In fantasy, plague is a recurring motif, often used to convey horror, apocalypse, or divine wrath. From the "Red Death" in The Masque of the Red Death to magical diseases in The Elder Scrolls or Dragon Age, echoes of the real 14th-century pandemic reverberate. Fantasy uses plague to explore fear, societal collapse, and the fragility of life — themes that medieval people lived with daily.
War and Weaponry
The 14th century was a period of nearly constant warfare, especially during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. This prolonged conflict introduced new tactics and saw the rise of professional armies and weapons like the longbow, which could penetrate armor and change the dynamics of battle.
Fantasy replicates this gritty realism, portraying massive battles, siege warfare, and the brutal toll of conflict. Whether it’s Helm’s Deep in The Two Towers or the Battle of the Bastards in Game of Thrones, these stories draw from the historical logistics and chaos of 14th-century warfare — muddy fields, clashing steel, and uncertain victory. shutdown123