Land Use and Social Patterns in Excalibur

Land Use Agriculture Socio-Military patterns.
(1.)

the Villa

(MPL. £25)

 In these regions, life is organised around the Villa. Large estate farms serviced by slaves, servants and client small holders. There is a balance between arable farming and livestock. The Villas are served and supply small open market towns. Minor nobility inhabit the Villas and serve the local warlord with their mounted retainers. There are limited numbers of gentry, who aspire towards a Villa, and some free yeomen, but the majority of the population are serfs.
(2.)

Celtic farming

(MPL. £20)

 Here, the farms are smaller and more often tended by family or clan groups. Again there is a balance between arable farming and livestock, but with livestock beginning to predominate.. In these regions there are less folk rise to the status of noblemen, but there are more independent gentry and yeomen, and consequently less serfs.
(3.)

Three field system

(MPL. £30)

 This is the new way of farming. Villages forming the centre of a three field rotation, where arable farming is predominant. However, cattle, sheep and pigs are all present too. Here, the free yeoman is in the ascendant. Naturally, the richer aspire to the status of gentry, and the very greatest are considered nobles. Serfs there are still, but less in number.
(4.)

Livestock rearing

(MPL. £15)

 In these areas, the emphasis is on livestock rearing, especially cattle, although sheep and pigs are also kept and there is some arable farming. Here, there are independent farms of the gentry and yeomen. However, most land is held in common, in the name of the local nobleman, whose clients follow him in war as their herds graze the pastures
(5.)

Hill farming

(MPL. £12)

 Here the emphasis is again on livestock rearing, with subsidiary arable cultivation. Sheep predominate, rather than cattle. Hill farming society is similar to livestock areas except that here, hardship has forced more men into client relationships with the clan chiefs..
(6.)

Mountain pasture

(MPL. £10)

 The pattern here is as for hill farming. However, terrain, altitude and climate conspire to make life here much more difficult The pattern of hill farming is repeated here, the frugality of life forcing greater dependence still on the clans and their chiefs.

Social Policy and Change

Each social pattern / type of land use has implications for the military resources of the area and its prosperity. The Prosperity of an area is expressed as the maximum level of annual taxation that can be raised per hundred households. Each social pattern has a Maximum Prosperity Level (MPL), above which, its prosperity level may not rise. Initial Prosperity levels have all been set lower than these, to give all players the scope for growth without social change. However, once an area reaches its MPL, further growth in prosperity is possible either, by enhancing the status of the pattern of land use already extant (Enhancement*), or as a result of bringing about a change in land use. Players encourage social change by following one or more of the following economic policies.

* Enhancement increases MPL by £2-5.

Economic Options

Bovine excellence
This encourages an increase in the quality and renown of  herds. It may only be practiced in any area and leads to Enhancement in areas: 2, 4, 5 or 6. It does not lead to a change in Land Use or Social Pattern and is therefore universally popular. It increases the Prestige of the ruler, and may also increase his popularity.
Villa and pagum
This encourages the accretion of Villa estates and their associated markets. Only allowed in area 1, where it leads to the Enhancement, or in 2, where it leads to a change in Land Use, resulting in Villa status. It is popular with the nobility, unpopular with all other classes. It may lead to a decrease in the ruler's popularity.
Crofting
This increases peasant self sufficiency. It may be practiced in any areas. It leads to a rise in the number of Yeomen and a decline in all other classes. If successful, it results in the new Land Use classification: Crofting, with an MPL of £12.
Heavy ploughing
This encourages the use of ox-drawn ploughs and increases arable farming. It may be practiced in areas 1 or 2, where is successful it leads to a change in Land Use to Three Field status. Here it is unpopular and may lead to a a decrease in the ruler's popularity. In area 3 it leads to Enhancement and is universally popular.
Mill and Manor
This encourages the building of water mills and the collection of land into manors. It leads to a decrease in Yeomen and in increase in Serfs and Nobles. It is unpopular with all but the Nobles and may lead to a a decrease in the ruler's popularity. However if successful it leads to the Manorial system, with an MFL of £36.
Town and market
This policy grants charters to towns and cities, encouraging their growth and market development. It leads to the growth of trade and therefore increased tariffs and excise. It also leads to an expansion in town militias and an increasing desire for independence in larger cities.
Craftsmanship
This encourages the growth of crafts in towns and at the court of the ruler. It enhances town growth, when twinned with Town and Market policies. It also increases the ruler's ability to give gifts and to raise the equipment level of his household or paid soldiers.
 
Overseas trade
This assists the growth of ports by encouraging foreign trade. This in turn stimulates internal trade, leading to a rise in all trade revenues and to the enhancement of all areas

The late 5th century had been one of massive decline, plague, pestilence, natural disaster, social disintegration and war. By the beginning of the 7th century Britain, England especially, entered on a period of sustained and remarkable growth. It will be possible for players to experience that growth in the 6th century, in the game of Excalibur... if they play shrewdly enough.

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