Northern Kingdoms
The Northern Kingdoms, also referred to as the Northern Realms and comprised most significantly of the Four Kingdoms, were a group of human states north of the Amell mountain range, the latter separating it from the Nilfgaardian Empire in the south.
The Northern Kingdoms, also referred to as the Northern Realms and comprised most significantly of the Four Kingdoms, were a group of human states north of the Amell mountain range, the latter separating it from the Nilfgaardian Empire in the south. The Nilfgaardians commonly referred to their inhabitants as Nordlings within the Empire's core region and throughout the conquered provinces. Aside from humans, many dwarves, elves, gnomes, and halflings lived in the Northern Kingdoms as second-class citizens.
The Northern Kingdoms were invaded and partially conquered by the Nilfgaardian Empire during the Northern Wars. Amidst the Third Northern War, the only remaining sovereign monarch of the four major kingdoms was King Radovid V of Redania. As a result, the Northern Realms collectively became known as Radovid's Realms.
History
Early history
Upon the First Landing and the arrival of humans on the Continent, the Northern Kingdoms were just large areas of uncolonized land inhabited by the Elder Races and others, such as vrans and werebbubbs, before the eastward expansion of the people later known as Nordlings, around five hundred years ago.
The Nordlings built at least twenty-four cities throughout the kingdoms on the sites of former elven settlements, such as Novigrad and Vizima, after the elves were pushed east by human expansion.
First Northern War
For the main article, see Northern War I.
In 1263, the First Northern War broke out when the Nilfgaardian Army, led by Field Marshal Menno Coehoorn, crossed the Amell, on the orders of Emperor Emhyr var Emreis, into the Northern Kingdoms.
Nilfgaard quickly took control of the Marnadal Stairs, slaughtered Cintra, and caused Queen Calanthe to commit suicide. Marching north into Sodden, they seized Upper Sodden in a brief battle. From there, the Nilfgaardians crossed the Yaruga into Lower Sodden. But it was in the Battle of Sodden Hill that the united army of Aedirn, Kaedwen, Redania and Temeria decisively defeated the Nilfgaardians. Consequently, at least 30,000 lives were lost, including thirteen northern mages, and the Nilfgaardian forces retreated south across the Yaruga.
