Burthorpe is one of two areas of Asgarnia that is not controlled by the White knights. (The other is the Black Knights' Fortress, held by the white knights' arch rivals, the Black Knights. Also, the Druids have control over Taverley, but there isn't any formal government there that is known to players, so it's usually counted in with Burthorpe). The Imperial Guard control Burthorpe, and they are loyal to the royal line of Asgarnia, especially Crown Prince Anlaf. The Imperial Guard believes that the white knights seized power rather than being given it by King Vallance just before he disappeared. The king has not been seen for a long time, and Anlaf has recently gone into hiding for fear of capture or assassination.
The Troll Country is immediately north of Burthorpe, and there are occasional fears of raids or invasions by the Trolls. Death Plateau in particular seems a threat, as many heavily armed trolls have a permanent camp there. The Imperial Guard, with help of adventurers, has been taking measures to reduce this threat.
Burthorpe also borders on the Wilderness, although there is no direct access between the two. Nevertheless, the town hosts a beacon in the Beacon Network. Adventurers are occasionally seen testing the beacons, as part of the All Fired Up activity.
Burthorpe is a dreary city, home to a military training camp. Soldiers of the Imperial Guard in black armour and claws stand in ranks, performing drill exercises. Attackable soldiers are the only source of black claws or black dart.
Burthorpe is also home to the Warriors' Guild, which houses a large combination of melee-based activities. Players' attack and strength levels must add up to a total of 130 or level 99 in attack or strength in order to enter.
Just to the south of Burthorpe is the Heroes' Guild.
There is a mechanism to unlock an equipment room in Burthorpe involved in the Death Plateau Quest.
Turael, the lowest ranking slayer master, can be found in the house with the yellow skull icon. He gives the easiest Slayer assignments, and has the usual slayer items for sale. He can also change slayer assignments for you.
Speaking to any member of the Imperial Guard except for major NPCs, (basically any soldier you can attack), results in "jargon". They are really speaking Latin, which is revealed when a soldier insults a player, to the English response "Did you just insult me in Latin?", followed by "Yes." from the soldier. One of the guards will say the famous Latin phrase "Cogito ergo sum", meaning "I think, therefore I am". Another phrase said by the guards, "Furnulum pani noli", meaning "Do not want a toaster." Another one is "Veni, vidi, vici", meaning "I came, I saw, I conquered", a famous phrase said by Julius Caesar.
Burthorpe has the most number of Activities in a single area, with a total of 7.
Despite its small size, Burthorpe is the town with the most banks/bank chests, having three (located at Rogues' Den, the Warriors' Guild and Xuan).
A lot of the civilians in Burthorpe are named after characters from the epic poem Beowulf.
Burthorpe is tied with Varrock and Hemenster for having the most guilds of any city at two each.
If you speak to the archer on the tower above the armoury, unlike the others, he will reply when spoken to, stating his thanks to the player for opening the door since he had been trapped there for an entire night.
It is not certain what religion Burthorpe has, but, according to Betrayal at Falador, its leader, Prince Anlaf, is Guthixian. He does build a secret Zamorakian altar, but this is likely due to The Sybil's influence over him at the time.
Despite the Imperial Guard of Burthorpe being called Imperial, neither the Kingdom of Asgarnia nor the Principality of Burthorpe is an empire.
Before the Burthorpe graphical update, the graphic rework was first hinted and leaked through a picture in the Media page on the official website.
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