Shire
From AmtWiki
A shire is the smallest sized Amtgard chapter. Under most contracts, the required number of active players per a six month period is five. This is also the general term for a new group, no matter its size.
Privileges
Shires may grant a limited number of awards, and no ladder award may be given above rank 2 or 3, depending on which kingdom they are in. Most shires are not allowed to give any titles of nobility, though some kingdoms allow shires to grant a sheriff that stepped down after a successful term the title of Lord.
The next step
Once a shire grows to an average of 20 people per week in a six month period, they qualify to become a barony.