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<blockquote data-quote="Agback" data-source="post: 1292607" data-attributes="member: 5328">ERIADOR IN 8/IVThe Ordering of EriadorThe Tale of Years records that in SR 1427 “King Elessar issues an edict that Men are not to enter the Shire, and makes it a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre”. That is a typically insular way for hobbits to put things, to say the least. The edict was indeed proclaimed, on 30 Yavannië in the year 7/IV, but its scope was far more sweeping than the hobbit annalist suggests. Titled For the Ordering of Eriador it not only rehabilitated and re-organised the Kingdom of Arnor, but also established new arrangements for those parts of Gondor between the White Mountains and the Greyflood.Dorn AngrenThe part of Gondor between the Adorn-Isen and the westward spur of the White Mountains was made a principality for the King’s son Eldarion, and the edict provided that it shall ever after be the appanage of the heir apparent to the throne. But while the Heir be under age, the government of the principality remains in the hands of a steward. The King appointed Amandil of Dol Amroth as Steward of Dorn Angren. Many soldiers of Dol Amroth, Ringló Vale, and Lamedon who served in the defence of Minas Tirith were granted estates and farms in Dorn Angren, and likewise men of Anfalas were settled on the coast.DunlandEastern Enedwaith from Swanfleet to the upper Isen (except for the Treegarth of Orthanc), to which King Eomer added the land between Adorn and Isen, was recognised as the homeland of the Dunlendings. The authority of their Five Chieftains was recognised under the suzerainty of the King, and they were charged with the upkeep of the Great Road between Tharbad and the Fords of Isen, and speeding the King’s Messengers. The western border of Dunland from the confluence of Isen and Adorn to the confluence of the Swanfleet and Hoarwell, was ordered to be marked with a line of yew-trees.Western EnedwaithDuinhir of Morthond was made Prince of Lond Daer, and charged with the rule of the lands between Greyflood and the lower Isen, west of the Yews of Dunland. Veterans of the War from Morthond and Parth Gelin were settled on estates in this land, and from Anfalas along the coast. Vacant lands were made available for settlement by people of Gondor.ArthedainThe old lands of Arthedain, except for the Shire, were thickly set with the lordships of the Dunedain of the North. Considerable royal woods and demesnes were preserved, especially around Lake Evendim. In many cases fiefs long in abeyance were revived for Ranger families lineally descended from the last tenants.The ShireThe King’s edict confirmed the grant of the Shire to the hobbits by King Arvedui, and explicitly gave them leave to rule themselves according to their customs, subject to the laws and suzerainty of the North Kingdom. This presumably made the Thain the King’s vassal for the Shire. Buckland is not in point of law part of the Shire, and therefore is nominally subject to rule by the King and his Council of the North.The King’s edict did not in point of fact forbid men to enter the Shire: that would have had the effect of preventing their use of the East-West Road. What it did was reserve the Shire to the hobbits, an exception to the rule allowing subjects of the King and his allies to settle vacant lands in Arnor.RhúdaurThe King assigned the principality of Rhúdaur, between Hoarwell and Loudwater and north of the Old Road to the Weather Hills, to Elladan and Elrohir, the sons of Elrond. These he also recognised as Kings of Hollin between Loudwater-Hoarwell and the Swanfleet.CardolanThe King’s kinsman and standard-bearer Halbarad had been killed on the Pelennor Plain. The King gave the land between Hoarwell, the Greenway, and the Old Road to Halbarad’s son Haldir, with the title of Prince of Cardolan (although this land was but a third of territory of Cardolan of old). During Haldir’s minority the wardship of Cardolan was assigned to his grandfather Haladan, who was also Lord Lieutenant of Tharbad.MinhiriathMost of the rest of old Cardolan, the land between Brandywine and Greyflood south-west of the road from Tharbad to Sarn Ford, was proclaimed available for the subjects and allies of the King to settle. Minhiriath was not enfeoffed to any lord or prince, and so remains subject directly to the King and the Council of the North.Royal WorksCertain royal works were already in hand in Eriador at the time of the King’s edict.The Great Road had been cleared from end to end, and posting-houses were nearing completion at intervals of eight leagues along the way. Where necessary the formation had been restored: cuttings and culverts renewed, causeways rebuilt. Parts of the road were being re-surfaced: even, in places, paved. A new bridge at Tharbad was scheduled to be opened in the Spring. The aim was to have a postal courier service operating from Minas Tirith to Fornost by Midsummer. The vast effort of road-building was largely supplied from Tharbad, where the river-port was restored. And a new river-port was under construction at Sarn Ford, the head of navigation on the Brandywine.Royal fortresses at Tharbad and Fornost were still many years from completion, but the first stages had been occupied. And a city was rising again on the ruins of Annuminas, to be once again the northern capital of the Kingdom of the Dunedain.These works involved colossal expenditures, and attracted not only hundreds of dwarvish engineers from Erebor and Ered Lindon, but thousands of Mannish masons and navvies. Markets for food and fodder, timber, clothes, charcoal, tools, horses, ponies, and oxen sprang into being. Farmers and shepherds, woodsmen, spinners and weavers, carters and publicans flocked to the Road. Life began to stir anew in Eriador.Royal OfficialsThe Council of the NorthFifteen lords of the Dunedain exercise the powers of the King between Greyflood and Lune. Seven seats are hereditary and seven appointed for life, and the Seneschal of Arnor presides during the pleasure of the King.Seneschal of ArnorPresident and executive of the Council of the North, the Seneschal of Arnor governs the North-Kingdom. This office is held by Thilvagor son of Arador, the uncle of the King.Lord Lieutenant of FornostCastellan of the royal fortress of Fornost Erain, the Lord Lieutenant of Fornost is Captain of the Rangers of the North and commander of the north-east frontier of Arnor. His duties are to ward against the beasts and monsters of Rhudaur and Angmar. The post is held by Amlaich son of Belegrond, who was one of the Grey Company.Lord Lieutenant of TharbadCastellan of the royal fortress at Tharbad, the Lord Lieutenant of Tharbad is commander of the south-eastern frontier of Arnor. His duties would seem to be to keep an eye on the Dunlendings, and eye towards Moria, and to patrol the Great Road between Fornost and the Fords of Isen. The post is held by Haladan son of Baradan, a kinsman of the King, who is also guardian of his grandson’s principality of Cardolan.Mayor of Michel DelvingFirst Shirriff and Postmaster of the Shire, elected by the hobbits for terms of seven years. The post is held by Samwise Gamgee.Vassals in ChiefPrince of Dorn AngrenEldarion son of Aragorn. A minor: the principality is governed by a steward, Amandil of Dol AmrothPrince of Lond DaerDuinhir of Morthond.Prince of RhúdaurElladan and Elrohir, sons of Elrond.Prince of CardolanHaldir son of Habarad. A minor under the wardship of his grandfather Haladan son of Baradan, Lord Lieutenant of Tharbad.Thain of the ShirePaladin II [Took].[Master of Buckland]Saradoc ‘Scattergold’ [Brandybuck].Economic conditionsMoneySince the fall of Arthedain in 1974/III and of Khazad-dûm in 1980/III the only mints operating in Eriador have been Dwarvish ones in the Ered Luin, and those had no access to silver-mines. Eriador therefore depended on coin from far away and long ago, with attendant inconveniencies, or on copper coins of small value. In Gondor the mints continued to operate, but the standard of the coin was much debased from the Kin-strife onwards. When the Stewards took over denominations that had been gold under King Valacar were mostly copper.In 1/IV King Elessar restored the coinage, introducing a system based on standards of Elros Tar-Minyatur and Elendil. The basis of the system is the telpenion: one-twentieth of a Numenorean pound (~21.6 g) of silver 11/12 fine. Tolkien translated telpenion as ‘silver penny’, but I shall use ‘shilling’. The shilling is over-large in both size and value, and is not a popular coin. For practical purposes it is divided into twelve ‘pennies’: the Royal mints produce silver coins of a penny, threepence, sixpence, and a shilling.A penny a day is a common wage of unskilled labour in Gondor. Which means that change of a penny is often wanted. The old standard was a copper coin the weight of a shilling with a value of 2/15 of a penny, the carnurion (‘copper’). Elessar has replaced this with a slightly larger bronze coin valued by decree at one sixth of a penny. The mints also issue half-coppers and farthings.The standard of Numenor was for a gold coin the weight of a telpenion called the gilorion, and double-, half-, and quarter-gilyriûn. Gold was about ten times the price of silver, so the gilorion was worth about half a pound of silver. In Middle-earth at the start of the Fourth Age gold is about sixteen times the price of silver. The King has contrived that the value rather than the weight of his gold coins is preserved. His mints therefore issue a gold ‘sovereign’ weighing 27.2 g, a ‘half-sovereign’ worth ten shillings, a ‘crown’ worth five shilling, and a ‘half-crown’ weighing 3.4 grammes.Elessar’s coins are very beautiful, the dies having been made in Erebor. On the obverse is a portrait of the King circled by the legend “Elessar aran in Arnor e Gondor”. On coins minted at Minas Tirith the King wears the crown of Gondor. On those minted at Fornost he wears the Elendilmir. The reverse designs differ from denomintion to denomination but are the same at Fornost Erain as at Minas Tirith; their encircling legends state the value of the coin in Westron. The edges of the coins are upset and milled.Coin&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; metal&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; wgt&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; size&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; value&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; (g)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; (mm)&nbsp; &nbsp; (pence)Sovereign&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Au&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 27.2&nbsp; &nbsp; 27.2&nbsp; &nbsp; 240Half-sov&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Au&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 13.6&nbsp; &nbsp; 21.6&nbsp; &nbsp; 120Crown&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Au&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 6.8&nbsp; &nbsp; 17.2&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 60Half-crown&nbsp; Au&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 3.4&nbsp; &nbsp; 13.6&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 30Shilling&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Ag&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 21.6&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 30.9&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 12Sixpence&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Ag&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 10.8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 24.5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 6Threepence Ag&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 5.4&nbsp; &nbsp; 19.5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 3Penny&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ag&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1.8&nbsp; &nbsp; 13.5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1Copper&nbsp; &nbsp; bronze&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 21.6&nbsp; &nbsp; 32.6&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1/6Half-copper bronze 10.8&nbsp; &nbsp; 25.9&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1/12Farthing&nbsp; &nbsp; bronze&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 5.4&nbsp; &nbsp; 20.5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1/24Coin&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; reverse designSovereign&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Eärendil on VingilotHalf-sov.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Sun, the Moon, and 7 starsCrown&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Tree, stars, and crownHalf-crown&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 2 snakes, one upholding &amp; one &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; devouring a crown of flowersShilling&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; A mounted ranger bearing the &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Royal standardSixpence&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The elessar and motto ‘Elessar’Threepence&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; A hand holding three leaves of athelasPenny&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The star of the DúnedainCopper&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; A herdsman with sheep and cowHalf-copper&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; A woman pouring from a jugFarthing&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; A sheaf of wheatPricesIt is unfortunately impossible to give a list of prices that is representative for the whole of the Reunited Realm, because they necessarily vary considerably from place to place, and even from season to season and from year to year. Goods are cheaper where they are made than where they are shipped to. It is hard even to give a general indication of the value of money: a person can live cheaper in Arnor than in Gondor. The prices that follow are typical of Tharbad in summer in a year of moderate plenty.Armour&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; pricejerkin, leather&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1/9jacket, leather&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 4/–breeches, leather&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2/8cuirass, cuirboilli&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 3/6byrnie (mail shirt)&nbsp; &nbsp; §1 15/–hauberk (mail tunic)&nbsp; &nbsp; §4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; mail hose, pair&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; §2&nbsp; 6/8cuirass, scale&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; §2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; cuirass, plate&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; §2&nbsp; 6/8vambraces, pair&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; §1 11/2greaves&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; §1 11/2iron cap&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; §1&nbsp;&nbsp; 3/4casque&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; §1 15/–helm&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; §2&nbsp; 6/8Clothing &amp; footwear&nbsp; &nbsp; pricebelt (leather)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1.5boots, low (leather)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 6boots, high (leather)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9breeches&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1/4cloak, hooded&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2/3coat, full length&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3/–dress (dirndl)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 2/–gloves&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3gown&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2/3hat&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 7.5hose&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 7.5jacket&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2/–shirt/blouse&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 6shoes&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 2.25smock&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 9socks&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1surcoat&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1/6tunic, short (jupon)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1/6tunic, long&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 2/3waistcoat/jerkin&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 10.5shoddy&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -50%fine material&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; +100%leather&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +100%dyed (green, indigo, russet, brown)&nbsp; &nbsp; +25%gaily dyed (blue, yellow, murrey)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; +50%richly dyed (black, scarlet, violet)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; +75%fleece-lined&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +200%fur-timmed&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +200%fur-lined&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; +400 to +1100%embroidered&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; +25%richly embroidered&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +75%brocade&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +225%</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Agback, post: 1292607, member: 5328"] [b]ERIADOR IN 8/IV[/b] [b]The Ordering of Eriador[/b] The [i]Tale of Years[/i] records that in SR 1427 “King Elessar issues an edict that Men are not to enter the Shire, and makes it a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre”. That is a typically insular way for hobbits to put things, to say the least. The edict was indeed proclaimed, on 30 Yavannië in the year 7/IV, but its scope was far more sweeping than the hobbit annalist suggests. Titled [i]For the Ordering of Eriador[/i] it not only rehabilitated and re-organised the Kingdom of Arnor, but also established new arrangements for those parts of Gondor between the White Mountains and the Greyflood. Dorn Angren The part of Gondor between the Adorn-Isen and the westward spur of the White Mountains was made a principality for the King’s son Eldarion, and the edict provided that it shall ever after be the appanage of the heir apparent to the throne. But while the Heir be under age, the government of the principality remains in the hands of a steward. The King appointed Amandil of Dol Amroth as Steward of Dorn Angren. Many soldiers of Dol Amroth, Ringló Vale, and Lamedon who served in the defence of Minas Tirith were granted estates and farms in Dorn Angren, and likewise men of Anfalas were settled on the coast. Dunland Eastern Enedwaith from Swanfleet to the upper Isen (except for the Treegarth of Orthanc), to which King Eomer added the land between Adorn and Isen, was recognised as the homeland of the Dunlendings. The authority of their Five Chieftains was recognised under the suzerainty of the King, and they were charged with the upkeep of the Great Road between Tharbad and the Fords of Isen, and speeding the King’s Messengers. The western border of Dunland from the confluence of Isen and Adorn to the confluence of the Swanfleet and Hoarwell, was ordered to be marked with a line of yew-trees. Western Enedwaith Duinhir of Morthond was made Prince of Lond Daer, and charged with the rule of the lands between Greyflood and the lower Isen, west of the Yews of Dunland. Veterans of the War from Morthond and Parth Gelin were settled on estates in this land, and from Anfalas along the coast. Vacant lands were made available for settlement by people of Gondor. Arthedain The old lands of Arthedain, except for the Shire, were thickly set with the lordships of the Dunedain of the North. Considerable royal woods and demesnes were preserved, especially around Lake Evendim. In many cases fiefs long in abeyance were revived for Ranger families lineally descended from the last tenants. The Shire The King’s edict confirmed the grant of the Shire to the hobbits by King Arvedui, and explicitly gave them leave to rule themselves according to their customs, subject to the laws and suzerainty of the North Kingdom. This presumably made the Thain the King’s vassal for the Shire. Buckland is not in point of law part of the Shire, and therefore is nominally subject to rule by the King and his Council of the North. The King’s edict did not in point of fact forbid men to enter the Shire: that would have had the effect of preventing their use of the East-West Road. What it did was reserve the Shire to the hobbits, an exception to the rule allowing subjects of the King and his allies to settle vacant lands in Arnor. Rhúdaur The King assigned the principality of Rhúdaur, between Hoarwell and Loudwater and north of the Old Road to the Weather Hills, to Elladan and Elrohir, the sons of Elrond. These he also recognised as Kings of Hollin between Loudwater-Hoarwell and the Swanfleet. Cardolan The King’s kinsman and standard-bearer Halbarad had been killed on the Pelennor Plain. The King gave the land between Hoarwell, the Greenway, and the Old Road to Halbarad’s son Haldir, with the title of Prince of Cardolan (although this land was but a third of territory of Cardolan of old). During Haldir’s minority the wardship of Cardolan was assigned to his grandfather Haladan, who was also Lord Lieutenant of Tharbad. Minhiriath Most of the rest of old Cardolan, the land between Brandywine and Greyflood south-west of the road from Tharbad to Sarn Ford, was proclaimed available for the subjects and allies of the King to settle. Minhiriath was not enfeoffed to any lord or prince, and so remains subject directly to the King and the Council of the North. [b]Royal Works[/b] Certain royal works were already in hand in Eriador at the time of the King’s edict. The Great Road had been cleared from end to end, and posting-houses were nearing completion at intervals of eight leagues along the way. Where necessary the formation had been restored: cuttings and culverts renewed, causeways rebuilt. Parts of the road were being re-surfaced: even, in places, paved. A new bridge at Tharbad was scheduled to be opened in the Spring. The aim was to have a postal courier service operating from Minas Tirith to Fornost by Midsummer. The vast effort of road-building was largely supplied from Tharbad, where the river-port was restored. And a new river-port was under construction at Sarn Ford, the head of navigation on the Brandywine. Royal fortresses at Tharbad and Fornost were still many years from completion, but the first stages had been occupied. And a city was rising again on the ruins of Annuminas, to be once again the northern capital of the Kingdom of the Dunedain. These works involved colossal expenditures, and attracted not only hundreds of dwarvish engineers from Erebor and Ered Lindon, but thousands of Mannish masons and navvies. Markets for food and fodder, timber, clothes, charcoal, tools, horses, ponies, and oxen sprang into being. Farmers and shepherds, woodsmen, spinners and weavers, carters and publicans flocked to the Road. Life began to stir anew in Eriador. [b]Royal Officials[/b] The Council of the North Fifteen lords of the Dunedain exercise the powers of the King between Greyflood and Lune. Seven seats are hereditary and seven appointed for life, and the Seneschal of Arnor presides during the pleasure of the King. Seneschal of Arnor President and executive of the Council of the North, the Seneschal of Arnor governs the North-Kingdom. This office is held by Thilvagor son of Arador, the uncle of the King. Lord Lieutenant of Fornost Castellan of the royal fortress of Fornost Erain, the Lord Lieutenant of Fornost is Captain of the Rangers of the North and commander of the north-east frontier of Arnor. His duties are to ward against the beasts and monsters of Rhudaur and Angmar. The post is held by Amlaich son of Belegrond, who was one of the Grey Company. Lord Lieutenant of Tharbad Castellan of the royal fortress at Tharbad, the Lord Lieutenant of Tharbad is commander of the south-eastern frontier of Arnor. His duties would seem to be to keep an eye on the Dunlendings, and eye towards Moria, and to patrol the Great Road between Fornost and the Fords of Isen. The post is held by Haladan son of Baradan, a kinsman of the King, who is also guardian of his grandson’s principality of Cardolan. Mayor of Michel Delving First Shirriff and Postmaster of the Shire, elected by the hobbits for terms of seven years. The post is held by Samwise Gamgee. [b]Vassals in Chief[/b] Prince of Dorn Angren Eldarion son of Aragorn. A minor: the principality is governed by a steward, Amandil of Dol Amroth Prince of Lond Daer Duinhir of Morthond. Prince of Rhúdaur Elladan and Elrohir, sons of Elrond. Prince of Cardolan Haldir son of Habarad. A minor under the wardship of his grandfather Haladan son of Baradan, Lord Lieutenant of Tharbad. Thain of the Shire Paladin II [Took]. [Master of Buckland] Saradoc ‘Scattergold’ [Brandybuck]. [b]Economic conditions[/b] Money Since the fall of Arthedain in 1974/III and of Khazad-dûm in 1980/III the only mints operating in Eriador have been Dwarvish ones in the Ered Luin, and those had no access to silver-mines. Eriador therefore depended on coin from far away and long ago, with attendant inconveniencies, or on copper coins of small value. In Gondor the mints continued to operate, but the standard of the coin was much debased from the Kin-strife onwards. When the Stewards took over denominations that had been gold under King Valacar were mostly copper. In 1/IV King Elessar restored the coinage, introducing a system based on standards of Elros Tar-Minyatur and Elendil. The basis of the system is the [i]telpenion[/i]: one-twentieth of a Numenorean pound (~21.6 g) of silver 11/12 fine. Tolkien translated telpenion as ‘silver penny’, but I shall use ‘shilling’. The shilling is over-large in both size and value, and is not a popular coin. For practical purposes it is divided into twelve ‘pennies’: the Royal mints produce silver coins of a penny, threepence, sixpence, and a shilling. A penny a day is a common wage of unskilled labour in Gondor. Which means that change of a penny is often wanted. The old standard was a copper coin the weight of a shilling with a value of 2/15 of a penny, the [i]carnurion[/i] (‘copper’). Elessar has replaced this with a slightly larger bronze coin valued by decree at one sixth of a penny. The mints also issue half-coppers and farthings. The standard of Numenor was for a gold coin the weight of a [i]telpenion[/i] called the [i]gilorion[/i], and double-, half-, and quarter-[i]gilyriûn[/i]. Gold was about ten times the price of silver, so the gilorion was worth about half a pound of silver. In Middle-earth at the start of the Fourth Age gold is about sixteen times the price of silver. The King has contrived that the value rather than the weight of his gold coins is preserved. His mints therefore issue a gold ‘sovereign’ weighing 27.2 g, a ‘half-sovereign’ worth ten shillings, a ‘crown’ worth five shilling, and a ‘half-crown’ weighing 3.4 grammes. Elessar’s coins are very beautiful, the dies having been made in Erebor. On the obverse is a portrait of the King circled by the legend [i]“Elessar aran in Arnor e Gondor”[/i]. On coins minted at Minas Tirith the King wears the crown of Gondor. On those minted at Fornost he wears the Elendilmir. The reverse designs differ from denomintion to denomination but are the same at Fornost Erain as at Minas Tirith; their encircling legends state the value of the coin in Westron. The edges of the coins are upset and milled. Coin metal wgt size value (g) (mm) (pence) Sovereign Au 27.2 27.2 240 Half-sov Au 13.6 21.6 120 Crown Au 6.8 17.2 60 Half-crown Au 3.4 13.6 30 Shilling Ag 21.6 30.9 12 Sixpence Ag 10.8 24.5 6 Threepence Ag 5.4 19.5 3 Penny Ag 1.8 13.5 1 Copper bronze 21.6 32.6 1/6 Half-copper bronze 10.8 25.9 1/12 Farthing bronze 5.4 20.5 1/24 Coin reverse design Sovereign Eärendil on Vingilot Half-sov. The Sun, the Moon, and 7 stars Crown Tree, stars, and crown Half-crown 2 snakes, one upholding & one devouring a crown of flowers Shilling A mounted ranger bearing the Royal standard Sixpence The elessar and motto ‘Elessar’ Threepence A hand holding three leaves of athelas Penny The star of the Dúnedain Copper A herdsman with sheep and cow Half-copper A woman pouring from a jug Farthing A sheaf of wheat Prices It is unfortunately impossible to give a list of prices that is representative for the whole of the Reunited Realm, because they necessarily vary considerably from place to place, and even from season to season and from year to year. Goods are cheaper where they are made than where they are shipped to. It is hard even to give a general indication of the value of money: a person can live cheaper in Arnor than in Gondor. The prices that follow are typical of Tharbad in summer in a year of moderate plenty. Armour price jerkin, leather 1/9 jacket, leather 4/– breeches, leather 2/8 cuirass, cuirboilli 3/6 byrnie (mail shirt) §1 15/– hauberk (mail tunic) §4 mail hose, pair §2 6/8 cuirass, scale §2 cuirass, plate §2 6/8 vambraces, pair §1 11/2 greaves §1 11/2 iron cap §1 3/4 casque §1 15/– helm §2 6/8 Clothing & footwear price belt (leather) 1.5 boots, low (leather) 6 boots, high (leather) 9 breeches 1/4 cloak, hooded 2/3 coat, full length 3/– dress (dirndl) 2/– gloves 3 gown 2/3 hat 7.5 hose 7.5 jacket 2/– shirt/blouse 6 shoes 2.25 smock 9 socks 1 surcoat 1/6 tunic, short (jupon) 1/6 tunic, long 2/3 waistcoat/jerkin 10.5 shoddy -50% fine material +100% leather +100% dyed (green, indigo, russet, brown) +25% gaily dyed (blue, yellow, murrey) +50% richly dyed (black, scarlet, violet) +75% fleece-lined +200% fur-timmed +200% fur-lined +400 to +1100% embroidered +25% richly embroidered +75% brocade +225% [/QUOTE]

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