Ravenwood Council

It was the time of the month that the Duchess sat and listened to the ten prevalent lawmen in her Duchy. Five Magistrates and five Sheriff gathered at Southleigh for the conferences Aly insisted upon having once a month. It was important to know the goings on in each Barony in order to maintain proper maintenance. There was The Moors Estates, Lionwood, Seacrest, Ravenwood, and The Princes, yet unnamed land. The men were the law in her lands under the rule and by decree of herself and Their Majesties. Each Duchy had these men and women to help keep the peace, along with numerous military factions assigned to each Barony. One Magistrate and one Sheriff per Barony was all that had been needed thus far, seemingly to keep the general peace. The Sheriff could employ the use of the military assigned to that area, if any given situation should it warrant.

There were the individual Knights, and guards of some of the Royalty and Nobles as well. It was proper to have ones own estates and person effectively well guarded. Ravenwood was no different. Aly had always had her own men and palace guard. She had factions of those in Lionwood as well. The Prince's estate, had factions from the Meldrum Estates under her guide.

Seacrest had its own men. Aiden had seen to that many years ago, along with the military, magistrate and Sheriff. . Good men all, who did well under the new Baroness's care.

The Dungeon at Castle Moors, and hearings of the High Council was reserved for Royal, Noble, Gentry and treasonous offenses. Most other offenses were heard by the Barony's own Magistrate, and dealt with accordingly. Only the High Council could decree and execution.

Marriages and hand-fastings among the common folk was also something that was taken care of by the Duchess or Duke as it were. Nobles and Royalty had to have the Royal permission to wed as land matters ventured into these along with mass dowries and such. Common adoptions were also taken care of by the Duchess or Duke, with Royal or Noble adoptions going through their Majesties.

This conference was a bit difference as Zindelo sat with her for the first time. She spoke with each of the them, discussing what changes might need to be made or if more men were needed. As of now their were no treasonous prisoners in any of the Baronies, and that pleased her. Each Barony gaol would be receiving renovations. Food provisions were better than most in Ravenwood. There were two meals a day and ale to drink. She was working on a plan for prisoner bath as well. There was nothing worse that a stinking body, prisoner or nor. That would come into play when spring came.

Lionwood had been steadily improving since the pirate invasion the few years back. Though the Governor thought he ruled the roost, he did not any longer. That Magistrate took care of all through The Lady Cailla. She had grown into quite the Lady and Eoin would be so very proud of how well she has adapted to be care-giver of their homelands. She worked closely with the Sheriff and Magistrate to keep all running as smoothly under the laws as possible. The last of the shipment for supplies would ship over before the first big snow of the season, though they were becoming self sufficient once more. Cailla had reported that the Healer had saved a family from what they knew of as, the sweating sickness. All five family members survived and there was no spreading of the sickness to any one else.

Zindelo has spoken to the men as well. He listened and gave his own input to many of the items discussed. It was always the way of men to do so. She had smiled as they all discussed what would come, and agreed to the meeting a month from now. The remainder of the time was mostly Aly signing documents. Banns of marriage, and several births had come last month, which brought a grin to her features.