queer medieval historical fiction

One common theme is the struggle for acceptance. In a medieval - like society which often had strict social norms, queer characters had to fight for their place. For example, in many stories, they might face opposition from the church or the ruling class.

One great example is 'A Taste of Gold and Iron' by Alexandra Rowland. It has queer characters within a medieval - inspired setting, with political intrigue and a slow - burn romance.

Well, there's the theme of secrecy. In historical contexts, being queer was often not accepted, so many stories deal with the need to keep one's true self hidden. And then there's the theme of resistance. Some historical queer fictions show characters who resisted the norms and fought for their rights, even in small ways. Take the story of some queer individuals in the 1920s jazz age, they might have defied the traditional gender and sexual norms in the underground clubs.

One way is to do in - depth research on the period. Look into historical records, chronicles, and accounts of the time. For example, if writing about medieval warfare, study the types of weapons used, battle formations, and military strategies. Another is to study the social structure. Know about the different classes, their roles, and how they interacted. For instance, how the nobility, clergy, and commoners related to each other.

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.

One notable work is 'Maurice' by E. M. Forster. It was set in a historical context and explored queer themes. Another is 'The Color Purple' which, while also dealing with race and other important issues, has elements of queer relationships within a historical African - American setting. 'Orlando' by Virginia Woolf is also significant, with its exploration of gender fluidity over different historical periods.

A really good one is 'Orlando' by Virginia Woolf. This novel follows the life of Orlando, who changes gender over time. It was written in 1928 and gives a unique perspective on gender and sexuality throughout different historical periods. 'Giovanni's Room' by James Baldwin is also excellent. It's set in Paris in the 1950s and deals with themes of love, identity, and homosexuality.

They are related in several ways. Firstly, historical fiction often uses medieval history as its backdrop. Writers draw from real events, people, and settings of the medieval period to create their fictional stories. For example, many novels about knights and castles are set in medieval times. Secondly, historical fiction can help make medieval history more accessible to the general public. It can bring to life the complex political, social, and cultural aspects of the era in a more engaging way than a dry historical account might. Finally, historical research into medieval history can inspire new ideas and plots for historical fiction writers.

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.

'Adam of the Road' is a great piece of medieval historical fiction. It vividly portrays the life of Adam during that era. The story gives insights into the social structure, with Adam being a minstrel's son. We see his adventures on the road, which show the different aspects of medieval life like traveling conditions, inns, and the interaction between different classes.