The
House of Lords first came to mind in 1981 while I was sitting at my
desk attempting to study for college finals. Peering through the
window pane in front of me, I drifted away to dream of medieval
times, when battles between strong, restless men raged as they
fought each other for control of land. Land was power and kings of
the time were weak. In the struggle, the strongest emerged as lords
over the others, obtaining land from kings in exchange for
allegiance and protection. The new Lord Barons, holding land rights
directly from the king, subjugated vassals and built empires by
lending the use of their land. There were knights and squires and
attendants, all loyal to the new Lord barons.
But
change is inevitable and loyalties shift and break down; the
powerful are shaken and the struggle intensifies. This was the seed
of an idea, and for the next nine years the game evolved.
I am confident that you will receive
many hours of enjoyment and intrigue.
The
game can be played with 2, 3, or 4 players.
Each
player in the game is a Lord Baron, summoned to court to be tried
for high treason. The king is unsure who conspires to dismantle his
throne and the lords must prove their allegiance. But there are
traitors in the midst and accusations fly. In the struggle to
survive, each player is forced to wager his landholdings, as Lord
Baron, in an effort to stay out of the dungeon.
