"In that case, it would be very good if he leased a farm in the village. I just wish we could find four more farmers to do the same." Ernst was a bit concerned about getting all the land rented.
"Well, actually, what he would like to do if he can is buy the land rather than rent it. Who owns the village?"
"Until January, the owner was Ludwig von Gleichen-Tonna, the count of Gleichen, but he died without issue and the ownership is in question. Herr Junker is running things because he holds the Lehen on the village. He got the Lehen from his mother. She was the illegitimate daughter of an uncle of Anna Agnes of Hohenlohe-Weikersheim, who was married to the brother of the count of Gleichen. Anna Agnes of Hohenlohe-Weikersheim is also the niece of William the Silent."
Birdie wondered who William the Silent was. Someone important, obviously.
Ernst was tempted by gossip and yielded to temptation. "They say Lady Anna Agnes bought her cousin a marriage using the leases on Sundremda and some other villages. Herr Junker's mama, she was high strung."
Ernst wasn't really sure about these people from the future buying his village. True, the uptimers had been fair, so far, but how would they treat the villagers if they owned the village? Would they have any need for tenants?
He decided to evade the problem, for the moment. "I really don't know who you would see about buying part of the village."
The soldier talked again to the uptimers then asked about buying the leases.
"That would be Herr Junker, but I doubt he would sell. He sets great store by the villages. They were his mama's dowry."
The soldier didn't bother to consult before asking: "Is he the one to see about renting the parts of the village that aren't rented now as well?"
"Yes. But, I have a question. We do more than plow, sew, and reap. Does Herr Newhouse have tools and machines that will do the other work the village needs?"
There was more discussion back and forth between the Scot and the uptimers.
"Some of it, yes," the Scot finally said. "For the rest, he believes the village could support more nonfarming families to help with the other work. Also, the Ring of Fire means that many things that would have to have been made locally can now be bought in Grantville. Brooms and such things could be bought, instead of being made here. Also, people can be hired as needed from Grantville."
Ernst considered that for a while then nodded. "He should talk to Herr Junker then."
More discussion took place. Then with a wink: "He also wanted to find out the rents. Herr Newhouse prefers not to bargain blind."
Ernst wasn't supposed to be in charge and he knew it. Mercenaries had hit the village a few weeks before the Ring of Fire and he had been sent off to Remda, while others had tried to delay the mercenaries. The delay had worked, but at a high cost. Most of the delaying force was dead. The village had been burned to the ground, and any animal they had been unable to evacuate or hide had either been butchered or taken by the mercenaries. Two days after their victory, the mercenaries had left, and the survivors had returned soon after that.
Ernst was convinced that the sickness that had afflicted the survivors was a result of their stay in Remda. During the next two weeks, disease had killed almost half the survivors.
Ernst had the village's contracts with Herr Junker and the records of who was owed what. He knew about The Battle of the Crapper and believed it would be good to be connected to people who could defend the village. Still, Ernst was a bit nervous about the uptimers. He did show them the record books and helped to explain what each clause meant, but he didn't tell them everything. For instance, he didn't mention what Herr Junker had said about offering new tenants a break on the rent. The break would only be good for a few years, just to help the tenants to get started.
"Claus Junker is a good Lehen holder. He is knowledgeable and reasonable about the rent, but he is stuffy. His mother was of noble blood even if she was born on the wrong side of the blanket. He expects to be treated like a von Somewhere. We humor him, and he treats us well."
The Scot laughed. "That could be a problem. These uptimers have enough trouble treating a real noble like a noble. I don't know how they'd do with someone who just thinks he's a noble." Then the Scot turned to the uptimers to explain his comment.
"I don't suppose you could explain what `Lehen' means, can you?" Birdie asked McTavish.
"Nah," McTavish answered. "It's not always the same thing. Sometimes the holder of the Lehen has the right to collect rents, but the laird has the right to do all the bossing around of the folk. Other times, the holder of the Lehen does all the bossing. Sometimes the laird still lives in the district, and can put a stop to problems. Sometimes, he only comes to hunt. 'Tis verra confusing."