Fantasy literature frequently draws inspiration from medieval societies, but this is more a result of literary conventions and the influence of authors like Tolkien rather than a genuine historical fascination.

#ScribesAndMakers Aug 22 — Fantasy stories are frequently inspired by medieval societies. Why do you think people are fascinated by that time period? Late to the party today... I agree with others that it's more to do with Tolkien's influence than a particular interest in a period of European history. Myths of dragons, ancient races, and monstrous sea creatures go back further than the time period, and can be found in legends from around the world, so again it's not true to say that fantasy writing is hooked into one limited era. There is a romantic element to battles with pointy bits of metal rather than guns. It feels more noble, even though if you were writing it as history it would be more horrifying and a much slower and more painful way to go. And finally, we often look back for the role of the hero, rather than cast them into the future. There are exceptions, but even in Star Wars ...light sabres? just swords really. 🙂

#ScribesAndMakers 8/22: "Fantasy stories are frequently inspired by medieval societies. Why do you think people are fascinated by that time period?" You do realize that asking someone with a background in medieval studies that question is a dangerous thing, don't you? While other posters have already pointed out the literary traditions modern fantasy literature is rooted in, I think I'll go for a different approach and say that the Middle Ages are just about the earliest time period we ... 1/?

#ScribesAndMakers 22 Fantasy stories are frequently inspired by medieval societies. Why do you think people are fascinated by that time period? I don't think people are fascinated, I think they, and authors, have accepted a convention. Many of the supposedly medievalist societies are more derived from previous fantasy stories than from actual research into the medieval period. They certainly lack awareness of the way the historic economics and governments worked. (Unlike Tolkien.)