Arrival of generals

[Losfalos]

Fanous hero generals (1 star plus) like Joan of Arc etc apparently have set years in which they appear..

if you do not produce any units for that year, does that mean you miss out on that general entirely?

[Asmodeus]

I think any time after that particular year that you produce a unit of the appropriate type (or in the right province or both) you will get the historical character. Some of them are very good indeed. Takes some practice and luck to remember where and when to get them but if you do a search in the main forum you will find posts about them.