I enjoyed this anime, but to me, it makes more sense to place it in what is today Germany. The "Black Forest" exists today, and it refers to a wooded and mountainous area that sits on the border between France and Germany. The trees are evergreens, hence the name (dark and thick foliage year round).

The songs in the anime are beautiful classics by Schubert. By the way, if there were a rating for soundtrack, that would get a 5 star. Songs featured include the famous "Ave Maria" and a poem by Goethe set to music by Schubert, "Der Erlkoenig". They are in German.

The castle of the black knight could come from many European folkstales, including German tales. The Bavarian Castle of Neuschwanstein was built more recently, but that's the style. So when would the English have attacked a village in Germany? The Hundred Years War (1337-1453) seems to be a candidate.

I don't know if Germany is the right place for the story, but that's how I watched it. It made more sense to me that way and I was able to better immerse myself in the story. (show less)