
Originally Posted by
Violet Fashion by Mindy
Up until the advent of the railways very few if people journeyed more then 10-15 miles away from their own city/town/village.
Wars were extremely brutal.
Unless you were a member of the aristocracy or mercantile class life was bloody harsh. Think Africa but much much much worse
You often lived under extremely harsh rulers. Queen Elizabeth I one of the most respected monarchs of England killed more people in her first years as Queen then her sister did in her entire reign for example.
Most children did not survive past childhood. Remember there is no medicine in the way we know it today.
You all all these things together and for those that survive life is hell.
Now if you look at such creatures as the Werewold and Vampire, fairy tales such as The Little Red Riding Hood and the like. What do they all have in common?
They all warn the reader/listener or otherwise explain that you don't go into a forest at night (wolves), Rulers are bloody thirsty arseholes (Vampires) and noble women are not to be trusted (Cinderella, Snow White)
What they all have in common is warning about the dangers of life. Be weary of those who bear gifts and fruit. And going into a forest at night is just ****ing stupid.