Short Story ... Future Feudal story .. checking laws

[bnantz]

I read a short story a long time ago about a future (post-apocalyptic?) society that had become so feudal that each village/city had their own set of laws post (on a kiosk?) outside the city. People would have to check the laws, for what is punishable by death, etc.. before entering the city.

Can you help me remember the title and/or author?

Thanks in advance!

[admin]

I almost remember the story, but can't place it. Don't remember the title. The author might have been Peter Beagle or Gene Wolfe, but I just guess those two because they are two authors whose short stories I regularly read.

Is the main character a woman who is leaving her isolated mountain village to go to a larger village in the lowlands for the first time?