Farmland

Farmland is a facility of universal presence in any 6-mile hex that's inhabited, specifically of types-7 through -1. Most often, these farms are rectangular in form, with open or closed yards, surrounding or within walking distance of the house proper. This is true whether or not the farmer and family owns the land, or if, as in the case of estate farming, the designated farmland of a serf or peasant is laid out in lots side by side with those of other families. Farmland in such cases is overseen by a Hayward, who carries the authority of the local squire or noble, but normally farms are managed by individual families. Typically, the farmland owned by a single family is split into multiple fields, typically with each covering between 7 to 10 acres.

Settlements add +1 bread when they occur, so with regards to farming, advance the hex-type upwards with regards to statistics.

Forms

Type-7: symbolised by 2-bread, producing 3 pts. of food (20,840 lbs./pt. at 1,518 calories per lb.) over an area of 300 to 350 acres. This is typically divided into virgates of 30 acres each, though exact sizes vary. 2-3 persons may occupy a 15-acre or less Bovate. Acres have a 3:1 yield, with 35% of the resident's food originating through hunting, fishing, foraging and minimal stock raising. Calorie consumption, 2900 per person per day. Farm population: 50-80 (d4+4). Total excess: 17,180 lbs. per year.

Residents are unaffiliated peasants, or cotters, subject to tax farmers but not to a local noble or squire. Families dwell in 15 ft. square hovels, supported by unsheltered gong boxes located 60 ft. distant from house. Type-7 hexes with hammer upgrades this accommodation to a 20 ft. square daub & wattle house.

Type-7 hexes with settlements assign cotters as serfs, working as sharecroppers under a landlord. Settlements also increase the amount of food produced and number of residents (see type-5, below).

Type-6: similar in food production and farm sizes to type-7 hexes, with individuals eating better quality food. Farm population 50-100 (d6+4). Total excess: 10,200 lbs. per year.

Residents are freeholders with land rights, paying taxes to the realm. Dwelling sizes vary around 500 sq.ft., made of daub & wattle, with ancillary cowshed, coop, pig pen and roofed outhouse surrounding a semi-enclosed yard.

Type-5: symbolised by 3-bread, producing 7 pts. of food. Additional food production due to increased number of farms and a higher rate of yield (3½:1), with a lesser dependence and access on or to foraging. 500 to 1500 acres ploughed (2d6+3). Farm population: 70-120 (d6+6). Total excess: 27,510 lbs. per year.

Residents are 3 to 7 freeholders vs. serfs, the latter subject to landlords and the occasional squire. Serfs dwell in hovels. Freeholder dwellings vary around 550-600 sq.ft., made of wood, mud & daub construction with tiled roofs; enclosed yards include 4-6 buildings, barn and sheds. Increased use of chamber pots among freeholders. Squire dwellings vary between 750-900 sq.ft.

Type-5 hexes with settlements have the freeholder or squire's dwellings within or adjacent to the village/town.

Type-4 or Type-3: similar in food production and farm sizes to type-5 hexes. Farm population: 80-140 (2d4+6). Total excess: 17,050 lbs. per year.

Residents are 1 to 9 freeholders vs. serfs, the latter subject largely to squires and less so to landlords. Serfs dwell in hovels. Freeholder dwellings located in village. Freeholder dwellings range between 550 and 700 sq.ft., constructed of wood and broken stone, with 5-7 buildings. Squire dwellings are 2-story half-timbered houses, between 900-1200 sq.ft. See squire for further advancements.

Type-2: symbolised by 4-bread, producing 15 pts. of food. Additional food production due to increased number of farms and a higher rate of yield (4:1), with negligent dependence on outside sources for food. 1100 to 2600 acres ploughed (3d6+8). Farm population: 140 to 340 (4d6+10). Total excess: 68,898 lbs. per year. Other conditions, here and up, similar to type-4 hexes.

Type-1: symbolised by 5-bread, producing 31 pts. of food. 1600 to 4200 acres ploughed (6d6+10). Farm population: (4d10+20). Total excess: 94,640 lbs. per year.

Type-1 hexes with settlements produce 63 pts. of food. This equals 3000 to 8000 acres ploughed (10d6+20). Farm population: (6d10+40). Total excess: 178,470 per year.