What are the best medieval historical romance novels?

Another great one is 'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott. Set in 12th - century England, it tells the story of a Saxon knight. It shows the complex relationships between the Normans and the Saxons at that time, along with elements of chivalry, tournaments, and forbidden love.

One of the best is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's set in a medieval monastery and is filled with mystery, religious intrigue, and complex characters. The detailed descriptions of the monastery's daily life and the intellectual debates are fascinating.

One of the best is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's set in an Italian monastery in the 14th century and combines mystery, theology, and historical detail. The complex plot and well - developed characters make it a classic. Another great one is 'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott. It gives a vivid picture of medieval England, with knights, tournaments, and the struggle between Saxons and Normans.

In my opinion, 'The Faerie Queene' by Edmund Spenser is a top choice for medieval romance novels. It has a complex allegorical structure while also having elements of chivalry, knights, and their quests. The descriptions of the settings and the characters are very much in line with the medieval romance genre. Another one is 'Sir Gawain and the Carl of Carlisle'. It is a lesser - known but still great example, with elements of mystery, chivalry, and a touch of the supernatural that was popular in medieval romance stories.

'A Knight in Shining Armor' by Jude Deveraux is a must - read. It's about a modern - day woman who is magically transported back to medieval England. There she meets a handsome knight and they fall in love. The book is really engaging as it combines time - travel, historical details, and a sweet love story.

'Katherine' by Anya Seton is also well - liked. It tells the story of Katherine Swynford and her relationship with John of Gaunt during medieval times. The novel delves deep into the political and social landscape of the period while portraying a complex and passionate love story.

One popular one is 'The Outlander' series by Diana Gabaldon. It combines time - travel with a rich medieval - like setting and a passionate romance. Another is 'Kushiel's Dart' by Jacqueline Carey. It features a complex and alluring world inspired by medieval Europe with a unique take on love and adventure. And 'The Bridei Chronicles' by Juliet Marillier also falls into this category, with its Celtic - inspired medieval setting and engaging love stories.

A really well - known best - selling medieval romance is 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. While it also has elements of time - travel, the medieval Scottish setting and the passionate romance between the main characters have made it extremely popular. The detailed descriptions of the era, from the clans to the battles, add to its charm.

Another good option is 'The King's General' by Daphne du Maurier. While not strictly only about Scottish medieval romance, it has a strong connection to the era and region. It tells a tale of love and loyalty during a tumultuous time in history. The story has a sense of mystery and the relationships between the characters are complex and engaging.

One great steamy medieval romance novel is 'The Wolf and the Dove' by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. It has all the elements of a classic in this genre, with a strong, brooding hero and a feisty heroine, and their passionate encounters set against a medieval backdrop.