FORTIFIED MANOR 1

his article describes a large, fortified good drainage. The pitched roofs are built with narrower,
manor house. It is unnamed and three-inch-thick planks and covered with slate shingles
intended to be usable in any fantasy to protect them from fire. The gatehouse passage, cellars,
campaign. It is an example of the sort and kitchen are roofed with skilfully fitted groin vaults.
of manor house that might be found The rooms above them have stone floors.
on a large, wealthy estate. The lord of Instead of braziers, fireplaces are used throughout.
such a manor is only one step below a baron and can They give out a decent amount of heat and only smoke
afford to build a fine stone manor house, support a large a little bit. With good window coverings and well-built
household, and live in an impressive style. It may be a masonry walls, the manor house is remarkably warm
newly constructed manor in a dangerous frontier region and free of drafts for a stone building. The manor cost
where such strong defences are necessary or it might approximately twice the price of a normal building of
be an old, long-settled manor whose defences are now similar size and took three times as long to build.
merely a reminder of days gone by.
The following pages describe the manor house in
The manor house was constructed under the detail. The rooms are numbered, but GMs can adjust
direction of a skilled master mason. The stone walls their purpose and change occupants to suit their own
are straight, level, and plumb. As a result, they are requirements. Descriptions of the inhabitants have been
exceptionally tight, strong, and draft free. The wood is all kept vague. The members of the household are referred
old-growth oak; single pieces are used wherever possible. to by their role rather than by name to allow them to be
The windows into the nobles chambers and the chapel integrated into any fantasy or historical campaign.
are made with glass, while those in the other rooms are
made with horn or taut sheepskin. All the windows have
two-inch-thick oak shutters; the ones on the ground floor CREDITS
are iron-clad on the outside. The surfaces of the flat Writer: Kerry Mould
roofs of the watchtower and parapets are constructed of Maps & Plans: Kerry Mould,
12-inch-wide, six-inch-thick planks of oak, waterproofed Thomas Shook
with tarred rope driven into the seams, and covered Illustrations: Richard Luschek
with a thin layer of flagstones for fire protection. They Editing and Layout: Brent Bailey
are slightly sloped from the middle out to the sides for
Copyright 2010, Kerry R. Mould
 FORTIFIED MANOR 2
GROUND FLOOR the trapdoor is used to lower crates and barrels into
[1] Dry Moat: The manor house is surrounded by a the cellars below. A spiral stone staircase leads up to
moat that is 10 feet deep and 15 feet across. It is the nobles quarters and down to the cellar. Although
kept dry to keep the cellars from getting damp. Grass the lord prefers to use the stairs in the great hall to
grows in the bottom of the moat and it is used as a reach his solar, everyone else has to pass through
pen for the manors geese. The geese make a lot of the kitchen, making it a very busy place.
noise when disturbed, acting as a living alarm system. [8] Great Hall: The social and legal hub of the manor.
[2] Gatehouse: This is the only access to the manor By night, the lord hosts feasts for this friends and
house. The groin-vaulted entrance is protected liegemen. By day, he manages the concerns of the
by two sets of six-inch thick iron-clad oak doors. manor from his seat on the dais. Once a month, he
The gates are normally open during the day, with presides over his manor court. Two heavy doors
two men-at-arms always on guard. The existing enter at ground level, one from the courtyard and
wooden bridge was supposed to be replaced with a one from the kitchen. The wooden dais supports the
drawbridge but one was never installed. The bridge lords table. Four large fireplaces heat the massive
can be dismantled in a half day if necessary. room, keeping it passably warm in all but the depths
of winter. A stone staircase rises to the catwalk
[3] Courtyard: The courtyard is small but kept neat above. A locked door secures access to the cellar
and tidy. It is cobbled to keep down the mud. Two and siege stores below.
sheds for firewood have been built against the main
hall wall. The manor houses 16 fireplaces consume [9] Bathhouse: The bathhouse has a large wooden tub
vast amounts of wood. A firewood cutter makes and a big fireplace to heat the water and keep the
daily deliveries. A stone-lined well, surrounded by bathers warm. The servants draw water from the
a waist-high wall, serves the manor. The rope and well and heat it in a pair of large cauldrons over the
bucket are attached to a winch. The water is clear fire. It takes several hours to heat enough water to
and cold. fill the tub. Fortunately, the lord only bathes once
or twice a week. A drain empties into the dry moat,
[4] Knight-Retainers Quarters: The lord displays his where the water slowly seeps away.
wealth by keeping a knight as his personal retainer.
The young knight commands the small manor guard. [10] Brew House: This building is dedicated to
He shares this fine room with his wife. They do not supplying the massive quantities of beer and ale the
yet have any children, but are trying. household consumes every day. Extra beer and ale is
kept cool in the cellar of the great hall.
[5] Sages Quarters: A scholar employed by the lord
to educate the household. This room doubles as a [11] Granary: The three aisles and two lofts of this large
classroom for the noble children during the day. barn hold the finished products of the threshing and
other agricultural work done in the outer yard. The
[6] Chamberlains Quarters: The chamberlain contents include the products of the lords demesne
is responsible for purchasing all supplies and land, such as grains and smoked and salted meat
supervising the household servants. He can read for the households consumption, plus seed for next
and write and keeps accurate accounts of household years planting and a reserve in the event of crop
expenses. He wields significant power because he failure. The granary is kept neat, tight, and dry to
effectively runs the household and controls access to keep the valuable food from spoiling. Numerous
the lord. He has a comfortable corner room that he barely domesticated cats keep the rats and mice to a
shares with his wife, eldest son and daughter-in-law, minimum.
and two younger unmarried daughters. The family
members are all employed as domestic servants. [12] Kennel: The manor lord keeps a number of prized
hunting dogs in this large, comfortable kennel. By
[7] Kitchen and Bakehouse: This room has stone day, the dogs are free to roam the courtyard, coming
walls and groin vaulting for fire protection. A here only to sleep.
massive fireplace, 10 feet wide and large enough to
cook an entire ox, dominates the room. A smaller [13] Stables: The warhorses of the lord, his knight-
baking oven flanks it. The double doors from the retainer, and steward, plus three of the most
courtyard are usually left open during the day to valuable palfreys, are kept in the stalls during the
dissipate the heat generated by the cooking fires. A night. In the morning, the ostler takes the horses,
trapdoor just inside the entrance opens to the cellars. plus those from the stable in the outer yard, out to
A block and tackle suspended from the ceiling above the pasture to graze. Tack and saddles are hung
along the front wall.

Copyright 2010, Kerry R. Mould

 FORTIFIED MANOR 3

GROUND FLOOR

Copyright 2010, Kerry R. Mould

 FORTIFIED MANOR 4
SECOND FLOOR floor was removed to make a taller, grander hall.
[1] Guard Room: A staircase from the courtyard Two large chandeliers were commissioned to light
provides access to the second floor of the the room. They can be lowered from a winch on the
gatehouse. The guardroom at the top of the stairs catwalk. The catwalk is a popular place for lower-
has a fireplace and a table and stools for the guards ranking visitors to sleep, as this area is kept warm
when they are not on watch. by heat rising from the fireplaces in the hall below. A
steep ladder leads up to the parapet.
[2] Nursery: This snug, warm room at the end of the
corridor is occupied by the three ladies-in-waiting [8] South Parapet: This parapet faces the river. Shaded
(all noble relatives), the nursemaid, and the lords by the granary and great hall and dominated by the
two small children. smells of the brew house, it is not as desirable as
the east parapet, but is still pleasant on a summer
[3] Chapel: The chapel is simply furnished with
evening. It has become the unofficial gathering spot
benches and an altar and religious tapestries on the
walls. The large window is done in stained glass. of the senior servants of the household, who must
make way for the lord and other nobles seeking shade.
[4] Priests Room: The priest provides spiritual
comfort and advice to the household. He also [9] Hay Loft: The lords prized horses consume vast
supervises weddings and funerals and administers amounts of fodder. The voluminous hayloft can
the sacraments. His room is spacious but plain. The store large quantities and could store more if the
second bed is for noble guests; two more single cots centre section was planked over. At the chamberlains
can be added if necessary. When guests visit, the recommendation, the lord ordered several trees be
priest moves in with the sage on the ground floor. felled last winter. These have been cut into planks and
This room has been earmarked for the lords children timbers, which are drying in the woodcrafters yard.
when they are old enough. When that happens, the They will be installed late this summer, more than
priest will move in with the sage permanently. tripling the amount of fodder that can be kept in the
loft. This will ensure enough for all the lords horses,
[5] Stewards Room: The lords closest confidant is his not just those kept in the manor house stables.
steward. The steward, who is also a knight, visits and
inspects the lords other manors several times a year. [10] East Parapet: This broad parapet looks out
This helps ensure the honesty of the bailiffs. The over the countryside. On hot muggy days, it is an
steward is in his forties, not as quick as he was when excellent place to catch a breeze. The lord, his
he commanded the manor guard in his youth, but knight-retainer, steward, and herald, along with their
more experienced. He can not only read and write, wives, use the parapet to relax on warm summer
but also is skilled with numbers and auditing and can evenings. Chairs are brought from the hall and a
easily spot a scam or embezzlement. He shares his brazier set up for fires in the evening.
well-appointed quarters with his wife, their two boys, [11] Heralds Room: The herald is a relative of the
and their infant daughter. lord. He keeps track of the lords clan business,
[6] Solar: The solar (lords bed chamber) is the finest teaches clan history to the household, and conducts
room in the manor. It is richly decorated with a negotiations on the lords behalf. His large desk is
large, elaborately carved four-poster bed with richly strewn with records of heraldry, family trees of the
embroidered heavy curtains to keep out the chill. noble families of the kingdom, and official manor
Two high-backed chairs with comfortable cushions records. He shares his comfortable, quiet room with
stand on an imported carpet in front of the fireplace. his wife. Their children are grown and have moved
Over the mantel are a pair of large crossed battle- into their own households.
axes and a shield bearing the lords heraldic crest. A [12] Physician and Harpers Room: Two old bachelors
ladder leads up to the loft. share this room. It doesnt have a fireplace and can
[7] Catwalk: The great hall is a lofty 30 feet tall. Half be cold in winter. They spend much of their time
way up the walls is a five-foot-wide catwalk. It in the heralds room when its cold. In the warmer
encircles the hall, providing access to nine arrow months, the two play chess in front of the window.
slits and an oak door leading to the lords solar. The [13] Clothiers Room and Workshop: The lords
great hall was the first building built on the manor. bonded clothier lives here with his wife and two
Where the catwalk is now was the original height of children. His apprentice sleeps in the loft at the top
the second floor and the main hall. The door to the of the spiral staircase. The clothier weaves and dyes
solar was the original entrance to the tower. When all the clothing for the household. A large loom for
the other buildings were constructed, two new doors making cloth dominates the room. The chamber is
were cut into the ground floor to provide easier warmed by a fireplace and well lit by three windows.
access to the kitchen and courtyard. The wooden
Copyright 2010, Kerry R. Mould
 FORTIFIED MANOR 5

SECOND FLOOR

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 FORTIFIED MANOR 6
THIRD FLOOR
[1] Guards Quarters: A trapdoor and ladder give HOUSEHOLD
access to this chamber from the guardroom below. The number of residents varies throughout the
The manors garrison consists of a sergeant year, with the lord taking many of the residents with
(medium foot), two men-at-arms (light foot), and two him when he travels. The numbers can also vary
archers (longbowmen). The sergeant also acts as the depending on visitors and guests, some who stay for
lords huntsman. He is an accomplished rider and extended periods. The following is a typical list of
is allowed to use one of the lords fine palfreys. The the household when the lord is in residence:
guards quarters have a single bed for the sergeant Lord and Lady (noble)
and two bunks for his men. Their two small children (noble)
[2] Sleeping Loft: At the top of the spiral staircase Lords squire (noble)
is the main sleeping quarters for the servants and
lower-ranking guests. The large room has a sloped Steward and wife (noble)
roof. The floor is finished with broad planks that Their three children (noble)
hundreds of feet have polished to a shine. Several Herald and wife (noble)
straw ticks are already laid out for the servants who Knight-retainer and wife (noble)
sleep here, including two areas sectioned off with
Three ladies-in-waiting (noble)
blankets for the cook and his wife (the alewife) and
the ostler and his wife. Extra bedrolls are stacked, Priest (noble)
ready for use. The only source of heat is the warm Nursemaid
air that rises up the stairwell from the kitchen and Chamberlain and wife (domestic)
noble quarters below. It can be quite warm in the
Eldest son and wife (both domestics)
summer but the windows can be opened to let
the heat out. In the winter, the rising heat is rarely Two unmarried children (both domestics)
enough and the loft can be bitterly cold at night. Cook and wife (alewife) *
Because of the threat of fire, the chamberlain has Baker *
forbidden the servants from bringing a brazier up
Clothier and wife (domestic)
here to keep warm. On cold nights, the servants
often sleep on the catwalk of the great hall. Their two children
[3] Squires Loft: A ladder leads to this loft from the Apprentice *
lords solar. The lords squire sleeps here, at the beck Ostler and wife (domestic) *
and call of his master. The current occupant doesnt Apprentice *
mind it in the winter; the warmth from the fireplace
Kennel boy *
rises and makes this one of the most comfortable
places to sleep. However, in the summer it can Physician
become stiflingly hot. The lord usually allows him Harper
to sleep on the catwalk in the great hall when the Sage/Tutor
weather is too warm.
Sergeant/Huntsman (medium foot)
[4] Strong Room: Most wealthy men tend to secure
Two men-at-arms (light foot)
their valuables in the cellar. This manor lord has
chosen to store his wealth as high as possible above Two archers (longbowmen)
his solar. The strong room is aptly named. Twelve- Six domestics (in addition to those listed above)
inch-thick planks line the floor and sloped walls of Notes: The six additional domestics are women
the roof. An iron-clad door with a stout lock protects from the village. They normally go home each night
the lords treasure and valuables. The lord holds the and do not sleep in the manor. The members of the
only key. household marked with an asterisk (*) sleep in the
[5] Loft: This loft is rarely used, as it can be reached sleeping loft.
only by ladder. Overflow guests usually prefer to
sleep on the catwalk above the great hall. However,
the room is spacious and available for use, if a bit
dusty.

Copyright 2010, Kerry R. Mould

 FORTIFIED MANOR 7

THIRD FLOOR

Copyright 2010, Kerry R. Mould

 FORTIFIED MANOR 8
FOURTH FLOOR [2] Great Hall Parapet: The roof of the great hall
[1] Gatehouse Parapet: The parapet roof is used as a has a parapet running around its perimeter. It is the
watchtower and sentry post. Generally, an archer is same height as the gatehouse but rarely manned.
on duty here only if trouble is expected. He reports A very long and spindly ladder from the catwalk
anyone approaching the manor to the man-at-arms 16 feet below is the only access. It would normally
at the gate below, giving him sufficient warning to be manned only if the manor house was besieged.
bar the gates if necessary. From this vantage point, Some of the younger boys like to sneak up here
an observer can see much of the lords manor. when they are trying to get out of work.

SIR OSBERT
Note: This character is presented as a possible NPC in
the manor. GMs may prefer to replace him with a character
suitable for their own campaign.
Sir Osberts family have been nobility for many
generations. This manor is his clans primary seat.
However, it is his cousin, not he, who holds the reins
of power. Sir Osberts father and the manor lords
father were first cousins. Sir Osbert himself is the
youngest of three sons. By the time he came along, his
fathers small inheritance was long spoken for. When
he reached adulthood, Osbert decided to become a
herald instead. He spent many years learning about the
history of the kingdom and of his house. His memory
for detail is excellent. By the time he was 30, he had
risen to the very highest levels as personal assistant
to the kings own herald. He grew to be an influential
man, his opinion and council courted by earls and
bishops. Now nearly 80, he has largely retired from the
world and accepted a position as the family herald for
his second cousin.
married are true, then those two sons are legitimate
Although getting on in years herself, Lady Edna,
and legal heirs to the recently vacated throne. If
Sir Osberts wife, is still very active. Her eyes now
the rumour is false, then they will be excluded from
milky white with cataracts, she navigates the house
consideration.
by memory. She is close friends with all the ladies
of the house. Four decades older than most of the There are few still alive who were present in court
other women, she has taken on the matronly role of before the king was crowned. There are fewer still that
grandmother, councillor, and confidant. No longer able might have been privy to such secrets. Most have died
to embroider or knit, she often sits quietly and tells of old age. The sole remaining eyewitness is Sir Osbert.
tales of her youth and travels with her husband in the Despite his retirement, his memory is still sharp and
kings royal retinue. She spins a fine yarn and has a way his word unimpeachable. If he were to give sworn
of making decades-old gossip seem exciting and new. testimony as to the kings marital status when his sons
were born, it would be as good as a legal document.
The Herald of Woe (adventure hook) There are two groups interested in Sir Osbert.
The king is dead. He died without a legitimate son There are those who desperately wish for his testimony
or naming an heir. The kingdom is in chaos. Rumours to be given and those who will kill to prevent it. The
swirl that five decades ago, while in exile after a fight PCs have been hired to get to Sir Osbert first. Whether
with his father, the king secretly married a commoner they are there to kill him or protect him is up to the
and produced two sons. The woman died giving birth GM. If he stays alive, his protectors (the PCs or an
to the second son and he was allowed to return from NPC group) will want to move him to the capital. He is
exile and be crowned king. If rumours that he was 80 years old. It wont take much to kill him.

Copyright 2010, Kerry R. Mould

 FORTIFIED MANOR 9

FOURTH FLOOR

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 FORTIFIED MANOR 10
CELLAR [3] Secret Passage: This hidden escape route was
[1] Kitchen Cellar: The cellar is cool and dark. It is constructed when the kitchen and solar block were
used to store food for the immediate consumption added to the great hall. Only the lord and his wife
of the household or more delicate food that cant be know of its existence. The entrance to the passage
stored in the granary. Items such as smoked meat, is hidden behind a bookcase in the lords solar. A
vegetables, and dried fruit hang from the ceiling. narrow landing gives access to a vertical shaft built
Barrels of salt beef and fish are stacked neatly into the thickness of the wall. A ladder descends
against the wall. 26 feet in the pitch dark to another small landing. A
second secret door opens into the great hall cellar.
Most daily fare is pretty bland but spices can Pushing the torch bracket up and out activates the
improve the flavour. In the summer and fall, the secret door. A locked door leads from the landing
household diet is augmented with fresh food, but into a small secret room. In the past, this room has
during the winter, residents survive on a diet of been used to conceal those the lord did not wish the
salted (sometimes rotting) meat and pottage. Spices household to know about, including couriers and
are imported over great distances are are extremely outlaw clan members. The chest contains preserved
valuable. A wealthy man, the lord buys spices in food, clothes, weapons, and money in the event the
bulk. They are kept in chests in the spice room; lord has to flee his manor. Bedrolls, backpacks, and
the chamberlain and the cook both have keys. The canteens are stacked next to the chest. A second
contents of this room are worth a small fortune. locked door leads to a long dark corridor across the
Average wine (for the lords liegemen or lower- manor and under the granary to the secret sally port.
ranking guests) is kept in the kitchen cellar or the The sally port opens into the dry moat. A ladder is
granary. Good wine (for the lords daily table) and kept just inside the doorway to make it easy to climb
excellent wine (for special occasions and important out of the moat. The geese will still raise the alarm
guests) is kept locked in the wine cellar. Only the if someone enters the moat by this fashion.
lord, steward, and chamberlain have keys for this
room.
[2] Siege Stores: Below the great hall is a large groin-
vaulted cellar. The room is dry and cool and filled
with food set aside in event of famine or siege.
Foods that will last a long time are preferred, such
as salted meat, sacks of grain, and other preserves.
Barred double doors lead to the kitchen cellar for
easy access when delivering large or heavy objects,
like barrels or crates. The door at the top of the
stairs is locked. The lord, steward, and chamberlain
have the only keys to the siege stores. War Axe
The great hall is the last line of defence for the Among the
manor. If the gatehouse or walls are breached, the weapons in the armoury
defenders will fall back to the great hall to make is a tall bearded war axe. At
their last stand. In addition to siege stores, the great first glance, it appears unremarkable
hall has its own well for emergencies. except, perhaps, for its lack or rust. On closer
inspection, faint runes carved along the edge of the
The manor lord keeps a large inventory of blade are visible. This is, in fact, the long-lost axe
arms and armour to equip his militia in times of of Athelstan the Glorious. It was taken as booty in
war. The armoury contains numerous short swords, a battle long ago and unknowingly lumped in with
maces, axes, short bows, spears, plate half-helms, the militia weapons. It is a venerable weapon with a
round shields, and leather jerkins. There are a few long legacy. The dwarves forged it to fight trolls. It
broadswords, longbows, three-quarter helms, and is lighter than it looks and perfectly balanced. It will
mail byrnies. There are many sheaves of arrows, never rust and the edge is always sharp. A warrior
suitable for both short and long bows. Most of wielding this axe against a troll always strikes
the equipment is of only average quality. The first, ignores armour (natural or worn), and does
broadswords, mail byrnies, and three-quarter helms maximum damage.
are old-fashioned designs. In general, the weapons
are well greased, but there is rust on some items.
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 FORTIFIED MANOR 11

CELLAR

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 FORTIFIED MANOR 12
ADVENTURE HOOKS next. Since the PCs have just arrived, they cant have
Lord: The lord of this manor has died without an done it. No one has left yet today. She begs them to solve
heir (or in disgrace). One of the PCs has done a great the murder of her husband.
service for the king or one of his earls or barons. In Twist: As per the hook above, but instead, the PCs
return for his service, the PC is granted the manor. On have been hired to kill the lord. Once they do, they need
his arrival, he is met by the former lords household, to put the blame on someone within the household.
including his grieving widow and other relatives. The PC Feast: The lord has announced he will be hosting
must decide what to do. Who will stay and who will go? a feast for his liegemen, friends, acquaintances, local
Retainers: The PCs are (loyal?) retainers of the lord persons of note, and interesting people. The PCs
of the manor. They can fill any of the positions listed receive an invitation. It is a free meal and a chance to
or new ones at the GMs discretion. For added dramatic mingle and perhaps discover a new patron. The manor
tension, the lord is angry, vicious, and petty. The PCs is full to bursting and the PCs must bargain for a place to
must find their way through the daily drama. Can be sleep in keeping with their rank (or lack there of).
combined with any of the other hooks. Hunt: One of the lords liegemen is getting married.
Guests: The PCs are friends of the lord or have The PCs have been hired or impressed to help with
done him a service. He invites them to come and stay the hunt as beaters, driving the animals to the hunters.
at his manor for a while. The PCs are surrounded by Afterwards, they must carry the carcasses back to the
suspicious retainers and servants wondering if the PCs manor house to be used for the meal. If they are crafty,
are there to replace them. The reception is cold at best. they might be able to swing themselves a meal and
Murder: The lord is a friend or patron of the PCs. perhaps some free beer for their trouble.
They arrive for a visit only to discover he has been Prisoners: The PCs have done something to anger
murdered just the night before. His tearful wife calls them the local lord. He has clapped them in irons pending
aside. She suspects someone in the manor house has sentence. Lacking a proper dungeon, they have been
killed her husband and intends to kill her and her children thrown into the kennel temporarily. Can they escape?

The Goose Lady (adventure hook)

The manor has a large flock of white geese
tended by Modron, the goose lady. At night, they are
kept in the dry moat. They are easily disturbed and
let out a great din of honking and hissing, making an
excellent living alarm. Each morning, Modron walks
to the manor from her house in the village. With the
assistance of one of the guards, she lowers a wooden
ramp into the moat. She rounds up the geese and
leads them down to the fishponds to feed. Modron
is unusual, to say the least. She is given to strange
outbursts and bizarre ramblings. Occasionally, she will
appear as if from nowhere and seize a persons hand.
Her grip is unnaturally strong. She will flip over their
palm and read it. Her predictions have a disturbing
habit of coming true, especially those involving the
subjects death.
The PCs are visiting the manor. One morning,
while walking outside the manor house, one of the
PCs is seized by Modron. She looks at his hand and PCs try to force her to talk, the lords men will
says tsk, tsk, tsk. She looks at him and says, Beware intervene. The lord considers her a soothsayer and will
the summer solstice. Five boars heads hunt the road. not allow any harm to come to her.
Beware the summer solstice Then she turns and The summer solstice is four days away. The PCs
walks away. No amount of persuasion can get her are off to their next destination. Who or what the five
to repeat the warning or explain it further. If the boars heads are is up to the GM.

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 FORTIFIED MANOR 13
VILLAGE DESCRIPTION fixture in the village, he can be found most days hard
Centred on the village green, the village houses the at work at his anvil. His prime location gives him a
lords tenants. Freeman farmers and serfs (villeins, half- good view of everything occurring in the village.
villeins, and cottars) work the lords lands. On this manor, [5] Salter: Preservation of food is vital to the survival
more serfs than normal are cottars, who work on the of the community. The salter preserves food through
lords demesne. Called familia, these agricultural workers brine or vinegar, drying, or smoking.
are paid 1d per day plus a noon meal and ale. Resident [6] Wood Yard: In this village, a father and his three
craftsmen provide additional services not available within sons pool their expertise in one large manufacturing
the manor. On either side of the green are tofts (where enterprise. The woodcrafter (the father) is in overall
the villagers house is built) with a croft behind (for charge of the operation. One son specializes in barrel
vegetable gardens and animal pens). The village is larger making (the cooper) and another in wagon building
than average and appears prosperous and well run. (the wheelwright). The eldest son left the village
[1] Reeve: The reeve is the senior tenant officer of the for several years and earned his masters rank as a
manor. Normally the villein with the most unfree timberwright. He harvests timber for building houses,
acres, he supervises the operation of the manor. He barns, and sheds and supervises their construction.
presides at the village moot, decides what crops to In practice, the four men work as a team and there
plant, supervises the formation of the plough teams, is considerable overlap in their activities. A large
and makes sure everyone does their proper share of number of timbers is currently drying in their yard
work. He has a large stone house with a small walled and will be used to renovate the granary.
compound surrounding his garden and fruit trees. [7] Woodward: The woodward manages the fief s
[2] Priest: An ordained priest tends to the villages woodlands and ensures no one poaches the lords
spiritual needs. He lives in a comfortable timber game. He also decides which trees will be cut and
frame house built by the villagers. Acreage known as plants new ones in their place. The woodward on
the glebe is attached to the local church to support this manor is also a yeoman longbowman.
the priest. The villagers pay their tithe in coin or [8] Beadle: The beadle is the village policeman. A
kind. The poorest may exchange labour on the glebe trusted yeoman, he enforces the fiefholders rules,
in lieu of payment. As one of the most important impounding stray livestock and collecting fines
and educated members of the manor, he also acts imposed by the manor court. Effective, intimidating,
as a marriage councillor, financial advisor, tutor, and and loyal, he is well thought of by the lords steward,
advocate. In winter, his house is used as a community less so by the other villagers. Backed up by the
meeting place, as the church is harder to heat. woodward and the lords men-at-arms, he is an
[3] Church and Village Green: The centre of effective blunt instrument.
community life, the church is the second largest [9] Herder: The herder manages the fief s pasture and
building in the village proper. Built of stone, this livestock. Given the large amount of pasture land
one room building is sturdy but rather plain. The immediately around the manor house and village,
priest holds regular services on holy days. It also this is a very high profile and important position. He
doubles as a community hall for weddings and is assisted by his sons, brother, uncle, and cousins.
important community occasions. Each morning, There are a dozen herders, a mix of swineherds,
the Reeve doles out work assignments to the cowherds, and shepherds. They are permitted to
assembled members of the village from the church carry shortbows to deal with varmints.
steps. In front of the church are the communal well [10] Mill and Bakehouse: The grist mill is the largest
(the centre of daily gossip) and village green. The and most impressive stone building in the village.
green is a common space used by all the villagers. Two millstones grind all of the village and manor
Temporary hurtles (wattle fences) can be erected demesne grain, with the miller keeping one part in
to pen sheep for shearing or cattle for branding. At twelve. The third floor of the main building is the
other times, the residents use the open space for well-appointed home of the miller and his family.
celebrations and games. Visitors sometimes camp The second building in the compound is the village
overnight when passing through the village. bakehouse. The millers brother is the baker. His
[4] Blacksmith: The village smith produces all of the large ovens make enough bread for the whole
metal goods required for village life, including things village. Although residents are not required to bake
like nails, tools, horse shoes, and bands for wheels their bread there, most purchase from him because it
and barrels. He also shoes horses and oxen. A is cheaper than making it themselves.

Copyright 2010, Kerry R. Mould

 FORTIFIED MANOR 14
DEMESNE [A] Hay Barn: This large building is used to store the
The demesne is land that the lord does not farm out animal feed for the winter. Fresh, sweet hay is piled
to any tenant. Most lords retain a demesne. The amount into the building through the summer.
depends on the availability of labour, the inclination of [B] Ornamental Herb Garden: A small, walled
the lord, tenant contacts, and other local factors. There pleasure garden with flowers and herbs; it is popular
are manors with no demesne, where the lord collects rent with the noble ladies of the household.
from everyone, and there are some which are entirely [C] Slaughter House: Animals are brought in one at a
demesne, where the tenants are all slaves, or serfs who time to be killed, hung, and butchered.
hold no land other than their cottage and garden. [D] Salting House: After the animals have been
Demesne arable maybe divided into selions and slaughtered, the meat is brought here to be salted
scattered throughout the open fields, like that of the and packed into barrels for storage over the winter.
tenants, or can be retained as a single parcel near [E] Vegetable Garden: The larger working garden
the manor house. However it is organized, the unfree provides fresh vegetables for the manor kitchens.
peasants work the demesne as part of their labour
obligations. [F] Shearing Shed: Used for shearing the lords several
flocks of sheep.
On this manor, the lord has retained the majority of
his fief as demesne. Approximately one quarter of the [G] Bull Shed: The bull is kept separate from the cows
acreage is devoted to the manors woodland. Another except during breeding season.
quarter is divided between the freehold tenants, villeins, [H] Cow House: The herd of milk cows are milked
and glebe. The three free farmers, craftsmen, and glebe before they are let out into the pasture in the
pay rent. The eight villeins, mainly the tenant officers and morning and when they return in the evening. The
their extended families, owe labour. The remaining half building includes a buttery and cheese-making room.
of the manor acreage is worked as demesne by cottars [I] Dove Cote: This hollow tower is lined with alcoves
hired by the bailiff. This allows the lord great control over for doves to nest in. They provide a year-round
his estate and has proven to be very profitable. source of tasty bird flesh for the lords table.
[J] Oxen Stalls: The docile oxen are sheltered here.
OUTER YARD [K] Stables: Over the horse stables is the dormitory for
The centre of demesne agricultural operations is the grooms and farm workers.
the outer yard of the manor house. Some of the single [L] Cart House: Above the storage for the wagons and
male and female familia live in the dormitory above the carriages is the home of the bailiff, who runs the
stables. They are watched over by the bailiff and his wife, operation of the demesne and outer yard for the
who live above the cart house. Each morning, cottars lord.
from the village make their way down the lane to the
manor for work. From the outer yard, workers fan out [M] Great Stone Barn: This is the centre of industry in
across the demesne to undertake the many different tasks the outer yard. Two massive pairs of doors, placed
necessary for the successful operation of the manor. in the projecting porches opposite each other, allow
the wind to pass through the building and across the
threshing floor. The building is stacked high with
sheaves of wheat.
[N] Pig Pen: Several large sows and one big boar are
kept here at night and led out into the woods during
the day by the swineherd.
[O] Orchard: The orchard has apple, cherry, peach, and
pear trees. There is a series of bee hives throughout
the orchard, tended by the beekeeper.
[P] Fish Ponds: Weirs have been built across the
stream to retain water. Trout are reared in the ponds
for consumption in the manor house.

Copyright 2010, Kerry R. Mould

 GM MAP FORTIFIED MANOR 15

Copyright 2010, Kerry R. Mould

 FORTIFIED MANOR 16 PLAYER MAP

Copyright 2010, Kerry R. Mould