Forums Loading, stand by... HOME

[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

Source: Definitions of Free Cities

Posted By: Olorin (host217-46-159-67.in-addr.btopenworld.com)
Date: 10/23/2002 at 2:13 p.m.

From Two HIstorical Sites:

German Free Cities:

"The Alsace was ruled by a series of Germanic kings for the next 800 years, and many castles were built on hills overlooking the towns. Gradually, the Alsace came under the domination of the Emperors of the Roman Empire and their descendents. Many Emperors gave the region special status, allowing it to run its own affairs, and in the 13th century many Alsatian towns were granted the status of Free City, meaning they were exempt from the rule of local Barons and Bishops. In those days, many Bishops were also Princes and Barons, many of them "robber Barons." Typically, robber Barons lived in a castle on a hill or mountain, and would watch the trade caravans travelling through the valleys and plains below, waiting for those worth raiding. Free Cities were protected by Emperor from such activities, and robber Barons who did too much robbing were often overthrown by the local people."

Germany is in northern Europe, remember.

Greek Free Cities:

"For the ancient Greeks freedom meant above all the freedom of the city, its autonomy and independence. Some Greek cities, most notably Athens, went further, extending freedom to the individual as well as the city. But the free individual presupposed the free city, for if your city were ruled by an external power whatever liberties you may personally enjoy would not be secure. To be sure, tyranny could come from within the city as well as from the outside, but foreign rule entailed coercion, while home rule meant less or virtually none. Citizens of free cities usually paid no direct taxes; subject peoples, on the other hand, could be compelled to pay tribute."

Because of the 'northern'-feel of the game I'd say that the German Free Cities would have been the inspiration for the Free Cities of the North, but the same definiton applies here.

So there you have it, a definition of a Free City (of the North :) ).

I also found a whole load of RPGs which have Free CIties - seemingly a common theme in fantasy games, then.

Messages In This Thread

[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

For your own future enjoyment, please report any major forum abusers or cgi errors so we can remedy the problem. If you have any questions email us.

The Asylum

The Asylum is maintained by Myth Admin with WebBBS 5.12.