Marches of Neustria
Structure
The Marches of Neustria is the name given to a thin strip of land, roughly the distance that could be covered in a day by a marching army, located along the border dividing Eastern Letha from Western Normaundie and Anjev. The Marches have lost some of their military significance since their inception, with improvements in military technology and development of stronger political bureaucracy. In the present, the titles of Markiz/Markizez are largely ceremonial ones, but they do possess some additional benefits and duties.
Traditionally, the Marches are made up of several smaller sovereignties, each held by a powerful noble family and overseeing a network of castles and fortresses, serving as the first line of defense of the Duchy against its Eastern enemies. A similar line of defenses can be found in Normandi and Anjev, opposite the Breton March. In addition to the normal feudal obligations over their territory, the Markiz are additionally sworn to protect the Duchy as a whole against outside threats.
The Northern Marches, also called the Norman Marches, border the Duchy of Normaundie, and still retain their original status as Marches. These are the March of Coglais, the March of Vendelais and the March of Guerchais. These regions are sworn to the County of Roazhon.
The Southern Marches, also called the Lethan Marches, border the Duchy of Anjev and are sworn to the County of Naoned. These are the March of La Mee, the March of Ancenis, and the March of Naoned Vignobles
Public Agenda
The six marches of Letha are a study in contrasts. Some, such as the March of Coglais, maintain a defensive, martial outlook, positioning themselves as guardians of the realm, while others, such as the Marches of Vendelais and the Naoned Vignobles, have come to view their regions as gateways, reaping considerable profits from their control of overland trade.
The martial use of the Marches has declined since their inception, but remain the first physical bulwark against outside threats, last being called upon during the reign of Konstanza I, where they were used to repel an invasion from Nuestrian forces. Her successors have gradually decommissioned some of the fortresses as relations with neighboring countries stabilized.
Assets
The most notable assets of all the Marches are a series of castles, fortified towns and fortresses on both sides of the "one-day march". Individual sovereigns controlling these areas differ in their own holdings. The defensive line is built along a leyline, each fortress supporting the next both strategically and magikally. Three focal points, found at Naoned, Roazhon and Gwenrann are linked to this network beyond the border Marches.
The ruined castles of Kastell Machikoul and La Benâte lie inactive in the Viscounty of Retz. Kastell Klisson is the sole fortress within the March of Naoned Vignobles. Kastell Oudon and Kastell Ancenis sit within the March of Ancenis, Kastell-Briant in the March of La Mee, Gwerc'h-Breizh in the March of Guerchais. Gwitreg and Albin-an-Hiliber are the primary fortresses of the March of Vendelais. The fortress of Fougères ends the line in Coglais. An unfinished castle in the Viscounty of Dol would have completed the line, but was never connected.
History
The Marches were first established by the Kingdom of Nuestria following the reign of Conomor the Cursed, intending to protect the crucial Liger River valley from Lethan incursion.
The Marches were united, administered from Ar Mans, under the powerful Markiz Robert Strongarm, who sought to solidify the region into a single bulwark against Letha and Normandi. Instead, Robert was killed at the Battle of Brissarthe and the territory was ceded to those regions, the military effectiveness of the fortresses having proven ineffective against the mobile tactics of the raiders.
Two lines of opposing fortresses grew up in the region following Robert's death, the prominence of the Markiz rising and falling as times and Ducal favour shifted. in 1097, Konstanza I called upon the Marches to aid Letha once more, installing the Melusine family to guard the crucial fortress of Fougères. Compelled by Ere-Hud, the fortresses were activated, wards assisting the defenders against great odds. The Viscounts of Retz attempted to side against Konstanza and were hit by the backlash of their treachery, a string of illness and bad luck crippling their forces as they prepared to march on Naoned as the vanguard of an Akitanian assault on the Southern City. The fortresses were wrenched from the network, the resulting cataclysm all but removing the rebellious viscounts from the war.
Territories
The Marches of Neustria are two semi-autonomous regions on the border between Letha, Normaundi and Anjev, stretching from Pleg-Mor Menez-Mikael to the plains on the Southern bank of the Liger River.
The Breton strongholds of the March are Naoned, Roazhon, Gwenrann, Mac'hkol, le Benate, Klison, Oudon, Ankiniz, Kastell-Briant, Gwerc'h-Breizh, Gwitreg, Hiliber, Fougères and Dol.
The Norman, Angeved and Aquitanian strongholds are Angers, Laval, La Garnache, Palluau, Mantaigu, Tiffauges, Champtoceaux, Champtoce-sur-Loire, Puance, Craon, Chateau-Gontier, Mayenne, Saint-Hilaire-Du-Harcouet, Avranches, and Menez-Mikael.
Founding Date
407 SI
Type
Geopolitical, Marquisate
Alternative Names
Lethan March, Norman March
Successor Organizations
Leader
Leader Title
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Semi-autonomous area
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
Livre Tournais
Parent Organization
Location
Controlled Territories
Comments