Originally Posted by PairO’Dice Lost
The historical fantasy genre is about how closely the peoples, cultures, and other trappings correspond to those of a particular real historical period, the involvement of iconic historic or mythic figures in fantastic events or the introduction of fantasy elements to historic events, and so on, not about power levels or grittiness or the like.
Not sure how you’re construing my comments to have anything to do with “power levels or grittiness or the like.”

As for your definition, seems clear you have a different one than Jason and I, or else we’re remembering the book very differently from you.

Originally Posted by PairO’Dice Lost
…but D&D only really borrowed the historical fantasy elements and eschewed the fairy tale ones.
Apart from the swanmay, which draws on swan-maiden folktales which are represented in cultures from all around the world, and which has been incorporated into several editions of the game.