This article is about the civilization in Age of Empires III. For other uses, see British (disambiguation). |
“ | In the New World, the British were one of the most powerful colonizers defeating multiple European powers. They eventually established thirteen colonies, which later revolted against the British Empire to form the United States of America. | ” |
The British are a playable European civilization in Age of Empires III and its expansions The WarChiefs and The Asian Dynasties. The British are the people hailing from the British Isles in Northern Europe and a united kingdom comprising of the English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish nations.
In the New World, the British were one of the most powerful colonizers after defeating multiple European powers. They eventually established thirteen colonies, which later revolted against the British to form the United States of America.
In Age of Empires II, their predecessors are represented by the Britons and Celts, whose campaigns focus on the many conflicts between the two groups before they unified under the House of Stuart. In Age of Empires IV, the southern half of the civilization appears once more as the English.
Home City[]
- Default Explorer names
- First names
- Allan, Arthur, Christopher, David, Edmund, Francis, George, Heinrich, Henry, Hugh, Humphrey, James, John, Joseph, Martin, Matthew, Richard, Sebastian, Stephen, Walter, William
- Also includes as first names: Duke, Lord, Sir
- Last names
- Banks, Barth, Borough, Burrough, Cabot, Chancellor, Cook, Cunningham, Dampier, Davis, Drake, Flinders, Franklin, Frobisher, Gilbert, Hawkyns, Hovell, Hudson, Jackman, Kelsey, Kennedy, Lander, Livingstone, Newport, Oxley, Pet, Phillip, Raleigh, Ross, Rut, Smith, Thompson, Vancouver, Weddell, Willoughby
- Torchy - An entertainer who performs tricks with fire (1 point)
- Juggler - A juggling performer (1 point)
- Vendor Cart - A store on wheels hawking goods of all kinds (1 point)
- Home City Chatter - Enable this to show comments made by citizens strolling through this city (1 point)
- Patriotic Bunting - The citizens show their national pride by decorating with patriotic banners (1 point)
- Market Day Pennants - These bright streamers declare it is market day (1 point)
- Fresh Produce - Fruits and Vegetables imported from the New World (1 point)
- Crates Barrels and Awnings - A variety of market trappings surround main building (1 point)
- The Admiral's Table - A sign for an eating establishment (1 point; replaces The Philosopher's Dilemma)
- The Philosopher's Dilemma - A sign for an eating establishment catering to university dons (1 point; replaces The Admiral's Table)
- The British New World Trade Center - The original version of the British New World Trade Center (Default)
- Goodman's Emporium - A red and gold version of the British New World Trade Center (1 point)
- H. Ryan Trade and Export - A blue and white version of the British New World Trade Center (1 point)
- K.L.C. Trading Emporium - A red and green version of the British New World Trade Center (1 point)
- Pottinger's Trade Center - Upgraded version of the original British New World Trade Center (1 point)
- Street's Emporium - Upgraded version of the red and gold British New World Trade Center (1 point)
- Slusser's Trade and Export - Upgraded version of the blue and white British New World Trade Center (1 point)
- Fancher's Market - Upgraded version of the red and green British New World Trade Center (1 point)
- Beefeater - A guard at the Tower of London (1 point)
- Patriotic Bunting - The citizens show their national pride by decorating with patriotic banners (1 point)
- Proud Pennants - Red banners wave proudly above the British empire (1 point)
- British Thunder - Cannons waiting to serve the empire on distant shores (1 point)
- Crates - These crates might be ready for Shipment to the New World (1 point)
- The White Tower - The original version of the British Academy's color scheme (Default)
- The Tower of London - A red and gold version of the British Academy's color scheme (1 point)
- The Trafalgar Academy - A blue and white version of the British Academy's color scheme (1 point)
- British Royal Academy - A red and white version of the British Academy's color scheme (1 point)
- The Royal Coach - This coach waits upon the whims of royalty (1 point)
- Musician - A strolling entertainer (1 point)
- The Reverend - A street preacher sharing the good news (1 point)
- Daytime Lighting - The city with the sun shining brightly (Default)
- Dusk Lighting - The city at dusk (1 point)
- Patriotic Bunting - The citizens show their national pride by decorating with patriotic banners (1 point)
- Statue of the British Explorer - The citizens have honored their famous explorer with a noble statue (1 point)
- Statue of the Sovereign - A tribute to the Empire's famous leader (1 point)
- All Hallows By The Tower - The original version of the British Cathedral's color scheme (Default)
- St. Ethelburga's Bishopsgate - The red and gold version of the British Cathedral's color scheme (1 point)
- Christ Church of Greyfriars - The blue and white version of the British Cathedral's color scheme (1 point)
- All Hallows On The Wall - A green version of the British Cathedral's color scheme (1 point)
- The Artist - An artist who sets up his easel and paints (1 point)
- Thug - A brutish and unpleasant fellow (1 point)
- Patriotic Bunting - The citizens show their national pride by decorating with patriotic banners (1 point)
- Basic Street Lamps - Simple technology to make streets just a little safer at night (1 point)
- Elegant Street Lamps - Attractive lighting for the city's byways (1 point)
- Decorative Street Lamps - Street lighting with a dramatic flair (1 point)
- Fancy Street Lamps - Tastefully elegant lighting for the city's best streets (1 point)
- Fancy Double-Globe Street Lamps - Brighter, yet still elegant lighting for the city's best streets (1 point)
- Distillery - A sign for a distiller of potent spirits (1 point; replaces Molten Metalworks)
- Molten Metalworks - A sign for a metal casting foundry (1 point; replaces Distillery)
- Luna Metal Works - The original color scheme for the British Manufacturing Plant (Default)
- Bristol Foundry - A red and gold version of the British Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
- K.C. Cherry and Co. - A blue and white version of the British Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
- Sousa Manufacturing, Ltd. - An orange version of the British Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
- Kiley Metal Work - Upgraded version of the original British Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
- Bywater Foundry - Upgraded version of the red and gold British Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
- Carl Rose and Co. - Upgraded version of the blue and white British Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
- Behring Manufacturing, Ltd. - Upgraded version of the orange British Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
- The Ripper - A murderous fellow from Whitechapel (1 point)
- Drunk - A sailor who has overindulged in adult beverages (1 point)
- Nice Lady - A woman in a red dress (1 point)
- Fisherman - A man who would rather be fishing (1 point)
- Patriotic Bunting - The citizens show their national pride by decorating with patriotic banners (1 point)
- Loading Cranes - Heavy cranes for lifting cargo from the holds of ships in the harbor (1 point)
- The Blue Peter - A furled blue banner summons sailors to rejoin ships about to leave port (1 point)
- Crates - These crates might be ready for Shipment to the New World (1 point)
- Jacob K., Harbor Master - Original version of the British Harbor's color scheme (Default)
- Edward Teach's Academy of Naval Competence - A red and gold version of the British Harbor's color scheme (1 point)
- Hopkins' Charts and Exchange - A blue and white themed version of British Harbor's color scheme (1 point)
- Hoke's Office of Harbor Management - A green version of the British Harbor's color scheme (1 point)
- Royal Marine Supply - An upgraded version of the original British Harbor (1 point)
- Gardner Expedition Supply - An upgraded version of the red and gold British Harbor (1 point)
- Briley Harbor Services - An upgraded version of the blue and white themed British Harbor (1 point)
- Stacconi Shipping, Ltd. - An upgraded green version of the British Harbor (1 point)
Characteristics[]
Civilization bonuses[]
- Starts with 200 food, 300 wood, and six Settlers.
- The Manor House spawns a Settler when built.
- Choose Politicians to advance in Age.
- Royal Guard units: Musketeer (Redcoat) and Hussar (King's Life Guard).
Unique units[]
- Longbowman: Archaic long-ranged archer. Good against infantry.
- Ranger: British skirmisher. Equipped with a rifle to counter Heavy Infantry more effectively, but has less range.
- Rocket: Heavy artillery that fires a rocket and is good against infantry or buildings.
Unique building[]
- Manor House: More expensive than a normal House. Supports 10 population.
Allies, mercenaries and native warriors[]
- Mercenaries trainable in the Tavern with The Mercenary Contractor: Harquebusier, Jaeger.
- Mercenaries shippable from the Home City: Irish Brigadier, Swiss Pikeman, Highlander, Harquebusier, Jaeger, Giant Grenadier, Zouave, Elmetto, Li'l Bombard, Jat Lancer, Privateer.
- Native warriors shippable from the Home City: Totenkopf Hussar, Drummer, Akan Ankobia, Cherokee Rifleman.
Politicians[]
- The Governor, The Inventor, The Logistician, The Naturalist, The Philosopher Prince (Commerce Age)
- The Admiral of the Ocean Sea, The Adventurer, The Bishop, The Mercenary Contractor, The Mohawk Statesman (Fortress Age)
- The Engineer, The King's Musketeer, The Logistician, The Tycoon, The Viceroy (Industrial Age)
- The Black Duke, El Presidente, The General, The Mercenary Contractor, The Knight (Imperial Age)
Revolutions[]
- George Washington and Toussaint L'Ouverture (The WarChiefs and The Asian Dynasties).
- Canada, Haiti, South Africa, United States (since the Definitive Edition).
Overview[]
The British can quickly get a powerful economy early in the game because they can create Settlers faster than other civilizations. Early in the game, it is best to focus on gathering wood for Manor Houses so more Settlers will be spawned.
The British military is very powerful, especially later in the game. Musketeers and Hussars, two mainline and versatile units, can be upgraded to Royal Guard level. British Home City Cards focus on technology and the navy.
With several cards, British Grenadiers become some of the most powerful in the game.
Campaign appearances[]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
The British are the playable faction in the Tutorial scenarios of Age of Empires III, under the faction title of English Colonists. They appear as allies as well as enemies in the campaigns.
Their appearances in the Historical Battles are:
- Raid on the Caribbean
- Francis Drake - Player
- English Pirates - Ally
- Fort Duquesne
- George Washington - Enemy
- Battle of New Orleans
- British Army - Enemy
East India Company[]
The British are the main opponent in the Act III: India campaign in The Asian Dynasties as the British East India Company under the command of Colonel Edwardson.
- The original alternate flag and the Definitive Edition flags of the British East India Company are based on their flag before 1668.
- The original flag is the flag used by Home City, and found in the game files.
In-game dialogue[]
- Main article: British dialogue lines
British units speak a variant of Middle English whose pronunciation varies widely from unit to unit, sometimes being rather Chaucerian and at other times being more like Modern English. For example, the Surgeon says "ish" instead of "ee" when saying what would be "I" in Modern English (and likewise, the vowel in the word "right" varies between being short (so it rhymes with "hit") or longer as in Modern English "right"). Sometimes "th"s are pronounced as "d"s, and short e/a/uh sounds are in words that are no longer in Modern English.
Question marks (?) have been added where there is only a vague definition or translation or even less, and brackets immediately after the in-game dialogue sample give a rough pronunciation.
Common[]
- Select
- Yes? [pronounced more like "yis"]
- Ready
- Commandement? [commandiment] - What is it? / Your command?
- Hail [a term of greeting, rhymes with "trial"]
- Move
- Yes [pronounced more like "yis"]
- I(c) woll [ï/ee/ish woll] - I will
- I(c) meane so [ee/ish mehne soh] - I mean so
- Right [richt/right]
- Attack
- Advance! [av/ance]
- Lay on!
- I waste! [ee west/ee wist] - I kill!
- Assail! [ass/ai]
Settlers[]
- Build Wright/wrought - Builder
- Farm Tiller [Till/ye/rer] - Ploughman
- Gather Coin Hokester [huckster or hawk(e)ster?] - Miner
- Gather Fruit Gatherer [gatherer/gaderer]
- Gather Meat Hunter [hoonter]
- Gather Wood Forster - Forester
Explorer[]
- Claim I claim this land a Great Britain's hearth!
- Disabled I am sorely grieved, I may not steera ("steera" means "stir" pertaining to movement)
- Ransomed I can you thank, that you ransomed me
- Revived I feel a bit strengthened, now (I feel a bit stronger, now.)
History[]
“ | In 1492 England was a modest agricultural nation recovering from the effects of long wars in which its kings attempted to retain inherited control of large parts of France. By the early eighteenth century the English ruled Great Britain, having united all the British Isles and established important colonies and outposts around the world. By the nineteenth century they controlled the world's largest empire and were the first nation to industrialize. These transformations were the result of their favorable position as an island nation, a high relative degree of personal and economic freedom, a large literate middle class, financial acumen, and a culture that encouraged action, progress, and achievement. Critical to Britain's empire building was the rise of its military, especially its navy. Beginning as raiders and privateers preying on Spanish shipping from the New World, by 1588 their sea rogues were able to defeat the immense Spanish Armada in the English Channel. Recurring European naval wars established Royal Navy standards and traditions that allowed Britain to project its trade and empire to India, Australia, China, and North America. On land, the relatively small British army earned a reputation for disciplined musketry, an excellent officer corps, and occasionally brilliant generalship. Britain established colonies on Caribbean islands and the North American continent in the early seventeenth century. The islands were the real prize at first, as sugar plantations proved enormously profitable. The small settlements in Virginia and Massachusetts expanded gradually as an accelerating flood of farmers and laborers came to North America looking for land, religious freedom, and opportunity. The colonies welcomed the poor and dispossessed not only from the home country and Ireland, but also from mainland Europe. The British colonies were bordered by the French in Canada, a small Spanish presence in Florida, and Native Americans across the mountains to the west. Victory in a middle eighteenth century world war with France, disputed from India to Europe to North America, made Canada British and opened the door to western expansion. One of Britain's few setbacks in this period was the loss of its American colonies in the revolution of 1776. | ” |
Other than their colonies in the old world, and the new world which later formed the United States, the British also captured Canada from the French in 1763 and controlled it until 1867 where they still have major influence. They later fought against France's emperor Napoleon from 1800 to 1815, and defeated him with a combined coalition in Waterloo.
Britain started the Industrial Revolution, a momentous movement which paved the way for the world's modernization. By the 19th century, the British were the strongest and most influential of all nations at this time, and held the largest (non-contiguous) empire in history counting all their colonies, which included the Indian subcontinent, Australia, vast parts of Africa, and some parts in the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia.
Trivia[]
- The British flag shown in the game is the King's Colours flag (used by Great Britain between 1606–1801).
- According to early screenshots prior to the release of Age of Empires III and unused textures in the game files (
british.ddt
), the British flag in the game would be the Union Jack used by the United Kingdom between 1801–present. - The architecture style of the British post Exploration Age is mainly timber framing. This is historically inaccurate as this style was used predominantly in Europe and Britain while British colonies in North America used Georgian architecture instead.
- The British have similarities to their corresponding civilizations in the predecessor and successor games, the Britons and English, from Age of Empires II and IV respectively, where the British share the trait of a beginner-friendly civilization with emphasis on ranged units (in this case Longbowmen and Musketeers) with a strong economy. The biggest difference is the British are more versatile with potent Hussars, while the Britons specialize in archers with lackluster cavalry, and the English have better defensive capacity.