BACKGROUND:
Bretonnia lies between the Grey Mountains and the Great Ocean in the lands which comprise part of the former domain of the Elves. Once the Elves built ports and tall towers, palaces and pinnacles, their cities grew, and the inhabitants became wealthy as a result of trade with the Dwarfs and primitive Human tribes. When the Elves and Dwarfs went to war the land was devastated by the opposing armies. Eventually, after many long years of fighting, the Elves sailed back into the west and abandoned the Old World altogether. The Dwarfs too gave up on the land beyond the mountains, and so the whole area was deserted and forgotten.
Gilles Le Breton:
With the disapperance of the Elves and Dwarfs the lands were overrun by Orcs, goblins and the rough Human tribes who were almost as brutal in those far off days. For many hundreds of years the area remained divided between rival warlords, both greenskin and Human, until the time of Gilles of the tribe Bretonni. In his day the realm was united, and as one nation the Bretonnians succeeded in defeating and driving out the Orcs and Goblins. It is from this time the Bretonnians date the creation of their kingdom, some 977 years after the time of Sigmar and the founding of the Empire.
The Land of Virtue:
To this day the Knights of Bretonnia follow the chivalric traditions established in the time of Gilles le Breton. Gilles' vision of the Lady of the Lake on the eve of battle foretold of his holy purpose and ultimate destiny as king of Bretonnia. Since then the warriors of Bretonnia have pledged themselves to the service of the Lady of the Lake, and sought to uphold the knightly virtues in her name. By feat of arms a Knight may rise in esteem and become, by degrees, one of those marked by the goddess for her special honour. That reward is to drink, as Gilles le Breton once drank, from the Lady's Grail, as only those who are pure in heart and deed can do so.
The Knights of Bretonnia:
Bretonnia has grown into a powerful nation under the guidance of its king, the Lady of the Lake, and the code of honour under which its nobility conducts itself in peace and war. There are no other men whose material prowess can equal the Knights of Bretionnia, dedicated as they are, body and soul, to the pursuit of excellence. Indeed, it is often said that the Knights of Bretonnia could conquer the world were it not for their vows which bind them to protect their own domain and shield the poor and innocent from unwarranted hostility.
The Crusades:
Though a Knight's code of honour binds him to the protection of his land and people, there are still times when himself bound for war in foreign lands. When Sultan Jaffar of Araby invaded the lands of Estalia the King of Bretionnia, at that time Louis the Righteous, rasied a mighty army pledged to free Esatlia from his evil grasp. During the Crusades that followed not was Esatlia freed but the Breronnian king took the war to Araby itself and destroyed the empire of Jaffray. Filled with crusading zeal the Knights tore down the decadent palaces of the Sultan, burned many evil tomes from his library, and flung down the dark idols from their unholy temples.
The Last Hope:
Today the king of Bretonnia and his Knights form a bulwark aginst the growing evils of Chaos and the power of the Orcs, Goblins, Skaven and other monstrous creatures that threaten mankind's survival. The Bretonnia were ever to fail in their sacred duties, then the Human race would surely be doomed.