MAP OF THE GRAND BARONY OF THE CITY
AND SURROUNDING TERRITORIES
This map is a diagram
of the basic layout of the lands under the control of, or owing fealty to,
the Baron. As befits his rank and
power, his personal realm is the Grand Barony of the City; the last
vestiges of land from the original barony.
Markham’s Isle is also within the Baron’s personal realm, although
in reality it is controlled by whoever has to means to do so. Through
strategic marriages and alliances, as well as the occasional application of
force, the Grand Barons extended the size of their domains to the extent
shown by the diagram. They owe
their allegiance to the Coronet [i.e. the institution of the Grand Barony]
rather than the Baron himself. The
timeline below shows the dates that they were brought under the Baron’s
suzerainity: 275 Occupation
of the Earldom of Orowell. 307 Capture
of the Earldom of Middleburg 350 War
breaks out throughout the land. In
retaliation for attacks the Baron’s forces invade the Duchys of De Navan
and De Perrin. The Earl
of Ravencourt is forced to become the vassal of the Baron. 400 The
Duchys are granted to nobles who distinguished themselves in the conflict. 470 The
Earl of Ravencourt dies with no heirs. His lands revert to the
Baron. 520 The
death of the Prince of Blackbrook causes the Archduchy of Lesser
Blackbrook to revertto the Baron; with the Archduchy comes a claim to
the Principality of Blackbrook. 610 The
withdrawl of the Hammerites from public service causes disruption in the
City. Cyric attempts to invade the Earldom
of De Navan. The Baron marches
out and routs their forces, driving them from the City’s lands and
capturing a swathe of territory.
This disputed border area is formed into the Marches of the West. In 624 the situation is settled to the
Baron’s advantage, and the Marches gain a civilian government;
however, they retain their name. 640 Blackbrook launches
an invasion to regain the Archduchy.
They are repulsed with difficulty, and an attempt is made to flank
their armies by passing through their vassal the Earldom of Auldway. As the fighting reaches stalemate, the manoeuvre
becomes a permanent occupation. In
673 the Earldom is incorporated into the Coronet and obtains a civilian
government. 655
The Earl of Auldway becomes the Baron’s vassal.
Orowell Old Dialect; “Orla’s Well”. First recorded reference approx. 23 De Navan Old Dialect;
“ The North Vern” i.e. northern
hillside. First recorded reference
approx. 47 De Perrin Old
Dialect; “The Prow’errorn” i.e. the
proud heron. The Earls of De Perrin traditionally wore heron feathers into
battle. First recorded reference
approx. 38 Ravencourt Pagan Dialect; “River Course”. Its spelling is a corruption of the pagan
pronunciation [“raverns courtsie”].
First recorded reference approx. 27 Lesser
Old
Dialect; “Black brook”. It refers Blackbrook to the startlingly dark colour of the
river that runs through the region.
The Archduchy follows the line of a minor tributary. First reference approx. 2 Marches Old Dialect; a border area under the
military jurisdiction of a Marquis.
Has since reverted to civil authorities. First recorded reference Unknown Auldway From Old Dialect; “Old Way”. The road to Karath-Din used to follow
the path of the river at this point.
First recorded reference approx. 20
Middleburg Historical
origin of area as the middle of the three “burgs” – trading districts. First recorded reference approx. 5