Jorvikshire

Jorvikshire is an area of approximately 900 square miles, the southern border being approximately 35 miles north of Kingston. The Shire is bordered on the East by the great King Godwin River and the south by Radmond Shire. To the North and West are wilderness areas, climbing into the mountains.

Jorvikshire was settled in the 1080's by a wave of Englishmen from Northumbria fleeing the Norman yoke. The King appointed an Earl soon after to organize the territory and see to the northern defense of the kingdom.

There are twenty-five Hundreds in the shire, five of which are ruled directly by the Earl, these are known as East, North, West and South Jorvik, and Jorvikburg Hundred. These five include the town of Jorvikburg and a 10×10 mile area in the center of the shire.

There are twenty other Hundreds in the shire. Three are held by Lord Jacob of Logan, three are held by Lord Ulfwin, and three by Lord Edgar, all counted as “great lords”. Ten of the hundreds are held individually by their own lords. The last hundred is held by the Monastery of St. Edmund the Martyr and is ruled by its abbot.

Jorvikburg is the principal town, having 4000 inhabitants, the shire cathedral and stone walls. There are many villages of 200-1000 people each, usually with a log stockade. Notable places include the Red Lion Inn, a large establishment known for its unusual drinks and the heart of a thriving village; Worm's Ferry: a manor house and village along the river where enterprising scavengers take a ferry across the great river to Deadman's Town, a large Atlantean Ruin site, and New Sheepford, the westernmost village in the shire, close to Graveburg, another Atlantean ruin to the west.