Luria Nova/A Treatise on Economic fulfillment, the funding of the nobility and the Theme system
Preface
The preface of this treatise will be kept simple, as it is no exhaustive academic article and contains much personal opinion on matters of governance. What is more, it pertains to Lurian methods of management. Those who are culturally and intellectually different to the Lurian people may struggle to access some advanced concepts. Nevertheless, enlightenment might shine onto any lucky enough to obtain a copy of this, and I certainly hope this is the case. May all realms achieve the same prosperity and culture that Greater Luria has achieved.
Firstly, I will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of a well maintained economic system, how to achieve such, and the various systems in place to maintain this prosperity.
Secondly, I will discuss the rents and taxes a noble should be due, the sizes of their estates, the arming of their retinues and how government should supplement those that fall short of such.
Finally, I will discuss the importance of the realm at large in achieving economic prosperity, realm peace and the efficient use of funds, as well as the structure of the realm itself.
~ In truth and glory, Matthew Coffey
The Economy of a Realm
To begin, I shall list off the basic features that a realm must prioritize to find economic well-being, in order of their importance.
- Food production. Without it, the realm would be starving and meaningless. The nobility would be forced to war with their own people for scraps of food like mongrel dogs. Due to its significance, a realm must be conscience of their current food production, potential stores and the location of their caches. Should a realm find themselves producing less than their population demands, I advise the conquest of new fertile lands to bring internal production up to consumption levels. As such, I warn each and every realm to safeguard their farmlands with the utmost aggression, as all wealth flows inevitably from the earth. As I write this, I remind myself of the unwavering diligence shown by the Grand Panetier, Margravine Ciarghuala Dubhaine. An exemplar in administration, to which I suggest all realms send their prospective bankers to learn under.
- Population. Once ample food production has been achieved, a realm should focus on populating their hinterlands. Without people, who would work the farms, craft wares for the market, or pay taxes? In order to achieve this, I suggest that regions that produce surplus be given double rations and advisory tax rates, to expedite their growth and maintain high productivity levels. Other regions should have their rations halved, in order to balance out this demand. Once populations in the realms hinterlands are full, return them to adequate rationing and begin the lengthy process of increasing urban populations via full rations and advisory tax rates.
- Social Well-Being. Whilst this may seem a foreign concept to many realms, the well-being of the Lurian people is at the forefront of realm management, and I shall explain why. From the happy, productive peasant does gold flow willingly and in great quantities. To achieve this, a realm should aim to have: full rationing in each province, ample militia, stores of surplus food, moderate tax rates, clear borders, widespread state endorsed religion and regular regional management performed by the court. Of course, I shall tackle each point in more detail further on.
- Gold. For many, the lure of wealth would seem the first reason to pick up this book. Indeed, we would be remiss not mentioning it. However, as you can see already, the acquisition of gold is the least important facet of economic management, and should not be focused upon. Why? If a realm has followed the process detailed above, then one should see their regions providing gold far in excess of their previous management. More importantly, this level of income is sustainable, as the commoners will endeavour to provide so long as the detailed conditions are met. From this, all other aspects of this treatise can be accomplished.
For the next chapter of this work, I shall discuss the importance of food to a realm in more detail.
Food
The foundation of any realm is within the fields. From crops and herd animals the peasantry might feed themselves, barter at market and stimulate a robust, if primitive, economy. A realm must always be aware of this most essential facet to their economy, and make specific adjustments where necessary to always provide enough food to their people.
I shall begin to list the regions of most importance when determining where to prioritize ones efforts in encouraging a healthy surplus of produce.
- Any region that produces more than its consumption by a factor of two. These regions, when given double the rations, are sure to grow quickest and maintain a high level of productivity. These are the 'bread baskets' of any civilized empire. Unfortunately, the infrastructure and space for expanding these areas is usually small, and I suggest the majority of space be designated to the construction of granaries to store surplus. Another important trade to encourage would be the wheelwrights and cart builders, as proper transportation must be in high supply to allow constant movement of resources. Due to granaries being built to store surplus produce anyway, it is unnecessary to consider how much is needed to feed these regions, as often they can provide for themselves during harsher seasons.
- Any region that produces more than its consumption, but not by a factor of two. These regions, when fully rationed, still provide surplus. Although likely a small surplus, these regions should not be neglected as they will still act as part of the realm food chain. I would often refer to these areas as 'subsistence' regions, producing not much more than hand-to-mouth. Thankfully, this means the realm need not worry too much about these places, though I would still strongly advise for a minimum of a single granary to store food. However, enough granaries to store a full years worth of food on full rations is recommended.
- Any region that produces half its consumption or less. These places in the realm require outside sources of nourishment, likely due to their urban nature. Whilst often prosperous centers of commerce, the lack of sustainable agriculture does require the realm to pay special attention to their maintenance. Early in a realms development, I would suggest keeping these regions at half rations, in order to balance out the realms supplies. Several granaries, well stocked, are a necessity in places such as these. Enough food stored for a full year on full rations is recommended at all times.
For any realm, the acquisition and good maintenance of their 'bread basket' provinces is necessary to the health and prosperity of any people. If necessary, war should be waged as an utmost priority in order to attain enough regions of fertile ground. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly, dependence on other realms is a sign of weakness, and strategically opens your own people up to raiding and the salting of fields. This is disastrous enough, but for a realm that is not self sufficient, it is deadly. Secondly, trading should not be relied upon, but considered a welcome addition when it can be conducted. The reason for this is that one cannot rely on trading partners for their food incomes, not on Dwilight, when suspicions of invasion, monsters and xenophobia is rife. Conversely, trade, as I stated, should be conducted when the realm coffers are bursting and the granaries are not yet stocked fully.
Once enough regions have been acquired to produce a surplus of food, special attention need be paid to the stocks present within the realm. Obviously, the winter season makes harvest impossible, but the common folk are resourceful if not educated. Fishing, foraging and other menial methods of gathering are conducted, but know that production rates can fall by as much as three quarters of their summer yields. Spring time sees a bounty in herd animals but crops are still immature, meaning a quarter of production is lost as staples cannot be harvested. Summer sees production in full swing as the peasantry prepare for the harvest, which occurs in Autumn and provides as much as twice the estimated produce of summertime.
The above information can be broken down as such:
During Summer, stocks should increase as total food produced will exceed consumption, as per the realms policy of acquiring fertile regions in excess of their urban populations.
During Autumn, huge surplus' will be harvested and stored for the oncoming winter, seeing enough food to sustain more than a seasons consumption on the realms current rationing policy, provided surplus is seen during summer.
Winter and Spring should be treated as one whole period, as between the two seasons, an estimated summertime's worth of food will be produced by the peasantry, providing only one seasons worth of food.
Overall, this should translate to a total of four seasons worth of food being produced year round, an easy piece of arithmetic for any reading this. However, the important part to note is that following previous guidelines in this treatise, the realm should see surplus made after a year of management. This, properly stored and managed, should be brought up to a value of one years worth of surplus on full rations. The reason for this is that should the realm come under attack, the people will not go hungry for a whole year, or two, should the realm decide that half rations are necessary for an extended conflict. Though I would advise against this, as lowering rations inevitably lowers productivity, hurting any campaigns in the long term with lessened gold income and food income for future years.
Full rationing and surplus food is not only expected by the commoners, but is considered a signature of a civilized realm by the nobility. With it, productivity and general well-being can be seen to increase, as the people do not expect much from life as the humble folk they are. Without it, in the worst cases, widespread revolt and lack of any meaningful economy will surely follow.
