0 - 400 I.C.

The beginning of Sigmar's Empire heralded a period of disruption and struggle for the people of the land. Sigmar's wars with the goblinoids forced many of the routed out of the lands of the Empire, many of which found their way across the Grey Mountains. This triggered many battles and raids on the farms of the Bretonni, casting into disarray the settled lifestyle which many now enjoyed.

In 94 I.C., Imperial records state that the Emperor of the day sent a representative to the people of Bretonnia to open trade links and forge an alliance against the goblinoids. However, this was clearly doomed to failure - the Bretonni did not speak with one voice, and the petty kings that came into contact with the Imperial party would not have trusted the strangers.

During the same century humans discovered and traversed the Nuvolone Pass, the route through the Vaults from Tilea. This may not have been the first time that humans travelled through the mountains, but it heralded the opening of relations with the southern Old World. The lands of Tilea and Estalia had for centuries been more advanced than those in the north, and many settlers brought cultural and societal influence with them. For at least five centuries, they migrated into southern Bretonnia - some were fleeing the depredations of Arabian pirates, undead raiders and the skaven whilst others moved into the fertile valleys for economic reasons. Trade relations were established with the Bretonni tribes, which lead to the founding of Brionne and Quenelles on the ancient elven ruins that form their foundations.

Despite the increasing conflicts with the goblinoids, as well as the establishment of trading colonies on the south, this period saw some of the small settlements grow into towns, including Guisoreux and Couronne. As predicted by the Wood Elves, the influence of the Old Faith waned, and the people began to adopt the newer gods as they held more relevance to their existence. The influence from the southern Old World brought new gods, in the form of Morr, Verena, Shallya, Myrmidia and Ranald. The escalation of warfare favoured renewed worship of the gods of war, with Ulric's influence in the north and Myrmidia in the south. Particularly noteworthy is the influence of Shallya - at some point during the 2nd century, a miracle occurred in Couronne. The healing waters were discovered, and the people of the town began to make offerings to the goddess. The news spread during the subsequent years to the south, and pilgrims began to flock to the temple which was established there.

Around the year 100, there are records of raids on the north coast by fleets of ghostly ships. Bleached skeletons stalked the lands commanded by sinister figures swathed in bandages. The events are recalled in the legend of Vitran, in which the eponymous hero sees his entire village slaughtered or taken prisoner by the undead. After many adventures, he boards one of the shadowy vessels and attacks the commander of the fleet, the Tomb Lord Settra, with a magical spear. He wounds Settra and makes good his escape with his family. The legend ends tragically, as his wife and children are borne away by the waves in the attempt to reach the shore.

The declining influence of the druids was not entirely a consequence of man's increasing confidence in the face of nature. The leaders of the Bretonni resented the power of the druids, and their power in society was slowly decreased. The kings and chieftains relied increasingly on their retinue for advice - a band of trusted warriors and advisors who formed a powerful protection against pretenders to his position.

Most significantly in this period, worship of the Lady of the Lake reached its height. She became an important part of the pantheon of the pre-unification Bretonni, representing the homelands and taking elements of other deities, especially those with declining influence such as Rhya. The Lady became a common rallying point around which the Bretonni could gather against the orcs and goblins that lived in the forests and mountains.

Culturally, this was a rich period of history for the future Bretonnia. Many songs and tales have passed down through the ages, telling of the bravery of the people in their conflicts with the orcs. In the surviving stories, the heroes are typically leaders and warriors first and foremost. They are frequently pious worshippers of the gods, especially the Lady.

The Bretonni became more outward-looking, as contact with the Empire and the southern states increased. This was not always friendly - the Wasteland saw numerous skirmishes between the fledgling Empire and the peoples of northern Bretonnia. However, trade between the Empire and the Bretonni flourished - hampered only by the lack of unity amongst the latter.

Famous figures

This period was one in which the Bretonni had many figures of immense significance, revered for their deeds and admirable traits. Many of these and others from subsequent pre-Le Breton centuries were later adopted by the various cults within unified Bretonnia as saints, particularly as the religious hierarchies realised the importance of these sacred human agents to the people of Bretonnia. History books and epics were scrutinised for relevant figures who could be deemed as acting for the gods, and consequently allow each religion to maintain and often enlarge their sphere of influence. Some of these figures were probably acting under the divine will of one of the gods, and others may not have been - the motives for subsequent canonisation vary from pious admiration to cynical politicking.

Sonnus - king and war leader of the Bretonni tribes of the west coast. He is remembered for his bravery in repelling the depredations of Settra.

Franais - an early named priestess of Taal, favoured and respected by the people until she denounced the Lady. She is said to have disappeared the same night that she made her famous 'Prophecy of Franais' - now immortalised in the songs of minstrels.

Vitran - see above.