Sub-Roman Britain (Cavalry etc)

[Medicus matt]

with the norm probably sliding toward the hungry pole for several centuries.

Why? I doubt very much that the people working the land, living outside of big towns, noticed much of a difference. Sure, the man that they had to give stuff to dressed differently and spoke differently. Not that they ever spoke to the man in charge anyway. I suppose there might even have been a period where they got to keep anything they grew all to themselves....seems unlikley though. Somebody always fills a power vacuum, even if it's only on a very small, temporary level.

Towns yes, big changes there. Towns rely on being able to buy your food from someone else, leaving you free to do your pottery, mosaic making, acting...whatever. BIG shock for them. They're the ones who starved to death in the forests, not Mr and Mrs Muddy.

Getting a long way off cavalry now.