Have you ever wondered what it would be like?

What if... someone sent you back in time during the middle ages between 1300-1500?

Someone you know had a time machine (No, I am not making references to "Doctor Who" or "Back to the Future". I don't even watch Doctor Who anyway.), and then they send you to medieval Europe to a country, England, France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Spain, and any others that were powerful then. While you are there with your friend, he/she helps you blend in by converting your current modern day cash into the country's older money, possibly making you the most wealthy person there. Since you went to school for most of your life (Pre-school, Kindergarten, Elementary School, Junior High, High School, College, Trade School), you will be considered highly educated and may be put in a higher position above social classes as well as society.

However, there are things you might want to keep in mind. Many things are to be avoided from your "stay":

The countries may be highly set on rules that appeal to certain genders and people. Whenever they are broken, then you are usually punished, and they use torturing devices. You would have to prove you're innocent.

You have to escape the Black Death (AKA "The Bubonic Plague), and flee from an infected village or kingdom.

When the people are suspected for "witchcraft", and you are accused of being a witch. You would have to try and find a way to convince them that you are innocent.

Last but not least, when you go into battle at war with other countries. You would have to serve your King!

Note: You have more knowlege than most of them, and you can think your way out of them.

What would you do if you were involved?

What mistakes would you make once you arrive?

How would you dress in order to fit in?

What would you do with your education and money?

When in battle, which country are you fighting for? What is your purpose in joining battle? What would your battle strategies be?

We have a lot of knowledge that would be heresy or too bizarre to be useful in the Middle Ages. (You talk about basteria, they'll think you're insane!!) Also, you would be severely lacking in knowledge useful during the time period, unless you are, say, a smith. You'd score big time as a smith, architect, or a skilled artist of any physical product (leathing, clothing, carpentry, etc) Otherwise, you'd be stupid as hell in terms of surviving and everyone would have to teach you how to work and live. You wouldn't have any advantage on the battle field unless you have studied up on the time period to understand the weapons and tactics. You'd be lost in the field of politics.

I don't think you'd do well unless you have a manual skill. However, you would be more equipped in terms of the bubonic plague!!

I am part of a Medieval Reenactment group called the Society for Creative Anachronism. I just came back from a week of camping during a two week event, but I don't pretend that I want to go back in time. I want to stay in the "current middle ages" where we have hot showers and I can run to the grocery store and bring corn for the fire.

My persona is also late 11th century, leaning towards Norman. (1st Crusade time period.)

Like Odee says there would be so many unseen ways you'd be unprepared for the era. I might have a better answer later but for now I'd suggest a book written by Connie Willis called Doomsday Book.

I'll definitely have to get that book, George. Thanks for telling us about it!

Living in the age of the plague seems very interesting. Scary and sad of course. For one of my next novels I plan for that kind of setting.

Doubtful you could speak anyone's language. And given how superstitious people were back then, if you did reveal knowledge that was way beyond the status quo, to the inquisitor you would go

there is a lot of romance regarding this period in history but it was a rather miserable time to have lived unless you were born of high ranking noble blood.

Without the support of modern infrastructure to which you in the present have been conditioned to live (especially sanitation) there would be immediate issues.

Any water you drink would most likely result in you getting dysentery ( there is a reason they tell you to stay away from loose water in third world countries) Any infection would be dangerous, as you do not have the luxury of antibiotics to treat them.

Your so called knowledge would not be of a lot of use, you could go on for hours about your smart phone, but with out the supporting technology that had to have developed over the centuries you could not ever hope to build one. Unfortunately an average person living in the 21st century is conditioned to get their food at a store, most of us could not really grow our own, nor hunt game. If you live in town, you would have to acquire a skilled trade in order to survive economically.

If you do not adhere to Christianity, you would be branded as a heretic and summarily executed. In fact you would not really have any legal rights in the sense you have them today (the magna carta only applied to Nobles not commoners)

As for fighting in battles, your odds of surviving would be slim, the majority of soldiers usually got killed during war, even knights did not have a long lifespan.

I have nothing against renaissance fairs, it is fun to see people dress up and reenact the middle ages, but then when it is over, you get in your car( climate controlled) drive quickly home ( a journey that would have taken days by horse grab a drink from your fridge, and play some Assassins Creed Brotherhood and experience Italy circa 1490s in all its digitally recreated splender.

I will reply to this more thoroughly tomorrow...in a rush to get off and get to bed (early day today!).

I just want to say, the way I understand it, the streets often reeked because of horses pooping, people's urine and feces being dumped out from those chamber pots out their window...ugh!

And here's another reason to not go back: Dentistry!!!