Britannia (1986)

Britannia is a historical board game that broadly depicts the millennia-long struggle for control of England, Scotland, and Wales. The game begins with the Roman invasion of 43 A.D., continues through the many struggles between Angles, Saxons, Picts, Norsemen, Scots, Irish, and other tribes, and ends with the Norman invasion of 1066.

Britannia allows players to re-create this epic history, re-enacting important battles in some cases, altering the course of history in others. The game rules discourage players from making historically unrealistic moves, but also give players the freedom to alter Great Britain’s history in important ways, creating countless interesting “what if?” scenarios. What if Boudicca’s Revolt against the Romans had been more successful? What if the Romans and the Romano-British had repelled the Saxon invasions of the 5th and 6th centuries? What if William the Conqueror had died during the Norman invasion of 1066?

In Britannia, the players will determine the destiny of a kingdom.

Nominee for the 1987 Charles S. Roberts awards for Best Pre-World War II Boardgame (Charles S. Roberts Awards).

Re-implemented by (alphabetical order):

• Chariot Lords
• China: The Middle Kingdom
• The Dragon and the Pearl
• Hegemonia
• Hispania
• Italia
• Maharaja
• Mandate of Heaven, a Game of Chinese History 120 BC - 1954 AD
• Peninsula Italica
• Rus

Magazine References:

The GENERAL Index Article List:

• The GENERAL Vol.24,No.5
  • Design Analysis - Britannia by Bruce Shelly
  • Britannia – “From Sturdy Stock - The Peoples of BRITANNIA” by Phil Rennert
  • Britannia – “The Roman Invasion of Britannia - Kill Them and Let God Sort 'em Out” by Rex A. Martin
  • Contest #141 - Britannia

• The GENERAL Vol.30,No.2
  • Britannia – “Oh, Danny Boy! - An Ireland Add on Map for Britannia” (Variant Discussion) Jim Lawler

Games International Article List:

• Games International (Issue 5 – May 1989)
  • Britannia - The ABC guide to major invasion by Graham Staplehurst.
• Games International (Issue 6 – June 1989)
  • Upfront - Includes errata for Britannia variant published in Games International (Issue 5 – May 1989).

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