William the Conqueror

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Lore & Background

William's story in Crusader Kings begins with the Battle of Hastings scenario in 1066, one of three included scenarios alongside the Third Crusade (1187) and the Hundred Years' War (started in 1337). The game is set primarily in Europe from December 26, 1066 until December 30, 1452, five months before the fall of Constantinople. As a dynasty simulator, William's success depends on managing his demesne across these centuries, supported by appointed councillors: a Chancellor, Steward, Marshal, Spy Master, and Diocese Bishop. He oversees scutage from his vassals while navigating yearly random events and hundreds of pre-scripted ones based on historical themes. The game is lost if no direct member of the playable dynasty holds or inherits an imperial, royal, or noble rank, making William's line crucial to continued play. Unlike turn-based strategy games, time flows continuously, allowing the player to pause, examine the map and characters, make decisions, then speed up or slow down time as events unfold.

In Their Own Story

On December 26, 1066, the day after his coronation, William begins his reign as King of England. The game's engine, based on the one developed for Europa Universalis II released in December 2001, allows players to continue their game after 1419 through Europa Universalis II using a save game converter. William's character can be elevated from count to duke to king to emperor substantive titles, or regress as status and lands are lost. The game received average reviews according to Metacritic, with many U.S. reviews coming in a few months before the game's official U.S. release. In the 2013 book Digital Gaming Re-imagines the Middle Ages, the author notes that Crusader Kings models systems of cultural change in the Middle Ages rather than merely assigning cultural labels to people and geographic areas at specific chronological dates, attempting to avoid anachronism through historically based systems of gameplay.

Reader's Guide

When playing as William in the Battle of Hastings scenario (1066), focus on consolidating your dynastic demesne across the game's timeframe from December 26, 1066 to December 30, 1452. Your appointed councillors—Chancellor, Steward, Marshal, Spy Master, and Diocese Bishop—are essential for managing familial, economic, military, political, and religious affairs. Oversee scutage from your vassals while preparing for yearly random events and hundreds of pre-scripted ones based on historical themes. Remember that time flows continuously, so use the pause function to examine the map and characters, make decisions, and give orders, then adjust speed as events take their course. Your character can be elevated from count to duke to king to emperor, but the game is lost if no direct member of your dynasty holds or inherits an imperial, royal, or noble rank. The save game converter allows continuation after 1419 through Europa Universalis II. The game was originally planned to be published by Strategy First in North America, but Paradox revealed in June 2004 that it would self-publish to secure intellectual property and serve customers better.

Did You Know?

• The game's setting begins on December 26, 1066, the day after William's coronation.
• The Battle of Hastings (1066) is one of three included scenarios, alongside the Third Crusade (1187) and the Hundred Years' War (started in 1337).
• A save game converter allows players to continue their game after 1419 through Europa Universalis II.
• The game's engine was based on the one developed for Europa Universalis II, released in December 2001.
• Paradox revealed in June 2004 that it would self-publish Crusader Kings instead of using publisher Strategy First.