> and how much more open natural space there must have been across the country. That depends on the country/area a lot though. UK is a bit of an exception beca

> and how much more open natural space there must have been across the country. That depends on the country/area a lot though. UK is a bit of an exception because it's population increased much more than almost anywhere else in Medieval Europe but in much of France and other places some rural areas were possibly more densely populated even back in the 1200s (populations are much more concentrated these days while they were more spread out before the industrial revolution). Even in England there are probably more forested areas these days than at any point since the 1400s or so.