Yeoman Government
The Yeomanry is one of the few representative democracies in all of the Flanaess. The land is divided into 36 districts, of which five are high (towns governing large domains) and 31 are low (rural areas with scattered villages). All citizens of age who have fought for the Yeomanry (referred to locally as raising the spear) are entitled to elect spokesmen for their community. They are also given the right to purchase land from either the state or another landowner, should that opportunity arise. Those spokesmen in turn elect representatives who serve in the Council of Common Grosspokesmen, a legislative organization that decides the affairs of state. Each of the 36 districts has three Grosspokesmen to represent the interests of their constituency. The only stipulation that limits who may run for office is that the candidate must be a citizen (meaning one who has raised the spear) in good standing. The Council of Common Grosspokesmen thus has 108 members, all of whom must be elected every five years.
In addition tho the Council of Common Grosspokesmen, there are also a number of greater landowners whithin the Yeomanry. The number of greater landowners has fluctuated over the long existence of the Yeomanry as a sovereign state, but currently they are 36 in number - one for each of the primary districts within the country. In the early history of the Yeomanry, there were a considerable number of independent landowners within its borders. As the state and the system of government matured over time, a number of landowners bought or sold land, some moved to other parts of the Flaeness, and still others passed on without leaving any legal heirs. Over the last two centuries, the borders of districts have stabilized for the most part, although there are a number of other landowners who would love to become part of this elite group of 36. These greater landowners for the most part have been the most successful in the development of their lands. As a result, communities have sprung up around their castles or keeps, and they have become Lords of a sort, although not in name. The primary role of the greater landowner is to oversee the daily commerce and development of his district. Success of the commoners results in the success of the landowners, and thus these landowners are very involved in the politics and happenings of their region.
There has been some debate within the Council over the last few years concerning the various districts within the Yeomanry. Some districts have become quite wealthy, while others are poorer, less populous, and more remote. However, all of the districts still have the same amount of representation despite these very obvious differences. Therefore, there has been recent political tension in the otherwise orderly political atmosphere of the Yeomanry.
From this pool of greater landowners, the Council of Grosspokesmen selects a Freeholder who acts as the chief administrator, head diplomat, and commander of the Free Captains of Battles of the Yeomanry as a whole. Usually this freeholder is a renowned citizen of the land who is distinguished by military success, high morale of the commoners of his region, and a thriving local economy. The term length for a Freeholder is eight years. In CY 589, Crispen Redwell, citing his advancing years, stepped down after nearly two terms (14 years) of service as the Freeholder. His son has taken over as the greater landowner of his region.
Despite its wealth and strength, the Yeomanry does not seek political muscle in the Flanaess. Keoland is distrusted because of its historical ambitions on the land, and there is a powerful mood against sending aid to the north. People are aware that, had this happened during the Greyhawk Wars, the Yeomanry might have fallen to giants. The Yeomanry extends support directly only to the demihumans in the hills and mountains around its borders.