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Not to be confused with Grand Theogonist Wilhelm III


"Our history teaches us that the heart of the Empire once beat in the chest of a single man. His name was Sigmar. On the day of his coronation, the creation of our Empire, he planted that heart in Reikland. Since that day, that heart has been uprooted and carried to each corner of our nation. On its long journey it has gained great victories and suffered terrible scars; it has been split into pieces and been reformed; it has learned fortitude, defiance, justice and nobility. Now it has returned to Reikland. Sigmar grant that it may be sustained here and its stay be so pleasing that this honour never depart."

Emperor Wilhelm III, Elector Count of Reikland, Prince of Altdorf, Founder of the Reiksguard, 2429 IC[6a]

Wilhelm III, also known as "Wilhelm the Wise," was the first emperor of the Holswig-Schliestein dynasty of the Empire, the house that still rules that nation at present. Prior to his election, Wilhelm was the prince of Altdorf, and cousin to the reigning emperor of the time, Dieter IV.

History[]

When the Emperor Dieter IV sold Marienburg its independence for massive "donations" to the Imperial coffers, Dieter was soon overthrown and his cousin Wilhelm of Altdorf was quickly elected emperor. One of the first things Wilhelm did was to issue an edict separating Talabecland and Talabheim into separate administrative provinces.

The former emperor Dieter became the new grand duke of Talabecland, while the old grand duke, Frederik, retained control of Talabheim as an independent city-state. Next, Wilhelm attempted to retake Marienburg by force. He was defeated at the Battle of Grootscher Marsh and had no choice but to recognise Marienburg as an independent state.

Wilhelm's military efforts early in his reign as emperor did have one victory, albeit it earned him little glory. Wilhelm's strategy saw the Empire preserved from utter destruction when Waaagh! Grom rampaged across the Empire and sacked the then-capital of Nuln. Wilhem proved unable to crush the Goblin warboss' Waaagh! outright, but managed to preserve enough of the Empire intact to make it possible to more easily recover once the Waaagh! inevitably moved on to new regions, first to Marienburg and Bretonnia and eventually coming to an end upon Ulthuan itself following a defeat by the High Elves.[10a] 

Wilhelm felt that one of the reasons that the Empire had lost the battle was their lack of battle magic. Thus, in 2430 IC he reestablished the Colleges of Magic[7a] and throughout the early years of his reign collaborated with Magisters of the Celestial and Grey Colleges.[8a]

Around the same time, a trio of illusionists travelling with a theatre company made off with much of the emperor's treasure. In response, Wilhelm ordered a mass trial of wizards on charges of witchcraft and Chaos-worship.[8a]

Following the failures of his early reign, Wilhelm rehabilitated his reputation by conducting several infrastructure projects, including improving the Imperial road system, sanitation in Altdorf, and the Altdorf Watch. He also oversaw the rebuilding of the city following the Great Fire of Altdorf and enacted laws further restricting the practice of magic.[8a]

Later in his reign, Wilhelm devoted more time and resources to roads, communication, and infrastructure. In 2433 IC, he established a system of Imperial messengers.[8a]

When he went to war, Wilhelm was famous for his use of superior pikemen and heavy cavalry. He died in 2434 IC of unknown causes,[9a] and was succeeded by his son, Matthias IV. His house retains control of the Empire to this day; the current emperor, Karl Franz, is his great-great-grandson.[3a]

Sources[]

  • 1: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (8th Edition)
    • 1a: pg. 21
  • 2: Warhammer Fantasy Battles: Rulebook (8th Edition)
    • 2a: pg. 172
  • 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st Edition: The Enemy Within (RPG)
    • 3a: pg. 12
    • 3b: pg. 23
  • 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Sigmar's Heirs (RPG)
    • 4a: pg. 18
    • 4b: pg. 22
  • 5: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st Edition: Marienburg - Sold Down the River (RPG)
    • 5a: pg. 21
  • 6: The Empire: Reiksguard (Novel) by Chris Wraight
  • 7: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
    • 7a: pg. 275
  • 8: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Altdorf - Crown of the Empire (RPG)
    • 8a: pg. 12
  • 9: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Empire in Ruins Companion (RPG)
    • 9a: pg. 35
  • 10: Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (8th Edition)
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