With the upcoming Hogwarts Legacy confirmed to be set in 1890, fans of the Harry Potter series know that this means that the events of the game will take place before that of the books and movies. Hogwarts Legacy takes players through a completely new story, where finally fans of the Harry Potter series can put themselves into the shoes of an active Hogwarts student.
However, the 19th century is fairly unexplored grounds for those mostly familiar with the magical stories set in the 20th century, although it could be possible to come across characters like Harry Potter's grandparents at Hogwarts. The lore of the Wizarding World is vast, spanning the ages before and after the events of Harry Potter.
Creation of the Shrake
The creation of the Shrake is said to happened in the early 1800s. The Shrake is a magically-created species of fish, now native to the Atlantic Ocean. It was supposedly created by a group of magic-wielding fishermen that were insulted by Muggles, giving the poor fishermen an interesting experience with the Wizarding World. Shrake is the combination of 'shred' and 'hake' – the latter of which is a relative of the cod. Its body is covered in sharp spines capable of destroying fishing nets. The spines of a Shrake can be used as a potion ingredient.
The 1809 Quidditch World Cup
Of all the Quidditch World Cup games, the 1809 series is one of the most notable. The 1809 Quidditch World Cup finals were held in Russia and contended between Romania and New Spain (modern-day Mexico). Romanian Beater Niko Nenad, said to be mentally unstable, conspired with Siberian Dark Wizards to jinx the forest that lay adjacent to the pitch. With New Spain in the lead two hours into the game, Nenad purposely sent a Bludger off into the jinxed forest which awoken the trees that proceeded to attack those in the stadium. This resulted in several injuries and fatalities – including Nenad.
Ministry of Magic Celebrated Its 100th Anniversary in 1807
Once upon a time, wizardkind used to live side-by-side with Muggles before the 17th century, but throughout the 1600s, wizard-Muggle relations were at the worst. Witch-burning was at its peak, to the point where Muggles were mistakenly persecuted and burnt at the stake, even those who used magic spells to help their fellow Muggle neighbors. The International Statute of Secrecy was created in 1692 because of this. The British Ministry of Magic was founded in 1707 as part of the Statute of Secrecy. The Ministry was initially tasked to oversee the great change in the lives of British witches and wizards by enacting and enforcing the Statute. Alienating the citizens of the Wizarding World from their fellow Muggles for good. In 1807, the Ministry stood strong at 100 years old.
The Hogwarts Express
Due to the Statute of Secrecy, it had become increasingly difficult for wizarding students to go to and from Hogwarts. The Minister of Magic at the time, Ottaline Gambol, who was fascinated by Muggle inventions, suggested the idea of using a steam engine to do the job much to the dismay of the pure-blooded witches and wizards who initially refused to accept this idea.
Thus, the Hogwarts Express was built in 1830 to ferry students to and from the wizarding village of Hogsmeade before being brought to Hogwarts Castle. Although the exact details of its creation are unknown, the Hogwarts Express is said to have been acquired using 167 Memory Charms and utilizes the largest mass Concealment Charm ever to be performed in Britain.
Creation of Platform 9¾
Despite the construction of the Hogwarts Express over 20 years prior, there wasn't an easily accessible place for Hogwarts students to gather in order to ride the train without the casting of various spells. Although there was a designated station at the other end, there was not a station built within the Muggle world, which again posed a threat to the wizard-kind. Enter, Platform 9¾.
Gambol's successor for Minister of Magic, Evangeline Orpington, establishes Platform 9 and ¾ within the newly, Muggle-built King's Cross station. Accessible only to witches and wizards, the Ministry decided that the Platform could only be accessible a few times a year to preserve the Statute of Secrecy.
Gringotts Wizarding Bank Changes Hands
The infamous British wizard bank was founded and named by the goblin Gringott sometime in 1474, presumably linked to the 14th Century Wizarding Economic Bubble which led to the wizarding bank of Harry Potter being surrounded by controversy. Gringotts Bank was put into the hands of the Ministry of Magic shortly after its establishment, around the 1500s. However, in 1865 and without an officially published reason from the Ministry, Gringotts Wizarding Bank changed hands once again. The Ministry returned full control over the wizarding bank to the goblins, who have run the bank ever since (except that one time that it was controlled by Voldermort's Ministry).
Birth of Albus Dumbledore
In August 1881, the great wizard Albus Dumbledore was born. He was the eldest of the famed Dumbledore children, born to Kendra and Percival Dumbledore, who gained an unfavorable reputation due to Percival attacking three Muggle men who had been assaulting the youngest Dumbledore child Ariana. He enrolled in Hogwarts after the events of Hogwarts Legacy, so Dumbledore's presence in the game is impossible.
Albus went on to gain notoriety by defeating the dark wizard Grindelwald in what is said to be the greatest duel in wizarding history. He was also involved in the discovery of the 12 uses of dragon's blood and had been Hogwarts' longest-running headteacher in the wizarding school's history.
1890 Goblin Rebellion
In 1890, the beginnings of yet another Goblin Rebellion were underfoot. Goblins and human wizards have always had a shaky relationship over the years, with a couple of goblin rebellions occurring throughout wizarding history. This time, the rebellion was led by the goblin Ranrok, who grew to despise human magic-wielders. Ranrok sought to completely eliminate witches and wizards using an ancient magical power that was hidden from wizardkind themselves – and which lay the foundation of the story of Hogwarts Legacy.
Hogwarts Legacy is scheduled to release holiday 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
