Who would have harder time adapting.

You rang?

Feologild Oakes , I'm more than willing to do hypotheticals, but this is a kinda weird one, no? I'm not British and don't know that much about Colchester, so I'll leave that off to one side. In terms of the general question:

The person from 1317 would not like the modern world. He would think we're all crazed, and decadent, and probably élitist, and probably foolish (which may all be true, by the by ).. But--and this is a big but--I think he could get by. He would probably let out some 14th century swear word upon seeing a car--he certainly wouldn't think it's some kind of monster, as popular culture would have you believe he'd do. He may think it's witchcraft that brought him it, but he's more likely to be pretty skeptical about it, being a strong, sober (in the non-alcohol-related sense of the word) type of yeoman. He'd escape to the country, where he'd find other people who have tried to hold on to their traditions. He'd try like anything to get home, but he wouldn't descend into Sartrian ennui just because he's not in his time.

I think the person from the modern era would not be able to deal with 1317, unless he loves history, adapts easily, or is not enamoured of his own time. He'd probably think others naïve and provincial, and they'd laugh at him for doing so. He'd expect material objects and complain a lot, but--more than that (and I'm not discounting how much we've grown accustomed to these trappings of modern society, iPhones and computers and these other material extravagances to which we devote so much of our lives)--he'd expect rights. This is where the modern is so different from previous generations. He wants things given him, privileges accorded him, expectations that he can do what he'd like and other people could, should, and would support him. 14th century individuals would laugh at him for that, and I don't think he could deal with the kind of labor and lack of rights or privileges that the 14th century would offer. He may well lapse in Sartrian ennui.

(And, yes, I've been reading about Sartre recently--specifically Sir Roger Scruton's book sharply criticizing Sartre. Highly recommended.)

Are you sorry you asked now, Bat? Seriously, I'm fascinated by this stuff, odd hypothetical though it may be. Have you been watching Berkeley Square by any chance, Feologild?