What do fans of medieval fantasy get out of it?

Photo by David Ball, shared according to license.


I think very few modern readers can relate to laboring on rustic farms until marauders come and kill their guardians. And I'm sure it's the rare fantasy reader who actually gets to study with a swordmaster before facing supernatural beasts. Despite an obvious lack of real connections with the audience, the longstanding approach to fantasy storytelling that sets the action in a medieval-style world enjoys enduring popularity.

In such a setting...