Realism, differences between medieval and modern body types

[varelishawt]

So, inspired by the thread about realism in pr0n, I was looking at the differences in body type, medieval versus modern, and of course, since we write smut, these things should perhaps be mentioned and explored. I was reading about the discovery of skeletons, specifically those of longbowmen, and was wondering if anyone else has thought about it.

Obviously, men and women who wear full plate would be quite muscular, and archers like Nathaniel, who pull bows that are six feet long, day in and day out, would have a much thicker left arm, capable of bracing a bow that has a three-hundred-pound pull. Those who favor speed over brute strength would still be muscular, I think, but in a different way from the plate wearers. This isn't reflected in the game models, sadly, but maybe it should in our smut.

Comments

[clariana]

I read a few months ago about a medieval body they had discovered somewhere here in the UK (Norwich?). He was large, well fed and very well muscled they guessed from training... They were speculating he was a knight. I said to my husband, "see that's Alistair..."

[sakuratea]

there were tall people in all eras, it's just that they were much rarer in the past. Our distribution is taller, but Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I were both pretty tall folk.

[aithne]

Some it had to do with nutrition in childhood, as well as genetics. Kids who don't get enough to eat (which is likely much of the peasantry, at least for part of the year) tend to be shorter.

[sakuratea]

yes, the secular trend...

[klarabella]

*chuckles*