Going medieval for 2026

[Buttalapasta]

I feel like I have a medieval-shaped hole in my literary and historical knowledge and would love to do something about that in 2026. I am going to read The Canterbury Tales but I'm also looking for books about medieval history, novels set during the period etc. Nothing too highbrow but I would love any suggestions!

CS Sansome's Shardlake books are wonderful- you absolutely feel everything, including the brooding fear and tension of the times as well as the very best descriptions of normal folk's lives. Revelation (concerning the fall of the great monastic houses and churches) and Heart Stone which has a very poignant story line are my favourites.

I love this book!!

So glad Kristin Lavrandatter inspired you to read more set in this period. I loved the books and have been raving about them on the 50 bookers thread for the last three years which may haveinspired the readalong.

Someone above has suggested Dorothy Dunnett, last summer I read King Hereafter which has some Norwegian history as well as Scottish history so an interesting comparison. It's based on the lives of the real Macbeth and Earl Thorfinn the Mighty so early 11th century.

I've started reading Winter Pilgrims after this thread. Apparently Hilary Mantel was a fan too!

You’ve got a treat in store!

Such fantastic suggestions, I have read many of these including Kristin!

Another entreaty for ‘Here be dragons’ by Sharon Penman. Wonderful

Medieval Woman by Ann Baer is extraordinary. A beautifully told story about a family in a medieval village.

I think Here Be Dragons is my all time favourite book.

Just finished and came back to tell you, omg I loved it! ❤️
Blimey though, what a roller coaster. It really moves along too (which is a plus).
Just downloaded the second one!!!
Sad about Walter and the gang though.

I know, right?! But honestly, it gets even better. With proper twists and everything. So glad you loved it.

Sarum by Edward Rutherford is excellent and covers quite a chunk in the mediaeval period. I second Ken Follett too.

also the Cadfael books.

The Town House and the Knight’s Acre trilogy by Norah Lofts.

Cynthia Harnett’s medieval books even though they are for children: The Wool Pack, Ring Out Bow Bells, The Writing On The Hearth and The Load of Unicorn

Norah was great! I read both of those, Knights Acre was really funny.

I hate to state the obvious, but the Shardlake books are Tudor, not mediaeval!

Judith Merkle Riley, starting with A Vision of Light - not anything like as well known as it deserves to be. 3 books about a medieval woman called Margaret who wanted her story to be told and hired a clerk (very opinionated) to write it

The Corner that Held Them, Sylvia Townsend Warner. It's about the lives of women in a convent, and it is brilliant.

The Decameron was the inspiration for the Canterbury Tales. It is also short stories, so quite a light read.

Down the common by Ann Baer, it’s short, but a brilliant read about a year in the life of a medieval woman. I read it at least twice a year.

Agree, myself and OH read these before a trip to Aquitaine this year and enjoyed them immensely. Well written and researched. OH not normally a historical fiction fan either!

I just got this!

Just took it out of the library- thanks for the recommendation. Going to order Winter Pilgrims next.

I know she isn't particularly well regarded as a writer but I read all of Jean Plaidy's novels as a kid and they are historically very accurate and make the history very vivid and accessible.

I love The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis

Ivanhoe

I read Winter Pilgrims after this thread and loved it!

Edith Pargeter’s (Ellis Peters’ real name) The Brothers of Gwynedd quartet.

Doeothy Dunnett’s House of Niccolo series.