Britain

Description
Britain is the capital of Britannia, and also its biggest and richest city, and the city of Compassion. Reflecting its wealths, its streets are the best in the whole kingdom, and the city has lanterns placed at the roadsides. Situated between the Britannia Bay and the Serpent's Spine mountains, Britain has many interesting things and places to see.

Directly at the north end of the city lies Castle Britannia, where Lord British resides and the Great Council holds its meetings. Britain is also the seat of the Britannian Tax Council and the Royal Mint of Britannia, where all coins are made. Britain is famous for its musicians, the Bards, who all learn their art in the Hall of Bards. Also interesting places are the Museum, where exhibits of times gone by are presented, and the Royal Theatre.

The economy of the city is very strong. Beside the harbour with the shipwright, there is a big commercial district with jewelers, clothiers, weapon and armour shops, provisioners, a bakery and an apothecary. Also found is a healer. Iolo's Bows has its main branch here, too. Many trainers offer their services to adventurers. Britain is also famous for its tavern, the legendary Blue Boar Tavern, and its vast Apple Orchard. Vast farmlands follow at the edge of the city, ensuring the food supply.

A Moongate a little east of the city, on the other side of the Britanny River, ensures fast transportation.

History of the city
Britain is a very old city. It was once known as Akalabeth, before it was renamed to its current name. British, after arriving to Sosaria, made Britain his home, and eventually became Lord British, ruling the city from his castle. The city was one of the few to come through the Ages of Darkness with only minor damages.

In Ultima IV, after Lord British united all of Sosaria under a new name, Britannia, Britain became the capital of the kingdom. The city was still roughly the same size as the other major cities of the land. In Ultima V three new suburbs, the Britannies, had grown around Castle Britannia. Like the other cities, Britain was haunted regularly by the Shadowlords. After the time of the Shadowlords was over, the city walls of Britain were razed, to make room for expansion. The three Britannies were integrated into Britain, which began a period of accelerated growth. By Ultima VI, Britain was quite large, and new places like the Museum and the Royal Mint had opened. However, due to the accelerated growth of the city, the streets were left in a state of disrepair.

The city grew even more during the 200 years of peace that followed. By Ultima VII, Paws had become a suburb of Britain, and the city showed off its wealth. Many new buildings were constructed and the roads were paved. Despite a number of damages due to the Imbalance Storms (such as the vanishing of the Royal Mint), the city still thrived.

The city was much smaller in Ultima IX. At that time, Aidon had become the mayor of the city. Having come under the influence of one of the columns, the people became cold-hearted. The Avatar ended this and the city returned to normal.

Lore
 

Ultima V

 * Annon: Member of the Great Council
 * Donya: Innkeeper at the Wayfarer's Inn
 * Eb: Busboy in Wayfarer's Inn
 * Greyson: fighting bard
 * Gwenneth: shopkeeper at Iolo's Bows
 * Gwenno: companion of the Avatar
 * Justin: cook in Wayfarer's Inn
 * Telila: cleaning maid
 * Terrance: keeper of the Apple Orchard
 * Tika: barmaid at Wayfarer's Inn

Ultima VI

 * Anya: tavernkeeper
 * Ariana: holder of the Rune
 * Arty: shipwright
 * Cullen: baker
 * Daver: bell ringer
 * Efram: guild shop keeper
 * Finn: beggar with a strange humor
 * Fyodor: weaver
 * Gwenneth: shopkeeper at Iolo's Bows
 * Kenneth: bard teacher
 * Kytyn: curator of the Museum
 * Lazeena: bard
 * Linda: farmer
 * Lynn: fletcher
 * Matt: mute man
 * Max: armourer
 * Nan: bard
 * Nema: orchard keeper
 * Peyton: innkeeper
 * Rufus: blacksmith
 * Terri: director of the Royal Mint
 * Tholden: mayor of Britain
 * Tiberius: healer of Britain
 * Wilbur: works in the stables

Ultima VII

 * Amber: actress and Shamino's girlfriend
 * Batlin: leader of the Fellowship
 * Brownie: pumpkin farmer
 * Candice: curator of the Museum
 * Carrocio: overseer of the play ground
 * Clint: shipwright
 * Csil: healer
 * Cynthia: director of the Royal Mint
 * Coop: shopkeeper at Iolo's Bows
 * Denby: trainer in Britain
 * Diane: keeper of the stables
 * Figg: keeper of the Apple Orchard
 * Fred: meat seller
 * Gaye: clothier
 * Gordon: sells Fish n' Chips
 * Grayson: arms seller
 * Greg: owner of the tool shop
 * James: innkeeper
 * Jeanette: barmaid
 * Jesse: actor
 * Judith: director of the Bard Hall
 * Kessler: owner of the Apothecary
 * Kelly: farmer's wife
 * Lucy: barmaid
 * Mack: farmer east of Britain
 * Millie: recruiter for the Fellowship
 * Neno: musician
 * Patterson: mayor of Britain
 * Raymundo: director of the Royal Theatre
 * Sean: jeweler in Britain
 * Sentri: trainer and companion of the Avatar
 * Shamino: companion of the Avatar
 * Snaz: beggar
 * Stuart: actor
 * Willy: baker
 * Zella: trainer

Ultima IX

 * Aidon: mayor
 * Aleena: museum curator
 * Altomar: mage
 * Amoranth: monk
 * Bailey: provisioner
 * Cameron: jeweler
 * Dara: barmaid
 * Evidious: Avatar look-alike
 * Flann: citizen
 * Giovanni: blacksmith
 * Jastral: baker
 * Killigan: mayor's assistant
 * Kimberly: monk
 * Leon: bowyer
 * Margery: street cleaner
 * Maribeth: mayor's daughter
 * Nico: reagent seller
 * Nimrond: city bouncer
 * Sarah: keeper of the shrine
 * The Miller: miller

Ultima III

 * Armoury: armoury
 * De Grocer: grocery
 * The Pub: tavern
 * Weapons: weapon shop

Ultima IV

 * Adventure Food
 * Britannia Manor
 * Jolly Spirits
 * Windsor Armour
 * Windsor Weaponry
 * Wound Healing

Ultima V

 * Iolo's Bows
 * Wayfarer's Inn

Ultima VI

 * Blue Boar Tavern
 * Iolo's Bows
 * Wayfarer's Inn

Ultima VII

 * Blue Boar Tavern
 * Iolo's Bows
 * Wayfarer's Inn

Things to see
There are a number of famous sites located in Britannia's capital.


 * Apple Orchard
 * Castle Britannia
 * Hall of Bards
 * Museum
 * Royal Mint
 * Royal Theatre

Trivia

 * In Ultima I, the cities of Britain (in the Lands of Lord British), Arnold (in the Lands of the Feudal Lords), Nassau (in the Lands of the Dark Unknown) and Gorlab (in the Lands of Danger and Despair) were exactly the same. They had the same layout, stores, and people in it. Their only difference was their name and location in the map. They were basically the same city copied over in the different continents.