Books set in Middle Ages

Hi, I would like to read some good books set in the Middle Ages. I like books with romance, but that isn't necessary...I read a lot of war/action books, too.

I'm trying to think of books I've read from this era, and this is all I've come up with:
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet
Castles in the Air by I-don't-know-who

Pathetic, aren't I? Help me out!

A couple that come to mind are Bernard Cornwell's Grail Quest and Saxon series. Part of Crichton's Timeline is also set around this period.

Below is a link to a page that has several suggestions which you may be interested in

Novels Set in the Middle Ages

"The Walking Drum", a book by Louis L'Amour is one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I takes place in the 12th Century.

A description from Amazon.com:

Here is an historic adventure of extraordinary power waiting to sweep you away to exotic lands as one of the most popular writers of our time conquers new storytelling worlds. Louis L'Amour has been best known for his ability to capture the spirit and drama of the authentic American West. Now he guides his readers to an even more distant frontier -- the enthralling lands of the 12th century.

At the center of The Walking Drum is Kerbouchard, one of L'Amour's greatest heroes. Warrior, lover, scholar, Kerbouchard is a daring seeker of knowledge and fortune bound on a journey of enormous challenge, danger and revenge. Across the Europe, the Russian steppes and through the Byzantine wonder of Constantinople, gateway to Asia, Kerbouchard is thrust into the heart of the treacheries, passions, violence and dazzling wonders of a magnificent time. From castle to slave gallery, from sword-racked battlefields to a princess's secret chamber, and ultimately, to the impregnable fortress of the Valley of Assassins, The Walking Drum is a powerful adventure of an ancient world you will find every bit as riveting as Louis L'Amour's stories of the American West.

Jennifer Roberson, who also writes a lot of fantasy, has three books that you might be interested in: Lady of the Forest, Lady of the Glen, and Lady of Sherwood. It has been maybe 5 years or more since I've picked them up, so I don't remember if they are all sequential w/ the same characters or not, and if all of them are a retelling-of-sorts of the Robin Hood-Maid Marian (mostly Maid Marian though) tale...I know Lady of Sherwood is, not sure about the others. But I remember liking them for their medieval, historical flair while not quite qualifying as fantasy (since there is no real "magic" or anything featured). They are good reads, all.

D

Not sure if these qualify as "Middle Ages" precisely, but:
Mary Stewart's Merlin and King Arthur books are exceptional.
The Hollow Hills and The Crystal Cave are 2.

I would like to know of some good Middle Ages books to read too.

Although the only one that I own that might be of interest is Brian Boru: Emperor of the Irish by Morgan Llywelyn. I read it several years ago and liked it.

Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse.

You won't regret reading it. Well worth your time.

Libre said:

Not sure if these qualify as "Middle Ages" precisely, but:
Mary Stewart's Merlin and King Arthur books are exceptional.
The Hollow Hills and The Crystal Cave are 2.

Click to expand...

The Last Enchantment and then the last one The Wicked Day round out that series. Although the first three were some of my favorite books, I did not care for the last as much, mostly because Merlin was such a minor character in it.
But they are marvelously written.