Welsh Kingdoms

The Welsh Kingdoms descended from the Celtic Britons who occupied much of the island of Britain from the Iron Age, into and beyond its Romanisation in the First Century.

Not long after the Romans departed, the lands would come to be dominated by Anglo-Saxons who had arrived from northern Europe. Ironically, the term ‘Welsh’ derives from the Anglo-Saxon term for foreigner, ‘wealas’, which they applied to the native Britons. The Anglo-Saxons flourished and many of the old Brittonic kingdoms began to disappear.

The Britons who inhabited the Welsh peninsula were able to hold ground against attacks from the Anglo Saxons, Gaels and numerous bands of Vikings. These kingdoms were among the last bastion of Romano-British culture but there was a shift towards a more militaristic way of life in order to survive against these persistent invaders.

Britons also still occupied what is now southern Scotland. Here, the kingdom of Strat Clut, known as the Strathclyde Welsh to the Anglo-Saxons, defended their realm under constant pressure from Picts and Vikings.

Cultural Traits:

Heroism: Wales is a land of heroes. Earn heroism by winning battles, owning Welsh land and ranking up generals to gain bonuses.

Supplies: Gain additional supplies for armies in controlled territory.

Morale: Units fight with increased morale when engaged in battles in controlled territory.

Gwined

The people of Gwined have some claim to the title of ‘true Britons’, having been driven to the far west by invaders who now call themselves ‘English’. Renowned both for their bardic arts and their skill with the longbow, the Welsh of Gwined thrived under the leadership of Rhodri Mawr.

Rhodri kept Gwined largely free of Vikings and other invaders while expanding its borders. Now he is gone and his lands are divided.

Faction Leader: King Anaraut

Under Welsh law, upon the death of Rhodri the Great in 878 AD, his lands were divided among his three able-bodied sons. Anaraut, the eldest, succeeded the throne of Gwynedd and the principal estate of Aberffraw.

The brothers worked closely together for a time, but tensions mounted between them to be the greatest leader and soon they turned on each other. Will the brothers tear each other apart? Or can Anaraut live up to his father’s legacy and unite the Welsh nation?

Faction trait: General’s Followers

The Welsh are famously loyal and will rally to a strong king. Gwined’s generals are able to recruit and train more powerful followers than other factions.

Strat Clut

Strat Clut is a kingdom of the Old North that can be traced back to the Fifth Century and the Celtic Britons. The realm was formerly based at the fortress of Alt Clut but driven out by a Viking invasion in 870. The current King Artgal was taken captive and reportedly killed in mysterious circumstances. The kingdom reformed further into the valley of the River Clyde under the leadership of his only son Run.

Faction Leader: Run

Born of a long line of kings of Alt Clut, Run may have ascended the throne as the first king of Strat Clut (once the kingdom had reformed under his new moniker). He was married to the daughter of Cináed, King of the Picts, who was also implicated in ordering the death of his father. The great challenge of his reign would be to defend his sovereignty amid constant pressure from both Vikings and his bullish father in law.

Faction trait: Map Control

A closely connected kingdom will find strength and prosperity in its unity. Own settlements next to each other to earn bonuses.