I’ve seen a number of people refer to FETH as a medieval game, but it’s probably most similar to a mid-Renaissance experience. It’s definitely not medieval: the role of literacy, existence of learning institutions, prevalence of chivalric tales, the appearance of durable religious schisms/reformers/separatists, and somewhat mature sciences (esp. medicine, math, crests) are all Renaissance, esp. Renaissance features.

The late Renaissance/Enlightenment don’t fit on a philosophical level: no pseudoreligious scientism, no concepts of human rights/social contract, insufficiently developed literature (novels, broader literacy), and exclusively aristocratic forms of government.

Early Renaissance doesn’t fit since it is a period of knowledge rediscovery, translation of ancient and foreign texts, and restoration of philosophies and sciences. Nothing in the history of Fodlan even suggests an Early Renaissance period would be required, since what history we have doesn’t mention a period of knowledge loss and the disorganization of civilization (that is, a medieval period). If anything, the longevity of the Empire makes such a period unlikely.

There might be good comparisons to the Islamic Golden Age, since that predates the Renaissance and shares a lot of qualities, but I don’t really know that much about it. And for that matter, my background is in Spanish-American and mathematical history, so it’s not like I’m entirely sure my recollection of Renaissance history is correct.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk. Any thoughts?

Added: One thing missing is firearms, but early firearms wouldn’t have been able to compete with magic, so it’s quite plausible that the technology would never be developed.

[Originally posted on Aug. 19, 2019 for r/fireemblem]