Discover new books on Goodreads
Meet your next favorite book
Sign in with Facebook
Best Middle Ages Books
The best books that are about, set in, or written in the Middle Ages time period. (The 5th century to the 15th century)
Score
A book’s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
| 301 |
|
Tombland (Matthew Shardlake, #7)
by
4.40 avg rating — 15,779 ratings
score: 276,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 302 |
|
La flor de lis y el león (Los reyes malditos, #6)
by
4.22 avg rating — 6,918 ratings
score: 273,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 303 |
|
The Lady in Medieval England 1000-1500
by
3.78 avg rating — 50 ratings
score: 272,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 303 |
|
Satan in St Mary's (Hugh Corbett, #1)
by
3.94 avg rating — 2,384 ratings
score: 272,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 305 |
|
The Pillow Book
by
4.01 avg rating — 9,691 ratings
score: 271,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 306 |
|
Death Comes As Epiphany (Catherine LeVendeur, #1)
by
Sharan Newman (Goodreads Author)
3.91 avg rating — 2,041 ratings
score: 270,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 307 |
|
A History of the Crusades, Volume 1: The First Crusade and the Foundations of the Kingdom of Jerusalem
by
4.29 avg rating — 1,868 ratings
score: 269,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 308 |
|
The Last Jew
by
4.16 avg rating — 10,503 ratings
score: 268,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 309 |
|
The Other Queen (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #16)
by
Philippa Gregory (Goodreads Author)
3.70 avg rating — 49,190 ratings
score: 261,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 309 |
|
The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death, the Most Devastating Plague of All Time
by
John Kelly (Goodreads Author)
3.88 avg rating — 11,306 ratings
score: 261,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 309 |
|
The Greenlanders
by
Jane Smiley (Goodreads Author)
3.93 avg rating — 3,044 ratings
score: 261,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 309 |
|
Everyman
by
3.30 avg rating — 5,790 ratings
score: 261,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 313 |
|
Poema de Mío Cid
by
3.45 avg rating — 15,453 ratings
score: 260,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 314 |
|
The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France
by
3.97 avg rating — 6,887 ratings
score: 258,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 314 |
|
The Last Enchantment (Arthurian Saga, #3)
by
4.18 avg rating — 16,570 ratings
score: 258,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 316 |
|
Sinful Folk
by
Ned Hayes (Goodreads Author)
3.90 avg rating — 550 ratings
score: 257,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 317 |
|
The Wars of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors
by
Dan Jones (Goodreads Author)
4.26 avg rating — 14,492 ratings
score: 256,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 318 |
|
L'Œuvre au noir
by
4.02 avg rating — 6,007 ratings
score: 255,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 319 |
|
The Conquest of Jerusalem and the Third Crusade
by
3.94 avg rating — 50 ratings
score: 254,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 320 |
|
The Crown: A Tale of Sir Gawein and King Arthur's Court
by
3.88 avg rating — 42 ratings
score: 252,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 321 |
|
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village
by
3.67 avg rating — 8,755 ratings
score: 251,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 321 |
|
The White Raven (Oathsworn, #3)
by
4.12 avg rating — 1,133 ratings
score: 251,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 323 |
|
The Falcons of Montabard
by
Elizabeth Chadwick (Goodreads Author)
4.13 avg rating — 1,700 ratings
score: 249,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 324 |
|
The Wolf Sea (Oathsworn, #2)
by
4.04 avg rating — 1,429 ratings
score: 245,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 324 |
|
The Saga of the Jomsvikings
by
4.04 avg rating — 226 ratings
score: 245,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 326 |
|
The Beginnings of Western Science: The European Scientific Tradition in Philosophical, Religious, and Institutional Context, 600 B.C. to A.D. 1450
by
4.09 avg rating — 727 ratings
score: 242,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 326 |
|
The Norman Pretender (Norman Quartet, #2)
by
4.10 avg rating — 60 ratings
score: 242,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 328 |
|
The Saga of King Heidrek the Wise
by
Christopher Tolkien (Editor)
4.30 avg rating — 80 ratings
score: 240,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 329 |
|
Gildenford (Norman Quartet, #1)
by
4.14 avg rating — 114 ratings
score: 238,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 330 |
|
A Single Shard
by
3.95 avg rating — 42,177 ratings
score: 237,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 331 |
|
The Story of My Misfortunes
by
3.61 avg rating — 597 ratings
score: 236,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 331 |
|
Queen of the Conqueror: The Life of Matilda, Wife of William I
by
3.90 avg rating — 1,671 ratings
score: 236,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 333 |
|
Medieval Women: A Social History of Women in England 450-1500
by
3.85 avg rating — 662 ratings
score: 235,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 334 |
|
To Be Queen: A Novel of the Early Life of Eleanor of Aquitaine (An Eleanor of Aquitaine Novel)
by
Christy English (Goodreads Author)
3.89 avg rating — 1,124 ratings
score: 234,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 335 |
|
The Heirs of the Kingdom
by
4.13 avg rating — 86 ratings
score: 230,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 335 |
|
Adam of the Road
by
3.77 avg rating — 10,077 ratings
score: 230,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 337 |
|
The New Penguin Atlas of Medieval History
by
4.20 avg rating — 430 ratings
score: 227,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 337 |
|
Blood & Beauty (The Borgias #1)
by
3.70 avg rating — 11,565 ratings
score: 227,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 339 |
|
Elizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her World
by
3.82 avg rating — 5,084 ratings
score: 226,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 340 |
|
A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain
by
4.16 avg rating — 4,977 ratings
score: 222,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 340 |
|
The Winter's Tale
by
3.71 avg rating — 35,843 ratings
score: 222,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 342 |
|
The Wake
by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3,503 ratings
score: 221,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 343 |
|
Henry VI (Parts I, II and III) (Signet Classics)
by
3.81 avg rating — 808 ratings
score: 219,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 343 |
|
A Mortal Bane (Magdalene La Batarde, #1)
by
3.87 avg rating — 1,228 ratings
score: 219,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 345 |
|
Idylls of the King
by
3.97 avg rating — 10,369 ratings
score: 218,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 346 |
|
London
by
Edward Rutherfurd (Goodreads Author)
4.09 avg rating — 33,795 ratings
score: 217,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 347 |
|
Women in the Viking Age
by
3.92 avg rating — 229 ratings
score: 216,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 348 |
|
The Myth of the Andalusian Paradise: Muslims, Christians, and Jews under Islamic Rule in Medieval Spain
by
3.80 avg rating — 695 ratings
score: 212,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 348 |
|
Queens of the Conquest (England's Medieval Queens, #1)
by
3.83 avg rating — 2,955 ratings
score: 212,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 350 |
|
The Selected Writings of Christine de Pizan
by
3.30 avg rating — 194 ratings
score: 211,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 351 |
|
Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Francis of Assisi
by
4.15 avg rating — 369 ratings
score: 210,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 352 |
|
Orkneyinga Saga: The History of the Earls of Orkney
by
Joseph Anderson (Editor)
3.92 avg rating — 724 ratings
score: 209,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 353 |
|
High History of the Holy Grail
by
Sebastian Evans (Translator)
4.02 avg rating — 103 ratings
score: 208,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 353 |
|
Mistress of the Monarchy: The Life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster
by
3.86 avg rating — 5,744 ratings
score: 208,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 355 |
|
Blind Harry's Wallace
by
3.66 avg rating — 65 ratings
score: 207,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 355 |
|
Genghis Khan
by
3.77 avg rating — 635 ratings
score: 207,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 357 |
|
The Revolt of the Eaglets (Plantagenet Saga, #2)
by
3.95 avg rating — 1,058 ratings
score: 202,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 358 |
|
Daughter of York
by
Anne Easter Smith (Goodreads Author)
3.92 avg rating — 4,156 ratings
score: 201,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 359 |
|
Defender of the Realm (Defender of England, #1)
by
Corey Holst (Goodreads Author)
3.97 avg rating — 67 ratings
score: 200,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 359 |
|
Soul Journaling - Lessons from the Past
by
Karen Valiquette (Goodreads Author)
4.24 avg rating — 33 ratings
score: 200,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 359 |
|
Eterlimus
by
3.51 avg rating — 76 ratings
score: 200,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 359 |
|
Joan (Forgotten Women of History, #1)
by
Anne R. Bailey (Goodreads Author)
3.96 avg rating — 769 ratings
score: 200,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 359 |
|
The Broken Realm (The Saga of Roland Inness #3)
by
Wayne Grant (Goodreads Author)
4.51 avg rating — 1,621 ratings
score: 200,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 359 |
|
L'Urlo del Destino (Una Cronaca Medievale, #3)
by
Gianni Perticaroli (Goodreads Author)
4.67 avg rating — 6 ratings
score: 200,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 359 |
|
The Shadow of the Cross: Imprisonment
by
Dmitry Yakhovsky (Goodreads Author)
4.29 avg rating — 7 ratings
score: 200,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 359 |
|
The Silver Horn Echoes: A Song of Roland
by
Michael Eging (Goodreads Author)
4.46 avg rating — 65 ratings
score: 200,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 359 |
|
Aldaraia
by
Clinchandhill (Goodreads Author)
4.60 avg rating — 58 ratings
score: 200,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 359 |
|
Notes of Oisin: From an Irish Monk to a Skaldic Poet
by
Tamuna Tsertsvadze (Goodreads Author)
4.68 avg rating — 25 ratings
score: 200,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 359 |
|
Battle Song (de Norton trilogy, #1)
by
4.37 avg rating — 247 ratings
score: 200,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 370 |
|
Le Grand Cœur
by
4.09 avg rating — 1,039 ratings
score: 199,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 370 |
|
River of Ink
by
Paul M.M. Cooper (Goodreads Author)
3.75 avg rating — 598 ratings
score: 199,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 370 |
|
King Arthur's Death: Morte Arthure and Le Morte Arthur
by
3.89 avg rating — 75 ratings
score: 199,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 370 |
|
Sacrifice (The Evensong Enchantments #1)
by
Helyn Dunn (Goodreads Author)
4.27 avg rating — 60 ratings
score: 199,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 374 |
|
The Shield of Three Lions (Alix of Wanthwaite, #1)
by
3.81 avg rating — 1,092 ratings
score: 198,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 374 |
|
Defender of the North (Defender of England, #2)
by
Corey Holst (Goodreads Author)
4.31 avg rating — 29 ratings
score: 198,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 374 |
|
The Gallows Curse
by
Karen Maitland (Goodreads Author)
3.80 avg rating — 2,474 ratings
score: 198,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 374 |
|
Dragon's Blood & Willow Bark: The Mysteries of Medieval Medicine
by
Toni Mount (Goodreads Author)
4.18 avg rating — 159 ratings
score: 198,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 374 |
|
Barbarian (Forgotten Legends of the Germanic Peoples Book 1)
by
Tamuna Tsertsvadze (Goodreads Author)
4.75 avg rating — 28 ratings
score: 198,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 379 |
|
Eric Brighteyes
by
3.83 avg rating — 653 ratings
score: 197,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 379 |
|
Warbow (The Saga of Roland Inness #2)
by
Wayne Grant (Goodreads Author)
4.41 avg rating — 1,700 ratings
score: 197,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 379 |
|
"Strong of Body, Brave and Noble": Chivalry and Society in Medieval France
by
3.82 avg rating — 102 ratings
score: 197,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 382 |
|
The Goldsmith's Wife
by
3.88 avg rating — 643 ratings
score: 196,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 383 |
|
Come Rack! Come Rope!
by
4.44 avg rating — 651 ratings
score: 194,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 383 |
|
The Knife Man: Blood, Body Snatching, and the Birth of Modern Surgery
by
4.07 avg rating — 4,170 ratings
score: 194,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 383 |
|
The Ransomed Crown (The Saga of Roland Inness #4)
by
Wayne Grant (Goodreads Author)
4.52 avg rating — 1,423 ratings
score: 194,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 386 |
|
Knight In Medieval England 1000-1400
by
3.80 avg rating — 49 ratings
score: 193,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 386 |
|
The Fourth Part of the World: The Race to the Ends of the Earth, and the Epic Story of the Map That Gave America Its Name
by
Toby Lester (Goodreads Author)
4.07 avg rating — 1,364 ratings
score: 193,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 386 |
|
Tamburlaine
by
3.62 avg rating — 2,874 ratings
score: 193,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 386 |
|
Those Terrible Middle Ages!: Debunking the Myths
by
3.97 avg rating — 537 ratings
score: 193,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 386 |
|
The Burning Chambers (The Joubert Family Chronicles, #1)
by
3.98 avg rating — 14,462 ratings
score: 193,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 391 |
|
The Nightingale Gallery (Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan, #1)
by
Paul Harding (Pseudonym)
3.99 avg rating — 2,872 ratings
score: 192,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 391 |
|
A Prince of Wales
by
Wayne Grant (Goodreads Author)
4.53 avg rating — 1,190 ratings
score: 192,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 393 |
|
The Children of Odin: The Book of Northern Myths
by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3,862 ratings
score: 191,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 394 |
|
The Sempster's Tale (Sister Frevisse, #15)
by
3.99 avg rating — 944 ratings
score: 190,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 394 |
|
The Sea Road
by
3.85 avg rating — 615 ratings
score: 190,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 394 |
|
Declan O'Duinne
by
Wayne Grant (Goodreads Author)
4.55 avg rating — 893 ratings
score: 190,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 397 |
|
Jacoba, dochter van Holland
by
3.67 avg rating — 1,800 ratings
score: 189,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 397 |
|
Niccolò Rising (The House of Niccolò, #1)
by
4.28 avg rating — 4,617 ratings
score: 189,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 399 |
|
Growing Up in the Middle Ages
by
3.39 avg rating — 31 ratings
score: 188,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
| 399 |
|
The King's Grey Mare
by
3.83 avg rating — 385 ratings
score: 188,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
1,220 books ·
1,680 voters ·
list created July 16th, 2008
by Steven Harbin (votes) .
Steven
4280 books
2495 friends
2495 friends
Laura
13040 books
316 friends
316 friends
Dave
799 books
62 friends
62 friends
Gina
2 books
0 friends
0 friends
Roberta
1548 books
154 friends
154 friends
Susanna - Censored by GoodReads
3384 books
853 friends
853 friends
Wealhtheow
4761 books
693 friends
693 friends
Karen
2648 books
114 friends
114 friends
More voters…
Comments Showing 1-19 of 19 (19 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Brett
(new)
Jul 02, 2009 01:57PM
If you are talking about middle ages historical fiction how come Bernard Cornwall is not one of the mentioned books/author??? He is definitely the champ of writing on this period!
reply
|
flag
The list is ABOUT the Middle Ages (i.e., secondary sources), not books FROM the middle-Ages (i.e., primary sources). Thus, the Mabinogion, Bede, Beowulf,Boccaccio, Chaucer, Marie de France, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight ought not to be on the list.
Brett,Which particular titles of Bernard Cornwell 's would you suggest? I've never read any of his works, but I've had friends suggest him.
Also, you know you can add books to the list and vote for them, right?
IW,I'm of a like mind, I only voted (initially) for secondary works and historical novels but I could see a case for including works from the MA as well...but you're correct than in that case the list title probably should be slightly changed...
brett, I couldn't agree more! I clicked on this list expecting to see loads of bernard cornwell! He is really an awesome writer. I really think his books define the genre.
Steve,
I would suggest Vagabond, The Archer's Tale, and Heretic. I believe these three books comprise The Grail Quest series?? They are so amazing! Well, I am being a bit partial with these suggestions; they are the only Cornwell I've read. I'm sure there are other great titles as well..
...o yea and IWB...you're a dipshit. This is a list ok, "books that are about, set in, or written in the Middle Ages," therefore the list should include books FROM the Middle Ages..moron..
It's easy enough to add books to the list - the form is over at the right-hand side of the page ("find/add books to list")
I loved the Grail Series by Cornwell. As well as Azincourt.
"The Marlowe Conspiracy" is set in 16th century - it's hardly middle ages.
Foucault's Pendulum seems like a stretch to me. The novel is set in the 20th century, and though the characters spend a lot of time discussing the Templars, the book is still not medieval.
"Agricola and the Germania" by Tacitus should be deleted as it was written in the 1st century CE, and "A Canticle for Leibowitz" is set in the future after a nuclear war, so again not really MA and should be deleted from the list.
Andrew wrote: "Foucault's Pendulum seems like a stretch to me. The novel is set in the 20th century, and though the characters spend a lot of time discussing the Templars, the book is still not medieval."
I agree insted the name of the rose should be right in the middle age
The term 'Middle Ages' is only used for a Western European phenomena, as far as I know. Yet there are books on this list which are not set in during the Middle Ages of Western Europe, like The Tale of Genji (#149), for instance. A great book, but I very much doubt whether it should be on this list? Same goes for The Pillow Book (#297).Andrew wrote: "Foucault's Pendulum seems like a stretch to me. The novel is set in the 20th century, and though the characters spend a lot of time discussing the Templars, the book is still not medieval."
I've read the book and agree, which is why I haven't voted for it.
Beatriz wrote: "I agree insted the name of the rose should be right in the middle age". The Name of the Rose (#484) is indeed set in the Middle Ages.
IWB wrote: "The list is ABOUT the Middle Ages (i.e., secondary sources), not books FROM the middle-Ages (i.e., primary sources).
Seems the description of the Listopia has been adapted since your comment, as it now also includes "written in the Middle Ages time period" (which is why I voted for some written during that period).
I removed A Canticle for Leibowitz. It is a post apocalyptic science fiction book. Its plot involves a time way in the future that includes monasteries similar to those from the actual Middle Ages. I can understand where some readers might think this book should be included because of this.
Ken Follett's Fall of Giants doesn't seem to fit this list. (#301 today)
#509, How to Beg for Cigarettes. It doesn't appear to fit this topic, but maybe I'm missing something here...
I'd say both should be removed from this list.
I don't think Wolf Hall (#109) should be here, and neither should Bring Up the Bodies (#173), its sequel, as they are not set in the Middle Ages (5th to 15th century). Nor should L'Œuvre au noir (#400) as it is set in the 16th century.Does The Last Battle (#597) count?
It is too long ago since I've read it but I seem to remember Foucault's Pendulum (#38) was set outside the Middle Ages as well. But like I said, it's too long ago to be sure (see also my earlier message).
The Return of Martin Guerre should not be on here, as it is Early Modern history.
Related News
Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day, according to early...
Anyone can add books to this list.
How to Vote
To vote on existing books from the list, beside each book there is a link vote for this book clicking it will add that book to your votes.
To vote on books not in the list or books you couldn't find in the list, you can click on the tab add books to this list and then choose from your books, or simply search.
