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In the northeast, Renaissance Faires continue well into September, past the official end of summer. As the summer drips away, there’s still a chance to experience a bit of out-of-time experience and play, and see attendees who might have spent months on authentic costumes.
My original love of Medieval stories, especially fantasy, came through the kid-focused books about Arthurian legends of England. Though Medieval fiction tends to focus on Europe, there’s a wide world of intrigue outside of that specific continent. The jostling for power and control, especially driven by various religious wars, makes for fertile ground for historical, fantasy, and romance novels. After you brush up on Medieval history, you can dive into more Medieval fiction to inspire an exciting journey.
Medieval Historical Fiction
Equal of the Sun by Anita Amirrezvani
Princess Pari Khan Khanoom was a real historical figure in late 1500s Iran, and lived through royal and political turmoil. In this novel, she’s a key player after her father dies, working to keep the palace together and shore up her own power. The political maneuverings are constantly upending the power structure, and Pari is working to come out on top.
The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick
In 1137, Eleanor of Aquitaine became the Queen of France. Originally married at 13, she was meant to be relegated to the side role of wife and mother, but her father’s death changed everything. This novel follows her young life, ruling in France with King Louis, to marrying Henry II and ruling in England.
The Maid: A Novel of Joan of Arc by Kimberley Cutter
Before she was leading armies with holy purpose after a conversation with God, Jeanne was a girl whose family had been ravaged by war. After her sister was killed by the English, Jeanne taught herself to fight. Her clarity of purpose and ability to excite people also meant that they were drawn to follow her into battle.
Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree by Tariq Ali
A historically grounded and still deeply contemporary novel, Tariq Ali presents the perspective of a family who made it through the fall of Granada. When Ferdinand and Isabella took over Muslim Iberia to unify Spain as Christian, they began by burning books. The Banu Hudayl family watches in fear as the oncoming conversion sweeps through their homeland.
Medieval Romance
One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny
Penn is not ready to marry, nor is he willing to stay under his father’s control after being submitted to an advantageous marriage to secure their house with another (classic Medieval lord behavior). When on the run in the woods, Penn meets Raff Barden. Raff is at Penn’s family’s castle to see his sister off in her marriage, but when her betrothed disappears, Raff heads home with the stranger, Penn, whom he met in the woods, but he’s unaware Penn is the runaway husband. Over their journey, the two fall in love as Penn gets a taste of freedom from his controlling father.
Fox of Fox Hall by R. Cooper
As the king’s consort, Fox has it made. But when he loses the king’s favor, he’s left scrambling for a place to stay during the King’s Tournament. Byr Connall the Dragonslayer takes Fox in. Even though Fox is a commoner, Connall is willing to demonstrate his love for him and defy their differences (noble and commoner). R. Cooper incorporates more magical elements, as well as omegaverse tropes.
Medieval Fantasy
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
In this version of history, all the myths and legends are real. The traditions of English fantasy storytelling are the background to an exploration of memory as Beatrice and Axl travel across the country. Though collective amnesia has kept the peace, people are eager to understand the small memories that make their way through the fog. It’s a meditative, classic, knight-like journey.
If you’re still feeling the itch of the medievalist bug, there are plenty of medieval historical fiction novels to add to your TBR. You can also dive into fiction about the Tudors and historical fantasy.
