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What Happened 500 Years Ago?
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<blockquote data-quote="Vrecknidj" data-source="post: 1645181" data-attributes="member: 7301"><p>NOTE: I'm just trying to be helpful . . . .</p><p></p><p>To know what was going on in 1504, you might want to scroll back another 500 years to see what kinds of things were happening to create the atmosphere that ended up being 1504. . . .</p><p></p><p>I'd suggest you begin with Beowulf, the epic poem probably written sometime in the 900s. This story really helps you get a feel for the relationship between the Scandinavians and the Saxons before the Normans changed England forever. Also, it's important because it shows the infusion of Christianity into the mythological worldview that existed at the time. There is simply no way to underestimate the influnce of Christianity (and Islam, actually, given Aquinas' knowledge of both--about which more in a moment) on Europe between, say, 900 and 1900. I'm sure you can find the full text of Beowulf online. Besides, it'll give you glimpses of dragons and fiends and all that stuff, from the mindset of the 10th century person.</p><p></p><p>Then I suggest you look into the life of Charlemagne. This will help set the stage for an understanding of the medieval mind--knights and kings, peasants and farmers. The standard D&D themes of annexing land, of fighting foreign wars, etc. are all covered well here.</p><p></p><p>Next, look at what's going on right before and right after the Battle of Hastings. Check into people like St. Anselm and William the Conqueror.</p><p></p><p>All of this sets the stage for the Crusades. Take a look at the Knights Templar, the role of corruption in the Church, and the collision of cultures in the Middle East (and, while you're at it, see what effect this has on Spain).</p><p></p><p>What I'm getting at, is that all this would then be the "history" of your campaign, and since the players may want the info on this feel, it would be good to have. Most of what I've given is British history, but that's just because that's what I'm most familiar with.</p><p></p><p>Next, I'd dive into Dante and Milton. Read some of The Divine Comedy (1307), especially the stuff about Hell--you'll see that this is where many of the images come from for D&D. Then read some of Paradise Lost (1667). These two will really give you a good picture of what's going on in the mythological worldview of the European mind.</p><p></p><p>Dave</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Vrecknidj, post: 1645181, member: 7301"] NOTE: I'm just trying to be helpful . . . . To know what was going on in 1504, you might want to scroll back another 500 years to see what kinds of things were happening to create the atmosphere that ended up being 1504. . . . I'd suggest you begin with Beowulf, the epic poem probably written sometime in the 900s. This story really helps you get a feel for the relationship between the Scandinavians and the Saxons before the Normans changed England forever. Also, it's important because it shows the infusion of Christianity into the mythological worldview that existed at the time. There is simply no way to underestimate the influnce of Christianity (and Islam, actually, given Aquinas' knowledge of both--about which more in a moment) on Europe between, say, 900 and 1900. I'm sure you can find the full text of Beowulf online. Besides, it'll give you glimpses of dragons and fiends and all that stuff, from the mindset of the 10th century person. Then I suggest you look into the life of Charlemagne. This will help set the stage for an understanding of the medieval mind--knights and kings, peasants and farmers. The standard D&D themes of annexing land, of fighting foreign wars, etc. are all covered well here. Next, look at what's going on right before and right after the Battle of Hastings. Check into people like St. Anselm and William the Conqueror. All of this sets the stage for the Crusades. Take a look at the Knights Templar, the role of corruption in the Church, and the collision of cultures in the Middle East (and, while you're at it, see what effect this has on Spain). What I'm getting at, is that all this would then be the "history" of your campaign, and since the players may want the info on this feel, it would be good to have. Most of what I've given is British history, but that's just because that's what I'm most familiar with. Next, I'd dive into Dante and Milton. Read some of The Divine Comedy (1307), especially the stuff about Hell--you'll see that this is where many of the images come from for D&D. Then read some of Paradise Lost (1667). These two will really give you a good picture of what's going on in the mythological worldview of the European mind. Dave [/QUOTE]
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