The Middle Ages Reimagined: Exploring Medievalism in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Medievalism remains a cornerstone of modern media, offering creators a timeless aesthetic and narrative framework to explore themes of power, morality, and the supernatural. The video game is a modern medium that often allows players the chance to immerse themselves in different times and cultures, bridging the gap between now and times that have passed. The 2011 game, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, is an open-world action RPG set in the rugged, Nordic-inspired province of Skyrim, where players take on the role of the Dragonborn, a prophesied hero destined to combat the dragon Alduin, the World-Eater, and prevent the apocalypse (1). The game's expansive world includes political intrigue, civil war, and quests tied to ancient lore, magic, and moral choices. Its medievalism is evident in its feudal structure, with jarls governing holds, castles dominating the landscape, and guilds reminiscent of chivalric orders (1). Thematically, it echoes medieval literature and mythology, drawing on Norse sagas, heroic epics like Beowulf, and common medieval tropes through its focus on fate, honor, and the struggle between chaos and order. The rich world of mythical creatures, from dragons to undead Draugr, vampires, werewolves, and trolls, reflect the medieval fascination with marvels and the supernatural, grounding its fantasy world in a romanticized version of the Middle Ages.

Worldbuilding

Character walking through the town of Riverwood (4).

The worldbuilding in Skyrim draws heavily on medieval aesthetics, particularly in its towns, clothing, and weapons, creating an immersive environment steeped in medievalism. The towns feature structures like timber-framed houses, stone fortifications, and bustling marketplaces that echo medieval European settlements, while the presence of castles and longhouses ties directly to feudal governance. This is reinforced by the political structures and clothing of the game. Jarls govern their holds, similar to medieval lords ruling over manors or territories (2). The Companions, Skyrim's equivalent of knights, embody a code of honor akin to medieval chivalry, though with a twist involving their werewolf heritage (1). The civil war between the Imperials and Stormcloaks mirrors medieval conflicts over sovereignty and identity, akin to the Wars of the Roses or even the Viking invasions of Anglo-Saxon England (2).

The dagger "Mehrunes' Razor" (5).

The clothing worn by characters varies from roughspin tunics and cloaks for commoners to intricately embroidered robes for nobles, further reflecting a social hierarchy typical of medieval societies (3). Finally, weapons and armor further reinforce this connection, with swords, axes, and bows modeled after medieval designs and smithing practices, alongside chainmail and plate armor that recall knights and warriors of the period (3). Together, these elements evoke a world that blends the functionality and artistry of the Middle Ages with the game's fantasy elements, grounding its lore and setting in a framework familiar to players through the lens of medieval history and myth.

Medieval Marvels

The creatures in Skyrim vividly reflect the medieval fascination with marvels - extraordinary beings described in bestiaries, folklore, and traveler's tales. These creatures are reimagined with a fantasy twist but retain key elements that evoke the wonder and symbolic meanings that medieval people would have attached to such beings. 

Image of dragon from the game trailer (6).

Dragons

Dragons in Skyrim are majestic and terrifying, central to the game's narrative and lore. Medieval bestiaries often portrayed dragons as guardians of treasure or embodiments of chaos and evil, as seen in the dragon of Beowulf or St. George's dragon. In Skyrim, dragons like Alduin fulfill these roles, embodying both destruction and the allure of ancient wisdom (1). Their association with prophecy and their complex relationships with mortals echo the medieval view of dragons as both adversaries and symbols of knowledge. This article details the process by character artist Jonah Lobe in creating the dragons as well as other creatures.

Werewolf and Vampire designs (7).

Vampires & Werewolves

Both vampires and werewolves in Skyrim tap into deep medieval fears of transformation and predation. Vampires resemble revenants from Slavic and Germanic folklore, feared for spreading disease and preying on the living (1). Werewolves similarly reflect medieval anxieties about the boundary between human and beast. Stories like The Bisclavret by Marie de France highlight the moral and social tensions tied to such transformations, themes echoed in Skyrim's portrayal of lycanthropy as both a curse and a source of power (1).

Trolls & Giants

In Skyrim, trolls are large, brutish, three-eyed creatures found in remote wilderness (1). Their depiction is influenced by Norse mythology, but they also echo medieval marvels that described monstrous humanoids living in far-off or wild places. Accounts in texts such as The Travels of Sir John Mandeville describe "wild men" and giants with bizarre features, blending fear of the unknown with a fascination for exotic creatures.

Fan Input and Representation

Many players of the game are drawn to its medieval appeal, but there is a fanbase that seeks to enhance the game's medievalism and further recreate life during the Middle Ages. Fans have created an array of modifications that players can download to enhance their experiences. One fan, Heavy Burns on YouTube, posted a video in which he attempts to transform Skyrim into a realistic medieval game using modifications. Mods that add realistic medieval armor, weapons, and architecture bring the game even closer to historical aesthetics, while others that expand feudal systems, guild hierarchies, or religious institutions create a richer, more complex world. Players who might enjoy medieval history or want to roleplay in a setting more grounded in the era's social, political, and cultural dynamics often turn to these mods to tailor the game to their vision of a "truly medieval" experience. 

Fans have also put together video playlists dedicated to the aesthetics of the game. The video below showcases one of the towns of the game with a peaceful walk through the streets and buildings of the town of Whiterun: 

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim masterfully weaves medievalism into its world, using the architecture, societal structures, and creatures to evoke the essence of a romanticized Middle Ages while blending it with Nordic myth and high fantasy. Though not strictly accurate to historical medieval life, the game reflects how the Middle Ages are often imagined - filled with feudal intrigue, heroic quests, and a sense of mystical danger. Its creatures draw directly from medieval marvels, offering both homage to historical mythology and a modern reinterpretation that deepens their symbolic and narrative significance. By grounding its fantasy in these medievalist elements, Skyrim creates a world that feels both familiar and fantastical, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the medieval in contemporary storytelling. This thoughtful representation of medievalism enriches the game's immersive experience, offering players a chance to explore a world steeped in the wonders and fears of a past reimagined.

Works Cited

1. "Skyrim Wiki." https://skyrim.fandom.com/wiki/Skyrim_Wiki.

2. Cooper, Victoria Elizabeth. "Fantasies of the North: Medievalism and Identity in Skyrim." The University of Leeds, 2016.

https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/16875/1/Cooper_VE_English_PhD_2016.pdf.

3. Blair, Alyssa. "Fantastic Authenticity: The Visual Medievalism of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim." Golden Hawk Keep, 12 June 2017. https://goldenhawkkeep.wordpress.com/fantastic-authenticity-the-visual-medievalism-of-the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/.

4. Francisco, Dave. "Cute Skyrim Bug Replaces All the NPCs in Riverwood With Dogs." GameRant, 8 January 2024. https://gamerant.com/skyrim-bug-replaces-npcs-with-dogs/.

5. Wyche, Jerrad. "9 Weapons from Skyrim That Should Return in Elder Scrolls 6." TheGamer, 5 April 2021. https://www.thegamer.com/skyrim-weapons-for-elder-scrolls-6/.

6. "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Live Action Trailer." DailyMotion, 2011. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xlwflt.

7. "Just Wondering Werewolf or Vampire Lord and Why?" r/Skyrim, 2016.

https://www.reddit.com/r/skyrim/comments/6btujs/just_wondering_werewolf_or_vampire_lord_and_why/?rdt=61046.