[jason taylor]

This is inspired by the description of Irish Gavelkind:

1. All the nobility are considered a single tribe. The King is their chief.

2. On the death of the King, almost all land reverts to the realm corporately and is redivided among all nobles capable of conducting duties proper to nobles (political, judicial, military, reproductive). Those remaining are left enough land to keep them in a comfortable position as well as all properties separate from the tribal patrimony.

3. Non-nobles repeat this process at a lower level each clan paying rent to the top clan. Subinfeudation is allowed in this process as is individual holdings.

4. Obscure loose ends like pastoral or mercantile nomads and merchant cities are allowed a treaty with the top clan that features similar aspects. Service or rent is given appropriately to their nature (such as cities providing naval vessels and transport).

Basically this is like the feudal system, but readapted to feature elements of Irish Gavelkind.