What century is this show set in - timing and backstory

[banmaixanh]

Eleana: Oh, I have never noticed those details but you're right. If those jewelries are gold, they indeed don't match Maeve at all.

Manche:

Although I am not an expert to history, I also think that the historic accuracy was not present in this TV series very much.

I agree.

[tzigone]

I always find odd how many pieces of jewellery Maeve wears.

Exactly! That's why I'm thinking of her as the daughter of a (high end/status) metal-worker - to help explain it. I think most of the pins and the necklace (at least in some shots) can pass for brass or bronze. The round one and the ring, though....

I know it puts her on the higher end of the economic scale, but that's what she's dressed for. And Rumina doesn't know/remember anything about her, anyway.


Now, we did see Rumina seemingly conjuring things out of thin air in "Double Trouble" (either that or transporting them from elsewhere, but with the bath...), but if Maeve could do that, she could conjure food for them when they were without wind in their sails in "The Prince Who Wasn't."

[Doubar]

I must say, I have to agree with Manche there. Unfortunately I don't really have any kind of knowledge that would be of use here. History classes have been my weak spot even though I found them to be quite fascinating. Just, I can't keep those things in mind to save my life.
Anyway. Indeed, the show didn't spend much time thinking about historical accuracy which is probably why I never even thought about finding out which time it could have been set in. The fandom accepted the 5th century and I went along with it although - reading my way through this amazing discussion - I have to realise it makes no sense at all. That said, no, I too wouldn't know where that number came from. Maybe Naha mentioned it in an interview? There must be an origin in any case.

Concerning Maeve's background: I could imagine that's one of the reasons why Rongar made her be in fact royalty - it would certainly fit with her jewellry. But going with the normal heritage: this is just an idea, and probably a bad one but here goes nothing.

If we consider that she mentioned having seen the likes of Sinbad before we can assume she has witnessed raids, probably while she was travelling already. Maybe she helped someone then (saved a child or whatever) and as a thanks received the jewellry we can't write off as iron or copper? It's not the most likely of scenarios, but an explanation of sorts.

[tzigone]

If we consider that she mentioned having seen the likes of Sinbad before we can assume she has witnessed raids, probably while she was travelling already.

Actually, raids were very common in Ireland. Irish raids by other Irish until the Vikings showed up in 795. Different kingdoms and clans and so on. The rich settlements were always being raided and raiding each other. And most of the settlements were Monastic towns. But they weren't the ascetic, poor monks we're used to. They were heavily tied to the clans, sometimes younger sons of kings were in charge of the monasteries. They were rich and political and actually some monasteries raided other monasteries. According to this site, there were at least 309 raids on ecclesiastical sites in the 563 years between 600 and 1163 and half of those were by other Irish. Actually, with the boat reference, I really thought it was a reference to vikings, except they showed up later, and Maeve didn't seem to have problem with them.

Don't get me wrong; she certainly can have seen raids after she started traveling.  But she can have seen them before, too.