Are we seeing another medieval revival?

Kings, castles, swords and plague-ridden peasants: don't we all wish we were back?

This century of ours was born in the last three months of 2001, with the attacks on the Twin Towers, the Chinese trade deal – and the release of The Fellowship of the Ring. When it hit the cinema just over 20 years ago the first of Peter Jackson’s trilogy was hailed by critics and fans alike, picking up 11 Oscars and $3 billion in revenue.

But it may tur…