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{{version|2.8}}

[[File:Starting_eras.jpg|600px|thumb|right|The starting era selection screen]]

Your game begins by selecting a '''start date''', the point at which the simulation begins to diverge from history.

You may choose one of the ''bookmark start dates'' below, or select any ''custom start date'' between 1066 and 1337.

== Choosing a start date ==

As [[technology]] advances, large realms become more stable and [[merchant republic]]s become economic powerhouses. Expect larger wars at later start dates, as [[Crusades, jihads and great holy wars|crusades and jihads]] are called, and as [[hordes]] invade from off-map.

At later start dates, [[nomads]] may find it difficult to destroy holdings via pillages due to the increased number of buildings; revolts arising from pillages also have increased troop counts. Also, [[tribal]] realms become less common in some parts of the world.

You may choose a character immediately, or [https://www.reddit.com/r/CrusaderKings/comments/2i7ysx/use_observer_mode_for_a_more_interesting_start/ use "observer mode"] to mix things up before playing.

== Bookmarks ==

Each start date has its own major powers and regional dynamics. Learn how these historical realms tend to behave, and use this knowledge to form strategies and personal goals.

=== Early Middle Ages (769) ===

: ''Requires {{icon|cm}} [[Charlemagne]] DLC''

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|[[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]]
|'''Charles and Carloman Karling''' rule over a divided Francia. If Charles reunites Francia, as he did historically, he will be known as "Charles the Great" or "Charlemagne". He may aim to [[Decisions#Form HRE early|found the Holy Roman Empire]].
|-
|[[File:Orthodox_Heresy.png|24px|link=]]
|In the '''Byzantine Empire''', [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Iconoclasm controversy] rages regarding the use of religious images. The emperor and [[religious head|ecumenical patriarch]] are Iconoclast, but may revert to Orthodox Christianity by decision.
|-
|[[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]]
|The '''Abbasid Caliphate''' is at the zenith of its power. However, powerful vassals are already biding their time to break free.
|-
|[[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]] [[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]]
|The '''Umayyad Sultanate of Al-Andalus''' controls large swathes of Hispania, a consolation prize of sorts after losing their empire to the Abbasids about 20 years prior. To their north, '''Asturias''' is in real danger of falling into Muslim hands. The Umayyads may [[Crusades, jihads and great holy wars#Unlocking the Crusades|inspire early Crusades]] if they successfully invade Aquitaine at Toulouse or Burgundy at Provence. However, unlike the 867 bookmark, the Umayyads will have more time to fortify themselves. By forging an empire, they can reclaim some of their lost glory.
|-
|[[File:Buddhist.png|24px|link=]] [[File:Bön.png|24px|link=]] [[File:Taoist.png|24px|link=]]
|Over in the East, the '''Empire of Tibet''' looms large over its neighbours, ruling over a realm still clinging to pagan ways; meanwhile the '''Western Protectorate''' is at the nadir of its power, as the Tang Dynasty has yet to recover from internal rebellion about a decade prior.
|}

=== Viking Age (867) ===

: ''Requires {{icon|tog}}[[The Old Gods]] DLC''

{|class="wikitable" width="100%"
|[[File:Norse.png|24px|link=]]
|In Scandinavia, small tribes are attempting to [[Casus Belli#Subjugation|subjugate]] each other in the hope of forming Norway, Sweden and the Fylkirate.<br>The '''sons of Ragnarr Loðbrok''' are attempting to carve out pieces of England in revenge for the murder of their father. Farther east, '''Rurik''' is beginning his attempt to form Rus.<br>While the Norse are powerful now, they are vulnerable to [[gavelkind]] and conversion by missionaries.
|-
|[[File:Tengri.png|24px|link=]]
|'''King Arpad of the Magyars''' is beginning a series of invasions with the hope of settling in Hungary. Despite having massive event armies and access to the [[Casus Belli#Tribal Invasion|Tribal Invasion CB]], the Hungarians often stay put after conquering de jure Hungary.
|-
|[[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]]
|Six '''Karling kingdoms''' dominate Western Europe. Will enough Karling realms [[Francia Restored: A Guide|unite]], through claim wars or inheritance, to create a new empire?
|-
|[[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]] [[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]]
|The '''Umayyad Sultanate of Al-Andalus''' controls 66% of Hispania, but '''Asturias''' has upgraded holdings and is therefore stronger than it looks. Just like in the 769 bookmark, the Umayyads may [[Crusades, jihads and great holy wars#Unlocking the Crusades|inspire early Crusades]] if they successfully invade Aquitaine at Toulouse; but now they'll have a lot less time to prepare for the counterattack.
|-
|[[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]]
|'''The Abbasid Caliph, Al-Mu'tazz''', rules over a weakened Arabian empire. Former vassals have become de facto independent. The Caliph's half-brothers consider claimant bids, while the Turkish dukes in Jerusalem clamor for independence. Meanwhile, the Saffarids ruling Persia have less than 90 years to prepare for a [[Hordes#The Seljuk Turks|Seljuk invasion]].
|}

=== High Middle Ages (1066) ===

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|[[File:Orthodox.png|24px|link=]]
|The '''descendants of Rurik''' have converted to Orthodox Christianity. The continued practice of [[gavelkind]] has left Ruthenia and Rus a mess of independent duchies, but anyone who dares to attack one is likely to draw the ire of all Rurikid rulers.
|-
|[[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]]
|The '''Holy Roman Empire''' and '''France''' are major powers. The Karling dynasty rules neither: they have been reduced to a single county, Vermandois in France. '''Hungary''', '''Poland''', and much of Scandinavia have converted to Catholicism. Although Catholic and feudal, the Hungarians have not forgotten the raiding ways of their forefathers.
|-
|[[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]]
|'''King Harold of England''' is being invaded by two claimants: '''Duke William "the Bastard" of Normandy''', and '''King Harald "the hard-ruler" of Norway'''. (This describes 15 September 1066, before the battle of ''Stamford Bridge''. If you wish to start with ''William the Conqueror'', select 26 December 1066 instead.)
|-
|[[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]] [[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]]
|The Sunni '''Andalusians''' rule small duchies in the wake of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitna_of_al-Andalus disintegration of Al-Andalus]. The Catholic '''Castilians''' in northwest Hispania have also split into multiple kingdoms, ruled by three brothers. How long will Hispania remain a fierce battleground of [[Casus Belli#Holy War|holy wars]] and Castilian infighting?
|-
|[[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]] [[File:Shia.png|24px|link=]]
|The '''Seljuk''' horde has swept through Persia and Mesopotamia, reducing the Abbasid Caliphate to a mere vassal duchy. But can they survive their rebellious vassals? Meanwhile, the decadent '''Fatimid''' dynasty controls Egypt and large swaths of the former Arabian Empire. However, the Caliph is bankrupt and the impending First Crusade seems poised to take back Jerusalem...
|}

=== William the Conqueror (1066) ===

: This ''minor bookmark'' can be selected using a custom game.

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|[[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]]
|After a long campaign, '''William of Normandy''' has conquered England and sits on the throne he hardly fought for. However unrest grows in his realm, as his unruly Anglo-Saxon vassals grumble about the Norman conqueror and the new ways he brought from the south.
|-
|[[File:Orthodox.png|24px|link=]] [[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]]
|The fate of Asia Minor shall be decided in the upcoming days, as '''Alp Arslan''' of the great Seljuk Empire prepares a massive invasion of Anatolia - will Byzantine Emperor '''Romanos IV''' be able to withstand the Turkic storm?
|}

=== The Alexiad (1081) ===

: This ''minor bookmark'' can be selected using a custom game.

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|[[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]]
|After failing to usurp Persia, '''Suleyman Seljuk''' conquered Anatolia and created an independent [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultanate_of_Rum Sultanate of Rum], claiming to be the rightful successor of the old Roman Empire.
|-
|[[File:Orthodox.png|24px|link=]]
|Constantinople is in danger from the rising Turks, but '''Alexios Komnenos''' has the potential to be a strong Byzantine Emperor and revert the setbacks of previous centuries.
|}

=== The Third Crusade (1187) ===

: This ''minor bookmark'' can be selected using a custom game.

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|[[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]] [[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]]
|The great sultan '''Saladin of Egypt''' has recaptured Jerusalem from infidel hands. With the Kingdom of Jerusalem in danger, the great leaders of Europe - '''Richard the Lionheart''', '''Philippe Augustus''' and '''Frederick Barbarossa''' - prepare to embark to the Holy Land on the largest crusade ever.
|-
|[[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]] [[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]]
|The Christian kingdoms of Iberia reach a stalemate in the Reconquista, as the powerful '''Almohad Caliphate''' rises from beyond Gibraltar with the declared intent of halting the Christian invasion and returning Al-Andalus to its former glory.
|}

=== The Latin Empire (1204) ===

: This ''minor bookmark'' can be selected using a custom game.

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|[[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]] [[File:Orthodox.png|24px|link=]]
|The Fourth Crusade sacked the great city of Constantinople, and a new '''Latin Empire''' has risen from its ashes. However the remains of Byzantium - the '''Nicene Empire''' - may be able to retake the Imperial City and stop the empire's decline.
|-
|[[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]] [[File:Tengri.png|24px|link=]]
|The '''Khwarazmian Empire''' rules Persia and Transoxiana with an iron hand, its eyes set on retaking lost territory. Meanwhile in distant  '''Mongolia''', a Mongol warrior plans to unite the divided tribes and forge an empire of his own.
|}

=== Age of the Mongols (1220) ===

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|[[File:Tengri.png|24px|link=]]
|The legendary Mongol leader '''Genghis Khan''' leads a vast horde, with the declared intent of uniting the whole world under the Mongol banner and the might of its armies.
|}

=== Rise of the Hansa (1241) ===

: This ''minor bookmark'' can be selected using a custom game.

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|[[File:Tengri.png|24px|link=]]
|The '''Golden Horde''' controls Tartaria. The '''Ilkhanate''' controls Persia. The steppe nomads' attentions are likely to be focused towards Eastern Europe.
|-
|[[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]] [[File:Dlc_icon_the_republic.png|24px|link=]]
|A new [[merchant republic]] known as '''the Hansa''' has formed on the northern coast of the Holy Roman Empire. '''Venice''' and '''Genoa''' control large trade zones in the Mediterranean.
|}

=== Late Middle Ages (1337) ===

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|[[File:Catholic.png|24px|link=]]
|The Hundred Years War between '''England''' and '''France''' is about to start.
|-
|[[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]]
| The small '''Ottoman''' state in northwest Anatolia begins its rise to greatness as '''Byzantium''' declines. 
|-
|[[File:Sunni.png|24px|link=]]
| The feared '''Tughluq''' empire is expanding across India, but internal dissent fueled by religious turmoil may create a power vacuum waiting to be filled.
|}

== Other key years ==
There are some features that become enabled, disabled or change functionality at certain years in the game. As most of those are not directly visible in the user interface, this section will attempt to list those that are either a possible cause for player confusion or important in general.

{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Short description
! Explanation or details
|-
| '''769'''
| '''Early Middle Ages''' start date
| Requires [[Charlemagne]] DLC.
|-
| 800
| Start of the Viking Age
| Norse rulers get free shipyards and Shipbuilding technology. Coastal county conquest and Prepared Invasion [[casus belli|CBs]] unlocked for Germanic pagans. "Settle Iceland" [[decisions|decision]] unlocked (for North Germanic culture or Germanic religion rulers). "Found Varangian Guard" decision unlocked (for Byzantium).
|-
| '''867'''
| '''Viking Age''' start date
| Requires [[The Old Gods]] DLC.
|-
| 900
| Earliest great holy wars
| [[Crusades, jihads and great holy wars#Unlocking the Crusades|Crusades and Jihads can be unlocked]] if Christianity or Islam loses control of key provinces.
|-
| 920
| [[Holy_orders#List_of_holy_orders|Jomsvikings]] can be founded
| Requires that one of the possible provinces be held by a Norse ruler
|-
| 950
| Start of Norse [[Culture#Culture flipping|culture breakup]]
|
|-
| <!-- 950 -->
| Middle graphics era
| Switch from early era clothing and unit graphics to middle era
|-
| 1000
| Investiture controversy intensifies
| Realms with Free [[Investiture]] can now switch back to Papal Investiture. Pope dislikes rulers with Free Investiture (-30 opinion) and may demand Papal Investiture.
|-
| '''1066'''
| '''Default start date'''
| '''High Middle Ages''' and '''William the Conqueror''' bookmarks.
|-
| <!-- 1066 -->
| Chance for some [[adventurer]] hosts decreased
| Hungarian characters stop using the "duchy adventure" CB, and North Germanic characters use it less. Claimant adventures are unaffected.
|-
| <!-- 1066 -->
| Naval mercenary bands enabled
| This makes [[Warfare#Ships|ships]] much more easily available to Christian rulers.
|-
| '''1081'''
| '''The Alexiad'''
| 
|-
| 1089
| Assassins (Shia holy order) can be founded
| 
|-
| 1090
| Time based unlock point for Crusades
| Unless Jerusalem is already in Christian hands. Crusades can also be triggered by [[Crusade|other conditions]].
|-
| 1100
| English Melting Pot begins
| Anglo-Saxon provinces with Norman rulers can flip to English culture. 
|-
| <!-- 1100 -->
| Easier Holy Wars
| From now on, you can Holy War into Kingdoms 2 sea zones away instead of just ones you have land in or directly bordering you. (Holy Wars launched at or by Muslims or by reformed Pagans already could do this before)
|-
| <!-- 1100 -->
| Easier to create Dharmic holy orders
| Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain rulers can now [[Decisions#Holy_order|create their respective holy orders]] with fewer restrictions.
|-
| 1150
| End of Norse culture breakup
| Provinces can flip back to Norse now, if Norse rulers still exist
|-
| <!-- 1150 -->
| Runestones disabled
| 
|-
| 1170
| Hansa can form
| If the HRE exists, a non-player province along Germany's northern coast can become a new kingdom-level [[merchant republic]]
|-
| '''1187'''
| '''The Third Crusade'''
| 
|-
| <!--1187-->
| Time based unlock point for Jihads
| Unless no Caliph exists anymore. Jihads can also be triggered by [[Crusade|other conditions]].
|-
| 1200
| Late graphics era
| Switch from middle era clothing and unit graphics to late era
|-
| 1201
| Assassins can be destroyed
| If the Hashshashin have no holdings, they can be scattered after 1200 (harmless unless they resurface) or completely destroyed after 1201.
|-
| '''1204'''
| '''The Latin Empire'''
| 
|-
| '''1220'''
| '''Age of the Mongols'''
| 
|-
| '''1241'''
| '''Rise of the Hansa'''
| 
|-
| 1300
| The bubonic plague may appear
| The deadliest of [[diseases]].
|-
| '''1337'''
| '''The Hundred Years War'''
| Last possible start date.
|-
| 1350
| Non-pagans can send missionaries to Aztecs
| 
|-
| <!-- 1350 -->
| [[Factions]] fully enabled for Hordes
| Vassals of Mongol/Aztec hordes do not join most factions until this year. Exceptions include vassals of a different religion or culture than their liege. Factions can also be enabled by the horde ruler merging their special [[Titular title#Related concepts|"tribal title"]] into another empire title.
|-
| '''1453'''
| '''End date'''
| 
|}

=== Horde arrival ===
: {{main|Hordes}}

{| class="wikitable"
! Years (Historical/Random [[Game_rules#Mongol_Invasion|game rules]])
! Name of Horde
|-
| 965-985/809-1200
| Seljuks
|-
| 965-1010/809-1200
| Ghaznavids
|-
| 1218/1000-1452
| Mongols
|-
| 1216-1224
| Ilkhanate (obsolete)
|-
| 1224-1250
| Golden Horde (obsolete)
|-
| 1250-1350
| [[Hordes#The_Aztec_Empire|The Aztec Empire]] (only with {{icon|si}}[[Sunset Invasion]])
|-
| 1350-1370/1200-1452
| Timurids
|}

[[Category:Lists]]
[[Category:Crusader Kings II]]

== Trivia ==

* Some bookmarks have been renamed since launch, like the Early Middle Ages (previously called "Charlemagne"), the Viking Age (previously called "The Old Gods"), the High Middle Ages (previously called "Stamford Bridge") and the Rise of the Hansa (previously called "The Mongols").