This page holds an timeline of the Warhammer World. Please note that this is an abridged timeline. It lists only major events in history, and does not go into great detail. For more information visit the individual timeline pages for each race (forthcoming), or the various pages on historical events.

For the sake of simplicity, dates here are given using the Imperial Calendar only. However, there are other calendars in use by other races. Each kindred of Elves has their own calendar, as do the Dwarfs. Approximate dates will be preceded by the circa (c.) symbol.

What to include on this timeline:

What not to include:

For the sake of readability, this timeline has been divided into four unofficial Eras.

Imperial Calendar Event Sources

1 Founding of The Empire, Rise of the Everchosen

Morkar the Uniter becomes the first Everchosen of Chaos and leads an army of Chaos south.

Morkar's host of warriors, beastmen and daemons is defeated and the Everchosen is killed by Sigmar.

Sigmar is crowned as the first Emperor and The Empire is founded.

Sigmar drives the remaining Norsii tribes north, and the Ungols drive them further, into Norsca.

The Prophecy of Sotek, The Fall of Chaqua

In Lustria, the Temple-City of Chaqua is abandoned due to the virulent Skaven plagues.

The Twin-Tailed Comet is seen, Tehenhuain preaches the prophecy of Sotek the serpent god. [108][109][110]

15 Battle of the River Reik

Nagash leads an undead force into The Empire to reclaim the Crown of Sorcery.

Leading an army, Sigmar defeats and kills Nagash on the banks of the River Reik.

The vampires refuse to aid Nagash, and so he curses them with a weakness to the power of Sigmar. [111]

50 Sigmar travels east and disappears. The system of elected Emperors begins. [112]

73 The Cult of Sigmar spreads across The Empire. Johann Helsturm becomes the first Grand Theogonist. [113]

c. 100 Alaric the Mad creates the Runefangs and presents them to Emperor Hedrich, who gives one to each Elector Count. [114]

100 The Rat and the Serpent, the Skaven Civil War

Tehenhuain leads a vast army of red crested skinks against the Skaven.

Mountains of Skaven are sacrificed to Sotek, and Clan Pestilens are driven from Lustria.

The ruins of Quetza are scoured by a swarm of snakes, but the plagues remain.

Led by Nurglitch, Clan Pestilens return to Skavenblight and demand a seat on the Council of Thirteen, beginning a civil war. [115][116]

111 Ku'gath Plaguefather once more assaults Karaz-a-Karak and once more he is repulsed. [117][118]

211 The Dark Elves complete construction of The Watchtowers along their northern border with the Chaos Wastes. [119]

253 The vampire Abhorash slays a dragon. After drinking it's blood, he finds his thirst for blood is cured.

His followers travel the world, training their skill until they can emulate him. [120]

315 Reclaimation of the Star Stela

Lord Tepec-Inzi and Gor-Rok lead an army into Naggaroth.

A Dark Elf army is crushed, and the Star Stela is recovered. [121]

487 Battle of the Silverspire

The immortal, chaotic creature Morghur is reborn and his beastmen assault the Silverspire.

Orion leads a great host in it's defence, slaughtering many innocent humans in his way.

Orion tears Morghur limb from limb and burns his body. The Secret War continues. [122]

499 The White Tower of Hoeth is completed and the order of Sword Masters created.

Bel-Korhadris' peaceful reign ends and he is buried beneath the tower's foundations.

Aethis the Poet is elected as the new Phoenix King. [123]

c. 500 The High Elves begin trading with Cathay for silk, jade and spices.

Return of Clan Eshin

Clan Eshin returns from Cathay, have mastered the arts of stealth from eastern ninjas. [124][125]

501 Jutone lands are conquered by Emperor Sigismund II. Marienburg and surrounds become the province of Westerland. [126]

590 Karak Vrag, last Dwarf hold in the Mountains of Mourn, falls to an Ogre army led by Trug Legchomper after centuries of siege. [127]

c. 600 Skaven Civil War Ends

After taking the Southlands and devastating the Under-Empire, Clan Pestilens takes a spot on the Council. [128]

770 The lands of the Bretonni are divided into 16 areas, which form the basis for the later Dukedoms. [129]

876 Norse raiders capture an Empire ship with the vampire Luthor Harkon on board.

Harkon kills everyone, creating a fleet of zombie pirates on Lustria's Vampire Coast.

Over time more ships are wrecked, adding to Harkon's undead horde. [130]

888 Norse adventurer Losteriksson lands in Lustria and founds the colony of Skeggi.

Norse raids into Lustria begin, though Losteriksson himself avoids confronting the Lizardmen. [131]

897 The Count of Drakwald is repulsed by the Wood Elves of Laurelorn

The defeat is so crushing that Drakwald never recovers and begins to decline in power. [132]

901 The Chaos Moon swallows the Xaki Star, Slann from Xlanhuapec refound Huatl. [133]

912 Slann Mage-Priest Lord Xhul dies after a daemonic incursion at Tlencan.

The Slann finally realise that Chaos has returned to Lustria. [134]

930 The Dead Tide

The undead hordes of Luthor Harkon march inland but are halted by Lord Xltep. [135]

954 Allac Fellclaw leads a huge throng of Chaos Warriors to invade Lustria but is driven off. [136]

970 Return to the Silverspire

Morghur is reborn yet again and once more assaults the Silverspire with a host of Beastmen.

He is killed by combined army of Wood Elves and Bretonni led by Gilles de Bastonne. [137]

974 A massive Waaagh! invades the lands of the Bretonni. The divided tribes are picked off one by one. [138]

976 Gilles de Bastonne and his companions are blessed by a vision of the Lady of the Lake, spirit of the Silverspire.

Gilles and his companions become the first Grail Knights. [139]

977 to 978 Twelve Battles of Gilles the Uniter

Gilles fights twelve major battles, uniting the Bretonni and driving out the Orcs. [140]

979 Founding of Bretonnia

Gilles is crowned the first King of Bretonnia. Bretonnian calendar begins, formal Dukedoms established. [141]

996 Gilles is mortally wounded by a ranged weapon and put on a boat which sails into the mists.

Many believe Gilles lives on as the mysterious Green Knight, and will one day return as King. [142]

1000 The Chaos citadels of Infernius and Black Rock are built in the Chaos Wastes. [143]

1001 Louis the Rash, son of Gilles, is crowned King of Bretonnia after earning the Lady's favour with great deeds.

Louis brokers an alliance with the Wood Elves, who appoint the Fay Enchantress to oversee the humans. [144][145]

1004 In Lustria, Mazdamundi thwarts a Dark Elf invasion by raising a sentient mountain range - the Grey Guardians. [146]

1053 Boris Goldgather is elected Emperor. His unpopular rule is marked by heavy taxation, corruption and weak leadership. [150]

1106 to 1110 The Last Count of Drakwald

Chaotic beasts begin to overwhelm the Empire province of Drakwald.

Count Vilner is slain by Beastmen and his Runefang is sent to the Emperor. [151]

1111 The Black Plague

The Skaven unleash the Black Plague upon The Empire, killing a huge portion of it's population. [152]

1115 Boris Goldgather dies of the Black Plague, no successor is elected until 1124. Skaven invade the devastated Empire. [153]

1116 Alisara departs Athel Loren to be with Malekith, but is killed by Prince Valedor who was enchanted by Morathi.

After realizing, Valedor commits suicide. In grief and anger, Ariel delves into Dark Magic. [154]

1121 Aethis is murdered by his court chancellor Girathon, who was secretly a Dark Elf assassin.

Morvael the Impetuous is chosen as the new Phoenix King. [155]

1123 The Day of Blood

Morvael's first act as Phoenix King is to order a punitive strike against Naggaroth.

The Dark Elves completely butcher the High Elf fleet. [156]

1124 Battle of the Howling Hills

Count Mandred of Middenland unites the Elector Counts and defeats the Skaven in the Howling Hills.

Mandred is elected Emperor and becomes known as the 'Skavenslayer'. Under his wise and just rule, the Empire rebuilds. [157][158][159][160]

1125 The Dark Elves retaliate, invading The Shadowlands of Ulthuan. [161]

1131 The Dark Elves rebuild Anlec again, continuing their war. [162]

1133 The Sack of Ghrond, The Madness of Ariel

Ariel and Orion lead an army through the Worldroots to Ghrond in Naggaroth, capturing Morathi.

Ariel lets Morathi live in exchange for the secrets of Dark Magic.

In spring, Ariel prevents Orion's rebirth, beginning the Season of Retribution.

A madness comes over the forest. The Wood Elves become cruel and vengeful, attacking the Bretonians.

The Siege of Griffon Gate

The Dark Elves lay siege to Griffon Gate, attempting to open an attack route into the Inner Kingdoms of Ulthuan. [163]

1137 Morghur is reborn for the third time, in the Forest of Shadows.

The Wood Elves capture Morghur and bring him to Athel Loren, where Ariel attempts to absorb his power.

Sensing danger, Durthu slays the beast before he can corrupt Ariel. [164]

1146 The Siege of Griffon Gate is lifted and the Dark Elves retreat. [165]

1152 Emperor Mandred Skavenslayer is assassinated by Nartik, a Clan Eshin master assassin.

Knowledge of the Skaven passes into myth and is eventually suppressed in The Empire.

The Elector Counts squabble, and no successor is elected until 1359. [166][167][168][169]

1153 to 1200 The End of Drakwald Province

Left unsupported, the villages of Drakwald are razed by Beastmen and humans abandon the region. [170]

1237 The Rift Opens

The Chaos Rift at Xahutec opens and hordes of daemons pour out.

Kroq-Gar battles the daemons, while the Slann work to close the breach. [171]

1336 Duke Melmon of Quenelles dissappears in the night of the Spring Equinox. [172]

1350 Battle of Pine Crags

Grugni Goldfinder leads a throng of Dwarf treasure-seekers into the Pine Crags of Athel Loren.

Glade Lord Findul lays a trap and massacres the Dwarfs, Grugni is slain by Naestra and Arahan. [173]

1359 to 1360 Two Emperors

The Grand Duke of Stirland is elected Emperor and crowned in Nuln.

Countess Ottilia of Talabecland declares herself Empress, effectively secedes from The Empire following her victory at the Battle of the Talabec.

Over the next few centuries, the elected Emperors are opposed by the Ottilian Emperors. [174]

1414 After centuries of squabbling, the former province of Drakwald is split between Middenland and Nordland. [175]

c. 1450 The Crusades

Sultan Jaffar of Araby invades Estalia, and the King of Bretonnia sends many Knights to liberate it.

Encouraged by Emperor Fredrich, Knights from the Empire join the crusade, founding Knightly Orders. [176]

c. 1450 to 1550 Rampage of Gorthor

Around this time the warherd of Beastlord Gorthor the Cruel ravaged Ostland and Hochland.

Count Mikael of Hochland held up in Hergig until the Knights of the Blazing Sun arrived to reinforce him.

Mikael eventually killed Gorthor, but later died of his wounds. The warherd was routed. [177]

1451 Battle of El Haikk

Sultan Jaffar is killed at El Haikk, but the crusades continue for almost a century until c. 1550. [178]

1452 The Border Princes

Knights Errant sent to Araby encounter Orcs at Blood River. Many stay, founding the Border Princes. [179]

1454 The Duke of Aquitaine returns from The Crusades as a vampire.

Known as the Red Duke, He is defeated at Ceren Field and magically entombed. [180]

c. 1460 Marius Hollseher, Count of Stirland, passes through the Mirror of Nightmares while crusading in Araby.

Returning unscathed from the Realm of Chaos, Marius pens the Liber Malefic and is burned as a heretic. [181]

1492 Tilean explorer Marco Colombo sails to Lustria and makes contact with the Lizardmen.

Marco returns to the Old World with a fortune in gold, and becomes the Prince of Trantio. [182]

1502 to 1503 Suicide of Morvael, Razing of Anlec

High Elf general Menetheus is killed attacking Anlec.

His dragon Nightfang goes beserk, routing the Dark Elves, who flee back to Naggaroth.

Anlec is razed, but after hearing of Mentheus' death, Morvael commits suicide by walking into the sacred flame.

Bel-Hathor the Sage is elected as the new Phoenix King. [183]

1547 Age of the Three Emperors

Count Sigfried of Middenland proclaims himself Emperor, beginning the line of Wolf Emperors.

The Age of Three Emperors begins: "The Empire" becomes a collection of warring states until 2304. [184]

c. 1555 to 1579 Chaos-worshipping Kurgan drive Gospodars in the Eastern Steppes across the World's Edge Mountains into Ungol lands.

Praag is overrun by Gospodars led by Khan-Queen Miska, Ungols are driven west into Ropsmenn territory.

Ungol warlord Heiths Chaq defeats Ropsmenn led by King Weiran and the Ropsmenn are scattered. [185]

1600 Kislev is founded

Gospodar Khan-Queen Shoika titles herself Tzarina and founds the city of Kislev.

She conquers the Ungol city of Norvard, renaming it Erengrad and unifying Kislev into a single nation. [186]

1601 The High Elves send emissaries to Athel Loren, but Ariel rejects them.

After getting lost for years, they emerge from the forest and are killed by Bretonnian peasants. [187]

1670 The Battle of Meadow Glades

A lost Empire army blunders it's way into Athel Loren.

The Wood Elves slaughter the army, then raze the town it came from. [188]

1676 Wu becomes Dragon Emperor of Cathay. [189]

1681 Night of the Restless Dead

On Geheimensnacht, Nagash is resurrected for the second time, 1,666 years after Sigmar slew him.

On this night throughout the Old World, the dead rise. [190][191]

1690 Dragon Emperor Wu sends a large invasion force to conquer the Southlands. Only Yin-Tuan manages to return. [192]

1702 The Sacrifice of Adanhu

Led by the Treeman Adanhu, the sane elves and spirits march on the Oak of Ages.

Adanhu absorbs the madness from Ariel, killing him. Ariel repents and the Season of Redemption begins. [193]

1705 Waaagh! Gorbad

Gorbad Ironclaw defeats Crusher Zogoth, uniting the Ironclaw and Broken Tooth tribes and beginning his Waaagh!. [194]

1707 to 1711 The Battle of Solland's Crown, Sack of Nuln

Gorbad Ironclaw leads the largest Greenskin army ever seen through Black Fire Pass into The Empire.

Gorbad Ironclaw kills Count Eldred of Solland, taking his crown and Runefang.

The province of Solland is destroyed, it's territory is split between Averland and Wissenland.

Gorbad's Army rampages through Averland, Wissenland and The Moot, sacking Nuln. [195][196]

1712 First Siege of Altdorf

Emperor Sigismund IV is killed by a wyvern during the siege of Altdorf, but Gorbad's horde is defeated.

It is unclear whether Gorbad survives the battle. [197][198]

1730 The rogue wizard Malofex melts the glacier imprisoning Kholek Suneater. [199]

1786 The Red Pox

The Skaven-devised Red Pox breaks out in the Bretonian city of Bordeleaux. [200]

1797 The Vampire Counts

The vampire Vlad von Carstein marries Isabella von Drak, heiress of Sylvania.

Over the next two centuries, Isabella and the other Sylvanian nobles become vampires. [201]

1809 Pahaux is rebuilt, and during excavation Skinks discover the Egg of Quango, which is given to Mazdamundi. [202]

1812 The virulent Red Pox devastates Bretonnia and northern Tilea, and Brionne is burned to the ground.

By this stage, handguns are used by the Dwarf military. Over the following centuries, black powder weaponry spreads to The Empire. [203]

1813 Battle of Remarche

Skaven armies assault Bretonnia, but are beaten by a combined Wood Elf and Bretonian force.

The day is won by the Black Knights of Mousillon, who always keep their visors lowered. [204]

1814 The Red Feast

The insane Duke Merovech of Mousillon holds a celebratory feast.

After a challenge, Merrovech kills the King and drinks his blood.

Lyonesse assaults Mousillon. Merovech is killed and Mousillon loses much land to Lyonesse. [205]

c. 1850 The Uprising

Clan Pestilens are blamed for the failure of the Red Pox and Black Plague.

They are ousted from the Council and a second Skaven civil war erupts. [206]

1887 Walach Harkon arrives at Blood Keep, stronghold of the Blood Dragon Knights.

He kills some and turns others into vampires, they become the most feared cavalry in the Old World. [207]

1932 The Red Duke is freed. He is again defeated at Ceren Field, and flees to the Forest of Chalons. [208]

1946 Blood Keep falls to The Empire after a 20-year siege. Walach Harkon and the Blood Dragons flee. [209]