The Fiefdom of Portlick
The fiefdom of Portlick occupies the eastern short of the Lough Ree, putting it directly into contact with the Covenant of Inchmore and its holding the small village of Hearthstone on the eastern shore of the lake. It holds the lands along the lake, from the hinterlands of Athlone up along the river to a narrow strip of land abutting the border to Briefne to the north. Some deeper lands reach eastward through the hills towards greater Meath but are less densely populated.
Lord: Alistair Walls
Portlick Castle
Portlick Castle
A sturdy wooden motte and bailey castle sitting on a prominent artificial earthen mound that is surrounded by a defensive wooden palisade and earthworks. It provides a strategic vantage point overlooking the region from roughly one mile north of Hearthstone. It is easily visible from Hearthstone and from Inchmore.
Military Forces
Military Forces
It is known that Lord Walls has a sizable personal retinue of knights and sergeants, at least ten full time men at arms that man the fortress and form the core of his infantry, and the ability to raise a levy of at least 50 men. For Hibernia this is a considerable force.
Manors
Portlick
Portlick
Location: Eastern shore of Lough Ree, roughly a mile north from Hearthstone.
Population: Approximately 30 peasant families.
Industry: Demesne farming and fresh water fishing in the lake.
Description: Plainly the administrative and military heart of the fief. Portlick castle looms over the surrounding huts and fields. It contains the hall of Lord Walls and the central infrastructure for storing and some processing of the produce of the surrounding manors. Most of the military force that Lord Walls can bring to bear reside here overseeing his personal fief and living in the safety of his walls.
Ballykeeran
Ballykeeran
Location: A few miles northeast, situated along the coast of the Owenacharra River that flows swiftly to the west and empties into the Lough Ree.
Population: Approximately 25 peasant families.
Industry: Demesne family and Milling.
Description: The hetman of this village holds the official monopoly for the fief for milling. The mill, built to use the power of the river with a large water wheel, belongs to Lord Walls and is operated by the hetman in exchange for a portion of the proceeds as is customary. The location, with the river and mill, make it a critical component of the overall holdings of Portlick and Lord Walls.
Tubberclair
Tubberclair
Location: The rocky hills reaching further into Meath and away from the lake.
Population: Approximately 20 peasant families.
Industry: Sheep and cattle herding, wool and dairy production, and weaving.
Description: There is a demesne croft which manages the large herds of several hundred sheep and cows each belonging to Lord Walls, consisting of 10 peasant families. The rest are spread around the hills in tenant crofts of herdsmen who work the rocky land with flocks of their own and pay Lord Walls for the privilege.
Tang
Tang
Location: The northeastern border of the fief bordering deeper Meath and Breifne.
Population: Approximately 15 peasant families.
Industry: Timber, pig herding and foraging, and charcoal burning.
Description: The wildest and least developed of the manors of Portlick. Utilizing the lands considered "waste" the peasant live in scattered hamlets harvesting wood for fuel and construction, running herds of semi-wild pigs in the woods, and producing charcoal in large burn pits. Because it borders Breifne it is rugged land considered less secure by the Normans, prone to minor skirmishes and raiding for herd animals.
Coosan
Coosan
Location: A fertile peninsula to the south bordering the outskirts and hinterlands of Athlone.
Population: Approximately 35 peasant families.
Industry: Heavy agriculture and cow herding.
Description: The breadbasket manor of the Portlick fief it boasts the most fertile lands and the large population necessary to work it. There are rumors of unrest here however both from the usual dissatisfaction with the Normans and also due to the close proximity to the alternative of Athlone. Young people it is said have already disappeared into the city and not returned.