Castle Britannia

Description
Castle Britannia lies at the north end of Britain, south of Serpent's Spine. The castle is surrounded by a moat, and heavily guarded. Castle Britannia is not only where Lord British, king of all of Britannia, lives, but also the political heart of the country. It is here, where the Great Council meets, to debate the problems of the land and find solutions. It is there, where all important decisions are made. Also, once a week, Lord British gives public audiences, where everyone can bring his or her matters before the king, as long as he or she waits in the line.

The two main sights inside the castle are the great hall, where big events like feasts are held, and the throne room, where Lord British holds the audiences. Castle Britannia is also symbol of Infinity, the combination of all eight Virtues and three Principles molded together.

History
The castle was built after the great cataclysm after Ultima III. Initially, it was outside of the urban region, in the wilderness. By the time of Ultima V, the Britannies had grown around the castle, and the castle had temporary lost its purpose with Lord British's absence and Blackthorn's dictatorship.

After this, in Ultima VI and VII, the castle was returned to its intended function. It was also enlarged and now also housed the children of the members of the Great Council. In Ultima Underworld II, the castle was the place of action. It was cut off from the world by the Blackrock Dome of the Guardian, and only after the Avatar had completed numerous adventures, it was freed, just in time before it was overrun with soldiers from Atarka.

In Ultima VII/2, Lord British told the Avatar of a crack in the foundation of the castle, although it is not known, if that threatened the castle's stability.

Lore
''Lord British's magnificent castle is situated in the centre of the continent, overlooking Britanny Bay. This tall building is the greatest architectural structure of the new age. Loyal subjects may pay homage to His Majesty, and renew fealty whenever they are in the vicinity of his castle.''

- from "The History of Britannia", Ultima IV

''Headquarters and home of Lord British, located on Britanny Bay. Those aspiring to the Way of the Avatar should become familiar with this landmark. The marble and tile castle has been enlarged and improved since the Age of the Avatar. Now five stories, the castle has among its many features two kitchens, and excellent armoury, a rooftop observatory, and the finest stable in the land.''

- from "Book of Lore", Ultima V

''Chief among the places in Britannia, my keep overlooks the town of Britain from the protected flanks of the Serpent's Spine. Visitors to the castle will find evidence of my many interests and hobbies within its marbled halls. Though my authority extends from the throne to the most remote regions of the Kingdom, none shall be turned away who come to me for counsel in their time of need. And forget not, Avatar, that I have prepared a room for you in my castle that you might find a place of rest from your long journeys abroad.''

- from "Compendium", Ultima VI

Ultima V

 * Alistair :a bard.
 * Chuckles :court jester.
 * Desiree :kitchen girl.
 * Drudgeworth :prisoner.
 * Margaret: upper kitchen chef.
 * Max Engel: Sells weapons/armour at the North Star Armoury.
 * Stephen :lower kitchen chef.
 * Saduj :an agent of the Oppression.
 * Stillwelt :a guard.
 * Treanna :stable girl.

Ultima VI

 * Chuckles :court jester.
 * Geoffrey :captain of the guard.
 * Lord British :the king.
 * Maldric :kitchen chef.
 * Nystul :royal magician.
 * Sherry the Mouse :a mouse.

And below in the sewers.


 * Phoenix(NPC) :thief.

Ultima VII

 * Benny :chief butler.
 * Boots :cook.
 * Charles :servant.
 * Chuckles :court jester.
 * Geoffrey :captain of the guard.
 * Kristi :child.
 * Lord British :the king.
 * Miranda :member of the Great Council.
 * Max :child of Miranda.
 * Nanna :child maid.
 * Nell :room maid.
 * Nikolas :child.
 * Nystul :royal magician.
 * Sherry the Mouse :a mouse.

Ultima Underworld II

 * Charles :head butler.
 * Dupre :Companion of the Avatar.
 * Feridwyn :Paws poorhouse director.
 * Geoffrey :captain of the guard.
 * Iolo :Companion of the Avatar.
 * Julia :Companion of the Avatar.
 * Lady Tory :noblewoman.
 * Lord British :the king.
 * Miranda :member of the Great Council.
 * Nanna :child maid.
 * Nell :servant.
 * Nelson :scholar.
 * Nystul :royal magician.
 * Patterson :mayor of Britain.
 * Syria :leader of the Library of Scars.

And below in the sewers.


 * Dripper :goblin.
 * Fissif :thief.
 * Rogwump :goblin.
 * Unnamed Goblin :goblin.

Trivia

 * It is a running gag that in no two Ultimas does the interior of the castle looks the same.
 * Lord British declares in Ultima VII, he would never go even close to the children's room. Quoting: "Kings and dirty diapers don't mix."
 * The castle has its own well.
 * In Ultima V, it was possible to repeatedly access the treasure vault without using more than one Skull Key. If you found a bed on the same level as the vault and slept for an hour, you could return to the vault and find the door still unlocked--but full treasure chests will have reappeared!
 * The Magic Carpet could be found here in Ultima V.
 * In Ultima IV, there was an entrance to Dungeon Hythloth at the back of the castle.

The Castle in Ascension
The castle was still mostly the same in Ascension, but seemed far smaller, and so lifeless, with many of its inhabitants gone.