Why does British seem to be the go-to accent for movies/TV shows with fantasy/medieval themes?
High fantasy was largely codified by J.R.R. Tolkien's books set in Middle Earth. Much of the feel of it was set in a kind of medieval England or medieval Europe, and it borrows liberally from English and European folklore in that regard.
The Short Answer
High fantasy was largely codified by J.R.R. Tolkien's books set in Middle Earth. Much of the feel of it was set in a kind of medieval England or medieval Europe, and it borrows liberally from English and European folklore in that regard. So: why are medieval themed pieces using British accents? Well, simply put, the medieval times ended in the 15th Century, but the USA wasn't colonised until the 16th/17th centuries. From a historical perspective, "medieval America" didn't exist, and so fantasy or medieval themed shows using English accents makes sense: it helps place the show in England.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Medieval, fantasy, england
This explanation focuses on medieval, fantasy, england and spans 101 words across 6 sentences. At 40% above the average History explanation (72 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “High fantasy was largely codified by J.R.R.” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 6 connected points.
How This Compares in History
Ranked #125 of 500 History questions by answer depth (top 26%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why british seem to be the go-to accent for movies/tv shows with fantasy/medieval themes?
High fantasy was largely codified by J.R.R. Tolkien's books set in Middle Earth. Much of the feel of it was set in a kind of medieval England or medieval Europe, and it borrows liberally from English and European folklore in that regard. So: why are…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar History questions?
This is one of the most thorough answer at 101 words, ranked #125 of 500 History questions by depth. The key concepts covered are medieval, fantasy, england.
What approach does this answer take to explain british seem to be the go-to accent for movies/tv shows with?
The explanation uses contrasting perspectives across 101 words. It is categorized under History and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.