**The Revival of the Middle Ages: The Ascendance of Castlecore**
We find ourselves in a time when a president styles himself as a king, TikTok fashion influencers are guiding followers on how to create chainmail bonnets, celebrities are appearing on red carpets adorned in medieval-themed silver designs, and Pinterest has heralded “castlecore” as a key trend for 2025.
### The Rise of Castlecore
Castlecore, sometimes referred to as medieval modern or future medieval, represents an emerging aesthetic that fuses medieval aspects—such as chainmail and stone structures—with modern conveniences like air conditioning and vaccinations. Although subtle traces of this trend emerged back in 2018 when Zendaya embodied Joan of Arc at the Met Gala, it has now fully established itself.
A notable instance of this revival is Chappell Roan’s performance titled “Roan of Arc” at the MTV VMAs, which reintroduced medieval-inspired visuals into popular culture. On social media, searching for “chainmail” on TikTok and Instagram reveals countless DIY guides for making wearable medieval armor. Pinterest has noted a significant increase in searches for “Antique ruby ring” (up 50%), “castle house plans” (up 45%), “chainmail necklaces” (up 45%), and “medieval core” (up 110%).
Sydney Stanback, Pinterest’s global trends and insights lead, remarks that castlecore encompasses various categories, especially home decor and fashion. “We’re witnessing vintage tapestries, deep-rich hues, and natural materials in interior designs, while medieval silhouettes, chainmail, and antique jewelry prevail in fashion,” she shared with *Mashable*.
Mia Jacobs, a youth fashion strategist at WGSN, points out that this aesthetic is influenced by the medieval period’s dark, gothic, and moody visual expressions. However, it does not strictly adhere to historical accuracy; rather, it combines inspirations from different eras, reinterpreted through a contemporary perspective.
### Castlecore and the Social Climate
At first impression, castlecore might appear as merely another fashion phenomenon, yet its emergence parallels increasing conversations about technofeudalism and neo-medievalism. Technofeudalism posits that contemporary “lords” are not monarchs but tech giants, while neo-medievalism depicts a disjointed society characterized by economic disparity and perpetual threats—echoing the Middle Ages.
Kathy Pham, a creator who examined the link between neo-medievalism and castlecore in a viral TikTok clip, emphasized that this trend is surfacing alongside the decentralization of nations, citing Brexit and former President Donald Trump’s isolationist agenda.
In *Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism*, former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis asserts that capitalism has already been supplanted by a technofeudal paradigm, where corporations like Apple, Meta, and Amazon function as modern feudal lords. He contends that while capitalism was propelled by profit, feudalism—and now technofeudalism—is propelled by rent.
### A Neo-Medieval Society
A 2023 RAND Corporation study, *U.S.-China Rivalry in a Neomedieval World*, depicts the current epoch as one marked by declining states, fragmenting societies, economic volatility, and informal conflict—strikingly reminiscent of medieval times. Timothy Heath, a co-author of the report, informed *Vox* that the last two centuries were an outlier in human history, and today’s world increasingly resembles the era before 1800.
Economic disparity continues to expand, political divides grow deeper, and living costs rise while wages stagnate. Research from the Carnegie Endowment shows that Americans are not only ideologically split but emotionally divided as well. In this context, castlecore may act as a means of escapism, particularly for Gen Z, who find comfort in historical fantasy.
### Fantasy, Escapism, and Feudalism in Contemporary Culture
This medieval revival extends beyond fashion—it is also visible in popular culture. The romantasy genre, combining romance with fantasy, has experienced a spike in popularity, with sales of science fiction and fantasy works increasing by 41.3% from 2023 to 2024. These narratives frequently feature castles, armor, and royal themes, reinforcing medieval motifs.
The ongoing popularity of *Game of Thrones* and *House of the Dragon* further cements these themes within mainstream culture. Jacobs notes that as artificial intelligence and futuristic aesthetics progress, a counter-movement is emerging, encouraging people to seek authenticity and historical inspiration.
### The Paradox of Contemporary Royalty
Even as our intrigue with medieval aesthetics grows, we concurrently inhabit modern iterations of royalty—whether in the guise of Trump’s self-styled kingship or Jeff Bezos’ dominion over Amazon, which some claim resembles a technofeudal realm. As these political and economic constructs garner attention, so does the revival of medieval-influenced fashion and decor.
Pham ponders this