Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a franchise rooted in a strong and comprehensive love of European history, especially for the Kingdom of Bohemia. Warhorse Studios, the Czech-based developer of the Kingdom Come: Deliverance games, clearly has a great deal of passion for its country of origin, painting an expansive and detailed picture of it throughout its medieval RPG duology.
This is expressed through the various characters and locations of the Kingdom Come: Deliverance canon, most of which is inspired by real-world figures and areas. For instance, arrogant-but-lovable nobleman Hans Capon of Pirkstein is meant to represent Jan Ptacek of Pirkstejn, a Bohemian noble who served as a notable judge and lord in the 15th century. Other characters, like Henry of Skalitz, are fictional, but their backstories stem from very real historical events, such as the sacking of Skalitz by the Luxembourgs. But individual locations, including castles and towns, are generally much more faithful to their historical counterparts. This includes Pirkstein Castle, the seat of the Pirkstein family and an important safe haven not only in Kingdom Come: Deliverance, but in real Czech history as well.
Many people and place names were Germanized to make Kingdom Come: Deliverance more accessible to an English-speaking audience. This is why, if you look up Pirkstein Castle, it will usually appear as Pernstejn Castle. I will refer to it as the former to maintain consistency with the game.
The Real-World Pirkstein Castle’s History, Explained
Pirkstein Castle’s Origin and Role in the Moravian Civil War
Generally believed to have been constructed in the late 13th century, Pirkstein Castle’s builder is not known. It fell under the purview of the influential and venerable Pirkstein family (to which Kingdom Come’s Hans Capon belongs) shortly after its construction. The Pirksteins, like many noble families of the time, lived in the Moravia region of Bohemia, which was beyond the control of the king and thus ripe for greater private governance. This decentralization is believed to have contributed to squabbling between powerful families in the region by the late 14th century.
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Find all 10 pairs
Of course, this squabbling would turn into much more, only serving as a prelude to the Moravian Civil War that serves as the historical backdrop for Kingdom Come: Deliverance. A symbolically and economically important stronghold for the Pirksteins, Pirkstein Castle was fortified during the early years of this war: improvements such as ditches and new towers made the castle nigh-impregnable. With the horizontal boundaries of the castle becoming rigidly defined by its defenses, Pirkstein Castle grew vertically, leading to a striking, narrow appearance. Thus, it served as a valuable shelter for nobility during these turbulent years. Fortified and magnificent, it was a worthy stronghold for nobles during the Moravian Civil War, as well as future conflicts. In this way, Kingdom Come: Deliverance’s depiction of the castle is very faithful.
Does Pirkstein Castle Still Exist?
Pirkstein Castle was quite important during the time of Kingdom Come: Deliverance’s campaign, but its story most certainly does not end there. As the Pirkstein’s fortune continued to grow, so too did the castle itself, which received numerous improvements and reconstructions following the Moravian Civil War and a disastrous fire in 1447.
The long span of upgrades, coupled with at least two significant changes in ownership, resulted in a markedly diverse piece of medieval architecture. Its aesthetic is mostly a blend of Gothic and Renaissance, reflecting its extensive and turbulent history. Pirkstein Castle still stands today, though it has long since lost most of its wartime purpose, having been converted to a parish house in the 18th century.
Its legacy of ongoing development continues: Pirkstein Castle is currently undergoing restoration, an effort that Warhorse Studios itself is helping raise funds for. The medieval marvel and one-time home of Henry of Skalitz can still be visited in modern-day Czechia, although its interior is only occasionally open to the public and will likely be even less so until the aforementioned restoration project is completed.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 72/100 Critics Rec: 49%
- Released
- February 13, 2018
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Warhorse Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Deep Silver
Bohemia – located in the heart of Europe, the region is rich in culture, silver, and sprawling castles. The death of its beloved ruler, Emperor Charles IV, has plunged the kingdom into dark times: war, corruption, and discord are tearing this jewel of the Holy Roman Empire apart.
One of Charles' sons, Wenceslas, has inherited the crown. Unlike his father, Wenceslas is a naive, self-indulgent, unambitious monarch. His half-brother and King of Hungary, Sigismund the Red Fox, senses weakness in Wenceslas. Feigning good will, Sigismund travels to Bohemia and kidnaps his half-brother. With no king on the throne, Sigismund is now free to plunder Bohemia and seize its riches.
In the midst of this chaos, you're Henry, the son of a blacksmith. Your peaceful life is shattered when a mercenary raid, ordered by King Sigismund himself, burns your village to the ground. By bittersweet fortune, you are one of the few survivors of this massacre.
Without a home, family, or future you end up in the service of Lord Radzig Kobyla, who is forming a resistance against the invasion. Fate drags you into this bloody conflict and shoves you into a raging civil war, where you help fight for the future of Bohemia.
