Arldom of Banner Hall

Ruler Thurston Highhorse III (Highhorse) Succession  Agnatic-Cognatic Primogeniture Capital Valemont Area (mi²) ? Population ? Development Average+ Corruption Average- Demonym Bannerish Culture Generic Religion Pantheonism Ethnicities ?

Banner Hall is a "county" in the Ducdom of the Crownlands, primary title of His Lordship, Thurston Highhorse III of Banner Hall. (Court)

Geography

The arldom borders Bonnyfield to the north-east, Kingswood to the south-east, Stronghold to the south, and the Antagonese ducdom of Gastony to the north-west. [One] major river flows through the arldom: the Easie; though the Antagonese border is marked by the Pale. The middle of the arldom is dominated by the Arborwood Forest, with lowland plains to the south of the Easie River Valley, and hilly country to the north, beginning the long upward slope toward the White Mountains.

• The Capital is a couple of days walk to the SW
• King's Road from Huntsley to Lordbury passes through
• Old Imperial road, in ruin

Origin and History

The post-Imperial settlers of the region that would be known as Banner Hall were, ethnically, closely related to northern raiders. They were "barbarians" feared and respected for their cavalry and horsemanship. Culturally, they greatly resembled Tolkien's "Rohirrim." By the time the region was absorbed into the Generic kingdom, Bannerish horse-lords were highly sought after as trainers of cavaliers, eventually becoming known as the "seat of Generic chivalry." The region has changed hands between the Generics and Antagonese several times over the following centuries. These days, the population is more "civilized" than its forebears, but retains a certain independent spirit. It continues to be known for its horse-breeders, and an exceptional local breed of destrier, the Valemont.

St. Eques

[Patron saint of Banner Hall, and the post-Imperial/pre-Generic horse-lord tribes of the region]

Economy and Resources

• The region is known for its knights and destriers, as it has been for centuries. But the sun of their former glory seems to be setting, as centuries of exclusivity and resistance to novelty have allowed competition to grow, forcing Bannerish horsemen and horse-breeders to bring in new blood, and new ideas, to keep relevant.
• Bannerish farms were once the breadbasket of Generica, or the Crownlands at least, but inadequate management over the last several generations has left it somewhat diminished.

Government and Politics

See Court of Banner Hall

• Government Type: Feudal
• Succession: Agnatic-Cognatic Primogeniture
• Ruled by Arl Thurston Highhorse III

Regions

Banner Hall is a de jure "county" consisting of 4 holdings (17 hundreds). See also: Vassalage in Generica.

Barony of Valemont

See Valemont

• The caput major, ruled by Arl Thurston Highhorse III (Court)
• Highhorse Castle, AKA Old Banner Hall

City of Herdeford

• Ruled by Mayor Toff Pendigree
• Important Horse-Breeders' Guild

Vicarage of Prieston

• Ruled by Vicar Tidas Bookburne
• St. Paius' Cathedral at Prieston

Barony of Warsby

• Ruled by Baron Graige Hautblood
• Warsby Castle

Hundreds (17)

• Ardfoss
• Astwes
• Auchfield
• Balster
• Bergdon
• Coedfrith
• Dalecombe
• Dundin
• Glindstead
• Herdeford
• Kethwold
• Kilkirk
• Leftover
• Plotholm
• Prieston
• Valemont
• Warsby

Rumor Has It…

• An Antagonese chevauchée could come at any moment…

See Also

• Court of Banner Hall

Notes

• The well-to-do Bannerish folk tend to favor a "bycocket"-styled hat with a horsehair-based ornamentation.