Oldman Fulk, unmoved by the whispers of outsiders, read the decree again and again, fearing he had misread its meaning. At last, when the crowd grew restless, he raised his voice with a hint of excitement:
"The taxes of Brindlemark have been changed! The passing toll, the lodging levy, the maternity due, the bachelor's tithe, the wife's levy—all are abolished! Now only four remain: the trade levy, the income levy, the land and holdings levy, and the conduct levy!"
"Ah? So many taxes abolished? The Lord shows mercy!" one cried.
"Nay, 'tis surely false!" muttered another. "The last Lord, when he spoke of taxes, added more rather than less…"
Many doubted, for they had suffered long under endless dues. Any mention of levies had brought naught but woe.
"Nay, this time it is truly different!" Fulk interjected swiftly. "Though each of the four taxes may contain lesser charges, the burden as a whole is far reduced. In plain terms: the greater your earnings, the greater your dues. Yet for the common folk, the charge shall be no more than a single copper each month!"
"Only one copper coin?" they whispered, disbelief in their eyes.
"Aye," Old Fulk confirmed, lifting his voice for all to hear. "For those of humble means, this shall be your portion from now on—one copper coin, and no more."
At once, a ripple of murmurs ran through the assembly. For these common folk, taxes had long been the yoke upon their shoulders.
The Lords, living in gilded halls, drew their wealth from every levy, pressing the folk in every manner to enrich themselves. Yet few Lords drove their subjects to outright ruin, and so the present hardship persisted.
"Yet… can this be trusted?" a cautious voice spoke. "If the Lord takes but so little, will Brindlemark endure? Will the coffers suffice?"
Wisdom shone in those words, for the folk knew that too little coin could imperil the land. "Surely the Lord is not so foolish?" they whispered among themselves.
Fulk raised his hand, silencing the doubts. "Worry not. 'Tis plainly set: the greater a man's earnings, the greater his due. Merchants and traders, thriving in their craft, shall carry the heavier portion. But for common folk such as we, with these countless levies swept away, the burden shall at last be light."
Hearing this, the murmurs softened into quiet relief.
Though they dreaded heavy taxes, they did not wish the ruin of Brindlemark. They knew well the precarious state of the town: should it fall, none could journey far to seek fortune elsewhere.
"A wise Lord, indeed!" one cried.
"Alas, he comes too late! Had he arrived years past, our fortunes might have fared better!"
"'Tis true!" another added.
"Hold, I have not finished reading yet!"
Old Fulk, seeing their eager sighs and murmurs, quickly spoke. "What news of other levies?"
A few faces paled, fearful of further taxation, but Fulk continued with a glint in his eye. "No more taxes, yet the Lord's hall now calls for able men and women to serve!"
Eyes widened and whispers ran through the crowd. Positions were scarce, and coin was precious; the promise of work stirred hope in many hearts.
"For the Town Guard: strong of body and free of vice, men between fifteen and five-and-thirty years, one hundred to be chosen. Wages: twenty silver coins each month; those who can read shall receive ten more.
For the Steward: versed in law and governance, literate and of sound experience. No limits of age nor gender. Thirty to be chosen. Wages: thirty silver coins each month.
For Servants and Caretakers: diligent and hardy of spirit, fifteen to be chosen. Wages: eight silver coins each month.
For Fishermen: skilled in waters and in fish, thirty to be chosen. Wages: eight silver coins each month.
For Builders: knowledgeable in craft and measure, thirty to be chosen. Wages: fifteen silver coins each month.
For Knights: bearing their proper badge and virtuous of conduct. No limits set on number. Wages: one gold coin each month and upward.
All who are chosen shall enter into the service of Brindlemark, and be under the Lord's care and protection.
The Lord doth provide housing, daily bread, salted meats, preserved eggs, and barrels of pickled fish for those in his service."
As Old Fulk read the proclamation slowly to the gathered crowd, a hush fell over the square, followed by murmurs of disbelief.
A few moments later, the townsfolk erupted in astonished chatter.
"This… this cannot be true! Guards are paid twenty silver coins a month? Before, their wages were barely two silver coins!"
"And ten silver coins more for those who can read? I may be illiterate, yet I have kin who can. Surely, they might meet the mark…"
"And the fishermen earn eight silver coins! Even the cleaners receive eight silver coins a month!"
"A knight receives one gold coin per month! One gold coin could feed a family of five on black rye for a full year!"
"It seems the new Lord is indeed generous. By his care, Brindlemark may yet weather its hardships!"
The townsfolk shook their heads in disbelief.
Previous lords had made proclamations of employment, yet their wages had been meager copper coins. Silver, let alone gold, had never been offered so freely.
Old Fulk, naturally, set his sights on the position of Steward. Though he had only slight experience in town governance, he could read—and literate folk were scarce in Brindlemark.
With decades of life experience behind him, he was confident he could secure one of the thirty positions.
After all, the starting pay was thirty silver coins a month—a sum he had never dared imagine. Previously, he and his family earned scarcely fifty silver coins a year through farming and odd work, barely enough to survive after taxes.
"And… did I hear that the Lord's provisions include fine foods?" one man whispered.
"Aye," another replied. "Loaves of bread, smoked ham, barley, eggs, and barrels of pickled fish. Enough to sate the belly even in the harshest of seasons!"
"Aye, with such bounty, I shall strive to be a Brindlemark Steward!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement, minds alight with hope and renewed determination. For the first time in years, Brindlemark's common folk dared to dream of a life less burdened by want.
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🔍 Did you know?
- The concept of a "bachelor's tax" really existed in some medieval towns? Men who remained unmarried beyond a certain age could be taxed simply for not marrying—partly to encourage family growth and partly to raise revenue.
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