Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne Bronte created complex fantasy worlds as children.
Much of the Bronte’s childhood was spent creating fantasy worlds filled with detailed history and characters. In their intrigues and romance, the children lived out imaginary lives. They crafted stories, plays, and poems about them all their lives.
The eldest children Charlotte and Branwell created the first world — Angria. But life within the kingdom became a little too feudal when the elder children began to force their juniors into lesser roles.
This disparity caused Emily and Anne to create their competing world of Gondal. In appeasement, Charlotte suggested that each child create their own island kingdom. Thus Gondal, Angora, Exina, and Alcona were born.
These fantasy worlds remained an underlying influence their entire lives. “The Gondal Chronicles” vanished but fragments, quotes, and allusions abound in their letters and journals.
