best selling medieval historical fiction

Another popular title is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. It delves into the life of Thomas Cromwell during the Tudor period, which is a significant part of medieval history. The detailed research and engaging storytelling make it a best - seller.

Ken Follett is quite well - known. His works, like 'The Pillars of the Earth', are very popular. He has a great ability to create complex characters and detailed settings that draw readers into the medieval world.

Umberto Eco's 'The Name of the Rose' is a well - known best - selling medieval fiction. It combines mystery, historical elements, and intellectual depth, taking place in a medieval monastery where a series of mysterious deaths occur.

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.

Well, 'The Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Bradley is a great medieval historical fiction book. It retells the Arthurian legend from the perspective of the women involved, such as Morgaine. It's a different take on the well - known tales. 'Katherine' by Anya Seton is another one. It's set in the 14th century and tells the story of Katherine Swynford and her relationship with John of Gaunt. And then there's 'The Saxon Tales' series by Bernard Cornwell. It focuses on the Viking invasions of England in the medieval period, full of battles, political intrigue, and the clash of cultures.

One great medieval times historical fiction book is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly portrays life in 12th - century England, from the building of a cathedral to the political and social intrigues of the time. Another is 'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott, which takes readers into the world of knights and chivalry in medieval England. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also highly recommended. It combines mystery and historical detail in a 14th - century Italian monastery setting.

A great medieval historical fiction book often has well - researched historical details. For example, accurate descriptions of clothing, architecture, and social hierarchies. 'The Pillars of the Earth' does this really well. It also has engaging characters. In 'I, Claudius', the complex characters like Claudius himself draw you into the story. And a good plot that ties into the historical context, like in 'The Name of the Rose' where the mystery unfolds against the backdrop of a medieval monastery.

I would recommend 'Ivanhoe' by Walter Scott. It gives a good sense of the chivalric code and the political and cultural aspects of medieval England, like the relationship between the Saxons and Normans.

One of the best - selling historical fiction books in 2017 was 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It tells a story about slavery and the journey of a young woman escaping through a fantastical version of the Underground Railroad.

Another great 2019 best - selling historical fiction book was 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood. It's a follow - up to 'The Handmaid's Tale' and continues to explore the dystopian world she created, this time with a focus on the next generation's fight for change. It delves deep into the power structures and the human will to resist within a historical context that seems all too possible.