Medieval Forests

**Space_Ed** · December 22, 2009, 08:33 AM

I'm not very optimistic about people being able to help out with this one but we want information regarding medieval forests. Specifically we want to know where the forests were, how big they were, the land they stretched across and importantly where forests formed natural borders effectively stopping troop movement. This thread is mainly to help develop the strategic element of the map and to improve historical accuracy. If anyone has any maps of medieval geography that would be great aswell. You can attach pictures as attachments in this forum. Thanks in advance.

**sumskilz** · December 22, 2009, 01:26 PM

27% of the land area of Iceland was covered in birch forests (The deforestation happened over the course of our mod's time period)

Very Light Green = lightly forested in Medieval times

Medium Green = heavily forested in Medieval times

Dark Green = modern forests which were heavily forested in Medieval times

**Space_Ed** · December 22, 2009, 01:28 PM

Thanks. Add more if theres more where that came from. Res has requested it. Cheers.

**Monthy** · December 23, 2009, 07:58 AM

This is map from XVI c. Forests in the Middle Ages were in the same place were only larger:
http://www.historicus.pl/mapy/czas/polskalitwa.jpg

http://www.oss.wroc.pl/dzialy/kartog.../mapa00601.jpg

More maps

**Space_Ed** · December 23, 2009, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by Monthy

This is map from XVI c. Forests in the Middle Ages were in the same place were only larger:
http://www.historicus.pl/mapy/czas/polskalitwa.jpg

http://www.oss.wroc.pl/dzialy/kartog.../mapa00601.jpg

More maps

Thank you.

**helmethead** · December 23, 2009, 11:04 PM

dont have a map but I know in the center of the Jutland peninsula there was a large forest. go to wikipedia, look up Viborg, Denmark, its that area. there was also a road used by danish armies through it and down the center of the peninsula going all the way down to the border to germany. this is just what ive been told as fact but there might be a couple details off with what i said. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viborg,_Denmark map here, doesnt show forest though. hope it helps

**spanish_emperor** · December 24, 2009, 02:37 AM

i don't want to sound rude but is it really worth the time to get a completely accurate depiction of forests in the medieval times? Isn't the forests during modern time enough or couldn't new forests be created for the sake of gameplay rather than historical accuracy?

Merry Christmas

**sumskilz** · December 24, 2009, 03:39 AM

Originally Posted by spanish_emperor

i don't want to sound rude but is it really worth the time to get a completely accurate depiction of forests in the medieval times? Isn't the forests during modern time enough or couldn't new forests be created for the sake of gameplay rather than historical accuracy?

It is our policy to never compromise on historical accuracy except for when the game engine's limitations force us to. That has just been the basic philosophy of this mod since its inception. The map would still be great with only modern forests, but with all the work and research that has been put into it so far, it just wouldn't make sense to not include medieval forests.

**Haertelius Magnus** · December 24, 2009, 03:58 AM

German forests today (31% of total area)

800-1300 heavy deforesting due to population expansion
1300-1650 forest recovers a bit due to wars, desiease to about todays expansion

**Kyrre** · December 24, 2009, 06:27 AM

Hello!

For Norway you can take the current extension. Otherwise it would not be passable.

Except for the region around Oslo, where you should place some dots of decidious woodland - This earea was quite important because of the better quality of the oak and beech wood compared to the conifers and birches that grow elsewhere.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

~~Happy~~ Merry Christmas!

**Haertelius Magnus** · December 30, 2009, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Haertelius Magnus

German forests today (31% of total area)

800-1300 heavy deforesting due to population expansion
1300-1650 forest recovers a bit due to wars, desiease to about todays expansion

I got something much better now, estimated forrests and swamps in 900 AD

**Recon** · December 28, 2009, 10:45 AM

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Kolmärden a natural border between Götaland and Svearland - WIKI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolm%C3%A5rden - "In early medieval times it was seen as a major obstacle in land travel between the regions, and so the Baltic Sea was largely used instead."

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This map of northern europe 1539 AD is very detailed and defiantly worth a look. It shows natural borders and much more..
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ta_Marina.jpeg

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**RottenTree** · December 29, 2009, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by Recon

This map of northern europe 1539 AD is very detailed and defiantly worth a look. It shows natural borders and much more..
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ta_Marina.jpeg

Man those maps are so cool it's a pity they don't make maps like that any more.