families. There were as many of these seats as there were elders. Beyond them was an open space. Under the spreading linden tree, directly over the spring, stood a square-cut stone with a hole drilled in its center, to hold the town banner which was raised there for the duration of each meeting. Beside it was a raised platform for the speaker. Any citizen who wished to express his viewpoint on the matter under discussion would come up from the audience and stand on the platform so that everybody in the gathering might hear what he had to say.
The day after the boyar’s hunting trip, a great crowd gathered on the “maydan” where the town meetings were held. The hum and clamor of their voices carried over all the valley. One by one, the elders left their village and hamlets and made their august, dignified way to take their places upon the reserved stone seats. Noisily the younger people assembled behind them, forming themselves in a broad semi-circle. There were women present also although there were not as many of them as men. Every citizen who was of age, whether male or female was obligated to attend these meetings. Although the deciding votes were cast only by the elders, everyone including the youth and women had a right to share in the discussion and thus influence the final decision of the elders.
The sun had risen high into the heavens when the standard bearers, who were the last to leave the village, came, carrying the district banner. Their appearance induced an excited whispering among the gathered citizenry, which died away when they neared the folk-mote. The three town criers bowed before the gathering and taking their stand in the center under the spreading linden tree, removed their hats. The rest of the men followed suit.
“Estimable assemblage!” spoke up one of the town criers, “Are you all prepared to hold a town meeting today?”
“We are prepared.”
“Then may God be with us!” the other two replied and
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