tired, but the smaller room is well kept .
Freshly laundered blankets and linen sheets are
available for +¼d for each per stay (washed weekly
for long stays) – but only for use in the latter room.
Matilda (40ish) is the widow of a dockworker and
rents the space from the owner of the warehouse
below. She is assisted by her son, John (mid 20’s),
who works in the Weigh Station on Trinity Wharf
at night and her daughter, Emma (mid teens) who
helps with the cooking and cleaning. They have
rooms at the rear of the floor, Emma and Matilda
share one and John has his own nook off the kitchen.

Matilda’s main attraction is that she is open late –

and will take guests as last as midnight. In fact, for
+¼d per person she will even take them after midnight.

Mother Alice’s (Steelyard Street). Auld Alice has a

two storey wattle and daub building sandwiched rooms on the First (US 2nd) floor and a dormitory
between a Cloth Merchant’s Warehouse and a Lant- which can sleep a dozen people on paliasses on the
ern Maker’s workshop. The House has 12 rooms, half floor under the roof.
each furnished with a bed, stool, and chamberpot
of which four are on the ground and eight on the Most rooms have a single bed, a proper mattress
first floor (reached by a narrow staircase at the rear (bedstraw is changed quarterly), a stool and cham-
of the house) and, of these, 1d3+1 available for rent berpot – two on the First Floor are larger, with a
at any given time. double bed, a chair, a stool and a small table and
one of them has a close stool.
The rate is 1d per day (1½d for two people in the one
room – but only two rooms have beds large enough) There are normally 1d3+1 single rooms, 1d3-2 (yes, a
or 6d per week (9d for two) and this includes a mug zero result is likely) larger rooms (75% chance that
of ale and a bowl of pottage for the evening meal it’s the one without the close stool) ad 1d3+2 places
(though, if a boarder provides something extra to add in the Dormitory available at any given time.
to their meal, Auld Alice will happily cook it for them).
There is a four place Privy between the Boarding
She also brews Ale and is licensed as an Alehouse House and The Laundry (the Bawdy House on the
during the day, operating out of her front room same block) which is shared by the patrons and
(prices are as set by the appropriate legislation) and staff of both establishments.
sells meals in the kitchen at the back @ ½d for a
small mug of Ale and a bowl of watery Pottage. The rate for a single room is 1d per day; 1½ for the
larger room (single use, 2d for two), the one without,
Old Meg’s (Steelyard Street). This is a ricketty and 2d (single use, 3d per two) for the one with the
looking 1½ storey wattle and daub structure which close stool. Weekly rates are equal to six days rent if
has 8 rooms on the ground floor (Old Meg and her paid in arrears or five days if paid in advance.
son, Alfred, who works on the Docks, sleep in a half
storey over the kitchen at the rear), each of which is Evening meals include a bowl of Vegetable Pottage, a
furnished with a paliasse, stool and chamberpot ½ lb of Bread,¼ lb of Cheese and a Mug of Ale and
(there is a single seat privy out the back). boarders get a ½ lb of bread and ¼ lb of cheese in
the morning. The cook will prepare food brought in
There are typically 1d2+1 rooms available for rent at by the boarders for ¼-½d per person depending on
any given time and she charges ¾d per day, 4½d per the size and complexity of the meal desired.
week, but no meals are included in this. It is only
slightly better than a Common Lodging House and Widow Flora’s. Situated on a part of a larger tene-
the straw in the paliasses is often mouldy unless the ment, Flora has a a modest 1½ storey cottage – she
patron is prepared to pay 1d for it to be replaced. lets out space in the front common room (up to 4
paliasses) and a semi-private upstairs room (access
Riverside Boarding House (Trinity Row & Bawd’s via a ladder from the common room) with a single
Lane). On the same tenement as The Laundry (a bed and space for up to two paliasses. She lives in
Bawdy House), facing Cock’s Lane (the lane be- the half storey at the rear, accessed via a narrow
tween the two streets mentioned above) it is owned staircase from the kitchen.
by Madeleine, the owner of the Bawdy House.
She charges ½d per night or 3d per week (2¾d if
It is a 2½ storey half-timbered structure with a paid in advance), but she includes an evening meal
kitchen and six rooms on the ground floor, eight of herbed pottage, a slice of rye bread and chunk of
cheese as well as a mug of ale in the price and will in the way of savings), in the Kitchen and the convert-
find breakfast of porridge and ale for an added ¼d. ed Store-room at the back. She rents the front room
(converted from a workshop – with a single bed, table,
Flora also does laundry (but is not a ‘laundress’) – ¼d chair) for 1d a night (no meals) or 6d a week (in
per item or ¾d per complete set of clothes. advance only).

She also runs the Plucked Goose Cookshop on the

Common Lodging Houses offer space on the floor floor below (see Cookshops and Food & Entertain-
in a multiple occupancy room, often with as many ment) where lodgers can eat.
lodgers squeezed into it as possible (a typical room
would sleep anywhere from 8-12 people). River Street Dosshouse (River Street). This is a
converted Fishmonger’s salting works (and it still
No bedding is provided and only a few include a smells strongly of fish), converted from the part that
paliasse (often with mouldy straw that is changed didn’t burn down about a dozen years ago.
once a year, if you’re lucky) but many still only
offer floor space (remember, floors are covered with The rear wall of the ‘conversion’ is extremely crude
bundles of reeds/bedstraw anyway, so they’re not and has many chinks in it – so during cold and windy
awful to sleep directly on). No meals are included weather it is the worst end of the dosshouse to sleep in
and generally such establishments have no kitchen and during rainy weather (if the wind is strong and
in any case. Cost is typically ¼d per night. blowing from the wrong direction) those downstairs
and very close to it can get soaked as well.
And at ¼d per night you get exactly what you pay
for – probably with Bedbugs as a free add on! It is a 1½ storey cruck-framed wattle and daub
building with one large open room downstairs with
Church Street Dosshouse (Church Street, near the space for 24-30 to sleep on the floor. The half-storey
Canal). This is the upper floor of a ramshackle old has space for 18 on crude beds made by stretching
workshop and has three roughly divided rooms canvas between two poles.
which, all together, have space for ~40 people to
sleep on the rush-bundle covered floor (the rushes Space on the floor is ¼d per night upstairs or ¼d for
are changed once a year and no more). two nights downstairs (paid in advance, unless you
are well known to the owners and/or well established
Space on the floor is ¼d a night. The owner, Widow locally).
Green (Nora, though never to those wishing to doss
here), can provide a ratty blanket and a paliasses The Dosshouse is owned by one of the Fisher families
filled with probably mouldy bedstraw for an addit- (Giles Fisher, mid 30’s, his wife Teresa, mid 20’s,
ional ¼d a night. and four children, ranging from 4 to 12 years of age)
who live on the tenement behind it, which fronts onto
Widow Green lives in the old workshop below (her the river and is where he hauls up his fishing smack
late husband was a Cobbler, but died without much at night.

Stonebridge Dosshouse (Stone Bridge, next to the

Middelfleet). This is an old two storey house on the
tiny remains of a much subdivided tenement – the
land left is not much bigger than its footprint (with
just enough room out back for a privy). The three
ground floor rooms can sleep ~18 people and the
two upstairs rooms another 24.

Space on the floor is ¼d a night, but this includes a

paliasse (though the bedstraw is only changed every
year) except in the old Kitchen where it costs ½d a
night during winter as the fire is kept banked up
overnight. A ratty old blanket, washed every week
whether they need to be or not, costs +¼d a night.

Unusually, the owner offers a weekly rate of 1½d (2d

with a blanket). The owner is one Edward the Smith
(late 30’s) who lives, and runs his smithy, on the half
tenement behind the doss house.
INNS
The Black Swan Inn (Millfeld Walk & Feldgate).
The Inn is built on a large tenement with access to
the grazing and common lands to its rear, which
makes it a popular choice with patrons involved in
the carriage trade. There are two main buildings
(the Inn and Stables) and, facing into the courtyard
(though on separate tenements), a Cartwright’s
Shop and Smithy which belong to members of the
Innkeeper’s extended family.

Main Building. This is a 2½ storey half-timbered

building facing the street.

The Ground (US 1st) Floor contains the Common The rear of the right side consists of quarters for the
Room (table/sleeping space for ~40) and a private Inn staff – a dormitory with space for six paliasses
Dining Room (space for 6-8) at the front and the and two small rooms at each end of it, one with a
Kitchen and storerooms (including a Buttery in the single bed and the other for a double bed.
cellar, reached by outside stairs down and a hatch
and ladder from the Kitchen) at the rear. Cartwright’s Shop. This faces Millfeld but has a
drive through workshop section that opens onto
Space on the floor and a simple meal (Ale, Beer and both Millfeld and into the Inn Courtyard. The shop
a bowl of Herbed Pottage) costs 3d a night (3½d for is owned by Christopher Green (early 30’s), who is
a space close to the Hearth during winter). married to Beatrix Vlaaming (late 20’s), Nikolaas
Vlaaming’s second daughter by his first wife (who
The First (US 2nd) Floor has two large rooms, one assists him in running the Inn).
with three beds (sleeping three each) and the other
with four beds (one sleeping four, two sleeping The Cartwright’s Shop is a two storey affair, work-
three and one sleeping two) and four single rooms shop and storeroom below and living quarters above.
(two single beds, chair, stool and table) and two two Christopher and Beatrix live there with their sons,
room suites (Four poster bed, table, two chairs and Alex (9) and David (7) and daughter, Marta (4).
a chest in one room; a table, four chairs and room
for two Truckle beds in the other) opening off them. Smithy. This also faces Millfeld, right adjacent to
the Inn with a side gate into the Inn courtyard. It is
Space in one of the common beds plus a basic meal (A owned by David Williamson (late 30’s), who is
mug of wine, Fish Pottage plus a mug of Ale or Beer married to Klaara Vlaaming (mid 30’s), Nikolaas
and a hunk of Bread and Cheese in the morning) Vlaaming’s oldest daughter by his first wife.
costs 5d a night or 2/8 (32d) per week (in advance).
Klaara is David’s second wife, and their marriage is
A bed in the single rooms costs 7½d a night or 3/6 her second – her husband, also a blacksmith, died
(42d) a week, paid in advance and includes the same some years ago. Her children from her first marriage
meal deal as for a space in a common bed. The Suite are all apprenticed elsewhere, both here in Porthaven
costs 3/- a night and up (based on the perceived social and in Antwerp, but she has a daughter, Mary (8) and
status of the patron), but doesn’t include meals. son, Brian (5) by David, and looks after his daughter,
Aileen (14), by his first marriage.
The half-storey has the Innkeeper’s family quarters
– four rooms, three bedrooms and a Common room. The Courtyard. The courtyard is ringed by a stout
wooden wall around 8’ high which has two public
The owner is Nikolaas Vlaaming (late 50’s), a retired and two private entrances. The public entrances
ship’s captain from Antwerp who runs the Inn with consist of a double gate leading onto Millfeld Walk
his second wife, Anna (mid 30’s), their twin daughters, at the front, alongside the Inn building and anoth-
Trudi and Lysette (13) and son, Joszef (9). er at the rear facing onto the town commons.

Stables. This is a double width cruck-framed 1½ The front gates are open from Dawn to two hours
storey building with 20 stalls, 12 for 1-2 animals (more or less) after Dusk. After that there is a Porter
and 8 for 3-4, plus space for some cargo (equivalent on duty to midnight or thereabouts, but he will expect
of a half a dozen waggon loads). The half storey a ¼d to ½d tip to open up for late returning guests or
takes up half the length of the building – the left late arriving travellers (assuming there is any space
side is for hay and straw as is half of the right side. left in the Inn in the latter case).
The rear gates are only opened as needed to allow The long axis still houses the Common Room, which
animals access to the commons – which usually can seat 20-30 patrons and sleep as many on
means from just after dawn to just before dusk. paliasses but the Kitchen has been replaced by four
private Dining Rooms, two small ones which can
The private entrances are associated with the Cart- seat 4-6, a medium sized one which can seat 8-10
wright’s Shop (the front and rear doors of the and a ‘Banquet Hall’ which can seat 18-20.
workshop proper allow a drive-through from street
to courtyard) and the Smithy, which has a gate at Sleeping space on the floor and a simple evening meal
the side of the property leading into the courtyard. (Ale or Beer, a Bowl of Pottage) and a hunk of bread
and cheese in the morning costs 2½d (3d a night with
These are not regular entrances – they’re there for the a Bowl of Fish Pottage) per night.
convenience of the owners of the workshops and
customers who are also patrons of the Inn, and only The Small Dining rooms are in use every night on a
because the craftsmen are related to the Innkeeper. first come basis – but are so popular they are often
booked in advance by guests or locals. They cost 3d
The Good Samaritan Inn (East Street). The original to hire; the Medium Dining Room costs 1/- and the
Inn founded near the Eastgate, the Good Samaritan ‘Banquet Hall’ 2/-. Food and drink are extra.
has lost some business to the Moor’s Head in recent
years as the latter has better facilities for the At the ‘T’ end of the building the Kitchen, Buttery,
carriage trade. As a reaction, the Innkeeper has Pantry (including Ovens) and other storerooms are
moved his establishment’s emphasis to a more on the left and, on the right, the private rooms of
upmarket clientele with the opening of the Guest the Innkeeper (including the whole 1st floor above).
House on the Inn grounds.
The current Innkeeper is Geoffrey Taverner (mid
Main Building. The original Inn was a standard 1½ 60’s) who lives here with his third wife, Julianna
storey half-timbered building with little more than (early 40’s) and extended family. He and his wife
a common room and kitchen – but, over time, this have rooms on the upper floor, off the Solar, while the
has been expanded into a two storey building with rest of the family have rooms on the ground floor.
an additional cross wing added at what was the
kitchen end to give the main building a ‘T’ shape. This includes his oldest son, Richard (mid 40’s) who
assists his father in running the Inn (and who will
inherit the business), and his wife, Cecily (late 30’s)
and four of their children (Henry, 18; Joan, 12,
Simon, 9 and Lizabeth, 6) while two others (Aylwin,
15, an apprentice Vintner and Michael, 13, an app-
rentice Carpenter, living elsewhere).

Also residing with the family are Geoffrey’s brother,

William (50ish) a retired Ship's Captain who owns
three medium sized ships engaged in the cross-
channel trade. He lives here with his new wife, Nora
(late 30s) and their son and daughter (Gabriel, 13, a
Grammar school student at present, though he has
accompanied his father on many voyages and will
probably take over his shipping business, and
Magdalen, 8) while in port.

On the Ground (US 1st) Floor the space above the

Common Room holds four large rooms, each with
four beds (each sleeping 3-4 people) with access via
stairs just inside the front door) while the space
above the Kitchens holds six small single rooms,
each with two single beds, a table and two stools
(access via narrow stairs just inside the rear door).

Space in a bed in one of the large rooms plus a meal

of Ale, Beer and Meat Pottage (plus a hunk of bread
and cheese in the morning) costs 6d per night. Space
in the small rooms costs 8d per per person per night
(including meals as above) but the Innkeeper offers a
weekly rate for these rooms and meals – 3/6d (40d),
paid in advance or 4/- (48d) otherwise.

Above the Kitchen wing is further storage for dry

goods and preserved foods – one of the reasons the
Inn is able to keep his rates low and profits high is
that they buys in bulk after harvest when prices are
cheapest and stores the foods here.

The Guest House. Only relatively new, the Taverner

family have opened a newly constructed two storey
building aimed at the better off traveller – the
Guest House.

The Ground Floor has a private Kitchen and Dining

Room (table space 10-12) and a suite of four rooms
(two bedrooms (one with a Four poster bed for two,
table, two chairs, two chests and a close stool; the outside work and, while the Saddler does mainly
other with two single beds, a table, two chairs and repair work (saddle/harness), he also does contract
a chest), a Solar, with fireplace, table and six chairs; work. Since both craftsmen work for the Inn they can
and a Bathroom with private tub (a half-tun barrel). also do emergency (after hours) repair work up to as
late as 8 pm, but only for Inn patrons (add +2-4d per
The First Floor has two three room (Bedroom with line item for such late work).
Four poster bed, second bedroom with two single
beds, Solar) and two two room suites (Bedroom The half-floor on the left unit is used entirely for
with Four poster and Truckle bed, Solar). The hat and feed storage while on the right unit it has
rooms are fitted with good quality furnishings – not rooms for the Farrier and Saddler and their families
elite quality, but certainly the sort someone of the as well as a dormitory with space for a dozen of the
‘middling sort’ could afford. Inn staff on a mix of truckle beds and paliasses.

The ground floor suite costs 12/- per night and up Since there is so much space in the Inn proper, it is
(depending on the perceived social status of the guest), rare for there to be a need for any of this space to be
not including meals. The first floor suites cost 8/- per required for patrons – but, if there is, then the charge
night for the three room ones and 6/- for the two room for a bed in the straw and a meal (Ale, Beer and
ones - again, actual cost will depend on the perceived Pottage plus a chunk of bread and cheese in the
status of the guest. Meals are prepared in the private morning) is 1¾d per night, or 2¼d with Fish Pottage.
kitchen and served either in the private dining room
or in the Solars in each suite. The Warehouse. This is part warehouse and part
secure ‘parking’ for carts and waggons – it is a 1½
These rooms are very popular with those travelling storey cruck-framed building with space for a
gentry and wealthy merchants who do not have local dozen waggons or half as many again carts inside
contacts who they can guest with and aren’t wealthy or for a similar amount of cargo.
enough to have a townhouse – and are generally fully
occupied on the Market Days and 10-60% occupied There is a Clerk, assisted by a Stablehand, on duty
the rest of the week. during the day to check vehicles and cargoes in and
out and at night two stable hands take turns to
The Stables. This is a double sized (side by side) sleep and do the rounds inside to make sure there
cruck-framed wattle and daub building with a are no undetected break-ins.
thatched roof – the front half of each unit is open
to the ceiling and the rear half has a half-floor. Cost to store a Cart in here is typically 1d per night or
There are 20 stalls capable of handling up to 40 5d per week and to store a Waggon costs 1½d a night
horse sized beasts, though more normally there are or 8d per week. Storing just the cargo costs half as
only half that number present … and there is also much (½d a night or 2½d per week for a cartload,
a Farrier’s Shop at the rear of one unit and a ¾d a night or 4d per week for a waggon load).
Saddlery at the rear of the other.
The Courtyard. The Inn courtyard is enclosed by a
The Farrier and Saddler are on staff. Though they 12’ high wall of solid stone construction and 18”
both serve Inn patrons as a priority they do accept thick and with a double gate at the front, facing
onto East Street and at the rear, facing onto an To hire the Dining Rooms for a private function costs
alleyway. There is also a private entrance with a 6d for the one that closes early and 1/- for the one
box type lock near the Guest House – and patrons that closes late (meals additional) – though the space
rooming there are given a key to it on request (6d may be made available to regular diners if the main
deposit) so they can re-enter at any hour of the day Common Room is full.
or night.
The front of the First (US 2nd) Floor has six rooms,
The front gates are open from dawn to dusk, but there four medium sized ones, each of which has two
is a staffer on duty till around 7-8 pm (later in three place beds a table and four stools, and two
Summer, earlier in Winter) who will open up for late smaller ones, each of which has a two place bed
arrivals if there is still room available inside. and a single bed as well as a small table and two
stools. The Innkeeper’s rooms are at the rear, two
There is also a covered well and pens for 20-30 bedrooms, a small office and a solar.
horse sized beasts and space for a dozen waggons
or twice as many carts. Bed space in one of the medium rooms costs 6d a
night with a meal of Ale, Beer and Fish Pottage. In
The Merry Monk Inn (Greengarth & Southgate). the small rooms, however, bed space costs 8d a night
Another relatively recent establishment in the and includes a meal with Wine, Meat and Herbs.
town’s new expansion area between the Millfleet These small rooms may be rented as private rooms for
and River Sleet, and almost directly adjacent to the 1/3 (15d) a night, meals not included.
South Gate.
The Innkeeper is Henry of Canterbury (mid 40s) who
Main Building. This two storey half-timbered build- owns the Inn in common with his wife, Gudrun Sig-
ing faces onto Greengarth and is directly adjacent rudsdottir (late 30s), the widow of a Norwegian sea
to the double gates that give entry into the Inn’s captain who runs the Inn, and Henry (at least in
courtyard though patrons can enter the Inn directly public) with a no-nonsense attitude. Henry’s son from
from the street as well as from the courtyard. his first marriage, Geoffrey (16) lives with them and is
a journeyman farrier who operates out of their stables
The Ground (US 1st) Floor has a large Common as well as assisting with the general care of the
Room with table space for up to 30 patrons which animals stabled there. Gudrun’s only child, a son by
is supplemented by two semi-private dining rooms, her first marriage, Olaf (20) is the Mate on one of the
each with seating for up to a dozen patrons and large Cogs that ply the Baltic trade and regularly
which can be converted to dormitories at night, stops (~6 times a year) at Porthaven.
each with space for six truckle-beds. There is a
Kitchen and storerooms at the rear with a cellar The Annex. The Annex is a two storey building with
and buttery below, reached by external stairs from a stone ground floor and half-timbered upper floor
the courtyard and internal stairs from one of the and looks to fulfil the latest expectations at the
storerooms. higher end of the hospitality trade.

A truckle-bed costs 4d a night and the price includes The Ground (US 1st) Floor has eight private single
an evening meal of Ale, Beer and Fish Pottage. One rooms each with a single bed (and space for a
of the two dining rooms will be closed down by second truckle bed), table, chair and chest as well
around 9 pm so that those patrons who want an early as a two room ‘suite’ (four poster double bed in the
night can turn in – the other may be occupied by interior room with a table, two chairs and a chest
private dining parties until midnight and will only be plus a table and four chairs, chest and Close Stool
used as a dormitory if the rest of the accommodation in the outer room where two truckle beds can be set
is full to the gills. up as well.

The single rooms go for 1/- (12d) a night for one

person, which includes a meal of Wine, Meat and
Herbs. For two people the cost is 1/6d (20d) without
or 2/- with a meal for two. The ‘suite’ goes for 3/- (36d)
plus 8d per truckle bed with no meals or 4/- (48d) plus
1/- (12d) per truckle bed with meals of Wine, Meat
and Herbs.

At one end of the ground floor is a stone floored,

well drained, bathroom … with two wooden tubs
(lined with linen sheets when in use), one a single
space tub and the other with space for up to four
people. There is a fireplace and large cauldron in
the room so that hot water doesn’t need to be
carried far to fill the tubs.

A private bath costs 4d with fresh water or 3d without.

A common bath costs 3d per person, minimum of four,
with fresh water and 2d without. The price includes
‘cloths’ (towels) and soap.

Off of the main room is a smaller room lined on

three sides with wooden bench seats (space for ~9
people) and an iron brazier to hold heated stones space is a dormitory with 12 truckle beds and space
in the centre … a pretty basic sort of sauna, the for another 12 paliasses which are available for
brainchild of Gudrun, and quite popular with some servants or poorer travellers.
of the more well travelled locals as well as sailors
from Scandinavia and the Baltic. If you’re paying for dormitory space it is 2d per night
for a truckle bed or 1½d for a paliasses. A simple
Use of the Sauna costs 1d per person, minimum of meal of Ale or Beer and Herbed Pottage is included.
two, or half this if purchased with a private or
common bath. It includes ‘cloths’ (towels) and soap. The Moor’s Head Inn (East Street). A relatively
recent foundation established on the site of a form-
The First (US 2nd) Floor contains two three room er industrial tenement and incorporation a repurp-
Suites (the Baronial Suites) and a single four room osed cruck-framed 1½ storey half-timbered ware-
Suite (the Ducal Suite). house as the main Inn building with a new-build
1½ storey wooden stable out back.
The Baronial Suites have a main bedroom with a
Four Poster bed (sleeps two), a table, two chairs, Main Building. The main building is, as one would
close stool and two chests; a second bedroom with expect from a converted warehouse, quite long and
two single beds, a table, two chairs and two chests; relatively narrow. About half of the Ground (US 1st)
and a Dining Room or Solar with a long table, six Floor is taken up by the Common Room, which has
chairs and a fireplace which also has space for two table/sleeping space for ~24 patrons plus two
truckle beds. ‘Private’ rooms between it and the Kitchen which
seat 6-8 and 10-12 patrons, respectively, at proper
The Baronial Suites cost 7/6 (90d) per night and up, (if simple) tables and in chairs rather than on stools
based on perceived social status and this does not or trestle benches.
include any meals. The Innkeeper also offers a
weekly rate of £2/15/- (660d) to regular patrons (not Sleeping space on the floor plus a simple evening
marked up for social status, so an actual saving). All meal (Ale or Beer, a Bowl of Pottage) and a hunk of
rates rate include space for up to four servants in the bread and cheese in the morning costs 3d per night.
Dormitory over the Stables and their meals. Better quality meals cost extra (see Dining Out, #172,
The Marketplace) and use of the Private rooms costs
The Ducal Suite has two main bedrooms (each with a minimum of 1d per person of capacity (more for
a Four Poster bed which can sleep two, a table, two well-to-do dining parties – less for regulars) the cost of
chairs, close stool and two chests), a secondary the meals being additional.
bedroom with two single beds, a table, two chairs
and two chests, and a Dining Room or Solar with a At the rear of the Kitchen is the Inn’s Buttery and
long table, eight chairs and a fireplace. Storerooms (Cellar below, accessed by a staircase
from within the Buttery).
The Ducal Suite costs 12/- (144d) and up per night
(again, based on perceived social status), not includ- The First (US 2nd) Floor has a Dorm with 12 single
ing meals. A weekly rate of £3/12/- (864d) is available beds directly above the Common Room and, at the
for regular patrons (not marked up for social status). rear, over the Kitchen, two small rooms, each with
These rates includes space for up to six servants in the two single beds, table, chair and chest).
Dormitory over the stables and their meals.
A single dormitory bed costs 3½d per night while one
The Stables. This a 1½ storey structure with 18 in the small rooms costs 5d. All these include a simple
single stalls. The half floor is ¾ taken up with evening meal (Ale or Beer, Meat and Herbs) and
storage space for straw and hay and the remaining bread and cheese in the morning.
In the central range, accessed by two separate stairs Arms, and has had to build upwards rather than
between the Kitchen and the Private Dining rooms simply expanding into the quite small courtyard
(left and right), are two ‘suites’ of two identical inside the walled compound.
small rooms – one with a two space bed and the
other with a table, four chairs, a truckle bed and Main Building. This Ground (US 1st) Floor contains
space for paliasses. the Common Room, which has table/sleeping space
for around 30 patrons, and the Kitchen (which has
The ‘suites’ cost a minimum of 4/- (48d) per night, a Cellar and Buttery below, running the whole
meals not included – but elite individuals will be length of the building, accessed from a staircase
expected to pay more. and door from the courtyard and a hatch and
ladder from inside the Kitchen).
At the very rear are the rooms belonging to the
Innkeeper – two Bedrooms and a small Common Sleeping space on the floor plus a simple evening
Room, which are reached by stairs just inside the meal (Ale or Beer and a Bowl of Pottage) costs 2d per
rear door to the Buttery. night. Better quality meals cost extra (see Dining Out,
#172, The Marketplace).
The Stables. These are pretty standard – they have
20 stalls and can accommodate up to 60 horses or The First (US 2nd) Floor is accessed by narrow stairs
similar beasts, but normally have only half that at the rear of the Common Room. The first room is
number present. The half storey is mostly for stor- the largest, with four beds (three sleep three each,
age of hay and straw (and can accommodate guests one sleeps four) and, at the rear, is a smaller room
in a pinch), though there is a separate room at the with only two beds, each sleeping three.
end which has four single beds for the stable staff.
A good meal (Wine, Beer or Ale, a Meat Dish with
The Courtyard. This is surrounded by a 10’ high Herbs) plus space in a four person bed costs 2d, 3d in
wall of stout wooden timbers. There is a double a three person bed.
gate at the front and a similar gate at the rear
(opening onto a rear alley) as well as a doorway in The Half Storey is the Innkeeper’s private quarters
one of the long sides, near the rear door to the Main and has four rooms – two bedrooms (one large, one
Building, which opens on a side alley. small; a cubby-hole office and a common room).

The main gate closes at 9 pm, or as close to as is The Innkeeper is Jeffrey Goodman (the fourth gen-
possible with medieval timekeeping technology. eration of the family to own and operate the Inn, late
There is normally someone on duty at the side door 40’s) and he and his wife, Joan (mid 30’s) run the Inn.
until midnight who can allow patrons who have
been out after curfew to re-enter, but they will have They have two children at home, Rose (12) and Irene
to be bribed to allow additional guests in (assum- (10) – their eldest son, Adam (16) is an apprentice
ing, of course, that there is still space inside). Blacksmith (living out) and their youngest, Hugh (12)
attends Grammar School at the County Seat on a
There is a covered well in the courtyard as well as part-scholarship (yes, Rose and Hugh are twins).
space to accommodate 8-10 waggons or twice that
many carts – and four separate pens which can The Stables. This is also a 2½ storey structure. The
accommodate 30-40 horses or similar beasts. Ground Floor is the Stables, with eight stalls (can
handle up to 24 horses or similar, but normally
Inn of the Seven Stars (Market Row). The Seven only contains a dozen) with hay/feed storage at the
Stars is on a smaller tenement than the Waterman’s rear of the building.

The First Floor has six small rooms (two single beds,
table, chair, stool, chest) and two two room ‘suites’
(Inner room with a four poster bed for two, table,
two chairs, a chest and close stool; an outer room
with a larger table, four chairs and fireplace. These
rooms have two truckle beds (stored under the four
poster in the inner room) for additional guests.
Access to the First Floor is via an external staircase
from the courtyard.

The small single rooms cost 1/3d (15d) per night, and
include a good meal (Wine, Ale or Beer plus Meat and
Herbs). The Suites cost a minimum of 3/6d (42d) per
night, more for high status parties, and this rate
doesn’t include meals.

The Half Storey has a long single dormitory with six

single beds normally used by the Inn’s staff plus a
small private room with a two person bed for the
Cook and his wife). Access is via an extension of the
same external staircase that serves the First Floor.

The Courtyard. This is surrounded by a 8’ high, 1’

thick stone wall pierced by a a double gate facing
East Street and a similar one to the alley at the rear.

The main gate is open from dawn to around 7 pm

but there is a gatekeeper on duty to around 9 pm
who can allow potential patrons entry if the Inn
still has space. The rear gate is normally opened
only during daylight hours and only when needed. are normally close to full by closing time. The half
storey is used for storing hay and straw and also
The courtyard only has space for three waggons or has dormitory with eight beds which act as overflow
twice as many Carts and a pen for a dozen horses accommodation for those who cannot find space in
or similar animals plus a covered well. the Inn proper.

The Red Dragon Inn (Millfeld Walk). Only the Inn A bed in the Stables costs 3d a night as well, and also
proper and stables remain, the rest of the tenement comes with the same simple meal as space in a bed in
has been sold off over recent years as business fell the main Inn – but you do get your own bed.
off when the town expanded and the South Gate
was moved further south. The Waterman’s Arms Inn (Bridge Street). The
walled Inn compound is quite large and has three
Main Building. This is a two storey half-timbered buildings – the Inn, the Stables and the New Annex.
structure with Common Room (table space for
30-40) and Kitchen on the Ground Floor and two Main Building. This is at least the third to have
rooms at the front of the First Floor, one with four been built on the site (the previous two burnt down)
beds (three sleeping three, one for four) and the and has a brick Ground and a half-timbered First
other with three beds (two sleeping three, one for floor (US 1st and 2nd Floors, respectively) with a
two). At the rear of the upper floor are the rooms of tiled roof. There is also a cellar under the rear half
the Innkeeper’s family – two bedrooms and a Solar. of the building (the part with the Kitchen, Bakery
and Store) – the remains of the middle inn building.
As part of the deal allowing the Innkeeper to operate
his Common Room as a Tavern, it may not be used for The Ground Floor has a common room
accommodation. Space in the beds on the First Floor (table/sleeping space for 30 patrons) and fireplace
costs 4d a night with a simple meal (Ale or Beer and taking up about two thirds of the space, but is
a bowl of Herbed Pottage). modern enough to have a separate Kitchen (and,
unusually for a Town Inn, it’s own Ovens) and
The Tavern specialises in Roast Meats and has Beef, storerooms – and a separate room for the Cook and
Mutton and Pork on the spit, ready to be carved from the Ostler (Elfrid and David, a married couple in
dawn to an hour before closing. Roast Lamb and their mid 40’s, long term and trusted employees)
Rabbit are available on demand and typically take a which was originally a small storeroom.
half an hour to prepare.
Bed space on the floor and a a mug of Ale or Beer and
The Innkeeper is one Robert of Lincoln (late 30s) a bowl of Pottage) costs 2½d a night. Better meals (as
who lives here with his widowed mother, Davina (late per Dining Out, #172, The Marketplace, cost more).
50s) who supervises the kitchen, and his only surviv-
ing daughter, Mary (16) who assists in the running of Access to the Cellar is via stairs and a door on the
the Inn and who is in line to inherit it. outside and a internal stairs from the Kitchen (being
part of an older structure which, in turn, replaced the
Stables. There are a dozen stalls (6 single, 6 double) original building, it is certainly possible that there are
in this 1½ storey cruck-framed building and they hidden rooms or passages which may or may not be
known of by the owners and may or may not be in use be held in the stables (or whose owners don’t wish to
for a variety of secretive, if not illegal, purposes. pay the extra for stall space). Up to 30 horses (or
similar) can be accommodated here.
The First Floor has two sections – one is reached by
stairs at the rear of the Common Room and, in- New Annex. This was originally additional storage
deed, is over that space. This is divided into three space and the Inn’s brew-house, but changing
rooms, two medium sized ones with two beds (each tastes and demand for better quality (elite) accom-
capable of sleeping three people) and a large one modation meant that the current owner’s grand-
with four beds (one can sleep four, two can sleep father repurposed it. The Ground Floor is still used
three and one can sleep two). as a Buttery (i.e. to store Ale, Beer and Wine) but
the First Floor is now divided into two areas, each
A good meal (Wine, Beer or Ale, a Meat Dish with entered from a covered porch reached by stairs
Herbs) plus space in a four person bed costs 2½d, from the Inn courtyard).
3½d in a three person bed.
One side of the upper floor has four small rooms,
The rear section, over the Kitchen/Storeroom, each rather like a Monk’s Cell, with a wooden bed,
reached by external stairs, is the family quarters of table, stool and chest all facing a small common
the owner – three rooms, two of which are currently area with a table and four chairs and a fireplace.
used as bedrooms (the owner and his wife in one,
their son his wife in the other) and a third currently The other room on this floor is a three room ‘priv-
used as an office plus a Common room. ate’ suite – one room has a four poster bed (sleeps
two), table, chair, stool and chest; the second has
The current Innkeeper is Walter Inman (50ish) who two simple single beds, a table, two stools and a
is assisted by his oldest son, Rufus (early 30’s). They chest, and the third room has a fireplace (sharing a
are married to, respectively, Margery (Walter’s sec- common chimney with the common room), table
ond wife, and stepmother to Rufus) and Alice. Rufus with two chairs and six stools, chest, and a curt-
and Alice have three children – Mary (only a year ained off area with a close stool.
old, still sleeps in a crib in their room), Thomas (9)
and Peter (7), who sleep in the family’s common room. The small single rooms cost 1/- (12d) per night. The
‘suite’ costs 3/- (36d) and up (depending on the
Stables. A large 1½ storey, cruck-framed and half perceived social status of the primary guest) per night.
timbered building with a wood shingle roof, there Meals are not included.
are a dozen stalls with space for up to 30 horses
(but more usually only 12-18). The half storey is The Inn Courtyard. The compound is roughly rect-
built over the two thirds of the building and is angular – the Inn proper forms most of one of the
mainly used to store hay and straw, though there is two long walls, the Stables for the other and the
a small dormitory at the rear of the space where the New Annex is in the left rear corner. The walls are
stable boys sleep (room for four) and up to a dozen of good stone masonry, 8’ high and 2’ thick – with
patrons can usually be accommodated on the straw double gates at the front, 12’ wide, and a single
bales if the other Inn accommodation is at capacity. doorway between the Annex and Inn to allow the
guests and staff to have semi-private access.
Space in the stable and a basic meal costs 1¾d a
night, but is only available after the Common Room The main Gates are closed between an hour after
floor space fills up. dusk or from around 7 pm in high summer, though
there is a gatekeeper who will open them for late
Between the Stables and the New Annex is a large arrivals as late as 9 pm. The side doorway is normally
pen for those horses and other animals which cannot locked and only opened to let patrons or staff out.

The Courtyard has a covered well, is surfaced with

wooden cobbles, and has space for a dozen Carts or
half that many Waggons.

The White Horse Inn (Church Street). One of the

newest Inns in Porthaven, only established around
60 years ago when the popularity and regularity of
the New Market made it a sensible business choice.

Unfortunately, it also meant the cost of land near

to the market square were so expensive that the Inn
had to be constructed on half of a subdivided one
and is rather short of space as a result. There are
only two buildings on the tenement, the Inn and
the stables, and the courtyard is barely big enough
for a waggon to turn around.

Main Building. With limited space, the owners have

had to build up for expansion, so the main build-
ing is three storeys. The ground floor is of solid
stone construction but the two upper floors are only
half-timbered. The roof is of terracotta tile.

The front two thirds of the Ground (US 1st) Floor is

taken up by the Common Room which has seating
for 30 patrons and sleeping space on the floor for children, Seené (13) and Rona (8) living at home and
about 20-24. The rear third is taken up by the a son, Rory (15), who is apprenticed to a Notary and
Kitchen, which has a Cellar and Buttery beneath. lives in at his premises.

Floor space in the Common room plus a basic meal of The Stables. This is a two storey wattle and daub
Ale or Beer and Pottage costs 3d per night. structure and, as noted, is quite small. The Ground
Floor has only a dozen stalls – eight single space
The First (US 2nd) Floor (reached by stairs from just and four double space, plus a small Farrier’s
off the side of the main door to the Common Room, workshop at the rear. The First Floor is mostly taken
has two large (four triple beds) and four medium up with hay and straw (about ¾ of the floor space)
sized (one quadruple and two truckle beds) rooms. with a small four bed dorm for the Inn staff and a
single room (double bed) for the Ostler.
Bed space and a meal (Ale or Beer plus Meat and
Herbs) costs 6d per night. Courtyard. There is space for a covered well along
one side but otherwise there is only enough space
The Second (US 3rd) Floor is split into two parts, the for two waggons or 4-5 carts and waggons will have
front 2/3rds is reached by a continuation of the difficulty turning inside. There is a 12’ high stone
stairs leading up from the Common Room on the wall all the way around with a double gate and
ground floor and contains two small rooms (each single doorway facing onto Church Street.
with a single bed, table and stool), four medium
rooms (with two single beds, table and two stools) The double gate is ~15’ wider rather than a more
and a two room suite (one room with a Four poster common 12’ and is open from dawn to ~7 pm. The
bed, sleeping two, a table and two chairs, the other doorway alongside, however, has a Porter on duty
with a table, four chairs, and two truckle beds). who can allow potential patrons entry as late as 9 pm
and actual patrons any hour of the night (though
The small rooms cost 8d per night, including a mug after midnight the Porter would expect a tip of ½-1d).
of Wine and a Meat and Herb dish plus Fish Pottage
in the morning); the medium rooms cost 8d per bed
and the ‘suite’ costs 4/- per night, but both these types
of room include the same meal deal per person.

The rear of the Second Floor is the Innkeeper’s

private rooms – a large and small bedroom, a small
room which can be either a bedroom or office
(currently a bedroom), a Solar and a small cubby
at the top of the stairs which is used as an office.
Access is via private (internal) stairs and two land-
ings up from the rear door of the ground floor, just
inside the kitchen.

The Innkeeper is Sarah MacGregor (late 40’s), the

widow of the last owner, who is assisted by her eldest
daughter, Lorna (mid 30’s) and her husband, Steph-
en (late 30’s), a journeyman Blacksmith who does
some Farrier work at the Inn. They have three
other commercial premises (and these were built on
reclaimed land adjacent to Greyfleet. There are 20 (a)
resident Friars and half a dozen novices and there is
room for twice that number.

See the ground plan below for the layout of the ground
(US 1st) floor of the Priory’s main building. (b)
(d)
(c)
On the grounds is the Chapel of the Annunciation, St Cecilia’s Church
quarters for the Brothers and Novices, a Free School,
an Infirmary and an Almshouse. 13) St Cecilia’s Church. This was built by the Bishop
of Wherever to become the Parish Church of the new
The Free School offers instruction to ‘poor’ boys (not to town. Constructed in stone to the Anglo-Norman style
girls, of course) – but that only means that there are no it has been refurbished and expanded several times
fees paid for attendance … the students are largely over the last two centuries or so – and currently the
expected to provide their own consumables, probably Town Corporation and the Parish Council are in the
costing ½-1d per week) and has space for 40 students of process of having two new towers (a, b), a new Porch
all ages, but usually for those between 8-9 and 13-14. (c) and a Chapel to St Michael the Archangel (d), the
Two ‘full’ and two ‘partial’ scholarships are available – town’s Patron Saint (as Patron Saint of mariners
the former providing for board (eating in the Refectory), being constructed.
lodging (in a Novice’s cell), consumables and clothing (a
Novice’s habit, underwear and sandals) while the latter The southern tower (b) is currently ~75% complete and
provides only the mid-day meal and consumables. the northern one (c) is around 50% finished. The Porch
is finished, but is waiting for the ornamental doors to be
The Infirmary and Almshouse are on the grounds but finished – they are being cast in London by the Brasiers
in a separate purpose built stone building and all share Guild and there have been a number of delays caused
the same facilities – there are 12 beds (each able to take by the need to cast individual ornaments for the separ-
2 patients), 6 for women and 6 for men in two separate ate door panels and then weld them to the base.
wards for the Infirmary and twelve cells (similar to a
Novice’s) in a separate Almshouse wing for the indigent While not as slow to build as the typical cathedral
aged and infirm. (which could take hundreds of years to add on to), these
additions will probably take several years to a decade to
(The Infirmary cares for the indigent poor who need complete in stages.
nursing care for illnesses and/or first aid or surgical care
… mostly for chronic illnesses which make the sufferer There is a small cemetery on the grounds with several
unable to work, or for the setting of broken bones, private chapels belonging to important local noble
assistance during childbirth etc.) families and to the families of some of the wealthier
and families of some of the longer-lived local civic
There is also a Cemetery, mainly intended for the notables. The rest of the graveyard is cramped, so
Brothers but also containing several crypts belonging cramped that the church has an agreement with the
to the families of benefactors, and a Charnel House Priory of the Annunciation to use their Charnel House
(where the dug up bones are stored after the bodies when they disinter bones to allow the re-use of graves.
have rotted away).
The Church proper faces Market Street while the Cem-
etery is along the south side and at the rear, facing onto
Church Street. There is a stone built Rectory of two
storeys facing onto The Rows.

14) Hospital & Chapel of St John of Jerusalem.

This institution is run by the Hospitalers and includes
a Hospital (a combined Hospice and Infirmary) as
well as the namesake Chapel and accommodation for
Brothers and Novices of the Order.

The Charter of the Hospital requires that at least 12

paupers receive food daily, outside the gates during
summer and at the hearth during winter, that seven
young scholars be hosted (i.e. fed, clothed and provided
Priory of the Annunciation accommodation) and educated at Grammar school level,
that beds for 30 poor old, sick or infirm patients (10 beds
reserved for poor clergy, the rest for poor laymen) and Hospital & Chapel of St John of Jerusalem
accommodation for up to two dozen ‘pilgrims’ in Cells
and twice that many in Dormitory accommodation. Kitchen
Commander’s
Pilgrim’s Cells (over)
Pilgrim Cells cost 2d per night (including a simple meal Lodging (over)
of Ale and Pottage) while Dormitory accommodation is Brother’s Cells
available for 1d, meal ¼d extra. Indigent pilgrims may

Dormitory
Cellarer
be charged less, or even accommodated for free, at the

Refectory
Cloister
discretion of the Cellarer (and, generally, up to ¼ of the
beds in the Dormitory are potentially so available).

The Commandery has a normal complement of the

Infirmary Hall Nave Chancel
Knight-Commander, two Knight-Brothers, a dozen
Brother-Serjeants (4 Mounted, 8 Foot), a Broth-
Tower
er-Surgeon and his six assistants (2 Brothers, 4 Nov- Lady Chapel
ices) who operate the Infirmary.
Porch

About half of the Knights and Serjeants are present at Endowed by the last of the De Coucy Barons after a
any given time – the rest are either doing the rounds of ‘vision’ at Compostela during a pilgrimage made on
the lands belonging to the Hospital in the region, doing the return leg of a journey to the Holy Lands, around
much the same things a feudal lord (holding Manorial a century ago one of the Fitzalan Barons made a
Courts, collecting Tithes/Taxes, overseeing operations) similar pilgrimage to Compostela and experienced an
or they are off elsewhere on the business of the Order identical vision which led him to fund a Chapel to St
(sometimes on an actual Crusade or in the Holy Lands, James of the Sword (the Spanish Orden de Santiago)
but more often on other military or commercial business with which following Barons have maintained regular
in different parts of western Europe). links … often sending younger sons to fight against the
Iberian Muslims alongside the Order Knights.
Note: As an international Crusading Order, the Hospit-
allers do not automatically make themselves available Because of the Chapel’s strong military links with the
for service in the Select or General Fyrd. It very much Order and religious links with Santiago de Compostela
depends on the circumstances. it also has strong commercial links, through them, with
Spain in general. As a result, St James Zebedee can
15) Chapel of St James Zebedee (aka St James the arrange Bills of Exchange cashable at any of the major
Great). Dedicated to James Zebedee, one of the orig- cities or towns along the Camino de Santiago (the
inal disciples and, traditionally, the first to become a Pilgrimage route – including Porthaven, Canterbury,
Martyr (executed on the orders of Herod Agrippa in Brighton, Southampton and Plymouth in England;
AD 44, the only such martyrdom actually mentioned Dieppe, Caen, Paris, Orleans, Tours, Poitiers and
in the New Testament) and who, by this time, was Bordeaux in France; and Roncesvalles, Pamplona,
regarded as the Patron Saint of Spain and whose main Burgos, Leon, Bilbao, Santander, Oviedo and [of
shrine at Santiago de Compostela (in Galicia, a major course] Compostela in Spain).
pilgrimage site for western European pilgrims).
While this was initially merely a convenience for actual
pilgrims, it has grown to be a useful arrangement for
merchants heading to France and Spain for mere base
commerce … and has generated considerable profits for
the Church locally (and a portion of which, a tenth, it
donates to the Orden de Santiago).

The Chapel is also involved in financing trades with

Spain, either by loaning money to Merchants or by
buying shares in trading ventures – and these canny
investments mean the Chapel has considerable commer-
cial holdings (including warehouses and tenements near
the waterfront and most of the tenements between the
Chapel grounds and the New Market) here as well as in
the ports of Bilbao and Santander.

They also have Hospices in the latter two ports (the one
in Bilbao can accommodate 36 pilgrims, the one in
Santander, 48) as well as in Oviedo (which can accom-
modate 24 pilgrims) – these Hospices will provide acc-
ommodation for rural Monastery rates even though they All Saints Minster
are situated in Towns.

The Barony’s Knights gather here (as many as can

attend do – most make the attempt) for the Feast Day
of St. John (which they celebrate according to the
Visigothic Rite, on December 30th, in the Chapel of St.
James of the Sword rather than the Latin Rite, which
would be July 25th). The Chapel has a Crypt for any
Knights from the Barony who have gone on Crusade.

In a similar vein, many of the Town’s merchants who

trade with Spain (and some Spanish Merchants who
trade through Porthaven) celebrate the Latin Rite
Feast Day of St. John in the Church on July 25th.
Some wealthy merchant families have crypts in the
cemetery while those of a more middling wealth are
often buried in regular graveyard plots.

The Chapel and Rectory are separate buildings and

the two storey stone Rectory has a special, separate,
underground cellar with stone walls, an iron grille
door with integral box-key lock as well as rings for
three sets of chains and padlocks to act as the treasury
for the Chapel’s valuables.

There can be anywhere from £75-200 in valuables clerical staff are found at (20) The Dean’s Palace &
English, French and Spanish coin, Silver Ingots etc.) – Chapel (see below).
not including Church Plate (another £25 or so).
17) Franciscan Friary. A relatively new foundation,
16) All Saints Minster. Or, more formally, the Colleg- dating back only about 120 years, this establishment
iate Church of All Saints. Minsters are, theoretically, of the Order of Friars Minor has a complement of
Cathedral Churches without a Bishop – usually under 30-40 Friars who operate a Grammar School, an Alms-
the rule of an Abbot. This was, originally, the case house (with space for 24 indigent poor, half for men
with All Saints, which was under the rule of the Abbot and half for women) and an Infirmary (also with 24
of All Saints Monastery (see below) but, as a result of beds) they also have a Pilgrim’s Dormitory with a
divers religio-political-economic manoeuvering it is dozen beds available for travellers – all in a walled
currently a subsidiary of the See of the Bishop of compound to preserve the Brothers’ privacy.
Wherever whose main Cathedral is at the County Seat
The Brothers each potential ‘pilgrims’ and offer acc-
All Saints is under the authority of the Dean of Port- ommodation and a meal for free to those they deem
haven, who ranks as an Auxiliary Bishop and to genuine pilgrims and who are not wealthy. Travellers
whom all the Churches in the Town and surrounding or pilgrims of apparent means are charged either the
Parishes (including most of Ithura) are subordinate. rural or urban monastic rate based on their assessment.

Note that the Monastery of Forcythwyru and the Mon- There is also a Chapel on the grounds which the
astic Churches and Chapels of Porthaven are not auto- Brothers use for their own private worship – though
matically under the authority of the Dean (or even of those housed in the Almshouse or Infirmary who are
the Bishop) – though ‘authority’ means little more than too aged or sick to attend services elsewhere are
precedence at functions where both are present and the normally allowed to attend Sunday (and important
right to confirm the election of a new Abbot (but not to Holy Day) services there.
impose their own choice). Forcythwyru is independent,
as is the Commandery of the Hospitallers. The Dominic- The Brothers also provide ‘poor relief’ to a number of
ans, however, are under the Bishop’s authority – which deserving families in the Town, in some cases subsid-
is normally delegated to the Prior in his stead. ising their rent (or housing them in tenements owned
by the Friary at a subsidised rate) and providing some
Due to the small size of the site the Church actually food or food support – perhaps 40-50 families in all.
stands alone and the residential and other facilities
for the Dean, the Priests and other clerical and non- There is a Herb Garden on the Friary’s land (in this case
mainly for vegetables) which is worked by some of the
Friars assisted by the able amongst those who are
accommodated in the Almshouse, and whose produce
helps feed those living here as well as forming part of the
food provided to the poor families the Brothers support
elsewhere in the Town.

18) Carmelite Friary. Another relatively new estab-

lishment – the White Friars have been present on this
site for only a little more than 60 years. This particu-
lar Friary is unusual in that it is split between those
who follow a closed, contemplative, hermet-like cal-
ling (as the original Friars in the Holy Lands did) and astic rates, and the genuine (poor) pilgrims either what-
those who follow the more recent traditions as an ever they can afford or nothing at all. The contemplat-
evangelical mendicant order open to the world (in a ives (Friday-Saturday) charge everyone urban monastic
similar way to the Franciscans. rates, and coldly turn away the poor.

This division has been an ongoing problem for the wider The Friary also has an extensive Herb Garden which
Carmelite community – and the situation in Porthaven grows both medicinal herbs for the Brothers to use in
is no different. their Infirmary, which has only six beds, and these are
normally exclusively used for sick or aged fellow
The current Abbot (Peter-Michael, ~54 years of age) is brothers or clergy and vegetables for the Kitchen.
a supporter of the evangelican-mendicant side but the
Prior (his effective second on command, Joseph, ~44 The Friary does do some First Aid work for the inhabit-
years of age) is a supporter of the contemplatives … and ants of Porthaven – setting bones, pulling teeth, putting
has been manipulating things to to increase the number salves on wounds and binding them up and other simple
of his supporters and reduce the number of those things that can be done on the spot, but won’t treat
supporting the Abbot with the intent to stack the voting women in childbirth or, if the Friar on duty is a contem-
if/when the Abbot dies. plative (on duty Monday-Wednesday), at all (women,
after all, are the ‘Daughters of Eve’ and put on the earth
The numbers are currently slightly in favour of the to lead mankind into sin … this particular coterie of
Abbot’s faction – 21 in all, to 17 in the Prior’s. Support contemplatives are far more misogynistic than usual).
from the local community is mixed – the poorer
burghers tend to appreciate the mendicant brothers who 19) Hospital of St John the Baptist. This ‘Hospital’
are more likely to actually assist them in their lives, is a community of laypeople which is organised to
while the wealthier ones tend to support the religiosity allow the less fortunate members of the community to
of the contemplatives as a sop to their own less than live a more dignified life in much the same way as the
charitable lives and lifestyle. Beghards found on the continent are organised to do.

In addition to the Friary and Chapel, the Carmelites This particular community was founded around forty
support a Hospice (six separate cells, a dozen beds in years ago under a legacy from a wealthy burgher who
a dormitory) and, depending on which faction is on had little truck with the Church, or even with the
duty when accepting travellers, charge differentially. existing orders of Monks and Friars. It is unusual in
a number of respects –
The mendicants (Sunday-Thursday) charge the well-to-
do urban monastic rates; the less well-to-do, rural mon- · Firstly, he left this plot (adjacent to the Carmelite
Friary) in a trust to which only members of the
Franciscan Friary
community can be appointed.

This has worked so far. Eventually, of course, it will

be maneuvered into the hands (or control) of the
wealthy and powerful and sold off for their personal
enrichment and damn the consequences to the poor
it is supposed to support (the common fate of such
charitable arrangements) … but that’s at least a
century off (it won’t survive the dissolution of the
Monasteries in the 1530’s-1540’s even though it’s not
a Monastic, or even a Church, institution … Henry
VIII and his supporters never saw a charitable
institution they didn’t want to strip mine for profit).
 · Secondly, he also provided some rental properties
around town and in the rural areas around
Porthaven to help fund it.

These currently return ~£7-10 (1680-2400d) pa, av-

eraging ~8/10/- (2040d) per annum.

· Thirdly, he arranged for the community to have a

modest money-making function to allow the
members to retain their dignity in work.

The land on which the community lives has a

‘Hospital’ which has two dormitories, each with six
beds plus floor space for another six, in each. One of
the beds in each is a simple four-poster and can sleep
a married couple or two women in privacy (well, for one @ one loaf per day), run on a tally system which
considering it’s still in a dormitory). they preferentially sell to the poorer locals. If a guest
party at the Hospital wishes to purchase bread rations
This accommodation is available to pilgrims or trav- for an onward journey they may order Rye Bread (2 lb
ellers for 1½d (bed, or per person for the four poster @ ¼d) or Double Baked Bread (1 lb @ ¼d) the evening
bed) or 1d (floor space) per night, including a mug before and pick it up the next morning … though there
of Ale, a ¼lb heel of bread and a bowl of Pottage. is a limit of an additional 70 lbs of loaves of both types
The Hospital is run by the community – and the combined per day.
rates may be paid (or part paid) by barter or by
working around the Hospital … but to no less than There is a Blacksmith cum Farrier who can shoe/re-
¾d for a bed (or per person in a four poster) or ½d shoe a horse and makes and sells horseshoes and can
for space on the floor, per night. make nails, knives and other simple metalwork on
commission (material cost in advance at least).
There are several buildings on the plot, the stone
built Hospital (see above), which includes a Kitchen The other full-time residents usually have some sort of
and Bakery, and two substantially constructed two trade or skill but have not been successful at it, usually
storey half-timbered wooden Tenements which each not through lack of ability, but due to sickness, bad luck
have quite spacious rooms for a dozen residents. or bad management … and they will be able to work at
that trade if the customer pays for/provides the
The Bakery not only produces bread and other baked materials up front (and living expenses for a commission
goods for the inmates and guests of the Hospital, it also that take more than a day or two). They are more likely
sells space in the oven after the morning and afternoon to be available right now than other local tradesmen.
baking to the local goodwives for ¼d per week (assumed
to be seven days, as they bake on Sunday as well). The most common trades found are that of Spinner,
Weaver and Tailor with a lesser number of Carpenters.
They also have Common Wheat Bread available – and
charge ¼d for 7 x 2 lb (~ 0.9 kilo) loaves (a week’s ration 20) The Dean’s Palace & Chapel. As noted above
(see 17, All Saint’s Minster), this is where everything
except the actual Minster Church of All Saints is
found in a (for a Town) expansive walled compound.

The Deanery (Dean’s ‘palace’) and Deanery Chapel

(for the Dean’s private and senior, or favoured, clergy)
are connected buildings (rather like the Abbot’s
House/Chapel at Forcythwyru) with their own private
gardens walled off from the rest of the compound.

The Deanery has a Treasury (if using the plans for the
Forycythwyru Abbot’s ‘palace’, the stairs leading up to
the Abbot’s quarters also lead down to a separate stone-
lined cellar-treasury while the ‘treasury’ in the Dean’s
rooms are a private library with 40-50 books).

The Priest’s Rectory Hall (accommodations over, as

individual rooms, with a Scriptorium, Library [~400
Books and Manuscripts], Refectory, Kitchen, Reredort-
er and other facilities on the ground floor) and Infirm-
ary (24 beds for sick and aged clergy) are spaced
around an expansive Cloister and Herb Garden (which
is actually used to grow medicinal herbs).

CIVIC BUILDINGS
21) Bishop’s Tower (Tower Place). The origin of this
structure is uncertain – there was a ruined towed
incorporating, so the legends (or rumours) go, Roman
period stone, tile and brickwork, when the Bishop of mid 40’s – the overall commander of the Town Watch
Wherever decided to found Porthaven. The only thing and Militia) and his clerk (William Pennyfeather, early
that is certain is that he incorporated it in the Motte 30’s, walks with a limp – an injured mercenary Man-at-
and Bailey Castle he had erected to protect the site Arms who has served with the Constable before).
before the ditch and walls were completed many years
later … building a wooden superstructure on the ruins Note: They’re only mercenaries in the sense that they
atop the mound it was on with a wooden Bailey have previously served with the Royal Armies on the
connected to it. continent as paid rather than levied soldiers.

Eventually, as the town prospered and purchased a The Third Floor is the private quarters of the Captain
Royal Charter and freedom from the Bishop’s rule it where he lives with his second wife (his first wife died
took over the Tower (the wooden Bailey had long been around ten years ago), Aileen (late 20’s, the daughter of
replaced by the new stone walls of the town proper) another Foot Serjeant) and their children (Lizzie, 5 and
and tore down the partly derelict wooden superstruct- William, 10) – he also has an older son, Henry (~25)
ure to replace it will a ‘modern’ stone tower on the who is serving with the Royal Army on the continent as
still solid earlier levels. a Vintenar of Mounted Serjeants and two married
daughters (one to a Blacksmith in Dover, the other to a
The tower has four floors, a roof and is ~45’ (~13.89 Centenar of Archers in the Calais garrison.
metres) from ground to the roof with the battlements
another 8’ (~2.46 metres) to the top of the merlons The Roof has battlements/crenels/merlons as described
and 4’6” (~1.39 metres) to the top of the crenels. above – the battlements are 6’ (~2 meters) wide and the
central part of the roof is tiled and leaded to make it
The Ground Floor is used for storage, mainly munitions waterproof and protect against fire.
these days – barrels or arrows or crossbow bolts, bundles
of javelins, and the metal parts (only) of several Spring- 22) Town Hall (Market Cross). The current Town
alds and a single Trebuchet. Hall is built on the site of what was originally the
Bailiff’s (the official who ran the Town for the Bishop
The First Floor is used for storage of spare weapons of Wherever before it purchased a Royal Charter) Hall
and some basic armour for the Town Militia – there are – but that building (Half timbered) burnt down about
perhaps 40 sets of (mismatched) Armour (mostly Cer- 150 years ago and was replaced by the core of the
velliere Helms, Round Shields and Stiffened Linen Body current building, though there have been several
Armour), 100 Spears and a dozen Falchions (Militiamen stages of expansion and redevelopment since then.
are expected to provide their own weapons and armour).
The main (more or less original) building (on the right
The Second Floor is the main entry and is used as an in the photo above) consists of a long, narrow, two
office by the Captain of Militia (Richard of Lincoln, an storey brick and stone structure – a high ceilinged
experienced Mercenary Centenar/Foot Serjeant in his long Hall with hammer-beam roof supports (and slate
tiled roof) over a more normal Undercroft (Ground
The Market Cross
Floor) which, in turn, is over a partial Cellar in two
parts (front and back, but not connected except
through the undercroft).

The Undercroft has facilities for the Corporation’s ad-

ministration – offices for the Bailiff (Treasurer), Com-
mon Clerk (Chief Administrative Officer) and the Rec-
order (Land Titles and, therefore, a record of those who
were Burgesses of the Town) and their various staffs
and their records . It also has the Town Treasury and
cells for prisoners being kept for appearance before the
Town, County and Royal Courts.
The Great Hall is used for full meetings of the Common The two storey structure is similar in layout to the
Council (of Aldermen) in the presence of the Mayor and Town Hall – a largely ceremonial Great Hall on the
Constable (the Chief Executive and his Assistant). It is First Floor and the Ground Floor is taken up by Guild
also used for the Courts of Quarter Session (four times Offices, Records, an Assay and Proofing Shop and the
a year) and Courts of Assize (twice a year). It is also Guild Treasury which not only holds Guild dues but
used for ceremonial occasions – the Corporation Winter also a considerable amount of Gold and Silver in Bars
Feast, for example, and the election and investiture of and Ingots (~£100 in gold, ~10 Tower Pounds by
the Mayor and Constable. weight (in Bars of 3 oz, 6 oz and 12 oz/1 lb); ~£250 in
Silver – the latter mostly in Bars of 6 oz or 12 oz/1 lb).
The main entrance to the Hall was originally an
external dog-leg staircase on the left – but that was The Goldsmiths also run a School, the Goldsmith’s
redeveloped as a two storey extension of the main School out of rooms mainly at the rear of the building
building around 80 years ago, still including the and which has space for ~60 students (including a small
staircase to the Hall, but adding additional space for number of scholarship students).
offices and other purposes.
The Assay & Proofing Office is responsible for inspect-
The extension has offices for the Mayor and the Con- ing sample works of all items produced (and all
stable and their staff(s), for the Grand Coroner (each materials used in their production) by the members and,
Ward has its own) and the Mayor’s Court (often only if they meet the strict purity and quality standards
presided over by the Constable) which deals with civil set by the Guild, stamping them with the Guild’s Hall-
and criminal matters of local import (i.e. those not marks which point out to the world that the items are of
subject to capital punishment). There is also space for a set specified quality.
the Corporation School and ~50-60 students.
At the rear of the extension is the Chapel of St Eligius
GUILDS & GUILD HALLS (the patron saint of Goldsmiths and Moneyers) which
23) Goldsmith’s & Moneyer’s Hall (Market Cross). is richly decorated and, when being used for services,
This is the headquarters of the most prestigious and has £100-150 worth of silver or silver-gilt plate and
and second wealthiest of the four most important candlesticks present (when not in use they use silver-
Guilds in Porthaven. Their Hall, though small, is one plated Bronze plate and candlesticks worth perhaps
of the grandest buildings in town, even outshining the £35-40 and the expensive plate is held in the Treasury)
Town Hall (which is actually bigger) and has only
recently (20 years ago) been entirely refurbished, Even though all of the regional Mints have been long
internally rebuilt and complemented with a grand closed and all minting, both in Gold and Silver, central-
facade of polychrome brickwork facing Market Close. ised at the Tower of London, the Goldsmith’s Guild
retains the prestigious Moneyer’s title in their name.
To add to its prestige, the Goldsmiths have added a
clock above the main doors (see below) – an ornate 24 When still active there were two actual Moneyers in
hour astronomical clock (based on the terra-centric town – one operating out of premises at the back of what
pre-Copernican cosmology, of course) showing hours, is now the expanded Guildhall and the other at the SE
minutes, phases of the moon and synodic months. corner Moneyer’s Row and Minster Street.
Porthaven Town Hall
24) Ironmonger’s Hall (Market Cross). This is the
headquarters of the fourth in seniority and prestige of
the main Porthaven Guilds.

The Ironmonger’s Hall is an older style half-timbered

design, though the front aspect has had the intersices
between the timbering filled with fired brick around
30 years ago when the rear of the building was ex-
panded to take up the entirety of the deep tenement
on which it is situated and third storey was added to
the existing structure as well as the extension.

The Ground floor is taken up with Guild Offices,

Records, the Guild Treasury, an Almoner’s Office and
a Kitchen while the Great Hall is on the First (US 2nd)
floor, taking up the front 2/3rds of the building while
the rear third (the ‘newly’ built section) contains the
private Chapel of St Clement (the patron saint of
Smiths).
The Kitchen provides meals for Almoners (indigent
Guild Members or their Widows and minor children) at
Mid-day and in the Evening as well as for the travelling
members residing in the 2nd Floor Dormitory and the
Almoners living in the separate rooms there as well.

The Chapel is served by a full time Chaplain, paid for

by the Guild, and he is assisted by the Almoner and two
Assistant Almoners in organising the care of those who
are receiving Alms from the Guild. The Almoner
normally disburses money or meals at the Kitchen while
the Assistant Almoners look after the needs of those
who are living in the rooms on the Second Floor.

The Second (US 3rd) floor has a large Dormitory and

Common Room for the use of travelling Journeymen
looking for work in town (paliasse, ¼d per night or 1d
per week, in advance – Meals [Fish Pottage & a Mug
of Ale], ¼d extra) with space for up to 24 people and
has a dozen single rooms for aged, sick or indigent
Smiths funded by the Guild’s Almoner’s Office. personnel (single) door facing into the Formal Garden
and a goods entry (double door – wide enough for a cart
The Guild discourages travelling Journeymen from stay- or waggon to pull to) at the very rear of the tenement
ing in the Dormitory for more than two weeks at a time facing onto a rear lane which connects to Newgate and
unless they can show real need. Church Street. There are two armed guards on duty
day and night, one at the goods entrance and one
25) Merchant Adventurer’s Hall (New Market). This inside, and, during the day, there is a clerk at the goods
is the headquarters of the most powerful and by far entrance recording all incomings and outgoings.
the wealthiest Guild in Porthaven – Merchant Advent-
urers being those who undertake large scale trade with 26) Carpenter’s & Builder’s Hall (Deanery Row). The
the Baltic, the Continent and the Eastern and West- last of the four major Guilds of Porthaven, the Car-
ern Mediterranean and North African countries … penter’s Guild is also the oldest, though its current
dealing wool (raw), woolen and Linen (and other) Guild Hall on Deanery Row is the newest, being only
Cloth (export and import), Spices and all sorts of 80 years old. The previous Hall was on a very small
imported bulk and specialty goods. site facing Market Cross – deemed too small after the
Carpenters and Builders amalgamated.
Importing things like Cloth or bales of Wool/Skeins of
Linen thread, Alum (a mordant, a fixative to make dyes The current Hall is a two storeys with a brick ground
colourfast, which was needed in bulk quantities by the floor and half-timbered, double gabled, upper floor.
cloth industry) and assorted exotic spices which were The ceremonial Hall takes up the upper floor at the
high value in low bulk required a lot of money to eastern end, running crosswise, while the rear is taken
finance the purchase of the goods and because foreign up with the guild’s Chapel of Sts Joseph & Stephen
trade over any distance was an extremely risky venture. (the Patron Saints of Carpenters and Masons,
High risk, but high return – so Merchant Adventurers, respectively) and almonry accommodation for a
the successful ones, anyway, were the elite of the elite as dozen indigent or aged members watched over by the
far as business and Guilds were concerned. Chapel’s Almoner.

The Hall is relatively small considering the power and The Guild is so important in Porthaven (and, indeed, in
wealth of the members – situated on a large tenement any medieval city) because Master Carpenters are the
but only taking up about a third of the space. Another medieval equivalent of Building Contractors – as much,
third, to the rear of the hall, is taken up with a formal or even more so, than Master Masons, as even stone
garden for the use of the members and their families buildings have a wooden internal frame.
and the remaining third is a secure warehouse where
members can store high value, low volume, shipments The Guild in Porthaven includes not only Carpenters
(mainly spices and silks, but also some rarer and Joiners but all those crafts involved directly in the
medicinals and unusual items) without needing to building trades, such as Stone- and Brickmasons who, in
have their own secure warehousing facilities. a larger town or city, would have their own separate
Guild (hence its full title of ‘Guild of the Mystery and
The Warehouse is a single storey stone built structure Confraternity of the Carpenters, Builders and Masons
with a slate tiled roof. There are only two entries, a of the Royal and Chartered Borough of Porthaven).
 The following are just a selection of the many
FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT Bakers who can be found in Porthaven.
BAKERS, PASTRYCOOKS & CONFECTIONERS
Alain Fleetman (Corner of East & Church Streets).
As essential services they can be found everywhere Alain specialises in mid-range grades of bread, the
– you will almost never have to walk more than a sort his middling clientele can afford – Sifted Rye
block to find one (indeed, in densely populated (12lb, 5-6 loaves or 50-55 buns, ¼d), Treet (10lb
areas there may be more than one in a given block). 9½oz, 4-5 loaves or 40-48 buns, ¼d) or Whole-
Bakers not only bake bread, they rent space in their wheat (8lb 6oz, 3-4 loaves or 30-40 buns, ¼d).
ovens (after they’ve done their baking) for locals to
bake their own meals – an important service given He also bakes Pies (Bean, 1lb, ½d; Herb & Onion,
the cost of fuel and the fact that many households 1lb, ½d; Pork, 1lb, ½d; Mutton, 1lb, 1d) and Pasties
don’t have a kitchen or even a fireplace. (Cheese & Onion, 1lb, ½d; Herb & Onion, 1lb, ¼d;
Pork, 1lb, ¼d; Mutton, 1lb ¾d) which he sells retail
Buying Bread. You get a lot of bread for ¼d – and it and wholesale at 9 for the price of 12 (mostly to
may seem to be too much. However, apart from plain Piemongers and Hucksters).
Pottage, Bread was the main component in the diets
of the poorer sort (who were by far the largest part of He rents space in his oven (late mornings or later
the overall population) … so they ate a lot more bread afternoons only) for ¼d for up to 5 lbs per firing –
than we do today simply because it was cheap (most or 1d for a week of mornings or afternoons or 1½d
of the time). for a week of mornings and afternoons (which he
will do on credit if you are a regular).
That said, some of the amounts are very large – over
twenty pounds of Unsifted Rye bread for ¼d. It is As with most tradesmen, Alain has his ovens, work-
unlikely that most families would need to buy that space and storage downstairs (where his two apprent-
much bread all at once and, since there were no coins ices sleep) and lives upstairs with his family. His
smaller than a ¼d (a farthing) and since even they Bakery is on a part tenement – he has just enough
(and ½d, ha’penny coins) were uncommon, how, room out the back for a 3-4 pigs and a stable for a
exactly, did they purchase less? donkey which he uses for large deliveries to patrons
who don’t have their own transport.
The simple answer is that they didn’t – what seems to
have usually happened is that the local Baker would Guy the Baker (Hansa Row). Guy runs what is
sell you the bread on credit and expect to be paid probably the biggest bakery in town, Guy special-
every week or, perhaps, every fortnight. Or paid as ises in baking Hardtack (9d per barrel, 8d each for
much as could be with the coin types available with five or more), Black (3¾d per barrel, 3½d each for
the rest carried over. That and the fact that most of a five or more) and Double Baked Bread (9d per
Baker’s customers would also be renting space in the barrel, 8d each for five or more) which he sells in
ovens for baking other parts of their meals and/or 30 lb casks (provide your own or it costs 6d extra for
buying the occasional Pie or Pastie or other ‘fast a cask) to the shipping trade. He also bakes Honey
food’ item – all of which would bring the amount and Honey & Nut Bread but only on special (pre-
being paid up to a level for which coins existed. paid) order.

He normally bakes three days a week (Monday,

Wednesday and Friday – except Holy Days) unless
he has an unexpectedly large influx of orders and
usually has 5d6+10 30 lb barrels (each) of Hard-
tack, Black and Double Baked Bread on hand and
ready for immediate sale (if there is a Holy Day
coming up which will nix one of his regular baking
days he will have half again as much stock on hand).

His shopfront also sells Black Bread as individual

2 lb loaves and as 5 lb loaves in a cloth bag at
regular prices, but only on those days he is baking.

His premises have a shopfront facing on Hansa

Row, warehouse behind, living quarters on the
First (US 2nd) floor and the ovens, a stable for his
horse and cart, and a privy (2 seater) out back.
John of Greengarth (Greengarth). Even though his
bakery is n a poor area, its proximity to the South
Gate means he is able to cater to the passing trade
as well as the locals. As a result he sells Unsifted Rye
(20lb 5¼ oz, 8-10 loaves or 80-100 buns, ¼d), Sifted
Rye (12lb, 5-6 loaves or 50-55 buns, ¼d), Common
Wheat (14lb 8oz, 6-7 loaves or 50-60 buns, ¼d),
Treet (10lb 9½oz, 4-5 loaves or 40-48 buns, ¼d) and
Wholewheat (8lb 6oz, 3-4 loaves or 30-40 buns, ¼d
all of which he bakes daily (except Sundays).

He also sells Double Baked Bread (5lb in a cloth

bag, 1¾d or a 1lb loaf, ¼d) and Black Bread (5lb
in a cloth bag, 1½d or a 2lb loaf, ¼d), baked
Monday and Thursday and Honey Bread (1lb,
3½d) baked Wednesday or by pre-arrangement –
all of these products mainly to travellers.

He rents space in his oven for ¼d per day for up to

5lbs on Monday and Thursdays (which covers both
morning and afternoon firings) and for ¼d per
firing on the other days of the week. He charges a
weekly rate of 1d for 8 firings or 1½d for 12.

John’s Bakery is on a full tenement and the workshop 20-24 buns, ¼d) and Symnel (5lb 3½oz, 2-3 loaves
and ovens are in a separate building at the front, or 20-24 buns, ¼d) – the Cocket (both types) on
though it does have a second floor which used to be Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the Wastel and
the family quarters … now he rents out the rooms (one Symnel on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and
medium and two small rooms, the former with a the Wastel from Monday to Saturday.
double bed and the latter with a single bed each – by
the week only, 2/6 and 1/9d respectively, no meals He also bakes Beef (8oz, 1½d) and Beef & Bacon
included). The family now lives in a two storey half- (8oz, 1¼d) Pies and Beef (8oz, 1d) Pasties every day
timbered cottage at the rear of the bakery. of the week (mornings only) and Chicken (8oz, 1½d)
Pies and Pasties (8oz, 1½d) on Wednesdays and
Peter de Paine (Bellevue, between Abbey Street & Saturdays. He also takes orders for Apple Pies (8oz,
Middelgate). Catering to the poorer residents of ¾d) on Tuesdays and Fridays for delivery the next
the area, relatively far from the main (upmarket) morning – or, for an additional ¼d, any day (still
shopping and market areas, Peter mainly bakes the for delivery late the next morning).
cheaper sorts of bread – Unsifted Rye (20lb 5¼ oz,
8-10 loaves or 80-100 buns, ¼d), Sifted Rye (12lb, He rents space in his oven for up to 5lbs for both
5-6 loaves or 50-55 buns, ¼d) and Common Wheat the morning and afternoon firings (combined) for
(14lb 8oz, 6-7 loaves or 50-60 buns, ¼d). ½d – or 12 firings for 2d.

He doesn’t bake Pies or Pasties but does bake His tenement is about ¾ the normal full size since it
Sussex Sausages (Pork ones only, 1½lb, ½d) and backs up onto the Middelfleet and has its own private
sells space in his ovens for ¼d per 5lbs per firing or wharf (a very small one, suitable for no more than two
¾d per week for mornings or afternoons or 1¼d for 16’ rowboats (normally only one twelve footer tied up
mornings and afternoons. here – owned by Richard). Remember that the
Middelfleet is tidal and any boat tied up at the wharf
Built on a half tenement, bakery and ovens down- will be left high and dry at some points during the
stairs, family quarters upstairs. tidal cycle.

Richard Bybridge (Corner Middelgate & Stone- The Bakery itself is a two storey L-Shaped half-
bridge). One of the more upmarket Bakers, being timbered building with the bakery and ovens on the
situated near the more prestigious shopping and ground floor and the family’s rooms on the upper (the
residential area(s) in the vicinity of Minster Square, short arm of the ‘L’ has a small ready use flour and
he bakes Cheap Cocket (5lb 8¼oz, 2-3 loaves or fuel store lower and a solar upper. At the rear of main
20-24 buns, ¼d), Cocket (5lb 6½oz, 203 loaves or building is a herb garden and a byre where the family
20-24 buns, ¼d), Wastel (5lb 4¾oz, 2-3 loaves or keeps two cows for milk.
Thomas de Munier (Millfeld Walk, near Feldgate).
Catering to a mixed crowd, especially travellers There are only two specialist (i.e. full time) Confect-
using the Feldgate, Thomas bakes all types of bread ioners in Porthaven, though some of the Pastry-
– the cheaper varieties (both types of Rye as well as cooks (see below) make some items of confectionery.
Treet and Wholewheat) on Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays; the dearer ones (both types of Cocket Master Javier’s (New Market, between Church
plus Wastel) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Street & Newgate). Master Javier is a relatively new
arrival in Porthaven – he’s only been in business
In addition, he bakes Common Wheat Bread Mon- here for close to 20 years, having arrived from a
day to Saturday and Symnel Bread only for the successful apprenticeship in Paris and bringing
Wednesday and Saturday Markets. with him a whole slew of new recipes and, more
importantly, a huge degree of artistic flair in the
His speciality is an Apple & Cheese Cake (really a use of those recipes for display purposes.
loaf of Symnel Bread which has been made with
extra fats and eggs and which is boiled rather than As a result he has taken over almost all of the high
baked with a filling of soft cheese and apple filling. prestige business from Old Peter – as far as ban-
He sells an 8oz cake (8C, 2P, 3F) for 1½d and a 1lb quets and display settings for them are concerned.
cake for 2½d – but he bakes them only for the
Wednesday and Saturday Markets or as a special His coloured marzipan display piece showing the
order any day of the week (paid the day before, add heraldic arms and supporters of the City Corporation
+¼d to the price, delivered mid-morning). for the Easter celebrations two years ago are still the
talk of the town amongst those fortunate enough to
This something like an (Australian style) Teacake – a have be invited.
soft bread shell in which either some sort of apple or
other fruit mix is swirled or which is enclosed in the His regular specialties are Apple & Marzipan Pies
bread (something like a Danish Pastry, but with (4oz, 4d; 6C, 2P, 2F), Marzipan Fruits (3d/oz) and
bread rather than pastry). It is not a ‘Cheesecake’ in Candied Fruit Comfits (2d/oz, 3C) but he sells all
the modern sense. confectionery items listed in The Marketplace.

Space in the oven for 5lb for one firing is available Apple & Marzipan Pies are a special variation of the
for ¼d or 1½d for six. Symnel Cake – layers of marzipan, layers of thicken-
ed fruit compote and layers of symnel flour thickened
The Bakery building is ‘L’ shaped, of half-timbered with butter and eggs, alternating.
construction for the two storeys of the long arm of the
‘L’ and stone for the ground floor (where the original Marzipan Fruits are simply small candies shaped
ovens are) and half-timbered for the upper floor of the from coloured marzipan to resemble different types of
other (short arm) wing. The ovens, workspaces and fruit historically available (oranges, plums, pears,
ready use storage for fuel and ingredients take up apples, quinces, strawberries etc.)
most of the ground floor while the upper floors are the
family quarters. Candied Fruit Comfits are basically Fruit Comfits but
with their centres made of candied rather than merely
Thomas (~56) and his second wife, Mary (~42) have dried fruit. Master Javier’s shop specialises in import-
their bedroom in the original wing (over the stone ed fruits such as apricots, currants and sultanas).
ground floor) while Thomas’s eldest son (by his first
wife), William (30), his wife, Edwina (25) and their The long side of his shop faces the street and is
three children (David, 9; Ellen, 5 and Richard, 3) divided into two parts – about half is the display
have the rooms in the new wing. and sales area with a door and fold down window
facing into the street, the other half is the workshop
and any ovens and fireplaces needed which opens
up to the rear of the tenement and into the
shop/sales area.

The workshop incorporates a secured storeroom

where he stores the more expensive ingredients (such
as fine white sugar cones.

The family rooms are upstairs as is Javier’s special

workshop where he does the fine work on his
master display pieces.
Old Peter’s (Market Cross, between Minster &
Market Streets). Old Peter is long dead, and the
store is run by his son-in-law (a journeyman he
trained), Walter of Burley and his wife (Peter’s
daughter), Juliet. They concentrate on more work-a-
day confectionery and some upmarket pastries to
complement them rather than the flashy show-
pieces Master Javier gets so much notoriety for. As
a moneyspinner, their shop does at least as well as
his, and perhaps slightly better in most months.
Custard Tart
They produce Candied Orange and Candied Lemon They are excellent general pastrycooks and pro-
Peel, all types of Comfits listed and Marzipan (in- duce the whole range of pastries from The Market-
cluding Marzipan & Fruit Lozenges = 1 oz, each of place, though they only bake all of them on market
3 x ~8 gram lozenges, 2½d/oz or 2/- for 12 oz, 2C days – otherwise they bake Cakes & Tarts only on
per lozenge) as well as Apple & Orange, Plum and Mondays and Thursdays and Biscuits & Buns only
Quince Tarts with Marzipan embellishments. on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Add +2C/+1d to Apple & Orange & Marzipan and This is the shop where Adam, the journeyman baker
Quince & Marzipan Tarts and +4C/+2d to Plum & married to Walter of Burley’s daughter, Eliza at Old
Marzipan Tarts). Peter’s confectionery shop was trained.

Old Peter’s is (still) a family business – not only do Edward de Pistor (‘The Pastrycook’ @ Minster
Walter and Juliet run it (arguably Juliet runs the Square). Edward bakes some types of traditional
business side of things while Walter does, or at least bread as well as pastries and includes some high
supervises, the baking and other manufacturing end ‘fast food’ in the latter category.
processes) and their children work in it, some with
their spouses – their eldest son, Henry and his wife, Originally a Bakery only a Bakery under Edward’s
Mary (both late 20’s, two children, Laura, 6 and father (Old Ted), Edward had travelled to London in
William, 3) work on the Confectionery while their his youth and done a stint in a pastrycook’s shop
daughters, Eliza (20) and her husband, Adam (24, there so, when his father fell ill and he came back to
a Journeyman Baker) and Olivia (16) work on the run the shop, he began to move towards specialising
baking side of things. in an upmarket clientele – and has done so quite
successfully (it is known widely that the Dean’s
The shop is a substantial three storey building with private table is provided with Bread and Buns baked
ovens, work areas and sales downstairs, Walter & by Edward … though, of course, he’s always late in
Juliet;s rooms as well as those belonging to Henry & paying his bills).
Mary as well as a nursery (currently being used by
Laura and William) and family Solar on the 1st floor He bakes Wastel Bread (as loaves and as buns),
and Eliza & Adams rooms as well as Olivia’s room on other Buns (Cinnamon, Fruit, Spiced) as well as
the 2nd floor. Honey, Milk, Lemon and Oatmeal & Honey Bis-
cuits/Cakes every day except Sunday.

Pastrycooks cater mainly to an elite or, at the very Gingerbread Biscuits/Cakes and all other types of
least, better off, segment of the population and so Cakes he bakes only on Market Days – but he
tend to congregate around the Market Cross, New almost always bakes enough of the Gingerbread
Market and Minster Square areas or the shopping Biscuits to last between market days.
streets (indicated with thick red dotted lines on the
Porthaven Map) off those locations. A selection of He bakes Pies & Tarts (all sorts) on Tuesdays and
those to be found in Town include – Thursdays, but usually does two firings so that
those fired in the afternoon will still be available
Dame Agatha’s Pastries (Market Row, off Market for sale on Market days.
Cross). Dame Agatha is the widow of the previous
owner, Edward Bycross, and runs the business with He bakes better than usual quality Beef Pies/Pasties
the assistance of her son, Geoffrey (24) and eldest (+1C, +1F, +½d), Chicken Pies/Pasties (+1C, +1F,
daughter, Edwina (17). +½d) and Beef & Bacon Pies (+1C, +1F, +½d) in his
afternoon firings and sells them in bulk to Piemong-
They also have a journeyman (recently qualified) and ers, Hucksters and Taverns at a discount equal to a
two apprentices who work in the shop. dozen for the price of nine.
He aims for the evening meal crowd – and for a better piece as is common in France) and generously topped
class of customer than most pie makers cater for. The with nutmeg and cinnamon.
pie shells are not only edible but he uses special
moulds to make them visual works of art as well. He bakes these only for the Saturday Market – but
they have proved to be so popular he is considering
Orville’s Pastries (Bellevue & Stonebridge). expanding the baking days to cater for the
Owned and operated by Orville Bybridge (from the Wednesday market as well.\
owner’s original name, ‘Orville by the Bridge’, of
course – but he’s started using it as a surname). Note: Historically, these are datable to the early to
Orville is also a generalist pastrycook who bakes mid 14th century, but it is possible similar items may
everything listed in The Marketplace – but, as with predate this.
the others, doesn’t bake every item on every day of
the week. ‘Alban’ or ‘Good Friday’ Buns (better known today
as Hot Cross Buns) are a spiced fruit bun made from
Biscuits (including Oatmeal & Honey Biscuits) are with Symnel flour with egg mixed in with currants
baked on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (and and raisins to make a light dough and with a white
double the normal amount are baked on Fridays to pastry cross on top (2oz, ¾d each; 2C, 1F). Orville
serve the Saturday Market crowds). There are bakes these for Good Friday, the Friday before some
usually enough baked to still be available for sale of the more important Sunday celebrations and, as a
on Tuesday morning – but the Wednesday baking special order, for wakes.
almost always sells out at the Wednesday Market.
Note: These are datable to the mid 14th century, but
Buns are baked on Wednesday and Saturday only, similar buns baked for pagan ceremonies well and
for the markets, and generally sell out before the truly predate these, and these earlier recipes may also
end of those days. have incorporated a cross symbol which, of course,
would have had no Christian significance. Likewise,
Cakes (including Oatmeal & Honey Cakes), Pies & attempts to prohibit their sale at any time other than
Tarts are baked on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Good Friday don’t begin until the late 16th century
large enough quantities to be available at the Wed- and it is possible that these buns would have been sold
nesday and Saturday Markets. any time of the year.

Orville has two specialities – Custard Tarts (aka BATH-HOUSES

Doucettes) which he calls by their French name, For simplicity’s sake, only those bath-houses which
Flans Pâtissier because he’s a snob of sorts) and are primarily bath-houses or which are simply close
Good Friday Buns. to Bawdy Houses/Stews, but not specifically part of
those establishments, are listed here.
Custard Tarts (2oz, ½d; 2C, 1P, 2F) are small open
faced pie crust tarts with egg custard fillings (despite
the French name they are small and sold singly in the The Town Corporation carefully supervises public
English fashion rather than large and sold by the Bath-houses – setting the prices they can charge
and the hours (and days) they can open.

Charges. For the first bath of each session, 1d. For

a bath during the first hour, ¾d. For a bath during
the second hour, ½d. For a bath during the third
hour, ¼d. For a shave, +¼d. For a meal (delivered
from a local Tavern or Cookshop), meal cost +½d
(half to the provider for delivery, half to the Bath
owner for the trouble).

Charges assume the patron stays about 15 minutes –

an additional 15 minutes costs ¼d.

Etiquette. It is not entirely certain exactly how

baths were taken, but it seems very likely the
procedure was similar to that used in a Japanese
bath – you soaped, washed and rinsed yourself
clean before you got in the tub and then soaked (the
15 minute ‘bath time’ is for soaking).
Gender Separation. Bath-houses must keep the two
sexes separate for decency’s sake – but this can be
achieved in one of three ways. –

Physically separated bathing areas (and something

more substantial than a curtain as a separator).

Separate bathing days, these must alternate – so, for

example, men on Monday-Wednesday-Friday and
women on Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday.

Separate times of day, this will be morning or after-

noon – for example, men in the afternoon and women
in the morning.

Opening Days. Bath-houses are licensed to operate River Street Bath-House (River Street). This Bath-
from Monday to Saturday except on Holy Days. house is situated at the south end of the street
where it bends east as it meets what was the Phase
Opening Hours. Bath-houses are licensed to open 2 town wall. The premises are on a full tenement
no earlier than an hour after dawn and close no with the actual furnace and baths fronting onto the
later than an hour after dusk. During that time street and a separate dwelling belonging to the
they are allowed two sessions – one in the morning owner at the rear.
(from opening to around noon) and one in the
afternoon (from around an hour to an hour and a The Baths have a single room (with six large tubs,
half after noon to closing). each capable of taking 6-8 patrons) with double
doors leading out to a wide rear porch where the
All the above are the official rules. Do I need to patrons can lounge, talk, drink, eat and play games
remind you that there are no Police? And, therefore, (the owner’s wife is an Alewife and can provide
no real way of enforcing them. freshly brewed Ale on the premises) – she also
prepares Cookshop meals, specialising in slices of
moderately good quality meat pies and all types of
Newgate Bath-House (Newgate & East Street). One pasties and the owner has a runner who can pick
of the bigger bath-houses in Porthaven, it is set up up meals at nearby Taverns for ¼d per person in
with only the one room with four large and two addition to the meal cost.
smaller tubs.
The license from the Town Corporation most definite-
The large tubs hold six people each and are filled ly does not allow for the sale of meals on the premises
for each session while the smaller ones hold two and even the selling of Ale is, at best, a grey area.
and are only filled when on demand @ ½d per Gambling is, likewise, prohibited. However, as is
head (1d minimum). Women get the morning common, the owner pays a small continuing bribe to
sessions and men the afternoon ones. the local authorities for them to look the other way.

This is a family run establishment, run by Edward of The establishment is open to Males only on
Newgate (45) and his wife, Meg (38), assisted by her Mondays and Thursdays; to Females only on
brother, William Little (32) and his mother, Juliet Tuesdays and Fridays, and to Males in the morning
(64) as well as their older children, Thomas (17) and and Females in the afternoon on Market Days (i.e.
Mary (15). Wednesdays and Saturdays).

The women’s sessions are generally quiet, but the Saul’s Bath-House (Stonebridge & Bellevue).
male ones can get rowdy … especially as there is Situated directly opposite where Bellevue leads of
usually games of Passe Dix conducted between Stonebridge, Saul’s is the oldest public Bath-house
groups of patrons throughout the afternoon. In order in town and is run by Saul of Samaria* in a purpose
to keep the authorities happy, Edward gives them a built stone and brick building on a full tenement.
small rake off from the profits of the game(s).
Saul claims hail from Samaria and lets everyone
After hours, the premises are used for Hazard even assume that he is either some form of semi-heretical
though this is strictly against the license provisions Greek (or other) Orthodox Christian or possibly a
(and for which he pays considerably more ‘protect- muslim of some sort. Both possibilities would explain
ion’ to the authorities). why he doesn’t attend any of the local Parish
Churches and why he celebrates some Holy Days at Millfleet – and these allow Saul and his family to
different times … though he is extremely careful to be engage in some opportunistic (and highly profitable)
as unobtrusive and uncommunicative about his beliefs smuggling!
as possible.
Sleet Bath-House (Greengarth). Situated about
Saul is not a Jew, he is, unusually, a Samaritan (a halfway between the South Gate and the Millfleet
sort of proto-Jew adhering only to the Pentateuch and bridge, this small establishment has four tubs, each
their own unique traditions – not that fine point capable of holding up to six patrons, and is open to
would make any difference if local Christians decided Males on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and
to go on a pogrom after finding out his secret. Females on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The Bath-house has three separate bathing areas, That’s what the license from the Town Corporation
one for Men, one for Women, each with a half a says, anyway - in reality it is little better than a
dozen large wooden tubs, each capable of taking brothel on those days nominally open to men only,
6-8 patrons, and both areas are open regular hours. with female ‘attendants’ prominently in attendance
and providing a wide variety of ‘additional services.’
There is also a concealed Mikveh (a Jewish ritual
bath) and separate rooms where Shabbat (and Even on those days nominally reserved for women,
other) prayers and ceremonies can be practised. many of the females nominally using the facilities
Despite the differences between Samaritanism and also offer to do ‘laundry’ … and, as noted elsewhere,
Judaism there are enough similarities to allow Saul medieval ‘laundresses’ were women of ill repute and
and his family to allow Jews to use the facilities, often little better than prostitutes, which is the case
though they generally arrange for them to have here (though they do do actual laundry at competitive
access at different times to any Samaritans who rates and do a fine job of it as well).
wish to use them.
Tower Bath-House (Tower Place). An upscale est-
Access to the Mikveh and ceremonial rooms are ablishment with six rooms, two ‘common’ rooms,
through concealed doors and passages leading down each with four six person tubs (one for men, one for
to below the original foundations. Access is possible women) and four ‘private’ rooms (two with one
from Saul’s home, a storeroom in the bath-house person tubs and a private attendant, available for
proper and the basements of several nearby houses either men or women; two with a two person tub
which either currently belong to, or have belonged to and a private ‘attendant’ usually used only by men
in the past, members of his extended family and other and their female ‘guests’).
jewish families in the town.
The ‘attendants’ in the private rooms are just
There is also a secret passageway leading to the one attendants – but the Bath-house turns a blind eye to
of the warehouses and the docks as well as to the gentlemen arriving with their own (usually female)
‘attendants’ instead.

BAWDY HOUSES & STEWS

Bawdy Houses are where you find Bawds, or
prostitutes. That is, they are Brothels and specialise
in prostitution. Stews, on the other hand, are Bath-
Houses which offer ‘special services’ of a sexual
nature – that is, they’re a specialised sort of Brothel.

The Eye of Ashtoret (Deanery Row). Situated in a

nondescript but substantial two storey half-timber-
ed building on the rear half of a tenement that
otherwise faces Deanery Row – access is from the
rear alleyway (Ram’s Gate or, sometimes, ‘The
Priest’s Way’) which runs parallel to the Row.

The House is, as required by law, both anonymous

(with no projecting sign) and plainly marked – the
wall facing the alley being whitewashed with a red
five pointed star inside a red circle (the sign of
Venus – Astarte, or Ashtoret) painted on it and a
similar brass sign affixed to the main door.
The land belongs to the Bishop of Wherever (rents
are collected by the Dean and, reputedly, part of the
rental agreement gives the Bishop (or his local repre-
sentative) free access to the Bawds within. According
to local legend (or urban myth?) there is a secret
passage running between the Eye and the Dean’s
Palace to allow him to access the pleasures of the
flesh without compromising his reputation.

The Bawds who work out of the Eye are better

dressed and better spoken, and possess better
manners than the usual streetwalkers – and cater
to a more exclusive (or at least wealthier) clientele.
world’ in Porthaven and was ‘known to the law’, but
There are also two private bathing rooms – one on the always managed to avoid any firm prosecution for
ground floor with two large tubs, each capable of anything other than minor public order offences
holding four patrons and four ‘bath assistants,’ and (noise, fighting etc. on the premises).
one upstairs for a single patron and ‘assistant.’ Some
of the assistants have some basic knowledge of a type It is widely believed (and probably with some basis in
of therapeutic massage allegedly taught to them by truth) that she was probably murdered by one of her
Sarah (see below). criminal associates – certainly her rooms (where her
battered body was found) had been torn apart by
The current operator is Sarah of Galilee, a myster- someone presumably looking for something.
ious recent arrival who, when asked where she was
from, claimed to hail from the Holy Lands – Jeanne is assisted by Owain the Welshman (late
referred to the Dean himself in the expectation she 20s), her head bouncer, who has a reputation for
would turned away, the Dean’s officials were being a nasty piece of work who likes inflicting pain
surprised (astounded!) when he gave her a lease on anyone who crosses him (but who so far has
over the tenement! managed to avoid any legal repercussions from his
violence by a mix of luck, intimidation of or ensur-
Cuck’s Paradise (Bawd’s Lane). Run by Louiseu ing that there are no witnesses to his violence).
(aka Loulou) of Southwark (~40ish), a former Lond-
on prostitute who managed to make enough money Plenty of dark alleyways around Bawd’s Lane – and
to be able to lease these premises (that’s her story, it’s surprising how few people pay any attention to
and she’s sticking to it …) from the Dean of Port- strange sounds emanating from them, day or night (or
haven and who runs the 12 room establishment perhaps not).
with an iron hand, assisted by her common law
husband, Beric the Bold (~50ish) and a changing The Inferno has eight rooms which are well kept,
cast of Bouncers. though not as scrupulously clean as those in Cuck’s
Paradise, and two of them have four poster beds
The rooms are clean, the beds solidly built, the large enough for several people to ‘play’ at once.
bedding is changed weekly and the bedstraw is never
mouldy. While notionally forbidden from providing If anyone has the right sort of connections, or asks
accommodation, it is possible to pay for a whole around amongst the right sort of people (lowlifes),
night’s ‘favours’ from one of the girls working here then there are rumours that Jeanne and/or Owain
and therefore effectively have a place to stay – and, may also fence stolen goods (for a substantial cut, of
while they cannot sell meals or drink, Loulou also course) and hide out those on the run from the law …
runs Loulou’s Cookshop on the next door premises. for a price (there is a cellar with a carefully concealed
entrance beneath Owain’s room which is where
The Inferno (Bawd’s Lane). Run by Jeanne de fenced goods are stored until they can be moved on
Paris (who isn’t remotely French, not even Norman through their contacts with sailors engaged in the
French, a hard faced mid-30-ish blonde) who app- coastal trade and where a fugitive can be concealed).
eared on the scene soon after the death of the
previous manager, Alice de Whyte, in a still unsolv- The Laundry (Bawd’s Lane). Run by Madeleine
ed murder ~2 years ago to take over the lease on the Eástreám (lit. ‘Of the river’) a greyish, fiftyish rather
premises held from the Town Corporation. plump and motherly looking woman … who’d as
soon gut you as hug you but who runs a tight ship,
Like Jeanne (see below), Alice was reputed to have taking no-nonsense from the girls who work out of
connections with what passes for the ‘criminal under- her Bawdy House or their customers assisted by
several Bouncers who live in the adjacent Boarding under-represented in the overall number of relig-
House (the accommodation is part of their pay). ious patrons).

She is the only operator of the three such establish- In fact, there are so many religious frequenting the
ments who actually owns the house and the tenement place that there is a separate entrance down a back
on which it is situated rather than leasing it from the alley way which can be reached by divers routes
Dean or the Town Corporation, though she does pay originating on Middelgate, Bellevue, Deanery Street
a quarterly licensing fee to the latter. and even elsewhere along Friary Street – and this
allows those in the know to avoid a public entrance
The Bawdy House is a two storey structure facing and is arranged so they can access the rooms (and
onto Bawd’s Lane but also has a Boarding House at bawds) inside without being seen by other patrons.
the rear (see below), entered from Cock’s Alley (the
street connecting Trinity Row and Bawd’s Lane on After all, it would be somewhat embarrassing for one
the map, but not named there) with four rooms on of the Chantry Priests from the Minster (say) to be
the ground floor and six on the first (US 2nd) floor. seen inside by one of the parishioners!

The Laundry is so named mainly because laundresses There are a dozen rooms on the First (US 2nd) Floor
were often reputed to be women of loose morals who which are reachable by the rear entrance (see
often did double duty as bawds when they needed above) and a like number on the Ground Floor
extra money – but also because Madeleine insists that which are reachable from the main entrance. The
all her girls wash their clothes at least once a week building is, apart from the whitewashed front door
and that their customers be ‘of a goodly sort’ (that is, (the sign of a Bawdy House), otherwise a quite
also wearing clean clothes and personally clean). unremarkable two storey half-timbered structure.

Rumours that the name is because the customers are The establishment is run by one ‘Sister’ Mary
often ‘taken to the cleaners’ by footpads frequenting Bethany (~35), reputedly a disgraced former Nun
Cock’s Alley, and that they are in the pay of the (and named after one of the three women who were
Madam, are without legal foundation … to date. conflated to become Mary Magdalene and associat-
ed with [reformed] prostitutes) and ‘Brother’ Nik-
There is a four place Privy between the Bawdy olas (reputedly a defrocked priest, ~40). They run a
House and the Boarding House used in common by clean and strictly organised house and are reputed
the patrons and staff of both. to be able to provide all sorts of scandalous pervers-
ions for a discerning clientele.
Oh. You want to know why it’s called The Laundry?
Simple. Medieval laundresses were reputed to often Insofar as there is anything like ‘organised’ crime in
be, well, women of ill repute … Porthaven, Sister Mary Bethany is reputed to have
‘contacts’ that can put those who need such ‘under
The Nunnery (Friary Street). Situated conveniently the counter’ services in touch with those who can
opposite the side gate into the Franciscan Friary – provide them. For a modest finder’s fee, of course.
though, of course, the Friars would never, ever, be
tempted to frequent the premises let alone partake Interestingly, the name has nothing at all to do with
of the services proffered therein. Of course. Mary Bethany’s alleged origins … but originates with
the fact that the building was originally used as a
The reality is that The Nunnery is frequented by at Magdalenean Convent (i.e. for prostitutes wishing to
least some of the priests, monks and friars who live live a reformed and holy life) … but, as was so often
in or work at the various nearby religious establish- the case with such institutions, the temptations of the
ments (and Friars are, if anything, perhaps slightly ‘good life’ were so great that it eventually turned into
a den of vice and iniquity, and so the Dean dissolved
it and rented off the building (quite appropriately to
Sister Mary Bethany’s predecessors!).

The Rutting Bull (Greengarth). A pretty basic

Bawdy House with only a half a dozen cribs used
by the local streetwalkers during daylight hours or
when the Watch is on a morality drive (or they
haven’t paid them off not to bother them).

It is run by John de Flanders (~42) and his brother,

Richard Cut-Nose (~34), two notorious low lifes.
COOKSHOPS
The Cookshops listed below are only a selection of
those found in Town – since they serve the poor
and those whose lodging doesn’t have a kitchen (or,
in many cases, even a fireplace), they are scattered
all over and you can always find one (and some-
times more than one) within a block of any locat-
ion, even in less populous parts of town.

Big William’s Cookshop (River Street). Owned

and operated by the eponymous William and his
family and serving the fisherfolk as well as the
passing trade. He serves normal, unremarkable,
cookshop food for the most part – the one exception
being his Fish Stew, a pottage that is much richer in who works at one of the nearby small scale smelting
fish than usual (3C, 2P, 2F – ½ lb @ ½d) and which works hammering blooms into bar stock and horse-
he serves only in the mid-afternoon or evening. shoe blanks.

Big William is able to sell such a rich stew as he buys Her establishment is especially popular on cold and
the last of the catch of the day around mid-day and wet days because of the under-cover, inside, seating.
begins cooking immediately, before it goes off … easy
to do since his shop is right next door to where the Note: She also rents space on the Cookshop floor at
fishing fleet comes in with and sells its catch!) night on an informal basis (since this is technically
illegal), charging 1d per night with a bowl of cereal
He operates from a 1½ storey wattle and daub pottage for the morning break-fast or 1½d with that
cottage facing onto the street – his kitchen and a and a hunk of bread and cheese to ‘take away’ (for
common area with tables and bench seating for a lunch at work or on the road).
dozen people is at the front, a common area for his
family at the rear (the children sleep here, William The Huswif Cookshop (Hospital Walk). The Huswif
and his wife sleep in the half storey above). (‘Housewife’) is open extended hours, though not
all day and night. Liz of Millfleet, the owner and
Edwina’s Place (East Street, near the Canal). operator opens from around dawn and closes an
Catering mainly to the tradesmen and workers in hour or two after dusk or around 7-8 pm (depend-
the nearby craft and industrial workshops (as indic- ing on the time of the year) … with some exceptions
ated on the map) both for the mid-day meal purch- (usually the eve of important Holy Days, especially
ased to eat at one of her tables or on one of her those involving fasting) when she remains open
benches or back at their place of employment and until midnight.
the late evening meal which was purchased on the
way back to their lodgings, Edwina always has two The menu consists of Gruel & Water, Gruel & Milk,
cauldrons of pottage bubbling away over the fire – Pottage and Herb & Onion Pottage, all of which are
one with cereal pottage and one with herbed available at standard prices (or +¼d if it is served
pottage (she can add other ingredients to the mix to takeaway – in a hollowed out loaf of cheap rye
make the other types listed in The Marketplace, this bread). Liz will also cook (either outright or by
takes about 10 minutes). adding to either type of Pottage) other foodstuffs
brought in by patrons – ¼d per item if minimal
She also has the ingredients for Grilled Cheese & preparation is involved or ¼d per meal if more
Bread and Sausage & Bread available – from about effort is required.
11 am to 1 pm and 5-7 pm she can serve it within
2-3 minutes while at other times it will take 5-7 Liz serves the food through her front window and
minutes. Prices are as listed in The Marketplace. patrons either eat it on benches under the eaves of her
house on the street (if they use her bowls), or on the
She serves the meals she prepares directly from her benches or takeaway if they bring their own bowls or
kitchen which is, unusually, in the middle of her 1½ pay the additional money for the ‘takeaway’ option.
storey half-timbered house … separating a front room
with two tables and benches for 12-16 patrons inside Loulou’s Cookshop (Bawd’s Lane). Owned and
and benches for another 6-8 outside under the eaves operated by (or on the behalf of) Loulou of South-
(and technically on the street) from a rear store and wark, the owner of Cuck’s Paradise Bawdy House,
family room (she and her family sleep over the kitch- which is next door. While it does cater for the poor,
en and storeroom – he is a journeyman Blacksmith Loulou’s ‘menu’ is slightly better than most – serv-
ing only Pottage (and their Onion & Herb Pottage is ½ lb, ½d) and Sausage & Bread (Pork Sausage on
well regarded by the locals, counting as 5C, 2F), Unsifted Rye Bread, 6 oz, ¼d).
slices of average quality Meat Pies (rather than
cheap individual ones) and Sausage & Bread. Yes, all of these menu items except for the Pottage, are
under the most common weight listed in The
The Cookshop opens at dawn and closes at mid- Marketplace – not illegal (this is very much a time of
night (or as close to the latter as is possible in an caveat emptor) but certainly not good value. Needless
era largely without clocks). Prices are as indicated to say, the Cookshop has never been anywhere near
in The Marketplace, #174). a Goose (plucked or otherwise) … maybe it’s a meta-
phor for the customers?
Seating is on benches along the wall outside, at the
edge of the street. Her next-door neighbour, Hannah of Middelfleet
(mid 40’s, the wife of a journeyman Carpenter), is an
Middelfleet Cookshop (Bawd’s Lane). Near the Alewife and sells 2 pints of Ale for ¼d (the legal price).
waterfront end of the street, it offers standard
Cookshop food and is open 24/7 – though at night Sleetside Cookshop (Greengarth). Run by Henry
(roughly 9 pm to 5 am) only Pottage is available hot the Jolly (who is actually extremely dour), the
– everything else needs to be heated up/cooked and Sleetside is open 24/7 being as how it is situated
Meat Pies aren’t available at all until around 8 am. almost at the main South Gate. During the day
Unusually, it is licensed by the Town Corporation (dawn to dusk) they serve all types of Pottage,
to sell one mug of Ale with each meal for an add- Grilled Cheese, Bread & Cheese, Meat Pies and Saus-
itional ¼d but only at night. age & Bread – but in the evening (dusk to dawn)
they serve only Herb & Onion Pottage out of the pot
Proximity to the Docks and its situation in what but will happily add Meat to make it Meat Pottage,
passes for a ‘sin’ district means that the clientele tends but this takes around 15 minutes from the placing
to be … sketchy. Sailors, Dockworkers, Bawds and of the order.
their customers, those who skate on the edge of the
law – so it’s both edgy and moderately dangerous The Cookshop has seating out the back (off street,
and a good place to find hired muscle, the latest entry through a side alley) for around 20 patrons,
‘underworld’ gossip and where to find such illegal but this is open to the weather. At night, or in
services as may exist in town. inclement weather, they open the front room to
patrons – but there are only tables and seats for 6-8
The Plucked Goose Cookshop (Church Street, near at a time.
the Canal). Operated by Nora Green, the owner of
the Church Street Dosshouse out of her Kitchen on The Wooden Spoon (Hansa Row). Serving a slightly
the Ground Floor of the building – she does mainly more upmarket clientele than usual for a cookshop,
takeaways as the only seating is two trestle benches the Wooden Spoon serves a mix of Sussex Sausages
on the street for ~8-10, but these offer exactly zero (Beef, 1d; Mutton, ¾d; Pork, ½d – 8 oz of sausage in
protection from the weather or cold. a 1 lb loaf of Rye bread) and Pasties (Cheese &
Onion, ½d; Herb & Onion, ¼d).
The menu she serves depends partly on whatever
was cheapest at the markets most recently and It is open from dawn to around 9 pm and the ,
partly because of her limited seating space. Jacques de Cherbourg (30ish) happily takes advance
orders (pre-paid, of course) from the residents of
This means that she mostly serves Pasties (Herb & the Hansa’s accommodation for hot morning meals.
Onion, ¾ lb, ¼d; Cheese & Onion, ¾ lb, ½d; Pork,
¾ lb, ¼d), Pottage (Plain, ½ lb, ¼d; Onion & Herb, Though not allowed to sell Ale or Beer, there is an
Alehouse next door run out of the back kitchen of
Wilfred the Carpenter’s shop by his wife, Margery.

GAMBLING & GAMING

Hazard. A two dice game very similar to Craps

(and the latter may have developed from it). The
Roller states a number from 5-9 (the Main) and rolls
the dice – depending on what they roll they either
score a Nicks (win) or Outs (loss). After three losses
or non-winning rolls, in a row the Roller must pass
the dice on.
If the Roller rolls other than the Main the number
rolled becomes the Chance. To win at that point they
must roll the Chance again before rolling the Main.

The big difference from Craps is that the rolls against

the Chance pay out according to exact odds based on
the number of possible ways each of rolling each the
Chance vs the Main. For example, if the Chance is 5
and the Main is 7, then the odds are 2:3 (i.e. three
ways of throwing a 7 and losing vs only 2 ways of
throwing a 5 and winning).

At this point the Roller places a bet – and the other

players may stay in the game by placing down the
proportion of the bet based on the odds (in the above
example, they’d have to place down 2/3rds of his bet).
The pot remains and grows until a Roller rolls Nicks!
Pawns could only move one space on their first
Passe-Dix. Mentioned in the Gospel according to move until the late 13th century when the double
Matthew (27:35) and certainly much much earlier first move appears in Spain (sometimes limited to
in provenance, this is just about the simplest game before the first game piece is captured) and moves
using three dice that is possible. One of those in the slowly north, only becoming widespread by the 15th
group playing is the Banker, another is the Roller. century. On reaching the opposite side of the board
they could only be exchanged for Queens.
The Roller throws the dice – if the result is under ten
(3-9) then he and all the other players lose their bets The preferred form was, as it still is, by Checkmate.
to the Banker. Depending on the region the next best was by
Stalemate (illegal as a win in some places) followed
If, on the other hand, the Roller rolls above ten by (or used instead of Stalemate) Bare King – taking
(11-18) then the Banker must pay double the stakes all of the opponent’s pieces except his King.
each player (and the Roller) bet.
Draughts. Games like modern Draughts (‘Checkers’
The dice are passed to a new Roller when they lose in the US and elsewhere) have been played since
three times in a row. The Banker changes each time ancient Sumerian times.
the dice are rolled.
The Romans played Latrunculi (‘Little Robbers’)
which may have been one of the modern game’s
Backgammon. A very ancient game with many ancestors and which was probably played on an
variations prior to the 10th century. The most 8x8 grid like Draughts – but the Arabs had a
common medieval version was almost identical in similar game (Quirkat) which may also have had an
rules to the modern game – and the game was so influence on the ‘modern’ game, though it was
popular that, even more so than chess, there were based on a 5x5 grid and had reached Spain by the
books of strategy for (elite) players to consult. It was 10th century and southern France by the 11th as
one of the most common gambling board games Alquerque which was played with round counters
played throughout the period. on a standard 8x8 Chess Board.

Chess. There are significant differences between Crowning is only known to exist from the mid 13th
modern Chess and the medieval game. So, for century but the rule requiring a player to take a
example, the two sides were the Edomites (Red, move that will capture a piece or pieces wasn’t
sometimes Blue, rarely White) and the Ethiopians adopted until well after the end of the period.
(Black) and either side could move first,
TAVERNS
Bishops moved only two spaces diagonally by a As a general rule, Taverns are open from around 7
‘Spanish Leap’ (jumping over the intervening space) am throughout the year and close after dark – at
and only capturing any piece in the space it landed around 7-8 pm on Sundays and important Holy
on. Kings could make a Spanish Leap diagonally or Days and 10-12 pm on other days (later on Market
perpendicularly on their first move only – and only Days for the most part) though food service will
into an empty space. Queens could move only one usually cease an hour or more before the nominal
space diagonally. closing time.
Paradoxically, the more upmarket the establish- The current menu is limited to somewhat improved
ment the greater the likelihood that they will have Cookshop type meals – Bread & Cheese (1½ lb, ½d),
a later opening hour earlier closing hour than those Grilled Cheese (12 oz, ½d); Onion & Herb Pottage
which cater to a more working or middling class (12 oz, ¾d); Fish Pottage (¾ lb, ¾d); Meat Pottage
clientele. (¾ lb, ¾-1d); Sausage & Bread (12 oz, ½d; Ale and
Beer at standard prices. The cook will roast meat or
The Bishop’s Mitre (Cock’s Lane). Built on a tene- bake fish patrons bring and add Herbs (Vegetables)
ment originally leased from the Bishop of Wherever and a Rye bread trencher for ¼d per pound.
(probably the County Seat), the land was, long ago,
sold to Town Corporation and is leased to Nick o’ The Cross & Garter (Bellevue & Hospital Walk).
the Green (late 20s), the son of the recently deceased Another small(ish) Tavern in a 1½ storey half-
Peter the Short, who runs it with his mother, Mar- timbered building. Two thirds of the Ground Floor
gery (mid 40’s) helped by several serving girls. is taken up by the Dining Room which has tables
and seating for ~36 patrons, while the rear third is
This is located at the corner of Cock’s and Bawd’s divided into two unequal semi-private rooms, one
Lanes, opposite Cuck’s Paradise Bawdy House. It is with tables and seating for a 8-10 patrons and one
a single storey wooden building which has seen which nominally seats 6-8 but which is normally
better days (it has a pronounced lean to it and is used for gambling.
propped up along the Cock’s Lane side). It has a
single common room with food cooked over the There is a virtually non-stop game of Passe-dix run in
open fire and enough seating for 25-30 patrons. the smaller room – and there is space for a dozen or
more gamblers as the tables and chairs are usually
Under his father’s management the Tavern was going stacked against the walls.
downhill slowly – not quite in debt, but having a
hard time making the quarterly lease payments to the The owner, Ian Slaughter (mid 30’s), his wife (and
Town as well as providing a living for himself and his the cook, Sarah, late 20’s) and their two young
family. When he died, Nick heard the news and came children (Anna, 8, and Bevan, 5) live in the half
back from Calais where he’d been serving with the storey which is reached by a narrow internal
English forces in France as an archer … and he had staircase just inside the rear door.
made enough money to put the Tavern on a firmer
financial footing and negotiated a reduced lease The Kitchen is an external structure behind the
payment with the Corporation due to the poor main building connected by a roofed, but not
physical condition of the premises. enclosed walkway. There is also a chicken coop and
two dozen hens, a pigsty with space for 3-4 full
He is currently negotiating with them to buy the grown hogs and a stables with room for two horses
tenement so he can rebuild the Tavern … and seems or mules and a cart.
to have enough money to make a good offer (But
where did a simple archer get so much money? Or is The Chickens are mostly kept for meat, as are the pigs
someone backing him as a silent partner?) – and Ian was an apprentice butcher and so knows
how to slaughter both. He buys them live at the
There is a double seat privy out back as well as a market and kills and processes them as needed so as
small 1½ storey wattle and daub cottage where to reduce costs and have the freshest produce for the
Nick and his mother live (kitchen and common meals he and his wife produce. The Stables isn’t used
area on the ground floor, two separate sleeping for its original purpose as Ian and Sarah use the
areas on the half floor, reached by separate ladders space to brew their own Ale, Beer and Cider which,
(to Nick’s room from the common room, to Marg- again, enables them to increase the profit margin for
ery’s from the Kitchen). those items.

The Tavern is renowned for its Roast Pork (2d/lb),

which is served Tuesdays and Thursdays; Pork
Sausage (1d/lb), served Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays, and Roast Chicken (Capon, 6d/lb; Hen,
3½d/lb), served Wednesdays and Saturdays but also
serves other standard Tavern fare.

Roasts are served Mondays, Wednesdays and Fri-

days, rotating through Beef-Lamb-Mutton. Baked or
Fried Fish is available only for Lunch. Beef and
Mutton sausages are available at any time as are all
forms of Pottage. Game Birds and other Poultry are
available as special order items only, but only on
Wednesdays & Thursdays and Saturdays & Sundays.

The Capering Capon (Minster Square & Middel-

gate). An decidedly upmarket Tavern specialising
in poultry dishes, the Capon is a two storey building
with a stone built ground floor and a half-timbered
upper floor on a half tenement facing directly onto
Minster Square, adjacent to Middelgate.

The Ground (US 1st) Floor contains the main din- Pottage is not served, and Sausage is served only on
ing room which has tables and chairs (rather than demand – it has to be cooked to order which will
merely benches) for 30 patrons in a nicely app- commonly take ~15 minutes.
ointed room with wooden paneling on the walls, a
small tapestry of the eponymous Capon dancing The Tavern is owned by Gregory of Lincoln (mid
with anthropomorphic farmyard animals and two 40s) and is operated by him with the assistance of
windows fitted with glass panes (and secured with his wife, Hilda (late 30’s) and their older children,
heavy wooden shutters at night), one facing onto John (17) and Mary (15). They have a younger son,
the square and the other onto Middelgate. Richard (12) who is apprenticed to a Goldsmith,
and two younger daughters, Petra (9) and Alice (7)
The kitchen is at the rear of the Ground floor and who are too young for full time work and mainly
between it and the Dining Room are stairs leading remain in the family rooms learning domestic skills
up to the First (US 2nd) Floor and both the Tavern and some reading and writing (as befits a female
keeper’s rooms and to two private function rooms. child who would reasonably expect to marry at
One of these is set with a single great table and a least a skilled tradesman).
dozen chairs, two of which (those at either end) are
ornately carved wood and the other is more The Dancing Flounder (River Street). The Dancing
intimate, with a smaller table and only six chairs. Flounder serves the fisherfolk and their families –
and is a fairly modest establishment run by Owen
Dining in these First Floor rooms costs a premium – ap Owain a retired Welsh sailor who married a
1/- (12d) and 9d for the smaller, in addition to the cost local girl (Mary, now dead) and assisted by his son,
of food and drink. Richard, and daughter, Ann.

The Tavern has Roast Chicken, Roast Pigeon and It is a simple 1½ storey wattle and daub structure
Roast Common Game Bird available every day of with a large common room at the front with seating
the week (in season for the latter) but has Roast (trestle tables and bench seats) for 20-30 patrons
Prestige Game Birds, Roast Goose, Roast Partridge and a separate kitchen at the rear – the family’s
(in season for the former) and Roast Capon available living quarters are upstairs in the half-storey.
only on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sun-
days (i.e. full availability on Market Days with a The Flounder specialises (unsurprisingly) in fish and
reduced chance of availability on the following day). seafood dishes – Baked (2-6d) and Fried Fish (3-8d),
ordinary and prestige, and serves something like a
Prices for their Poultry dishes are at the high end of Seafood Chowder (1 lb, 2d, lunch only), a very
the range listed in The Marketplace. popular Turbot Pie (½ lb @ 2d, lunch and dinner;
3C, 2P, 2F) and also usually has Oysters available (1
They also serve Roast Beef (Mondays, Wednesdays dozen, 1d) kept fresh in barrels of brine.
and Fridays), Roast Lamb (Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Saturdays) and Roast Suckling Pig as well as Baked The Foaming Mug (New Market & Church Street).
Ham (Wednesdays and Saturdays). Baked Fish is A large, popular Tavern that is especially crowded
served on Wednesdays and Sundays and Fried Fish on Wednesday (Market Day) – it is situated on a full
is cooked to order only. Again, if prices are listed as a sized tenement and is a two storey building of
range, the Tavern charges the high end. half-timbered construction.

All types of drink are served, including a House Wine The Ground (US 1st) Floor is one large room with
– and during winter they serve Mulled Wine (Red seating and table space for 60 or so patrons, but on
wine heated and with spices and dried or ‘fresh’ fruit Market Day another 20 or so usually manage to
) which they sell by the cup or goblet (1 Pint) for 2d. squeeze in (there are no Fire safety laws here and
(Think something like an alcoholic Fruit Punch) now – and if there were, who would enforce them?).
There are stairs just inside the rear door which lead The Ground (US 1st) Floor is taken up by the
upstairs to three additional rooms – one large one Common Room, with seating for ~40-45 people at
which is commonly used as an overflow for the plain tables and on plain chairs (about ¾ of the
main room downstairs on Market Day and can floor space) and the Kitchen (at the rear) with stairs
accommodate 30-40 people, though it can be book- leading up to the First (US 2nd) Floor which holds
ed for larger private functions at other times, and the Guildmaster’s Room – also a single large space,
two private rooms, one with seating for 16-20 and but better furnished and decorated with seating for
the other with seating for 8-10. 24-30 people in a much greater degree of comfort
than is found in the Common Room downstairs.
Hiring the larger private room costs 1/6 (18d) while
the cost to hire the smaller one is only 8d. To hire the Eating in the Guildmaster’s Room costs a minimum
large overflow room costs 3/- (36d). In all cases, the of 3d per head in addition to meal costs (perhaps
cost of food and drink is, of course, extra. more if the patron[s] want a whole table seating 4-6
people to themselves). Service is much faster, the
The Private rooms are often used for a mix of dining serving staff are better dressed and have some
and gambling – usually dice games in the larger and pretence to the sort of etiquette one would find in a
Backgammon or Draughts in the smaller. If that is the noble household. Of course, better tips are expected
case, there is usually a ½d ‘cover charge’ for entry as well.
into the Dicing game and 1d for the Board games (but
this usually includes a small mug of Ale, 1 pint). The Second (US 3rd) Floor holds the Tavern-keep-
er’s family rooms as well as some guest rooms (four
Food is cooked in a separate kitchen out the back single rooms, each with a bed, chair and table)
(also a two storey building, Kitchen and Stores on which he lets out to ‘friends’ at standard Inn rates.
the Ground Floor, Tavern- Keeper’s rooms upstairs).
The Tavern specialises in Roasts, and Roast Beef,
All types of Tavern Food, from Pottage to Prestige Suckling Pig and Baked Ham are available every
Game Birds and Capons, are served – though the day of the week.
expensive items tend only to be available on Market
Days and, possible (a reduced chance) the day after. Ale, Beer, Cider, Perry and a House Wine are all
available by the mug, goblet or flagon.
It is extremely popular with Market traders on both
Market Days (Wednesdays and Saturdays) and is a Roast Lamb is available on Mondays, Wednesdays
good place to come to make contacts and arrange and Fridays; Roast Pork, Tuesdays and Thursdays;
advanced purchase arrangements … but be careful Whole Roast Rabbit, Wednesdays and Saturdays
you don’t do anything which could lead to accusat- (only ‘on demand’ – with a delay of 15-30 minutes for
ions of Engrossing, Forestalling or Regrating. preparation and cooking). Baked Fish is available
from Monday to Saturday, but only at lunchtime.
The Guildmaster (Bridge Street & Market Cross).
An upmarket establishment catering to a similar Roast Poultry (all types) are also potentially
class of patron to the Capering Capon (see above). It available, but must be cooked to order (requiring ~30
is a three storey half-timbered structure built on minutes) – Prestige Game Birds, Goose and
part of an original tenement and facing Market Partridge are seasonal and only likely to be available
Cross (at the corner of Bridge Street). on Market Days.

The name comes from the fact that it was originally The Tavern doesn’t sell any form of Pottage. Prices
owned by one of the Masters of the Goldsmith’s Guild are at the high end of the ranges listed in The
– and the fact that many Guildmasters still eat here. Marketplace.

The Merry Laundress (Bawd’s Lane). This is a

small Tavern with a single large room where the
food is prepared, the drink is brewed or stored in
casks or barrels and the patrons sit on trestle
benches or stools at simple wooden trestle tables. It
is nearest to the dockside end of the Lane.

There are spaces for 12-15 people to be served by

William the Fat (fiftyish, muscular but running to
fat), the owner and ‘mine host’, his wife, Hilda
(fortyish, greying, but with arms on her like whole
hams … always wielding a wooden roller or metal
ladle and happy to use them on unruly patrons)
and daughter, Gretel (late 20s, widowed, good look-
ing with light brown hair and liked by the patrons).

The building is a ½ storey half-timbered structure and

the family live in the half storey at the rear – William
and Hilda in the room nearest the ladder up from the
ground floor and Gretel and her ten year old son,
Peter, who is attending his second year of Latin
School before an arranged apprenticeship with Town
Corporation’s Clerk’s office. There is a two seat Privy
at the rear of the main building and a private single
seat one behind the owner’s cottage.

The set menu (i.e. items on hand, ready to eat, or can

be cooked within a short time) is limited to Ale/Beer
(1½d) or Cider (1d) per Wine Gallon for drinks; Winifred in turns assists with the cooking, serving and
Pottage with Herbs (1¼d), with Fish (1¾d) @ 1lb looking after the children while Isabele is the main
(add ½d if served in a hollowed out 2 lb loaf of Rye cook and Gerhard acts as Mine Host and makes sure
Bread); and Pork (¾d) or Mutton (½d) Sausage (8 oz the patrons don’t get too rambunctious – which is
sausage in 8 oz of Bread). fairly rare as this is a somewhat upmarket tavern.

If a customer brings along their own meat or fish the The Oresund serves Ale, Beer, House Wine and Cider
Tavern’s cook will happily roast/boil it for ¼d per 2 as beverages and specialises in Baked and Fried Fish
lbs or fry it for ¼d per pound. (they will prepare Prestige Fish if the customer brings
it in for ½d per pound) and Roast Meats. No Pottage
The Loaves & Fishes (Church & East Streets). A of any sort is served here.\
basic Tavern catering to those who can to afford to
eat one step above even the better Cookshops. It is The Pig & Poke (Market Cross). Aimed at ‘the
a 1½ storey wattle & daub structure – there is a middling sort’, the Pig & Poke was built by modify-
Common Room (seating for ~ 40) facing the street, ing two side-by-side cruck-framed, half-timbered,
a kitchen and store-rooms at the rear and the 1½ storey structures which were originally ware-
Tavernkeeper’s family sleeps in the half storey. houses for the Market authorities … but the land
was too valuable and it was soon sold to an enter-
The Loaves & Fishes serves Ale, Beer and Cider for prising Innkeeper.
beverages and Pottages (all types) and Sausages (all
types) every day of the week. They serve Roast Pork The two side-by-side structures are connected by
on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and Roast large double-wide doorways between several of the
Mutton on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. frames, but are not completely open to each other.
The left side is almost entirely taken up by a
The Oresund (Hansa Row). Owned by Gerhard of Common Room with seating for 60+ patrons at
Bremen (late 40s), a retired ship’s captain from, pretty basic trestle tables with bench style seating
well, Bremen, it is a two storey building with a at the front (taking up five of the six frames) with a
stone-built ground floor (a converted warehouse) ‘private room’ at the back which nominally seats
and half floor above. 12-18 people.

The Ground Floor has a kitchen, storerooms, a The ‘Private Room’ is used for gambling, mostly
Common room (space for 30-40 patrons) and a Hazard and can accommodate two simultaneous
‘private’ room for a dozen diners on chairs around games – there is always at least one such game going
a proper (if plain) table. from soon after opening to well after close. If there is
no second game, then there may be 2-3 games of
Renting the Private Room costs 1/- in addition to the Backgammon being played in the corners.
cost of meals and beverages.
The right side of the Tavern contains the Kitchen,
The half floor is the family’s quarters where Ger- Storerooms and a somewhat more upmarket
hard lives with his local wife, Isabele (mid 30s), her ‘Common’ Room where the patrons are charged a
daughter by a former marriage, Winifred (~16), and variable ‘cover’ fee to eat in. The tables here are
two children by Gerhard, Anna (6) and Hans (4). still fairly basic, but are proper ones rather than
mere trestles, and there are a mix of stools and of the previous owner and assisted by their eldest
proper chairs available for patrons to sit on. This son, Edward (~20) and teenage daughter, Mary
takes up three of the six frames and can seat ~30. (any patron who would ‘take liberties’ with her –
they’ll be ejected quick darn smart) as well as two
A Stool costs +¼d and a chair ½d. If patrons wish to ‘serving wenches’, Lizabeth (early 20’s, who has a
play Backgammon, Chess or Draughts they are sweetheart who works on the docks) and Jeanne
charged an ½d … unless they are skilled enough to (early 30’s, married to a dockworker).
attracts an appreciative (and paying) crowd who buy
lots of drinks, in which case the owner might stump Lizabeth rooms in the owner’s cottage, sleeping in a
up for some ‘free’ drinks for them as well. small space off the kitchen. The rest of the ground
floor in that building comprises of the kitchen, store-
The Kitchen prepares any Tavern food, including room, common room and a narrow staircase up to the
Chickens/Capons. However, other Poultry must be first (US 2nd) floor where there are three rooms –
brought in by a Patron … the Tavern charges ½-1d Edward’s is immediately off the stairs, his parent’s
per 2 lbs (and ~30 minutes to cook). They only serve and his sister’s open off his.
Ale, Beer and Cider for beverages.
William and Elfrida are saving their profits to pay for
Roast Beef and Baked Hams are served every day an upgrade to the main building (putting on a second
except Sunday, but tend to run out by late afternoon storey), building a wall around the tenement, adding
– Roast Pork and Roast Mutton is served afternoons a stable and paying to gain a license from the Town
and evenings (except Sunday). Roast Lamb is served Corporation to upgrade their Tavern to an Inn – they
at Lunch on Wednesdays and Saturdays. are well regarded in the Town and the Corporation’s
members have tentatively given them the nod for
The Suckling Pig (Bawd’s Lane). Situated close to when they can pay for the building works.
Minster Street and, therefore, somewhat upmarket
for its location. It is a substantial single storey half The Tavern offers a standard Inn menu as listed in
timbered building (kitchen, storerooms and a large The Marketplace but offers Honey Glazed Suckling
common room with drinking and eating space for Pig around the time of the evening meal, ½ lb of meat
around 25-30 patrons) at the front of the tenement plus on a Rye Bread trencher with a ½ lb bowl of
and a smaller two storey house at the rear where Herbed Pottage or the same amount of vegetables and
the owner, his family and some of the staff live. a mug of Ale or Beer for 2d – but they run out quickly!

The Tavern is owned by William the Ostler (late

40s) who married Elfrida (late 30’s), the daughter
INNS & TAVERNS
Remember, Inns are licensed to sell food and drink
and to provide accommodation for travellers. Taverns
are only licensed to sell food and drink.

The Inns listed below are those with keyed entries on

the map of Porthaven at the beginning of this chapter
– and, indeed, these are the only Inns in Porthaven.

Only a small selection of Taverns are mentioned

below, some of which are otherwise detailed in partic-
ular areas (such as the Shopping Streets and Water-
front & Warehouses) and which may be described in
more detail in the Businesses flyout. operate out of the Inn have semi-scheduled routes,
often circuits beginning and ending in Porthaven
(and some of them may actually be based out of
27) The Waterman’s Arms (Bridge Street). This is the somewhere other than the Town, with Porthaven
oldest Inn in Porthaven (or so the owners claim – the merely being one of the stops on their route).
spotty town records are vague) and well situated at the
site of the original ferry crossing over the Ithura well See the Businesses flyout earlier in this Chapter for
before the Baron built the current stone bridge (the more information on Carriers in Porthaven.
name actually comes alludes to the fact that it was
bought by the family holding the Ferry-right as a 30) The Good Samaritan Inn (East Street). Another
supplement to their business – which proved to be a of the older Inns in Porthaven, and also on a large
smart move when the first wooden bridge was erected). tenement. It tends to monopolise the passing trade
coming through Eastgate – though, in recent years, it
The walled courtyard is quite large with three main has lost some of that to The Moor’s Head, which has
buildings – the Inn, the Stables and the New Annex. better facilities for those involved in the carriage trade.

28) The Inn of the Seven Stars (Market Row). One of The Inn has four main buildings in the tenement
the original Inns, though not quite as old as the compound – the Inn (which has two wings), the Guest
Waterman’s Arms. The Inn of the Seven Stars is placed House, the Stables and a Warehouse.
to serve the passing trade heading north along the
river road and consists of a large 2½ storey Inn and 31) The White Horse Inn (Church Street). One of the
2½ storey Stables in the typical walled compound. smaller and newer Inns in town, the White Horse was
constructed only after the New Market took off in
The Seven Stars is on a smaller tenement than the popularity. It has very limited stable space and a
Waterman’s Arms, hence the half storey and unusual small courtyard and has had to build upwards rather
arrangement of the Stables (see Accommodation for than outwards – so the main building has three full
details) – probably because, though an early found- storeys rather than the more common 1½-2.
ation, it was founded after the Market Cross become
formalised and space came at more of a premium. This is a particularly popular Inn with merchants in
town for the Wednesday Market.
The ‘Seven Stars’ of the name refers to sun, the Moon,
Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury and not to 32) The Black Swan Inn (Millfeld Walk & Feldgate).
any actual ‘stars.’ Built not long after the expansion of the town to
encompass the land down to the Millfleet, and is
29) The Moor’s Head Inn (East Street). A relatively situated almost right next to the (then) new Feldgate,
recent foundation established on the site of a former the Black Swan Inn was able to purchase a large
industrial tenement and incorporation a repurposed tenement quite cheaply and, since it backs onto graz-
cruck-framed 1½ storey half-timbered warehouse as ing land to the rear, has proved to be quite popular
the main Inn building with a new-build 1½ storey with those involved in the carriage trade – though not
wooden stable out back. The courytard of the Moor’s as popular as The Moor’s Head.
Head is considerably larger than usual and can
accommodate 8-10 waggons or twice that many carts Carters and Pack Train carriers often stay here at the
– and is particularly popular with travelling traders. Black Swan, but congregate at the Moor’s Head for
work or to formally start (or continue) their circuits. See
As a result it is the go-to place for hiring a Carrier – the Businesses flyout elsewhere in this Chapter for more
not quite a common carrier (the legal framework won’t information on Common Carriers who can be found in
exist for centuries), but fairly close. Some carters who (or serving) Porthaven.
33) The Red Dragon Inn (Millfeld Walk). Situated 39) The Capering Capon (Minster Square). A sedate
near the South Gate of the second phase expansion, establishment catering to wealthy patrons who can
the Red Dragon was originally an important stop for afford to shop in and around Minster Square and its
land based travellers who wanted somewhere near the higher than normal concentration of elite shops.
gates, a role now taken by the Merry Monk. As a result
the owners have gradually sold off much of the origin- 40) The Cross & Garter (Bellevue & Hospital Walk).
al tenement and only the Inn and a Stable remain A fairly basic tavern aimed at a working class clientele.
facing the street – and the Inn’s Common room
operates as a Tavern under a special license from the More detailed descriptions of these as well as of the ones
Corporation from dawn until around 9 pm. listed below are in the Food & Entertainment Flyout
section elsewhere in the chapter.
34) The Merry Monk Inn (Greengarth & Southgate).
Strategically located next to the South Gate, the Merry MARKETS & MARKETPLACES
Monk is the first Inn to greet travellers who are When it was originally chartered Porthaven had only
entering Porthaven off of the Royal (Coastal) Highway the one weekly Market held at Market Cross (aka
and, therefore, tends to get a lot of the passing trade Market Square), a general purpose establishment for
from amongst those who do not have special needs selling of all the produce of the surrounding region
(such as Carters and Pack Train operators). The Inn that could be transported economically to the town,
has three buildings, the Inn proper, an Annex (with the manufactured and finished goods produced by
private rooms and a private bath-house/sauna) and the the Town’s craftsmen and for imports from elsewhere
Stables situated around a medium size courtyard. in the Kingdom and from divers and sundry places on
the continent and even from further afield.

The establishments listed below are not the only Unlike most such early Markets, which were held on a
Taverns in town – there is usually at least one for every Sunday, Porthaven’s Market Day was Saturday. This is
major area (say every block on one of the main, likely because the Town was largely a new creation and,
named, streets), placed at the GMs discretion. therefore, had no traditional market on which to base
the new one – and so chose to hold it on a weekday and
Taverns mentioned in the Waterfront/Docks section in a Marketplace rather than continue a traditional
(later in this section) include – The Bishop’s Mitre Sunday Market held in the Churchyard.
(Cock’s Lane), The Dancing Flounder (River Street),
The Merry Laundress (Bawd’s Lane), The Oresund The growth of Porthaven’s national and international
(Hansa Row) and The Suckling Pig (Bawd’s Lane). trading links was so rapid that a new market was soon
needed – for extra space and to specialise in imports
35) The Guildmaster (Bridge Street & Market Cross). and exports. This new market was situated in the
This is an upmarket establishment catering to very stunningly originally named New Market and was
well-to-do patrons attending the Market or shopping held on a Wednesday.
at the main shopping streets – Bridge Street, Market
Row and Market Street. At the southern edge of the Town, just inside the Walls,
and, being on the Middelfleet, it was originally situated
The name comes from the fact that it was originally to allow access for barges and other vessels to bring
owned by one of the Masters of the Goldsmith’s Guild. goods to and fro with ease – but the expansion of the
inhabited (and walled) area of the Town and the build-
36) The Loaves & Fishes (Church & East Streets). ing of new bridges mean that this is no longer possible.
This tavern caters to semi-skilled workers who can
afford to eat at an establishment with better food Bulky goods are largely stored down near the docks and
than a mere Cookshop, or can do so at least some of in warehouses, only samples are normally on display –
the time. for smaller items, however, a much larger selection or
even the entirety of the stock may be present.
37) The Pig & Poke (Market Cross). A middling sort
of Tavern aimed at skilled craftsmen who are own a
small shop or middling range traders and who can Conduits. These are public water outlets fed by gravity
either afford to eat here at least on occasion … and from a spring many miles away. The main (older and
sometimes more regularly. larger) one is next to the actual Market Cross while a
smaller (and more recent) one is near the junction
38) The Foaming Mug (New Market). Originally a with Minster Street. See Water Supply – Conduits &
working class establishment, or it was before the Wells, below, for details.
Wednesday Market grew in importance. Now? Now it
is aimed at the traders and merchants who do busi- Market Cross. This is the original market site which
ness there – and is usually packed on Market Days. was originally marked by a crudely shaped stone
marker in the centre of the ‘square’, but this was soon
replaced by a series of ever larger and more ornate
carved stone Market Crosses erected by the Town
Corporation as a sign of civic pride and wealth – the
most recent of which graces the page above right.

Market Court. This is held at the Market Cross, usually

under a tarpaulin in summer and in a tent in winter
(or, if the weather is really awful, inside the Town
Hall). There is a Market Judge, Notary and Bailiff on
duty assisted by half a dozen Market Wardens who
are mainly interested in ensuring the stallholders use
proper weights/measures (approved and tested by the
Town Corporation where applicable) are used and That said, constant wear and tear and variable weights
that stallholders have paid their rents and any tax due. being applied by cart wheels and the like mean that
around 5-10% of the flagstones will be damaged and
There are Stocks and a Pillory stationed near the Court either need to be replaced or relaid every year after the
and where Minster Street and Market Street enter the initial two or three high maintenance years … so there
square – most offences against the market rules are was a real need for that Pavage charge!
punished by fines and/or by the perpetrator being put
on public display at these stations. Criminal offences Privy. This is a stone built, slate roofed, public Privy
are tried at the regular Corporation Tribunal held in with stone seats for a dozen, separated by wooden
the Town Hall during the week – and any criminals screens – with a large stone lined cesspit beneath that
caught at the Market are held in its basement. only needed to be emptied once a year. See Sanitat-
ion, below, for further details.
Market Square. This originally took up much of the
land shown as residential and commercial blocks Stall Rental. The cost of renting a standard Stall in the
around the designated public square, but this has Market Cross is 1d per Saturday, but those nearest the
long been swallowed up by many shops, residences street entrances onto the square cost 1½d … and
and important public buildings such as the Town those nearest the Market Cross itself cost 1¾d. Food
Hall and some of the more important Inns. The Stalls cost ¼d except for those nearest the entrances
remaining open space is let out to stallholders (some and the Market Cross which cost ½d.
of whom have yearly lease arrangements) on market
days but is more or less open space the rest of the week. Paying in advance attracts a small discount – a month’s
rental can be had for ½d off the regular price for both
The main Butcher’s ‘quarter’ is along Market Row and types of stall and at all locations. Yearly rentals can be
it is common for animals being brought to slaughter for had for the equivalent of 9 months rental (again, for all
local needs (i.e. retail rather than wholesale) to be driven locations and for both types of stalls).
through the Square on non-market days.
Taxes & Charges. The Corporation levies a variety of
Space is available for rent in advance on any weekday taxes and charges against stallholders and sellers in
at the Town Hall, from the Town Clerk or, if any are the Market – rather than go into great detail, assume
left on a Saturday, from the Notary at the Market Court non-food Stallholders with Burgage Rights (i.e. citi-
(see above) – but any remaining space sells out very zens) pay around 1-2d/£ of turnover and those who
quickly and is gone within an hour of opening, at most. don’t have such rights pay about double that.

Paving. As noted in Taxes & Charges overleaf, the This doesn’t include any tolls to bring goods to Market
Town Corporation had Royal Assent to charge for (and remember, the amount the typical Serf or Peasant
Pavage – that is, a tax to cover the cost of paving the was likely under a stated minimum amount which att-
main roads and squares of the Town. The Market racted no impost at all). It includes the cost of using the
Square is paved with carefully fitted but irregularly Market Weigh-house and charges for Murage (upkeep of
shaped flagstones bedded into a carefully laid layer the Walls) and Pavage (upkeep of the roads) etc.
of sand underneath.
Weigh-House. Situated near the Market Street ent-
Flagstones might seem as if they are maintenance free rance onto the square, this is a small stone building
and should last forever, but nothing could be further which houses a steelyard balance capable of weighing
from the truth. They required continued re-bedding and items up to ~20 cwt. On Market Day there is a Weigh-
levelling for at least the first two or three years after first master on duty with two assistants who will duly
being laid (costing about 15-20% of the initial paving weigh all bulk goods sold at the Market (the charge is
cost per year) down to ‘settle’ and can last many years. included in the Taxes & Charges indicated above) – he
is also responsible for checking smaller balances used tested by the Town Corporation where applicable) are
by the Merchants in the market for lesser weights used and that stallholders have paid their rents and
(anything under 14 lbs [Avoirdupois, the more or less any tax due.
modern Pound of ~454 grams] or One Stone).
There are Stocks and a Pillory stationed near where the
He is also responsible for keeping on hand the set Court’s Pavilion is normally set up – as at Market Cross
measures used to check the accuracy of any yardstick most offences against the market rules are punished by
for measures of length or container for volume or liquid fines and/or by the perpetrator being put on public
measures. The Market Wardens bring any Merchant display at these stations. Criminal offences are tried at
suspected of selling short weight, volume or length the regular Corporation Tribunal held in the Town
before him and he determines if they need to be brought Hall during the week – and any criminals caught at the
up before the Market Court on charges. Market are held in its basement.

Market Square. This originally took up much more of

Smaller than the original Market Cross (though much the land shown as residential and commercial blocks
of the original open space has, likewise, been swallow- around the designated public square but, as in
ed up by permanent shops and other establishments), Market Cross, this has long been swallowed up by
the New Market operates on a Tuesday and is for many shops, Inns and residences. The remaining
dealers in goods intended for export or for imports. open space is let out to stallholders (some of whom
have yearly lease arrangements) on market days but
Conduit. There is only one of these in the New Market is more or less open space the rest of the week.
square, situated near the centre of the remaining
open space. See Water Supply – Conduits & Wells, Space is available for rent in advance on any weekday
below, for details. at the Town Hall, from the Town Clerk or, if any are
left on a Saturday, from the Notary at the Market Court
Market Court. This is held in a pavilion (large tent) (see above) – but any remaining space sells out very
erected between Bellevue and Church Streets. There is quickly and is gone within an hour of opening, at most.
a Market Judge, a Notary and a Bailiff on duty (the
same ones who work at the Market Cross on Saturday) Paving. The New Market is paved with carefully fitted
assisted by half a dozen roving Market Wardens who but irregularly shaped flagstones bedded into a care-
are mainly interested in ensuring the stallholders use fully laid layer of sand underneath (see the same
proper weights and measures (ones approved and section, above, in Market Cross for more details).

Privy. This is a stone-built, slate roofed, public Privy

with wooden seats for eight people, separated by
wooden screens – with a large wood lined cesspit. See
Sanitation, below, for further details.

Stall Rental. The cost of renting a standard Stall in the

New Market is 1½d per Wednesday, but those nearest
the street entrances onto the square cost 2d … and
those nearest the Market Cross itself cost 2½d. Food
Stalls cost ½d except for those nearest the entrances
and the Market Cross which cost ¾d.

Paying in advance attracts a small discount – a month’s

rental can be had for ½d off the regular price for both
types of stall and at all locations. Yearly rentals can be
had for the equivalent of 9 months rental (again, for all
locations and for both types of stalls).

Taxes & Charges. The Corporation levies a variety of

taxes and charges against stallholders and sellers in
the Market – assume non-food Stallholders with Burg-
age Rights pay ~2-3d/£ of turnover and those who
don’t pay about double that (for more details, see the
same section in Market Cross, above).

Weigh-House. Situated near the Bellevue Bridge ent-

rance onto the square, on Market Day there is a
MARKET PRICES
These pages give a selection of prices for the mainly
Bulk Goods purchasable at the two weekly Markets
held in Porthaven.

The Rule of Three. For a town with a population

the size of Porthaven’s (~2500-3000) assume that
up to three units of all of the goods listed below are
automatically available. That is, you can walk into
the Market and buy 3 Bushels of Charcoal, 3 Bolts
of Cheap Wool Cloth and 3 Head of Cattle with no
difficulty beyond having the ready cash.

Purchasing more than that requires an appropriate

Skill Check and, probably, getting to the market
early, especially for foodstuffs and livestock. If such
a check is successful, then another three units of
whatever are available.

A town of 2500-3000 people, for example, probably

consumes ~10-12 head of cattle/day, or 70-84 a week
… so that’s the base demand. Double that for Butchers
who produce preserved meats for sale to travellers such as Porthaven. They are decadal averages and
(and ships) or for shipping elsewhere for sale, and there will be price variability by year and season at
maybe double again for sales to Factors who will ship the very least. (For a detailed breakdown see The
(or drive) the cattle elsewhere for sale (the County Marketplace, especially pages #77-87 for a start).
Seat, perhaps … or ship them to London by sea).

So you’re looking at maybe 300-350 cattle being Item Amount Price

available at the market, most of which will be spoken Ale Kilderkin 18-20d
for, more or less, to fulfill existing needs of established Ale Firkin 11½-13d
customers – so the ‘rule of three’ makes sense in that
context (if you want to up things, make it the rule of Cider Kilderkin 14-16d
six) for someone (like the PCs) who is just a blow in. Cider Firkin 8-9d

Beyond that, well, it depends. In some cases you (as Perry Kilderkin 17-20d
GM) may rule that more is available, depending on Perry Firkin 9¼-10½d
the nature of the goods and the time of year, or you
may rule that the character(s) will have to pre-order A Kilderkin = 18 Beer Gallons of ~4.621 litres, or
more for a future date. ~83.18 litres; barrel + contents = ~220 lb, ~100 kilos).
A Firkin contains half that amount, 9 Beer Gallons or
As a rule of thumb, twice as many units will be ~41.6 litres; barrel + contents = ~110 lbs, ~50 kilos).
available by the next Market and four times as
many for the Market following that … beyond that
will require lots of negotiation and roleplaying and Item Amount Price
may not be possible for all types of goods. Candles, Tallow 14 lbs 18d
Candles, Wax 14 lbs 36d
THE SATURDAY MARKET (MARKET CROSS) Charcoal Bushel 9-10d
This is a general purpose and the majority of the Coal Cwt 1d
goods sold here (by volume and probably by value
as well) are primary produce or raw materials – but Firewood Cwt 2½-3d
you can buy finished goods, mainly those which are
produced in rural areas for town markets (includi- Linen Cloth, Average Bolt £4/10/-
ng simple non-Guild craft items). Or 1080d.
Linen Cloth, Cheap Bolt £1/12/-
All prices below are for the last two decades of the Or 384d.
14th century, marked down slightly on the assumpt- Linen Cloth, Fine Bolt £9
ion that prices are lower in a regional Market Town Or 2160d.
Wool Cloth, Average Bolt £2/11/3d
Or 615d. Item Amount Price
Wool Cloth, Cheap Bolt 17/- Butter 14 lb 7d
Or 204d. Butter, Salted 7 lb 7d
Wool Cloth, Fine Bolt £5/2/6d Unsalted = 4d for 7lb, ¾d/lb. Salted = 1d/lb. ¼d
Or 1230d. extra for it to come in a fine linen cloth bag.

Bolt = 32 English Ells (45”, 120’ for the Bolt) by 36” Cheese 14 lb 17½-21d
wide @ ~1½ lbs/yd2 = ~180 Imperial lbs or ~81½ kilos. One Wheel/Round in cheesecloth.
Chickens Each 4d
Ingots, Brass ½ cwt 7/- to 8/- An average Chicken of ~1½ lbs (~65% edible)
84-96d. Comes in ingots of 2-5 pounds. Cod, Fresh each 14-17d
Ingots, Bronze ½ cwt 4/- to 5/4 Assumes a fish of ~80 lbs (~60% edible)
48-64d. Comes in ingots of 2-5 pounds.
Ingots, Copper ½ cwt 3/4 to 5/6 Eggs dozen 1d
40-66d. Comes in ingots of 2-5 pounds. Or ¾d for a half dozen, ½d for 3.
Ingots, Iron (English) ½ cwt 3/4 to 4/-
40-48d. Comes in ingots of 2-5 pounds. Herring, Fresh 100 12-15d
Ingots, Iron (Rolfe Foundry) ½ cwt 8/- Each Herring = ~1¼-1½ lbs (~60% edible).
96d. Quality Iron from the local foundry.
Ingots, Pewter ½ cwt 5/- to 6/6 Milk Wine Gallon ¾d
60-80d. Comes in ingots of 2-5 pounds. Bring your own container or pay 1d for a pottery jug
Ingots, Tin ½ cwt 6/- to 7/6 (not always available at the seller’s).
72-90d. Comes in ingots of 2-5 pounds.

Ingots \come in barrels for shipping, included in the Item Amount Price
price, weighing +24 lbs. Apples Bushel 14¼-16½d
50 lbs of Apples, 4 lb of straw in a 12 lb barrel (66 lbs,
Nails, Cask 7 lbs 14d-14/- ~23 kilos or ~51 Imperial pounds).
Number/Price/cask varies by size – smaller nails cost
more (small nails cost more in time and effort to make). Beans Bushel 1¾-2¼d
Beans, Dried Bushel 3¼-4¾
Salt, Coarse (Sea Salt) ½ cwt 1/3 to 1/6 Sold in hessian bags or sacks, the cost of which is
12-18d. Sold in hessian bags. included in the price.
Salt, White (Rock Salt) ½ cwt 2/6 to 3/-
30-36d. Sold in hessian bags. Peas Bushel 2¾-3d
Peas, Dried Bushel 6-7½d
Sold in hessian bags or sacks.

Vegetables Bushel 4¾-5½d

Vegetables, Dried Bushel 9½-11d
Sold in hessian bags or sacks.

Vegetables, Pickled Barrel 18-21d

Vegetables, Salted Barrel 36-42d
42 lbs of Vegetables, 12lbs of Brine in a 12 lb barrel
(i.e. 66 lbs, ~23 kilos or ~51 Imperial pounds)

Item Amount Price

Barley Bushel 4¾-6¼d
Oats Bushel 1¾-2¾d
Wheat Bushel 6½-7d
Sold in hessian sacks.

Item Amount Price

Cattle Head 155-160d
An average beast of ~500 lbs (~50% edible)
Donkey, Untrained Each 2/- to 3/-
24-36d. Suitable for use as a Pack animal.

Goat Each 7½-8½

An average beast of ~30 lbs (~45% edible)

Horse, Cart, Untrained Each 4/- to 5/-

48-60d. Suitable for pulling carts or as a Pack animal.
Horse, Hackney, Untrained Each 13/4–£1/6/8
160-320d. Riding or Pack Horse.
Horse, Plough, Untrained Each 16-20d
Can be used for ploughing or pulling heavy loads. 14th century, marked down slightly on the assumpt-
Horse, Sumpter, Untrained Each 3/4 to 5/- ion that prices are lower in an important trade port
40-60d. Mostly used as a Pack Horse. such as Porthaven.

Mule, Untrained Each 13/4 to £1 They are decadal averages and there will be price
160-240d. Riding or Pack animal. variability by year and season at the very least. (For
a detailed breakdown see The Marketplace, espec-
Pig Each 12-14d ially pages #77-87 for a start).
An average beast of ~50 lbs (~45% edible)

Sheep Head 16-18d Item Amount Price

An average beast of ~55 lbs (~45% was edible). Wine, Cheap Barrel 5/- to 6/-
60-72d.
Wine, Average Barrel 10/- to 12/-
Item Amount Price 120-144d.
Bacon 108 lbs 3/- to 3/6d Wine, Good Barrel £1+
36-42d. ~84 lbs Bacon, ~24 lbs salt, 24 lb barrel. 240d or more.
(132 lbs ~46.2 kilos, ~101½ Imperial pounds)
Beef, Salt 108 lbs 8/- to 12/- COMMODITIES
96-144d. ~72 lbs Beef, ~36 lbs Brine, 24 lb barrel. Item Amount Price
(132 lbs, ~46.2 kilos, ~101½ Imperial pounds) Alkali 7 lbs 5/- to 12/-
Beef, Smoked 108 lbs 11/8 to 17/6 60-144d. Used to bleach fabrics and make glass.
140-210d. 84 Tower lbs Smoked Beef, 24 lb tray. Alum 7 lbs £1 to £1/4/-
240-288d. Dye fixative. Dyeing needs ~10% of cloth
Pork, Salt 108 lbs 5/- to 7/6 weight in Alum to fix the dye.
60-90d. ~72 lbs Pork, ~36 lbs Brine, 24 lb barrel. 132
lbs (~46.2 kilos, ~101½ Imperial pounds) Cinnabar 1 lb 8/- to 10/-
Pork, Smoked 108 lbs 7/3 to 10/6 96-120d. Used in red pigments. Known to be poison-
87-126d. 84 lbs Smoked Pork, 24 lb tray. ous to those who mined it.

Salt Fish 108 lbs 1/8 to 2/2d Olive (Lamp) Oil 1 Wine Gallon 9-12d
20-26d. 66 lbs (~18 kilos, ~40 Imperial lbs) of gutted Comes in a 1¼ kilo (~4.4 lb) jug (13.9 kg, 32.4 lb).
salt fish, 24 lbs tray, 18 lbs salt. Orpiment 1 lb 4/- to 6/-
Smoked Fish 108 lbs 2/2 to 2/8d 48-72d. Used in tanning hides. Known to be toxic.
26-32d. 84 lbs gutted smoked fish, 24 lb tray.
Stockfish (Dried Fish) 108 lbs 2/- to 2/6d Iron Ingots, Hansa ½ cwt 13/6
24-30d. 84 lbs dried Cod fillets 24 lb tray. 160d. 1-2 lb quality ingots + 12 lb barrel.
Iron Ingots, Hansa ¼ cwt 6/8
THE WEDNESDAY MARKET (NEW MARKET) 80d. As 1-2 lb quality ingots + 12 lb barrel.
This is also a general purpose Market – but differs
from the Saturday one in that the goods here are Lumber, Prime quality 1 ton 10/- or more
imports – either from the continent or elsewhere in Lumber, Prime quality 1 Cwt 1/- or more
Britain mostly brought in by ship – most bulky Top quality lumber from the Baltic – used for the
items are only samples, purchasers will need to go large ships/elite structures. Larger timbers cost more.
to the seller’s warehouse to pick them up.
Paper Bale £4/16/-
All prices below are for the last two decades of the Paper Bundle £1/1/8d
Bale = 10 Reams/4800 sheets, ~62½ kilos (137¾ Cinnamon 1 lb 6/- or more
Imperial pounds) @ 1152d. Bundle = 2 Reams/960 72d or more.
sheets, ~12½ kilos (27½ Imperial pounds) @ 260d. Cloves 1 lb 8/- or more
Each sheet folds in half to make four Quarto pages. 96d or more.

Saltpeter 7 lbs 9/- to 12/- Garlic 7 lbs 2d

108-144d. Used in curing meats. Comes in 1lb ‘strings’
Steel, Damascus 7 lbs 7/6 to 17/6 Ginger 1 lb 1/6d or more
90-210d. Not always from Damascus, variable qual- 18d or more.
ity (buyer beware). Comes in ¼ lb rods.
Mace 1 lb 5/- or more
Window Glass, White 14 lbs 6/- to 7/- 60d or more.
72-84d. ‘White’ = clear. ~2-2½ lbs/ft2. Usually comes Marzipan 1 lb 2/4d
in several diamond shaped pieces. 30d. Comes in a fine linen bag.

Wool, English, Fine Woolsack £6-8 Nutmeg 1 lb 7/- or more

1440-1920d. The finest quality domestic wool. 84d or more.
Wool, English, Average Woolsack £3-4
720-960d. Standard quality domestic wool. Pepper 1 lb 1/- or more
Wool, Spanish, Fine Woolsack £10 plus 12d or more. Comes as peppercorns.
2400d. The finest quality imported wool. Saffron 1 lb £1 plus
240d plus.

Item Amount Price Sugar, White 7 lb loaf £2 up

Candied Lemon Peel 1 1b 1/3d 480d or more. Rounded conical loaf.
15d. Comes in a fine linen bag. Sugar, Refined 14 lb loaf £4/10/- up
Candied Orange Peel 1 lb 1/6d 600d or more. Rounded conical loaf.
18d. Comes in a fine linen bag. Sugar, Unrefined 14 lb loaf £1/13/4 up
400d or more. Rounded conical loaf.
Currants & Raisins 1 Bushel 2/- to 2/6
24-30d. Comes in a cloth sack.
Item Amount Price
Fruit, Sun Dried 1 Bushel 4/- to 5/- Courser, Untrained one £7/10/- to £10
48-66d. Comes in a cloth sack. 1800-2400d. The most common warhorse type.

Lemons 1 Bushel 2/6 to 3/- Rouncey, Untrained one £3 to £6

30-36d. Comes in a cloth sack. 720-1440d. Combined combat/riding horse.

Oranges 1 Bushel 3/- to 3/6d

36-42d. Comes in a cloth sack. Bushel: 64 Tower lbs (~22.4 kilos, ~50 Imperial lbs).

Cwt (Hundredweight): 108 Tower lbs (~37.8 kilos or

~83 Imperial lbs).

½ Cwt (½ Hundredweight): 54 Tower lbs (~18.9

kilos, ~41.6 Imperial lbs)

Tower Pound: ~350 grams, ¾ Imperial pound (12 oz

instead of 16 oz). Unless otherwise specified all
weights given in pounds are Tower pounds.

Wine Gallon: ~3.67 litres.

Woolsack: 350 Merchant’s pounds (~437.5 grams,

~153 kilos or 337½ Imperial pounds).

Note: All weights, unless otherwise noted, are based

on the medieval definitions … not the modern ones,
which are often different.
Weighmaster on duty (the same who works at Market
Cross on Saturdays) with two assistants who will duly
weigh all bulk goods sold at the Market (for more
detail, see the same section in Market Cross, above).

MILLS
There are many more Mills in Porthaven than the two
listed and described below – but these are the two
most important and the two largest.

41) The Old North Mills (Greyfleet). The Old North

Mill is the oldest Mill in Porthaven and, indeed, it
may even pre-date the founding of the town (it may
have been one of the reasons the town was founded
on this particular site), but the records are unclear (it
was several centuries ago, after and and this is the
Middle Ages when literacy is not all that common).

While it may originally have been a single undershot

waterwheel the current structure has been added to
and rebuilt many times and incorporates six wheels,
two on the Greyfleet proper which are still of the
undershot type and work around 12 hours a day (~6 Two of them are tidally powered undershot wheels but
hours on the rising and ~6 hours on the ebbing tide) the other two capture tidal water in millponds and
and four overshot wheels off the semi-artificial inlet use it to power their overshot wheels.
channel shown on the map and fed by a system of
weirs, dams and mill-races that store water from the Both of the tidal Mills are privately owned Flour Mills
tidal flow, enough to power them for 24 hours of which produce flour of various grades as well as malt
operation, even though they normally work for only (for beer) and porridge (coarse) meal. The other two
8-12 hours a day. mills are, respectively, a Sawmill (owned by Gerald of
Alford) and a Hammer Mill (for the processing of
The Greyfleet Mills are used to grind grain for the City wrought iron, owned by Peter FitzHaven) – and the
Corporation which on sells the flour to the city’s latter is in having two wire-drawing swings installed
Bakers at a nominal markup while the Inlet Mills are to allow the large scale production of iron wire.
used to power a variety of industrial processes – two
are Fulling Mills (i.e. used in the processing of raw SANITATION
wool), one is an Ore Mill (used to process mined ore, Medieval people didn’t like obvious dirt or smells but
usually iron ore) and the fourth is used to power a had no concept (at all) that germs were the root cause
Catalan Furnace (capable of smelting a ton of ore and of disease (or any concept they even existed) and, des-
fired twice a week, sometimes three times a week in a pite what poorly researched material (fictional and
busy season) as well as water powered triphammers otherwise) would suggest, they did not either encour-
and swings for use in ironworking. age or condone simply doing one’s business in any
convenient spot … especially in Towns and Cities.
One of the Fulling Mills is owned by the Belvue family,
one of the oldest and most prominent families in Port- In fact there is evidence that Townspeople could abuse,
haven, while the other is owned by Edvard de Jong, the even attack, people who decided to do just that – even if
son of a Flemish weaver who made good and married a they were of a higher social class than they were
local girl (not all coincidentally, the daughter of a themselves! They would be told in no uncertain terms to
prominent local family). “take their ‘business’ elsewhere” … to the public Privies
that were provided by the Town Corporation. Or, in the
The Ore Mill and the Catalan Furnace are owned by vernacular of the early 14th century, “… that it would be
brothers John and Edward Rolfe, who run a bulk iron be more decent to go to the common privies of the city.”
smelting business – they employ smiths to hammer and
shape the blooms from the furnace into 2-5 lb bars or Likewise, Towns made real, if often ineffective, efforts
billets and sell these to the other general and specialist to deal with household and industrial waste – usually
Blacksmiths in town as well as shipping them all over the by imposing requirements which were then not easily
east coast of England and across to the Continent. or consistently enforced on the individual household
or business owner.
42) The New Mills (Millfleet). There are actually four
mills along this stretch of water of the tidal Millfleet. The picture often sold of medieval streets being little
more than open sewers full of rotting food, other house- Town’s civilising influence. These ‘flagship’ Privies
hold waste, or the byproducts of the nearby noxious were situated in each of the Market squares – with the
crafts and trades is not at all true … and there were even one in the Market Cross being the more impressive.
public officials whose job it was to remove waste whose
‘owner’ couldn’t be identified and forced to do the job The Privy at Market Cross is situated near the entry
themselves. of Market Row and is a solid stone building with a
slate tiled roof and stone seating for a dozen people
over the stone lined cesspit. Each ‘seat’ is walled off
Bath-houses were important not only for cleanliness with wooden privacy screens and there were two stone
(and, as noted in OM2, medieval people generally water troughs with ladles for washing one’s hands
tried to be as clean as possible – despite what bad after doing one’s business. It is cleaned and generally
‘historical’ books and movies often imply) but also as looked after by a Keeper of the Privy hired by the
a place of entertainment and business and were Corporation and open from dawn to dusk.
actually quite common.
Stone seats were something of a safety measure (even if
For most of the period and, indeed, right through to cold in winter – though it is possible that the Corporat-
the late 15th century, they were no more heavily ion might have shelled out for wooden seating over the
regulated than stews, and this was for much the same stone either only during winter or, possibly, all year
reason (their public nature rather than the specific round), especially for heavily used public latrines, as
nature of the business that was conducted there) and rotten wood seats were known to give way unexpectedly
were widely patronised by all except the extremely and dump the unfortunate user into the cesspit below.
poor (who couldn’t afford to) or the very wealthy (who
could afford to bathe in in their own home). The second most impressive Privy in the Town is
situated at the New Market, at the point where Belle-
Yes, during some parts of the period and in some places vue Street turned off to head over Bellevue Bridge. It,
‘Bath-House’ came to be synonymous with ‘Bawdy too, is a solid stone-built structure with slate roof, but
House’ … but even in those places and during those it only has seating for eight people and the seating is
times this was often the reputation of some establish- of wood over a wood lined cesspit.
ments of ill-repute tarnishing the collective reputation of
the majority which were just bath-houses. The New Market Privy does have one advantage over
the Market Cross one, however, in that there is a sluice
In Porthaven some of the Stews and Bawdy Houses and drain leading from the cesspit down to the Middel-
offer baths, either separate from or in conjunction with fleet which allow the flow at extreme high tides to be
their other ‘services’ and some of the Bath-Houses are used to assist in emptying the pit of waste – so it only
known to informally offer ‘special services’ … or are needs to be mucked out every two or even three years.
close to one or more of the Bawdy Houses. Others are,
however, just Bath-Houses. Ordinary (Public) Privies. There are a number of
other public privies scattered around the Town –
some of which are maintained by the Town Corporat-
Flagship Privies. There were two standout public ion and some of which are maintained by private
privies in Porthaven which were, in a real sense, an bodies either as a public service or as part of their
outward sign of the power of the Corporation and the rent or other dues to the Corporation.

These are either wooden or wattle and daub struct-

ures with thatch roofs but are required to have stone
walls up to about chest height as well as stone floors
and a stone base on which the privy seating is set.
While there is no set requirement they usually have at
least two and rarely have more than four seats.

The cesspits beneath such privies are required to be

lined – but many of them are simply lined with wood,
and this needs to be renewed every ten years or so and
are supposed to be large enough so they only need to
be emptied every year.

Medieval law enforcement being what it was, pretty

close to nonexistent until after the fact, and not all that
much better even then, it should come as no surprise to
find that many of these ordinary privies, especially
those provided by private bodies, are not always ‘up to
code’ – and are not always well maintained to boot.

For example, at least once or twice a a year (at least)

there are instances of rickety wooden seats collapsing
and dumping the unfortunate user into the cesspit.
Likewise, a common complaint of householders in the
vicinity of many of these is that they are left to fill past
overflowing (or the lining fails because it hasn’t been
renewed) and the excess effluent fouls the streets … or
even flows into cellars or ground floors nearby.

How many Public Privies were there? Well, we know

that medieval London of the late 14th century, with a
population of 25-30000, had only sixteen. So, by that
standard, Porthaven would only have two or three –
but the London figure doesn’t seem to include privies
built by public bodies other than the Town Corporat-
ion yet open to the public (Taverns, some Guildhalls,
some semi-public places such as the Docks), so there
were certainly many more than that.

Private Privies. Most tenements (i.e. urban blocks)

have private Privies – which vary widely in the mater-
ials used to construct them and the number of seats Taverns will usually have at least twice as many seats
they have. Most are outdoors and are of plain wood in their attached privies as would a household of the
construction, a few are of wattle and daub, and they same size and, as a general rule, will have a minimum
almost universally have thatched roofs. Only on those of four seats. Inns are much the same, but may have
tenements where elite structures are built will they be indoor and outdoor facilities available.
of stone and, possibly, have slate or wood tiled roofs
… and, in such cases, there might be an indoor privy Stables will need to have a cesspit of at least twice the
somewhere, often off the solar, for use by the family normal size as they need to be able to dispose of the
at least, if not the staff. manure from the animals stabled there – and, though
it can be collected and sold as fertiliser, this is often
A small tenement and/or one with a single dwelling will somewhat problematic.
probably have only a one or two seat privy. A large
dwelling will probably have at least a two seat one – Horses (riding, draught and pack) don’t wear diapers.
and a multiple occupancy tenement will have more than Neither do cattle, goats, pigs or sheep being driven to
that, though the largest such in Porthaven probably market. And they’re not potty trained. So there will be a
only have 3-4 seats. lot of ordure on the streets – more on the heavily
travelled ones. While efforts were made to clear it away
Legally they are supposed to have lined cesspits and (more on that below) this means your typical medieval
these are supposed to be able to be large enough to town or city (or any pre-modern one, for that matter)
only require emptying no more than once a year but, smells of the byre or barnyard.
as noted above, lax enforcement means that these
requirements are seldom enforced, even after prob-
lems arise. The Cleanup Crew. Legally, the section of road,
street or alley in front of each tenement is the tene-
While these are nominally private, how private they ment owner’s responsibility to keep clean of rubbish
actually are depends very much on where they are and and filth … but this was difficult to enforce, especially
the arrangement of the tenement in which they are for major streets where most of the filth (animal dung)
located. If the tenement is walled or fenced then access wasn’t (usually) caused by the householders.
to them will be limited to those with access to the inside
of the house or the fenced off area. The corporation usually had ordinances that requir-
ed waste to be dumped in designated spots, usually on
If, as is common with multiple occupancy tenements, the or near watercourses (or, for ports, tidal inlets) and
building is built around an open courtyard, then privies relied on the water to carry away the refuse and, for
will be situated in the courtyard and access will depend the most part, most householders complied.
on how much access the occupants themselves have …
most likely it will be open to all. As a result, each Parish has a paid Scavenger and
several Rakers. The Scavenger was paid to cart off Sewers. Porthaven has a system of stone lined sewers
rubbish which couldn’t be fitted into the sewers running under the main streets shown on the map (or,
and/or which was blocking street access while the in some cases, where the original course of the main
Rakers were employed to shovel and rake anything street was) and these are large enough for a man to
that would fit into the sewers into them or, if too large walk through hunched over. There are access points,
(or if the sewers were blocked) dig it up/out and pile covered over with flagstones in the road surface (even
it into the Scavenger’s cart. if the road itself isn’t paved) at intersections and,
where there is a long stretch between such, at one or
Problems arose when the population grew to such a more points between them.
point where easy access to such designated dumping
grounds became too difficult (this doesn’t apply in There are drains in the road, usually near the edges,
Porthaven) or was too far to easily travel … especially if which feed into the sewers and this is where most
the natural ability of the watercourse or inlet was over- householders dump, or sweep, smaller items of
whelmed by the volume of refuse and this could result in garbage and refuse … and, occasionally, larger items
them being so choked that they ceased to flow openly as well, and the latter practise can cause the sewers to
and were eventually (though usually just after the period become blocked. When blockages occur, the Cleanup
dealt with) covered over and became sewers. Crew (see above) is called in to clean them out.

Industrial Quarter(s). Some industries which were Privies do not, or not normally, drain into the sewers –
associated with either large volumes of organic waste or they’re not supposed to. Sewers are really more like
(butchers, obviously) or foul smells (tanners) were, by modern stormwater drains than modern sewers … but
law, soon confined (or forced to move) to specific (even more so than modern stormwater drains, were
areas of the Town – usually as far away from the more often used in ways they weren’t intended to be).
densely populated areas (especially those where the
better off and elite classes congregated) as possible. Waste Disposal Ordinances. Even though (as noted)
medieval people didn’t understand the connection
This usually meant on the outskirts of town, possibly between rotting garbage, animal and human waste,
even outside the walls if the population grew quickly and the pollution of water supplies with the flow-off
enough … and it was also possible that they might be from the same, they did have some understanding
forced to move several times over the course of the that it wasn’t a good idea to draw drinking water from
town’s expansion, always further out from the main a watercourse that was obviously and visibly polluted.
populated areas.
Civic waste disposal ordinances, therefore, carefully
In Porthaven, these industrial areas are, in the Old chose watercourses that were to be exclusively for the
Town (Stage One), east of Church Street. In the newer use of dumping waste or chose stretches of them down-
areas (Stage Two) they are along the banks of the stream from where drinking water was normally draw
Millfleet and along Millfeld Walk and, over the River (it’s also one of the reasons why most towns attempted to
Sleet (in Stage Three), on both sides of Greengarth. bring in drinking water along a conduit from a distant,
unpolluted, spring – just as Porthaven does).

Unfortunately, even stone or brick lined cesspits were

designed to allow the liquid waste to seep into the
surrounding area while retaining only the solids – and
this seepage, invisible and usually undetectable, could
seep into the water table from which well water was
drawn or even into nearby watercourses.

Householders are required to not dump their

household waste in the streets – depending on where
they are they have designated areas where they are to
dispose of it.

Phase #1 residents are to dispose of their waste in the

Greyfleet, Middelfleet or any of the channels leading
to it (which are mostly in industrial areas) as they are
all tidal inlets and regularly flushed.

Phase #2 residents are to dispose of their waste in the

Middelfleet and in the Millfleet (again, these are tidal
inlets).
Phase #3 residents are to dispose of their waste in the
Reconstruction of a Medieval
Millfleet and in the River Sleet (but only below South- Double Treadmill Crane
gate Bridge).

Fines for simply ‘fouling the public streets’ are 1/- (12d)
for a first offense, 2/- (24d) for a second and 5/- (60d) as
well as confinement to the parish stocks for a day on the
third and subsequent offenses.

For ‘keeping a foul or overflowing cesspit’ (i.e. not

maintaining it properly and emptying when it needs to
be) the fine is 2/- (24d) for a first offense, 5/- (60d) for a
second and 10/- (120d) for a third plus confinement to
the parish stocks for a day – plus 2/- (24d) per cartload
of waste that needs to be carted away to either empty
the pit or to allow it to be repaired.

It typically takes two cartloads or one waggon load

(around a ton either way) per seat the privy has to empty
it, but this normally needs to be done only once a year.
If hiring a Gong-Carter to do the job rather than it being
part of a fine for noncompliance, it costs 1/- (12d) per
cartload (½ ton) or 2/- (24d) per waggon load (½ ton).
Small vessels have a cargo capacity up to ~25-30tons;
By law, Gong men (aka ‘Night Men’) can only work medium vessels up to ~40-60 tons and large ones greater
between 9 pm and 5 pm and must reside in the Indust- than 80+ tons. If you have a custom designed vessel that
rial areas (it is relatively well paying, but extremely low falls outside of these ranges the GM determines where it
status … and life expectancy is much less than for day fits (or if it fits). The largest vessel that can be accommo-
labourers, not surprising since they literally have to dated may not exceed 130-150 tons.
wade in the cess pits, often in confined spaces, to haul
the muck out and, indeed, it is not unknown for them to At the base of the Wharf and along the river bank,
be overcome by and die from the noxious fumes). entry from the Wharf and Steelyard Dock (street), are
several Warehouses inside a walled compound owned
WATERFRONT & WAREHOUSES by the Town Corporation – renting out space to
The entire length of the town that fronts the Ithura (primarily) foreign merchants to store goods awaiting
river is devoted to shipping related trade and com- sale at the Wednesday Market or waiting to be shipped
merce related either directly or indirectly. The most out by sea or road to their final destination. There are
developed and built up areas are at the north in the two general Warehouses, a specialised Granary and
older part of the town and the less densely developed Fish Warehouse in the compound.
area is in the newer, southern, part.
Cost to store goods here is 1d per ton per day (charged
As a result, most of the jetties and wharfs (or staiths in when collected) or ¾d per day or 3d per week, the latter
the local dialect) in the are in the older, north, part of rates paid in advance (weighing is done at the Steelyard
the town while, in the south, there is still tidal shore on the Wharf). The general Warehouses have a capacity
space where smaller trade vessels still simply beach of 250 and 500 tons, respectively; the Granary has a
themselves to be loaded or unloaded and where the capacity of 100 tons as does the Fish warehouse.
majority of the fishing fleet operating out of the port
can be found. There is a Clerk (who keeps records of all incoming and
outgoing shipments and collects storage fees) and
43) Steelyard Staith (Wharf). Owned by the Town Watchman on duty at the Wharf gate (the Steelyard
Corporation and has a public Crane (a double tread- Dock Gate has to be opened by the Watchman from the
mill model, see opposite) and, as the name suggests, a Wharf gate, as it is otherwise kept locked) and a Watch-
public Steelyard (i.e. weigh house) half-way between man at each of the warehouses during the day (dawn to
the shore and the riverward end. The wharf is solidly dusk) and two Watchmen on duty at night (theoretically
built and has recently had the piers and surface a minimum of one at the gate and one doing nominally
refurbished or replaced and so is in tip top condition. regular [but in reality intermittent] rounds to check the
doors and windows are undisturbed).
The wharf is long enough to handle up to six small
vessel equivalents (medium vessels count as 1½ and Granaries have to have specially reinforced floors (all
large ones count as as two small vessels), three a side. that dead weight) and walls as well as a clear underfloor
space to allow air to circulate and prevent moisture from There are also a number of Boarding Houses who let
getting into the grain sacks or bins. Fish stores also need rooms to dockworkers, sailors and others working on
to have reinforced floors (even more dead weight) and the docks. These include Mother Alice’s and Old Meg’s.
walls but don’t need underfloor space – note that this is
for storing barrels of salt fish, not for storing ‘fresh’ fish 44) Trinity Staith (Wharf). Owned by the Merchant
… there’s nothing like refrigeration back here. Adventurer’s Guild this has not only a wharf jutting
out into the river for larger ships, the whole of the
Steelyard Dock (Street). This leads from Market riverfront on either side is a wooden dock which ships
Cross to Steelyard Staith and is mostly lined with can moor alongside – and there is provision for
private warehouses belonging to a variety of local vessels to moor alongside them up to three or four
Merchants or Shopfront Workshops for Craftsmen deep in busy times.
(some of whom have storage space at the rear behind
the workshop and living quarters on the first floor) There is space at the wharf for four small vessel equiva-
who ply trades related to ships and shipping. lents, two a side, and each section (north and south) of
the wharf has space for six small vessel equivalents
The Craftsmen who have shopfronts are mostly con- alongside … but, as noted above, that space may be up
fined to those whose trade is selling what would later be to three or even four vessels deep (small or medium
called chandlery (i.e. ship’s supplies) – but there is no vessels only – large vessels are too big and, as often as
one stop shop, each separate type of good is found at a not, to different to allow them to dock side by side).
different craft workshop (for example, Ropemakers,
Sailmakers, Caulkers, Shipwrights; Carpenters spec- There are a number of simple ‘A’ frame cranes
ialising in Pulleys or other bits of wooden rigging; stationed along the dockside and a single treadmill
Blacksmiths specialising in making nails, chains, or crane and weigh station on the wharf. The Guild
anchors; Provisioners selling preserved foods). maintains two warehouses alongside the docks, one
facing the north and one the south section, each of
The Merchants on the street are either holding goods which has a capacity for up to 500 tons of cargo.
they have brought in for sale at the Markets or are
intending to sell it at another Town, shipping it there by Cost to store goods here is ½d per ton per day (charged
land or sea, as holding purchasing goods for reseal in when collected) or 2½d per week if paid in advance
Porthaven would, more often than not, break the laws (weighing is done at the weigh house on the Wharf).
against engrossing, forestalling or regrating (i.e. not Each Warehouse has a Clerk (who keeps records of all
selling the goods [mainly, but not only, foodstuffs] incoming and outgoing shipments and collects storage
openly on Market days and [seeming to attempt to fees) and Watchman on duty during the day and a
corner the market so the price can be jacked up unfairly). Night Watchman on duty inside at night.

The Craft premises generally have no more than Trinity Row (Street). This leads from Market Cross to
20-30 tons of storage space while the Merchants (aka Trinity Staith and was the site of a number of high
Merchant Adventurers) grade up from that to a few status Merchant’s premises in the earlier days of the
who have maybe 100 tons of space. Town (shopfront facing the street, warehouse at the
back, living quarters above) – but the increased
volume of trade meant the owners moved to quieter
areas and the buildings were converted to other uses
and/or sold and/or demolished and new structures
built on the site.

Most of the buildings here are Warehouses, either

purpose built or conversions, and typically have a
capacity of 50-100 tons each. Several have been trans-
formed into Craftsmen’s Workshops – including the
largest Ropewalk in Porthaven (where hemp rope is
made), a Caulker (who caulks the seams of ships but
who also sells tar/pitch by the Cask and also sells
Flambeau Torches and the pitch-balls needed to fuel
them), two Coopers (barrel-makers – one making new
barrels, one refurbishing and repairing older ones), a
Sailmaker, and a Victualler (selling mainly Hardtack
and Salt Pork or Stockfish by the barrel).

There is also a Pawnbroker (run by Theodo the Lom-

bard) who mainly deals with sailors down on their
luck or needing to convert something into ready cash.
He also has items which have not been redeemed or
which were sold outright on sale.

Bawd’s Lane. The dockside ‘red light’ district – there

are a number of tolerated (and taxed, of course) Stews
or Bawdy Houses (brothels) situated here, including
The Laundry, The Inferno and Cuck’s Paradise.

All of them are run under regulations very similar to

those which regulated London’s brothels (see OM2,
#22, The Ordinance of Stewholders, 1161) and, like
them, are not allowed to sell food or drink or provide
accommodation.

There are, therefore, a number of Taverns in the

street, of the poorest sort, accommodating the needs The Brick Warehouse has League offices with a Factor
of the Sailors and Dockworkers as well as of the (Master Trader), a League Notary (who is recognised by
Bawds – these include The Bishop’s Mitre, the Merry the Town authorities and the English Crown), several
Laundress and the Suckling Pig amongst others as Clerks (one each on duty at each warehouse during the
well as the Middelfleet Cookshop which is open 24/7 day) and a Weigh-master and assistant on staff. They
and a notorious hangout for what passes for the take up about ¼ of the first floor.
‘criminal element’ and the best place to find contacts
who can provide services of dubious legality. The rear ¾ of the Brick Warehouse consists of a dormit-
ory with space for two dozen paliasses (free), two semi-
There are several Boarding Houses which provide private rooms (each with two beds capable of sleeping
short or medium term accommodation for the water- up to three people, ¼d per person per night), two single
front workforce or sailors who want to sleep off ship rooms (with a four poster bed which can sleep two, table
for a change. These include Matilda’s Place and The and chair), these being available only to League citizens
Widow Flora’s. or to the crew of League vessels and a two room suite
(one room with a four poster bed, table and chair, one
Cuck’s Alley. This is the road which runs between with a table, four chairs, close stool and truckle bed).
Trinity Row and Bawd;s Lane on the map, but which
is not named. The main features of interest is the There is a brick fireplace in the dorm and in the suite –
Riverside Boarding House (on the same tenement as and, though no meals are included in the price of
and owned by Madeleine, the owner of The Laundry accommodation, it is possible to cook simple meals at
Bawdy House) and several Laundries which will each of these or, as most guests do, simply get a meal at
happily launder and press or otherwise ‘iron’ your a nearby cookshop, ordinary or tavern.
clothes in a day or two for ¼d per piece or 1d for a
complete outfit (including underwear). The suite is normally allocated to the Factor, one of the
single rooms to the Notary and the other to the Weigh
45) Hansa Staith. This wharf is owned by the Hans- Master – however, it is possible that one or more of these
eatic League and is used by their merchants – it is officers will have rooms or accommodation offsite (as the
part of a walled off compound which includes two GM decides), in which case these three ‘superior’ rooms
solid warehouses, one of half-timbered construction will be available for travellers (3d per night for the suite,
(500 tons capacity) and the other a prestige building 1½ for a single room).
of brick (1000 tons capacity) which has League Offices
and some accommodation above. There are four watchmen on duty at night, one at the
main doors to each warehouse, one at the main gate,
According to the commercial agreements between the and one nominally patrolling the walls, grounds, wharf
Crown not only are goods from the Hansa cities not and docks but often in the gatehouse with the gate guard.
subject to customs dues, any goods held in their ware-
houses or on board Hansa ships anchored (or waiting to The wharf has a weigh station (steelyard) and a
be anchored) at the wharf are not subject to laws on double treadmill crane and has space for six small
engrossing, forstalling, regrating until they leave (which vessel equivalents (three a side) plus dock space for a
means they can be held here for transshipment). dozen small vessels (two either side of the dock, up to
Likewise, if any goods are part of an order made by a three deep) or six medium or two large vessels.
third party or are held by a Hansa merchant who is
intending to sell them outside of Porthaven at another Hansa Row. This is a more upmarket part of the
Town or City they are also exempt from those laws. riverfront between the Hanseatic League’s wharf and
the Minster Church on River Street. Most of the street the fishermen. In addition, there is a Cookshop (Big
is taken up with warehouses and craft workshops rele- William’s) and a Tavern (The Dancing Flounder).
vant to shipbuilding, provisioning and repairs (Carp-
enters, Caulkers, Coopers, Smiths, Sailmakers, Rope- WATER SUPPLY – CONDUITS & WELLS
makers, Victuallers, Shipwrights and more) as well as Providing water for the Burghers for both household
businesses which provide services (more upmarket and commercial purposes was originally by a mix of
than in the other riverfront areas) to those who work public and private wells or by drawing it from the
in and around this part of town. river using tidal powered water wheels.

One of the workshops belongs to a Sailmaker, Gilbert There were public wells at most street intersections
FitzOwen and, above his shop (owned and run by his and private ones in the courtyards or elsewhere on
family) is the Golden Cockerel Boarding House. Next most of the original tenements. The waterwheel at the
door to both is the Wooden Spoon Cookshop and river bank was added later and fed into cisterns near
down towards River Street is the Oresund Tavern. the Market Cross and in other select locations.

One of the biggest workshops on the street is that of As the population grew, this original arrangement
Guy the Baker who specialises in Hardtack, Black and proved inadequate and the Town Corporation arr-
Double Baked Bread and sells it in 30 lb casks to the anged to copy the system used in London – a gravity
shipping trade. He also bakes Honey and Honey & fed Conduit which would bring water from a clean
Nut Bread but only on special (pre-paid) order. spring miles away to several points within the city,
initially terminating at the Market Cross.
At the waterfront end, adjacent to the Hansa com-
pound is the workshop/shipyard and river-frontage
used by Master Jerome (50ish) who is widely acknowl- This now extends throughout the Stage One and Stage
edged to be the best shipwright in Porthaven. Two quarters of the town (north of the Millfleet).

46) River Street Wharves & Waterfront. There are The original terminus at Market Cross remains the
only wharves at the northern end and they have space most elaborate but the terminus of the first extension
for nine small vessels alongside (27 if anchored three to the system in the New Market is only slightly less so.
deep) or for six medium vessels (12 if anchored two There are also a number of other outlets called Stand-
deep) or three large vessels. ards scattered around the areas mentioned.

The rest of the riverfront is still open tidal flats and is Assume that road junctions near the main Churches,
used by the Porthaven fisherfolk – for the moment. In Monasteries and Friaries are the locations for such.
the evening and at night you will find many (several
dozen) small fishing craft simply pulled up on shore. Standards. These are are supervised by a Pump
Keeper who operated the tap to allow householders to
Fishing craft are the same size and general layout as a fill their containers – but only from dawn to dusk.
Longboat, but have a single mast and sail instead of oars
and a crew of 3-4. Each Standard consists of a stone column over stone-
lined cistern and is connected to the conduit system
Most of the buildings along here face either the river (all the way back to the distant source) by hollowed
or River Street and many are homes to the families of out wooden tree trunks (which rely on careful fitting
to minimise water loss – no other long term sealant
being then available).

Maintenance and replacement of these was an ongoing

matter – they typically lasted 2-5 years.

Access to the water at the Standards (within opening

hours) is free to all citizens, but private households
who wished to have a direct connection had to pay –
not only for the physical infrastructure to make the
connection, but then for the ongoing supply.

These private connections were not a permanent flow

system – the connection to cisterns at the target house-
hold was usually turned on only once a week. The end
users would then pump or otherwise draw water from
these. Not at all like modern ‘tap water.’
Water is heavy (duh!) and the best sources (the Con-
duit/Standard system) often far enough to walk to be
a task that better off householders avoided as much
as possible – so there was a real demand for water to
be brought to the door, so to speak.

The very wealthy could afford to have servants who

were probably tasked with doing just that … or, more
likely, had their own connections to the Conduit. For
the less wealthy, and the ‘middling sort,’ the solution
was to use a public water carrier, a Cob.

There were probably around 50 such water carriers in

a town the size of Porthaven (~2% of the population) water and then raised to fill the user’s own contain-
and they had a shoulder yoke with a 3 gallon water er(s). Some, at least, were roofed.
tub at each end and charged 1d for a full load.
Private wells also had a ‘lip’, though it might be
Humans typically drink around a half a gallon of water wood, and were often wood lined (often by recycling
a day – but, of course, Ale and Beer (and Cider, Perry old barrels). They also usually had a crossbar and a
and Small Beer) is mostly water and medieval people public bucket arrangement and might, occasionally,
drank a lot of that as well. Then, of course, you need be roofed as well.
clean water for cooking. Assume a minimum of a gallon
of actual drinking/cooking water per person per day Now, remember, cesspits under houses or elsewhere on
and a ‘day’s supply’ for a ‘typical’ family was likely 3-6 tenements were designed to allow some of their liquid
gallons, or a half or full load for a Cob. contents to seep through into the surrounding strata …
and the water table. So drinking well water in town was
like playing Russian Roulette with waterborne diseases
The Ithura is tidal at Porthaven and so is not suitable – generally you’d be safe, most of the time … but there
as a source for drinking water as the water is often is a reason why the Town Corporation went to the great
brackish – the Greyfleet, Middelfleet and Millfleet are expense of building the Conduit system.
also tidal inlets and likewise unsuitable for drawing
drinking water. There may have been no understanding of what caused
disease and how, exactly, it spread … but there was a
The River Sleet is not directly tidal, but the stretch long term understanding that well water was, well,
from its influx into the Ithura to its confluence with suboptimal, in a town setting.
the Little Sleet tends to be brackish at and around the
local high tide and is rarely used for drinking water.

The Little Sleet and the River Sleet above the conflu-
ence with it are generally pure water at all times of the
day and tide cycle – but are outside of the town walls
and so are not usually used by the Burghers.

Those farmers and other locals who live near to the

Town, but not inside the Town walls, do use the upper
reaches of the Sleet and the Little Sleet as a source for
drinking water if their houses are situated next to it.

Many households relied on groundwater which was

accessed through a mix of private and public wells
scattered around the town, usually in places where
the Standards were not close enough to be convenient
(water is heavy).

Public wells tended to have a stone or brick ‘lip’

around the well at around hip height, were stone or
brick lined, and had a crossbar arrangement and a
public bucket which could be dropped down into the
 to be mystically significant) but other than that he
BUSINESS DIRECTORY doesn’t really make any money from his pursuits.
This flyout covers all those businesses not already
covered in the main text or the various flyouts. He still takes the occasional legal case that strikes his
These are mainly Commercial Establishments (aka fancy (preferably something so complicated or notor-
‘Shops’ – merchants who sell goods they don’t actu- ious that no-one else thinks they can win, or are too
ally make), Craft Workshops (selling goods made on wary to take on for political reasons) – but he charges
the premises) and what passes for Industry (coll- regular fees to do that. He may, alternatively, ask that
ections of or larger than usual Craft Workshops). client(s) search for particular ‘holy’ or ‘magical’
relics, materials or books in lieu of payment.
ALCHEMISTS
He lives in a run-down, but originally quite sub-
Whether these guys are (as they were historically) stantial, two storey stone building – the Ground
either deluded or delusional on the one hand or (US 1st) Floor has a Kitchen and rooms for the
complete and utter charlatans on the other or Cook-Housekeeper (Joan) and her husband, a
whether they have some actual magickal ability general Handyman (Hugh Cooke), live as well his
and knowledge is entirely up to you. old Office and a parlour where he met important
clients, now dusty and mostly unused.
Porthaven isn’t a big City, so there is limited
support for such mystics – and, in fact, there are The First (US 2nd) Floor has four bedrooms, Edward
only one of each. It is assumed that neither have sleeps in the smallest (the rest are musty and full of
any magickal ability. furniture under canvas dust covers) as well as a
Solar where he has shelves and desks full of or
Edward the Wise, Alchemist & Astrologer (Middel- covered by assorted books, manuscripts, papers
gate, near Minster Square). Edward (mid 60’s) is and alchemical and astrological items.
a harmless old duffer, a semi-retired Serjeant-at-
Law who got caught up in the whole mystical Apart from the books (valued above) he has a Pocket
alchemy thing when his wife and children died of Sundial (calibrated for London, Paris and Rome)
an outbreak of ‘the plague’ about fifteen years ago. made of silver-gilt and worth £2 and a Dry Compass
(calibrated for astrological/astronomical and, entirely
These days he mainly lives on his investments and coincidentally, navigational use) worth £5.
rents from several properties he owns around town
– and it is these which fund his pursuits to the Zebediah of Tyre, Alchemist (The Rows, near
detriment of no-one but himself. Moneyer’s Row). Zebediah (really John of York, or
maybe William of Middleton or … well, you get the
Edward is an extreme version of the Mystical Alchem- idea) sells himself as a student of the works of
ist – he has token laboratory equipment and little in Hermes Trismegistus and, as is usual with ‘mystical’
the way of raw materials, but he does have a large practitioners, works entirely alone.
library on Alchemy, Astrology, Magic and Theology
(40-50 Books and as many Scrolls, worth £50-100) He has a whole floor (four rooms – one large one he
plus hundreds of pages of his own theorising and uses as a ‘laboratory’, a medium sized one he uses
astrological charting. as a study cum dining cum common area, a small
bedroom and a kitchen), the First (US 2nd) Floor of
He can do Astrological Charts for ‘interesting’ people Boarding House (a three storey half-timbered
for a modest fee (or even for free if the purpose is seen tenement) and also has the use of one of the stalls
in the Stable out the back where he keeps a riding
horse and the necessary tack.

He has the equivalent of a full Mystical Laboratory

(~£10 worth of gear, £5-10 [£4+1d6] in assorted raw
materials and finished materials in the form of 16 oz
of Medicinal Alcohol, 4 oz of Aqua Vitae, 8 oz of
Balsam – he also has enough ingredients on hand to
make 4 oz of Hydrochloric, Sulphuric or Nitric Acid
and 1 oz of Aqua Regia).

He uses his horse for regular forays into the country-

side where he (allegedly) searches for the needed
‘alchemically pure’ minerals and ores and ‘astrologic-
ally aligned’ herbs and botanicals needed for “the
Great Work” he is pursuing … what he might actually
be doing is up to you!

He employs a full time Cook-Housekeeper, Mary of

Newgate (aka ‘Mother Mary the Less’) who has a
small room on the floor above.

Zebediah appeared in Porthaven a little over two

years ago and soon ingratiated himself with several
of the (more gullible) members of the Merchant’s
Guild and has been milking them of significant
amounts of money in a Ponzi scheme .

His particular schtick is to ‘fail’ in his attempts to turn

Lead into Gold from ‘seeds’ of Gold mixed with
‘alchemically pure’ Lead and ‘only’ manage to
‘make’ Silver instead (at an 8:1 or 9:1 exchange rate
he makes a considerable profit and yet strings along
his investors quite happily!). rooms off the Kitchen. His two Journeymen, Peter of
London (24) and Gonzalo (28, also from Cadiz) have
He has a number of ‘investors’ who have bought his rooms in the rear half-storey of the Barn.
stories of being ‘on the verge’ of … making the Pana-
cea (universal cure – he can make Alcohol and Aqua Diego and Gonzalo speak good English with a
Vitae in small amounts), the Universal Solvent (he can Spanish accent – also excellent Latin (and are literate
make Aqua Regia in small amounts) and even claims in English, Spanish and Latin). Felipe and Luz speak
of being ‘only a few years’ away from creating the even better English, with only the slightest of accents
Philosopher’s Stone and/or turning Lead into Gold - but Marisol is the least proficient, though she can
(he can purify small amounts of materials). make herself understood well enough.

The Lab is the equivalent of a double sized Practical

There are several of these practitioners in town, but Lab (~£60 worth of equipment) with the gear needed
they mostly specialise in one particular area, usu- to make good quality glass in moderate quantities
ally related to a specific trade. The two described and blow glass containers (mainly for lab use, but
below are the main (largest) generalists in the Town. Diego makes a nice side profit from additional sales).

Diego de Cadiz (Middelgate near Bellevue). Diego The lab usually has around a gallon of assorted acids
is an Iberian born practitioner in the Muslim (i.e. (Hydrochloric and Sulphuric mainly, only a little
practical) tradition of Alchemy who set up shop in Nitric – all freshly mixed and ready to be used in the
Porthaven around seven or eight years ago, mainly lab’s processes) and can make more on demand (and
to make money from the cloth industry by supply- mix Aqua Regia as needed – the local Goldsmiths
ing improved dyes and mordants (for the majority often request small amounts for assaying as Diego is
of his income) but who still does general alchemical a reliable supplier). Apart from the acids, the Lab
work when needed (and when paid!). usually has stocks of between a pound and several
pounds of assorted Raw Materials available – though
He rents a full tenement on Middegate with a two these will be sold at retail rather than wholesale prices.
storey half-timbered house at the front which he
uses as his residence and a large cruck-framed Being trained in the Arabic style, Diego is skilled in
structure at the rear (originally a Barn/Stables) the production of Alcohol and can produce several
which is where he does his actual work. gallons a day if there is a demand – and he can (and
does) use that as a base for the production of
The main house has a Solar, Dining Room, Kitchen quantities of Aqua Vitae. He is also capable of making
and Storeroom downstairs and three bedrooms and a Medicinal Balsam and may, occasionally, have
Study/Library (with books on various topics, mostly small quantities of the Balm of Gilead available.
in Arabic, Latin and Spanish – about 30-40 in all,
worth around £80-100) upstairs. Diego (late 40’s) lives Nicholas the Parisian (Turris Alba, North Road).
here with his wife, Marisol (32) and two children Nicholas (late 50’s) lives on a plot of land centred
(Felipe, 13, and Luz, 9) and a live in Cook-House- on a converted windmill alongside the Ithura on
keeper (Anis, 50ish) and Maid (Cecily, 19) who have the north road about a mile north of the town. He
is known especially for his alchemical related med- and several of their children) – and there is a Cottar
icinal pursuits and distills Alcohol to make Aqua (Henry Banke, 37) who has a large herb garden,
Vitae and a variety of mainly herbal based natural enough common land to run a dozen goats and two
Cordials and Elixirs. milk cows on, and is paid 6d a month plus free rent
in return for all the labour needed around the Lab.
The windmill has a stone base, which Nicholas has
converted into a Kitchen and Laboratory (the ARMOUR AND WEAPONS
equal of a £30 Practical Alchemist’s Lab) and a There are two specialist Armourers and two special-
Herbalist’s Workshop. ist Cutlers in Porthaven as well as several other
Craft workshops which produce other types of
Nicholas has several gallons of 40 proof Alcohol armour, weapons and military accoutrements.
available at any given time, several pints of Aqua
Vitae and a wide variety of alcohol based herbal
remedies in small quantities … and he can make more Gof (‘Geoffrey’) the Artificer (Tower Street, Mill-
on relatively short order. gate). Gof(annon) the Artificer originally hails from
Chester (the Welsh marches) and is dark complex-
Most of the ‘medicines’ are based on Herbs and other ioned and stocky (often a sign of Welsh blood) and
natural materials with a track record of effectiveness he still speaks with a Welsh lilt even though he has
– the main problem is getting a consistent. Nicholas lived and worked in Porthaven for 30 years or so.
comes closer than most – especially for antiseptics
(bandages, compresses, ointments and liquids), Gof is the only full-service Armourer in town, man-
febrifuges (to break a fever) and mild pain relievers. ufacturing and selling new Mail and Partial Plate
armour (which includes the accoutrements needed
If you allow magic in your campaign, there is a real to upgrade Mail to Partial Plate) and Helmets as
chance that some of his concoctions are the well as doing major and minor repairs.
equivalent of ‘Heal (Light) Wounds,’ or ‘Cure/Prevent
(Specific) Disease’ at the very least. The shop is set up to make only Improved Full Mail
(£5-7, 1200-1680d, 35-40 days), Partial Plate &
The interior of the tower has three levels, the lower Breastplate (£15-20 or more, 60-90 days), Bascinet
one is a study and library (he has ~£60 worth of Helms w. Visor & Aventail (9/4d to 17/6d, 112-180d,
books on Alchemy, plus several Herbals as well as 5-8 days) and Hounskull Helms w. Aventail (£2/10/-
books and scrolls full of Medicinal theories and to £3, 600-720d, 8-10 days).
practical recipes, especially ones in the Hebrew
and Arabic traditions. The middle level is his The shop can work on up to four sets of Mail armour
bedroom, study and a guest bedroom while the top or two sets of Partial Plate armour at a time, and
level is a Solar with an opening for star observations. usually has one new set (each) of Partial Plate and
Mail being worked on at any given time (already
He has a single Journeyman (Roderic. 32) who lives ordered by other customers and not for sale) – with
with his wife (Emilia, 25) and family (Mary, his the rest of the shop’s capacity being taken up by
mother, 49 [who cooks for Nicholas]; Stephen, 7, repairs, resizing or conversions.
and Beatrice, 4, his son and daughter) in a cottage
next to the Windmill. He (or his staff) can also re-work armour pieces or
sets to fit different users – usually only making
The allotment also has enough farmland to let out them fit someone smaller than the original owner.
to a Freeholder family (Giles Northe, 65, his oldest
son, William, 42, William’s wife, Mary White, 30, Typically this service costs 20-25% of the cost of a
completely new set of armour and takes about 10-
15% of the time to make the armour from scratch.

Though he doesn’t produce Aketons (Arming Doub-

let only) or Shields (Heater only) he can provide
them through his contacts at cost price (i.e. those
listed in The Marketplace).

Repairs can also be done (see The Marketplace for

the rules needed to calculate Maintenance and
Battle Damage repair costs) – typically for 20% off
the previously calculated price, but taking 1d3+1
days (depending on how busy the shop is).
Repair capacity is equal to two sets of Mail for each
manufacturing slot for Mail construction foregone
while for Partial Plate the capacity is two sets for each
slot for Partial Plate construction foregone.

Gof has two shops – one on Tower Street fairly near

to where it debouches onto Tower Square, and this
is where customers will normally arrive to arrange
for a new set of armour to be made, for progress
fittings to be conducted or to drop off armour that
is in disrepair or damaged. Only fine work or the
finishing touches are performed here.

This shop is a three storey half-timbered building with

a display area (where patrons will be served wine and
pastries), basic workshop and some storage areas on
the Ground (US 1st) Floor.

The First (US 2nd) Floor has the kitchen, dining area
and a Solar and family rooms are on the Second (US
3rd) Floor – a large bedroom (with a small lockable
closet for valuables) for Gof and his wife, Enith (aka
Enid), three smaller bedrooms for their children,
Collen (aka ‘Collin’, 24, a Journeyman Armourer),
Llyw (aka ‘Lew’ or ‘Lewis’, 18, not far off complet-
ing his apprenticeship) who have separate rooms; as Refurbished ¾ Mail (£1/10/- to £2, 360-480d, 3-6
well as Annis (aka ‘Agnes’, 10 years old) and Kerid- days); Refurbished Early Full Mail (£3/7/6 to £4/5/-,
wen (aka ‘Kerrie’, six years old) who still share a 810-1020d, 7-8 days); Remanufactured Improved
room at home. Full Mail (£4/10/- to £5/10/-, 1080-1320d, 7-8 days).

There are two other daughters, Gwenfrewi (aka Cervelliere Helmet (2/6 to 5/-, 30-60d, 1-2 days);
‘Winifred’, 28), married to Humphrey de Troyes Bascinet (Nasal, no Visor, plus Aventail – 5-10/-,
(Banker, see below) and Morwid (aka ‘Morgan’, 21) 60-120d, 3-4 days).
married to William FitzWilliam (Mercer, see below).
There is a 50% chance he has a single Jack of Plates
His main workshop is on Millgate, in the industrial on hand ready to be refurbished; a 100% chance of
quarter off East Street and it is here that his jour- enough material for a single Brigandine and a 50%
neymen (two in addition to Collen, his son) and chance of enough for a second set.
apprentices (three, in addition to Llyw, his other
son) do the actual work – making the wire rings for Likewise, there is a 75% chance he will have
the Mail, hammering the iron billets into plates to materials for one set of ¾ Mail and one set of Early
be shaped and fitted as components of Partial Full Mail, a 50% chance of enough materials for a
Plate and everything else that is needed. second set of Early Full Mail and a 50% chance of
materials for a single set of Improved Full Mail.
The senior on-site Journeyman, William Strong-Arm
(28), lives in a cottage out the back with his wife, In both instances, if no (or not enough) materials are
Petra (22) and their son, Edward (3) and they available on hand then roll again every second
supervise and feed the apprentices who sleep on site. Market Day at the same chances initially then at
+10% for every second Market Day after the first.
Michael Ironsides (Greengarth & Millfleet). Mich-
ael’s workshop mostly refurbishes or remanufact- Michael’s shop is situated on Greengarth, right up
ures armour rather than making new sets, though next to the Millfleet, on a full tenement – his
they do make some Helmets and Heater Shields (the workshop is right up on the street and is a single
latter at the prices indicated in The Marketplace). storey half-timbered barn-like building where he,
his Journeyman and four Apprentices work (and, in
Refurbished Jack of Plates (Basic, 5/-to 8/-, 60-96d, the case of the Apprentices, sleep as well).
2-3 days; Fancy, 15/-, 180d or more, 3-5 days); New
Brigandine (Basic, 6/8 to 10/- [80-120d], 7-10 days; His family home is at the rear of the tenement and
Fancy, £1 [240d] and up, 12-18+ days). is a two storey half timbered cottage with Kitchen
and Common room downstairs and the family and do the lesser amount of damage. Robin will do his
bedrooms upstairs. There is a chicken coop and best to steer serious customers away from these and
pigsty out back. encourage them to order one of his high quality Bows.

He can work on up to a dozen Bows of either type

There are several Bowyers in town – but only two at the one time or a 2 Sheafs of Bodkin/Leaf Point
are listed, one specialising in Longbows the other or 1 Sheaf of Broadhead arrows in lieu of each Bow
in Crossbows … it is assumed they are also Fletchers production ‘slot’ foregone.
(i.e. they make arrows or bolts, which wouldn’t
necessarily be the case all the time). Oscar of Nurnburg (Hansa Row). A German artific-
er who specialises in Crossbows and Arbalests he
Robin o’ the Mark (Middelgate, near the Walls). also has some experience as a Military Artificer and
Robin is the best known and most skilled Bowyer in can manufacture Springalds and Trebuchets given
town – and, indeed, for many leagues around (why, the time, manpower, and materials though he
patrons come from as much as 25-30 miles off!). He doesn’t pursue that line of work any more.
mostly makes Longbows (2/-, 24d, 6 days) but also
makes the occasional Shortbow, mainly for noble He generally has 2-3 Light and 1-2 Heavy Cross-
or gently-born ladies (9d, 4 days). bows on display in his workshop, though at least
one of each of these will be a just finished order for
These are high quality weapons and do the greater another customer. There is a 50% chance that he
damage listed in The Marketplace. As you might has a single Arbalest on display, and a 75% chance
guess, such a skilled artisan has a long waiting list – it is also spoken for.
if you’re lucky you might have to wait only a week or
two … if you’re unlucky, maybe a month … before he Arbalest (14/- to £1, 168-240d, 4-6 days), Windlass
can even start on your order! for Arbalest (5/-, 60d, 1-2 days), Cranequin for Arba-
lest (10/-, 120d, 2 days).
He also stocks Bodkin Point, Broadhead and Leaf
Head arrows at standard Marketplace prices. Light (Self) Crossbow (3/- to 5/-, 36-60d, 1 day),
Medium (Self) Crossbow (6/- to 7/-, 72-84d, 2 days),
He typically has 2-3 Longbows and 1-2 Shortbows Medium (Composite) Crossbow (7/- to 10/-, 84-120d,
on hand, ready for demonstration or sale and two 3 days), Goatsfoot Lever for Medium Crossbow (2/-,
Barrels (144 arrows each) of Leaf Arrows, 1 Barrel 24d, 1 day).
of Broadhead and a Half-Barrel (72 arrows) of
Bodkin Point arrows available. He generally has two Barrels (100 each) of Iron and
1d3+2 Cases (10 each) of Steel Crossbow Bolts on
Demonstration Bows are only standard quality and hand as well as 2d3+2 Cases (10 each) of Iron and
sell for the lower price listed in The Marketplace – 1d3+1 Cases (10 each) of Steel Arbalest Bolts.

The various types of Bolts cost as per the prices listed

in The Marketplace.

He can work on a dozen Crossbows and two

Arbalests plus 50 Bolts at any one time (each
Crossbow or Goats Foot Lever foregone gives an
additional 25 Bolts, each Arbalest, Cranequin or
WIndlass foregone equals an additional 50 Bolts).

Edward of Sheffield (New Market, near Church

Street). The oldest specialist swordsmith in Town,
Edward is a third generation craftsman and his
son, William (22) is a skilled Journeyman who is
likely to keep the business running into a fourth.
Their shop specialises in chivalric weapons, a small
variety of Swords, Daggers and Spears.

Estoc, Edged (10/- to 15/-, 120-180d, 3-5 days); Hand

and a Half Sword (10/ to 15/-, 120-180d, 5-7 days);
Knight’s Sword (7/6 to 10/-, 90-120d, 5-7 days).
Baselard Dagger (1/6 to 2/-, 18-24d, 2/day), Miseri-
corde Dagger (1/- to 1/6, 12-18d, 3/day), Rondel
Dagger (2/- to 2/6, 24-30d, 2/day).

Cavalry Spear (6-8d, 5/day), Hafted Falchion (1/- to

2/-, 12-24d, 1/day), Lance (1/- to 2/-, 12-24d, 3/day).

They usually have at least two samples of each type

of sword on display – one plain/one moderately
fancy, twice that many (4) daggers and four times
that many (8) spears and their shop can have a half
a dozen swords, twice that many (12) daggers and
four times that (24) spears under construction at
any given time (1 sword = 2 daggers = 4 spears).

Edward’s workshop is on a half tenement and is a

solidly constructed building with a stone ground
floor and a half-timbered upper floor. The work-
shop, forge, and storage areas are on the ground
(and this is where the apprentices sleep) and the
family’s quarters are on the upper floor.

John Bródenmæl (Market Cross, between Minster day), Lance (1/- to 2/-, 2-3 per day), Lugged/Winged
& Trinity). John’s shop makes pretty much any Spear (6-12d, special order + 4-6 per day), Partisan
edged weapon available – the latest types back to (4-8d, 4-6 per day), Spetum (5-10d, 4-6 per day).
older types preferred by conservative customers,
not just Swords, Daggers and Spears but also Axes
and even Flanged Maces. This isn’t really a craft category – it just includes
those Blacksmiths who have experience in making
Light Axe (4-6d, special order), War Axe (1/- to 1/4d, military accoutrements – simple helmets, assorted
12-16d, special order) – these weapons cost more than polearms and swords/long knives.
listed in The Marketplace as out of fashion – which
also adds a 1d3+1 day waiting period before the shop Henry Smith (Greengarth). Apart from general
gets around to them. smithwork, Henry can make Cervelliere and Round
Helms and usually has a couple on hand. He also
Light Mace (2-4d, 1 day), Heavy Mace (3-6d, 1 day) makes Woodcutter’s Axes and can make Light Axes
– relatively uncommon, they take additional time, and War Axes. He charges list price and can usually
over and above any waiting period, for the order to start work on any of these on the same day.
slot into the shop’s work schedule.
Roderick the Red (East Street, near the Canal).
Baselard Dagger (1/6 to 2/-, 18-24d, 2/day), Miseri- Roderick does a lot of general smithing, but when
corde Dagger (1/- to 1/6, 12-18d, 3/day), Rondel he was younger he served with the English army in
Dagger (2/- to 2/6, 24-30d, 2/day). France and learnt to repair armour – as long as the
damage or maintenance shortfall is 15% or less he
Quillon Dagger (2/- to 3/-, 24-36d, special order) – can fix it, usually within 24 hours.
this is also an unfashionable/obsolescent weapon and
must be special ordered at extra cost. William Bigge (River Street). William does a lot of
ironwork for the ships that frequent the port – but
Backsword (2/- to 3/-, 24-36d, 3-5 days), Estoc he also has a reputation for making backup
(Edged) (10/- to 15/-, 120-180d, 3-5 days), Estoc weapons for the crew as well. His specialty is the
(Late) (7/6 to 10/-, 90120d, 2-3 days), Falchion (1/- Short Sword (this is effectively a cheaply made
to 2/-, 12-24d, 2 per day), Knight’s Sword (12/6 to Quillon Dagger, 1/- to 1/6d, 12-18d, 2 per day) but
15/-, 150-180d, special order + 5-7 days), Hand and he also makes Lugged Spears at list price.
a Half Sword (10/- to 15/-, 150-180d, 5-7 days), Two
Handed Sword (12/- to 17/8, 144-210d, 5-7 days).
Like ‘Military’ Blacksmiths, above, this isn’t a
Angon Spear (4-8d, Held-Thrown, 4-6 per day), separate craft but are just Tailors who also make
Cavalry Spear (6-8d, 4-6 per day), Hafted Falchion cloth based armour such as Aketons, Padded Coifs
(1/- to 2/-, 12-24d, 1 per day), Halberd (8-10d, 4-6 per and Gambesons.
If from an Armourer they provide the undergarm- coincidentally, has a skilled shield painter on tap
ents (though they’ll charge extra) – otherwise you’ll who can paint any set of heraldic arms to the
have to find one of the ‘specialist’ tailors. The best degree of detail (and cost) desired by the purchaser.
known (though far from only) such craftsmen in
Porthaven are – Stephen Metere (Abbey Street). Stephen usually
has 2-3 Shields on display, ready to be painted, and
Adam Seamere (Middelgate). Adam is experienced can start on a new commission within 24 hours. He
in the manufacture of Stiffened Linen Aketons, the is also able to do general carpentry work and has
sort intended to be worn as armour rather than experience in building siege engines gained during
under armour as well as Padded Coifs. He rarely service with the English army in France.
has any available but can usually start on an order
within a day or two of it being placed. BANKERS & GOLDSMITHS
Bryon de Cræftiga (Moneyer’s Row). Mostly a reg-
He and his apprentices and journeymen can work ular goldsmith, Bryon does offer secure storage for
on two sets simultaneously and still work on their the same rates Humphrey de Troyes does (but only
regular clothing orders – or they can work on four for on demand storage) … however, he is partic-
sets to the exclusion of all else. ularly good at assaying the value of coin (especially
foreign coin) and items nominally made of bullion
Jack Webba (Newgate, near the Canal). Jack’s and will happily change foreign coinage into silver
workshop can manufacture both Padded Linen pennies or into silver bars (travel money).
and Arming Doublet Aketons as well as Padded
Coifs. He usually has 1-2 Arming Doublets on hand · Assaying. Bryon can assay the gold/silver
and for sale but otherwise it will be 1-2 days before content for 1d/£ (minimum 1d) for coin or
he can fit new orders into his schedule. His bullion or 2d per item (plus 1d for each
workshop can work on three sets simultaneously additional 2 Tower pounds) for items made (or
while still working on regular orders or on double including large amounts) of precious metals.
that number to the exclusion of all else.
He will forego this fee if the potential customer
Thomas FitzTaylor (River Street). Thomas’s shop takes his assessment and converts the money or
can make both Stiffened Linen Aketons and Gam- bullion (or other item) into local coin – this
besons as well as Padded Coifs. He usually has 1-2 being more than absorbed into his fee for
of them on hand and available for sale (Aketon if money changing.
only one, Aketon and Gambeson if two). His work-
shop can work on two sets at once and still main- · Gem Assessment. Bryon is the only (semi) expert
tain work on other regular tailoring, or on four sets in assessing the value of Gems in the whole of
if they ditch everything else. Porthaven – he charges 1-2d for his efforts,
which may cover several smaller gems or one
large one.
Most Carpenters can make a simple Round Shield
but there is only one in Porthaven who can make He also buys Gems – but no more than £5 worth
the modern Heater Shield and who, not at all in any given week and can also take them ‘on
commission’ for a flat 5% of the final sale price
… Gems up to £25 worth usually sell within 6-10
weeks and those up to £50 within 6-10 months
(more expensive Gems probably need to be
taken to a larger potential market – London
would be a good bet).

· Money Changing. He will change foreign silver

or gold coin into local (English) coin for 2½% of
the actual assessed value – or 6d/£. He usually
has enough silver (coin or bar) on hand to be
able to ‘change’ up to £25 in value … twice that
much given 1d3+1 days notice.

This includes ancient coin – but only if it is gold

or silver. Ancient copper, bronze or brass coin is
essentially worthless except as scrap metal (which
would require bulk quantities).
 Local Merchants are wary of taking foreign coin
– though foreign merchants doing business locally
(or local merchants who do a lot of foreign trade)
may do so for coins from their homeland.

He generally melts the foreign coin down into

silver bar stock in standard Travel Money weights
(in Tower £, not Troy) and usually has £10-20 in
various weights on hand (i.e. £8+2d6).

His shop and home are on a part tenement – his

workshop, display area and office are on the coin (50 + 1d3x50), £150-400 in bullion (100 +
ground floor (and this is where the apprentices 1d6x50), £200-400 (100 + 2d3x50) in valuables plus
sleep) while the kitchen, family rooms and strong- another £300-800 (200 + 2d6x50) in Commercial
room are on the upper floor. Paper (Letters of Credit, Bills of Exchange etc.)

Strongroom: In addition to the £10-20 in Travel The upper floors include a Solar and Dining Room
Money bars (see above) he usually has a £100-150 in above the Workshop and Office (roughly a 50:50
coin and bullion (about ¾ silver, the rest gold) plus a split), living quarters for the family on the left wing
further £5-15 (£3+2d6) worth of values held as ‘on (off the Solar) with a large bedroom for Humphrey
demand’ deposits or individual valuable items. and his wife, Winifred (~28, daughter of Gof the
Armourer), a Nursery for their children (Mark, 6, and
Bryon offers a full service gold and silversmithing Lucy, 3) and nanny, Edwina (18), two (unused)
service – for most work, including that of moderate bedrooms and an Office (and small strongroom).
complexity, he charges 5-25% of the value of any
materials used in the finished product. Small Strongroom Contents: There are two iron
lockboxes, both bolted to the floor from the inside,
For really complex work the charges can be consider- secured by the best padlocks and chains available at
ably more – ask the GM! the local technology and containing £150 in bullion,
£75 in assorted coin and assorted jewellery worth
Humphrey de Troyes (Moneyer’s Row). Despite his around £30 (nominally belonging to Winifred).
name Humphrey (~39) is not from Troyes, or even
from France, but he did do a fair bit of travelling The Right wing of the upper floor has the Kitchen,
in his youth (as a Journeyman) and stayed in Storerooms, and bedrooms for the Apprentices.
Troyes as a Moneychanger and Commercial Agent
during the Fairs for several years, earning enough Humphrey is mainly a goldsmith and does fine
to return to Porthaven and start his own business. work in gold and silver (including silver-gilt and
silver-plate) as well as pewter – but he also offers
He owns a full tenement on Moneyer’s Row, with some commercial services. These include –
two storey stone-built house and workshop facing
the Row with two wings coming off either end and · Discounting Bills of Exchange. Humphrey
running towards the rear (in a ‘U’ shape), partially doesn’t issue Bills, but he does accept Bills from
enclosing a private garden (which is completely local Merchants drawn on Merchants known to
enclosed by a substantial brick wall on those faces do business at the Troyes markets for a 3-12%
which are not enclosed by the House or Stables) discount on their face value. He will accept Bills
and, at the very rear, a Stable. of up to £250 value – perhaps twice as much if
given 10 working days notice.
The Workshop is at the front and there is a semi-
private ‘Parlour/Office’ alongside where patrons can ‘Merchants doing business at Troyes’ – since that
be greeted and offered refreshments while Humph- is an international (Europe wide) market it can
rey’s clerks work on the businesses’ accounts. mean merchants from anywhere in Europe. The
rate he charges is based on how well he knows the
Behind the workshop is the Strongroom, which has merchant presenting the Bill and the reputation of
reinforced stone walls (and floor) and which is the merchant on whom the Bill is drawn.
protected by a stout oak (12” thick) outer door and a
Iron-grilled inner door, both of which have the best · Issuing/Cashing Letters of Credit. Since he is
locks available at the local technology. known on the international Fair circuit through
his days at Troyes, Humphrey has arrange-
Strongroom: This typically contains £100-200 in ments with a number of other Bankers and
 Church institutions to accept LoCs issued by Humphrey can offer loans of up to £100 based on
them and to issue LoCs they will accept. the provision of Bullion or other inherently
valuable moveable property lodged as security or
Depending on the issuing/accepting parties up to £500 is based on rents on landed property
involved these have a variable limit of between (to pay the interest – at the end of the term of the
£50 and £500, for which he will charge 1½-2% loan, if the borrower cannot repay the capital the
of the face value to issue or cash. land is, nominally, forfeit) based on the nominal
value of the land, not the rents.
The amounts depend on the financial capacity of
the issuer cross-referenced with Humphrey’s capit- For larger amounts, up to £1000, based on the
al reserves and ability to access local credit. An security of landed property he can usually find
average sort of Banker/Goldsmith in a Town the investors on commission (often the Church, but
size of Porthaven would be allowed/would accept sometimes he will arrange for a group of investors
£50-100 while one in a major City such as London to take on shares in the loan).
or Paris (or at one of the major international Fairs)
would accept/redeem up to £500. · Security Deposits. For a modest 1d/£/week
Humphrey will deposit your valuables in his
Church institutions (such as the Templars) can strongroom where they are very likely to be
generally issue/redeem LoCs worth twice as much more secure than in most private homes. Such
as a mere Banker/Goldsmith. deposits are on demand – that is, if the depositor
turns up during business hours, the bullion or
Note that LoCs are, at this stage, an all or nothing other valuables are supposed to available to
matter – you cannot partially encash them. If the hand over more or less immediately.
Banker you present them to cannot fully cash
them he will usually offer a Letter of Credit for the Alternately, for 1d/£/month you can deposit
balance at reduced (or no) commission. your valuables on the understanding that they
are redeemable one week after presenting a
· Organising or Making Commercial Loans. demand for payment (which means Humphrey
Humphrey is always on the lookout for business can potentially loan them out).
opportunities – so if a local merchant, crafts-
man or landowner needs to borrow he can · Travel Money. Humphrey has standard bars of
arrange either a direct loan from capital on silver available for sale to travellers in the fol-
hand (which may include valuables held on the lowing denominations – 1 Tower Mark (10/- or
behalf of customers) or on a commission basis 120d nominal, 126d purchase), 1 Troy Mark
from amongst his business contacts. (10/8d or 128d nominal, 134½d purchase); 2
Tower Marks (20/- or 240d nominal, 252d pur-
The rate for Commercial Loans secured on real chase), 2 Troy Marks (£1/1/6 or 256d nominal,
property is 10-12½% calculated at the end of 268¼d purchase); and 5 Tower Marks (£2/10/-
each year on the basis of the capital owing at or 600d nominal, 630d purchase), 5 Troy Marks
the end of the previous year (if acting as an (£2/13/8 or 640d nominal, 670½d purchase).
agent, Humphrey takes 1½-2% of the interest).
Nominal = face value according to the accepted
coinage rates. Purchase = what a goldsmith will
charge for the trouble of selling a bar of silver to a
general customer (his ‘profit’).

Apart from the above services Humphrey offers a

full service gold and silversmithing service – for
most work, including that of moderate complexity,
he charges 5-25% of the value any materials used in
the finished product.

For really complex work the charges can be

considerably more – ask the GM!

If he’s being asked to do fine work with non-bullion

metals, then it’s harder to estimate the cost – fortu-
nately there’s not a lot in the way of fine mechanisms
available to be made during the period.
Thomas of London (Church Street, near New
Market). Thomas is not a Goldsmith nor, strictly
speaking, a Banker – he is a member of the Fratern-
ity of St. Thomas of Canterbury, a guild of merch-
ants originally involved in the cloth trade but who
parlayed the profit from exporting cloth into
imports of a wide variety of goods and investments
in collegial trading ventures with the Middle East.

He is not by any means one of the wealthiest of the

Fraternity (they live in London or Antwerp, or,
more commonly, divide their time between the
two), but he has carved out a niche in Porthaven
since it is one of the Ports of the Staple (i.e. one of has two levels, space for four animals and a cart on
the small number of ports authorised to handle the the ground level and for hay and straw on the upper
export/import of cloth) – he not only acts as an (which is where the ostler and his assistant sleep).
agent for the wealthier members of the Fraternity,
he also dabbles in the trade directly and, more The Vault is stone building with a cellar – the ground
importantly, with his commercial contacts all over level is where the staff (two guards at all time, plus a
Europe he can arrange for all sorts of loans, money clerk during business hours) are stationed and stairs
transfers and investment opportunities. down to a stone lined cellar for the valuables. The
ground level door is of 9” thick iron bound oak which
Thomas’s premises are situated on an entire can be barred from the inside – and there are two
tenement – a three storey half-timbered and brick metal grille doors, one at the top of the stairs the other
structure at the front of a walled compound. To the at the bottom, both secured with the best available
rear is a private garden, stables and vault. metal box-key locks plus a chain and padlock on each.

The Ground Floor faces Church Street and is taken up Vault Contents. This typically contains £300-500 in
by a semi-private parlour where Thomas greets and coin (200 + 2d3x50), £300-500 in bullion (200 +
entertains valued clients or would-be clients as well as 2d3x50), £400-800 (200 + 2d3x100) in valuables plus
a private office for his use and a large clerk’s office (a another £800-1800 (600 + 2d6x100) in Commercial
single large room with several accounts tables) for his Paper (Letters of Credit, Bills of Exchange etc.)
staff of clerks (who make extensive use of Roman
Abacuses and Counting Boards (OM2 #350) and also · Discounting Bills of Exchange. He accepts Bills
use Double Entry Bookkeeping (OM2 #311 – a semi- of Exchange drawn on merchants here and in
secret to his business in Porthaven as a whole) and a any City (or major Trade Port even though it
small Strongroom. may only qualify as a ‘Town’) anywhere in
Western Europe (even the Baltics and Muscovy)
Small Strongroom: Inside are two chests and an iron as well as those quartered in the East Roman
lockbox (the latter is bolted to the floor from the Empire (and its outlying possessions) and in the
inside) all with the best box and key locks available. major trade ports in the Middle East and East-
The lockbox contains £75-100 (£70 + 1d6x5) in bar ern Mediterranean.
silver (Travel Money); one of the chests contains £50-
100 (£40 + 1d6x10) in English Silver Pennies and the Bills drawn on Merchants known to trade at any
other contains ~50000 foreign silver coins (mostly, at of the major International Fairs are usually
least nominally, silver ‘pennies’ – mostly bagged by discounted 2-3%.
city/state of issue and worth anywhere between £50-
100 depending on weight and silver content) Those drawn on other Merchants in Western
Europe are discounted 3-5% and those drawn
The First (US 2nd) Floor has a grand dining room, on East Roman, Middle Eastern or Eastern Med
kitchen and two guest rooms (one with one room and Merchants are discounted 6-10%.
a single double bed, the other with two rooms and a
double bed and single bed) while the family Rooms (a He can handle Bills of a value up to £500 in
bedroom for Thomas, his wife and three rooms for value – or up to £1000 in value if given 7-10
any children as well as a Library and a Solar). business days to organise.

The garden is a mix of decorative and practical, with He may accept Bills of Exchange from Merchants
shaded bowers, fruit trees, vine trellises and even some from Towns at an additional 1-3% discount – if
herb (both actual herb and vegetables). The Stable he will accept them at all (it will depend on the
 business relationship he has with the person century a merchant ship could usually manage
presenting the Bill to him for cashing). 3-4 voyages to the Eastern Baltic and Eastern Med
or 2 voyages to the Middle East in a single sailing
· Issuing/Cashing Letters of Credit. With his season – though a Commenda usually related
widespread contacts throughout Europe and only to one voyage.
the Mediterranean Thomas can issue and cash
LoCs of up to £500 for 1½% of face value and Assuming the ship survived the voyage, returns for
up to £1000 for 2% of face value – though he shorter voyages were usually on the order of 25-
may need to make these larger amounts drawn 75% of the investment while on longer voyages
on two or more agents and, in the case of cash- you would make 100-300% Of course, if the ship
ing those worth more than £500, may require was lost, you made nothing at all.
7-10 business days to organise.
Compagnia contracts were mostly arranged for a
An average sort of Banker/Goldsmith in a Town single year’s trading, but could be for as long as
the size of Porthaven would be allowed/would three years. Loss rates for peacetime were around
accept/redeem LoC’s worth up to £50-100 while half that of a Commenda venture – but so were the
one in a major City such as London or Paris (or at potential profits.
one of the major international Fairs) could
accept/redeem LoCs worth up to £500. Of course loss rates (and, potentially) profits went
up markedly if either had to traverse war-torn
Note that LoCs are, at this stage, an all or nothing areas (even after the nominal fighting was over –
matter – you cannot partially encash them. How- Pirates and Bandits being an inevitable aftermath
ever, if the Banker you present them to cannot of such conflicts).
fully cash them out he will usually offer the option
to issue a Letter of Credit for the balance owing at · Shipping Agent. Though, again, this isn’t really
a reduced (or no) commission. his job, his contacts down at the Docks are such
that, unless your contacts are better, he can
· Organising Commenda and Compagnia. High arrange passage for cargo and passengers any-
risk-high return ventures, the Commenda is a where ships from Porthaven sail to.
limited partnership (for the investors, but not for
the ship owner) for sea-borne trade (usually with Even more conveniently he has contacts with
the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East fellow traders all over and can provide Letters
but possibly with the Eastern Baltic and Mus- of Introduction for travellers who cannot find a
covy) while the Compagnia is for long distance direct route and need to organise a second (or
land trading ventures, usually with Central and even more) leg along the way.
Eastern Europe.
He charges a flat rate of 1d per passenger plus a
Thomas organises investors into both – normally further ¼d per 2/- (2½d/£) of the actual passage
spreading their total investment across at least cost from the passenger (he also gets a similar rake
two, and preferably three or more, separate off from the Ship’s captain) but guarantees their
ventures. For this service he takes 1% of the total place or their money back. He issues ‘Tickets’
for a shorter voyage rising to 2% for a longer one. (really Bills of Exchange) to the traveller(s) to take
to the Ship and pass on to the Ship’s Captain who
The loss rates for Commenda contracts is on the can then be assured he can cash them here or in
order of 5-25% in peacetime for voyages to the their destination port.
Eastern Baltic or Eastern Mediterranean rising to
10-30% for voyages further east. By the late 14th For Cargo he charges ¼d per 2/- (2½d/£) of
shipping cost – again, issuing Bills of Exchange
to the shipper to take down to the Ship’s Master.

He can also organise the Chartering of a Ship

through his contacts, typically charging ¼d per
2/- (2½d/£) for the service in return for a Bill of
Exchange sent to the Captain.

(Instead of Bills of Exchange he can pay with

Cash, usually Silver Bars, or Letters of Credit – or
with local money – pretty much whatever the
Ship’s Captain or Owner prefers).
 · Secure Storage. Thomas doesn’t just have a
Strongroom, he has a Vault. He can therefore
store lots of valuables, even moderately bulky
ones (such as cloth of gold or purple cloth, expen-
sively bound illuminated Books, jewellery and
plate made from bullion where the artistic
value outweighs the nominal bullion value and
other such items) – and there is 24 hour security
(at least two guards present night and day –
though at night one may be present but asleep).

Storage costs are a based on either weight (1d

base, plus ½d per Tower pound) or volume (1d
for medium size, 2d for large, 3d for very large)
or per item (usually 6d each) based on Thomas’s
assessment of how much space it will take up.

The above rates are for casual deposits of up to a

month – longer term rates are available for longer
periods, basically ¾ the base rate if paid in
advance for at least a Quarter (3 months) or 2/3
the base rate if paid in arrears.

BLACKSMITHS & BRAZIERS

The craftsmen below are only a small sampling of
those in various metal related trades in Porthaven
– and these can be found scattered all over town. His shop is on a full tenement, on the exact corner
of the two streets, with the Smithy proper open on
two sides and a single storey.
The Black Cauldron Smithy (Trinity Row). The
Gilbert of Norwich (36) specialises in kitchenware – He has two forges and several anvils and he has a
Cauldrons, Spits and Rotary Spits, Buckets, staff of six (himself, a Journeyman Blacksmith, a
Tripods & Pot Holders, Pots, Saucepans, Griddles Journeyman Farrier and three apprentices) as well
and more – and kitchen utensils (forks, ladles, as two Bloomery furnaces out back (one in used,
knives etc.) both for household as well as camp- the other usually being repaired or maintained)
ing/campaign/travel or shipboard use. which can produce ~15 kilos of bloom a day.

Gilbert is a widower whose wife died in childbirth The Apprentices sleep either in the half storey of the
after several miscarriages – and the baby died not stables or in the storerooms off the Smithy proper.
long after her. He has not remarried, though he has
taken on Toby Glazmann, his sister’s son (16) as one He has a two storey house, a stable and a vegetable
of his apprentices – and his sister, Juliana, is garden in the rear of the tenement. The house
constantly trying to act as a matchmaker. recently upgraded from a 1½ storey structure and
will brick used to replace the wattle and daub infill
His premises are on a half tenement, with the on the half-timbered frame. There is a common
workshop and storerooms downstairs and the fam- room, kitchen and storerooms on the ground floor
ily rooms (three bedrooms, kitchen and common plus three bedrooms and a solar upstairs.
room) upstairs. There are stables out back for a cart
and a single cart-horse – and for space for his two Ralf (40), his wife, Margery (32) and their four
apprentices to sleep in the hayloft. children (three boys, 12, 7 and 4, and a girl, 10) live
here – he and his wife have one of the three bedrooms
Geslean’s Smithy (Market Street & Market Row). which they share with their four year old, the two
Ralf Geslean (‘The Smiter’) has a smithy in one of older boys have a second and the girl has the third.
the prime locations in Porthaven – at the junction
of Market Street and Market Row, immediately He has a cart and two horses quartered in the
inside (opposite) the Town’s north gate. He does Stables (a 1½ storey structure with hay/straw and
general smithing and farrier’s work and is well feed stored upstairs and his wife, Margery (32)
known for his ornamental (door) hinges and his keeps the vegetable garden and also runs some
skill in producing top of the line box-and-key locks. chickens, mainly for the pot rather than for eggs.
Walter’s Smithy (Millgate). Walter of Burley is a castings of all those metals as well as hand ham-
very specialised smith – he specialises in making mering (with or without filigree or engraving) items
tools, all sorts of tools for all sorts of crafts. from those materials (either as stand-alone items or
as decorative or additional work on items made by
Blacksmiths can make their own tools – but it’s others … so, for example, brass wire used to wrap
fiddly and time consuming, so many of the local the hilt of a sword or bronze lettering inlaid into
smiths come to Walter to buy or commission what the base of a stone statue).
they need. Likewise, he can make pretty much any
metal tools needed by any of the other craftsmen in Geraint sells Brass, Bronze, Copper, Pewter and Tin
town (and often has a small selection on hand). usually in rods of ½-1 Tower Pound or ingots of 2-5
pounds – and as wire spools in ½-1 Tower Pound
Williamson’s Smithy (Millfeld Walk). The smithy is units. He also sells camping and kitchen equipment,
owned by David Williamson (early 40’s), married to including Mess Kits, Pots, Frying Pans, Serving
Klara Vlaaming, the older daughter of Nikolaas Trays and Metal Canteens and makes the best Brass
Vlaaming (Innkeeper of the Black Swan Inn). David Lanterns (Bullseye, Hooded or Standard; Pierced or
has two buildings on his tenement, a 1½ storey with Horn or even Glass inserts) available in town –
half-timbered cottage and a single storey Smithy but he can produce anything made of Brass, Bronze,
where he conducts his business which faces onto Copper, Pewter or Tin to order.
Millfeld Walk and is directly adjacent to the Black
Swan Inn (there is side gate in the Inn’s walls to BOOK & RELATED TRADES
allow through access). There were no Bookstores in the medieval period –
not in the modern sense. There were stores that
The Smithy specialises in producing metal fittings rented out books (or parts of books) to be copied,
for carts and waggons, making and fitting iron rims but they tended to be associated with Universities …
for spoked wheels and for barrels (which he sells to and there are no such in Porthaven. Ergo, there are
local Coopers) but can (and does) do general metal- no Bookstores even in the medieval sense.
work, especially when other work is slow. In
addition, one of the journeymen working there is a That doesn’t mean that there are no book-related
Farrier and can shoe horses as needed. trades, however. Or that there are no places which
might be happy to loan out books for copying –
David lives in the cottage with his wife, children and probably for much the same sort of fees that a
two apprentices and his shop employs two journey- Bookstore would have charged. There are – the
men blacksmiths. He offers slightly preferential rates various Churches, Monasteries and Friaries are the
to guests staying at the Black Swan (and, in return, obvious sources for such – especially the larger ones
the Innkeeper directs those who need any metalwork
to his conveniently located workshop!)
These guys don’t sell books (though they may
occasionally know of books for sale by a private
Geraint Bræsian (The Rows, off Market Street). seller) – as noted above they rent them out so that a
Geraint is a Braizier – that is, he is a smith who Copyist (see below) can copy them for a client or so
works with Brass, Bronze, Copper and Tin. He does a client can copy them (or simply make a precis – a
summary). There is exactly one such in Porthaven –

Abelard of Calais (Deanery Street, opposite Dean-

ery Row). Abelard is rumoured to be a defrocked
Monk, and has several books – copies of the Old
and New Testaments, several copies of Books from
the New Testament, a Book of Hours, a Missal, some
copies of works by Aristotle, Vegetius’s De Re Militari
and Augustine’s City of God as well as a few others.

There is a 5-30% chance that any given title will be

available for rent at any given time – if it isn’t,
Abelard can reserve it for when it next comes in (or
when the next part comes in as he rents longer
works chapter by chapter rather than all at once).

If he doesn’t have the title available he will know

whether anyone in town has a copy, and can
usually broker access … for a fee, of course. He will
want a deposit up front equal to the value of the
book or part of a book being rented – either as cash
money or in the form of another book of at least
equal value.

Father Edward of Canterbury, Librarian of All

Saint’s Minster (Dean’s Palace). Father Edward is
the chief Librarian of the Minster’s Library (~400
books) and has access to the Dean’s personal
Library (~40-50 books) and can be persuaded to
loan titles to individuals he trusts, but only if they
make a substantial security deposit of cash money
(or other valuables) or a book or books of similar
value … even then, he prefers to keep the book ‘in
house’ and insist any copying or consulting of the
text be done in the Library or the Scriptorium.
Gerald the Scrivener (Bridge Street, near the
Bridge over the Ithura). Gerald (34) is an accomp-
any Scribe or Notary can write out or copy a Letter lished scribe with an excellent reputation for a
or Document, they often aren’t all that skilled in legible book-hand, speedy work, and even a fair
the forms and styles needed to actually copy a Book hand at illumination. He works entirely on commis-
or other extended document – and, while there sion and has personal copies of a Book of Hours, a
isn’t a huge market for Books in Porthaven, it does Missal and a complete New Testament which are the
exist and isn’t always based on monkish copyists. most commonly demanded books for copying.

All Saint’s Scriptorium (Dean’s Palace). While the If he isn’t currently using one of those books he might
half dozen or so copyists working here are mostly be willing to rent it out (usual rates) if the potential
involved in copying books for the Minster or for renter has a book of similar value to leave as security.
other Parish Churches, Monasteries or Friaries,
they can take on private commissions from time to There is a 10-60% chance that he will currently be
time with the permission of the Dean … and they working on a commission and, if he is, then there is a
have access to the ~400 Books held in the Minster’s 10-6% chance he will be tied up for a further 2-7
Library as a basis for their work(s). weeks – or for 2-12 days otherwise.

There are specialist copyists, draughtsmen and He has a number of friends in the same trade and
illuminators working in the Scriptorium, so it can there is a 30-80% chance that one of them is currently
produce anything and everything from a plain, work- available for copyist work – though they do not have
manlike, undecorated book-hand volume through to any of their own books on hand, and the potential
a masterpiece of the illuminator’s art. customer must provide the master copy or pay them
extra to source it through their contacts.
There is also a Bindery attached to the Scriptorium
and so the pages can be bound in anything from Robert o’ the Quill (Church Street at the Canal).
plain wooden boards through tooled leather to gem Robert (43) specialises in illustrated works such as
and bullion encrusted covers of high value and great Medical & Anatomical, Herbals and Maps and
artistic merit (if you like medieval kitsch). usually has a number of Strip Maps (similar to
those in the Cursus Ithuriae section) for sale (10-
Brother Francis the Less (Franciscan Friary). 60% chance of each given map) and can provide a
Brother Francis (6’3” tall, hence ‘the less’) is one of good copy of any such not immediately available in
the instructors at the Grammar School run by the 2-3 days (even if he has a current commission).
Friars and is happy to take on outside commissions
and has access to the Friary’s library. While not a surveyor (and such a profession doesn’t
really exist in the modern sense) or architect, Robert
He is supposed to hand over all his earnings to the has worked with what passes for such in the region to
Friary but, well, he’s human – he tends to keep at create farm, estate or even Manorial maps as well as
least half and under-report what he charges. He can floor plans of new, planned, or existing structures …
do basic marginalia illumination … usually flowers, and he usually keeps a good basic line drawing copy
vines, herbs etc. rather than animals, birds, fish or of these for his own records (and may be willing to sell
humans (he is not very good with the latter). copies of them under some circumstances).
Note: The ‘Strip Maps’ he has have the basic map in adding decorative elements (or separate bits to
outline as provided in the relevant chapter plus a be added to) items produced by any or all of the
short description of each location shown. These other categories within this overall trade.
descriptions tend to be extremely brief – for example,
‘Here be Sylvawudu,’ ‘Road to Forcythwyru on the There’s no reason why a Carpenter can’t make the
left’ or ‘Alford Manor, four rivers meet here.’ sorts of items (chests, coffers etc.) a Cabinetmaker,
Paneller or Woodcarver does – but the result will be
Any other maps he has on hand are more in that vein of simpler, less well presented and decorated.
than even 19th century Ordnance Survey sheets – Cheaper, though. However, there are Guild rules that
distances are generally accurate, but only the largest mean he can’t do work a Joiner normally would.
(or most important) physical features are shown.
The other trades can often do the reverse, at least to a
Brother William (Hospital & Chapel of St John of degree, and do work similar to what a general
Jerusalem). Brother William is one of the two Carpenter would – but it isn’t their forte and their
instructors at the Poor School that is run here (see work and they will be limited to smaller projects (no
#12) and is happy to earn a little drinking money major buildings, indeed, probably no buildings at all)
by doing scribal and copyist work in his spare time.
He has access to the books in the Chapel’s library
to copy and can work competitively if the book he Nicholas of Essex, Woodcarver (Market Row, at
is contracted to copy is present therein. the Greyfleet Wall). Nicholas (~24) is the pre-emin-
ent woodcarver in Porthaven and if you want
Brother William does a workmanlike Book-hand, but anything from a carved wood statue of a Saint to
is limited to red-ink capitals by way of decoration. decorate a Church (or private) Chapel through to
some carved flowers on a bed-frame, he’s your man.
CARPENTERS & WOODWORKING TRADES
Cabinetmakers do finer worker to higher standards, Being as good as he is means he is expensive to hire
(including significant decorative elements includ- and is often only available for larger pieces or for
ing carving) than Carpenters; Carpenters do more extended commissions (he’s currently finishing the
general woodworking (up to and including large 11th and 12th of a dozen panels showing the life of
scale building and construction, though Masons are St Stephen for the Mason’s Guild’s Great Hall).
usually in overall charge) using nails, dowels land
mortice and tenon work; Joiners do similar work to However, he is known to undertake smaller com-
Cabinetmakers but, instead of using nails, they use missions which strike his fancy – and makes the
glue as their primary means of fastening their end best Flutes and Recorders in town (and, some
product; Panellers are a sort of a cross between would say, in the whole of the North) and usually
Cabinetmakers and Joiners who are involved in has two or three available for sale at any given time.
interior walling and decoration (wooden panels
often placed over a wall on an frame, or fixing Some of the ‘smaller’ commissions which strike his
decorative items such as tapestries or wallpaper on fancy include carved and painted wooden dolls (some
similar off-wall frames); Woodcarvers specialise in with hinged wooden arms and legs), hobby horses,
decorative work, often stand-alone pieces but also carved wood knights and toys in general.

William Treowyrhta, Cabinetmaker (Abbey Street).

‘William the Tree-wright’ (~39) makes chests, coffers
(wood & leather as well as straight wood), boxes and
similar wooden containers in all sizes, shapes and
of all sorts of wood – though with iron/brass hinges
and both with or without locks (the hinges and
locks are purchased from blacksmiths or braziers,
of course). He also makes quality furniture (tables,
chairs, benches, beds, scribal desks [including col-
lapsible/camping models] etc.) both plain and dec-
orated than a straight generalist carpenter.

Hugh Brádæx, Carpenter & Builder (River Street,

between Hansa and Deanery Rows). ‘Hugh of the
Axe’ (~46) is a structural carpenter – if you want a
cruck-framed or half-timbered house built then he
is the man you want to construct the frames and,
for simple homes or commercial structures, even to
do the basic design (for more complex buildings, of
wood or stone, you generally hire a Mason to
organise things, though someone like Hugh will
still do the woodwork).

Builders often construct the frame(s) offsite, carefully

mark and disassemble them, then transport and reass-
emble onsite. For local construction this is that site –
but for out-of-town work Hugh and staff often travel
to where they can source the lumber, assembly there,
then disassemble, transport and reassemble.

Hugh is busy enough that he is not always in town,

but his wife, Bridgid (38), can deal with most business
that arises while he is away ((up to and including
contractual matters – she is both literate and
numerate and is also the daughter of a Master
Carpenter and so knows all the ins and outs of the
trade), assisted by at least one of his Journeymen.

Their premises on River Street consists of a full

tenement, which they use as a combined lumber Green’s Cartwrights (Millfeld Walk). This work-
yard and worksite, and a half tenement where they shop is owned by Christopher Green (early 30’s),
have their house, situated alongside. The House is married to Beatrix Vlaaming (late 20’s), Nikolaas
a two storey half-timbered building with Kitchen, Vlaaming’s (Innkeeper of the Black Swan Inn) eldest
Common/Dining Room and an Office downstairs daughter by his first wife (and who assists him in
plus three bedrooms and a Solar upstairs. running the Inn). The shop faces Millfeld Walk and
actually backs into the Black Swan’s courtyard
Robert o’ Greenwood, General Carpenter (Corner (carts or waggons can actually drive through when
of Ditchgate & East Street). If it can be made of the front and rear doors are open).
wood, then Robert’s your man – cups, plates and
trenchers; tables, stools and benches; doors; plain The establishment is a full-service one and can do
wood flooring and much more. repairs as well as build new carts or waggons (as
well as wheels for them) from the ground up (see
He usually has a small selection of wooden cups, prices in The Marketplace, #254 and #259-60).
plates and trenchers as well as a few wooden stools for
sale – anything else must be special ordered, but he is Christopher lives here with his wife, three children
rarely so busy that there will be more than a half a and two apprentices and employs two journeymen in
day to a day’s delay before production work starts. his workshop. Christopher has a good relationship
with David the Smith who owns the Smithy attached
His business is on a full tenement, with the two to the Black Swan Inn and gets preferential pricing
storey half-timbered house and shop at the front for any iron fittings he needs – or, in the case of iron
and a lumber yard, herb garden and stables for a rims for cartwheels, for that service.
horse and cart in the rear.
Ralf de Wægnsmiþ (Millfeld Walk). Ralph (‘the
The workshop and stores take up the entire ground Wagonsmith’, ~42) is one of the bigger Cartwrights
floor of the house while the First (US 2nd) Floor has in Porthaven – he can make all sorts of Carts and
the Kitchen, four bedrooms (one for Robert and his Waggons as well as studded or iron-rimmed wheels
wife, Mary [48 & 41]; the others for their two adult as well as doing maintenance and repair work.
sons, William [23] and Henry [20], and their teenage
daughter, Lisa [16]) and a dining/common area. He is so well thought of that, when the King passed
through Porthaven several years ago and the Royal
William is a Journeyman carpenter who works with Waggon needed some serious maintenance and
his father, Henry is a Clerk (training to be a Notary) repairs done to it, he was the one recommended by
with the Town Corporation and Lisa is the last of Baron Ithura (of course, he’s still waiting for most
three daughters left at home (the other two are marr- of the money owed for the repairs … but, in his
ied to other craftsmen in town). case, the prestige gained has been very profitable).
His business is on a full tenement with a two storey ufacture the largest wooden containers normally
house at the back and a 1½ storey workshop at the used (wine tuns).
front. The shop is a large open area with forges, pole
lathes, workbenches and space for large components The most common sized barrel available is the 30
– the half storey is where his apprentices (and, Pound, weighing 10 lbs which can take 8 Wine
occasionally, junior Journeymen) live. Gallons of liquid or 30 lbs of dry goods if properly
packed. Average retail cost is 6d – wholesale,
Between the shop and the house is a large open air depending on the number ordered, the cost is 3-4d.
work space where final assembly and some running
repairs are performed as well as a herb garden kept The next most common size is the 64 lb variety which
by his daughter, Bess (~18, engaged to the senior weighs 26 lbs and can take 16 Wine Gallons or 64
Journeyman, Henry Oakstave (~28). Ralf’s other lbs of dry goods if properly packed. Average retail
children died young and his wife, Matilda, died in cost is 1/- (12d) – wholesale cost, depending on the
childbirth ~10 years ago and he has not remarried. number ordered, is 6-8d.

The house has a kitchen and common/dining room on

the ground floor, bedrooms and Solar on the upper Peter Scholt, Joiner & Paneller (The Rows). Peter is
level and is adjacent to Stables with space for four mainly involved with decorative internal work for
animals and a waggon (Ralf owns two horses and a wall panels, doors and other exposed but otherwise
sturdy cart). flat woodwork.

He specialises in wooden wall and ceiling panels but

Coopers make barrels, buckets, tubs, troughs and also does insert panels to be glued into chests or
all sorts of basically wooden-stave containers for a coffers for external decoration.
wide variety of uses.
Stephen FitzStephen, Joiner (Friary Street). Steph-
There are four basic types of container and, later, en does much the same sort of work as a Cabinet-
some Coopers specialised in only one or two – but maker (such as William Treowyrhta) – working on
in the medieval period this is unlikely and you chests, coffers and other containers. The difference
should be able to get all four types from your local is that he uses glue rather than metal fastenings to
craftsman. The four types were – Dry (for shipping do the work and that the lesser strength of the glued
dry goods), Dry-Tight (for keeping dry goods dry – joints means that he doesn’t do collapsible furnit-
keeping water and moisture out), Wet-Tight (for ure for camping (the glued joints can’t stand the
storing liquids and keeping them in without leak- same degree of stress that nailed ones can).
age) and White (straight-staved containers such as
Buckets, Basins and Troughs). Glued joints have an advantage in that the joints can
usually be more closely finished and/or show no sign
Most of the Coopers in Porthaven work in or of the joint such as nails or other external fasteners.
around the waterfront as that is where the demand
for all types of containers is greatest. Stephen does mainly plain work – if a customer
wants carved, inlaid or other forms of decorative
Jack the Cooper (Steelyard Row). Jack runs the work added than that has to be done separately (for
second largest cooperage in Porthaven and can example, by someone like Nicholas of Essex, the
make any sort of wood container … while he mostly Woodcarver or Peter Scholt, the Paneller).
serves the shipping trade he has made bath-tubs for
elite clients in quality materials (or more common CARRIERS (TRANSPORT TRADES)
materials for a slightly wider market).
The concept of a Common Carrier doesn’t exist,
William Pygge (Hansa Row). William runs the and won’t for centuries – but something like it does.
biggest cooperage in town and can (and does) man- There is enough trade between Porthaven and
other communities to support a carriers running
something like regular routes, usually a circuit
beginning and ending in a set location … for some,
that will actually be Porthaven itself, for others
Porthaven will simply be one of the regular stops.

The difference between these carriers and ‘public’

carriers is that they operate on a circuit most of the
time (though they may divert from it a little if they are
paid enough) and keep to something like a regular
schedule (allowing for the need to ensure they are
carrying as full a load aboard as possible).

The easiest places to pick up such a Carrier is at

one of three places – the Inn of the Seven Stars on
East Street, the Black Swan Inn near the Feldgateor
the Merry Monk Inn near Southgate.

Though the Black Swan and Merry Monk have the

most space for carriers, their vehicles and animals, the
most popular place for picking up work or letting out
contracts and the origin of the majority of the circuits
has become the Inn of the Seven Stars.

Most local carriers operate local circuits – to the to 6/-, add +4-6d for 2 extra Horses and +4-6d for a
County Seat/other inland towns or, less commonly, driver, halved for in town use) per day as listed in
along the coast to Other Baronies and Market Towns Travel & Trade, #252 of The Marketplace.
(less common as sea travel will be cheaper over
most distances between a port such as Porthaven CLOTH & CLOTHING TRADES
and other coastal towns). There are so many subspecialties in this category
that only the two most (obviously) important are
While such a Carrier normally carries only goods, prominently listed – Clothiers who sell cloth (and
it is not uncommon for those who employ waggons are generally involved in the whole production
to offer space aboard for a limited number of process of cloth and related materials) and Tailors
passengers … usually women, the old or the infirm (who turn cloth into clothes).
who are too poor to have their own horse, mule or
donkey (or horse and cart). They will rarely have In addition, some information about Dyers, Spin-
space for more than three or four such passengers. ners and Weavers is included, though it is unlikely
that Player Characters will ever need to interact
Cost is as per Travel & Trade, #252 of The Market- with them … except for those Weavers who are also
place = 4/6/8d per Cwt (108 Tower pounds) by Cart Tapestry Makers.
or 8/12/16d by Waggon for a Short/Long/Extended
trip. By Pack Train it is 6/9/12d per Cwt. Clothiers were often a sub-specialty of Merchant
Adventurers who traded in cloth on an international
Carts tend to go only to bigger destinations (nothing scale – importing and exporting it and related items
smaller than a Village or, if it’s along the route, a (mordants, dyes etc.) and other bulk items (hides, lead
Hamlet; Waggons tend to travel only along the King’s etc) … but it was a fraught relationship with each
Highways, while Pack Trains latter goes even to Fraternity or Guild competing to gain a monopoly on
relatively isolated farmsteads (possibly by breaking the international side of the trade. For simplicity’s
down into smaller units along the way). sake, only the Clothiers are dealt with here.

The legal distinction doesn’t exist yet – but, for The most prominent Cloth Merchants (those with
practical purposes, this Carrier simply hires out his the widest range of types, styles, colours and prices)
cart or waggon to carry goods from a specified congregate near the waterfront – especially along or
pickup location to a specified drop-off point and do near Steelyard Dock, Trinity Row and Hansa Row.
it on demand rather than on a particular schedule. Smaller ones (with a smaller range, usually
‘tailored’ to the more middling sort or even the
These operations tend to congregate near the main relatively well-to-door working classes) can be found
streets leading into/out of town – typically in the scattered all over town, but are more common near
industrial areas depicted off East Street, off Mill- Market Cross and the New Market as well as along
field Walk, along Greengarth and also on the water- the west end of Millfeld Walk (especially between
front and dock areas along the Ithura. Hospital Walk and Deanery Street).

Use the cost to hire a Cart (24-36d, + 4-6d per horse Geoffrey FitzRalf. Furrier & Clothier (New Market).
and 4-6d for the driver – halved for purely in town Geoffrey imports mainly mid-range Linen and
use), Pack Horse/Mule (1-2d for the first animal, 1d Wool Cloth but is important in Porthaven as the
for each additional, +3d for a driver) or Waggon (4/- importer of the finest Furs and Leathers.
Typically he will sell a whole Bolt of cloth for the cost Generally he offers a full Bolt of cloth for the price of
of 22 yards, a dozen cured hides for the cost of eleven 23 yards – or 22 yards for five Bolts … but he never
and six pelts for the the cost of 5½. He also has dyed discounts Cloth of Gold.
leather hides available for sale, a rarity.

Michael Hirdemann (Steelyard Dock). The biggest Most of the Dyers in Porthaven congregate in the
Clothier in town, he is a factor to the Company of marked industrial areas alongside the tidal inlets
the Staple (who hold the monopoly of overseas trade and canals – mostly in the NE corner of the town
in English Wool and Cloth with the Low Countries) along Millgate and East Street and the canals off
and, as such, stocks all varieties of English and the Greyfleet, but there are also some outliers along
most types of Imported cloths at standard prices. River Street and Greengarth near the Millfleet.

If he doesn’t have it currently in stock he can get it The cloth they dye is almost always already owned
within 4-10 weeks depending on the time of year by someone else (a Clothier or Merchant Adventurer)
(longer outside of the sailing season, of course). and earmarked for them – on the rare occasions when
they do dye cloth on their own behalf, they are rarely
Michael will sell a whole Bolt of Linen or Wool cloth interested in selling retail (which they regard as less
(~1¾ x 24 yards) for the price of 21 yards; a whole than five whole Bolts).
Bolt of Blanchet for the price of 20 yards; and a
whole Bolt of Fustian for the price of 22 yards (as
listed in The Marketplace, #157). Spinners can be found almost anywhere. Many
women do some spinning in any time they have
Silk & Velvet goes for the cost of 23 yards of fabric if free from their normal domestic duties while some
purchased by the Bolt. work at it full time. Most of them work as part of
the ‘putting out’ system – spinning wool (or linen)
Purchasing less than a full Bolt is at the standard provided to them by Clothiers so they don’t norm-
listed prices. ally sell the thread directly to the public, or even to
Weavers (though they do pass it on to Weavers who
Robert of Winchelsea (Hansa Row). Robert deals have been contracted by the Clothier who
mainly in the higher value cloths – Damask, Silk contracted them and who, in turn, have been
and Velvet mainly, but also Fine Fustian, Linen contracted to weave it into finished cloth.
and Wool. He also imports limited amounts of
Cloth of Gold from the continent. Because Clothiers use a lot of rural, non-Guild, labour
to do the work as part of the ‘putting out’ system these
days there are very few male spinners left in the trade
(at least in towns like Porthaven). Female spinners,
even if individually contracted, often work together in
any available space for the company.

Tailors are almost as common as Bakers and other

Food shops – after all, all clothing has to be cut and
sewn by hand and, even if the women of the
household can make some clothing, they have other
work as well, hence the large number of Tailors.

Tailors do not carry any cloth. Except, perhaps, for

a small number of sample pieces. Customers buy
cloth from Clothiers and bring it to the Tailor to be
sewn into … whatever. By hand. This means there
is no such thing as ‘off the rack’ clothing – the
closest you get to such is buying second hand
clothes from a Pawnbroker.

Tailoring tends to have subspecialties, but for the

sake of simplicity it is assumed that the samples
listed below are generalists and can make pretty
much any type of clothing or accessory within the
price/social status range they are experienced with.
David of Stonebridge (Stonebridge, near the old
Walls). David specialises in clothes suitable for the
well-to-do – such as successful Master Guildsmen or
members of Serjeanty or even lesser Knights.

He and his staff are experienced with expensive

fabrics such as Fustian and the finest classes of
Wool and Linen as well as with moderately expen-
sive furs as either highlights or linings as well as
with Silk, Velvet and Damask used mainly as high-
lights or for small items.

Jude the Wædling (Ditchgate). Jude runs a one man

business (assisted by his wife, Mary) making simple
clothing from cheap cloth, mainly for the working
poor – and if often called upon to make repairs to filthy industries have been forcibly relocated to (or
existing items or to alter second-hand clothes to fit. set up from the get go in) the areas marked on the
map with the @ symbol – specifically in the north-
Picot Seamere (Market Row). Picot runs a medium east corner of the Town, along sections of the river-
sized workshop with three Journeymen tailors and bank and the Greengarth near the Millfleet.
three apprentices, assisted in their work by his wife,
Eugenia (38) and their daughter, Gwen (16).
Millgate - East Street - Newgate Canal - Greyfleet:
The shop is experienced in making clothes for ‘the This section of the northeast industrial area is
middling sort’ which means they are happy to mainly taken up with Grain and Fulling (processing
handle quality wool and linen fabric, even fustian, raw wool and linen) Mills both of which require a
with, occasionally, silk or fur highlights or even full lot of water power rather than being polluting.
fur linings for such things as cloaks. Eugenia and
Gwen are experienced embroiderers who are able East Street - Bishop’s Bridge - Bishop’s Bridge
to add special decorative highlights as needed. Canal - Greyfleet - Newgate Canal. This section of
the northeast industrial area is mainly taken up
Simon FitzWilliam, Tailor (The Rows). Simon is an with large scale Ironworking and Smelting (smelly
upmarket Tailor who caters for the wealthiest sect- and requiring water power) near the Greyfleet, but
ions of society – wealthy Knights (mainly Manorial more and more with Livestock pens and Slaughter-
Lords), the Baron (and the more important mem- ing yards for the town’s Butchers the closer you get
bers of his household), the wealthier Guildmasters to East Street (they use the tidal canals for sluicing
and the like. away the offal and other waste).

He and his staff are experienced in the use of the East Street - Newgate - Newbridge - Newbridge
most expensive fabrics dyed with the most expen- Canal - Ditchgate: This is mainly used by leather-
sive dyes and can happily add embroidery or app- workers and tanners – the chemicals used in those
lique material where needed or desired. industries being particularly foul smelling.

East Street - Hospitaler’s Chapel - Newgate -

As with Spinners, these are found scattered all over Hospitaler’s Common - Bishop’s Canal: This part
and are likely contracted to Clothiers as part of the of northeast industrial area is taken up with Glue,
‘putting out’ system – and so do not have any cloth Soap and (Tallow) Candle Makers (all of whom
to sell to anyone trying to go directly to the source. render fats for their products, a smelly process).

INDUSTRIAL AREAS
Medieval towns did have something resembling Bridge Street - Trinity Row: This area of the
zoning laws – at least for crafts which were deemed waterfront has caulking, ship maintenance and
to be excessively noisy, smelly or which generated shipbuilding going on – all of which can be noisy
extreme levels of filth and waste. The authorities and smelly. Then there is the making of salt meat
made no attempt to eliminate, or even reduce, the or fish, and the discarded organic byproducts.
pollution – all they did was to move it away from
the main populated area of the town. The byproduct caulking ships with pitch (pine, not
petrochemical) was an unpleasant smell … both the
The same applies to Porthaven. Noisy, smelly and actual caulking, which required the pitch to be
reheated, and the making of the pitch in the first directly even in serious cases … in local courts. Only
place. Ropes used to rig the ships might also be if your case is to be pled before a higher court, usually
coated in pitch to reduce wear and tear. in London, will you be represented by a Lawyer.

Shipbuilding and maintenance required a lot of Important Note: Court procedure, especially in
hammering of wood and the heating and hammering criminal trials, bears almost no resemblance to
of metal – noise and smell. that in modern US or Commonwealth ‘Common
Law’ type courts. One of the (many) more obvious
Making salt meat or fish required removing most of differences is that Lawyers/Notaries are not allow-
the internal organs – and while these would quickly ed to question witnesses – only the Judge (or Judges)
be thrown or flushed into the Ithura, the river is tidal can do that (though it seems that Lawyers/Notaries
and the waste (and smells) could linger for many could ask the Judge to do certain things … which,
hours between the tides. eventually, much later, developed into the current
deal where they can question witnesses directly).
Middelfleet-Millfleet: The section north of Hansa
Row is very similar in use to the section on the other Also note that, prison terms were not an option as
side of the Middelfleet – but the section to the south a sentence. Fines, Corporal or Capital Punishment
is mainly used by the Fishing Fleet and, therefore, were the only options – and there was minimal
is where a lot of fish is gutted and processed – delay between the passing of the sentence and its
obviously a very smelly situation! being carried out, almost always on the same day
(so forget about appeals in Criminal Cases, they
simply don’t exist in any practical sense).
This is the area closest to the Millfleet and is mixed
use – mainly slaughterhouses and tanneries, but Also note that, despite Magna Carta and the mis-
some ironworks (connected with the ironworks at understanding that it makes equality before the
the water-mills upstream (see Mills, below). law a thing (read it carefully, and consult com-
mentaries on it – it most certainly doesn’t, or not as
LAWYERS & NOTARIES strongly as non-lawyers assume), the fix is usually
While not strictly true, think of Notaries as Solicit- well and truly in before a case even comes to trial.
ors* and Lawyers as Barristers* – and note that If you’re a member of the gentry or the nobility it’s
there are very few of the latter in Porthaven. unlikely that any but the most serious criminal
offences will ever even result in charges, let alone a
* For readers not from Commonwealth countries, court appearance … and there’s even less likelihood
Solicitors are mostly restricted to doing legal paper- of a corporal or capital sentence.
work and appearing in lesser courts for relatively
minor charges. Barristers aren’t allowed to do legal
paperwork and appear in the more important courts Charles FitzGilbert, Serjeant at Law (Minster
for serious criminal and civil matters. Street, near Market Cross). Charles trained at the
Inns of Court in London but, after practising there
Moreover, Barristers don’t (technically) work for the for many years, has returned home to semi-retire-
clients they are representing, they are ‘instructed’ by ment. He is the only Serjeant at Law in the Town
Solicitors acting on behalf of those clients. (i.e. the only law trained individual qualified to
appear before the superior courts in London, es-
During the period covered (the 14th century, roughly) pecially the Court of Common Pleas (civil cases) and
these roles were not as strict as they became later on, the Court of the King’s Bench (criminal matters).
but they were moving in that direction. So it might
well be the case that Notaries will represent clients He only takes ‘interesting’ cases, as it requires him
(and his client, usually) to travel to London for the
case to be heard, and he is getting on (62). For ‘less
interesting’ cases he still has many contacts in the
London legal fraternity and will happily write a letter
of introduction to the right people. For the usual fee.

On rare occasions he may be prevailed upon to

approach the local or regional courts – usually to
pre-empt a local or regional trial and have the case
referred to a London court. He rarely fails when he
does this as the local (or circuit) judges know of his
impressive legal background and skills.
Oh, and a Serjeant at Law is like a King’s/Queen’s
Counsel (or Senior Counsel in Australia) in the UK –
a lawyer acknowledged to be of the highest ability,
and able to command much larger fees than a regular
lawyer (and, in this period, the only legal professional
allowed to appear before the Courts of Common
Pleas or King’s Bench by themselves)

There are a number of Notaries in Porthaven –

several in the employ of the Town Corporation and,
usually, at least one employed by each of the Guilds.
They normally deal with legal matters specific to other legal document drawn up is usually directed
those institutions, they can do basic legal work (like to Jacques – and those who have matters which
witnessing a document or affixing an official seal) need to be presented to a London Court for will
as well and, usually, are happy enough to do extra- almost always be directed to him to draw up the
curricular work for the extra money. ‘instructions’ to be given to one of the London
Lawyers or Serjeants at Law he is familiar with.
Some particular trades or businesses may have such a
regular need for their services that, while not having If such a potentially London-bound case is of suffic-
one ‘on staff,’ they will often have one they have on ient interest he will, of course, direct these ‘instruct-
retainer or, at least, whom they do regular business ions’ and his client to Charles FitzGilbert (see above).
with – and they will often be happy to refer customers
to them as a quid pro quo. Larger scale Merchants He will often appear for clients in civil matters
(especially Clothiers) and Bankers are the most likely brought before the Town or County courts – but
to have and/or need such contacts. prefers not to get involved with criminal matters.

In addition to the above, there are a number of well LEATHER TRADES

known Notaries around town, including – As with the other common trades, many of the
following specialties are likely to be found almost
Guy the Scrivener (New Market). Guy mostly works anywhere as leather and its byproducts are close to
on contracts for traders working the New Market being the (medieval) functional equivalent of the
and, as a result of his familiarity, often gets work role plastic fills in the modern world.
writing wills, transferring real or landed property
from those doing business there as well.
Bzzzzt! Remember, there is no such thing as
Guy will travel around the Barony (and close by) to Leather Armour in the period.
personally deal with client related issues (at addition-
al cost, of course) and will even appear on their behalf No, despite what Re-enactors or Manufacturers sell-
for cases involving Manorial courts. ing to them claim, Leather was not used as armour.
Coats & Jacks of Plates and Brigandines might have
As a result he often ends up appearing in the local a leather outer surface, but the protection is from the
courts dealing with market related issues (breach of metal plates rivetted to that – go to an actual armourer.
contract, breaking market rules etc.) and, even
more occasionally, will end up representing a client Leather Jackets? Bracers? Gloves? Go to a Tailor.
in minor criminal cases (he usually limits these to And don’t expect more protection from them than
crimes which attract only fines or corporal punish- you’d get from a Motorcycle Jacket vs a Machete …
ment – he will refer more serious crimes to other Buckley’s (virtually none) or none.
Notaries, such as Jacques de la Grange Rouge … or
even to the Lawyer, Charles FitzGilbert).
Cobblers make and repair shoes – but remember,
Jacques de la Grange Rouge (The Rows). The medieval shoes don’t have soles (despite what you
second son of a wealthy gentry family, John (43) might gather from oh-so-not-accurate ‘historical’
was trained at the Inns of Chancery (Clifford’s Inn, reproductions sold on many re-enactor websites).
in fact) learning the trade and, eventually, coming
back to Porthaven when he qualified … he is the Medieval shoes do seem to have had left and right feet
most highly qualified of all the Notaries in town. – evidently the ‘straight’ (unsided) usage only came in
around the 16th century when soles and heels appear
Anyone who wants a complicated contract, will or and this remained so until the early 19th century.
Gabriel the Shoeman (Bridge Street). Gabriel has a make Pack Saddles, but is usually busy enough
reputation for speedy work and can finish a pair of with the higher value items above that he refers
plain (Cheap) men’s or women’s shoes in less than requests (or simply contracts out the work) for such
a day – if you place the order early in the morning to Harness Makers such as Jack Stoddard.
he will have them ready before lunch, if ordered
later they will be available some time in the Anghus also makes Leather Satchels – basically half
afternoon (about 2-3 hours all up). a ‘Saddle Bag’ – and Leather Belts.

If you want better quality (Good), add another hour Jack Stoddard, Harness Maker (East Street, near
or so to the time required, depending on the degree Newgate). Jack specialises in making and repairing
of decoration required – and really fancy work Harnesses for Carts and Waggons – both for Oxen
(Fine) can take a day to a day and a half. and for Horses/Mules. He also makes Pack Saddles
and Horse Litters. He can complete a single horse
Shoes and Boots made by Gabriel are made to be harness in a day or 1½ days for a two horse team.
secured by leather thongs or ties – if you want to have
a Buckle fastener you will need to purchase them Ox harnesses take twice as long as he needs to co-ord-
from a Brazier and bring them to Gabriel in advance. inate the work with a carpenter and blacksmith.

John the Barker (Ditchgate near East Street). John He also makes plain leather belts and can have one
is the son of a Tanner and has a variety of grades of fitted and ready to go in fifteen minutes if the
leather on hand and, since his credit is good with customer provides the metal fittings. He usually
his father, he usually has several part finished sets has several belts with simple ring-loop friction
of plain (Cheap) and better quality (Good) shoes fasteners on hand and ready for sale.
almost ready to go – he can fit and finish these in
a half hour for the former and an hour for the latter. Robert the Lame, Poucher (Market Street & The
Rows). Robert makes Backpacks, Bags, Belts, Coff-
Nicholas the Cobbler (Hospital Walk). Nicholas ers, Purses and Satchels, mostly from leather, but
mainly does shoe repairs. He charges ¼- ½d for also from other materials (or from a mix of leather
Cheap and ½-1d for Good shoes – if they can be and other materials). He has excellent contacts
repaired. Repairs can normally be done ‘while you with assorted Braziers and Goldsmiths and can
wait’ and rarely take longer than 15 minutes. provide metal fittings for any or all of the above as
well as hand-tooling the leatherwork.

This covers a multitude of specialised trades – not He always has a number of Belt blanks on hand and
all of which are listed below. Those listed below are can make up a simple, undecorated, belt with metal
very much only a scattershot selection. ring fittings in 15 minutes. Likewise, he has a number
of plain leather belt Purses for sale, ready to go.
Anghus MacRorie, Saddler (Greengarth, near the
Millfleet). Anghus makes and repairs Riding, War
and Knight’s Saddles as well as related horse tack A ‘noxious trade’ all Tanners are required, by Town
(Bridles, Bits, Saddle Bags, Spurs etc.) – he can ordinance, to set up in Northeast Industrial dec-
ades ago – and no new Tanners have been allowed
to set up business for about twenty years, being
forced to set up business outside the Town walls,
mostly along the Sleet River (east, off the map).

LIBRARIES
There is, of course, no such thing as a public
Library in Porthaven (or, indeed, anywhere at all
in the Medieval European world) – but there are a
number of Libraries of varying size.

Note: Books mentioned for each Library are a

selection of the more interesting ones – depending on
size there may be many more of interest to the Player
Characters. Also note that there is nothing in the way
of medieval ‘How To’ manuals or books on practical
Mechanics and the like – that postdates the Printing
Press by about a century (i.e. mid 16th century).
Dean’s (aka ‘Minster’) Library (Dean’s Palace).
This is the largest library in town with around 400
Books, Manuscripts, Maps and Scrolls on a variety
of topics – not just theology and religion, either.

There are copies of Galen and Hippocrates (even

Hildegard of Bingen) and other texts on medicine
and herbal remedies; copies of Justinian’s Code of
Civil Law, Canon Law – even a copy of the Magna
Carta (assuming your Porthaven is in England, or has
gone through a similar developmental stage).

It also houses the original Royal Charter granting

Porthaven to the Bishop of Wherever as well as a
copy of the Royal Charter of Porthaven which
largely (but not completely) superseded it and a var- Franciscan Library (Franciscan Friary). The Fran-
iety of deeds and other legal documents relating to ciscan Library is associated with their School and
Church holdings under the control of the Dean. contains a mix of devotional (Missal, Old and New
Testaments as well as a complete set of St Francis’s
There is an almost complete copy of Pliny’s Natural writings) for the Brothers and educational material
History (the largest book to survive from Roman times (aimed at teaching the Trivium) for the students.
– 37 volumes, covering Astronomy (really Astrology), The Library has 30-35 books.
Botany, Geology, Mechanics, Mineralogy and Zoo-
logy). Unfortunately it is a Greek version (a bequest Guildhall Libraries (various Guildhalls). The
from a Crusader who looted it from Constantinople), various Guilds (the Goldsmiths & Moneyers, Iron-
with some Latin maginalia (equal to perhaps 1-3% of mongers, Merchant Adventurers and Carpenters) all
the text) – enough for the Librarians to have a tantal- have Libraries, though the number and nature (i.e.
ising glimpse of what it contains, but little more. topics) of books they contain varies a lot.

There are also a selection of other classical authors, Goldsmiths & Moneyers. Mostly devotional – inc-
fortunately all in Latin translations – and these luding a Book of Hours, a New Testament, at least
include Aristotle’s Physics (‘On Nature’) and Nicom- one book on Alchemy (turning Lead into Gold, of
achean Ethics and Arrian’s Alanica (‘Order of course) and an extremely valuable (illuminated,
Battle Against the Alans’), Tacitus’s Annals, Xeno- inc. gold leaf) copy of the Roman de la Rose
phon’s Anabasis (‘The March of the Ten Thousand’) (‘Romance of the Rose’ – an early Chivalric Romance)
and De re Equestri (‘The Cavalry General’). bound in gem and silver-gilt encrusted boards
(~£50-60 value). They have ~12-15 books.
The vast majority of the texts on hand are in Latin
of one type or another with a significant percentage Ironmongers. They have a small collection includ-
(~15%) in French and perhaps 5% in ‘English.’ ing copies of the Old and New Testaments, a Brev-
iary and a Book of Hours. They have ~6-8 books.
There are also the usual odds and sods (rarely more
than 2-3) in other languages but the possession of Merchant Adventurers. They have the largest of the
such doesn’t mean any of the Library or Minster staff Guild collections – copies of the Bible and Missal,
can read them … and they may not even be able to of course, but many Itineraries, Strip Maps, Word
correctly identify what language they are. The most Books (for foreign languages, they have ones for
likely languages will be Spanish and Germanic ones Arabic, Danish, German, Greek, Polish, Spanish,
– as these are the areas with which Porthaven has the Russian and Swedish), Traveller’s Chronicles (in-
best trade and travel links … but even there you can cluding two copies of Il Millione [Marco Polo’s
have outliers (perhaps a text in German-Yiddish or Travels], one in Latin and one in English). All up,
even Ladino-Spanish, for example. they have 30-40 books and perhaps 60-80 shorter
manuscripts and single sheet maps or itineraries.
Dominican Library (Dominican Priory). A small
library (~50 books) mainly associated with the Free Carpenters. They have the smallest Library of all –
School, it contains copies of the Bible, Old and New a copy of the New Testament, a Breviary and a
Testaments, several Missals, selected works by the Book of Hours.
Early Church Fathers, Augustine’s The City of God,
Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People Private Libraries (various). Some of the wealthier
and the books needed to teach the Trivium. Burghers may have a small number of books, some
may even have enough to qualify as ‘libraries’ (by MEDICAL
whatever measure you choose) … most of those who Despite what many sources either imply or state
do have books will have either a Book of Hours or outright there was rarely any real division between
Breviary (in order of likelihood), more rarely a copy Surgeons and Physicians in this period – except
of the New Testament, or, even more rarely, a copy insofar as almost all Physicians were also trained as
of the whole of the Bible. Surgeons but not all Surgeons were Physicians.

Beyond that the type of book (or other written

material) held in a private library will vary according Apothecaries were (certainly by the 12th century,
to the interests of the owner – just remember that and probably somewhat earlier) professionals with
there’s virtually nothing like later ‘How To’ books or some degree of medical training (often by apprent-
compendia of practical mechanical/craft knowledge. icing to another Apothecary), though they weren’t
doctors, and are, in Porthaven (and much of the
Most Private Libraries in Porthaven have between rest of Europe) authorised* (if not exactly licensed)
2d3 and 2d3+6 Books, a very few have 2d6+8 … by the Town Corporation. They, theoretically, work
and one or two, belonging to the very wealthiest hand in hand with Physicians, providing the med-
nobles or guildmasters in town might have 31+. icines the latter prescribe.

St. John’s Library (Hospital & Chapel of St John * Since they dealt in poisonous materials and were
of Jerusalem). St John’s Library, the public one, expected to be able to show records, after a fashion,
serves the poor school the Brotherhood run and, of to whom they may have sold such.
like the Dominican Library\ has a mix of devotional
material (a Salisbury [English] Missal, Breviary, While you were supposed to go to a Physician to be
Old and New Testaments) for the Brothers and assessed who provided a prescription to be made up
educational material (aimed at the Trivium) for the by an Apothecary, there was no enforcement mechan-
students. The public Library has ~ 55-60 books. ism, and no law (except regarding poisonous mater-
ials), to prevent someone simply going along to an
There is also a private one, the existence of which Apothecary direct and asking for something to help
is a semi-secret (only known to a few of the senior with whatever was ailing them … medieval ‘over the
Brothers and only revealed to trusted lay scholars) counter’ medications, in effect.
as the books were inherited from English Templar
Commanderies, and which contains several suspect Herbalists, on the other hand, were craft trained
works, including some of the non-canonical Gospels and dealt directly with the public in folk remedies
(eg a full version of the Gospel of Thomas, the lost – some of which were just as ridiculously unscient-
Gospel of the Hebrews and the previously unknown ific and superstition based as apothecary remedies,
Last Testament of Mary of Magdala) and some but slightly more of which had demonstrated actual
Hebrew Kabbala and Arabic Hermetica. The private (if inconsistent) effectiveness over many generations.
Library has ~30-35 books.
Note: If it isn’t obvious, many of the medicines pre-
The possession of these books is not outright heretical scribed by Physicians had ingredients with no medic-
(though parts of the non-canonical works almost al value while others had some active ingredients, but
certainly are … especially the Last Testament) and at inconsistent and too low levels to be particularly
the Kabbala and Hermetica probably skirt the helpful. A lot of the reason for this was the generally
Church’s strictures against magic and fortune-telling abysmal medical theory of the time.
– but their provenance (brought back from the Holy
Lands by the (now) disbanded Knights Templar) are Herbalists were somewhat better, as they tended to
inherently suspicious to the Church authorities. provide concoctions proved to have some positive
effect in actual use. Still, the impossibility of getting
consistent purity and dosages made their effectiveness
only somewhat better.

Adam FitzAdam, Apothecary (Deanery Street).

Adam (36) trained by apprenticeship to the former
owner (Jaryd of Cornwall) of the business – inherit-
ing it by the simple (but effective) means of marry-
ing the only (surviving) child, a daughter, Rose (32).
He is not nearly as good an apothecary as he thinks
he is – and those in the know prefer to be served by
Rose, who is every bit as good as her father was.
Medicines prescribed by Adam have a 30% chance of
adding +5% to any treatment roll; if prescribed by a
Physician and filled by Rolf they have a 50% chance
of adding +5%. If the prescription roll is a critical
failure, then the medicines subtract 10% to a treat-
ment roll if prescribed by a Physician and subtract
15% if prescribed by Rolf.

Medicines prescribed by Rose have a 50% chance of

adding +5% or, if prescribed by a Physician and
filled by her, a 60% chance of adding +10% to any
treatment rolls. If the prescription roll is a critical
failure, then the medicines subtract 5% regardless of
who prescribed them.

Medicines cost anywhere between a penny or less

through to many shillings a dose – and there is no
relationship of any sort between cost an effectiveness
(in fact, as is common for the period, cost varies
according to perceived social status of the customer).

That said, PCs will (of course!) want to always

purchase the cheapest medicines – but if they fail to
add a bonus, then medicines purchased by the PCs at
that price will always fail to add a bonus thereafter Herbal remedies cost anywhere between a penny or
until they roll a critical success or a critical failure. so to a shilling for 1d6 doses and, as with Apothecary
medicines, there is no direct relationship between the
Old Hilde, Herbalist (Hospital Walk). ‘Old’ Hilde is cost and the efficacy. Herbalists tend to charge a lot
actually Alice Wyrter (36), a widow – the business is less than Apothecaries, even for substantially the
so named because she inherited the it from her same medicines, but they, too, charge according to
mother, the eponymous ‘Old Hilde,’ when she died the perceived social status of the patron.
several years ago and initially ran it with her
husband, but he died only last year (falling from a As for Apothecaries, the PCs presumably always want
horse while out in the country gathering herbs for the cheapest medicines – so, if the roll to see if they
the business). Even though quite young Alice had provide a bonus fails, then all future purchases of the
long worked assisting her mother in gathering and same value will also fail to provide a bonus until
processing the raw materials and then in mixing either a critical success or critical failure is rolled.
and preparation of the finished herbal cures.
Rolf of London, Apothecary (Market Street, near
The business is closed the first and third Mondays of East Street). A local boy who trained in London,
any given month from mid spring through to mid Rolf (38) has a fully equipped store with a wide
autumn so Alice can go on herb gathering expeditions variety of medicines and ingredients available on
in the local region. hand (including some pre-prepared ones from
amongst those listed in OM2). He is happy to sell
Her eldest son, Richard (17) is apprenticed to Robyn ‘over the counter’ and can even suggest suitable
the Bloodletter (Barber Surgeon) and her daughters, concoctions to a customer.
Mary (14) and Liz (10) assist her in the day to day
running of the store (and stay with a neighbour when If prescribed by Rolf medicines have a 50% chance of
Alice is off gathering herbs). adding +5% to a treatment roll; if by a Physician and
filled by Rolf they have a 60% chance of adding
Antiseptics mixed by Alice add +10% to the chance +10%. If the prescription roll is a critical failure, the
of fighting off any infections if they are applied medicine subtracts 5% from a roll if prescribed by a
regularly (typically 1 dose = 3 applications per day). Physician or 10% if prescribed by Rolf.
Her other preparations have a 60% chance of adding
+5% to any related healing roll, a 40% chance of Medicines cost anywhere between a penny or less
having no effect, and a 10% chance of adding +10%. through to many shillings a dose – and there is no
relationship of any sort between cost an effectiveness
The base charge for a poor commoner customer is 1d (in fact, as is common for the period, cost varies
per dose – wealthier patrons will be charged more. according to perceived social status of the customer).
That said, PCs will (of course!) want to always roll to see if they provide a bonus fails, then all future
purchase the cheapest medicines – but if they fail to purchases of the same value will also fail to provide a
add a bonus, then medicines purchased by the PCs at bonus until a critical success or critical failure is rolled.
that price will always fail to add a bonus thereafter
until they roll a critical success or a critical failure.
A Barber Surgeon is a craft trained practitioner
Walter of Alford, Hebalist (Greengarth). Unusually, with practical skills akin to modern First Aid rather
a male Herbalist who provides herbs and herbal than the university level knowledge of a Surgeon.
remedies to the residents of the Hospital of St John They rarely deal with pregnant women, and cert-
the Baptist, and worships regularly there. ainly not with those in childbirth – they are largely
the realm of Midwives who often have some
While not a Beghard himself, he is, as are many training in Barber-Surgeon skills as well.
laypeople, sympathetic to their ideals – and he shows
his support as he can. Unfortunately, this makes him Avice the Midwife (Church Street). Avice (56) is
almost as suspect in the eyes of some of the Church assisted by her eldest daughter, Margery (38) who is
hierarchy. a widow and, between them, they deliver most of
the babies (or those whose mothers are having a
It is rumoured he possesses some of the knowledge of more than usually difficult birth) for a block or so
the ‘old men’ (Druids) – but, as all learned men know, in any direction. They have the reputation for
the Druids were wiped out by the Romans. Less being the best Midwives in town and have even
learned common folk often believe differently. Of been called in to attend the Lying-in of wives and
course, Walter did accompany some Crusaders to the daughters of some of the local upper classes.
Holy Lands – maybe he picked up his skills over there?
Avice knows the procedure for doing a Caesarian
Medicines mixed by Walter have a 70% chance of delivery – but will only do it in extremis, when the
adding +10% to healing chances or +15% to chances mother is obviously dead or dying (usually after a day
of fighting off an infection. or more in labour) to save the baby. She has around
a 40-50% success rate – compared to the 20-30%
Herbal remedies cost anywhere between a penny or success rate of most Surgeons and Barber-Surgeons.
so to a shilling (12d) for 1d6 doses and, as with
Apothecary medicines, there is no direct relationship Avice charges according to the social status of the
between the cost and efficacy. Herbalists tend to parents – typically 1d for the poor ranging up to
charge a lot less, even for substantially the same several shillings for the well to do and 10/- (120d) or
medicines, but they, too, charge according to the more for the gentry and nobility. The standard of
perceived social status of the patron. care doesn’t change – though she may stay by the
mother during an extended labour (or one of the two
As for Apothecaries, the PCs will presumably always will) in the case of wealthy clients (and she’ll expect a
want to purchase the cheapest medicines – so, if the higher payment than normal in such an instance).

Esther the Jewess (River Street, near the Old

Wall). Esther (43) normally works as a seamstress
but also administers to women from the local
Jewish community, acting as a skilled midwife.

She is both literate and well read in Hebrew treat-

ises on midwifery and has a +20% chance of deliv-
ering a complicated pregnancy successfully – she
can also do Caesarian sections and can sometimes
save the mother and the baby (20% chance for the
mother, 60-70% for the baby).

Desperate Husbands or Fathers have called on her

services, but she only attends if a Physician-Surgeon
is present so the chance of claims of witchcraft (wheth-
er the babe or mother survives or dies) are less likely.
Since one of the mothers she saved was the wife of the
head of the wealthy Belvue family, she is somewhat
protected even if she is Jewish. Esther charges in the
same range as does Avice – less for fellow Jews and,
from time to time, attends very poor women for no
cost … but neither would be certain to save her in the
case of a serious pogrom, though it might buy enough
warning time to allow escape.

Robyn the Bloodletter (Millgate & East Street).

Robyn (36) is a Barber-Surgeon and can give you a
shave and a haircut, set limbs (if not too badly
broken – he won’t touch compound fractures),
extracts teeth (and Tooth Worms, of course!), bleeds
you (to ‘balance the four Humours’), sews up cuts
(and binds them, sometimes applying herbal oint-
ments), puts salves on burns and has a variety of
simple herbal remedies available for divers
conditions, real and imagined (some of which
might even have some actual medical value!).

While no-one has any idea of the germ theory of

disease, Robyn was trained by his mother, Old Mat- multiple injuries, he will charge per injury but usually
ilda, who always washed wounds with a mixture of tops out at 1/ to 1½/- (12-18d). This is for the initial
wine and honey – and had much lower infection rates treatment, additional treatment/visits cost per visit but
as a result. Robyn follows that practise even though will usually cost less. Of course, this is a base rate and
he has no idea why (or even if) it works – but add scales up for wealthier clients.
+10% to his success chances.

He has an apprentice, Richard Wyrter (17), the son What happens if you are so sick or injured you
of Alice Wyrter, the owner of Old Hilde’s Herbalists can’t care for yourself? In the first instance, you
as her mother (Richard’s grandmother) was a friend need to either rely your family or household to
of Robyn’s. As a result, he will often refer patients to nurse you, with or without professional assistance.
Alice for herbal preparations to use after minor
surgical treatments as he knows she pursues similar But what if you have no family or household – or
effective remedies to those his mother did. none locally? If you have money then you can
arrange for accommodation and for hirelings to
Robyn charges anywhere from ½d for something assist you – and possibly for professional medical
really simple like a tooth extraction (per tooth) assistance as well … if you don’t have money, then
through to several shillings for complex surgery (for things become more parlous.
the initial surgery, post operative care costs per con-
sultation but will be at a lesser rate) such as trepan- What you don’t (or can’t) do for the most part is ‘go
ning or removing kidney stones – as a base rate. As to (the) Hospital’ … or not easily. Yes, Hospitals do
with all other professionals he charges more for those exist, though they are only found in larger Towns,
who are from the wealthier classes. and not always then – but they are charitable
institutions usually run by the Church (even if they
Tristan the Leech (Trinity Row). Tristan (54) is a may have been endowed by private charity). They
skilled Barber-Surgeon with long experience in are generally for the indigent poor – and have
setting broken bones (including compound fractures, limited facilities. Very limited facilities.
but only if a proper Physician-Surgeon isn’t avail-
able) and dealing with battlefield injuries (sewing They usually have a very limited number of beds –
up wounds, removing arrows etc.) as well as the and these are often shared, almost by no more than
usual repertoire of practical first aid. two people, and are placed in a dormitory (though
there are exceptions). Simple meals are usually
Unusually, he will not bleed a patient for anything – provided, but made from the cheapest ingredients.
a trick he learnt from a Christian Arab Surgeon when
on campaign in the Holy Lands in his younger years Basic nursing is provided, and the Hospital usually
and which increases his chance of successfully has a Physician/Surgeon on staff (in that they visit
binding and sewing wounds by +10%! the establishment from time to time, while mostly
privately employed, not that they are in residence
He will set bones and treat discrete battlefield type or on duty 24/7) and at least a Herbalist or possibly
injuries (cuts, punctures, slashes etc.) for between 3d an Apothecary also available (probably in much
and 6d depending on the severity – or, if there are the same way as the Physician/Surgeon is).
In really large institutions, found only in the largest · Inns, which will offer similar nursing care for a
towns or cities, there may be more than one Physician resident for the same markup as a Boarding
and Surgeon (or Herbalist/Apothecary) on staff and House (i.e. a minimum of double the normal
some or all of them may be full time – though, if so, daily or weekly rate) and will also call in a
they would mostly be Priests or Monks with such Barber-Surgeon or Physician if the patient has
training rather than ‘civilians.’ the means to pay.

Note that there is a definite differentiation between · Private Care offered by a Barber-Surgeon
a Hospital and a Hospice in most places, certainly (usually at Boarding House rates) or a Physician
by the 14th century. A Hospital is for the care of (usually at Inn rates) in a room in their own
those who are sick/injured but who are expected to homes … of which they usually have at least one,
either recover (or die) in a relatively short period of and possibly more (though these may often not
time (rather like a modern Hospital) while a be actual bedrooms, but hastily converted store-
Hospice is for those who are either too old or sick or attic rooms or the like).
to be able to work and not expected to recover (a
cross between an Aged Care facility and a modern Carmelite Dispensary (Carmelite Friary). The
Hospice for the terminally ill). Carmelites don’t run a Hospital, not one for civilians
(they have a six bed Infirmary for the Brothers), but
There were also Leper Hospitals as separate institut- they do offer limited charitable medical support.
ions to offer asylum for those afflicted with Leprosy
(some of whom would actually have had Hansen’s They have a Brother on duty every day of the week
Disease but others, those who were recorded as occas- for simple First Aid work and he can call on the
ional ‘miraculous’ cures, who were almost certainly Brother Infirmarian (a qualified Barber Surgeon,
suffering from other skin diseases. one Brother Cerdic, 35) and the setting of bones,
pulling teeth, putting salves on/binding wounds
There are no such facilities in Porthaven or in the and simple things that can be done on the spot.
Barony – but not all lepers were confined to such,
forcibly or otherwise. Many, probably most, contin- However, there is an conflict in the Friary between
ued to live with family (or by themselves) and might extreme contemplatives and those more open to the
only end up in a Hospice if/when the progress of the outside world which means they won’t treat women in
disease made it necessary. Alternatively, Monasteries childbirth or, if the Friar on duty is one of the
often accepted Lepers as Lay Brothers who would do extreme contemplatives (on duty Monday-Tuesday-
what work they could in return for any needed care Wednesday), at all (women are the ‘Daughters of
– or might even accept them as full Brothers. Eve,’ put on the earth to lead mankind into sin).

Alternatives to Hospital Care. If you don’t have For more serious conditions they can only offer
friends, family, or servants and don’t qualify for palliative care and, perhaps, the services of several
admission into a charitable institution, what can strong Lay Brothers to carry the unfortunate to one
you do? There are three basic options – of the other Hospitals.

· Boarding Houses, which will usually offer really The Dominican Hospital (Dominican Priory of
basic nursing care for a minimum of double the the Annunciation). This Hospital has twelve beds
basic daily or weekly rate and can call in a for the poor, six for males and six for females.
Barber-Surgeon or Physician if the patient has Nursing care is provided by the Brothers and Lay
the wherewithal to pay Brothers, another is a trained Surgeon and Herb-
alist – and Peter the Spaniard (see below) is the
contracted Physician/Surgeon (he normally visits,
Wednesdays and Sundays, except in emergencies).

The Infirmary is part of a separate, purpose built,

stone building which also includes an Almshouse
(Hospice) wing for the indigent aged and infirm.

Franciscan Hospital (Franciscan Friary). The

Friars Minor have a 24 bed Hospital – a long hall
with twelve half-walled cubicles down each side
and a wide central aisle with tables and benches.

Twenty cubicles have two single beds while two

have a double bed – the two bed cubicles take either
two men or two women; the double bed cubicle is
intended for married couples but can take two men
or two women if there are none.

The Friars or Lay Brothers provide basic nursing

and the Brother Surgeon (Brother William, 32, a
Barber Surgeon) treats sick/injured Friars (in their
Cells) and civilians (in the Hospital) supported by
Brother Callixtus (39), a Herbalist.

The Abbot (Francis of Winchelsea, 58) is a qualified

Physician and Surgeon who trained at Oxford Critical Successes/Failures have no added effect. The
before taking Holy Orders. fee charged by him for his services has no bearing on
how successful (or otherwise) the treatment will be.
Hospital of St John the Baptist (eponymous locat-
ion). This is not a ‘Hospital’ in most senses – it is He charges a minimum of 1/- (12d) for basic services
more pilgrim’s accommodation. They can provide ranging up to 10/- (120d) or more for complex ones,
accommodation for the sick, at the usual rates often on a per visit schedule – and, of course, price
(1½d per night, minimum) but this includes only increases according to the perceived ability to pay.
the bed – basic nursing is an additional 1d per day
and they will call in one of the Barber-Surgeons or He is the ‘on call’ Physician at the Jerusalem Hos-
Physicians on the behalf of the patient (assuming pital and does rounds Monday, Wednesday and
they have some means of paying for any treatment). Sunday – services rendered at the Hospital are free
of charge to the patient(s), paid for by the yearly fee
St John’s Hospital aka The Jerusalem Hospital the Hospital pays (and the prestige of the position).
(Hospital & Chapel of St John of Jerusalem). The
Hospitallers run an Infirmary with 30 beds, 10 each John deKirk (Deanery Street near Millfeld Walk).
for indigent male and female commoners and John (38) did his BA at Oxford University and his
another ten reserved for elderly clergy. medical training at the University of Paris and is
newly arrived in Porthaven. He offers a mix of
The beds for the clergy are in five cells each with two conventional medical procedures as well some of
single beds while the commoners have 9 double beds the newer ones arising from the arrival of trans-
each for males and for females in a dorm divided by lated medical texts from the Arab world.
a curtain plus two cells (one male, one female) each
with two single beds used for surgical patients. He has a 50% chance of adding +10% to the success
chances of any given treatment. Critical Successes
Lay Brothers do the basic nursing, supervised by and Failures, however, operate as normal.]
Barber-Surgeons (Brother Luke [41], who is senior, a
qualified Apothecary, and who has seen ‘action’ on As a new arrival, he offers services for a slightly
crusade, and Brother Raphael [28] who is newly reduced price – 3-6d (flat fee) for simple procedures
qualified and still learning from Luke). They don’t (and at least one follow-up consultation) ranging up
have a Brother Physician so they have contracted to 5/- (60d) per visit or consultation for more complex
the work out to Hugh of Cirencester (see below) who matters (with a 10/-, 120d, maximum in all but the
does round Monday, Wednesday and Saturday … most complex of cases). His rates go up for those who
and actually lives almost next door. are perceived to be wealthy enough to pay more.

Peter the Spaniard (The Rows). Peter FitzHenry

Hugh of Cirencester (Newgate, by the Jerusalem (38) is not actually Spanish – but he trained there
Hospital). Hugh (46) at the University of Salerno with some of the medical staff supporting the forces
and is a qualified Physician and experienced of the reconquista who, of course, had ‘advanced’
Surgeon – entirely conventional in his training and medical knowledge adapted from their muslim
treatment practises (he can tell you what ails you, arab opponents.
whether you’re likely to die from it, and provide
treatment whose effectiveness varies from mildly His wife, Isabella Maria (29) isn’t Spanish, either –
effective through palliative to actively harmful). she’s Portuguese (and, though not known to anyone
local, a converso – a Jewish convert to Christianity)
Assume 25% of treatments have +10% effect, 50% and the daughter of a prominent converso medical
have no added effect and 25% have -10% effect. family who is at least as skilled as her husband.
She speaks passable English, with a pronounced (road surfacing) and murage (maintaining the walls,
Iberian accent (those not in the know think it’s Span- gates and fortifications) as well as the Sewers and the
ish – and this becomes more pronounced when she is system of Conduits bringing water into the town.
angry or under stress. And, of course, she prefers
Portuguese swear words – which most locals have no DeJong Fulling Mill (Greyfleet). This is owned by
clue (except the tone of voice) are swear words! Edvard deJong, the son of a Flemish weaver who
made good and married the daughter of a prom-
There is a 75% chance that either of them will add inent local family. It processes only the finest local
+10% to the base success chance of any treatment and imported wool but otherwise works in a similar
(+15% on a Critical Success) and a 50% chance that way with contracted spinners and weavers to
a Critical Failure will have no additional effect. The process it into cloth as part of the putting out system.
fee charged by him for his services has no bearing on
how successful (or otherwise) the treatment will be. FitzHaven Smithy (Millfleet). Owned by Peter Fitz-
Haven, local Blacksmith made good – processes
They typically charge a 1/- (12d) for basic services wrought iron into a variety of billets, ingots, rods
ranging up to 10/- (120d) or more for complex ones, and other semi-finished products for local sale and
usually on a per visit schedule – of course, the price also for export. It incorporates a Catalan Furnace
increases according to the patient’s perceived wealth. which can process about 1/3rd ton of ore at one
firing and is normally fired twice a week.
MILLS
Belvue Fulling Mill (Greyfleet). Owned by the Peter (48) lives on the tenement with his family (Wife,
Belvue family, one of the founding families and still Juliet, 39; adult son, John, a skilled Smith, 21), a
prominent (and wealthy). It processes local and Journeyman, Stephen, and four apprentices.
imported wool for the spinners and weavers who
work for the family as part of the putting out system. Millfleet Sawmill (Millfleet). Owned by Gerald of
Alford (related to one of the Freeholder families in
Corporation Mills (Greyfleet). These Flour Mills are that Village), the sawmill processes lumber from
owned by the Town Corporation and grind bulk local and imported sources and also incorporates a
amounts of grain to several grades for sale to the drying kiln to fast-season timbers as needed.
commercial Bakers and Pastrycooks in town for a
nominal cost (equivalent to 1/16th of the grain). Gerald (36) and his family (mother, Nora, ~50; wife,
Alice, 29; children, John, 5, William, 9, and Enid,
Even at 1/16th the Corporation doesn’t lose money on 11) live in a two storey half-timbered cottage.
the deal. Profits are used to defray the costs of pavage
Rolfe Ironworks (Greyfleet). These two mills are
owned by the brothers John and Edward Rolfe and
encompass a large Catalan Forge (with a capacity
of approximately a ton) which is typically fired
twice a week and a Hammer Mill which is used to
process the iron produced in the forge into billets
or drawn into wire which is then sold locally or
exported all over the east coast of England and
even into NW Europe.

The iron produced here is recognised as almost as

good as imported Swedish or Hanseatic Iron and sells
for a premium over ordinary English iron.

MONEYLENDERS & PAWNBROKERS

These aren’t the only Moneylenders or Pawnbrok-
ers in Porthaven, they aren’t even (necessarily) the
best known – but Isaac is the wealthiest
moneylender and can handle larger ‘loans’ while
Theodo he is the biggest pawnbroker and tends to
have the best range of goods other than Isaac.

The difference, in Porthaven, between a Banker

and a Moneylender is partly the amount they can
lend (Bankers generally have more capital), partly
the fact that a Moneylender takes higher risk loans Unusually, he has a selection of military weapons
(and charges further towards the high end of the and armour on hand – swords and daggers, mainly
interest spectrum, depending on the degree of risk) older styles (but, like the armour he holds, well cared
and partly that Moneylenders tend to act as higher for – and at least a couple with expensive scabbards
class Pawnbrokers as well. and possibly with semi-precious gemstones and silver-
ed hilts and grips), with some Longbows and even a
The difference between Pawnbrokers and Money- few Crossbows and Arbalests (with Arrows and Bolts
lenders, in Porthaven at least, is that Moneylenders to suit) and will generally have at least a couple of
will lend money against land or bulk goods held in complete sets of obsolete (but well cared for) armour,
warehouses (though their lesser capital means they up to and including Knightly-grade sets.
cannot extend as much credit as Bankers).
As an upmarket pawnbroker he often has ‘unusual’ or
Isaac of York, Moneylender (Bellevue, near Hos- even unique items available – Books, for example,
pital Walk). Isaac (54) is, of course, Jewish and, including ones in foreign languages (even Arabic and
therefore, heavily marginalised in English society Hebrew on occasion, but rarely Greek) and Scrolls
(and in European society in general) – so, while he (including Itineraries and Strip Maps) as well as
provides a legitimate service and doesn’t actually things like Portable Sundials or Compasses. These
charge any more of an extortionate interest rate items are valued separately from the general stock,
than any of his Christian fellows, he always has to but he rarely has more than a half a dozen of this type.
be worried that a disgruntled client in the wrong
decides the best way to settle a legal dispute with Rebecca (18), his unmarried daughter, lives with
him is by making wild anti-Jewish claims in the him and assists in running the shop – which is the
(reasonable) hope of triggering a pogrom … elimin- ground floor of a substantial half-timbered house
ate the debt by eliminating the creditor! on a full tenement.

He is licensed as a Pawnbroker but also does high The ground floor has a large front room with
risk moneylending – and tends to deal with more common goods on display, a middle one which has
substantial clients than Theodo (see below). those of medium value, and an inner one which
acts as a strongroom where the most valuable items
He is also known to be able (and willing, for a price) are stored. The First (US 2nd) Floor has the family’s
to translate a variety of foreign languages – Arabic living quarters, three bedrooms, a Solar, an Office,
(read, write), French (Langue d’oil [northern] and an actual vault where bullion, coin and negotiable
Langue d’oc [southern] dialects; read, write, speak), paper are stored and a Kitchen (kosher).
German (read, write, but speak north German
[Hanseatic] only), Hebrew (read, write, speak), Por- There is a half-storey above the Kitchen which has
tuguese (read, write, speak), Spanish (read, write, quarters for the Cook and her husband (who acts as
speak), Yiddish (read, write, speak) and is widely a Shop assistant for the business – both are Jewish).
consulted by scholars who wish to have works
Isaac usually has £(40+6d10) in coin, bullion, plate
His stock includes a variety of clothing, mostly middle and jewellery and a further £(1d6x10) in negotiable
class or better, and usually in good or relatively good paper in the vault. To spread the risk he also has
condition, and the jewellery on display tends also to around £150 in coin, bullion and negotiable paper
be more up-market, almost always silvered bronze, on deposit with several fellow Jews in Porthaven, the
silver, silver-gilt and even gold … and sometimes in- County Seat and London.
cluding assorted gems. He has £(5d6) worth of
clothing and general merchandise and a further The rest of the tenement is enclosed by a 12’ high
£(6+4d6) worth of jewellery stone wall – the shop/house takes up the whole of
the street frontage and there is a heavy wooden He rarely has any armour – perhaps a couple of
door on a side street as well as a heavy double door Cervelliere helms and, even more rarely, a single Mail
(suitable for a cart or waggon) at the rear – these are Shirt. It is possible, late in the period, he may have a
normally heavily barred from within. single Crossbow (and 1d6+3 Bolts) for sale as well.

There is a well and a formal garden with shady He may also have a selection of ‘unusual’ items –
nooks taking up most of the rear plus a wooden including Portolans and Rutters, Alfonsine (navigat-
half-timbered stable which normally contains a ional) Tables, Compasses, Quadrants, other navigat-
passenger cart and two horses on the ground level ional gear (if such is available) and, yes, even
and a half-floor which contains the living quarters ‘treasure maps’ (buyer beware). These are rarely, if
for a (Jewish) groom/gardener and ‘stable boy.’ ever, on display and he rarely has more than 2-3 such
items – and he has an uncanny knack for sniffing out
It isn’t illegal for Jews to hire Christian servants – but customers who may be interested in such.
it’s generally regarded to be extremely unwise by
most Jews as there are continually repeated stories of Theodo lives above the shop with his wife (a local girl,
betrayal and blackmail by such employees (while Edwina) and their three children (one boy, Thomas,
probably not that common, why take the chance?) who attends the Grammar school, and two teenage
daughters, Grace and Mary who are quite plain and
Theodo the Lombard, Pawnbroker (Trinity Row). whom he is looking for suitable husbands).
Theodo the Lombard has a Pawnbroker’s shop (lic-
ensed by the Corporation) in a two storey wattle He has a a two employees, John of Winchelsea (who
and daub building. He mainly deals with sailors keeps his books, as he is a grammar school boy) and
down on their luck or needing to convert something Dafydd the Welshman who lives in (he has a room on
into ready cash but also has items which have not the ground floor at the back) who, though deceptively
been redeemed or which were sold outright on sale. mild looking, is a retired soldier who is wicked good
with a spear or long knife and who acts as security.
In stock is a variety of clothing (including footwear)
in various stages of wear on hand, mostly the sort Theodo has around £8+2d6 in coin and £13+2d10 in
common sailors would own, but there are always a a mix of bullion and negotiable paper on hand at any
few items that may have belonged to ship’s masters or given time, either in a lockbox in the shop during the
officers (or down at luck travellers) of better quality. day or in the same lockbox under his bed at night.

To complement the clothing he has a selection of He also has valuable stock (the better jewellery,
personal jewellery (rings, torcs, cloak pins, buckles mainly) worth £8+2d6 which is on display during the
and the like) in a variety of materials and styles, from day (behind the shop counter) and in a chest in his
bone or ivory through brass or bronze, silver (or bedroom at night.
silver-washed bronze) – even silver-gilt. All up, the
common stock is probably worth £20-30, less the more SCHOOLS & TUTORS
expensive items of jewellery (see below).
There are three types of schooling available – Dame
There is always a selection of of knives available, Schools, Grammar Schools and Private Tutors.
ranging from belt knives through to those intended for
combat, usually including one or two Falchions (the Dame or Home Schools. The term ‘Dame School’
sort intended for use against unarmoured opponents). doesn’t come into use until the 16th century , but it
is very likely that similarly constituted ‘schools’
existed much earlier (they certainly existed in
Greek and Roman times and, apart from a likely
hiatus during the ‘Dark Ages’, are almost certainly
back in existence by the 13th-14th centuries, at least
in important and wealthy towns such as Porthaven).

Dame Schools were held in the home of the teacher

(hence the alternative name) who, later, was mostly
female – but in this period it is likely they were male.
They taught basic reading, writing (usually based on
the religious material) and numbers and not much else.

They typically take up to a dozen or so (perhaps as

many as twenty) students from ~7-10 and charge a
modest fee, usually ½d a week by the mid to late 14th
century – usually the resort of parents who couldn’t
afford to send children to Grammar School (or who
have daughters, as [female run] Dame Schools take
female students – male run ones may do as well).

Such schools taught only restricted hours– perhaps

only a few hours in the morning and several in the
afternoon, probably no more than a modern
Primary/Elementary School (about 5 hours).

For the purposes of the game, assume that there is

usually at least one Dame School in each City Block
– perhaps more than one in the more densely
populated areas of the Town.

Grammar Schools. These mostly take 40-60 stu-

dents and educate them in Latin and Latin Gram-
mar (amongst other things) as much to prepare
them for study of the Trivium at University as for
any practical purpose (though many, probably
most, students will go directly into employment,
often locally when they graduate).

There are five such schools in Porthaven, three run and ‘donations’ … or, in winter, part of the cost of
by Church (the Dominicans [40+ students], Francisc- heating the schoolroom) of 3-6d per term (typically
ans [40 students] and the Minster [40+ students]), 12-14 weeks) were also expected.
one by the Town Corporation (50-60+ students) and
another by the Goldsmith’s Guild (50-60+ students). The Minster, Corporation and Goldsmith’s Schools
are rather more upmarket and charge more – 3d
They typically take students from around 7 years of per week at the beginning of the 14th century (and
age through to at least 13-14 (some of the better 1½d in the 13th), rising to 4½-6d a week by the
students would go off to University at 14-15 years, century’s end – but additional fees (‘tips’ and ‘do-
though many were older), but those students not nations’ plus heating and other costs) of 6-12d per
headed or not deemed ‘ready’ for higher education term on top of the weekly fee.
might continue at school until they were 16-17.
The above fees are for Day Students – Boarders pay
There is usually only a single teacher and a single at least double, perhaps more (and that includes the
‘class’ of mixed age and ability – though the ‘teacher’ additional fees), but are supervised, fed and generally
is usually assisted by some of the older (and more minimally looked after. Sometimes this might be on
able) students. the school grounds but, more commonly it will be in
rented premises nearby.
There are no textbooks – the teacher will have a small
selection of texts and lessons will be conducted from Private Tutors. There are two sorts – those who
that, with the students taking notes on Slates or Wax teach on their own premises and those who teach
tablets – remember, books, parchment and paper are at the student’s home.
all expensive.
Those who teach on their own premises usually
Hours are normally from soon after dawn to quite teach only one thing (latin grammar, a foreign
late afternoon (perhaps 7-9 hours) – far longer than language, writing and penmanship, music, dance
Dame Schools and longer than modern schools. or the like) and usually only 1-2 students at a time
for a limited number or hours or days a week,
These are all fee paying schools, though they relying on having many students overall. They
usually have a small number of scholarship places. typically charge at least 1-2d per lesson (usually 1-2
Fees vary – church run institutions costing less than hours) per student (actual rates vary according to
‘private’ ones. The Dominicans and the Francisc- the perceived social status of those paying).
ans charge 2d per week at the beginning of the 14th
century (and 1d in the 13th), rising to 3-4d a week Those who teach at the student’s home might work
by the century’s end – but additional fees (‘tips’ on much the same basis as above – visiting for only
a period of time each day or one or two days a week, Or you can simply wait for the Wednesday or
charging extra for the convenience … usually 3-4d Saturday market(s) and buy in bulk there …
per student lesson (also varying according to per-
ceived social status) and, possibly, with the expect- Oh? You’re in a hurry! You can’t wait for the next
ation of being fed from the kitchen as well. market? Or there’s not enough available at this one
and it has to be ordered in? Then a Provisioner is the
Alternatively they may live in and teach ~5-6 hours person you want to consult …
a day, provided with full board. Such tutors usually
taught almost everything and could expect a salary Middelfleet Provisioners (Trinity Row & Bawd’s
of at least 8-12d per week on top of their board. In Lane Waterfront). Owned by Gilbert of Grimsby,
some cases they were also employed as a Private this is a general provisioner and stocks all sorts of
Secretary to the head of the household and could preserved foods – Bacon, Salt & Smoked Beef, Pork,
expect another 6-12d or more per week in addition- Fish and Stockfish and also stocks Double Baked
al to their teaching payment (depending on their Bread and Hardtack.
skills, the languages they were literate in etc.)
Bacon (3/6 [42d] each up to a dozen 108 lb Barrels,
SEAFARING, SHIPPING & MARITIME TRADES 3/3 [39d] each for 13+); Salt Beef (10/- -120d) per 108
Almost all of the activity relating to the maritime lb Barrel for up to 24, 9/6 [114d] for 25+); Smoked
trades involved with trade and commerce occurs Beef (15/- [180d] for up to 12 x 108 lb Barrels, 14/-
down near the riverfront, mostly north of Hansa per Barrel for 13+); Salt Pork (6/3 [75d] per 108 lb
Row – south of there down to the Millfleet you will Barrel up to 12, 6/- [72d] for 13+); Smoked Pork
find activity connected with the local fishing fleet. (10/3 [12d] per 108 lb Barrel for up to 12, 9/9 (90d)
Many of the relevant trades are dealt with else- per Barrel for 13+); Salt Fish (2/- [24d] per Barrel for
where (for example Blacksmiths, Carpenters, and up to 12, 1/8 (20d] per Barrel for 13+); Smoked Fish
Coopers) in this chapter – this section deals only (2/6 [30d] per 108 lb Tray for up to 12, 2/3 [27d] per
with those which are not … Tray for 13+); Stockfish (2/4 [28d] per 108 lb Tray
for up to 12, 2/2 [26d] for 13+).

No. Not Chandlers – the maritime sort won’t exist They have 25-50 (10 + [1d6 x 5]) Barrels or Trays of
for at least a couple of centuries. each of these commodities on hand, but can order in
a like amount with 1d3+2 days notice.
The only Chandlers here and now make and sell
candles and nothing else. Maritime Chandlers, when Double Baked Bread/Hardtack goes for 8d per 30 lb
they come into existence hundreds of years from Bag with 1d6 x 5 Bags on hand but they can order in
1400, will be like a general store for ships. up to 36 Bags extra for each day of notice given (not
Provisioners aren’t like that… but see Shipping Agents. including Sundays).

It’s not even certain that Provisioners existed in any Simon DeWarren, Provisioner (Steelyard Dock
specific sense (the title is probably at least as an- Waterfront). Simon stocks the largest quantities of
achronistic as Chandler) – but, to make things Stockfish (Dried Cod) in Porthaven and can supply
somewhat easier if you’re planning a sea voyage, it 40 + (1d6x10) 108 lb Trays (see the pricelist for the
is assumed they either stock or can arrange for the Saturday Market for details) at any given time, and
supply of bulk preserved foodstuffs. up to double that amount given a week’s notice.

He charges 2/6 (30d) per Tray for up to a dozen

Trays, 2/4 (28d) for up to 24, 2/2 (26d) for up to 36
and 2/- (24d) for 37 or more Trays.

He also stocks Smoked Beef (14/8 [176d) for a 108 lb

Barrel), Fish (2/6 [30d] per 108 lb Tray) and Pork
(10/- [120d] per 108 lb Barrel) but only has 10 + (1d6
x 5) Barrels/Trays of each on hand – up to double
that with a week’s notice. He offers no discount.

Simon’s warehouse is on the waterfront between Steel-

yard Dock and Bridge Street. He delivers between
Bridge Street and Hansa Row without charge – but
the ship’s crew is expected to unload the cart(s) when
they arrive and load the contents on board.
 Sailings from Mid October to December and then in
Gilbert FitzOwen (Hansa Row). Gilbert isn’t the March were much less frequent, but certainly poss-
only sailmaker in Porthaven, or even, necessarily, ible, and attracted a premium.
the biggest – but he does have several advantages
that others don’t. There were few sailings, usually only in extremis, in
January and February and rates were high, if you
Firstly, he sells Sailcloth and always has a stock on could find a shipmaster daring enough to take the risk.
hand, which he will sell by the Bolt (~30x1 English
Ells, or ~39 x 1¼ Yards = ~40.7 m2 or ~438 ft2) or Mediterranean Sailing Season (13th-14th Centuries).
by the Length. Improvements in navigation and shipbuilding tech-
nology meant the classical season of April and mid-
He charges 12/- (144d) for a single Bolt, 11/- (132d) October had gone by the board and year round
each for three or more, or 10/- (120d) each for six or sailings were possible, though less frequent and att-
more. This is just for the cloth, sewing costs 2/- to 2/6 racting a premium in December to February.
(24-30d) per day and he and his apprentices can sew
up a single Bolt into sail per day. Hanseatic League (Hansa Staith). The Hanseatic
League doesn’t do coastal shipping (excepting Lon-
A typical 80-90 ton Cog requires 100-120 m2 of sail, don), specialising Norway, Denmark, the Baltic and
a 120 tonner or larger requires 130-140 m2. destinations reached through the latter. They
operate from their Factory/Warehouse (Hansa Row)
Secondly, he sews tents and canvas or hemp cloth or their wholly owned Dock, Hansa Staith.
containers (sacks, packs etc.) as well – he charges
standard prices (see The Marketplace, #152-154) Hanseatic merchants do ship to other European dest-
for Conical, Marquee and Pavilion style tents. inations – mainly the North Sea coasts of the Germ-
anies and the Low Countries plus the Channel and
He also sells Canvas tentcloth for 1½d per square Atlantic coasts of France and Northern Spain. Still,
yard. His staff can work on 1d3+1 Tents of any size the Merchant Adventurers are more likely to be able
or style in addition to any sailmaking contracts they to find ship(s) heading in that direction.
are working on concurrently.
Shipping rates arranged here are those listed in The
Marketplace. The most common ship type available
Like Chandlers and Provisioners, there’s no evi- will be the 1½ Deck (both ~60 and ~130 ton) Cog
dence that anything like a more or less modern described in The Marketplace.
‘Shipping Agent’ existed – though there were people
and organisations who provided the same sort of Merchant Adventurer’s (Trinity Staith). The Merch-
services … that is, matching up potential shippers ant Adventurers have, effectively, a Shipping Agency
(or passengers) with potential ships. at their wholly owned dock – Trinity Staith. There
you can arrange shipping for mainly international
The larger Merchants did a lot of that for destinations as far away as the Holy Land.
themselves – so you can seek out someone to organ-
ise shipping or passage especially through the The Guild doesn’t deal with Baltic shipping or any
Merchant Adventurer’s Guild and the Hansa. destination reached through the Baltic – this is a tacit
agreement with the Hansa representatives in town.
Atlantic Sailing Season (13th-14th Centuries). The They also have limited shipping contacts with Nor-
‘high season’ was roughly April to Mid October and way and Denmark because the Hansa merchants can
the standard rates listed in The Marketplace apply. usually outbid them – but it is possible to find ships
heading in that direction, often Danish or Norwegian Saint Mary, Saint Nicholas, Saint Thomas and
shipping returning home. Trinity – of course, the same generally applies to
those foreign ships which may be encountered,
They also don’t normally deal with coastal (i.e. intra- though the religious names will be in their language.
national) shipping – except for shipping to London,
which is a major trade destination. These names constituted by far the largest single
group of all those recorded, at least in English records.
Shipping Rates arranged here are those listed in The
Marketplace. The most common ship types available The second and third most common name(s) were
will be something like the 1½ Deck (both ~60 ton those of women and then men (which may includ-
and ~130 ton) Cogs described in The Marketplace. ing saints names where the ‘Saint’ was understood
or not recorded), mostly just their first name but
River Staith (River Street Waterfront). There isn’t occasionally their full family name.
actually a ‘River Staith’ as such, but this whole
length of the waterfront is used by the smaller ships Then you have names based on the ship’s supposed
(around the size of a Longboat or smaller) of the (or desired) qualities including – Bonaventure, Char-
fishing fleet and they can usually be hired for short ity, Constance, Cornucopia, Courser, Falcon, God-
coastal journeys of no more than a couple of days. speed, Grace, Greyhound, Hercules, Leaper, Mess-
enger, Pilgrim, Plenty, Traveller, Voyager and
As with the Steelyard Staith, below, the Shipping Welfare – or on their port of origin (not always one
rates are based on those listed in The Marketplace, of the major ports) of either the ship or the owner.
but are much more negotiable.
Only two sample ships and shipowners are given –
Steelyard Staith (Steelyard Row). Steelyard Staith these are specifically those which are ‘home ported’
(Dock) is a public dock owned by the Town Corpor- in Porthaven, though you can find many more
ation and has gradually become a semi-formalised ships docked at any given time and, if these two
gathering place for ship owners (or masters) and ships aren’t currently in port, then similar vessels
potential shippers. can easily be found …

Theoretically you can arrange shipping to any The Pilgrim (12 ton Knarr). The Pilgrim is a part-
destination from here, but the majority of the ships decked Knarr mainly involved in the coastal trade
available do only coastal shipping (including to – and mostly the eastern coast, between the Cinque
London) or short runs across the English Channel Ports in the south and Newcastle in the north.
to Northern France or the Low Countries
The part decking is ~¼ of the length of the ship at
Shipping Rates arranged here are based on those front and another ~¼ at the rear, and the space
listed in The Marketplace but are at least somewhat under the decking is ~1½ meters high, mainly for
negotiable and open to bargaining. The most com- cargo. Passengers are expected to sleep on the fore-
mon ship type is the Coastal Cargo Ship (Knarr, Part deck – though the ship normally pulls into a handy
Decked, 12 tons) or the Seagoing Cargo Ship(Knarr, anchorage at night and they may be able to sleep on
Part Decked, 20 tons) described in The Marketplace. the shore. There is deck space for 6 passengers.

The Master is one John Rogerson (42) and he is

The most common name(s) for Medieval Ships of assisted by a crew of four, two regulars, Gilbert Four
all sorts were basically religious – the names of Fingers (38), who is senior and more skilled/trusted,
Saints or some aspect of religious doctrine or belief. and Thomas of Norwich (32) and another two who
Examples include – Christmas Mass, God’s Grace (or are often hired only for a single (return) voyage.
Grace a Dieu), Holy Ghost, Jesus, Nun, Our Lady,
Though normally a coaster, John can be hired to take
cargo or passengers across the Channel to Boulogne,
but only once he has coasted down to Dover – he
won’t sail direct across the North Sea.

The Santiago (60 ton Cog). Named after the fam-

ous pilgrimage site in northern Spain (Santiago de
Compostella), the Santiago is a 1½ deck Cog and is,
as you would suspect from the name, commonly
engaged in the trade with Spain – and, as a result,
the half deck at the stern has actually been fitted
out with easily erectable (or storable) wood framed
canvas partitions to make passage more palatable
for pilgrims when they are carried.

The cunning arrangement of the partitions allows the

Santiago to carry a full dozen passengers (rather than
the more normal 8-12) - or to carry cargo in lieu,
depending on the circumstances.

The ship is owned by the Belvue family (one of the

wealthiest families in Porthaven) and the current
master is one Nicholas FitzRalf (32), a distant rentices as well as a number of semi-skilled day
relative of the main line Belvues, and the ship has labourers as needed (assume 1 worker per 5 tons of
a crew of 11 sailors, including Peter of Millfleet ships under construction).
(48), who acts as the Mate.
There is a good chance that there will be at least
one craftsman or his employee delivering specialist
David of Grimsby (River Street Waterfront). David goods to the worksite at any given time (nails,
specialises in smaller craft, Longboats and Fishing cordage, pulleys, anchors, seasoned timber, caulk-
Boats (there’s usually not much difference except ing supplies) and may, in fact, be plying their trade
that Fishing Boats rely on sail power rather than on the ships or boats under construction.
oars) mainly – though he does occasionally build
coastal craft such as Knarrs and the like up to Master Jerome and his apprentices live in his house,
about 20-25 tons and is more than happy to take further down the street near its junction with River
on repair work for craft up to about 30 tons. Street and his apprentices, John o’ Ghent (his father
was from that town) and Mark deGoode share a room
He usually has a couple of Rowboats available for at the Golden Cockerel, a Boarding House down the
ready sale and there is a 35% chance he will have a street somewhat.
Longboat/Fishing Boat also available.
At night there are two watchmen employed to
Currently he has two Longboat size Fishing Boats guard the workshop and patrol the unfinished or
under construction (one @75%, the other @20%) partly finished construction – alternating between
and has just laid down the keel for a 12 ton Knarr. sitting in the workshop and patrolling the grounds.

David (34) lives on site in a two storey half-timbered

cottage with his wife, Alice (26) and their two
children, Nicholas (8) and Mary (4). He employs a
single Journeyman, two Apprentices and a half a
dozen semi-skilled day labourers as needed.

Master Jerome (Hansa Row). Master Jerome’s is

sited on the waterfront at the end of Hansa Row,
adjacent to the Hanseatic League Compound. There
is a small covered workshop and storage shed at the
end of the street, with piles of seasoned lumber
stacked alongside, and a stretch of river frontage
with two ships currently under construction – a 60
ton 1½ decked Cog (the frame is complete, work on
the hull proceeds) and is almost finished a 20 ton
part decker for the north sea trade.

There is usually at least one Rowboat on hand,

ready for sale and a 50% chance he will have a
Longboat as well. There is currently space in his
section of the waterfront for another medium sized
vessel (up to 60 or so tons) to be laid down.

Master Jerome (50ish) is the best shipwright in town

and two journeymen Shipwrights and four App-
 USING THIS BOOK
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION it has since achieved independence through a Royal
The Barony of Ithura and the town of Porthaven are Charter (and by paying off the Baron, the Bishop and
nominally located on the east coast of England north the Crown for such).
of The Wash (though Porthaven is based on King’s
Lynn which is, in reality, just off the SE corner of that It is assumed that the Baronies surrounding Ithura
feature) but both are, otherwise, entirely made up … owe fealty to the same overlord as does Baron Ithura
so don’t try and find them on a real world map. – though there is no requirement that this be the case.

The villages, hamlets and other features are based on If you place Ithura & Porthaven somewhere else, then
those found in that part of the medieval world, specific- it would be best if a similar intermediate arrangement
ally those common in England, but are otherwise made be adopted – with the Baron and Town owing fealty
from whole cloth. These include a mix of early Celtic, to at least one overlord between them and the Crown.
Roman and Anglo-Saxon features as well as more recent
Anglo-Norman ones … the latter often, but not always, Of course, if you place both of them in a border region
based on the earlier ones. (or simply choose to re-arrange things so), it would be
quite possible for Porthaven to be the County Seat … in
That said, there is no particular reason why Ithura which case the Dean will be the Bishop and the Minster
and Porthaven have to be in England – with a few a Cathedral and, very likely, the Baron will be the Count
cosmetic and name changes (place and personal) they or Duke and Porthaven Castle his main residence
could be located anywhere in coastal western Europe. (though, of course, you’ll then have to work out what
And, of course, they don’t have to be placed in the real other Baronies, if any, owe fealty to him, what other
world at all – they will fit happily into any fantasy properties he owns and how much more income he will
background you care to create … as long as it allows have … not to mention how many more men will owe
for Porthaven to be a port. feudal military service to him, either directly or through
his vassals).
It’s perfectly possible, for example, for Porthaven to be
used as a River or Lake port … the ‘sea coast’ then The other thing to note is that Ithura & Porthaven are
simply becomes either the shore of a very large lake (or assumed to be part of a larger Kingdom that is,
even an inland sea) or the banks of a very wide river. currently, mostly at peace – there is assumed to be no
Possibly it could be on the shore of a large lake (or current civil war, dynastic conflict or foreign war with
inland sea) connected to a navigable river system. any power capable of doing more than coastal raids.

The socio-political setup of the Barony and Town are If you decide to change this, and especially if you
very much based on Anglo-Norman norms – but those move them to border marches, the mostly lightly
can be changed easily enough to those of other regions defended and fortified Manor Houses will need to
without too much work, as the underlaying locations, have their defences upgraded – to Tower Houses or
settlements and their inhabitants are going to be very small Shell Keeps.
similar no matter where they are found … real or fantasy
world, it doesn’t matter as long as it is somewhat based FANTASY ELEMENTS
on western European medievalism. There are some that are allowed for – some of the
woods have the possibility of small numbers of Elves
LOCAL AND REGIONAL ORGANISATION dwelling therein and some of the foothills have the
It is assumed that the Barony and Town are part of a possibility of Dwarven families. There is also some
larger feudal polity – initially a Duchy or County (or mention of ‘monsters’ in some isolated places –
whatever title of similar rank applies locally) and though these could easily be natural creatures whose
there are references to the County Seat and to Other reputation has been enhanced by local factors.
Baronies and Other Towns which can be found off map
to the north, south and west. Likewise, there are one or two places where the ‘old
people’ are reputed to have been (and may currently
Little information is provided for these beyond a be) active – code for ‘here there be magick’ … or, at
mention of their existence – though, for example, the least, pre-christian religious practices which are re-
Dean of the Porthaven Minster-Church is indicated to garded as ‘magical’ or ‘demonic’ by the Church.
be subordinate to the Bishop of the County Town
(who will have a Cathedral) and it is clear that the Anything more than these elements you will have to
Bishop was the original founder of the Town, though add yourself.
 INDEX
–A– Alford to Balestvil (Map) 48 Walter’s Smithy 228
Alford to Hrycbaed (Map) 51 Williamson’s Smithy 228
Abbey (Forcythwyru) 115 Alford Vill 75 Blacksmiths & Braziers 227
Abbot & Monks 124 All Saints Minster 176 Blaestvil Manor 19
Abbot’s Palace 121 Apothecaries & Herbalists 240 Blycceholt Manor 23
Accommodation in the Dorter 118, 121 Rolf of London 241 Board Games (Gambling) 193
Accommodation in the Abbot’s Palace 124 Adam FitzAdam 240 Boarding Houses 161
Area A 115 Armour & Weapons 218 Bellevue Boarding House 161
Area B 118 Armourers 218, 237 East Street Boarding House 161
Area C 120 Gof the Artificer 218 The Golden Cockerel 162
Area D 120 Michael Ironsides 219 Greengath Boarding House 162
Area E 121 Attford Ford 54 Matilda’s Place 162
Cellar - Food & Lodging for the Poor 115 Attford Manor 4 Mother Alice’s 163
Cellarer 116, 126 Old Meg’s 163
Chapter House 119 –B– Riverside Boarding House 163
Cloister (Abbey) 118 Widow Flora’s 163
Community Rank 129 Bakers 182 Book & Related Trades 228
Conduit (Abbey) 214 Alain Fleetman (Baker) 182 Booksellers 228
Drink 128 Guy the Baker 182 Abelard of Calais 228
Election of the Abbot 130 John of Greengarth 183 Father Edward of Canterbury 229
Food 127 Peter de Paine 183 Bowyers 220
Guests 126 Richard Bybridge 183 Robin o’ the Mark 220
Kitchen 118 Thomas de Munier 184 Braziers 228
Kitchen Duties 128 Bakers, Pastrycooks & Confectioners 182 Geraint Braesian 228
Lane 118 Bankers & Goldsmiths 222 Oscar of Nurnburg (Crossbows) 220
Lay Brothers 127 Byron de Cræftiga 222 Breitbae Manor 24
Lay Brother’s Dorter 117 Humphrey de Troyes 222 Breitbae to Heastor (Map) 51
Lay Brother’s Frater 117 Thomas of London 225 Bridges Gates & Walls 158
Misericorde 121 Barber Surgeons & Midwives 242 Brymclyfu Keep 31, 57, 72
Mealtimes 127 Robyn the Bloodletter 243 Brymclyfu Manor 27
Monk’s Dorter 120 Surgeon, Tristan the Leech 243 Brymclyfu to Blaestvil (Map) 56
Night & Day, Day & Night 115 Baron Ithura 4 Business Directory (General) 216
Night Access 117 Baronial Levies 2
Parlour 119 Baron’s Bridge 62, 64, 69 –C–
Porter 116, 117, 126 Barony of Ithura (Map) 1
Prior 129 Basic Stats (Ithura) 2 Cabinetmakers & Woodcarvers 230
Reredorter (Necessarium) 121 Basic Structural Types (Houses)78 William Treowryhta 230
Restraint in Speech 128 Bath-Houses 186, 208 Carmelite Friary 177
Rule of St Benedict 126 Newgate Bath-House 187 Carpenter’s & Builder’s Hall 181
St Swithun’s 125 River Street Bath House 187 Carpenters & Woodworking Trades 230
Sleeping Arrangements 129 Saul’s Bath House 187 Carpenters 230
This Rule only a beginning of Perfection 130 Sleet Bath House 188 Hugh Brádæx 230
Vestry (Sacristy) 119 Tower Bath House 188 Robert o’ Greenwood 231
Warming House 120 Bawdy Houses & Stews 188 Carriers (Transport Trades) 232
Accommodation Directory 160 Cuck’s Paradise 189 Cartwrights 231
Afenscaep Manor 18 The Eye of Ashtoret 188 Green’s Cartwrights 231
Alchemists, Mystical 216 The Inferno 189 Ralf de Waegnsmyth (Royal) 231
Edward the Wise 216 The Laundry 189 Castle Porthaven 131
Zebediah of Tyre (Mystical) 216 The Nunnery 190 Barbican (Porthaven Castle) 152
Alchemists, Practical 217 The Rutting Bull 190 Baron’s Household 153
Diego de Cadiz 217 Beorghstane Manor 21 Baron’s Library 140
Nicholas the Parisian 217 Bishop’s Tower (Fort) 179 Baron’s Strip Maps 136
Alford Bridge 48, 51, 65 Blacksmiths 227 Castellan’s Tower 148
Alford Estate 75 Black Cauldron Smith 227 Castle ‘In Residence’ Entourage 154
Alford Manor 19, 73, 91 Geslean’s Smithy 227 Castle Porthaven (Map) 132
 DeCoucy Tower 151 Dominican Hospital 244 St Swithun’s 125
Drawbridge 152 Dominican Library 239 Sleeping Arrangements 129
East Tower 152 Dosshouses 164 This Rule only a beginning of Perfection 130
Moat 153 Church Street Dosshouse 164 Vestry (Sacristy) 119
New Residence 133 River Street Dosshouse 164 Warming House 120
Old Keep 143 Stonebridge Dosshouse 164 Forests & Woods
Travelling Entourage 153 Dunstaen Manor 32 Afenwudu 48, 51, 65
Walls 153 Dyers 234 Breitwudu 51, 66
Cattle Crossing Ford 49, 60 Dysmaefen (Marsh) 52 Deofulwudu 63, 68
Chapel of St James Zebedee (aka St James the Great) 175 Deopwudu 67
Churches & Religious Establishments 159 –E– Dunstaenwudu 62
Civic Buildings 179 Haewenwudu 65
Cloth & Clothing Trades 233 Eastgate 159 Scylfwudu 52
Clothiers 233 Education, Libraries & Scriptoria 112 Stæþwudu 58
Geoffrey FitzRalf (Furrier) 233 Weatende Cráwawudu 55, 68
Michael Hirdemann 234 Wuduwésten 50, 60
Robert of Winchelsea 234 –F– Franciscan Friary 176
Cobblers 237 Franciscan Hospital 244
Gabriel the Shoeman 238 Fantasy Elements 254 Franciscan Library 239
John the Barker 238 Farkeep Manor 7 Fyrthburh Manor 34
Commercial Rents 160 Feldgate 159
Commission Agents (Booksellers) 228 Food & Entertainment Directory 182 –G–
Common Carriers` 232 Food & Lodging 116
Common Lodging Houses 164 Forcythwyru Abbey 111 Gambling & Gaming 192
Confectioners 184 Abbot & Monks 124 Gamelstaen (‘The Old Stones’) 54
Master Javier’s 184 Abbot’s Palace 121 Garth, The 119
Old Peter’s 185 Accommodation in the Dorter 118, 121 Goldsmith’s & Moneyer’s Hall 180
Cookshops 191 Accommodation in the Abbot’s Palace 124 Greengarth (Southern) Industrial 236
Big William’s Cookshop 191 Area A 115 Guilds & Guild Halls 180
Edwina’s Place 191 Area B 118
Loulou’s 191 Area C 120 –H–
The Middelfleet Cookshop 192 Area D 120
The Plucked Goose 192 Area E 121 Halgawestensetla (‘The Old One’) 55
The Sleetside Cookshop 192 Cellar - Food & Lodging for the Poor 115 Hamlets
The Huswif 191 Cellarer 116, 126 Ælfsgeata 24
The Wooden Spoon 192 Chapter House 119 Ærsceafta 37
Cooper 232 Cloister (Abbey) 118 Bidstow 49
Jack the Cooper 232 Community Rank 129 Bidstow 60
William Pygge 23 Conduit (Abbey) 214 Buttucholt 63
Copyists 229 Drink 128 Cráwahróst 39
Brother Francis the Less 229 Election of the Abbot 130 Cýðercrúc 5, 33
Gerald the Scrivener 229 Food 127 Diegcomb 66
All Saint’s Scriptorium 229 Guests 126 East Ouse 45
Crossford 13 Kitchen 118 Fiscaþpyll 10, 71
Crossford Bridge 17, 62, 66 Kitchen Duties 128 Fosterburh 10, 71
Crossford Local Area (Map) 17 Lane 118 Gegylden 16, 67
Crossford to Dunstaen (Map) 61 Lay Brothers 127 Gledelf 24, 63
Crossford Market 15 Lay Brother’s Dorter 117 Grénian 5
Crundel Manor 5 Lay Brother’s Frater 117 Heargeard 37, 69
Cursus Ithuriae 47 Misericorde 121 Lagulád 45, 60
Cutlers (Edged Weapons) 220 Mealtimes 127 Middes 58
Edward of Sheffield 220 Monk’s Dorter 120 Misthliþ 7
John Bródenmæl 221 Night & Day, Day & Night 115 Nithford 49
Night Access 117 Overford 16, 62, 66
–D– Parlour 119 Rýne 16, 68
Porter 116, 117, 126 Sceapcotlif 13
Dean’s Palace & Chapel 178 Prior 129 Smygelstane 21
Deaðlacu (Lake) 53 Reredorter (Necessarium) 121 Stæþcotlif 58
Dice Games (Gambling) 192 Restraint in Speech 128 Stánclyf 39
Dominican Friary of the Annunciation 159 Rule of St Benedict 126 Symbelwic 33
 Throsmig Dale 48 Libraries 238 –O–
Throsmig Dale 19, 65 Dean’s (Minster) Library 239
Twifcotlif 66 Guildhall Libraries 239 Opening Hours & Prices 186
Twifcotlif South 26 St John’s Library 240 Old Manor House (Alford) 95, 96
Wudugeata 21 Local & Regional Organisation 254 Ordering a Book, Cost 141
Þéodland 37 Location, Location, Location 254 Other Features 152
Harness Maker, Jack Stoddard 238 Long Term Accommodation 160 Other Manors 18
Heastor Manor 37 Lord (Ithura) & His Family 92 Other Residents & Staff 93
Herbalists 241 Other Settlements & Sites 101
Old Hilde 241 –M–
Walter of Alford 242 –P–
Hlæwfjell (‘Barrow Fell’) 70 Major Freeholders 76
Home Farm Compound 110 Manor (Alford) 91 Parish Churches
Hospitals & Hospices 243 Manor Houses (Alford) 95 St Adela’s 42
Hospital & Chapel of St John of Jerusalem 174 Manorial Levy (Alford) 92 St Boisil’s 5
Hospital of St John the Baptist 177 Manorial ‘In Residence’ Entourage 154 St Edmund of Abingdon 33
Hospital of St John the Baptist 245 Market Cross – Saturday Market 200 St Grimbald 22
Hospital, Carmelite Dispensary 244 Market Prices 203 St Hilda’s 7
Housing the Villagers 78 Markets & Marketplaces 200 St Jerome’s 39
Hrycbaed Manor 10 Market Cross 200 St Judas Thaddeus 85
Market, New Market 202 St Margaret of Wessex 29
–I– Marsh St Martin Caballero 16
Illuminator & Surveyor 229 Dysmaefen 52 St Mary Cleophas’ 36
Robert o’ the Quill 229 Medical 240 St Mary Salome 46
Index 256 Merchant Adventurer’s Hall 181 St Merefin’s 9
Industrial Areas 235 Middelfleet Bridge 159 St Michael the Archangel 44
Inns 199, 165 Middesfleóte Ford 59 St Neot’s 19
The Black Swan 165, 199 Midwives 242 St Nevin’s 20
The Good Samaritan 166, 199 Avice the Midwife 242 St Osburga’s 23
Inn of the Seven Stars 170, 199 Esther the Jewess 242 St Peter Simeon’s 26
The Merry Monk 168, 200 Military Blacksmiths 221 St Swithun’s 125
The Moor’s Head 169, 199 Military Service Requirements114 St Wihtberht’s 12
The Red Dragon 171, 200 Military Tailors 221 Pastrycooks 185
The Waterman’s Arms 171, 199 Henry Smith 221 Dame Agatha’s Pastries 185
The White Horse 172, 199 Roderick the Red 221 Edward du Pistor 185
Inns, Rural William Bigge 221 Orville’s Pastries 186
Sign of the Crescent Moon 15, 62, 67 Adam Seamere 222 Physicians & Surgeons 245
River Inn 59 Jack Webba 222 Hugh of Cirencester 245
The Crossroads Inn 70 Thomas FitzTaylor 222 John deKirk 245
Inns & Taverns 199 Mills 207, 246 Peter the Spaniard 245
Ironmonger’s Hall 180 Corporation Mills 246 Population 2
Ithura, Barony (Map) 1 DeJong Fulling Mill 246 Porthaven 155
Ithura Bridge 27 FitzHaven Smithy 246 Porthaven (Gazetteer) 158
Millfleet Sawmill 246 Porthaven Map 157
–J– New Mills 207 Porthaven to Afenscaep (Map) 62
Old North Mills 207 Porthaven to Crossford (Map) 63
Joiners & Panellers 232 Rolfe Ironworks 246 Poucher 238
Peter Scholt, Paneller 232 Moneylenders & Pawnbrokers 246 Robert the Lame 238
Stephen FitzStephen 232 Isaac of York 247 Practical Alchemists 217
Theodo the Lombard 248 Privies 208
–L– Mystical Alchemists 216 Provisioners 250
Simon DeWarren 250
Lake –N– Middelfleet Provisioners 250
Deaðlacu 53 Public Carriers 233
Lands, Produce & Income 112 New Manor House (Alford) 95, 102 Public Water Carriers 215
Lawyer 236 New Market – Wednesday Market 202
Lawyers & Notaries 236 Northeast Industrial 235 –R–
Serjeant at Law, Charles FitzGilbert 236 Notaries 237
Leather Trades 237 Guy the Scrivener 237 Regular Bath-Houses 187
Leatherworkers 238 Jacques de la Grange Rouge 237 Residential Rents 160
Riverbank Industrial 235 Twyford Serjeanty 65, 101
River Street Wharves & Waterfront 214
Royal Coastal Highway 68 –U–
Rule of Three (Marketplace) 203
Upper Ouse Manor 42
–S– Upper Ouse Ferry 44
Upper Ouse Market 43
Saddler 238 Using this Book 254
Anghus MacRorie 238
Sailmakers 251 –W–
Gilbert FitzOwen 251
Sanitation 207 Waste Disposal 209
Saturday Market 203 214
Water Supply – Conduits & Wells
Schools 248 Waterfront & Warehouses 211
Schools & Tutors 248 Wæterstréam Ferry 30, 58, 72
Scrivener 230 Wæterstréam Ford 58
Brother William 230 Weavers 235
Seafaring, Shipping & Maritime Trades 250 Wednesday Market 205
Shield Makers 222 Wells 215
Stephen Metere 222 Woodcarver 230
Shipping Agents 251 Nicholas of Essex 230
Hanseatic League 251 Woods & Forests
Merchant Adventurer’s 251 Afenwudu 48, 51, 65
River Staith 252 Breitwudu 51, 66
Steelyard Staith 252 Deofulwudu 63, 68
Ships based in Porthaven 252 Deopwudu 67
Shipwright 253 Dunstaenwudu 62
David of Grimsby 253 Haewenwudu 65
Short Term Accommodation 161 Scylfwudu 52
Spinners 234 Stæþwudu 58
St Cecilia’s Church 174 Weatende Cráwawudu 55, 68
St John’s aka Jerusalem Hospital 245 Wuduwésten 50, 60
St Judas Thaddeus 85 Wynaern Manor 45
St Judas Thaddeus Rectory 89
Sylvabearh Manor 40

–T–

Tailors 234
David of Stonebridge (Well-to-do) 235
235
John the Waedling (Working Poor)
Picot Seamere (Middling Sort) 235
Simon Fitzwilliam (Upmarket) 235
Tanners 238
Taverns 193, 200
The Capering Capon 195, 200
The Bishop’s Mitre 194
The Cross & Garter 194, 200
The Dancing Flounder 195
The Foaming Mug 195, 200
The Guildmaster 196, 200
The Loaves & Fishes 197, 200
The Merry Laundress 196
The Oresund 197
The Pig & Poke 197, 200
The Suckling Pig 198
Tenements 160
Town Corporation 156
Town Hall 179
Twyford Home Farm Map 109
M
ost fantasy role playing games use elements of the Middle Ages in their background ... but almost
always in ways that are anachronistic, misleading or downright wrong. This is then compounded
and multiplied … made far, far, worse in the way the already compromised material is presented
in their attempts at providing actual specific setting related material. Towns, Villages, Noble Estates,
Manors and the like.

Ithura & Porthaven is intended to provide Game Masters and Players with a realistic (well, more realistic) idea
of how a real medieval noble estate, a Barony, and the Manors which comprise it (and the Villages and
Hamlets which comprise them), are organised and work. It provides detailed information on the political,
military, social and economic realities of a typical medieval region … the real nitty-gritty rather than some
mashed up hodge-podge of modern realities imposed on the worst and most unrealistic aspects of most of
the available fantasy role playing game systems.

As with The Marketplace (which covers the down low on the economics and prices of the period, including
extensive price lists based on real world costs not arbitrary and unrealistic game mechanic reinforcing
designer fiat), the background is provided for the late 12th through to the late 14th centuries (roughly 1175
to the 1390’s) within the overall range covered in Orbis Mundi 2 (the overall Background Sourcebook, which
covers the 11th to the 14th centuries).

Also covered is the Town of Porthaven, a small, but important coastal port heavily involved in what passes
for ‘international’ as well as internal trade; Castle Porthaven, Baron Ithura’s seat and Forcythwyru Abbey,
an important centre of religious power and learning.

Porthaven has a realistic population of ~2500 people (few medieval Towns has much more than this, even
in wealthy and peaceful states) and coverage of the Town includes many of the important business,
government and religious institutions found therein as well as some information about those people who
are involved in them. You’ll also get a pretty good guide on what you can buy and sell – or order in from
elsewhere – at the Town’s Markets and businesses.

Castle Porthaven is also covered in some extensive detail – and is the sort of castle that a real world Baron
of slightly more than average means is likely to have been able to afford. In other words, it’s more a fortified
residence than a Krak des Chevaliers or Chateau Gaillard. There are extensive floor plans provided for the
GM to use as needed.

Forcythwyru Abbey, a Dominican institution, is also described in some detail.

Finally, there is an extensive section with medieval style ‘strip maps’ showing the major roads and other
routes which run into and through the Barony with extensive notes on all the main estates, villages and
hamlets and the natural features such as rivers, fords, woods, hills and forests those routes pass by.

PHALANX GAMES DESIGN

PGD – 2019-1

ANNO URBIS CONDITAE 2722