Ye gods! Good stuff, Jeff. I especially like the theory that land is nominally held by the clan but worked by individuals and that there is communally worked land for the support of the clan Godi and Thane(s) - Orlanth's portion. Nice how you fit that in with your prior digest statement that clan leaders "are" Orlanth Rex.
So, Orlanthi individuals produce crops for their own consumption and not for clan consumption? Land ownership is hereditary? How advanced! You radical.
I also especially like the theory that to be a free man you must own cattle. Explains the cattle raids nicely. However, your essay fails to explain how cattle ownership after raids is determined. A raid is not usually conducted by a group of socially climbing individual warriors (although, this is certainly not unheard of - especially with player characters). IMO, a raid is one _clan's_ effort against another to rob the other clan of wealth. Does a share of the raid's spoils then go to the clan (read Chieftain)? Are all cattle (or other booty) pooled and given by shares to those who distinguished themselves? Or is it a free for all once another clan's land has been penetrated - the raiders running amok trying to beat each other to the cattle herds?
First of all, IMO cattle do not always have to be taken to be owned in Orlanthi society. An Orlanthi thane, king, godi, or even, presumably, any other cattle owning person, may give out "cattle grants" to individuals. In such situations, the individuals would own the cattle outright and would not "owe service" as you put it. This theory could also extend to cattle obtained during a raid. Therefore a warrior who distinguished himself during a raid but ended up with no cattle may be the subject of a cattle grant later.
IMO, booty would have to be pooled after a successful raid. Then, during a ceremonial feast, each warrior who participated in the raid would stand and recount his/her exploits (in true Orlanthi fashion) and demand a share of the loot. Each oration would be followed by a chance for others to speak for the honor of the warrior or challenge their claim. The raid leader, possibly with the advice of a Lhankor Mhy lawspeaker, would then determine the amount of the award with some left aside for the clan chieftain.
BTW, who owns cattle born to clan loaned-cattle? The clan (Chieftain) I assume.....
Erik Arnold
earnold_at_seanet.com
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