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RIP William the Conqueror, you’d have loved Lime bikes
From Lime bike jousting to tapestry touring, Gen Z seems hungry for third spaces, cultural enrichment, and a fashion refresh. Are medieval times the answer?
Yes, you heard it here first: the Middle Ages are back…well, some aspects of it are, anyway, rampant disease and devastating famine aside.
Gen Z appears to be embracing a new wave of fashion, music, and pastimes that celebrate medieval culture. Just last week, a niche Lime bike jousting event in Hackney (yes, you read that correctly) went viral, with artist Jack Carden and actor Camtholomew the First bashing into each other surrounded by several hundred onlookers dressed as knights. Is it absurd? Yes. Is it entertaining and hilarious? We’d argue also yes, though Lime responded by warning that its bikes ‘were not for jousting.’ Spoil sports.
At the British Museum, meanwhile, the Bayeux tapestry has made headlines for generating more initial financial buzz than major 2026 cinematic releases, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day. According to Monzo, it saw twice as many of its cardholders shell out for second-round tickets to see the tapestry compared to moviegoers, with 55% being under the age of 35. It suggests that Gen Z are hungry for culture and live experiences, with a particular fascination with all things historic.
Fashion has been jumping in on the hype too, because of course. Observers are dubbing it ‘medievalcore,’ with major brands such as Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, and Max Mara all pushing chainmail-laced outfits at various fashion shows. More accessible brands like Heresy (which feature on our headline image) are also offering modern interpretations of medieval garments. Pop artist Troye Sivan dropped a medieval-inspired music video last month, knight costumes aplenty, and even CD Projekt Red released a current-gen update for The Witcher 3, which is drenched in Middle Ages aesthetics.
Why are we all giddy for the Middle Ages? Have we all gone insane?
Speaking to The Guardian, cultural experts make clear that this trend is all about fun, and isn’t a genuine attempt at realistically recreating yesteryear. We’re all aware that the real medieval period was violent, gnarly, and probably not a great time for most people, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find simple joys in the distinctive, quirky aspects of the era, especially the styles, helmets, and swords.
It offers up a rebellious outlet for Gen Zers too, with artists reworking traditional peasant imagery to represent resistance toward wealth inequality. 28-year-old Corbin Shaw has launched his own exhibit, ‘Feast of Fools,’ in London, Soho, that features works from multiple artists and live performances that utilise the medieval theme. ‘England is just obsessed with the medieval,’ Shaw said in an interview with GQ. His work highlights issues in contemporary culture through a historic lens, drawing parallels between the working class both then and now.
By that same token, it’s clear that recent stunts like live jousting tournaments are the result of a distinct lack of third spaces that aren’t the gym. Gen Z is desperate for real-world, community experiences, which is routinely highlighted by public events like the recent solar eclipse, running clubs, and shared group activities. Ever seen those celebrity lookalike competitions, for example? It’s obvious that young people are craving novelty moments and collective enjoyment. There was a man who drew a huge crowd in Edinburgh in August for simply folding a fitted sheet. That’s how bad it’s gotten.
From tapestries to knight costumes, the Middle Ages provide a way to express both humour and discomfort. Elements of the era still resonate today, despite our wholly different, global, tech-obsessed society, and that’s unlikely to change. We can all relate to the escapism of a wooden tavern amongst friends, ale in hand after a hard day in the fields. How many Gen Zers will be dressing up in medieval attire this weekend for Halloween? More than a few, we’re guessing.
See also:
- Has social media killed clubbing?
- Is Gen Z bringing back the office cubicle?
- Gen Z has no era-defining sitcoms. Why?
