History Main / MedievalEuropeanFantasy

* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'' partially played the trope straight and partially averted it: Its 'focus' faction, The Empire, was modeled off the UsefulNotes/HolyRomanEmpire during the 16th/17th century (pre-Thirty Years' War). Its neighbor, Bretonnia, started out looking like pre-revolutionary France during the 16th-18th century, before regressing into this trope by becoming a TheHighMiddleAges-style feudal nation based on Medieval England and France with a dash of [[Myth/ArthurianLegend Arthurian mythos]], while its northern neighbor Kislev was modeled off UsefulNotes/TsaristRussia, the UsefulNotes/KievanRus and the UsefulNotes/PolishLithuanianCommonwealth during the 16th century (but with more emphasis on empty steppes and Cossacks). Other factions ran the gamut of 'feudal monarchies with steam power and guns' (the Dwarfs) to 'Ancient Athens-style Enlightenment monarchy but with 11th century technology but magic' (High Elves), 'Spain and Italy in the 16th century' (the Southern Realms) or '{{Mayaincatec}} absolute theocracy/magocracy' (The Lizardmen). The forces of disorder similarly ran the gamut from '13th century absolute military dictatorship' (Dark Elves) to 'TheHorde' (Chaos, Greenskins) or 'SocialDarwinist nightmare' (Skaven). Its RPG spin-off, ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyRoleplay'', bases much of its setting on the Empire, making most adventures in the game an example of this trope but with guns present.

* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'' partially played the trope straight and partially averted it: Its 'focus' faction, The Empire, was modeled off the UsefulNotes/HolyRomanEmpire during the 16th/17th century (pre-Thirty Years' War). Its neighbor, Bretonnia, started out looking like pre-revolutionary France during the 16th-18th century, before regressing into this trope by becoming a TheHighMiddleAges-style feudal nation based on Medieval England and France with a dash of [[Myth/ArthurianLegend Arthurian mythos]], while its northern neighbor Kislev was modeled off UsefulNotes/TsaristRussia, the UsefulNotes/KievanRus and the UsefulNotes/PolishLithuanianCommonwealth during the 16th century (but with more emphasis on empty steppes and Cossacks). Other factions ran the gamut of 'feudal monarchies with steam power and guns' (the Dwarfs) to '18th century enlightenment monarchy with 11th century technology but magic' (high elves), 'Spain and Italy in the 16th century' (the Southern Realms) or 'stone age-era absolute theocracy/magocracy' (the Lizardmen). The forces of disorder similarly ran the gamut from '13th century absolute military dictatorship' (the Dark Elves) to 'TheHorde' (Chaos, Greenskins) or 'SocialDarwinist nightmare' (Skaven). Its RPG spin-off, ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyRoleplay'', bases much of its setting on the Empire, making most adventures in the game an example of this trope but with guns present.

The modern TropeCodifier for Medieval fantasy is ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', which was based heavily on European folklore, but this trope has older roots in the tradition of fantasy works set in actual medieval Europe, especially those connected to or influenced by the tales of KingArthur.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' subverts it by taking place in a ''[[GrimUpNorth Nordic]]'' MedievalEuropeanFantasy setting. Cultural diversity among the races is restored, and there is a better balance of enemy animal and creature varieties.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' subverts it by taking place in a ''[[GrimUpNorth Northern]]'' MedievalEuropeanFantasy setting. Cultural diversity among the races is restored, and there is a better balance of enemy animal and creature varieties.

See also HeroicFantasy, StandardFantasySetting, FantasyCounterpartCulture and HermeticMagic, all of which may overlap with this. See UrbanFantasy and NewWeird for alternatives fantasy fans, who were getting tired of this setting, came up with.

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' is predominantly Medieval European Fantasy, though the games also have Greek and Asian influences as well. ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening Link's Awakening]]'', ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker Wind Waker]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass Phantom Hourglass]]'' avert this to an extent, however, having more early modern Pacific/Caribbean-style [[TropicalIslandAdventure tropical island settings]] instead. While ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks Spirit Tracks]]'' returns to the European-esque setting, it moves into the early modern period with elements of SteamPunk, and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' mixes Medieval European Fantasy with Sci-Fi elements.

%%* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' is set in a mix between MedievalEuropeanFantasy and DarkFantasy.

No matter where a fantasy story may be written, whatever rich history the author's homeland might have, most fantasy stories take place in [[HighMiddleAges Medieval Europe]] (or a [[FantasyCounterpartCulture facsimile thereof, possibly reasonable]]), especially UsefulNotes/{{England}}. People will fight with swords and shields, and the government is usually vaguely feudal: it may not map well to any real-world political system, but it usually has [[RoyalBlood hereditary monarchs]] and [[BlueBlood nobles]] (which many other cultures also have, but if European titles are used, you're in a Medieval European Fantasy). Medieval European Fantasy settings are sometimes littered with SchizoTech, though FantasyGunControl is often a limiting factor.

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' is predominantly medieval European fantasy, though the games also have Greek and Asian influences as well. ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening Link's Awakening]]'', ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker Wind Waker]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass Phantom Hourglass]]'' avert this to an extent, however, having more modern Pacific/Caribbean-style [[TropicalIslandAdventure tropical island settings]] instead. While ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks Spirit Tracks]]'' returns to the European-esque setting, it moves into the early modern period with elements of SteamPunk, and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' mixes Medieval European Fantasy with Sci-Fi elements.

* ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedValhalla'' is set in 9th century DarkAgeEurope and heavily incorporates Myth/NorseMythology into its story as the title clearly implies. Additionally, the game has a few elements of the Arthurian legends such as Excalibur which is located within Stonehenge and can be used by the player character as a weapon.

* ''Webcomic/DungeonDamage'' {{justifie|dTrope}}s this by setting the story... in Medieval Europe. Or rather, an AlternateHistory where [[FunctionalMagic magic works]] and several [[StandardFantasyRaces D&D races]] and [[OurMonstersAreDifferent monsters]] exist: the Fall of Rome, the spread of Christianity, the Crusades all happened, but with [[OurElvesAreDifferent Elves]], [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame Dwarves]] and [[OurGoblinsAreDifferent Goblins]], [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Vampires]], [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent Werewolves]] and [[AWizardDidIt Wizards]], neatly explaining the differences from real history. With a good deal of [[ShownTheirWork Shown Work]] about RealLife history, technology and mythology to boot.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' subverts it by taking place in a ''[[GrimUpNorth Nordic]]'' MedievalEuropeanFantasy setting. Cultural diversity among the races is restored, and there is a better balance of enemy animal and creature varieties.

* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'' partially played the trope straight and partially averted it: Its 'focus' faction, The Empire, was modelled off the UsefulNotes/HolyRomanEmpire during the 16th/17th century (pre-Thirty Years' War). Its neighbour, Bretonnia, started out looking like pre-revolutionary France during the 16th-18th century, before regressing into this trope by becoming a TheHighMiddleAges-style feudal nation, while its northern neighbour Kislev was modelled off the early UsefulNotes/PolishLithuanianCommonwealth during the 16th century (but with more emphasis on empty steppes and Cossacks). Other factions ran the gamut of 'feudal monarchies with steam power and guns' (the dwarfs) to '18th century enlightenment monarchy with 11th century technology but magic' (high elves), 'Spain and Italy in the 16th century' (the Southern Realms) or 'stone age-era absolute theocracy/magocracy' (the lizardmen). The forces of disorder similarly ran the gamut from '13th century absolute military dictatorship' (the dark elves) to 'TheHorde' (Chaos, greenskins) or 'SocialDarwinist nightmare' (Skaven). Its RPG spin-off, ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyRoleplay'', bases much of its setting on the Empire, making most adventures in the game an example of this trope but with guns present.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' subverts it by taking place in a ''[[GrimUpNorth Northern]]'' MedievalEuropeanFantasy setting. Cultural diversity among the races is restored, and there is a better balance of enemy animal and creature varieties.

No matter where a fantasy story may be written, whatever rich history the author's homeland might have, most fantasy stories take place in [[HighMiddleAges Medieval Europe]] (or a [[FantasyCounterpartCulture facsimile thereof, possibly reasonable]]), especially [[UsefulNotes/{{Britain}} England]]. People will fight with swords and shields, and the government is usually vaguely feudal: it may not map well to any real-world political system, but it usually has [[RoyalBlood hereditary monarchs]] and [[BlueBlood nobles]] (which many other cultures also have, but if European titles are used, you're in a Medieval European Fantasy). Medieval European Fantasy settings are sometimes littered with SchizoTech, though FantasyGunControl is often a limiting factor.

* One map in ''VideoGame/BackyardSkateboarding'', Merry Old Englandland, fits this trope perfectly.

This is also frequently the setting of Japanese {{RPG}}s, {{Wutai}} aside, as well as mostly Western {{RPG}}s in between Sci-Fi games. The first settings of ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' are perhaps the most well-known example - even though many later D&D settings avert this trope, the sheer popularity of [[TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms Faerûn]] makes this trope almost synonymous with D&D. Notably averted however in {{Wuxia}}, which is a sister trope (Chinese fantasy with a long literary tradition, set in a pseudo-historical AlternateUniverse China, featuring magic, [[KnightErrant wandering errant martial artists]], legendary artifacts, [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]] and the rest). Played straight in most fantasy {{anime}}. Myth/ArthurianLegend usually [[Demythification (but not always)]] overlaps with Medieval European Fantasy.

This is also frequently the setting of Japanese {{RPG}}s, {{Wutai}} aside, as well as mostly Western {{RPG}}s in between Sci-Fi games. The first settings of ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' are perhaps the most well-known example - even though many later D&D settings avert this trope, the sheer popularity of [[TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms Faerûn]] makes this trope almost synonymous with D&D. Notably averted however in {{Wuxia}}, which is a sister trope (Chinese fantasy with a long literary tradition, set in a pseudo-historical AlternateUniverse China, featuring magic, [[KnightErrant wandering errant martial artists]], legendary artifacts, [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]] and the rest). Played straight in most fantasy {{anime}}.

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* ''Literature/VillainsByNecessity'': In keeping with much straight fantasy, the book has this as background. Kings, knights and stereotypical medieval towns abound. There is mention however of the Six Lands being less feudal in the past after Good won, and becoming more democratic as parliaments were set up. Additionally, there's Natodik, which is a desert country (though Mizzamir's helped change that a bit with his magic) plus an (unseen) more Mid East flavored country with a sultan.

* ''Webcomic/DungeonDamage'' {{justifie|dTrope}}s this by setting the story... in Medieval Europe. Or rather, an AlternateHistory where [[FunctionalMagic magic works]] and several [[FiveRaces D&D races]] and [[OurMonstersAreDifferent monsters]] exist: the Fall of Rome, the spread of Christianity, the Crusades all happened, but with [[OurElvesAreDifferent Elves]], [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame Dwarves]] and [[OurGoblinsAreDifferent Goblins]], [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Vampires]], [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent Werewolves]] and [[AWizardDidIt Wizards]], neatly explaining the differences from real history. With a good deal of [[ShownTheirWork Shown Work]] about RealLife history, technology and mythology to boot.

Christianity may appear, as it almost always did in Medieval and Renaissance literature,[[note]]often [[AnachronismStew anachronistically]], as when the story took place in ancient Greece or Rome[[/note]] but it is [[LowestCosmicDenominator fairly rare]] to find Christianity--or any real life religion--in modern fantasy settings: that might attract distracting controversy towards the work, and wouldn't make sense for a setting that's supposed to be a different world than our own. {{Mythopoeia}} is possible, as well as CrystalDragonJesus. This will partly depend on whether it's a HighFantasy or LowFantasy setting, as [[ReligionIsMagic religion and magic are often closely associated]].

%%* ''LightNovel/MaoyuuMaouYuusha'''s Human World is like this. The Demon World appears to be a bit more of a FantasyKitchenSink.

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' is predominantly medieval European fantasy, though the games also have heavy Greek influences and Asian influences as well. ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening Link's Awakening]]'', ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker Wind Waker]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass Phantom Hourglass]]'' avert this to an extent, however, having more modern Pacific/Caribbean-style [[TropicalIslandAdventure tropical island settings]] instead. While ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks Spirit Tracks]]'' returns to the European-esque setting, it moves into the early modern period with elements of SteamPunk, and ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' mixes Medieval European Fantasy with Sci-Fi elements.