Chiefs, Weaponthanes and Warriors

From: Jon <jonsmithers_at_...>
Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2002 23:12:13 -0000


I need some confirmation that my interpetation of the "professional" warrior classes in Orlanthi society are correct. So here goes:

Each chief has his own 4 Storms as a personal bodyguard and all these are weaponthanes.
In addition he has a bunch of other weaponthanes, depending on how many he can maintain.
Now each weaponthane has his own 4 Storms of warriors.

So as I understand it the chief is effectivly having to support 5 men for each weaponthane. Big expense - or do they come from the warriors supported by other thanes heads of households? Although that is beginning to sound a bit feudal.
Question: Do the chiefs own 4 Storms have their own warrior 4 Storms in turn? My personal opinion is that they don't. Other thanes also have their own warriors that they may maintain - or do they??

I have even had visions of when the fyrd is summoned it panning out with smaller sub-units of:
1 weaponthane + 4 Storms + 16 Fyrrd = 21 men (mystical number????) - or perhaps I go to far here!

Thanks Jon

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