Looks like I will be getting a KAP game starting soon, with two or three players from my regular Hackmaster group. I'm quite excited.

In getting the relevant introductory material ready, I was looking at the "Peasant Problems" sidebar in the GPC and I'm wondering ... is the count still the right person to be taking the legal matters to, now that we have sheriffs and hundreds?

Should the knights be directing peasants to go see the sheriff or the bailiff of the local hundred instead?

Edit: Having looked a bit more closely at BoW (and working out who actually controls each Hundred court in Salisbury), I think I have a better handle on this.

For the minor crimes, I'd refer the peasants to the local bailiff. For item 10, either the count or the sheriff would probably suffice, and I'd expect that the case would eventually be heard at the County Court, if summary justice wasn't to be handed out.

In getting the relevant introductory material ready, I was looking at the "Peasant Problems" sidebar in the GPC and I'm wondering ...
what page is that on?

what page is that on?


p67.

First, remember that the hundred court is often controlled by the local lord, so taking it to the court and taking it to the count are the same.
For information's sake, Count Roderick and Robert hold most of the hundred court rights for Salisbury county. (Full details int he upcoming Book of Salisbury, no known release date.)

So numbers 1, 2, 7, and 10 are "send to the count" solutions

1. For being assaulted by a neighbor, take it to the Hundred Court, which is the proper venue for it.
Pay the court fee, which is probably about one ha'pence.
The hundred bailiff may have the assailant locked up until trial, so take it to him too.

2. For wolves, tell the count. They might be after his stock next!
It is not necessary to have hunting rights to destroy vermin.

7. Livestock theft, take it to the hundred court.
If it was someone from outside the hundred, then the hundred court will kick it upstairs; which will cost another ha'pence.

10. Rape is a felony, a crime against the king. Take it to the sheriff.
Pay a ha'pence to have it heard there.

Thanks Greg. That's more-or-less the responses I arrived at, although the way you put it did help crystalise my understanding of the situation.

I find it kind of amusing that all this work has gone into de-Saxonation of naming conventions but, at the same time, you've added in a Saxon legal/taxation system. That said, the way the Hundreds and Sheriffs complicate the hierarchies is definitely a positive and flavourful addition.

My minor concern is that the Hundred Courts potentially eat into the player knights' ability to dispense justice and resolve disputes on their own lands. My solution to this problem is to assume that the Count is quite happy to let them resolve petty complaints regarding residents of their own manor, as long as they're passing on the appropriate fees and not eating into his court profits.

I'm also thinking that any actual serfs would be subject to their lord's summary justice, and the full right to be heard at the Hundred Courts would be limited to free men.

Edit: I see now that my latter points are already covered by standard seignorial rights..

I find it kind of amusing that all this work has gone into de-Saxonation of naming conventions but, at the same time, you've added in a Saxon legal/taxation system.

O no, this is the Norman version of the Saxon system :D


That said, the way the Hundreds and Sheriffs complicate the hierarchies is definitely a positive and flavourful addition.

I think so too


My minor concern is that the Hundred Courts potentially eat into the player knights' ability to dispense justice and resolve disputes on their own lands. My solution to this problem is to assume that the Count is quite happy to let them resolve petty complaints regarding residents of their own manor, as long as they're passing on the appropriate fees and not eating into his court profits.

Yes
Signorial rights, as you say below


I'm also thinking that any actual serfs would be subject to their lord's summary justice, and the full right to be heard at the Hundred Courts would be limited to free men.

correct
courts are for the free men only


Edit: I see now that my latter points are already covered by standard seignorial rights..