medieval literature

[huxley]

looking for medieval literature. not lord of the ring fantasy books, but more this reality medieval story, like the jester by james patterson for example and others.

any suggestions?

[Teresa Edgerton]

Are you asking for historical novels, set in the medieval period, or actual literature from the medieval period?

[huxley]

Originally Posted by Teresa Edgerton

Are you asking for historical novels, set in the medieval period, or actual literature from the medieval period?

good question , thanks. A fiction novel set in the time period medieval.

[Werthead]

Bernard Cornwell is your man.

The Warlord Chronicles
The Winter King
Enemy of God
Excalibur

A gritty take on the Arthurian legend, set in 6th Century Britain.

The Grail Quest
Harlequin
Vagabond
Heretic

A 14th century quest story about the search for the Holy Grail.

The Saxon Series
The Last Kingdom
The Pale Horseman
The Lords of the North
Sword Song

A 9th Century series about Alfred the Great and a Danish invasion, seen through the eyes of one of Alfred's warriors.

[Teresa Edgerton]

I think you'll find a wealth of suggestions in the Historical Fiction forum -- just to the right and a little below General Book Discussion where we are now. (In fact, we should ask a moderator to move this thread over there.)

In the meantime, I'll mention that my husband really liked Bernard Cornwell's The Archer's Tale, and that his Arthurian retellings have a lot of fans, although I didn't take to the series myself.

Parke Godwin and Morgan Llewellyn have each written a number of books set in that period. Jennifer Roberson's Lady of the Forest is a retelling of the Robin Hood legends, only from Maid Marian's point of view.

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by Teresa Edgerton

I think you'll find a wealth of suggestions in the Historical Fiction forum -- just to the right and a little below General Book Discussion where we are now. (In fact, we should ask a moderator to move this thread over there.)

Done, Teresa.....

[lyrra sark]

i just finished awen, which has a whiff of fantasy content but is overall a nicely done tale of 8th century Wales. not sure if it's exactly what you're looking for, but i really enjoyed it.

[Riselka]

Here are some suggestions:

Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth"

Marilyn Durham's "Flambard's Confession"

Margaret George's books on Henry VIII and Mary Queen of Scots

Philippa Gregory - too many titles to list

Anya Seton - "Katherine"

Ellen Jones' "The Fatal Crown" and "Beloved Enemy: The Passions of Eleanor of Aquitane"

Currently reading one now by Tim Willocks called "The Religion" that has received much acclaim - so far I'm really enjoying it.

And then there's Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle Trilogy

[murphy]

Sharon Kay Penman is an excellent historical writer for this period.


The Sunne in Spendour - About Richard III

These three are around the time of Henry III and Edward I
Here Be Dragons
Falls the Shadow
The Reckoning

The two following are about Steven & Matilda (or Maude) and Henry II
When Christ and His Saints Slept
Time and Chance

The next four are around the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine
The Queen's Man
Cruel As the Grave
Dragon's Lair
Prince of Darkness

[Mary Hoffman]

I like Rosemary Sutcliff's Sword at Sunset, which is a reconsctruction of what the historical "King Arthur" might really have been like. Not really even as modern as mediaeval.

And you might like to try my The Falconer's Knot, set in Umbria in 1316.

Mary

[woodsman]

Walter Scott: Ivanhoe and Quentin Durward
Raobert Louis Stevenson: The Black Arrow
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The white company and Sir Nigel
All tales of knights,
the latter two in the reign of Edward III.
The black arrow is set in the wars of the roses, Durward in foreign parts can't remember when, it's been a while and Ivanhoe: Richard the Lionheart.

Also Melvyn Bragg: Credo, (I think might need to check this -sorry) a tale of rheged etc.

[murphy]

Originally Posted by Mary Hoffman

I like Rosemary Sutcliff's Sword at Sunset, which is a reconsctruction of what the historical "King Arthur" might really have been like. Not really even as modern as mediaeval.

And you might like to try my The Falconer's Knot, set in Umbria in 1316.

Mary

I loved Rosemary Sutcliff's book. It was the first book I read that gave a more historically accurate look at King Arthur than I had read before.

[Rosemary]

Pillars Of The Earth by Ken Follett is a must! Morgan Llewelyn is another great author of Historical Fiction. She wrote a wonderful story about Finn MacCool. The other two stories of hers that I liked was 'Druids' and 'Grania: She King of the Irish Seas.'
Sharon Penman was always a favourite of mine and I found all of her books which I read were really good...

[Riselka]

I finished reading "The Religion" last night, and all I can say is "WOW!!!"

This has got to be the most entertaining Historical Fiction novel I've read in a long, long, time. I'd definately recommend it to anyone looking to read an epic tale that takes place during medieval European times.

But be forewarned, Tim Willocks has totally outdone himself with the descriptive gore-fest that are his battle scenes. They're definately not for the weak of stomach.

[murphy]

Originally Posted by Riselka

I finished reading "The Religion" last night, and all I can say is "WOW!!!"

This has got to be the most entertaining Historical Fiction novel I've read in a long, long, time. I'd definately recommend it to anyone looking to read an epic tale that takes place during medieval European times.

But be forewarned, Tim Willocks has totally outdone himself with the descriptive gore-fest that are his battle scenes. They're definately not for the weak of stomach.

So now, after looking at this, I have to put this book on my wish list at B&N.