Novels of the Late 13th, 14th and 15th Centuries in Europe:Including the Plantagenet Kings of England, the Hundred Years' War and Joan of Arc
Jump to: Edward I to the Wars of the Roses Edward I to the Wars of the Roses
King Edward I (popularly known as "Longshanks" because of his unusual height) ascended to the throne of England in 1272. He pursued aggressive military policies against Wales and Scotland, both of which were essentially under English control by the end of the thirteenth century. (See the Medieval Celts page for novels set in Wales and Scotland during his reign.) His son, Edward II succeeded him in 1307 and continued to make war against Scotland. Edward III began the Hundred Years' War with his claim to the French throne. His grandson Richard II (the son of Edward the Black Prince and Joan of Kent) was only 10 when his grandfather died, leaving him king. During his minority, John of Gaunt (would would father an ancestor of the Tudor kings with his mistress Katherine Swynford) served as regent. Henry IV and Henry V, renowned from Shakespeare's plays, would continue the war against France. Under Henry VI, England lost the Hundred Years' War. This weak and mentally unstable king set the stage for the Wars of the Roses.
Vanessa Alexander, The Love Knot (1999), a love story about Edward II's sister Joan of Acre and her second husband, Ralph de Monthermer. Prudence Andrew, The Hooded Falcon Prudence Andrew, A Sparkle from the Coal Margaret Campbell Barnes, Isabel the Fair Maggie Bennett, Strangers and Pilgrims (2010), about a young lawyer who becomes a Franciscan friar after his wife dies in 1340, a decision called into question when he meets the attractive daughter of an impoverished knight. Vanora Bennett, The Queen's Lover (2009), about Catherine de Valois, the widow of King Henry V and future grandmother of Henry VII, and her love for the Welsh commoner Owen Tudor. Pamela Bennetts, She-Wolf D.J. Birmingham, The Queen's Tale (2007), historical fantasy about a centuries-old brooch in which the soul of an Irish queen is imprisoned, and the fourteenth century leaders of England and Scotland who wish to possess it; self-published. Brief critique Emma Campion, The King's Mistress (2009), a sympathetic novel about Alice Perrers, the widely disliked mistress of King Edward III. Review David Charles, The Switch Will Davenport, The Sinner's Tale (2005; also titled The Perfect Sinner), about a British woman who returns to her home village after her political career is derailed, where she discovers the tale of a fifteenth century knight and slips back in time to meet her ancestors. Paul Doherty, Isabella and the Strange Death of Edward II (2003), about Queen Isabella, the wife of Edward II, and the provocations that led her to usurp her husband's throne. Daphne du Maurier, The House on the Strand (1969), about time-travel to fourteenth century Cornwall. Michael Eardley, Letter from Poitou (2004), about Eve de Clavering and her life as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Isabella at the courts of Edward II and Edward III; self-published. Jean Evans, Brittle Glory (1977), a sympathetic novel about Queen Isabella, the wife of Edward II. Eleanor Fairburn, The Green Popinjays Edith Felber, Queen of Shadows Ken Follett, World Without End (2007), a sequel to Pillars of the Earth which can be read as a stand-alone novel; set in fourteenth century England. Review Denise Giardina, Good King Harry (1984), a novel about King Henry V written in the form of an autobiography. Blythe Gifford, The Harlot's Daughter (2007), historical romance about a daughter of Edward III and his notorious mistress Alice Perrers. William Golding, The Spire (1964), about a fourteenth-century dean of Salisbury Cathedral who becomes obsessed with adding a tall spire to the cathedral despite warnings that the building is not strong enough to support it. Alice Walworth Graham, The Vows of the Peacock Karen Harper, The First Princess of Wales (2006), the romantic fourteenth century story of Joan of Kent and Edward the Black Prince.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, The Dark Rose (1981), about a great-grandson of the couple who marry in The Founding, the enmity between his two sons, one legitimate and one not, and his niece who becomes a maid-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn; #2 in the Morland Dynasty series. Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, The Princeling (1981; also titled The Distant Wood), about a Catholic family and the challenges they face as England becomes a Protestant country; #3 in the Morland Dynasty series. Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, The Oak Apple (1982), about two brothers, one of whom fights in the Royalist army under Prince Rupert, while the other marries a Puritan; #4 in the Morland Dynasty series. Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, The Black Pearl (1982), about a family's attempt to regain its wealth and position after the devastation of the English Civil War as the Commonwealth period comes to an end; #5 in the Morland Dynasty series. Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, The Long Shadow (1983), about the changing fortunes of an English family when Charles II dies and the accession of James II, a Catholic, reawakens religious conflicts; #6 in the Morland Dynasty series. Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, The Chevalier (1984), about a woman who follows James II into exile, leaving her grandson, who makes an unwise marriage, in charge of the family estate; #7 in the Morland Dynasty series. Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, The Maiden (1985), about a man who marries to safeguard the family estate, and his intelligent daughter, who struggles to preserve it in spite of her dissolute husband; #8 in the Morland Dynasty series. Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, The Flood Tide (1986), about three branches of a family, one restoring their fortunes under George III, another involved in the brewing American Revolution, and a third living in France as tensions rise that will lead to another revolution; #9 in the Morland Dynasty series. Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, The Tangled Thread (1987), about an English family's illegitimate scion living in France, where he tries desperately to protect himself and his daughter from the guillotine amid the French Revolution; #10 in the Morland Dynasty series. See the Napoleonic page for #11-14.
Susan Higginbotham, The Traitor's Wife: A Novel of the Reign of Edward II (2005), about Eleanor de Clare, a niece of Edward II and wife of the notorious Hugh le Despenser, charged with treason when Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer depose the king. Review Susan Higginbotham, Hugh and Bess: A Love Story (2007), about Eleanor de Clare's son Hugh and his wife Bess, reluctant partners in an arranged marriage in the time of King Edward III; sequel to The Traitor's Wife. See Review or Interview with Susan Higginbotham Brenda Honeyman, The Queen and Mortimer (1974), a sympathetic novel about Edward II, his queen Isabella, and her lover Roger Mortimer; followed by a prequel, The King's Minions. Brenda Honeyman, The King's Minions (1974), about the love affair between Edward II and Piers Gaveston; prequel to The Queen and Mortimer. Chris Hunt, Gaveston Rosemary Hawley Jarman, Crown in Candlelight (1978), about Katherine of Valois, the ancestress of the Tudor kings. Dedwydd Jones, The Lily and the Dragon Annelise Kamada, A Love So Bold Annelise Kamada, A Banner Red and Gold Janet Kilbourne, Where Nobles Tread Jane Lane, A Secret Chronicle Janet Lane, Tabor's Trinket Janet Lane, Emerald Silk (2008), historical romance about a half-Gypsy woman raised by nobility and the Gypsy tribal king she marries in fifteenth century England; #2 in the Coin Forest series. Jennifer Lang, The Crowning City Hilda Lewis, I, Jacqueline (1957; reissued 2008), about Jacqueline of Hainault, a fifteenth century Flemish noblewoman whose marriages plunged her into the midst of the power politics of her time. Hilda Lewis, Harlot Queen (1970), about Isabella of France, the wife of King Edward II.
Norah Lofts, The House at Old Vine Norah Lofts, The House at Sunset Norah Lofts, The Maude Reed Tale Norah Lofts, Knight's Acre Norah Lofts, The Homecoming Norah Lofts, The Lonely Furrow
A.M. Maughan, Harry of Monmouth Ralph Milton, Julian's Cell: The Earthy Story of Julian of Norwich (2002), about the fourteenth century anchorite and mystic Julian of Norwich (an anchorite is a nun walled into a small cell attached to a church for the rest of her life). Robert Nye, Falstaff (2001), a bawdy novel of medieval England narrated by the Shakespearean character Falstaff. Edith Pargeter, A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury (1972; also titled The Bloody Field in the U.S.), about Henry IV, the friendship between his son Hal and Harry Percy (known as Hotspur), and the disputes leading up to the 1403 Battle of Shrewsbury near the Welsh border. John Colin Penford, The Gascon Maureen Peters, Isabella, the She-Wolf Maureen Peters, My Philippa (1984), about Queen Philippa, the wife of Edward III; out of print and not readily available. Jean Plaidy, The Queen from Provence (1979), about Eleanor of Provence, the wife of King Henry III of England; #6 in the Plantagenet series. Jean Plaidy, Edward Longshanks Jean Plaidy, The Follies of the King (1980), about Edward II, his favorites Piers Gaveston and Hugh Despenser, and his wife Isabella; #8 in the Plantagenet series. Jean Plaidy, The Vow on the Heron Jean Plaidy, The Passage to Pontefract Jean Plaidy, The Star of Lancaster Jean Plaidy, Epitaph for Three Women Brandy Purdy, The Confession of Piers Gaveston (2007), about the love affair between King Edward II and Piers Gaveston; self-published. Charles Reade, The Cloister and the Hearth (1861), a tragic love story about the parents of Erasmus, Margaret and Gerard Brandt, who were separated when Gerard, traveling in Europe, was falsely informed his wife Margaret was dead. Margaret Redfern, Flint (2009), about two Welsh brothers, one a mute with skills that seem uncanny to the English, forced into service as ditch-diggers during the building of King Edward I's castle at Flint. Review Mildred Gladys Richings, Men Loved Darkness: A Romance of Chivalry (1935), a novel based on the theory that Edward II survived his overthrow and lived into the reign of his son; out of print and not readily available. Judith Merkle Riley, A Vision of Light (1988), about a woman in fourteenth century England; #1 in the Margaret of Ashbury series. Judith Merkle Riley, In Pursuit of the Green Lion (1990), about a woman in fourteenth century England; #2 in the Margaret of Ashbury series. Judith Merkle Riley, The Water Devil (1992), about a woman in fourteenth century England; #3 in the Margaret of Ashbury series. Martha Rofheart, Fortune Made His Sword (1972; titled Cry "God for Harry" in the U.K.), about King Henry V. Anya Seton, Katherine (1954), about Katherine Swynford, the mistress of John of Gaunt and ancestress of the Plantagenet kings of England. Review Eve Trevaskis, The Lord of Misrule Eve Trevaskis, King's Wake (1977), a novel based on the theory that Edward II survived his overthrow and lived into the reign of his son; out of print and not readily available. Brenda Rickman Vantrease, The Illuminator (2005), about a woman in fourteenth century England during the time of John Wycliff and the controversy over his English translation of the Bible. Brenda Rickman Vantrease, The Mercy Seller (2007), about a fifteenth century priest uncomfortable with his role as a seller of indulgences and a young Lollard woman trained as a copyist whose lives intersect in France; sequel to The Illuminator. Philippa Wiat, Queen-Gold Penelope Wilcock, The Hawk and the Dove (2000), about the stories a woman tells her teenaged daughter about a fourteenth century relative who was a Benedictine abbot; Christian message; a trilogy published in a single volume. Jay Williams, The Good Yeoman Sandra Wilson, Alice (1976), about a woman who becomes the mistress of Piers Gaveston. Mysteries: 14th-15th Century England
Some exceptionally prolific mystery novelists have set series in fourteenth century England. Series mysteries by Paul Doherty (who has also used the pen names P.C. Doherty and Paul Harding, among others), Margaret Frazer, Susanna Gregory, Michael Jecks, Jay Margrave, Pat McIntosh, Candace Robb, Mel Starr, and Jeri Westerson appear in this section, as well as stand-alone mysteries by Sheri Holman and Barry Unsworth. Click on the author's name above to jump to that author's books.
P.C. Doherty, The Crown in Darkness P.C. Doherty, Spy in Chancery P.C. Doherty, Angel of Death P.C. Doherty, Prince of Darkness (1992), about a clerk for King Edward I who solves mysteries; set in the late thirteenth century; #5 in the Hugh Corbett mystery series. P.C. Doherty, Murder Wears a Cowl P.C. Doherty, The Assassin in the Greenwood P.C. Doherty, The Song of a Dark Angel (1994), about a clerk for King Edward I who solves mysteries; set in the late thirteenth century; #8 in the Hugh Corbett mystery series. P.C. Doherty, Satan's Fire P.C. Doherty, The Devil's Hunt P.C. Doherty, The Demon Archer (1999), about a clerk for King Edward I who solves mysteries; set in the late thirteenth century; #11 in the Hugh Corbett mystery series. P.C. Doherty, The Treason of the Ghosts P.C. Doherty, Corpse Candle P.C. Doherty, The Magician's Death P.C. Doherty, The Waxman Murders P.C. Doherty, Nightshade Paul Doherty, The Mysterium (2010), about a clerk for King Edward I in 1304 who must investigate the murder of a man in sanctuary by a serial killer; #17 in the Hugh Corbett mystery series. Paul Doherty (under the pen name of Paul Harding), The Nightingale Gallery (1991), a friar in fourteenth century London solves mysteries; #1 in the Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan series. Paul Doherty (under the pen name of Paul Harding), The House of the Red Slayer (1992), a friar in fourteenth century London solves mysteries; #2 in the Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan series. Paul Doherty (under the pen name of Paul Harding), Murder Most Holy Paul Doherty (under the pen name of Paul Harding), The Anger of God Paul Doherty (under the pen name of Paul Harding), By Murder's Bright Light Paul Doherty (under the pen name of Paul Harding), The House of Crows Paul Doherty (under the pen name of Paul Harding), The Assassin's Riddle Paul Doherty, The Devil's Domain Paul Doherty, The Field of Blood Paul Doherty, The House of Shadows P.C. (Paul) Doherty, An Ancient Evil (1993), Chaucer's medieval pilgrims from the Canterbury Tales tell murder mystery stories; #1 in the Canterbury Tales of Mystery and Murder series. P.C. (Paul) Doherty, A Tapestry of Murders P.C. (Paul) Doherty, A Tournament of Murders Paul Doherty, Ghostly Murders Paul Doherty, The Hangman's Hymn Paul Doherty, A Haunt of Murder Paul Doherty, The Cup of Ghosts (2005), about a lady in the service of Queen Isabella of England who tries to find out who murdered a knight during King Edward II's coronation; #1 in the Mathilde of Westminster series. Paul Doherty, The Poison Maiden (2007), about a lady in the service of Queen Isabella of England who tries to discover the identity of a dangerous spy for King Philip of France in King Edward II's English court; #2 in the Mathilde of Westminster series. Paul Doherty, The Darkening Glass (2009), about a lady in the service of Queen Isabella of England who must find a murderer as threats to Edward II's rule arise from Scotland as well as within England in 1312; #3 in the Mathilde of Westminster series. P.C. Doherty, The Whyte Harte P.C. Doherty, The Serpent Amongst the Lilies (1990), about Joan of Arc and the mysteries surrounding her from the English perspective; #2 in the Matthew Jankyn mystery series. P.C. Doherty, The Death of a King
Margaret Frazer, The Servant's Tale (1993), a Benedictine nun in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #2 in the Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, The Outlaw's Tale Margaret Frazer, The Bishop's Tale Margaret Frazer, The Boy's Tale (1995), a Benedictine nun in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #5 in the Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, The Murderer's Tale (1996), a Benedictine nun in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #6 in the Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, The Prioress' Tale (1997), a Benedictine nun in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #7 in the Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, The Maiden's Tale Margaret Frazer, The Reeve's Tale Margaret Frazer, The Squire's Tale Margaret Frazer, The Clerk's Tale Margaret Frazer, The Bastard's Tale (2003), a Benedictine nun in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #12 in the Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, The Hunter's Tale (2004), a Benedictine nun in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #13 in the Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, The Widow's Tale (2005), a Benedictine nun in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #14 in the Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, The Sempster's Tale (2006), a Benedictine nun in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #15 in the Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, The Traitor's Tale (2007), a Benedictine nun in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #16 in the Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, A Play of Isaac (2004), a traveling player in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #1 in the Joliffe Player Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, A Play of Dux Moraud (2005), a traveling player in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #2 in the Joliffe Player Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, A Play of Knaves (2006), a traveling player in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #3 in the Joliffe Player Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, A Play of Lords (2007), a traveling player in fifteenth-century England solves mysteries; #4 in the Joliffe Player Mysteries series. Margaret Frazer, A Play of Treachery (2009), a traveling player in fifteenth-century England encounters murder when he goes to France to train as a spy in the household of a widowed duchess; #5 in the Joliffe Players mystery series.
Susanna Gregory, An Unholy Alliance (1996), a physician in 1350 Cambridge who is struggling to train new physicians after the plague has decimated the population, when the murder of a friar plunges him into an investigation of a mysterious sect who may be seeking to overthrow the established religion; #2 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, A Bone of Contention (1997), a physician in 1392 Cambridge investigates the connections between a discovery of old bones and the death of a college student; #3 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, A Deadly Brew (1998), a physician in fourteenth-century Cambridge investigates murder amid increasing tensions between the college, Church and town; #4 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, A Wicked Deed (1999), a physician in fourteenth-century Cambridge investigates the death of a scholarly priest when they travel to Suffolk; #5 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, A Masterly Murder (2000), a physician in fourteenth-century Cambridge investigates the death of an unpopular new Master of the fledgling university; #6 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, An Order for Death (2001), a physician in fourteenth-century Cambridge investigates murder amid a theological controversy; #7 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, A Summer of Discontent (2002), a physician in fourteenth-century Cambridge investigates a series of murders when he travels to Ely to visit its library; #8 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, A Killer in Winter (2003), a physician in fourteenth-century Cambridge investigates the murder of the husband of the woman he once loved; #9 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, The Hand of Justice (2004), a physician in fourteenth-century Cambridge investigates two deaths after the return of a pair of pardoned but unrepentent murderers; #10 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, The Mark of a Murderer (2005), a fourteenth century physician investigates murders in Cambridge following a riot in Oxford; #11 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, The Tarnished Chalice (2006), a physician from fourteenth-century Cambridge investigates a murder in Lincoln that may be connected to a relic with a bloody past; #12 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, To Kill or Cure (2007), a physician in fourteenth-century Cambridge finds himself in danger when a rival physician arrives in town with a practice involving magic; #13 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, The Devil's Disciples (2008), a physician in fourteenth-century Cambridge investigates murders that appear to be the work of a mysterious sorcerer; #14 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series. Susanna Gregory, A Vein of Deceit (2009), a physician in fourteenth-century Cambridge investigates a web of financial fraud; #15 in the Chronicles of Matthew Bartholomew series.
Michael Jecks, The Merchant's Partner (1995), two noblemen in fourteenth-century Devon investigate the murder of a midwife and healer suspected of being a witch; #2 in the Knights Templar mystery series. Michael Jecks, A Moorland Hanging (1996), two noblemen in fourteenth-century Devon investigate the death of a serf; #3 in the Knights Templar mystery series. Michael Jecks, The Crediton Killings (1997), two noblemen in fourteenth-century Devon investigate the murders that follow the arrival of a band of mercenaries; #4 in the Knights Templar mystery series. Michael Jecks, The Abbot's Gibbet (1998), two noblemen in fourteenth-century Devon investigate a murder during the Tavistock Fair; #5 in the Knights Templar mystery series. Michael Jecks, The Leper's Return (1998), two noblemen in fourteenth-century Devon investigate the murder of a goldsmith; #6 in the Knights Templar mystery series. Michael Jecks, Squire Throwleigh's Heir Michael Jecks, Belladonna at Belstone Michael Jecks, The Traitor of St. Giles Michael Jecks, The Boy-Bishop's Glovemaker Michael Jecks, The Tournament of Blood Michael Jecks, The Sticklepath Strangler Michael Jecks, The Devil's Acolyte Michael Jecks, The Mad Monk of Gidleigh Michael Jecks, The Templar's Penance Michael Jecks, The Outlaws of Ennor Michael Jecks, The Tolls of Death Michael Jecks, The Chapel of Bones Michael Jecks, The Butcher of St. Peter's (2005), two noblemen try to find and stop a serial killer in Exeter; #19 in the Knights Templar mystery series. Michael Jecks, A Friar's Bloodfeud (2006), two noblemen investigate a family's murder; #20 in the Knights Templar mystery series. Michael Jecks, The Death Ship of Dartmouth (2006), two noblemen investigate a pirate attack that may be more sinister than it seems; #21 in the Knights Templar mystery series. Michael Jecks, The Malice of Unnatural Death (2007), two noblemen in service to King Edward II investigate the killing of a royal messenger; #22 in the Knights Templar mystery series. Michael Jecks, Dispensation of Death (2007), two noblemen in service to King Edward II are assigned to find out who murdered a lady-in-waiting and a man whose body was found behind the throne; #23 in the Knights Templar mystery series. Michael Jecks, The Templar, the Queen and Her Lover (2008), two noblemen in fourteenth-century Devon investigate murders; #24 in the Knights Templar mystery series. Michael Jecks, The Prophecy of Death (2008), two noblemen in service to King Edward II return from France in 1325 to find themselves in the midst of deadly court intrigues; #25 in the Knights Templar mystery series. Michael Jecks, The King of Thieves (2008), about two former Templar Knights who travel to France with Prince Edward and must root out a conspiracy of murder that threatens the future of England; #26 in the Knights Templar series. Michael Jecks, No Law in the Land (2009), about two former Templar Knights who return to their native Devon after being dismissed from the service of Edward II and discover it is being plagued by outlaws; #27 in the Knights Templar series. Michael Jecks, The Bishop Must Die (2009), about two former Templar Knights who must find out who is threatening the life of the Treasurer of England as a French invasion looms; #28 in the Knights Templar series. Michael Jecks, The Oath (2010), about two former Templar Knights who must investigate a killing spree which begins with the murder of an entire family in 1326 as conflict between King Edward II and Queen Isabella tears the country apart; #29 in the Knights Templar series.
Jay Margrave, Luther's Ambassadors (2008), about a servant and mentor to Anne Boleyn who assists her in pursuing her goal of reforming the Catholic Church by becoming Henry VIII's queen; #2 in the Priedeux mystery series.
Pat McIntosh, The Nicholas Feast (2005), about a young Scottish lawyer who returns to his old university for a feast celebration and finds a corpse in the coalhouse; #2 in the Gil Cunningham mystery series. Pat McIntosh, The Merchant's Mark (2006), about a young Scottish lawyer whose merchant friend discovers a severed head instead of the shipment of books he was expecting; #3 in the Gil Cunningham mystery series. Pat McIntosh, St. Mungo's Robin (2006), about a Scottish lawyer who investigates a murder in an almshouse; #4 in the Gil Cunningham mystery series. Pat McIntosh, The Rough Collier (2008), about a young lawyer accused of murdering a man by witchcraft; #5 in the Gil Cunningham mystery series. Pat McIntosh, The Stolen Voice (2009), about a lawyer sent to a remote part of Scotland to investigate the case of a man said to have been stolen away by the fairies as a child and only recently returned; #6 in the Gil Cunningham mystery series. Pat McIntosh, A Pig of Cold Poison (2010), about a Scottish archbishop's questioner who must investigate a case of murder by poisoning during an All Hallow's Eve mummer's play in 15th century Glasgow; #7 in the Gil Cunningham mystery series.
Candace Robb, The Lady Chapel (1994), about a one-eyed former archer in 1363 York who is plunged into danger when he investigates a series of killings that begin after the Corpus Christi celebrations; #2 in the Owen Archer mystery series. Candace Robb, The Nun's Tale (1995), in 1365, aided by his pregnant wife, a former archer investigates a nun's claim to be a resurrected fever victim; #3 in the Owen Archer mystery series. Candace Robb, The King's Bishop (1996), a former archer's diplomatic mission in 1367 to powerful abbots on behalf of King Edward III is disrupted by murder; #4 in the Owen Archer mystery series. Candace Robb, The Riddle of St. Leonard's (1997), amid a 1369 plague epidemic, a former archer investigates a series of suspicious deaths at the hospital in York; #5 in the Owen Archer mystery series. Candace Robb, A Gift of Sanctuary (1998), in 1370, amid fears of a French invasion, a former archer accompanies Geoffrey Chaucer on a covert mission to Wales, where their mission is complicated by a series of murders; #6 in the Owen Archer mystery series. Candace Robb, A Spy for the Redeemer (2002), in 1370, a former archer's attempt to return from Wales is complicated by a case of murder, the outbreak of war, and his conflicted feelings about his Welsh homeland; #7 in the Owen Archer mystery series. Candace Robb, The Cross-Legged Knight (2002), in 1371, a former archer investigates the death of a midwife in a fire that may have been deliberately set; #8 in the Owen Archer mystery series. Candace Robb, The Guilt of Innocents (2007), in 1372 York, a former archer investigates the drowning death of a man who turned out to have been poisoned; #9 in the Owen Archer mystery series. Candace Robb, A Vigil of Spies (2008), as an archbishop lies dying in 1373, a former archer must find out who murdered a royal servant and made off with a set of important documents; #10 in the Owen Archer mystery series. Candace Robb, A Trust Betrayed (2000), in the late thirteenth century, the wife of a man who has been missing for a year sets out for Edinburgh, Scotland, to find out what has happened to him, after the body of his murdered factor is brought home from there; #1 in the Margaret Kerr mystery series. Candace Robb, The Fire in the Flint (2003), in 1297, when a woman's long-missing husband returns to her, she begins to suspect he is using her as cover for a dangerous mission involving their divided allegiances to Scotland and England; #2 in the Margaret Kerr mystery series. Candace Robb, A Cruel Courtship (2004), on the eve of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, a woman takes on a difficult mission for a relation of the deposed Scottish king, and then suspects he may be involved in her husband's murder; #3 in the Margaret Kerr mystery series.
Mel Starr, A Corpse at St. Andrew's Chapel (2009), about a young surgeon in Oxford; #2 in the Hugh de Singleton Surgeon Chronicles series. Mel Starr, A Trail of Ink
Jeri Westerson, Veil of Lies (2008), about a knight disgraced for plotting against Richard II who, after being hired to learn what a London merchant's wife is up to, discovers his client's dead body when he goes to make his report; #1 in the Medieval Noir mystery series. Jeri Westerson, Serpent in the Thorns (2009), about a former knight who must clear himself of a murder charge when a French courier's dead body is found in a tavern girl's room; #2 in the Medieval Noir mystery series. Review or Author Interview The Hundred Years' War
In the late 1330s, Edward III claimed the French throne, beginning the Hundred Years' War between England and France. His son (known as Edward the Black Prince because of the black ground on his coat of arms) led the English troops in many of the early campaigns of this war. In 1415, Henry V of England won the Battle of Agincourt, largely because of the skills of his Welsh and English longbowmen. In 1429, the tides of fortune turned to favor the French, largely due to the nationalistic fervor and more aggressive campaign tactics inspired by Joan of Arc. Joan of Arc was a French teenager who, believing herself to be guided by divine visions, took a leadership role in the French military efforts to recapture territory conquered by the English. Though she was captured and burned at the stake as a heretic in 1431, the English never regained their previous momentum in the war, and the French finally defeated them in 1453.For an article about Joan of Arc with a list of nonfiction books and novels about her, see Green World/Stone World: The Two Worlds of Joan of Arc.
Ann Benson, Thief of Souls (2002), about two strangely linked crime waves, one in modern Los Angeles, the other in medieval France involving Gilles de Rais. Bernard Cornwell, Harlequin (2000; titled The Archer's Tale in the U.S.), about an Englishman from Dorset who becomes a soldier and fights in France during the Hundred Years War; #1 in the Grail Quest series. Bernard Cornwell, Vagabond (2002), about an English soldier during the Hundred Years War who returns to England following a hint that the Holy Grail may actually exist, and becomes involved in a war with the Scots; #2 in the Grail Quest series. Bernard Cornwell, Azincourt (2008; titled Agincourt in the U.S.), about an archer in the army of King Henry V of England during the campaign that led to the victory at Agincourt (spelled Azincourt by the French). Review Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The White Company (1891), about English soldiers fighting in France during the Hundred Years War. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir Nigel (1906), about English soldiers fighting in France during the Hundred Years War; a prequel to The White Company. Deryn Lake, The King's Women (2006), about Charles VII of France, the king helped to his throne by Joan of Arc. Rosemary Hawley Jarman, St. Crispin's Day: The Glory of Agincourt (1979), about the young King Henry V and his campaign against the French that led to his victory at Agincourt in 1415. Thomas Keneally, Blood Red, Sister Rose (1974), a gritty novel about Joan of Arc from the time she began hearing voices until her capture by the Burgundians. Rosanne Lortz, I Serve: A Novel of the Black Prince (2009), about Sir John Potenhale, a knight in the service of Edward, the Black Prince, during the Hundred Years' War; self-published. Robert Nye, The Life and Death of My Lord Gilles de Rais (1990), about the murderer of young boys who fought alongside Joan of Arc. Maureen Peters, Joan of the Lilies Lawrence Schoonover, The Burnished Blade Mark Twain, Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de Conte (1895; also published under the title Joan of Arc), a novel about Joan of Arc narrated by her page. The Black Plague
From the mid-fourteenth century, on, Europe was stricken by a series of terrifying visitations from the Black Plague, which decimated the population. The epidemic began in the port cities carried, we now know, by rats harboring fleas whose bites spread the disease, which was later spread further by contact between infected people. Some, believing the plague to a punishment sent by God, adopted extreme penitent practices or began persecuting Jews. Others shed moral inhibitions and lived for the moment. The decline in population made workers scarce, so that serfs began to demand freedom and free workers better wages and working conditions.
Ann Benson, The Burning Road (1999), about the plague in medieval France and a medical researcher in a near future time of runaway genetic engineering; #2 in the Plague Tales series. Ann Benson, The Physician's Tale (2006), about a medical researcher in the near future and a medieval physician; #3 in the Plague Tales series. Linnea Heinrichs, The First Vial (2006), about a fourteenth century noblewoman struggling to keep her castle and land during a plague epidemic. Karen Maitland, Company of Liars: A Novel of the Plague (2008), about a group of fourteenth century travelers trying to escape the plague and the truth about themselves. Review Connie Willis, Doomsday Book (1992), a novel about a woman of the future who time-travels to plague-stricken England in the fourteenth century. The English Peasants' Rebellion
As the Hundred Years' War dragged on, English monarchs levied higher taxes on poor workers in order to finance it, creating hardships for workers whose lives were already difficult. With the population reduced by plague, workers came to realize their labor was in higher demand, and they began to protest the harsh and degrading conditions under which they lived. In June 1381, after Parliament passed a law requiring wages to be reduced to the old rates, Wat Tyler led a group of rebels in a march on London. Their success in negotiating concessions was only temporary.
Philip Lindsay, The Golden Cage Elizabeth Lord, Company of Rebels (2006), about a fourteenth century blacksmith who leads a group of villagers to London to protest the oppressive poll tax and, ultimately, to join the English Peasants' Rebellion. Philippa Wiat, The Hammer and the Sword Simone Zelitch, The Confession of Jack Straw Scotland
King Edward I of England pursued numerous military campaigns against both Wales and Scotland, both of which were essentially under English control by the end of the thirteenth century. The Scottish knight William Wallace led an unsuccessful uprising against England and was captured and executed as a traitor by the English in 1305. Robert the Bruce, crowned King of Scotland in 1306, continued to fight against England and finally won a decisive military victory at Bannockburn in 1314. Edward I's ambitious grandson Edward III renewed the wars against Scotland as well as pursuing a claim to the throne of France which began the Hundred Years' War.
Allan Massie, The Hanging Tree (1990), about a fifteenth century Scottish border family. Elisabeth McNeill, Flodden Field (2008), about James IV of Scotland and the Battle of Flodden Field. Reay Tannahill, The World, the Flesh and the Devil (1985), set in fifteenth century Scotland during the reign of King James I of Scotland.
Nigel Tranter, The Steps to the Empty Throne (1969), about Robert the Bruce, who became King of the Scots in 1306; #1 in the Bruce trilogy. Nigel Tranter, The Path of the Hero King (1970), about Robert the Bruce, who became King of the Scots in 1306; #2 in the Bruce trilogy. Nigel Tranter, The Price of the King's Peace (1971), about Robert the Bruce, who became King of the Scots in 1306; #3 in the Bruce trilogy. Nigel Tranter, Flowers of Chivalry Nigel Tranter, Courting Favour (2000), about John of Moray, who served as a diplomat for King David of Scots in the fourteenth century and negotiated a peace treaty with England's John of Gaunt. Nigel Tranter, Lords of Misrule (1976), about the turbulent rise of the Stewart family, who were descended from the daughter of Robert the Bruce; #1 in the Stewart trilogy. Nigel Tranter, A Folly of Princes (1977), about the turbulent rise of the Stewart family, who were descended from the daughter of Robert the Bruce; #2 in the Stewart trilogy. Nigel Tranter, The Captive Crown (1977), about the turbulent rise of the Stewart family, who were descended from the daughter of Robert the Bruce; #3 in the Stewart trilogy. Nigel Tranter, The End of the Line (2000), about the unlikely fifteenth century friendship between the Scottish Earl of Dunbar and King Henry IV of England. Nigel Tranter, Lion Let Loose Nigel Tranter, The Lion's Whelp Nigel Tranter, Black Douglas
Laura Vosika, Blue Bells of Scotland The Continent, 14th-15th Centuries
This section includes novels set in France, Germany, Flanders and the Low Countries, Italy, Spain, Hungary and Eastern Europe, and even a fictional island in the Mediterranean Sea. Jump to Mysteries Click on the title for more information from Powell's Books or another online source.
Michael Augustyn, Vlad Dracula: The Dragon Prince (1995), a biographical novel about Vlad Dracula, a fifteenth century prince of Wallachia (once part of Hungary, now in Romania); self-published. Lisa T. Bergren, The Begotten (2006), a fantasy thriller set in 1339 Italy about a lost letter of St. Paul and a group of Christians with unusual spiritual gifts who come together, according to the prediction in the letter, to fight Satan's power during the Inquisition; #1 in the Gifted trilogy. Lisa T. Bergren, The Betrayed (2007), a fantasy thriller set in fourteenth century Italy about a lost letter of St. Paul and a group of Christians with unusual spiritual gifts who come together, according to the prediction in the letter, to fight Satan's power during the Inquisition; #2 in the Gifted trilogy. Lisa T. Bergren, The Blessed (2008), a fantasy thriller set in fourteenth century Italy about a lost letter of St. Paul and a group of Christians with unusual spiritual gifts who come together, according to the prediction in the letter, to fight Satan's power during the Inquisition; #3 in the Gifted trilogy. David Blixt, Master of Verona (2007), about Dante’s 17-year-old son and the Italian city of Verona in 1314, around the time of Romeo and Juliet. Review Tracy Chevalier, The Lady and the Unicorn (2004), a novel set in medieval France that imagines how the fifteenth century "Lady and the Unicorn" tapestries were created. Hendrik Conscience, The Lion of Flanders (1838), a romantic nineteenth century novel about Robert of Bethune, who ruled Flanders during the early fourteenth century and later became a symbol of Flemish nationalism. Thomas B. Costain, The Moneyman (1947), set in fifteenth century France. Michael Crichton, Timeline (1999), about a group of historians who travel back in time to the year 1357 in France. Andrew Davidson, The Gargoyle (2008), about a modern man severely injured in a car wreck who is visited in the hospital by a mysterious woman claiming to have healed him before when she was a nun in fourteenth century Germany. Review Grant de Graf, Cavalier's Call (2010), about a Portuguese prince on the eve of the Age of Discovery; self-published, available in ebook format only.
Maurice Druon, The Strangled Queen Maurice Druon, The Poisoned Crown Maurice Druon, The Royal Succession Maurice Druon, The She-Wolf of France Maurice Druon, The Lily and the Lion Maurice Druon, When a King Loses France (1977), about the early years of the Hundred Years' War, which were disastrous for France; #7 and final in the Accursed Kings series.
Ildefonso Falcones, Cathedral of the Sea (English translation 2008), about a Spanish serf and the rise in his fortunes during the building of the Church of Santa Maria in fourteenth century Barcelona. Lion Feuchtwanger, The Ugly Duchess Hella S. Haasse, In a Dark Wood Wandering (1949; English translation 1989), about the fifteenth century French King Charles VI. Hermann Hesse, Narcissus and Goldmund (1930), a literary novel about a novice monk and an artist who become friends in medieval Germany. Cecelia Holland, Rakossy Cecelia Holland, The Lords of Vaumartin (1988), about an orphaned nobleman in fourteenth century Paris. C.C. Humphreys, Vlad: The Last Confession Jeanne Kalogridis, The Burning Times (2001), about a clairvoyant midwife caught up in the Inquisition in fourteenth century France. Mitchell Kaplan, By Fire, By Water (2010), about Luis de Santángel, a Jewish convert to Christianity who served as finance minister to Spain's King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella as the power of the Inquisition grew. Review Geraldine McCaughrean, Vainglory Joyce Elson Moore, Jeanne of Clairmonde (2009), historical romance about a French heiress forced to depend on the squire sent by the king to evict her from her estate at the beginning of the Hundred Years War. Irene Reti, Kabbalah of Stone (2009), about the spirit of an Old Testament prophetess and a young man from a converso family in 1491 Spain, on the eve of the expulsion of the Jews. Review Melodie Romeo, Vlad: A Novel (2002), a biographical novel about Vlad the Impaler, a fifteenth century prince of Wallachia (once part of Hungary, now Romania); self-published. Rafael Sabatini, Bellarion the Fortunate Alan Savage, Queen of the Night Lawrence Schoonover, The Spider King (1954), about the late medieval French king Louis XI, who was born during the Hundred Years War when his father Charles was still the uncrowned Dauphin. Henryk Sienkiewicz, The Knights of the Cross (1900; also titled The Teutonic Knights), a tragic story about a young Polish knight, his lady-love and the Battle of Grunwald (or Tannenberg) in 1410, in which the Poles and Lithuanians defeated the Teutonic Knights. Barry Unsworth, Stone Virgin (1985), a literary novel set in Venice during the eighteenth and fourteenth centuries. Jill Paton Walsh, Knowledge of Angels (1994), about a young woman raised by wolves, a prince who is an atheist and an agent of the Inquisition who meet on a fictional Mediterranean island. Florian Stone Wells, The Sword and the Shield of the Realm (2008), about a boy who inherits a mysterious legacy as fifteenth century Hungary is threatened with invasion by the Ottoman Turks; includes a comprehensive glossary; #1 in a planned 7-book series. Florian Stone Wells, Field of the Blackbirds (2008), about about the 1389 Battle of Kosovo; #2 in a planned 7-book series. Jess Wells, The Mandrake Broom (2007), about a woman herbalist who works with Paracelsus to save the old medical knowledge and blend it with the new medical learning as the witch persecutions of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries endanger herbalists. Mysteries Set in the Continent, 14th-15th CenturiesClick on the title for more information from Powell's Books or another online source.
Ann Dukthas, A Time for the Death of a King (1994), a time-traveling French Jesuit scholar investigates the murder of Lord Darnley, the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1567 Edinburgh; #1 in the Nicholas Segalla mystery series; Ann Dukthas is a pen name of P.C. (Paul) Doherty. Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose (Italian edition 1980, English translation 1983), a literary murder mystery set in a monastery in fourteenth century Italy during the time of the Inquisition. David Hillier, Fire and Shadow Catherine Jinks, The Inquisitor Catherine Jinks, The Notary Catherine Jinks, The Secret Familiar (2006), a stand-alone mystery novel about a former inquisitor's spy in fourteenth century France who must return to his old work to investigate what happened to another spy for the Inquisition; not readily available outside Australasia. Giulio Leoni, The Mosaic Crimes (titled The Third Heaven Conspiracy Giulio Leoni, The Kingdom of Light (2009), a mystery featuring Dante doing some sleuthing on the side as he writes The Divine Comedy, when a galley with a dead crew lands in Florence with a damaged mechanical object on board. James Patterson and Andrew Gross, The Jester (2003), about a man who returns from the Crusades to find his young son killed, his wife kidnapped, and his French village in ruins.
Caroline Roe, Cure for a Charlatan Caroline Roe, Antidote for Avarice (1999), a blind Jewish physician who accompanies a bishop to a religious council turns sleuth to find out why so many messengers from the pope are dying; #3 in the Isaac of Girona series. Caroline Roe, Solace for a Sinner Caroline Roe, Potion for a Widow Caroline Roe, A Draught for a Dead Man (2002), a blind Jewish physician travels to Catalonia for a wedding and finds himself in the midst of a risky plot to hide an escaped Christian convict in a Jewish ghetto where it's illegal for him to reside; #6 in the Isaac of Girona series. Caroline Roe, A Poultice for a Healer (2003), a blind Jewish physician in medieval Spain investigates the poisoning death of a messenger who brings alarming news; #7 in the Isaac of Girona series. Caroline Roe, Consolation for an Exile (2004), a blind Jewish physician in medieval Spain investigates a perplexing case of poisoning; #8 in the Isaac of Girona series.
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(1960), about the deformed younger son of an English lord on the Welsh border in the years after Owen Glendower's rebellion.
(2002), a novel based on the author's theory that Edward III was not Edward II's son.
(2006), a sympathetic novel about Queen Isabella, the wife of Edward II.
(1992), a sympathetic novel narrated by Edward II about his love affair with Piers Gaveston.
(1977), about Edward II's daughter Joan, Queen of Scotland, and her efforts to understand the events of her father's reign.
(1959), a family saga which begins with a serf born in 1381 who wins his freedom and builds a house in a town in Suffolk, England; #1 in the Suffolk Trilogy.
(1961), a family saga about the descendants of a serf who won his freedom and built a house in Suffolk, England; #2 in the Suffolk Trilogy.
(1962), a family saga about the descendants of a serf who won his freedom and built a house in Suffolk, England; #3 in the Suffolk Trilogy.
(1972), about a girl in fifteenth-century England who would like to become a wool merchant like her father, but must learn to be a lady instead.
(1975), about the wife of a knight who must cope with a plague epidemic, among other hardships, while her husband is away; #1 in the Sir Godfrey Tallboys trilogy.
(1975), a family saga about the wife of a knight whose husband returns from the Crusades with the young woman who rescued him from slavery and is now pregnant with his child, and their children's generation; #2 in the Sir Godfrey Tallboys trilogy.
(1976), about a knight's son in fifteenth-century England who has rejected the life of the aristocracy to become a simple farmer; #3 in the Sir Godfrey Tallboys trilogy - can be read as a stand-alone novel.
(1985), a novel narrated by Queen Isabella, the wife of Edward II.
(1956), a novel about Robin Hood set during the reign of Edward II.
(1986), about a clerk for King Edward I who solves mysteries; set in the late thirteenth century; #1 in the Hugh Corbett mystery series.
(2007), about a medieval hitman tormented by his conscience after John of Gaunt sends him on a mission to kill the author of Gawain and the Green Knight, believed to contain seditious material against King Richard II; #1 in the Priedeux mystery series.
(2010), about a young surgeon in Oxford in 1363 who must investigate a case of murder after human bones are discovered on a nobleman's estate; #3 in the Hugh de Singleton Surgeon Chronicles series.
(2009), about a modern man and a man of the fourteenth century who find themselves switching times, with the modern man sent back to Scotland shortly before the Battle of Bannockburn as the medieval Scot is sent to the 21st century; #1 in a planned trilogy; self-published.
(1955; also titled The Ardent Infidels), about a French nobleman in the time of King Philippe IV (1285-1314) who believes his aunt has cheated him of his inheritance; #1 in the Accursed Kings series.
(1991), about an aristocratic French family's obsession with wealth and castle-building through five generations beginning in 1429. 
(1993), about Queen Joanna of Naples.