Fiction Book Recommendations

[angel42052]

Pls. let me know if you recommend any Historical Fiction assoc. with the Medieval age.

[Horde]

Bernard Cornwell.

[SnuggleBunnies]

The Accursed Kings series by Maurice Druon
The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson

[GryfoCezar]

Classic from 1900 - The Knights of the Cross

[MVP7]

Jan Guillou's Crusades trilogy was pretty good. The story takes place in 12th century Scandinavia and Levant.

[rbodleyscott]

George Shipway:

The Paladin
The Wolf Time
Knight in Anarchy

[Doyley50]

I too would recommend Jan Guillou's books which include battles fought in the Holy Land and in Sweden. There is also a Swedish film based on the series, "The Knights Templar" which is very good.

[stockwellpete]

Anything by Sharon Penman.

[SimonLancaster]

I really enjoyed The Name of the Rose by Eco. Easy to read whodunnit series, Cadfael Chronicles, by Peters set in time of King Stephen and Empress Maud.

[Gaznak]

Something a little different: The High Crusade by Poul Anderson is a short, fun pulpy novel about 14th century Englishman who slaughter an alien scoutship's crew and go on to embroil themselves in an intergalactic war. I thought it was surprisingly well written given the premise.

[drewgalander]

Alfred Duggan:
Knight with Armour (1950). The First Crusade, from the viewpoint of a rather ordinary knight.
Lady for Ransom (1953). Norman mercenaries from the West serving the Byzantine Empire in the 11th century
Lord Geoffrey's Fancy (1962). Life in one of the short-lived Crusader kingdoms in Greece, told by an ordinary knight, cousin to the eponymous Geoffrey of Briel
Count Bohemond (1964). Another account of the First Crusade, this time from the viewpoint of Bohemond of Antioch, one of its leaders

[Benedict151]

George Shipway:

The Paladin
The Wolf Time
Knight in Anarchy

+1

[rbodleyscott]

George Shipway:

The Paladin
The Wolf Time
Knight in Anarchy

+1

Sadly "Knight in Anarchy" seems to be out of print, but you might be able to get it from the library. The other two are on kindle.

[w_michael]

I am a big fan of the late prolific historic novelist Nigel Tranter and have enjoyed many of his Scottish themed novels. Tranter never disappoints. Here are the titles within the time period of FOG2M as it is so far:

*Margaret the Queen 1069–1093 The story of Saint Margaret of Scotland and her husband, Malcolm III (Canmore).
David the Prince 1100–1153 The story of Queen Margaret's sons Alexander I and David I.
*Lord of the Isles 1135–1164 Somerled
Tapestry of the Boar 1160–1166 Focusses on Hugh de Swinton and his relationship with Malcolm IV
Sword of State 1214–1249 Follows Patrick II, Earl of Dunbar in his dealings with Alexander II.
Envoy Extraordinary 1249–1286 Continues the tale of the Cospatricks, by following the life of Patrick III, Earl of Dunbar and Alexander III.
Crusader 1248–1264 Alexander III and David de Lindsay
True Thomas 1265–1292 Based on Thomas the Rhymer, it follows the life of Alexander III, and the turmoil of the kingdom following his death.
The Isleman 1306-29 The central character is Angus Og of Islay.
*The Wallace 1296–1305 The central character is William Wallace.
*The Steps to the Empty Throne 1296–1306 This book follows the life of Robert, Earl of Carrick as he begins to understand his destiny. It begins with John Balliol humiliated and stripped of his crown by Edward I of England. A shocked witness, Robert Bruce has to consider his own loyalties. As Scotland suffers an English invasion and occupation, Bruce begins his struggle to establish a new order in Scotland. He both collaborates, and clashes with his contemporary William Wallace; he forms alliances and friendships with, amongst others, James Douglas and William de Lamberton, and becomes a deadly rival of John Comyn. Bruce and Comyn's argument in Greyfriars Church, which resulted in Comyn's death, occasions Bruce's hasty crowning as King of Scotland. The story ends with his loss at the Battle of Methven, and escape. By telling the story from Bruce's point of view, Tranter shows clearly how Scotland's turbulent politics and Bruce's own mixed loyalties informed his actions, providing credible motives for his apparent "switching sides" (as he had supported Edward I at one time) and his murder of Comyn.
*The Path of the Hero King 1306–1314 Takes the Bruce story up to and including the Battle of Bannockburn.
*The Price of the King's Peace 1314–1329 Takes the story to Bruce's death, it covers the Bruce Campaign in Ireland in more detail than some accounts.

* Own and read.

[TheGrayMouser]

Christian Cameron's Longsword series ( set mid late 1300's) is really good. Fiction but real personages are featured as charactors ( including Fiore dei Liberi , one of the earliest known authors of a "fighting manual")

[angel42052]

All of these look excellent!!!! Lots and lots of books to read -- joy, joy!!!!

[julianbarker]

Alfred Duggan:
Knight with Armour (1950). The First Crusade, from the viewpoint of a rather ordinary knight.
Lady for Ransom (1953). Norman mercenaries from the West serving the Byzantine Empire in the 11th century
Lord Geoffrey's Fancy (1962). Life in one of the short-lived Crusader kingdoms in Greece, told by an ordinary knight, cousin to the eponymous Geoffrey of Briel
Count Bohemond (1964). Another account of the First Crusade, this time from the viewpoint of Bohemond of Antioch, one of its leaders

Also by Duggan in this time frame -

Leopards and Lilies - King John and war with the Barons
Cunning of the Dove - Edward the confessor and the House of Godwin

There is a thread in the FoG2 folder about his books on that period, mainly Successors, Rome and Saxons.

[Triarii]

Quite a lot to choose from.

My tuppence worth:

Another vote for George Shipway and Alfred Duggan

Sharon Penmen yes.
For this period especially
"When Christ and His Saints Slept"
"Here Be Dragons"
"The Reckoning"

A George Shipway similar - James Aitcheson's series
"Sworn Sword"
"Knights of the Hawk"
"The Splintered Kingdom"
Also
"The Harrowing"

Jack Ludlow's series on the twelve sons of Tancred de Hautville carving out the Norman Kingdoms in Italy and Sicily
"Mercenaries"
"Warriors"
"Conquest"

[vaalen]

I recommend " The Sword Brothers", by Peter Darman.

This is the first of a trilogy covering the Sword Brothers during the early Baltic crusades.

I have read hundreds of military themed historical novels, yet none have come close to the detailed description of training, battles, tactics, logistics, description of weapons, armor, mounts, and their use.

All of these are described in detail, not only for the Sword Brothers, but for their various enemies and allies. There are many battles, and marches to battles. Each battle description lists the type and numbers of troops for each side. For example, the number of sword brother knights, crossbowmen, spearmen, are given for each battle, with a similar description of the troop types and numbers of each of their enemies.

The use of each troop type is detailed in each battle, and the battles are well described and completely believable, in contrast to so many other books. Troops at a disadvantage will retreat rather than fight to the death, if there is a retreat, and leaders of all sides will withdraw if they can to save their men to fight another day.

Each side has battle plans, and it is very easy to follow and understand the course of a battle.

The book really brings out the technical superiority oft he Sword Brothers, who used crossbows, armored knights, and stone fortresses to overcome thier inferiority in numbers.

After the first coupe of chapters, which set the background of the main character, the book is about war, training, marches, logistics, strategy, tactics, motivation of troops, planning campaigns, the difficulties of campaigning in the Baltic, the politics of the various tribes and nations, and is always fascinating.

I will buy the other two books in the series as soon as I finish this one.

It is available at Amazon, on kindle, and I got my copy for ninety nine cents.

[Doyley50]

Actually "The Sword Btothers" by Peter Darman is the first of six novels (rather than a trilogy) of the Baltic Crusades and the Sword Brothers. I have read the first three and like Vaalen, can recommend them. I would also very highly recommend "Lionheart" by Ben Kane who is well known for his excellent novels set in the Roman period. As the title suggests, this novel is set in the time of Richard 1, well researched and written, and definitely a page turner.