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fuguestock — Out of Place: Things not in Medieval Europe
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#anachronisms #europe #fantasy #kights #knight #newworld #stories #story #tutorial #world #historicallyaccurate #new #anachronism #anachronistic #european #fantasywriting #medieval #medievalfantasy #medievaleurope
Published: 2014-10-25 14:42:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 2690; Favourites: 45; Downloads: 29
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Description
I read a lot of fantasy stories set in Medieval European-esque worlds. One thing I notice is how commonly everyday objects from our times find there way into these stories - things us archaeologists call Anachronisms - so I made this graphic as a quick reference for anyone who wants to keep their world 'authentic'. By far the most common anachronisms I see are food items from the Americas (please take note writers of Skyrim).Disclaimer: I'm not an historian (technically I'm a prehistorian, the 'pre' bit meaning I didn't have to read as much to get my degree!). Although I have tried to be accurate to the best of my knowledge, I've been wrong before. So if you spot any factual errors with this let me know and I'll update it.
ERRATA I: I stumbled on a source that mentioned bananas made it to the Mediterranean in the early medieval period, but it was unclear whether they were widely cultivated or whether they were just curiosities. However, there is a strong suggestion they were cultivated in medieval Arabia and would have been known about.
Stock Used - Big thanks to all the stock providers!
Pipe - absurdwordpreferred.deviantart… by AbsurdWordPreferred
Chilli Pepper - doloresminette.deviantart.com/… by DoloresMinette
Zucchini - eirian-stock.deviantart.com/ar… by Eirian-stock
Potatoes - kooshballinator.deviantart.com… by kooshballinator
Pumpkin - thekaykat-stock.deviantart.com… by TheKaykat-Stock
Tomato - freaksmg-stock.deviantart.com/… by freaksmg-stock
Maize - heidi-v-stock.deviantart.com/a… by PCM-Stock
Raccoon - funnybunny-stock.deviantart.co… by funnybunny-stock
Dessert - fantasystock.deviantart.com/ar… by FantasyStock
Squash - starduskmoon.deviantart.com/ar… by starduskmoon
Banana - sulfuricstock.deviantart.com/a… by SulfuricStock
Tea Cup - isbrealiomcaifestock.deviantar… by IsBreaLiomCaifeStock
Coffee Beans - gargamelix.deviantart.com/art/… by gargamelix
Flintlock Pistol - slimfadey.deviantart.com/art/P… by slimfadey
Galleon - kuschelirmel-stock.deviantart.… by kuschelirmel-stock
Knight - ailinstock.deviantart.com/art/… by AilinStock
Kung Fu Guy - mostlyguystock.deviantart.com/… by MostlyGuyStock
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Comments: 19
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Don't know if I could have made it back then, without my green tea.
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I'm partial myself, though I think a lack of chocolate would be the killer for me!
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That's a great info graphic, thank you very much! I'm sure one could make a whole series of this topic...
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Very useful reference. I personaly didn't learn anything I didn't already know or didn't refresh my memory, but is still very useful for avoiding anachronism. (When my brother went to Excalibur he said they served tomato soup and I said they didn't have tomatoes in medieval Europe and he said it was a literal anachronism stew)
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Ha ha, can't get away from tomatoes!
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Thanks for making this, tomatoes and corn have always been my pet peeve when it comes to art/tv/movies set before that time period.
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Tehee. Thanks
Though I do not care if a writer uses things in a way that makes them fit in a fantasy world. Must-have for working suspension of disbelief is an alternate universe. But then, as long as map, trade, and tech-level work together and are established, weirdness such as coffee flavored with chili and cocoa can be possible without looking out of place. I won't say it's easy. I stumbled upon the problem the other way round - tech-level and trade routes even require my "medieval" world to know of non-historical stuff - but I struggle with establishing this in a way that does not feel like research-resistent author's idiocity.
In most RPG settings, which are way too modern anyways, I expect people to know potatoes and other plants that allow to feed many people easily. With gruel, not bread, or I want to see them cut down their forests or mine coal for the energy to bake that much. Otherwise, I expect the setting to provide the one or other starvy winter or mucked-up harvest when grain gets insanely expensive and even adventurers start peeling trees for food and munching away on tallow candles. Eww.
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THANK YOU! 
I see so many anachronisms that go unchallenged in so many portrayals! (This was a factor for a RPG I ran some years ago, how basic foodstuffs alone were limited in scope and amounts based on a 1400s time period setting)
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Yeah, people find it hard to imagine a time when we didn't have tomatoes and potatoes. There is barely a meal I prepare that doesn't have one or the other!
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You know the tea thing is something that I should have known, but didn't realize. I suppose though the Europeans would have had some herbal teas though, just not the tea plant kind of tea?
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Yes, I'm told by my friend who is a medieval cook that nettle and mint infusions have a long history. Although watered down beer, mead, cider and wine seem to have been the staples of Europe at the time, I suspect anything you can mix with water would have had its place, including spices, fruit juice and meat stock.
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This was really educational. great job on this.
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