One great one is 'The Knight in Shining Armor' by Jude Deveraux. It has a great story of time travel and a strong romantic connection between the characters.
'The Wolf and the Dove' by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is a classic. It's set in medieval times and tells a story of a Saxon lady and a Norman lord. The story is filled with their love - hate relationship, political intrigue, and battles, all wrapped up in a romantic tale.
'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon is also a popular choice. It combines historical details of the Scottish Highlands with a passionate love story that spans different time periods. The characters are well - developed, and the plot is full of adventure, which makes it a great historical medieval romance novel.
Many of them focus on the social hierarchy. For example, in 'Ivanhoe', we see the clear divide between Saxons and Normans, and how it affects the characters' lives. The knights represent the upper class, and their code of chivalry is a big part of the story.
One great clean historical medieval fiction book is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, with rich historical details and engaging characters. Another is 'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott. It takes place during the time of the Crusades and is full of knights, battles, and courtly love. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also a good choice. It combines mystery and historical elements set in a medieval monastery.
I'd recommend 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. It has a great mix of history and romance.
A great one is 'The Once and Future King' by T.H. White. It retells the Arthurian legend in a way that also reflects on the medieval world. It has courtly love, jousting, and the complex relationships between knights and royalty.
One of the top must - read medieval historical fictions is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, with complex characters and a richly detailed setting. Another great one is 'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott. It takes place during the time of Richard the Lionheart and features knights, tournaments, and political intrigue. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also highly regarded. It combines a murder mystery with the atmosphere of a 14th - century Italian abbey.
One of the great ones is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts life in 12th - century England, from the building of a cathedral to the power struggles among the nobility and the common folk. Another is 'I, Claudius' which gives a fascinating look into the Roman Empire during a time that was still very much influenced by medieval - like power structures and values. And 'A Knight's Tale' is also a wonderful read, full of adventure and a great portrayal of knightly life in the Middle Ages.
A must - read in medieval times historical fiction is 'The Once and Future King'. It's a modern take on the Arthurian legend that delves deep into the ideals of leadership, justice, and the human condition in a medieval context. 'The Sunne in Splendour' is also essential for those interested in the Wars of the Roses period. It provides a detailed and sympathetic portrayal of Richard III, challenging some of the traditional views.
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.
One great historical medieval novel is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's set in a medieval monastery and is full of mystery, religious intrigue, and complex characters.
Well, 'Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth' is a must - mention. It tells the story of the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, showing the lives of the people involved, from the peasants to the nobles. Also, 'Giovanni's Room' by James Baldwin, though it has some modernist elements, is set against a medieval - like backdrop in parts and explores complex themes of love and identity.