NationStates Jolt Archive

The beginning of the 13th Century, and you're transported to somewhere randomly in Europe. You retain all of your current knowledge, plus gain the knowledge of local customs and languages. You get some period clothing and a small bag of local currency. How long can you survive?

three and a half years, then a horse kicks me in the head and I die.

i'd do alright i think cuz i'm not too fussy about eating food that's a bit off so my stomach must be pretty hardened to it now. someone who was a bit hygeine concious though would probably die of food poisoning fairly quickly.

I'll lodge with one of the wealthy locals and predict the future for them, and I will be highly respected. Thus, if thats the case, I'll make enough $$$ to survive for a long time.

Well, being that I got an A in Chemistry, I think I am heading over to the Kings castle with my 'secret Chinese fire powder' formula in exchange for a title, my own lands, some hot nobleman's daughter...

Not long. I would probably be burned as a witch for the following:
1) being left handed
2) being athiest
3) very outspoken
4) probably insulting the king/queen/ruler at the time
5) wearing pants because I hate skirts
6) knowing more than the average male at that time
and 7) attempting to build a time machine to take myself back to the 21st century.

I already have a fair knowledge of the times and (Shakespearian English) language. I have skill at spinning and weaving. Technically, I'd do ok, but, I'm really fussy about food. I'd have to do my own cooking. Eventually, someone would become suspicious because I'd be too clean and I'd be executed as a witch.

I'd kill myself. No air-conditioning? You've got to be kidding me.

I'd kill myself. No air-conditioning? You've got to be kidding me.
So live somewhere cold. I don't think Norway gets sweltering hot (especially not in the 13th century). You'd be more worried about getting enough firewood to stay warm.

I would definitely rule Europe. Why? Because I'm awesome.

I'd kill myself. No air-conditioning? You've got to be kidding me.

I think that a mini-ice age was starting at about that time, you'd be more worried about heating than cooling.

I would create some things to rain fucking DESTRUCTION down upon my enemies, gaining power by killing those above me, until everyone I haven't killed is too scared of me to object to my naming myself Emperoor of the world. I wopuld also, once I consider myself safely enough in power, declare myself a messiah, and the next saviour of mankind.

Either that, or I'd be burned at the stake for being a devil worshipper. Or just for being too damned advanced.

I think that a mini-ice age was starting at about that time, you'd be more worried about heating than cooling.
If, anytime I want to, I can't enter a building with comprehensive climate control, I may as well be dead.

Knowledge is power. Knowing how many modern weapons work, it would not take long for me to raise an army unlike the world had ever seen sporting weapons that would tear through my enemies. Granted, we wouldn't be sporting F-16s, but automatic rifles and such would be simple enough.

Not long. I would probably be burned as a witch for the following:
1) being left handed
2) being athiest
3) very outspoken
4) probably insulting the king/queen/ruler at the time
5) wearing pants because I hate skirts
6) knowing more than the average male at that time
and 7) attempting to build a time machine to take myself back to the 21st century.
oh, i forgot about witch hunts. did they think men could do witchcraft? cuz then the only thing in that list i'd have going for me would be being right-handed.

Knowledge is power. Knowing how many modern weapons work, it would not take long for me to raise an army unlike the world had ever seen sporting weapons that would tear through my enemies. Granted, we wouldn't be sporting F-16s, but automatic rifles and such would be simple enough.
Can you even build an automatic rifle to begin with? I'm not talking about taking existing parts and putting them together, but building the actual tools and gathering the material that can be used to make the parts from scratch.

I think some of you may have an over-inflated opinion about yourselves :D :D :D

oh, i forgot about witch hunts. did they think men could do witchcraft? cuz then the only thing in that list i'd have going for me would be being right-handed.
You probably will be allowed to wear pants too, being a guy. But if a girl wears pants, it's blasphemy. :rolleyes:

I donno. I think they burned males at the Salem Witch Trials, but not in Europe, as far as I know.

without a doubt.........dead........

darn plague

oh, i forgot about witch hunts. did they think men could do witchcraft? cuz then the only thing in that list i'd have going for me would be being right-handed.

Witch hunts primarily targeted women, but a few men go caught up in it. Men were more likely to be targeted for heresy.

Can you even build an automatic rifle to begin with? I'm not talking about taking existing parts and putting them together, but building the actual tools and gathering the material that can be used to make the parts from scratch.

I think some of you may have an over-inflated opinion about yourselves :D :D :D

I could, but it would take a while. Making enough bullets by hand to make it worth the effort would prove troublesome, however.

You probably will be allowed to wear pants too, being a guy. But if a girl wears pants, it's blasphemy. :rolleyes:
ah, well i was meaning a sort of equivalent offense, like occasionally wearing make-up. don't think i've ever worn a skirt but i've commited several other sartorial crimes against gender stereotypes.

Can you even build an automatic rifle to begin with? I'm not talking about taking existing parts and putting them together, but building the actual tools and gathering the material that can be used to make the parts from scratch.

I think some of you may have an over-inflated opinion about yourselves :D :D :D


You may be right. Therefore, instead of all this "building weapons" nonsense, I would become a clergyman, and rise through the ranks of the church to become pope. The pope had a large amount of power in the 13th century, and I would begin to expand that power until my influence controlled, if not directly, then at least indirectly, all of Europe, and eventually the world. The best part is, being that I will rule indirectly, the blame for my atrocities will fall on others.

Witch hunts primarily targeted women, but a few men go caught up in it. Men were more likely to be targeted for heresy.
and i'd definitely be accused of that.

ah, well i was meaning a sort of equivalent offense, like occasionally wearing make-up. don't think i've ever worn a skirt but i've commited several other sartorial crimes against gender stereotypes.
Ahhh, then you'd be punished horribly indeed. Well, maybe we'll be burned together, eh? :p

Could you live in the 13th century?

Well, it depends where you would be living to answer that question. If you lived in the path of Temujin and the Mongols, who were conquering most of Asia and Eastern Europe, it might have been a rough go. Same goes for Constantinople and the Eastern Mediterranean region, since they were being convulsed by the Crusades. The empire of Ghana was also coming to an end, so maybe you wouldn't want to be in Western Africa either.

However, it wasn't a bad period for people of Western Europe. The climate was pleasant (just before the little ice age - grapes grew in England), the great universities of Europe were being established, and in England the signing of the Magna Carta saw the beginnings of a small degree of limited government.

Now, if you wanted to pick a bad time you should have selected the mid-14th century Europe. Famine, Little Ice Age, war, and the Black Plague.

That would have been the worst.

Now, if you wanted to pick a bad time you should have selected the mid-14th century Europe. Famine, Little Ice Age, war, and the Black Plague.

That would have been the worst.

Just wanted to be fair to people :)

It's all about luck. The higher up in society weren't too badly off (unless you are worried about disease), get born into the right family and you'd be ok.
Bit like today really.

oh, i forgot about witch hunts...

The witch hunt hysteria really peaked in the 16th and 17th centuries. Certainly someone might be accussed of being a witch in the 13th century, but it wasn't as common.

Well, I can adapt to almost anything, eat almost anything, resist nearly every illness I've come across yet, and I'm not completely without useful skills for the time...

I'm sure I could survive just fine as a common peasant. However, if I tried to be smart and attempt to con my way up in society, there's no doubt in my mind I'd be executed within a month.

As long as I brought my gunsafe and a bunch of Ammo I could have France and possibly Germany by noon.

I could fit in. I have farmed so that aspect I could find work. After that who knows?

without a doubt.........dead........

darn plague

The plague was in the 14th century :D.

I'd probably fit in quite nicely and be popular in society. My one problem, however, is that I would probably be knocked over by the odour wherever I went. That, and I'd be sneaking baths all the time, so people would think me irregular. But when it comes to everything else, I'm pretty good I think.

I could probably make a living as a traveling storyteller/acrobat/juggler until I found a job as a court jester. Hopefuly quickly to avoid saying something that could be construed as heresy. Jesters have a little more leeway as such things go. :)

The beginning of the 13th Century, and you're transported to somewhere randomly in Europe. You retain all of your current knowledge, plus gain the knowledge of local customs and languages. You get some period clothing and a small bag of local currency. How long can you survive?

I'd die of asphyxiation when my asthma worsens to a fatal point without my meds - I'd say less than a year (my meds have it stabilized, but...).

Now if you stipulate that away, I might do OK at one of the early universities.


I would create some things to rain fucking DESTRUCTION down upon my enemies, gaining power by killing those above me, until everyone I haven't killed is too scared of me to object to my naming myself Emperoor of the world. I wopuld also, once I consider myself safely enough in power, declare myself a messiah, and the next saviour of mankind.

I think some of you may have an over-inflated opinion about yourselves

I could, but it would take a while. Making enough bullets by hand to make it worth the effort would prove troublesome, however.

Unless you have a great deal of advanced knowledge of several fields - chemistry, metallurgy, engineering, metalworking, industrial processing, etc. - and, more importantly, have experience in doing it, no, you guys won't be doing that. I'd rather venture that at best, you could visit the local smithy, and have the smith construct a very primitive near period handgonne or cannon.

Note: The first documented firearm was the "cannones de metallo", documented in 1326. However, there's some evidence that there were even earlier ones. Roger Bacon is credited with the first documented European black powder mix in his De Secretis Operibus Artis et Naturae in 1248.
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~dispater/handgonnes.htm

I watched Casanova with David Tennant. What I learned was that in order to get rich, All you have to do is invent the lottery. :cool:

If I'm lucky enough to find a friendly Jewish merchant, I could become rather wealthy.
Once I have some wealth, I begin to recreate science. I could create primitive electrical devices. After they become sophisticated enough, I invent the electric chainsaw, then arm some mercenaries with them, and start kicking butt.
Now that I have a mean private army, I carve out a small fiefdom of my own. Somewhere safe and easily defensible - the Alps will do fine. Then, I begin to develop explosives, and arm my legions with rockets and catapult-launched explosives. At which point, I catch some disease, and die.
However, by this point, I would have found and married the daughter of some rabbi or merchant, and I would have many sons. THEY would carry on the cause of the League of Heavily Armed Jews.

Not long. I would probably be burned as a witch for the following:
1) being left handed
2) being athiest
3) very outspoken
4) probably insulting the king/queen/ruler at the time
5) wearing pants because I hate skirts
6) knowing more than the average male at that time
and 7) attempting to build a time machine to take myself back to the 21st century.

I voted " I become very well off as a landowner, merchant, ect. " -- the medium.. but after reading your post.. I'm not so sure where I would be either.. if I had the same mind set as I do now.. but I'd probably end up in one of the other upper three catagories.. assuming I wasn't killed cause of my red hair. Be poor and scorned or rich and exalted .. I'd strive for the latter.

Everyone thinks I'm God, and all Catholic and Orthdox countries succumb to my power. Making me ruler of Europe.

I know how to make paper, soap, and candles. I have some medical and herbal knowledge. I can raise and butcher animals, grow crops, and have some basic food preservation knowledge (drying, pickling, etc). I'm pretty sure I could successfully tan leather after a couple of tries. I know the theory behind a couple of techniques (native American and a couple of early European methods), so I think all I'd need is some practice.

I could probably do well by supplying a monastery with paper at a cheaper rate than then could get parchment (calf, sheep, or goat skin). I suspect I'd probably be making the paper from flax or hemp and not wood.

Of course, there's a lot of things I wouldn't know how to do. If someone else could build my house and thatch it, I'd be grateful. And I wouldn't mind having some potters, spinners, and weavers in my household as well.

period[/B] handgonne or cannon.

Note: The first documented firearm was the "cannones de metallo", documented in 1326. However, there's some evidence that there were even earlier ones. Roger Bacon is credited with the first documented European black powder mix in his De Secretis Operibus Artis et Naturae in 1248.
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~dispater/handgonnes.htm

Yeah, I don't necessarily need guns and such. I do know how to create some fairly powerful explosives out of materials that one could find in 13th century Europe. Then, its just a matter of timing. Although, as you might notice, I did change my stance. To becoming the Pope.

I'd eventually rule Europe. I'm also lying.

I'f I was to be a crafter/tradesman back then, I'd want to be a potter. Heck.. I want to be a potter now. If only for the pleasure .. would be cool.

I know how to make paper, soap, and candles. I have some medical and herbal knowledge. I can raise and butcher animals, grow crops, and have some basic food preservation knowledge (drying, pickling, etc). I'm pretty sure I could successfully tan leather after a couple of tries. I know the theory behind a couple of techniques (native American and a couple of early European methods), so I think all I'd need is some practice.

I could probably do well by supplying a monastery with paper at a cheaper rate than then could get parchment (calf, sheep, or goat skin). I suspect I'd probably be making the paper from flax or hemp and not wood.

Of course, there's a lot of things I wouldn't know how to do. If someone else could build my house and thatch it, I'd be grateful. And I wouldn't mind having some potters, spinners, and weavers in my household as well.

You got it all worked out lol . It's cool you are knowledgable in these things.

You got it all worked out lol . It's cool you are knowledgable in these things.
I'm somewhat of an anomaly. :D

I grew up on a farm, so we just automatically did a lot of the things in my list. For the rest, like tanning, I've just read about it. And I learned how to make paper, soap, and candles for fun.

I'd easily rule Europe. Being 6'4", goodlooking, and pious, I'd easily make Holy Roman Emperor, or Pope, since I am also Catholic, and experienced enough to know how to burn a which.:D Seriously, I can ride a horse pretty damn well, I have jousted before (looong story), showering/bathing is not mandatory for me, and I have taken enough martial arts classes/bought enough Medival weaponry (you should see my room) to do pretty well as a Knight Warrior.

King Richard the Lionheart was, by all historical accounts, a shitty king, but so powerful on the battlefield that he was adored by all. This mindset lasted from early 10th Century to late 15th century.

As for knowledge, well, smart people would try and change too much. The truly wise and all knowing would recognize the idiocy of the human race, and its belligerence at always being right, and not try to institute technological advances best left to the Industrial Revolution. Those of you that think you know everything really annoy those of us that actually do. Trying to invent awesome new technology would only result in your eventual hanging, drawing, and quartering simply because you would outlive your usefulness. On the other hand, the guys that simply spread some new ideas about how to temper steel for armor and weapons, and let nature take its course, will find themselves as powerful kings/the pope.In all actuality, the true ruler of Europe was the pope, as he was able to ban kings from heaven if they didn't listen to him (Case in point: King John Softsword of England).

I would probably end up being a thief, since I lack pretty much all survival skills.

Well, being that I got an A in Chemistry, I think I am heading over to the Kings castle with my 'secret Chinese fire powder' formula in exchange for a title, my own lands, some hot nobleman's daughter...

Or you just get your life...

Knowledge is power. Knowing how many modern weapons work, it would not take long for me to raise an army unlike the world had ever seen sporting weapons that would tear through my enemies. Granted, we wouldn't be sporting F-16s, but automatic rifles and such would be simple enough.

Knowledge is power, and that kind of power you would do well to hide. Too much power incites jealousy, hatred...and claims of heresy and witchcraft. And you must remember, while you may know how some weapons work, you must consider that the 13th was hardly poised to produce any modern weapon--at that time, I doubt you could even find a blacksmith to pound out a single barrel.

Well what if you could bring one item into the mix......

Well, I have the catch-all; I picked merchant, because I could probably be a really good one. Imagine being the merchant in the 13th century who has a good knowledge of modern economics. With that and advanced math skills I can easily do in my head, I could buy and sell slowly, and soon be living comfortably at the least.

Then I could expand. I would create a merchant's guild, teaching them the ways of advertising and maximizing profits, etc. I would be the guildmaster, and get small profits off of those in the guild.

I would expand to many buisnesses. I would run mercenaries, hiring them out to kingdoms, etc. I would increase my holdings, slowly.

I would work on other things, too. I would, with my holdings, hire numbers of metal smiths, and the like. Start to build period-appropriate weapons, but at the high-end; Black-powder muskets, rifled, with sights. Cannons, and teaching my mercenaries the physics involved in their firing(X amount of powder makes it fly at Y speed, aim at angle Z to hit target W distance away, compensate for U speed... you get the picture).

I would create a fleet. Cannons, snipers, landing parties, the works. With that, I would take over corsica. France would not be able to land troops, not with my fleet and coastal defenses. Of course, it would be hard to keep getting supplies in corsica, so I would begin pirating in the mediterranean.

After a while, I would hire other mercenaries, most likely owned by my old disciples, and start fighting on continental europe. Take out italy, defend the alps. Take out germany, etc etc, you get the picture.

So basically, I'd either be a merchant, pirate, ruler of europe, or all three.

Or get kicked in the head by a horse and die.

some hot nobleman's daughter...

That's nice you find the nobelman hot; what about his daughter?

That's nice you find the nobelman hot; what about his daughter?

lmao

I'd be peasant-like.. 'cause.. that's good enough.

I'll help you with the house, Equus.

If we could bring one item?

Marijuana seeds.

I'd rule the world.

The beginning of the 13th Century, and you're transported to somewhere randomly in Europe. You retain all of your current knowledge, plus gain the knowledge of local customs and languages. You get some period clothing and a small bag of local currency. How long can you survive?"Gaining the knowledge of local customs and languages" makes it far too easy. To merely 'survive', barring accidents and illness and crime and the like, all you have to do is use your knowledge to fit in and keep your head down.

The trick is when/how to use your knoweldge, and what you know. Do you know when the various plagues sweep the area? If so, can you get yourself in a 'haven village', or can you (assuming it's temporally possible) change history for the village you are in and engineer some sort of pre-emptive quarantine. You might be wisest to turn up in the guise of a fire-brand preacher assigned by Rome (or whatever the equivalent is) rather than 'medicine man' or wannabe-burger. (I'm not too hot on what you ladies might be able to introduce themselves at, but I'm guessing that there might be a few more complications, some random woman turning up in a village, without a good backstory might be harder to achieve... There's not an easy answer... Even that one... Even though it's not as bad as traditional understanding would have it.)

But, anyway, back to the matter at hand. How to use your prescience.

Well, guns. Bear in mind that metal-working of the required standards (steel-making a bit out of your league, until you can get a blast-furnace up and running) means it'll be basic to start with, and the associated risks of having too much alchemical knowledge for your own good in developing the gunpowder.

Think how many dependancies you'd need to go through in order to get to any decent 'modern' capability in any particular technology. Certainly no microchips for you, and machine-guns (except of some sort of crude and novel type) are going to be out. And while you're trying to develop this (assuming you haven't somehow subverted the will of your adopted village to your end and invented a 'guided R&D' industry without making too many ripples) you're missing out on the mass-production of copper wire to use in your hydroelectric generators , or whatever else you want to build.

You're probably best off hunkering down, getting known as a hard worker, start a dynasty and leave writings behind that your decendants can use to 'get into' all the better emergent technologies... Or get lucky yourself. Luck, that's the thing. Trying to shape your destiny could get you into trouble. Waiting it out and you're essentially as vulnerable as the locals (once you get even that security). The occasional stacking of odds, judiciously, could help out, but it's a narrow line. The rewards are great, but Remember Thou Art Mortal and human suspicion/jealousy could be an issue.

(And did I mention accidents/disease/crime? Yes I did. And "The best laid plans," etc...)



(I'm thinking, when I turn up wherever I turn up, that maybe I'd take the cover of someone looking for family (assuming not in the time of plagues/unrest, when this could backfire) either in this place or some suitable destination, work for my living while sorting things out (I'm healthy enough in 20th/21st century standards to hopefully make up for deficincies in not being brought up from birth to toil in the fields) and work out what to do from there onwards. Assuming I survive the possible "we dunt loike straaangers 'round 'ere" process...)

Odds are I use my literacy skills, and scientific/engineering knowledge to wind up a moderately well-paid retainer.

Or die in a stupid accident.

I think I'd do ok in the 13th century. My math and chemistry skills would be highly valued (ballistics, gunpowder). However my resistence to diseases of the time might be less. (Though I have some ideas of how to avoid the plague).
I think I'd make a decent scholar.

Well what if you could bring one item into the mix......I'd take a woodfueled tank.
Or a (solar powered) pocket calculator; if it needs to be something small.

First I would make some money with my guitar... than I would teach those guys how to play soccer... and than I would die by a disease or 'cause I'm an atheist.

First I would make some money with my guitar...

Guitar-like instruments have existed since ancient times, but the first written mention of the guitar proper is from the 14th century (probably somewhere in Spain).

Can you play the lute?

I can just play a few short songs, but that would be enough to make money in some small villages....
no, I can't play the lute.

Come to think of it, the 13th century would be a nice time to invent the printing press.
Maybe I could try to invent a linotype as well, but that'd take some fancy mechanics..

I guess I would sail to North America to warn the Indians that some bad stuff was getting ready to come down on them in a few of hundred years.

The beginning of the 13th Century, and you're transported to somewhere randomly in Europe. You retain all of your current knowledge, plus gain the knowledge of local customs and languages. You get some period clothing and a small bag of local currency. How long can you survive?
I am stoned to death as a witch within 2 minutes of arriving.

Does religion matter in some cases?

Because if it is...the Jews would have no chance. Unless I can bring an AK-47 with a truckload of ammunition. =D

Yeah, religion matters. Only gurantee of getting above rich merchant is being Catholic. Oh, and by the way, my methods of quick ascension to ruler of Europe still stands as the best. Anybody here strong enough to wield a broadsword for a couple of hours has a good chance at being rather successful in 13th century Europe. Science and all that will only earn you an eventual killing for outliving your usefulness. However, if you do have a well founded knowledge of the Sciences, as I do, then you will be able to seperate the crocks from the real deal. That, my friends, is the true path to power and fortune.

It would depend. I've always assumed that, had I been alive in the latter medieval period I would have been elevated through the church, so, quite what I would constitute is debateable. Either that or I'd have been a manipulative, duplicitious politician.

I'd be peasant-like.. 'cause.. that's good enough.

I'll help you with the house, Equus.

Much appreciated. :) There's definitely more than enough work around.

The beginning of the 13th Century, and you're transported to somewhere randomly in Europe. You retain all of your current knowledge, plus gain the knowledge of local customs and languages. You get some period clothing and a small bag of local currency. How long can you survive?
1 day

I would do quite well, as I have made steel, gunpowder, and a complete flintlock from scratch.

A very in-demand person, as firearms weren't invented yet.

Not long. I would probably be burned as a witch for the following:
1) being left handed
2) being athiest
3) very outspoken
4) probably insulting the king/queen/ruler at the time
5) wearing pants because I hate skirts
6) knowing more than the average male at that time
and 7) attempting to build a time machine to take myself back to the 21st century.maybe, but you would be remembered and perhaps become the model of Katherine for Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew

me, I would pack, and travel to Japan. a Long journey, But I would still take it. avoiding Ghenghis Khan and the Mongol Horde would be tough... and navigating though the chinese provinces would be an adventure... but at least in Japan, I won't stand out too much.

Does religion matter in some cases?

Because if it is...the Jews would have no chance. Unless I can bring an AK-47 with a truckload of ammunition. =D
Just like that book where someone makes a time-machine and arms the Confederacy with AK-47s in the Cvil War!

Whatever it's called..

I'd probably "invent" some "new" physics and then get burned at the stake for being a witch and someone else would get credit for my ideas.

Well let's see... I'm a doctor, I studied Medieval History and I am part of a 13th century re-enactment group... I think I'd be fine... But I would want to come back to visit the dentist.:)

I'd probably become a merchant and have a decent life. Or knowing my luck I'd get killed by bandits or disease.

No bringing anything with you from the future, that just wouldn't be fair :D

I guess I would sail to North America to warn the Indians that some bad stuff was getting ready to come down on them in a few of hundred years.
Good luck finding someone to sail you to this "America" ;)

avoiding Ghenghis Khan and the Mongol Horde would be tough...IIRC, unless you're actually caught in direct warfare (or a city that has decided to resist the Mongols) you're actually not that bad off. They were rather inclusive and tolerant of religions/cultures/etc, for the time, being originalyl shamanistic but maintaining their empire as a 'vasall' structure, not monolothic.

BICBW.

IIRC, unless you're actually caught in direct warfare (or a city that has decided to resist the Mongols) you're actually not that bad off. They were rather inclusive and tolerant of religions/cultures/etc, for the time, being generally inclusive of all religions in their empire.

BICBW.
considering they invaded (invading depending on the time) and I am Japanese... :eek:

Good luck finding someone to sail you to this "America" ;)It might not be named America, but it'd still be there.
Getting there might be a problem though. The vikings supposedly got there around 1000-ish. But they weren't really around anymore in the 13th century.

It might not be named America, but it'd still be there.
Getting there might be a problem though. The vikings supposedly got there around 1000-ish. But they weren't really around anymore in the 13th century.
cross into the America's via Alaska.

considering they invaded (invading depending on the time) and I am Japanese... :eek:Yeahbutnobutyeahbutno...

I don't think they had any ethnic griefs (as a tribe, though as individuals who knows). Some people even think that he never initiated war against any country, but only counter-attacked as revenge against killed messengers and traders... Which may or may not be true (and 'proportionate response' can be argued about... ;)

Essentially, though, in their sweep westwards, they generally only destroyed resisting cities (using their land for grazing ground) and allowed most of the others to continue and thrive, and thus produce the tithes that supported the nomadic tribes in their expansion.

As for the conquest of Japan, I see indications that it was one of the of other countries (Korea?) that said how easy it would be to conquer Japan, and that there weren't any messenger-killings precursuring each of the two attempted invasions, but it was a basic over-extension of resources (plus the Kamikazee being problematic to the flat-bottomed boats they used, in the second case) that caused their defeat/non-victory in the two recognised invasion attempts.

It seems that they never really tested their boundaries, apart from the eastern extent (Sea of Japan, or whatever that stretch of water is called), but had they succeeded, they might have had a few problems in the forests of central europe, and other increasingly 'non-steppe-like' terrains, if they had continued to rely upon their traditional modes of transport.

But IINAE. Good luck with your journey! ;)

I was built for the Middle Ages. I'd be Europe's reigning Queen...er King. :)

Been watching/reading Timeline recently?

I might be ruler of Europe. But it's more probable I'd be burned at the stake for teacing the theory of evolution.

Yeahbutnobutyeahbutno...

I don't think they had any ethnic griefs (as a tribe, though as individuals who knows). Some people even think that he never initiated war against any country, but only counter-attacked as revenge against killed messengers and traders... Which may or may not be true (and 'proportionate response' can be argued about... ;)

Essentially, though, in their sweep westwards, they generally only destroyed resisting cities (using their land for grazing ground) and allowed most of the others to continue and thrive, and thus produce the tithes that supported the nomadic tribes in their expansion.

As for the conquest of Japan, I see indications that it was one of the of other countries (Korea?) that said how easy it would be to conquer Japan, and that there weren't any messenger-killings precursuring each of the two attempted invasions, but it was a basic over-extension of resources (plus the Kamikazee being problematic to the flat-bottomed boats they used, in the second case) that caused their defeat/non-victory in the two recognised invasion attempts.

It seems that they never really tested their boundaries, apart from the eastern extent (Sea of Japan, or whatever that stretch of water is called), but had they succeeded, they might have had a few problems in the forests of central europe, and other increasingly 'non-steppe-like' terrains, if they had continued to rely upon their traditional modes of transport.

But IINAE. Good luck with your journey! ;)think the eastern advance stopped at china.

Japan was basically isolated at that time. so a poor japanese fisherman who took one too many knocks on the head would be readily accepted into their society.

I might be ruler of Europe. But it's more probable I'd be burned at the stake for teacing the theory of evolution.
And I'd be the one setting you aflame. :eek:

maybe, but you would be remembered and perhaps become the model of Katherine for Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew

me, I would pack, and travel to Japan. a Long journey, But I would still take it. avoiding Ghenghis Khan and the Mongol Horde would be tough... and navigating though the chinese provinces would be an adventure... but at least in Japan, I won't stand out too much.
I donno...depends on when you'd make the journey, you'd be caught in the middle of quite a few wars. Besides, how would you cross the desert of the Middle East, the plateaus/mountains in Tibet, the constant skirmishes in China, and quite a distance on the sea? I think it'd be best if you stayed in Europe...at least you won't be burned. :p

I'd be a sort of merchant or banker(I'm Jewish...) and establish ties with my friend Genghis Khan.

I donno...depends on when you'd make the journey, you'd be caught in the middle of quite a few wars. Besides, how would you cross the desert of the Middle East, the plateaus/mountains in Tibet, the constant skirmishes in China, and quite a distance on the sea? I think it'd be best if you stayed in Europe...at least you won't be burned. :p
but I will be burned. I look too different. better to try and make it back to a country that I can physically fit in than stay an oddity in another one. besides, the crusades were going on then. I can probably use them to my advantage. :D

but I will be burned. I look too different. better to try and make it back to a country that I can physically fit in than stay an oddity in another one. besides, the crusades were going on then. I can probably use them to my advantage. :D
Oh, really? *adds "looking too different" to list of reasons to be burned* I should also probably add that I play around with tarot cards and that I mock Christian fundamentalists with all my might. Okay, list goes from 7 to 10. *sigh*

The Crusades? We're a bit too late to catch Eleanor of Aquitaine or Richard the Lionheart in action though. Damn, I want to go back to the 12th century now!

Oh, really? *adds "looking too different" to list of reasons to be burned* I should also probably add that I play around with tarot cards and that I mock Christian fundamentalists with all my might. Okay, list goes from 7 to 10. *sigh*

The Crusades? We're a bit too late to catch Eleanor of Aquitaine or Richard the Lionheart in action though. Damn, I want to go back to the 12th century now!I believe the 5th though the 8th crusades took place in the 13th century.

and you can always join me. A gaijin fortune teller might be a big hit in Japan.

I believe the 5th though the 8th crusades took place in the 13th century.

and you can always join me. A gaijin fortune teller might be a big hit in Japan.
Hmm...13th century Japan might be interesting. Besides, I can get anyone through China safely! :p

I'd start my own religion with my "magical" machine gun. And take over Europe with it.

I'd start my own religion with my "magical" machine gun. And take over Europe with it.
pray you never run out of ammo.

Good luck finding someone to sail you to this "America" ;)

Although the Vinland colony had been abandoned by this time Icelandic writings show that the Norse in Greenland were still visiting North America for timber in the 13th century. Another century later and the climate changes, so the Greenland colony will be lost as well.

All this is beside the point. Even if I make it to North America (I don't know what else you call it), I would most likely be killed by the "Skraelings," just like the Vikings.

I would begin a conquest of Europe and expand into the middle east and stomp those lousy muslims (not that I have anything against Islam). I know that if my sister were in the 13th century, she would be married to some wealthy noble old enough to be her grandpa. It did happen you know.

without a doubt.........dead........

darn plague

Actually you'd be better off. You have 8 centuries worth of antibodies built up in you.

As for myself, my advantages:

I can read and write in my own language.
I have a basic understanding of mathmatics.
I understand sanitation.
I understand the secret of the plague and how its spread.
I know that there are 9 planets, comets return and that epicycles are gibberish.
I know the map of the Earth.

I'd go to England. England is still Catholic so I'd work my way into the Church, my goal. I'd claim a noble birth, but an accident ruined my memory and gave me a funny accent. With my obvious education, there is no way that I'd be mistaken as a peasant. I'd hire myself off as an clerk to a noble. I'd spend about a year or so re-learning my latin. Then I'd learn the Bible inside and out. After that I'd start my career as a mendicant priest. Walk from town to town building up a network of contacts. Save my money, buy a small estate somewhere, buy myself a title. Then live the easy life.

[QUOTE=Sel Appa] (I'm Jewish...) [\QUOTE]


You'd be among the first to die, for "killing christ" and all.:p

I'd help the Mongols take over the entire world.

three and a half years, then a horse kicks me in the head and I die.
I'm seeing a 13th century version of Oregon Trial here...

I'd help the Mongols take over the entire world.

Do you think they needed help?

If no one has said it, I think I would kill everybody with my modern viruses.

I wouldn't last very long, I would probably be labeled a Tartar heathen as soon as someone saw me, and then I would be beaten to death by a vengeful mob.

Do you think they needed help?

They didn't go to America, Africa, or the rest of Europe, so yes.

[The Mongols] didn't go to America, Africa, or the rest of Europe, so yes [they need my help].Except that it was the death of the Great Kahn that essentially caused them to fall back before they got tested against the armies in the heartlands of Europe. You'd be best served as 'political continuation' advisor or (hopefully for you, succesful) medical advisor.

And looking different could indeed cause you problems, and having not quite the right accent (or even bastardisation of language). Look at the trouble the monkey had in Hartlepool, so that bang on the head had better be convincing, whoever it was who was going to refresh their latin, or else that you luck out in the locals you first meet. (Though, as I've said before, the original problem-poser already gave a massive let-out by "knowledge of local customs and language".)

Disease, though. There might be a bit of an issue with modern illnesses travelling from you, but I bet there's a natural background resistence to/background incididence of historic diptheria, etc, etc, that the modern lifestyle now lacks the ability to deal with (assuming you're not covered by any "foreign travel shots" taken, formulated against modern/geographically-distinct varieties).

Smallpox, shouldn't be more of a problem than with anyone else (apart from the pre-Jenner naturally cowpox-innoculated population[1]) but I'd be willing to bet that a few things that aren't generally around these days, or are almost exclusively zoonoses these days, are going to be a bit of a problem. Even discounting plagues (which most people have a decent-enough idea how to avoid).


[1] But hey, that'd be an idea. Assuming you don't have an adverse reaction to cowpox....

The beginning of the 13th Century, and you're transported to somewhere randomly in Europe. You retain all of your current knowledge, plus gain the knowledge of local customs and languages. You get some period clothing and a small bag of local currency. How long can you survive?
Untill I die.

If I'd go to 13th century with my 21st century knowledge, I'd rule Europe, with some luck...

Just like that book where someone makes a time-machine and arms the Confederacy with AK-47s in the Cvil War!

Whatever it's called..

That would be Guns of the South (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345384687/103-9216513-0215067?v=glance&n=283155), by Harry Turtledove. IMO it's one of his better alternate histories, as he doesn't drag it out.

If no one has said it, I think I would kill everybody with my modern viruses.

Good point. While you may not spark a great pandemic, you'd certainly be dangerous.

Well let's see... I'm a doctor, I studied Medieval History and I am part of a 13th century re-enactment group... I think I'd be fine... But I would want to come back to visit the dentist.

I think we have a winner for most able survivor. :D

I would do quite well, as I have made steel, gunpowder, and a complete flintlock from scratch.

A very in-demand person, as firearms weren't invented yet.

The last point is debatable. There is appearantly some secondary documentation that the first handgonnes had actually been constructed late in the end of the century. (See my earlier post on that. And before the complaint, yes, you are correct - the flintlock didn't exist for around another 300 years. ;)).

However, one question: how much "from scratch" did you construct that flintlock? Did you really make your own sear and frizzen springs? If so, :cool:

I'd probably toil away in my simple peasant life, but I'd have another side, a darker side. At night I'd steal away to some secret cave thing and work on my rudementry flying machine, a very basic glider of some sort. With it I'd literally rain down a whole pile of shit (I'd carry a bucket of horse crap or something) on the nearest lord/clergyman. Once I've landed though I figure I've got few mintutes before I'm captured and burned at the stake as some witch dude. Or be brought to the highest court as Flyer Extraordanaire for life and get all them rich, semi-hot babes (no razors, boob-jobs, etc... back then) to myself.

I think I'd survive.

If I was a man, I'd be a great inventor/ scientist, but seeing as I am a woman, I'd probably marry some nobleman. :rolleyes:

I'd probably toil away in my simple peasant life, but I'd have another side, a darker side. At night I'd steal away to some secret cave thing and work on my rudementry flying machine, a very basic glider of some sort. With it I'd literally rain down a whole pile of shit (I'd carry a bucket of horse crap or something) on the nearest lord/clergyman. Once I've landed though I figure I've got few mintutes before I'm captured and burned at the stake as some witch dude. Or be brought to the highest court as Flyer Extraordanaire for life and get all them rich, semi-hot babes (no razors, boob-jobs, etc... back then) to myself.

Are you really an experienced enough aeronautical engineer/designer, carpenter, seamstress, and pilot (and probably a bunch of other stuff I forgot), to pull that off?

With enough time on my hands, I could probably develop a rudementary glider, and jump off a high cliff near some town.

Needless to say, I'd probably hit something, or crash, but the flying part would probably work while I was in the air :P

(I say this, with my small physics studies, higher math studies, common knowledge, etc).

Are you really an experienced enough aeronautical engineer/designer, carpenter, seamstress, and pilot (and probably a bunch of other stuff I forgot), to pull that off?

The pilot part yea.

The pilot part yea.

You might have a hard time constructing the glider - not impossible though, especially if you've got significant experience as a glider pilot.
Chellis, sorry and no insult intended, but a bit physics, math, and common knowledge aren't going to get you your glider. I give Saige Dragon's piloting experience at least a chance of building and flying a glider.

You might have a hard time constructing the glider - not impossible though, especially if you've got significant experience as a glider pilot.
Chellis, sorry and no insult intended, but a bit physics, math, and common knowledge aren't going to get you your glider. I give Saige Dragon's piloting experience at least a chance of building and flying a glider.

Not immediatly. But over a few years, with plenty of free time(considering how much time I spend on NS as is...), and lots of testing, I figure I could get one built that will function at least semi-decently.

You might have a hard time constructing the glider - not impossible though, especially if you've got significant experience as a glider pilot.
Chellis, sorry and no insult intended, but a bit physics, math, and common knowledge aren't going to get you your glider. I give Saige Dragon's piloting experience at least a chance of building and flying a glider.

Well no doubt. I wouldn't expect to build it with the snap of my fingers. With the tools and materials available in the 13th century it would take a long time to construct a simple glider. But tools and materials are one thing. It's the knowledge behind the aircraft that really allows it to fly. Do I really expect to build some glider capable of sustained flight? No. But would it be possible to build something capable of at least a long, controlled glide? Yes, with the proper and basic experience and knowledge, which I believe nearly any pilot especially a glider pilot such as myself has, it is not impossible.

Well no doubt. I wouldn't expect to build it with the snap of my fingers. With the tools and materials available in the 13th century it would take a long time to construct a simple glider. But tools and materials are one thing. It's the knowledge behind the aircraft that really allows it to fly. Do I really expect to build some glider capable of sustained flight? No. But would it be possible to build something capable of at least a long, controlled glide? Yes, with the proper and basic experience and knowledge, which I believe nearly any pilot especially a glider pilot such as myself has, it is not impossible.

:D

Not immediatly. But over a few years, with plenty of free time(considering how much time I spend on NS as is...), and lots of testing, I figure I could get one built that will function at least semi-decently.

I do believe you're overestimating your abilities here.