"What is a knight without his steed? But what is the steed without the knight? Knight and steed, noble and peasant; on such relationships is Bretonnia built."
Couronne, formally the Dukedom of Couronne, is a founding dukedom of Bretonnia that lies upon the northern shores of that realm and is the current seat of power of the king's royal court, which is located in Castle Couronne, the dukedom and the kingdom's capital.[1a]
Even in comparison to the other dukedoms of Bretonnia, the land of Couronne is said to be home to some of the greatest cavalrymen in the Known World. Such a boast should not be taken lightly, especially within a kingdom such as Bretonnia where knights comprise the ruling class, but it is common knowledge that the people of Couronne are obsessed with horses and horsemanship.[1a]
From high nobles to lowly peasants, almost everyone in Couronne has ridden a horse in their lifetime, and some boast that their children learn how to ride one before they even know how to walk. In fact, this Couronnian obsession makes horse breeding and horse racing very important elements of their culture, and even their politics. Plots to undermine a rival's horses are commonplace and feuds arising from such machinations are a major feature of the internecine feudal conflicts that plague the dukedom like much of the rest of the kingdom.[1a]
Such obsessions with horses has only made the knights of Couronne all the more valorous in their deeds, for the Duke of Couronne is none other than Louen Leoncoeur himself, the current royarch of all Bretonnia.[1a]
History[]
Recently a statue of Shallya, the Classical goddess of mercy and healing, was seen weeping blood. This proved to be an omen of the invasion of Albion soon to come.[4]
Recently, a dark miracle struck Couronne: a statue of Shallya, the goddess of mercy and healing, was seen to weep blood. An Imperial scholar by the name of Albrecht recorded this and other such unsettling omens in a letter -- his final act before being slain by his own assistant.[4]
In his writings, Albrecht foretold the rise of a great and shadowed power upon the island of Albion. Perhaps it is mere coincidence, but around the same time, mercenaries began setting sail from across the Old World, lured by the words of strange sea captains who claimed the mists shrouding Albion were thinning. They spoke of untold riches, waiting for any bold enough to reach the shores of the fabled isle.[4]
Geography[]
"Their horses are superb. But still not as good as they think; buy in L'Anguille, where they'll charge you a reasonable amount."
Couronne is one of the larger dukedoms of Bretonnia and is unique in possessing a significant internal political division. Couronne proper sits north of the River Sannez, around a cape projecting into the Sea of Chaos. The Marches of Couronne extend to the east, reaching around the Grey Mountains until they end at the ill-defined border of the Wasteland. [1a]
A map of Couronne
Couronne proper is mostly arable land with pastoral land in the south and east where it approaches the Pale Sisters and the Grey Mountains. Its coast is rugged and ill-suited to trade, and it's constantly lashed by storms coming in off the Sea of Chaos. It is also subject to frequent raids by Norscans, both servants of Chaos and simple bloodthirsty barbarians seeking plunder and glory. Coastal villages are always protected by a stockade at the very least; those without even basic defences do not last a single raiding season.[1a]
Notable Locations[]
Marches of Couronne[]
The Marches of Couronne include the northernmost reaches of the Grey Mountains and wide expanses of plains that are too dry for most crops. As a result, the people of the Marches of Couronne have become the greatest horse-breeders in Bretonnia, which is no mean feat given the quality achieved elsewhere.[1a]
The Marches are plagued by Greenskins from the Grey Mountains who also raid into the south-eastern portions of Couronne proper. These Orcs ride strange carnivorous horses which seem to be able to gallop up mountains as well as across plains. The Couronners do not know where the creatures have come from, and all attempts to capture, break, and breed them have failed dismally.[1a]
The stark coastline of Couronne is sparsely inhabited. The region is regularly beset by storms, and there are no locations suitable for a deep harbour. Every coastal village is fortified against the frequent raids of Norscans and Dark Elves. There is little to attract legitimate traders to the area, and the locals tend to be wary of visitors.[3a]
The marcher lords have little interest in the coastal region, being more concerned with their horses and their feuds, leaving the locals to fend for themselves. The only assistance the commoners of Couronne can hope to receive is from the Bretonnian Navy, but even their ships are viewed with suspicion. Naval patrols along the coast are usually carried out by buccaneers from L'Anguille -- private vessels granted a royal charter to keep the sea lanes open. They are often crewed by captured smugglers, wreckers, and pirates, sentenced to serve aboard ship in lieu of execution. As such, they are often little better than the raiders from whom they supposedly protect the coast.[3a]
Despite this, local fisherfolk often sign up to serve on such ships, hoping to win enough gold in spoils to buy themselves a life in L'Anguille or Marienburg. They are welcomed by buccaneer captains, for they are skilled sailors with expert knowledge of the Couronnian coast. During times of conflict with Marienburg or the Empire, the Bretonnian royarch will offer bounties on enemy ships, and every village will be awash with privateers (and their booty). Some buccaneers occasionally engage in a little piracy even in times of peace, tempted by the fat merchant cogs coming to and from Marienburg.[3a]
Landrel Barrow[]
Landrel Barrow is a small hillock located in the Marches of Couronne. It is artificial and has a large stone gateway set in the side. Light never seems to penetrate far, and a chilling cold always radiates from it. Every few years, though the precise time seems to be random, an army of Undead Skeletons and Zombies marches out of the barrow.[1a]
They follow the same route every time and completely ignore anyone who leaves them alone. As there are 4,373 of them (they ignored one scholar so much he was able to make an accurate count), most nobles are willing to ignore them. The few who are not meet bad ends, unless their friends can restrain them.[1a]
Many groups of adventurers have investigated the barrow. Most have come back, reporting finding nothing but a few cold and empty stone tunnels under the hill. One group found an undisturbed burial chamber, lost one man to the Wight lairing there, and emerged with some treasure. Some groups, however, have simply failed to emerge at all.[1a]
The Couronnians[]
Road to Couronne
"They can’t bear the thought of something that looks even vaguely like a horse that they can’t ride."
Despite rumours to the contrary, Couronnians are not born in the saddle. A few women have tried, but it is apparently physically impossible. They are, however, introduced to riding before they can walk and continue to practice their whole lives. Couronnians are without question the finest horsemen in Bretonnia. What is more, almost all of them are deeply knowledgeable about and interested in equine creatures. For many Couronnians, their best friend is a horse. It is said a Brionnian would fight you to the death over his wife but cheerfully lend you his horse, whilst Couronnians are the other way around. This is not true though for Brionnian knights do not lend their horses to anyone.[1a]
Couronnians hate to walk anywhere when they could ride. This even extends to peasants; horse breeding means most peasants have the use of a horse, even if they do not technically own it. Most Couronnians want the best horse possible, and it is not at all unusual to see a dainty noble lady riding a destrier. They claim being on such a big horse makes them feel safe, and they might occasionally need to ride on a battlefield. However, they normally just ride them to market and back, even when the market is at the castle gates. Some Couronnians start to feel that using a horse simply to get between home and market is something of an insult, and thus leave to become adventurers. Knights Errant, of course, want to show off their horsemanship.[1a]
However, many Couronnian adventurers hate horses, or are even allergic to them. Completely unable to fit in at home, they head out to meet people who are not completely horse-mad. The Couronnian obsession makes horse breeding and horse racing very important elements of their culture, and even their politics. Plots to undermine a rival’s horses are commonplace and feuds arising from them are a major feature. The summer cycle of major horse-races gives structure to the courtly calendar, and even the King attends most races. Unlike many Couronnians, however, King Louen Leoncoeur feels that his duties as a ruler are more important than watching a dozen horses run very quickly.[1a]
Politics within Couronne are mostly concerned with petty feuding about horses. The main exception concerns the March of Couronne. Earl Adalbert, lord of the March, is a vassal of the Duke. He would much rather be a direct vassal of the King. As the two men are currently the same person, he feels that now is an excellent time to press his case. The King, however, is wary of giving such a powerful lord the independence of a Duke. The Earl's political manoeuvrings are proceeding on two fronts. First, he tries to portray all the other non-ducal barons of the realm in the best possible light.[1a]
If they can be seen to be righting wrongs committed by a Duke, so much the better. Second, he aims to perform acts so glorious that the King will have little choice but to accept his fealty as the King. In the service of both goals, he has great need of adventurers who are willing to do a lot of work for none of the glory. The Earl is also pressing for glorious military adventures against the Wasteland. If he could capture Marienburg, he is sure that he would be made a Baron.[1a]
Settlements[]
- Castle Couronne - Castle Couronne is the largest city in the Dukedom and is the capital of both Couronne and the entire Kingdom.
- Castle Brilloinne - This castle was built on top of a Grail Chapel but was destroyed in a siege by Archaon.
Notable Couronnians[]
- King Louen Leoncoeur - The reigning King of Bretonnia.
- King Charlen - Former King renowned for his martial prowess.
- Carleond - The first Duke of Couronne and one of the fabled Grail Companions.
- Viscount d'Alembençon - An enigmatic Grail Knight who defeated the Empire's greatest swordsman, Kurt Helborg in single combat.
- Agilulf - A legendary hero of Bretonnia, famed for his magical armour.
- Baron Lucus of Brilloinne - Founder of the great Castle Brilloinne.
- Brocard the Bold - A close friend of the young Prince Louen Leoncoeur.
- Laudyricus of Couronne - Amongst the most famous of all Grail Knights, Laudyricus was believed to have been possessed of a heart so pure and noble that he was anathema to all unclean creatures and could slay them with his merest touch.
Trivia[]
In the real world, the word Couronne is French for "crowned".