“Inconvenient, but Romantic”: What Is the “Lost Sense of Security” Seen in Medieval Europe?

“It’s inconvenient, yet somehow soothing—”
Surprisingly, many people feel that sense of “comfort” when they imagine the world of medieval Europe.

Of course, life back then was overwhelmingly inconvenient compared to today.
Infrastructure, healthcare, and freedom weren’t as well-established as they are now.

Yet we still find ourselves feeling a sense of “peace” and “nostalgia” in medieval landscapes and ways of life.
Why is that?

This guide explores the view of the Middle Ages as a “memory of security” that lies behind fantasy and historical romance.

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Does Inconvenience Always Equal Anxiety?

Modern life is incredibly convenient. With just a smartphone, we can shop, travel, communicate, learn… we can do just about anything.
But conversely, it could also be said that we are constantly overwhelmed by “decisions” and “information.”

On the other hand, what was life like in medieval Europe?—

• People went to sleep when the sun set
• Life was self-contained within the village
• Occupations and social status were generally “fixed”

In other words, it was a society with few choices, but also little room for indecision.

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Why Are We Drawn to “Time That Flows Slowly”?

The medieval worldview has the following characteristics:

• Time moves to the rhythm of nature (seasons, daylight, church bells)
• Human relationships are close-knit and long-lasting
• Social roles are clear and stable

These are the exact opposite of the stress structures of modern life.
That is why, deep down, we can’t help but feel, “Isn’t this what it truly means to be human…?”

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What Is the “Lost Sense of Security”?

In psychology, “security and stability” are considered fundamental human needs.
Often, the “sense of being protected” leads to happiness even more than convenience or freedom.

In medieval Europe,

• A worldview centered on being protected by God and religion
• Mutual support through blood ties and community
• The sense of “having a place to belong”

──It was supported by this “invisible sense of security.”

These elements are gradually fading in the modern world, which is precisely why we
may be romantically seeking “a world where we feel secure, even if it’s inconvenient.”

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The “Place to Return” We Feel in Fantasy and Period Dramas

The reason we’re drawn to medieval-style villages and small taverns in dramas, games, and anime
is because they offer “a sense of security that never changes.”

• The same familiar faces among the villagers
• The same bell chimes every day
• Meals that are simple but heartwarming, and the glow of a fire

In scenes like these, we may sense a “place we want to return to.”

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In Closing | A Dash of the “Middle Ages” in Our Overly Convenient World

It’s dangerous to romanticize medieval Europe too much.
In reality, life was harsh and discrimination existed.

However, the “rhythm,” “sense of belonging,” and “tranquility” found there contain something precious that we in the modern world have nearly forgotten.

By adopting this perspective,
we might discover hints for incorporating that “medieval sense of security” into our lives today.