Suggested Reading

Here's an annotated list of related historical fiction. They are arranged roughly chronologically.

• The Edge on the Sword by Rebecca Tingle. New York : Putnam's Sons, 2001. Late 9th century England. This is a great tale for young adults about AEthelflaed. Plenty of adventure & gives a great background on the politics and events of the time as well as daily life and routines.
• The Wild Hunt by Elizabeth Chadwick. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1990. 1098-1102 on the Welsh border during the Border Wars. The history is accurate but it also contains great descriptions of clothing, armour, weapons, food, housekeeping methods, and more. Also a pretty accurate depiction, as far as history goes, of some of the speech patterns, social mores, and more.
• The Treasure is the Rose by Julia Cunningham. US: Pantheon Books, 1973. Middle Ages. Children's book. Provides an accurate portrayal of society at the time as well as accurate pictures. A young countess's elderly husband dies leaving her prey to a Baron and assorted brigands all after her treasure and lands.
• Beloved Enemy by Ellen Jones. NY: Simon and Schuster, 1994. About Eleanor of Aquitane and her relationship with King Henry II of England. Very interesting tale that seems to be pretty fact-based.
• Fatal Crown by Ellen Jones. NY: Simon and Schuster, 1991. 1111-1154 C.E. in both Normandy and England. About Maud, daughter of King Henry I of England, and King Stephen, Henry's proceeder. Fictional novel based somewhat on history with some speculation and gossip thrown in for spice. Includes at then end an overview of known facts, limitations of the novel, and suggestions for further reading.
• The Leopard Unleased by Elizabeth Chadwick. NY: St. Martin's Press, 1993. 1139-1141 C.E. in Antioch, Wales and England. Yet another in Chadwick's series and just as well written. This one occurs during the English civil war between Empress Maud and King Stephen.
• Manwolf by Gloria Skurzynski. A young adult novel set in medieval Poland about a boy with a disease that makes him seem to be a werewolf.
• The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen. New York: Bantam Books, 1991. 1503-1507 C.E. primarily in various provinces of Italy. This is included because there isn't a lot of fiction of this era based in Italy. Therefore, it provides a much different view of the Renaissance then most other fiction.
• The King's Pleasure by Norah Lofts. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1969. Fictional biography of Katharine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII of England. While some of the books is obviously based on conjecture, all of it is completely realistic and, as far as possible, mostly historically accurate.
• The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001. 1521-1536 C.E., primarily England. A fictional biography of Mary Boleyn. The author has chosen some of the less "accepted" historical theories to base her novel on. Still, it is a fascinating new way of looking at Mary Boleyn and provides an interesting counter-point to the prevailing theories about her. This edition also includes a bibliography and study questions.
• Blaze Wyhndham by Beatrice Small. New York: New American Library, 1988. 1521-1536 C.E. in England. The author takes A LOT of liberties with the history of the time. However, if you're interested in the clothing of the time, this author does describe in minute and accurate detail the clothing of the characters throughout the novel!
• Legacy by Susan Kay. NY: Crown Publishers, 1986. Renaissance/Elizabethan England. Fictional biography of Queen Elizabeth of England. While, obviously, much of it was created by the author, what's historically verifiable is indeed accurate. It contains an excellent bibliography at the end.
• The Ursula Blanchard mysteries by Fiona Buckley. Queen Elizabeth I's Court. This mystery series, which presently consists of 4 books, covers England, France, Spain and more. There are plenty of fictional characters, plots, and machinations to keep the books interesting. There's enough attention to history, however, to satisfy even the most fasitidious reader.
• Lady of the Glen: a Novel of Scotland by Jennifer Roberson. NY: Kensington, 1996. Tale of the Massacre of Gelencoe which occurred in 1692. Despite the romantic plot and "happy" ending, it's still a rather depressing story.

Please address all comments, suggestions, additions, and thoughts to: Marijah

Last Updated: May 4, 2004