More on conscription

From: ANDOVER_at_delphi.com
Date: Wed, 03 Jul 1996 12:05:45 -0500 (EST)


Mike Cule writes

And even press-gang conscription needs a powerful central state to terrify the locals and prevent the uprisings that otherwise will follow

But the press-gang conscription engaged in by navies around the world until the 19th century existed in many countries that did not have a strong central government. For example, the central government in Britain was not particularly strong in the 17th & 18th centuries.

There is a related form of forced "recruitment." Janissaries in the RW, red-haired Pentans in the Lunar Empire. Are there any other Gloranthan examples of tribute in the form of people? (Tribute in the form of required labor is, of course, a comonplace of both the RW and Glorantha).

Jim Chapin


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