Guy Gavriel Kay's 'Ysabel' is also a great choice. It draws on French medieval history and folklore, creating a rich world full of mystery and magic.
One great French medieval historical fiction is 'The Hunchback of Notre - Dame' by Victor Hugo. It vividly depicts the life in medieval Paris around the famous cathedral.
One great historical fiction medieval book is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, filled with complex characters and political intrigue.
One great work is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in the 12th - century England, with complex characters and a rich tapestry of medieval life.
Sure. 'The Song of Roland' is a very famous one. It's an epic poem that tells the story of Roland, a knight in Charlemagne's army.
A good medieval historical fiction book is 'The Book of Negroes' by Lawrence Hill. It's set during the 18th - century but has strong connections to the medieval slave trade roots. It follows the life of Aminata Diallo, a young African girl who is captured and sold into slavery. Another great one is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It's set in the court of Henry VIII in the 16th - century, but the Tudor period has many medieval remnants in terms of culture and society. It focuses on Thomas Cromwell's rise to power. 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer, although written in the medieval period itself, can also be considered a form of historical fiction. It gives a wonderful snapshot of different types of people and their stories in medieval England.
A great medieval historical fiction book is 'Katherine' by Anya Seton. It tells the story of Katherine Swynford, who was the mistress and later the third wife of John of Gaunt in the 14th century. It gives a detailed look at the court life and social mores of that time. 'The Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Bradley is another. This book reimagines the Arthurian legend from the perspective of the women in the story, set in a medieval - like time period with magic, politics, and complex relationships. 'The Once and Future King' by T.H. White is a classic take on the King Arthur legend, which is deeply rooted in medieval concepts of knighthood, honor, and kingdom - building.
Love and courtship are common themes. For example, in many stories, knights would go on quests to prove their love. Another theme is the struggle for power. Lords and nobles were constantly vying for more land and influence in the feudal system.
They also had a strong influence from the Catholic Church. Many stories included religious elements, like the idea of divine intervention or moral lessons based on religious teachings. For example, characters might be punished or rewarded according to their deeds in a way that aligned with Christian values. Moreover, the language used was often rich and complex, with elaborate descriptions of settings, characters' appearances, and their emotions. This was to create a vivid and detailed world for the readers.
Another notable work is 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. Set in the early Roman Empire which was part of the broader early medieval period in a sense. It offers a fictionalized account of the life of Claudius, filled with court drama, power struggles, and historical details that bring the era to life.
Sure. 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett is an excellent one. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, with a rich tapestry of characters from different social strata. Another is 'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott, which gives a great view of the Middle Ages in England, including knights, outlaws, and the complex social and political situation at that time.
The 'Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics' also has elements that can be related to medieval lesbian historical fiction. It's set in a time where women's roles in science were restricted, and there is a love story between two women that is set against this backdrop, with elements of historical detail and the challenges of that era.