Kings and Castles

About this board game

Kings & Castles is a 2–4-player historical strategy game with an approximate playing time of 90 minutes, set in the aftermath of 1066 and the death of the last English King.

The game looks broadly at the rulers who occupied the throne over the next 400 years, presenting their ambitions at home and abroad in a deliberately abstract, broad-brush style. Players take the roles of these kings as they seek personal aggrandisement and attempt to extend their influence beyond their own borders.

A map and counters illustrated with castles and soldiers establish the setting, but Kings & Castles is not a traditional wargame. You do not need to manage dice or combat results; instead, the game focuses on decisions, positioning, and the intriguing way players use their forces.

• Conquer as many regions as possible using your own and opponents’ forces.
• Decide whether to tax the hard-working peasants after conquest.
• Adapt to a different player and king sequence in every game.

Each turn presents a balance between expansion and the consequences of your choices. Conquest creates opportunities, while taxation adds another decision to consider as you develop your ambitions.

With plenty of room for tactics and a changing order of play, Kings & Castles offers a distinctive take on medieval rule. Its focus on conquest, taxation, and shifting player order creates a game where plans must respond to the actions of rival kings rather than follow the same pattern every time.