When does Hogwarts Legacy take place?

Hogwarts Legacy contains much history, and many secrets…

Hogwarts has a long and rich history, as those familiar with prior Harry Potter books and films can readily attest. The school itself reportedly dates back to sometime during the 10th century, founded by Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin. That said, the castle itself would go on to grow and evolve over time, under the supervision of a long line of headmasters and headmistresses, including under the current headmaster in Hogwarts Legacy, Professor Nigellus Black.

Hogwarts Legacy places the player in an interestingly turbulent period of wizarding history, squarely at the beginning of the fourth goblin rebellion, instigated in 1890 by Ranrok, who attempted an overthrow of the human-dominated magical world. Gameplay and cinematic footage shown to date indicates that the player will, on one or more occasions, go up against Ranrok. Whether Ranrok himself will ultimately prove to be the primary antagonist in Hogwarts Legacy is not currently clear.

There is some slight evidence to suggest that Ranrok bears some familial relation to Ragnuk the first, who is widely attributed to be the forger of the sword that would later be associated with Hogwarts founder Godric Gryffindor. The linguistic similarities in name, (potentially as a result of the name being passed down and modified through the generations,) combined with Ranrok’s inferred high standing in goblin society, infers some possible connection.

Goblins may not be your only concern in Hogwarts Legacy…

Ranrok will likely not be the only force that players may have to go up against. Victor Rookwood has also been revealed to be a character included in Hogwarts Legacy, and will likely play some form of oppositional role alongside Ranrok. Though, as wizards and goblins would be currently at war with one another, it seems reasonable to infer that any possible alliance would be a temporary arrangement at best.

Both factions will likely have their own agendas that the player may have to confront.

A beginning and an end…

The presence of other characters, such as Professors Matilda Weasley and Phineas Nigellus Black, reaffirm the likelihood of Hogwarts Legacy beginning its narrative during the Summer of 1890; with the player being accepted to Hogwarts and shortly thereafter, traveling to Diagon Alley to purchase their school supplies.

The game would then likely follow the events of the 1890 school year at Hogwarts, starting on the first of September, and ending the following June. This would make the most sense, as it would follow the same seasonal narrative pattern as the original Harry Potter books and films. That said, players should now be able to find out for themselves.