The era in which "Dragonfield" takes place seems medieval, as well as to the far north of Europe. While much of "Dragonfield" makes the village and the nearby islands seem pleasant, Yolen notes some of the less happy aspects of medieval life, such as, the "three little boys buried under rough stones at the edge of the garden." While dragons may be a spectacular form of death, Yolen reminds that deaths of children were common in the era in which her story takes place. Another infant perishes during the story, indicating how perilous life was for children. This means that Tansy's happy exploration of her environment cannot be entirely innocent fun; no youngster, not even the redoubtable Tansy is safe from the dangers of her world.