Bergdhoven, Principality of
by Michael BerryArea:
1,120 square miles
Population:
AC 1000 - 36,420
AC 1014 - 32,778
Towns: (population values are given for AC 1000 and AC 1014)
Kopstar (4500/4000)
Altendorf – Aalbanswaden (2800/2500)
Selected Villages: (population values are given for AC 1000 and AC 1014)
Linden Grejs: (1765/1545)
Willemsbrug: (1186/1076) lies at Northern side of the bridge connecting Bergdhoven with Krondahar.
Laagsondendorp: (833/743) lies on the border with the County of High Sonden.
Spoorvork: (573/511) lies along the river, where the trail from Kopstar bifurcates North (Zijlvermeer) and West (Linden). The Aalsfestival (Eels Festival), in Yarthmont, attracts a lot people.
Noordrand: (472/441) marks the Northwestern border of the Principality.
Zijlvermeer: (399/360) lies at the Northeastern border of the Principality and is named after nearby lakes which abound of a variety of silvery fishes the locals call Zijlverforel.
Ethnic groups:
Flaems 94%, Aalbanese 3%, Kaelic 2%, Others 1%
Languages:
Flaemish, Thyatian Common (Hattian dialect)
Ruler:
AC 1000 - Prince Vanserie Vlaardoen: Viscount of Linden, Treasurer of the Council, Commander of Vanserie’s Division AC 1000-1005, Commander Glantrian 2nd Army AC 1005-1009. Deceased AC 1009.
Born AC 940, M28, Fire Master of 5th Circle, AL-Chaotic
AC 1014 - Princess Juliana Vlaardoen: Viscount of Linden, Commander of Glantrian 3rd and 11th Divisions AC 1010-1014. Princess of Berdghoven AC 1009.
Born AC982, M14, Fire Master of 3rd Circle, AL- Lawful
House:
Linden
AC 1000 - Voting Power: 17 at the Council, 32 at the Parliament
Allies: Lady Sinaria Verlien, Countess of High Sonden; Lady Rowena Krollnar, Viscountess of Bergen; Lord Pieter Vandehaar, Baron of Oxhill
AC 1014 – Voting Power 15 at the Council, 40 at the Parliament
Allies: Lady Sinaria Verlien, Countess of High Sonden; Lord Mirm Krollnar, Viscount of Bergen; Lord Pieter Vandehaar, Viscount of Steenwijk; Lady Kristina Wilhamine, Viscount of Castelbianco; Lord Roeland Koorteweg, Baron of Dovehold
Military:
Princes Juliana employs an elite bodyguard of 49 at her tower of Linden. Her personal Guard is called, The Knights of the Order of the Flaems (Hertogspaard). Bergdhoven maintains a force consisting of 3 or 4% (60% levied) of local population in every major village, called the Vlammens Militia.
Princess Juliana is a division commander of the Grand Army of Glantri. Officially he commands the 3rd and 11th divisions. She has neither battlefield experience nor any interest in military affairs. Her uncle Anton is the actual commander, commanding the divisions in her name. Anton has a banner, usually the 4th Banner of one of her two divisions, stationed in Kopstar. This Banner patrols the Principality of Berghoven, and areas to the south of Berghoven up to 48 miles from the borders. It does not enter the Principalities of Aalban to the west nor Klantyre and Krondahar to the east since each of those Principalities is led by a division commander and has its own forces for patrolling their own Principalities. One of her banners, usually the 3rd Banner of one of her Divisions, is assigned to the Vlaardoen estate of Linden and provides security for Linden. The other Banners are assigned to Fort Nordling and are under the peacetime command of Prince Jagger, the Viceroy of Fort Nordling.
Juliana’s 3rd and 11th Divisions
Division Commander - 3rd and 11th Divisions: Princess Juliana Vlaardoen
Deputy Division Commander - 3rd and 11th Divisions: Sir Anton Vlaardoen (F22, 22 HD Gold Dragon)
Brigadiers - 3rd Div: Chanash Teval (M15), 11th Div: Pieter Horkan (F14)
Head Mages- 3rd Div: Lady Sinaria Verlien (M28, Fire Master 5th); 11th Div: Sir Pieter-Eeuwke Vandehaar (M18, Fire Master 4th)
Knights- 3rd Div: Antonie (F15, golden Plate +4, two handed sword +4, riding war horse.); 11th Div: Johan Rjevins (F14 Plate +3, Lance +2, Spear +4, riding war horse)
Fighting troops: 860
Total (including officers, aids and logistics banner): 950
Headquarters: Glantri City
Peacetime Deployment - Maintaining law and order and patrolling up to 48 miles from their places of deployment (Glantri City, Kopstar, Lizzieni). While stationed in these locations they fall under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Judge of the Council (Glantri City) and the Prince of Caurenze (Lizzieni)
Juliana's divisions are about 75% mounted. Soldiers ranked Deca (leader of a squad of 10) higher have magical items (about 10% at lower ranks, higher as ranks increase). Most troops are from Bergdhoven but not all are Flaems. Officers are all of Flaemish descent. Juliana leaves the command of her divisions to her uncle and to the brigadiers. Juliana's divisions are the most magically-orientated in the Grand Army, with two mage banners instead of the typical one per division, given the affinity for and overall nature Flaemish talent for magic.
The following applies to both the 3rd and 11th Divisions.
1st Banner (The 'Hetzer' Banner): 120 elite (M5) human cavalry armed with slings and staffs, riding warhorses; plus 4 sergeants (M7), 2 Lieutenants (M9) and a captain (M11)
This banner serves as the eyes and ears of the division and serve a reconnaissance and scouting function.
Of the banner's 4 platoons of 3 squads of 10, typical tasking would be as follows.
1st Platoon - reconnaissance using a variety of spells such as invisibility, Charm Person, ESP, Clairvoyance, Fly etc..
2nd and 3rd Platoons - specially trained unit in ambush, counter insurgency, and mage suppression tactics. Main mission is counter enemy mage operations and target mages on the field of battle. Spells are generally offensive and reconnaissance orientated.
4th Platoon - a typical combat mage unit, with spellcasters with offensive and defensive spells available. Generally used as support of the first two platoons when independently deployed.
2nd Banner (The Flammenwerfer Banner): 240 (M3) human cavalry armed with slings and staffs, riding warhorses; plus 8 sergeants (M5), 4 Lieutenants (M7) and a captain (M10, Fire Master 3)
the central unit in the division of Juliana. The mages carry offensive and defensive spells and magical items are generally geared toward mass destruction, and fire protection from their own magics. Every Deca and above is armed with at least a wand of fireballs... provided to the banner, and property of the banner, by the Verlien and Vlaardoen families over the years.
Banner 3 - 240 heavy Foot (F3) with long swords, daggers shields and chain mail; 8 sergeants (F5); 2 Lieutenants (F7) 1 captain (F9)
used for protecting the 2nd Banner from hand to hand attacks
Banner 4- 240 mounted infantries (F2) with bows, long swords, daggers, banded armour. ; 8 sergeants (F4); 2 Lieutenants (F6) 1 captain (F8) riding normal horses.
tactically the banner is generally for flanking manoeuvres and support of the 2nd banner
History:
The lands that are now the Principality of Bergdhoven are only a small remnant of the lands the Flaems originally settled and ruled for hundreds of years. The Flaems arrived in the Highlands in AC 395 and spread all across the northern and central river valleys. Flaem expansion in the Highlands continued unchecked before moving south and meeting the elves of Belcadiz in the southern Highlands. Migration to the Highlands of many foreign settlers brought many centuries of war. The Flaem gradually saw themselves pushed north. With the end of fighting and establishment of a nation made up of elements of many cultures, the Flaem found their lands to what Bergdhoven now occupies after the light of Rad decision in AC 859 when the Principality of Bergdhoven was created with the Vlaadoren family holding the hereditary title of Prince.
Food:
Surplus.
Trails:
Both the Aalban and Til rivers are navigable to boat and ship traffic. A toll is exacted from cargoes and passengers entering the Principality by river. There are four major bridges over which one can enter Bergdhoven. Der Alte Brug connects Altendorf with Ständburg in Aalban; Oostrand connects Kopstar with the Principality of Klantyre. The Willemsbrug Bridge connects the town with the same name with the Principality of Krondahar. The Sondenbrug Bridge connects Laagsondendorp (the village of Low Sonden) with Hoogsondenhert (the "Duchy" of High Sonden). All the bridges are heavily travelled and a toll is exacted from everyone entering the Principality on foot. Two good trails connect Willemsbrug with Kopstar and Altendorf. Fair trails connect the villages of principality. Fair trails also connect Altendorf with Fort Nordling and Kopstar with Ostbruck.
Economics:
Bergdhoven is a very rich, trade-oriented Principality, providing other Principalities with a great amount of typical products, originating from various sources: rivers (fish), cattle (cheese), and grain (ground flour). Bergdhovese cut gems and perfumes are renowned even outside Glantri. In addition more industries are in the process of raising their production: the Ducal Shipyards in Kopstar, weavers are increasing in number as well, while financial services are in great expansion.
Food surplus is mainly exported to surrounding territories in deficit, Nordling Free Territories, and Viscounty of Bergen; much of the rest goes south to the Capital. Cut gems, perfumes and alchemical substances are meant for the market of Glantri City and they are even exported outside Glantrian borders. Textile products are exported to the Principality of Aalban and to Glantri City, while riverboats go to Klantyre and the Capital. The main economical partner of Bergdhoven is the Principality of Aalban, and a massive exchange of typical products takes place in Altendorf and Ständburg. Bergdhoven imports lumbers and wool from the Principality of Klantyre, wool and Bergen Ardjes from the Viscounty of Bergen, wool, dye and textile finished products (for further export) from Fort Nordling FP, raw gems from the County of High Sonden.
The Ducal Shipyards are property of the Princess, and provides Bergdhovese Treasury with a substantial income. Another source of income is the Flaemish Library in Kopstar.
Bergdhoven Monthly Financial Ledger (figures from AC1000)
Main resources: 1 vegetable (flower & perfumes), 1 animal (fish)
8 hexes: clear; rural; pop. 8960; tax 896 dc
12 hexes: clear,river; rural; pop. 20160; tax 2016 dc
Kopstar: large town; pop. 4500; tax 1350 dc
Altendorf: small town; pop. 2800; tax 840 dc
Total population: 7300 small town/suburban, 29120 rural.
Tax Income: 5102 dc
Resource Income: 15306 dc
Standard Income: 32056 dc
Council Tax: 10493 dc
Net Cash: 9,915 dc
Overhead (60%): 5949 dc
Available Cash: 3966 dc
With 244896 XP/year, in 8 years (AC 1001-1008) Vanserie Vlaardoen could gain up to 1959168 XP, and gains one level per year rising from M28 to M36! Juliana Vlaardoen starting in AC 1009, in 5 years (AC 1010 - 1014) could gain 1224480 XP and gains one level per year rising from M9 to M14
Alternate: With 61224 XP/year, in 9 years Vanserie Vlaardoen would gain 551016 XP, and rises from M28 to M32 at the time of his death in AC 1009! Juliana Vlaardoen starting in AC 1009, in 5 years would gain 306120 XP and gains one level per year rising from M9 to M11!
Cultural Curiosities:
FOOD
The Piazza Food Network is again pleased to bring to you Micky and Mage and his reports of his experiences sampling the various cuisines of the many different cultures of Glantri.
Hi Ho everyone! Micky here reporting from Kopstar; a lovely town with many wonderful eating establishments. Traditionally, Flaemish cuisine is rather simple and straightforward, with many vegetables and cheeses; breakfast and lunch are typically bread with toppings while dinner is meat and potatoes, supplemented with seasonal vegetables. I went to my favorite Kopstar restaurant, Resturant Johannes located at Herengracht 413 in the Noble quarter.
For the first course (Voorspijzen) had Venkel Mossel (mussel soup with fennel). The main course (Hoofdspijzen) consisted of Gestoofde Beemster kalfsukade met stamppotje zomerpostelein (braised veal with potatoes). Finally we came to what I looked forward to most, desert (Naspijzen) with one of my alltime favorite deserts; Frambozenkwarktaart (raspberry cheesecake). Every bite was melt in your mouth good. In fact I think I say only that my wife’s is better.
ARTS AND LITERATURE
Bergdhoven is famed for the number and quality of its painters. It is a passion that drives both the higher and lower classes. Music is also very popular among the Flaem of all classes. Bergdhoven boasts one of the best educational systems in all of Glantri. It was done in large part to identify those who have the capacity to learn magic but also to provide for a well educated population. As such the literacy rate in Bergdhoven is the highest in Glantri and nearly all have the talent for magic receive at least basic training. As a result of having such a literate educated population the Flaem are voracious readers and there is great demand for books, and newspapers. Some of the greatest authors of Glantri are Flaemish and many of their books are easy to come by in Bergdhoven.
ARCHITECTURE
Modern Flaemish architecture found its impetus in the designs of 5th Century Hendrick de Keyser, who was instrumental in establishing a more austere form practiced than the traditional Flaem styles of their home world and was well suited to the environment in the Highlands. The major exponents of the mid-6th century, Jacob van Campen and Pieter Post, adopted de Keyser's forms for such eclectic elements as giant-order pilasters, gable roofs, central pediments, and vigorous steeples. Brought together in a coherent combination, these stylistic developments are both exemplified by the Rjevens Raadpalijs in Kopstar. It is Rjevens Family City mansion as well as the Town Hall and Temple of Rad and one of the great architectural works in Glantri.
SOCIAL CUSTOMS
It is well known that the Flaem are very insular and have not always liked to be among those not of their own kind. This often manifests itself in rudeness and at times in violence. Among their own kind they are a warm and affectionate people with as much love for children as they have for magic. The common greeting among Flaem is ‘Mei de brand verwarmt u altijd’ May the fire always warm you. The Flaem due to remaining generally insular and keeping bloodlines pure and with their high natural affinity for magic have the highest rate of recognized magical ability of any other human group in Glantri. It is estimated that 70% of all Flaem have the intelligence and aptitude to learn magic, not all do for various reasons, but the Flaem do have the highest percentage of Arcaners to Mundaners of any human ethnic group. As such the Flaem surprisingly considering their prodigious magical history have the most relaxed attitudes towards mundaners. So many are or could be considered arcaners that the distinction between arcaner and mundaner has lost any real meaning. To the Flaem, the superiority (and inferiority) is decided by ones race, not determined individually. To a Flaem for example, an Ethengarian is less than human whether a Wizard-Prince, or a dung collector.
PASTIMES
Other than magic, reading, and painting there is another thing the Flaem have a passion for; in their minds the only good thing the Thyatins brought to the Highlands, Football. The ‘Oranje’ of Kopstar have won the Glantrian Scudetto 6 times (the last in AC 989) and have every match, and every move is followed from the Prince of Bergdhoven to the lowest street sweeper. Flaem are very fashion conscious. Pure-bred Flaem like to dress in green, gold, and red colors to accent their red hair and pale complexions. Arcaners almost always wear long flowing robes of fine quality silk. Mundaners however dress as they do elsewhere in Glantri in trousers and loose fitting shirts.
Notable sites:
Kopstar
Ruler: Burgemeester Egbert Rjevens (born 946, M9, Al N) Cousin of Wilhelmine Vlaardoen.
Kopstar was one of the first villages founded by Flaemish settlers. It was the seat of Duke Veerbyn, first, and then of Duke Rjevens. Leopold Rjevens was made the first Burgemeester of Kopstar when it was annexed into Bergdhoven and since then, this position has been unofficially a hereditary position for the Rjevens family. Rjevens Raadpalijs is Rjevens Family City mansion as well as the Town Hall and Temple of Rad. Rjevens are considered as nobles close to the population, therefore they are loved very much.
Kopstar is the home of most prominent Bergdhovese merchants, and is renowned for the skill and creativity of its gemcutters. In the world of jewelers a "Kopstar cut" gem means it’s a cut of the highest quality. Due to the proximity to Klantyre, a great amount of lumbers is imported providing raw material for the Ducal Shipyards, carpentry, and woodcraft (furniture). Weaving has always had a discreet importance due to the proximity to wool producing centers of Klantyre, Bergen, and the Nordling FP. Fishmongers abound in the Port quarter but every other typical Bergdhovese product can be found as well. Lumbers imported from Klantyre and Bergen Ardjes embarked in Ostbruck give the majority of Kopstar houses a peculiar look. Every kind of goods makes their way to Willemsbrug then to the Capital.
Kopstar is home to several notable landmarks like the SteenHuijs, the Gem cutters Guild House. It is one of the most popular buildings in the town, and a source of pride for the whole populace. It’s not that impressive when looked at, resembling a heavily guarded petty noble Palace with the Coat of Arms of the Guild (two crossed pentangles surmounted by a lijsk leaf) in bas-relief over the main door. Those lucky enough to gain access to it (that is few Flaems and very few foreign merchants tell tales of unthinkable wonders. The Palace keeps some significant samples of Flaemish art and a vast amount of written knowledge (mundane and magical) gathered during centuries of study. Needless to say the Palace is considered impregnable by even the most skilled thieves, those who try were caught and immediately sentenced to death.
Another source of pride for Kopstar population is the Flaemish Library of Kopstar, another heavily guarded place, where evidence of the glorious past of the Flaems is stored for the population to read. The Library is open from middle morning to late afternoon and it is divided in two parts: the Flaemish section, which can be accessed by Flaems only (cost 1 sovereign) and a General section (access is free for Flaems, 1 ducat for non-Flaems). The head of the library is the Keeper, Johann Madhorsen, a distant relative of Viscountess Rowena Krollnar, but the most famous scholar is Thijb Meerker, the head of the Kaartstak (Map Section). One of the greatest cartographer the whole Principalities have ever seen, he devised a personal and innovative system which seems to grant a higher degree of precision. Unfortunately, this method is unknown outside the library since Thijb is bound to exclusively serve the Flaemish Library by a decree personally enforced by Prince Vanserie.
Goudenbank is a money-lending business started by Pieter Vandehaar some 25 years ago, in the heart of the Koopmangouw (Merchants District). Born to imitate the business that made Klantyre famous to merchants in the whole Principalities, it improved Bergdhovese economy thus causing some other to rise as well. Veerverstraat is the painters’ district. Now a well-to-do quarter of the town, it’s named after the once common sight of artists painting the portraits of people along the street. Little remains of this, since this quarter is now where only the most famous Bergdhovese painters have their town study-mansion.
For the rich and famous no stop in Kopstar is complete with a stop to Krjilen’s, the most famous Bergdhovese tailor. The "Dressing Advisor" of Baron Pieter Vandehaar, represents the new frontier of Bergdhovese business, as Flaemish fashion, previously devoted to traditional style only, is now trying to conquer Glantrian Market. Kopstar is also home to the famous De Wallen in the Rosse Buurt quarter where every fantasy can be fulfilled or any perversion satisfied. Here outside the headquarters of the Sisters of the Private Houses is a statue dedicated to all the sisters who worked hard for their money over the years.
Altendorf
Ruler: Burgemeester Daerich van Voen (born 961) (OD&D: Mage 6th, Al L) (AD&D: Wizard 6th, Al LN), mixed Aalbanese-Flaemish blood.
Founded by early Flaemish settlers, it was named Aalbanswaden and was the seat of Duke Aalban.The most dramatic event in its history occurred after Hattians, allied with Halzunthram, moved from Red River Valley to Aalban Valley: a battle took place, Hattians conquered the village, and Flaems retreated East. When Hattians joined the rebels (and the Flaems), their leader, Wilhelm von Drachenfels, invited the Flaems to mix with his people, Flaems agreed and everything went well until the forty years war was over. Then ancient hatred came out as Flaems demanded their dominion back and Hattians refused. A compromise was made and the dominion was populated by both ethnies. Things deteriorated when Eberhard Wechsen became the new Baron, he hated magic-users so Flaems were badly treated, and they retreated East. After the Light of Rad declaration Eberhard joined the rebels, the town was annexed to the Principality of Bergdhoven, and, in order to avoid Flaemish reprisal, Hattians moved to the other side of the river in the Principality of Aalban. The two ethnies remained divided until 882 when Willem IV Vlaardoen became the new Prince. An admirer of Friedrich von Drachenfels, the Prince made a deal for the construction of a bridge connecting the two villages. Friedrich died before of seeing the bridge completed and in his honour the village was renamed Altendorf. The town is famous for De Blozend Hertog Beeld (the Red Duke’s statue) which is a massive statue at the centre of the town. Erected on honour of Johan II Vlaardoen, killed in Nouvelle Averoigne by the rebels lead by Dieter Lowenroth in 862 AC, it shows the Prince in the act of raising and it symbolises (at least it should) that unity always gives a mean to win against the odds. It’s told that the statue will animate if the town is in immediate danger.
Linden-Grejs
Linden-Grejs was established formally in AC 1011 with the consolidation of the formerly separate villages of Linden and Grejs. The former village of Linden included the estate of the family of the Vlaardoen family and the village that developed around the estate. The population consists of the Princes’ families, servants, petty nobles, and those providing the Princes with goods and services. The small village of Grejs had developed around Linden, first as centre of leather business, then as a centre specialized in flower rearing, its main resource, until becoming the heart of Flaemish production of perfumes, exported in the whole Glantri and the Known World.
Linden-Grejs is of course also home to Linden; the estate of ruling Vlaardoen family of Bergdhoven. The estate consists of the main building and outlying buildings housing military barracks and immediate servant quarters and lush gardens and pristeen landscapes. The main bulding is not home a home for the Vlaardoen family but also is a museum to Flaemish history, with priceless oddities and rarities are casually spread among the forty-nine chambers of the manor. Very few people are allowed within Linden. Only the elite of Flaemish nobles are invited to the few parties held there. One such was our Food reporter Micky and Mage who was invited by Princess Juliana (said to be a fan of his writings and seen attached to his arm most of the evening) to the Fire Night Gala at Linden, one of the most exlusive and lashish parties on the Glantrian social calendar. Micky caught the main home of the Vlaardoens at night when scores of mages created all kinds of wonders for the guests at Linden.
On the estate there is the general quarters of the Hertogspaard, the Knights of the Order of the Flaems, the only knightly order ever existed in Flaemish culture. Only the most highly skilled fighters compose the Order. Its number is fixed in forty-nine, as there were seven Knights for each of the seven Flaemish Dukes (seven times seven, the number sacred to Flaems), with the Archduke as Head of the order in the past. Today when a knight dies, he’s replaced by another one, personally chosen by the Prince, or by an eventual honorary Head of the Order, presently led by Sir Anton Vlaardoen. The Hertogspaard is composed of 49 fighter-knights (F5, pole arm+1 or lance when mounted, plate armor) 1 lieutenant (F6, the same) and led by sir Anton Vlaardoen (HD22, no armor, sword+3, shield+2). They are very strict on ceremony and honor in memory of the proper knightly order they once were.
Also at the tower is Juliana’s military magist - Chanash Teval (born 933, Fire Elementalist 3rd Circle, Wand of Flaming Disks) (OD&D: Mage 20th, Al C) who also serves as Brigadier to her 3rd Division. Protecting the Palace of Linden is a barracks complex that houses both the 3rd and 11th Division’s headquarters and is manned by the 4th Banner of the 11th Division. They guard Linden and occasionally patrol and train within the principality. The Palace of Linden has many magical protection spells and wards, including nasty fire traps of ancient Fleamish design. The fort and tower have in addition more mundane defenses including: 5 heavy ballistae, 10 light ballistae, and 4 light catapults.
Prijncestujn are the Gardens of Linden Tower. This wonder extends for several acres and every typical Bergdhovese flowers can be found. It is told several magical flowers are grown for the Princes’ personal use. They extend until they meet Grejs, the village famous for its flowers. The village owes its fortunes to the "discovery" (it was actually plundered by another Library soon after Flaems arrived in the Highlands) of the Nithian Book of Herbs, which described recipes used for scented ointment and perfumes. Soon flowers started to fill the fields surrounding the small village, and the village increased. Grejs perfumes were first used as purifying agent during the Flaemish inquisition and to perfume gloves. The most prized perfumes (which are now made by mixing several different scents) are sold for 100 dc/oz. and more! Among these there’s the renowned Juliana’s "Talvijf" (number five), named after the number of the attempts to please the then Princes’ daughter difficult tastes. It’s her personal perfume and it’s joked she uses it to bath in. It’s a must for every Flaemish well-to-do Lady.
Willemsbrug
Willemsbrug (or Fojsbrug, Bridge of Disgrace, for Flaemish purists) is the bridge connecting the Principality of Bergdhoven with the Principality of Krondahar. This massive stone bridge is named after the Prince, Willem IX, who finally approved his construction as Treasurer of the Council, and paid with his own life "his rash deed". It took thirty years to build, more than 3000 workers and the most renowned engineers and Caurenzan architects took part in its construction. It has a road 20’ wide, and twenty-one arches support it. There’s a wooden drawbridge to let ships in. The flow of the water is used to turn water wheels below the arches for grinding grain. From then on, the small hamlet of Zjedelvork (renamed Willemsbrug) has sharply increased until recently becoming the 3rd town of Bergdhoven. The Flaemish side of the bridge is heavily guarded, and a deployment of Vanserie’s III Banner is always stationed here. Part of the tolls collected by Flaems goes directly to the Treasury of the Council to assure the bridge’s upkeep.
Coat of Arms:
Useful links:
History of the Flaem and The Grand Army of Glantri AC 1000-1014 by Michael Berry
The Economy of Bergdhoven by Aleksei Andrievski
Principality of Bergdhoven by Thibault Sarlat, Giovanni Porpora, and Agathokles