>I think Greg's merely simplifying real world feudalism. Most feudal
>societies had an elaborate hierarchy of nobility with the highest
>ranks reserved for a few families. While those people would take to
>the battlefield it would be as leaders rather than part of a cavalry
>unit.
>
That's my understanding.
> Superfluous nobility aren't a problem if only one son can
>inherit the father's rank - the rest drop down the social scale to
>become knights.
>
Or they do something else. Nobles still need chancellors, chamberlains,
and all that sort of thing to run their estates for them, plus heralds
to deal with their neighbours, and merchants to enhance their funding.
All good jobs for a younger son. (I had the idea that the Jonating
nobility really were superfluous if they didn't inherit - it lead to the
vision of a bunch of useless spongers soaking up the peasant's wealth,
without giving back anything worthwhile in return. Which seemed suitably
despotic. But, was, as it turns out, wrong :) ).
-- Trotsky Gamer and Skeptic ------------------------------------------------------ Trotsky's RPG website: http://www.ttrotsky.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ ------------------------------
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