Development of Kaldor
A historical survey with an economic nuance based on fortifications in Kaldor
Disclaimer: This is a derivative work discussing Hârn or Hârn World, originally created by N. Robin Crossby. No assertion of copyright to Hârn or Hârn World is made by producer or the publisher of this work.
The aim of this survey is to map out the development of that region of Hârn now known as the Kingdom of Kaldor based on the data given by its fortifications. As substantial economic and political efforts, the construction of fortifications provides us with implications of what was and is going on in Kaldor, what kind of economic assets the kingdom possessed in different time periods, and how the present compares with the past. Contrary to other data, with the fortifications we do not need to extrapolate from present facts or speculate with anecdotes, nor do we have to interpolate – all the data we need is there: the dates for building, renovating and upgrading the fortifications of Kaldor have been given in splendid detail (mainly Kaldor, 1986 edition, pp. 11-18). By ordering this data chronologically, it is possible to contextualize the building projects and draw conclusions about the conditions prevailing at the time of construction. These ‘construction eras’ can in turn be compared to get a historical perspective of the overall development of Kaldor.
A note on dates: It is not always clear if the dates given for construction are those of starting or finishing. Typically, building timeframes are also lacking. In this survey it has been assumed that the dates given refer to the time when the fortification was finished, unless otherwise noted. Likewise, actually construction dates can be vague, and many have been rounded to the nearest half decade.
Fortifications in Kaldor
A commented timeline
number = year of construction or renovation
bold text = founding of the fortification
(r) = rebuild, renovated or upgraded later
normal text = rebuilding, renovation or upgrading of the
fortification
(castle) = keep upgraded to castle
italics = other major stone buildings
Prior to Lothrim
| year | site | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| c. 20 | Minarsas | (r) | Jarin kingdom of Arwn; on top of a Khuzan kyg |
| 50 | Athelren | (r) | Jarin kingdom of Arwn |
| 70 | Zoben | (r) | Jarin kingdom of Arwn |
| ? | Kyg | 1st C Jarin hill fort; construction date of the keep lost | |
It seems that in the century before Lothrim, the Jarin kingdom of Arwn was the main builder of fortifications. Of those strongholds built before Lothrim and still standing, all can be found in what is today eastern Vemionshire1, the location of the ancient kingdom of Arwn and the heartland of the future kingdom of Pagostra.
Four kingdoms period
| year | site | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 128 | Olokand | (r) | Nurelia; Sanric Tower; on an earthen hill-fort |
| 130 | Gardiren | (r) | Serelind |
| 140 | Baseta | (r) | Nurelia |
| 140 | Qualdris | (r) | Pagostra |
| 140 | Yeged | Nurelia; to oppose Gardiren | |
| 160 | Kolorn | (r) | Pagostra; in place of a ruined Jarin fortress |
| 164 | Fisen | Serelind | |
| 165 | Ternua | (r) | Kephria |
| 168 | Minarsas | (castle) | Pagostra |
| 170 | Gardiren | (castle) | Serelind |
| 170 | Abriel Abbey | Nurelia | |
The Four Kingdoms period saw the founding of eight Kaldoric fortifications (about a quarter of the number of present-day fortifications), plus the renovation or upgrading of two castles. This fifty year period is without doubt the most intensive period of fortification building in Kaldoran history. It is interesting that this period took place before the Kingdom of Kaldor was actually proclaimed.
An interesting pattern emerges when looking at the future of the four kingdoms during the Migration Wars. Just prior to those wars, Nurelia had built the most strongholds and was able to survive the barbarian attacks alone for over 50 years. Serelind and Pagostra, which formed the nucleus of the future kingdom of Kaldor, were not far behind in terms of the number of building projects. Pagostra had also quite recent fortifications dating from the 1st century, and could boast the largest number of modern strongholds at that time. One should especially note that the north-eastern part of Pagostra, where the three or four fortifications from the time of the Jarin kingdom of Arwn stood, apparently survived quite intact. But one should also remember that this region lies furthest from the barbarian attacks, protected by wide tracts of Pagostran and Serelindian territory. On the other hand, Kephria had built just one keep prior to the Migration Wars, and suffered the most. It seems clear that the building of fortifications prior to the Migration Wars related to each kingdom’s ability to survive those wars.
During the Migration Wars
| year | site | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | Setrew | (r) | Nurelia; in place of a ruined Jarin fortress |
| 200 | Tonot | Nurelia; against the Taelda | |
| 210 | Tane | (r) | Kaldor; in Tashal |
Three new fortifications were built around 200. Those in Nurelia clearly consolidated border regions that were threatened by barbarians. While giving protection to the eastern bank of river Kald, Caer Tane surely served also political ends. Again, Nurelia saw most of the fortification building during the Migration Wars. This seems to further underline the importance of new fortifications when keeping the barbarians at bay. When the barbarian migrations finally came to a halt, a full third of the Kaldoric fortifications were situated in the territory of Nurelia which had been annexed by Kaldor by this time. Indeed, all present-day fortifications in the territory of historical Nurelia were originally built before or during the Migration Wars. Two of them, Yeged (140) and Tonot (200), have not seen major renovations since, and still present the construction ideals of the once independent Nurelian kingdom.
After the Migration Wars
| year | site | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 240 | Caleme Temple | ||
| 250 | Athelren | ||
| 280 | Getha | (r) | |
| 285 | Esenor | (r) | |
| 300 | Kiban | (r) | construction started |
| 320 | Nenda | (r) | Habta Tower |
| 335 | Erone nunnery | ||
| 350 | Jedes | ||
| (355) | (Sirendel begun) | ||
Five fortifications (a sixth of the present fortifications) were constructed during late 3rd and early 4th centuries. Of these, three (Getha, Nenda and Jedes) were constructed on the borders of the kingdom, possibly to consolidate areas reclaimed and/or re-colonized after the Migration Wars. The other two fortifications (Esenor and Kiban) were built on the Nephen River, inside Kaldor proper, probably for political and economic reasons. After the consolidation of the kingdoms of Kephira, Serelind and Pagostra, this area became the heartland of the new kingdom. Similar reasons probably led to the founding of Sirendel. The fortification projects during the 100 years following the Migration Wars point towards a restoration of cultivation, increasing economical assets and increasing population numbers.
During & After the Kaldoric Civil War
| year | site | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 378 | Qualdris | (castle) | |
| 384 | Olokand | (castle) | |
| 403 | Gardiren | after the civil war | |
| 407 | Nenda | after the civil war | |
| 410 | Setrew | partially collapsed 327 | |
| 420 | Nubeth | Habta Tower | |
| 426 | Baseta | ||
| 428 | Kobing | former Khuzan/Jarin? stronghold | |
| 430 | Sirendel | begun 355, delays due to unstable political situation | |
| 430 | Bidow | in need of repair today | |
| 430 | Hutop | against Pagaelin | |
| 440 | Getha | fire of 437 | |
| 457 | Shebra | ||
This building period seems to have several different origins, starting with the building of Sirendel and the upgrading of Qualdris and Olokand. From 378 until 407 the upgrading and rebuilding of the castles and keeps is clearly connected to the Kaldoric Civil War and the supremacy of the House of Orgael, lasting until 406 (the rebuilding of Nenda keep was surely begun before the death of Uthred in 407). With the restoration and during the rule of the House of Artane old keeps were rebuilt and new ones constructed both on the borders and inside Kaldor proper. While the building of most of these keeps probably had political and economical reasons, those built in southern Kaldor can be connected to the Pagaelin threat that apparently grew more pressing in the beginning of the 5th century: Nubeth, Kobing and Hutop, are situated very close or even inside the Pagaelin’s range.
Like the previous building period, the time after the Kaldoric Civil War speaks of restoration and perhaps even resettlement of areas cultivated prior to the Migration Wars. Population increase is probable. Hence this building period can be seen as a continuum of the previous building period, i.e. as part of the restoration process following the Migration Wars. This trend of building new keeps and renovating old ones ended with Shebra keep. Over a generation passed before the construction and renovation of fortifications was continued. Possibly the building projects of early 5th century had used up assets available in the kingdom. Of course, Pendeth Keep may have been under construction for several decades, thus bridging the gap between Shebra and Pendeth.
6th Century
| year | site | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 504 | Pendeth | ||
| 525 | Esenor | ||
| 530 | Kolorn | ||
| 548 | Heru | ||
| 569 | Uldien | ||
Keeps constructed or renovated during the 6th century show no special pattern. The new fortifications were built inside Kaldor proper, and cannot be explained as being needed for defence against barbarians. It is also questionable whether the new keeps were built on areas recently cultivated. Looking at the location of the new keeps, it seems much more probable they were consolidating areas long since under cultivation. Thus political reasons can be seen behind the fortification works of the 6th century.
After the completion of Uldien keep a generation passed before major fortification works were started again. The reason to this is probably the Red Death that stripped the kingdom of economic assets and work force for several decades. In addition, late 6th century saw rebellions against the House of Artane, and the kingdom faced interregnum and civil war during the years 599-603.
From 7th Century to present
| year | site | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (605) | (Kiban) | update from keep to castle started | |
| 612 | Ternua | most recent renovation | |
| 620 | Zoben | extensively repaired | |
| 620 | Elend | previously Tane, in Tashal | |
| 640 | Querina | ||
| 653 | Kiban | (castle) | |
| (703) | (Kiban) | town wall begun | |
| 720 | Minarsas | repairs to the west wall going on | |
At present there are 30 major fortifications (keeps or castles) in Kaldor. Since the middle of the 6th century, only one new keep has been built. The Querina keep is located right in the middle of Kaldor proper, so that external threat hardly can be a reason to its construction. During the reign of Haldan II the power of the barons diminished and royal control was quite secure. Thus the nobility probably didn’t obtain rights to construct new fortifications while the king felt quite content with the existing ones. The construction of Querina by the king (it’s the seat of the Sheriff of Semethshire) seems to have no reasons other than of creating a new centre for royal government and perhaps as a show of prestige and power. The building of Querina is possibly connected to a reorganization of royal shires. The three renovations and reparations of early 7th century took place in keeps either directly held by the king or by the most loyal supporters of clan Elendsa. The reparations are probably connected to the preceding turmoil of the years 599-603.
Discussion of the data
Most Kaldoric fortifications were built and/or renovated over 150 years ago, and some (Athelren, Fisen, Tonot, Yeged) have remained virtually unchanged for 500 years or more. It seems that building new fortifications has not been a major policy of the House of Elendsa. This means that if Kaldor has seen building of large stone structures they have been built either by the Churches or by the townsmen. Construction and upkeep of stone manors has also given work to the masons specialized in fortification works. Still, it seems that Kaldor has – especially during the past 70 years – a very thin tradition of major fortification building.
The most active building period in Kaldor dates in the mild and bountiful years prior to the Migration Wars – and prior to the proclamation of the Kingdom of Kaldor – followed by a less fervent building period in the century following the Migration wars. The only other intensive period of fortification building and renovating took place during and after the Kaldoric Civil War, ending in 450s. The building projects started during or after the Migration Wars and up to the Red Death are probably connected to restoration of agriculture in Kaldor proper and defence against the barbarians. The lack of similar building projects after this can be explained with slowing of agricultural growth, leading to a diminished need to protect new lands and diminished ability to construct status buildings like castles and keeps.
Conclusion: a kingdom in stagnation
The building of fortifications in Kaldor can be interpreted to be a result of political and economic dynamism. Such an interpretation suggests that the political atmosphere under House of Elendsa has become comfortably moribund, and the Kaldoric economy either has not recovered from the Red Death or at least is not being channeled into major fortifications. Fortification construction in Kaldor was intense during peaceful and prosperous times, and seems to be connected to population growth and resettlement. Since the construction of Uldien keep 150 years ago, Kaldor has seen only one new keep constructed, even though the kingdom has been relatively peaceful and apparently prosperous. During the past 70 years there have been no major renovations of existing fortifications. This doesn’t support the idea of a bustling economy, recent population increase or potential expansion. If the overall situation in Kaldor could be described in one word, stagnation seems to fit much better than dynamism.
Problematization
Of course, the results can be problematized. The political nature of fortifications only tells us there has been little or no economic or political reason to build new fortifications in the post-plague years. The reasons need not necessarily be economic stagnation or zero population growth (interrelated things in pre-modern societies). The wars of Torastra during the latter 7th century show that the nobility of Kaldor has both the will and the means to embark on costly military adventures, and do it repeatedly during a single generation. Also, Kaldor has a few bustling, albeit small, economic centres that are developing, as the example of Kiban demonstrates.
The number of the stone manors also presents the possibility of substantial economic investment. If the building of stone manors is a recent phenomenon in Kaldor, it shows marked economic development. It is possible that the House of Elendsa has denied the nobility’s plans to build keeps and upgrade old ones, thus channeling the nobility’s financial assets into lesser building projects. However, we lack sufficient data to be able to further promote this case.
Thus, while the building of fortifications slowed in the time after the Red Death, and then virtually ceased some 70 years ago, other indicators may be interpreted as pointing towards an economic surplus and an increase in population. But when these somewhat individual facts are compared with the continuous history of fortification building, the emerging picture doesn’t support a politically or economically dynamic Kaldor in the past 70 years. Two wars abroad and a new town wall are not a convincing proof of an ability to expand substantially in the immediate future, when the ability and/or will to expand inside the present territories have been stagnant for generations.
What about the present, then? There’s a new town wall in Kiban, repairs in Minarsas and an apparent eagerness to build a keep at Oselbridge (and perhaps even the necessary financial assets to actually accomplish this). Is the kingdom of Kaldor entering a new, dynamic era after all? It’s probably too early to draw any conclusions. The looming potential for a second Kaldoric civil war is by itself strengthening the picture of a stagnant kingdom. It’s typical of stagnant societies to turn inwards when there are no real or imagined possibilities of outward expansion, when political power and economic assets can be increased only by taking them from one’s neighbors. On the other hand, the policy of Miginath to maintain the balance of power has perhaps chained the Kaldoric will to expand, and a new vitality may be released after his death – but only if it is not wasted in years of internal strife.
The course that Kaldor will take – and especially the possible courses she can take – cannot be predestined by one historical survey. However, the result of this survey supports the notion that the possibility of the Kaldoric civilization to expand lies far in the future (Kath, page 2, as in Kaldor, 1986 edition) unless there is an external impetus to do so.
Epilogue: Why do this?
Kaldor is a kingdom surrounded by wilderness, tens of thousands of barbarians, Gargun, two small principalities (Azadmere and Chybisa), some Ilme and one Noron. Compared to South-Western and South-Eastern Hârn, Kaldor lies alone and landlocked. Without close-by equals, without constant quarrels with neighbors, Kaldor is left with and within itself – a solitude interrupted by annual summer fair with caravans arriving from four corners of the isle. Between the Migration Wars and the reign of Torastra (about 240-670) we have over 400 years of Kaldoric history without any major interaction with other powers.
We know there was a civil war, we know the Red Death hit also Kaldor, we know the names and policies of the royal clans. But we don’t know what social and economical developments took place in Kaldor during this time. We don’t know the relation of present-day Kaldor to its historical past. While we know reasonably well what other kingdoms on Hârn were able to accomplish in relation to each other, Kaldor lacks comparative data. Thus most discussions about the present-day Kaldor cannot be based on previous situations.
When one is attempting to see Hârn as a real and self consistent world such lack of data can be crippling, as we are left only with anecdotes and wishful thinking. For example discussions about the Kaldoric potential to expand tend to suffer because of the lack of mutually accepted comparative data.
Of course, Hârn is a fantasy world and doesn’t need any kind of solid truths to be what we want it to be. For me Hârn is a puzzle of what-ifs and what-might-have-beens, and an independent setting where facts of our own world can be seen in a new light and new meaning. Instead of playing IN Hârn I’m playing WITH it. From this point of view it’s interesting to try to understand the historical developments on Hârn – how they manifest in the present and how they might effect the future.
Most of all I hope this survey will encourage people to write similar surveys of Hârn… as Hârn and not some analogue of Earth.