Historical Novels: Medieval Celts
Medieval Ireland to the early 16th century and
Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and other Celtic areas to 1300
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Medieval Ireland
Medieval Scotland
Medieval Wales and Cornwall
Medieval Brittany and Celtic France
After Rome abandoned Britain, its Celtic population shifted westward as Saxons took over the east. Wales and Cornwall were independent well into medieval times. Scotland gradually lost its independence as its rulers intermarried with English royalty, acquiring estates for which they paid homage to England. Ireland remained independent until the twelfth century. After the Western Roman Empire fell, Celts from southwestern Britain migrated southward across the Channel, settling in "Lesser Britain." Today, it is known as Brittany, and its population is still largely Celtic. The many novels set in various parts of medieval Celtic Europe reflect the fascination of authors and readers with the Celts. Scottish novelist Nigel Tranter wrote prolifically about Scottish history. Carla Nayland's excellent article on Nigel Tranter's historical novels should help interested readers select a Tranter novel they will enjoy.
Medieval Ireland
Patrick, enslaved as a teenager by Irish raiders who captured him in Britain, later returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary. The Irish embraced Christianity during the fifth and sixth centuries, largely due to his efforts. Thomas Cahill, author of How the Irish Saved Civilization, credits Irish monks with protecting culture and learning during the early Middle Ages when Christians elsewhere thought books by classical Greek and Roman writers carried the taint of heresy.Norse Vikings raided Ireland during the eighth century and gained a foothold there in the ninth, founding Dublin. Normans came to Ireland during the twelfth century warfare between rival Irish kings, one whom hired Norman mercenaries. The success of the Normans alarmed King Henry II of England, who brought his army to Ireland to establish control over the Normans there. Afterward, English monarchs tried to assert claims to Ireland, with varying degrees of success, through the medieval period. Jump to Mysteries set in Medieval Ireland
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Melvyn Bragg, The Sword and the Miracle, (titled Credo in the U.K.), about St. Bega, a seventh century Irish woman who takes on the mission of spreading the Christian faith in Anglo-Saxon England, using the miraculous power of a piece of the true cross that she carries with her.
Cecelia Holland, The Kings in Winter , set in eleventh century Ireland, about the Battle of Clontarf. Stephen Lawhead, Byzantium, about a ninth century Irish monk who travels to Byzantium with the Book of Kells.
Morgan Llywelyn, Lion of Ireland, about Brian Boru, the tenth century Irish king. Morgan Llywelyn, Pride of Lions, about Brian Boru, the tenth century Irish king; a sequel to Lion of Ireland. R.A. MacAvoy, The Book of Kells, time-travel to tenth century Ireland. Juliet Marillier, Heart's Blood (2009), a romantic historical fantasy about a girl trained as a scribe who, to avoid marriage to a brute, flees to the shelter of a crippled chieftain whose land is under a curse. Geoffrey Moorhouse, Sun Dancing, a blend of historical fiction (the first half of the book) and nonfiction history (the second half) about life in the Irish monastery on the island of Skellig Michael. Robin Morgan, The Burning Time, about a fourteenth century pagan priestess in Ireland who fights back against the Inquisition; based on the true story of Alyce Kyteler. Diana Norman, Daughter of Lir, about a twelfth century Irish nun abandoned by the church after she is raped. Chet Raymo, In the Falcon's Claw: A Novel of the Year 1000 (1990), about an Irish-born monk, his beautiful lover, and the future Pope Sylvester II. Leticia Remauro, Patric's Saga: The Story of Ireland's High King, Brian Boru and His Mystical Wife, Kormlada, about Brian Boru's quest to become high king of Ireland in the tenth century; self-published.
Mysteries set in Medieval Ireland
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Cora Harrison, My Lady Judge (2007), about a woman who is a Brehon judge in Burren, Ireland, and must investigate the death of a man during the 1509 May Day festival; #1 in the Burren mystery series. Review
Cora Harrison, A Secret and Unlawful Killing (2008; titled Michaelmas Tribute in the U.K.), about a woman Brehon judge in Ireland who must investigate the death of two unpopular men during the 1509 Michaelmas Fair; #2 in the Burren mystery series. Cora Harrison, The Sting of Justice (2009), about a woman Brehon judge in early sixteenth century Ireland who must find out who murdered a widely disliked silversmith; #3 in the Burren mystery series.
Peter Tremayne, Absolution by Murder, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #1 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Review
Peter Tremayne, Shroud for the Archbishop, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #2 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, Suffer Little Children, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #3 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis.
Peter Tremayne, The Subtle Serpent, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #4 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, The Spider's Web, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #5 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, Valley of the Shadow, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #6 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, The Monk Who Vanished, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #7 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, Act of Mercy, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #8 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, Hemlock at Vespers, short story collection about a nun in seventh century Ireland who solves mysteries; #9 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, Our Lady of Darkness, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #10 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, Smoke in the Wind, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #11 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, The Haunted Abbot, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #12 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, Badger's Moon, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #13 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, The Leper's Bell, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #14 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, Whispers of the Dead, short story collection about a nun in seventh century Ireland who solves mysteries; #15 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, Master of Souls, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #16 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, A Prayer for the Damned, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #17 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, Dancing With Demons, a nun in seventh century Ireland solves mysteries; #18 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Tremayne, Council of the Cursed (2008), about an Irish nun who must investigate a murder in 670 A.D. while attending a Church council in Burgundy which is hostile to the Celtic Church; #19 in the Sister Fidelma series; Peter Tremayne is a pen name of the historian Peter Berresford Ellis.
Medieval Scotland and Celtic Northern Britain
Viking invasions led to Norse rule over the Orkney Islands in the north of Scotland. Because of Shakespeare's play, which is undoubtedly great literature but distorted the historical record, Macbeth is probably the best-known ruler of Scotland during this period. During the twelfth century, King David I of Scotland obtained lands south of the Scottish border for which he paid ceremonial homage to the English king, laying the groundwork for an English claim to Scotland in the thirteenth century. The last king of Scotland recognized by the English as king of an independent nation was Robert the Bruce, who ruled from 1306-1329.
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Jen Black, Far After Gold (2009), historical romance set in the tenth century about a Christian woman from the Hebrides who is kidnapped and sold to a pagan Viking. Review by Carla Nayland
Maggie Davis, The Winter Serpent, historical romance about a young Scottish woman sold as a slave to a Viking leader. Katherine Deauxville, Eyes of Love, historical romance about a beautiful Scottish orphan whose psychic abilities put her at risk.
Dorothy Dunnett, King Hereafter, set in eleventh century Scotland and based on the story of Macbeth. Kathleen Givens, On a Highland Shore, Vikings threaten the medieval Scottish coast on the eve of a woman's wedding. Kathleen Givens, Rivals for the Crown, about a young medieval woman and the friend she must leave behind when she flees to Scotland after Edward I of England expels the Jews; sequel to On a Highland Shore. Peg Herring, Macbeth's Niece, historical romance about a fictional niece of Macbeth. John James, Men Went to Cattraeth, about the Battle of Catraeth (or Catterick), fought around 600 A.D. between the Celtic Votadini tribe in Northern Britain against invading Angles from the European continent, based on Aneirin's poem "Y Gododdin" Susan Fraser King, Lady Macbeth, about the Scottish queen forced to marry Macbeth, the warlord who killed her husband. Review Julianne Lee, Knight Tenebrae, historical romance/fantasy about a modern British reporter and an American Navy pilot and his wife stranded together in the fourteenth century Scotland of Robert the Bruce, while an inhuman enemy schemes to destroy them and all mankind; #1 in the Tenebrae series. Julianne Lee, Knight's Blood, historical romance/fantasy about a modern Navy pilot and his wife stranded in fourteenth century Scotland, whose child has been kidnapped by the elfin king; #2 in the Tenebrae series. Julianne Lee, Knight's Lady, historical romance/fantasy about a modern Navy pilot and his wife stranded in fourteenth century Scotland, and separated when the wife is taken to the faerie country; #3 in the Tenebrae series. Deborah Macgillivray, A Restless Knight, historical romance set in Scotland during the late thirteenth century; #1 in the Dragons of Challon series. Deborah Macgillivray, In Her Bed, historical romance set in Scotland during the late thirteenth century; #2 in the Dragons of Challon series. Jane Oliver, Alexander the Glorious (1965), about Alexander III King of Scots, who reigned from the age of eight in 1249 when his father died to 1286. Jane Oliver, The Lion is Come (1951), about the Scottish king Robert the Bruce. Jane Oliver, Sing Morning Star (1949), about King Malcolm and Queen Margaret of Scotland.
Nigel Tranter, Druid Sacrifice (1993), about the mother of the sixth century Scottish Saint Mungo.
Nigel Tranter, Columba (1987), about the sixth century Scottish Saint Columba. Nigel Tranter, Kenneth (1990), about Kenneth MacAlpin, the ninth century leader who united the Picts and the Scots. Nigel Tranter, High Kings and Vikings (1998), about the thane of Glamis during a period of raiding by the Viking leader Thorfinn of Orkney at the turn of the eleventh century. Nigel Tranter, Macbeth the King (1978), about the medieval Scottish king Macbeth; based on historical research. Nigel Tranter, Margaret the Queen (1979), about the eleventh century queen who became known as Saint Margaret of Scotland and her husband, Malcolm III. Nigel Tranter, David the Prince (1980), about the sons of Queen Margaret; set in the early twelfth century. Nigel Tranter, Lord of the Isles (1983), about the Scottish thane who defeated the Vikings in the twelfth century. Nigel Tranter, Tapestry of the Boar (1993), about the boar-hunter Hugh de Swinton and his rise to power in medieval Scotland. Nigel Tranter, Sword of State (1999), about the thirteenth century friendship between Earl Patrick II of Dunbar and King Alexander II of Scots. Nigel Tranter, Envoy Extraordinary (1999), about the thirteenth century friendship between Earl Patrick II of Dunbar and King Alexander II of Scots; sequel to Sword of State.
Nigel Tranter, Crusader (1991), about the medieval century Scottish King Alexander III. Nigel Tranter, True Thomas (1981), about the thirteenth century Scottish poet and prophet Thomas the Rhymer. Nigel Tranter, The Islesman (2002), about Angus Og MacDonald, Prince of the Hebrides and much of the West Highlands of Scotland in the early fourteenth century, the time of Robert the Bruce.
Medieval Wales and Cornwall
In western Britain, Wales and Cornwall began the early medieval period independent of English rule. During the ninth century, the Saxon kings of Wessex repeatedly invaded Cornwall. By the tenth century reign of Edward the Confessor, Cornwall was part of England. Wales, divided into several kingdoms until it united under the eleventh century King Gruffydd ap Llywellyn, maintained its independence from England despite frequent warfare until the death of Gruffydd's son Llywelyn the Last in 1282. The rebellion of Owain Glyndwr (anglicized to Owen Glendower) in 1400 was the last significant Welsh attempt to free itself of English rule.
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Bryher, Ruan (1960), about a boy in sixth century Cornwall who runs away to become a sailor. Review
Barbara Erskine, Child of the Phoenix, about a thirteenth century Welsh princess. Alan Fisk, The Summer Stars (1992, reissued 2000), about the wanderings of the Welsh bard Taliesin.
Nicole Galland, The Fool’s Tale, love and politics in a royal court in late twelfth century Wales. G.R. Grove, Storyteller (2007), a collection of tales about a young man's training to become a bard in sixth century Wales; #1 in the Storyteller trilogy; self-published. G.R. Grove, Flight of the Hawk (2007), about two young Welsh bards sent north to investigate rumors and prevent a war; #2 in the Storyteller trilogy; self-published. G.R. Grove, The Ash Spear (forthcoming in 2009), about a Welsh bard; #3 in the Storyteller trilogy; self-published. Jane Guill, Nectar from a Stone, about a woman who runs away from her brutal husband in medieval Wales. Bernard Knight, Madoc, Prince of America (1977), about the Welsh prince said to have journeyed to America in the twelfth century. Stephen Lawhead, Hood, a novel that imagines a Welsh Robin Hood; #1 in the King Raven trilogy. Stephen Lawhead, Scarlet, a novel that imagines a Welsh Robin Hood; #2 in the King Raven trilogy. Susan Mayse, Awen, about a bard in northern Wales during the eighth century wars between Wales and the English kingdom of Mercia. Edith Pargeter, Sunrise in the West, about thirteenth century Wales; #1 in the Brothers of Gwynedd quartet. Edith Pargeter, The Dragon at Noonday, about thirteenth century Wales; #2 in the Brothers of Gwynedd quartet. Edith Pargeter, The Hounds of Sunset, about thirteenth century Wales; #3 in the Brothers of Gwynedd quartet. Edith Pargeter, Afterglow and Nightfall, about thirteenth century Wales; #4 in the Brothers of Gwynedd quartet.
Sharon Kay Penman, Here Be Dragons, set in thirteenth century England and Wales; #1 in the Welsh Princes trilogy. Sharon Kay Penman, Falls the Shadow, set in thirteenth century England and Wales; #2 in the Welsh Princes trilogy. Sharon Kay Penman, The Reckoning, set in thirteenth century England and Wales; #3 in the Welsh Princes trilogy. John Cowper Powys, Owen Glendower (1940), about a young Oxford scholar whose fate becomes entangled with that of Owen Glendower on the eve of the Welsh rebellion Glendower leads against England. Malcolm Pryce, A Dragon to Agincourt (2003), about a Welsh archer who joins the rebellion of Owain Glyndwr against English rule; not readily available outside the U.K. Martha Rofheart, Glendower County (also titled Cry "God for Glendower"), about Owen Glendower, the last native Welshman to hold the title of Prince of Wales. Anna Lee Waldo, Circle of Stones (1999), about Brenda, the mistress of the twelfth century Welsh prince Owain Gwynedd; #1 in the Druid Circle series. Anna Lee Waldo, Circle of Stars (2001), about Madoc, son of the Welsh prince Owain Gwynedd, who is said to have journeyed to America in the twelfth century; #2 in the Druid Circle series.
Medieval Brittany and Celtic France
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Alice Borchardt, Devoted, about the unlikely romance between a pagan Celtic woman with mystical abilities and a Christian bishop during the ninth century Viking invasions of northern France.
Alice Borchardt, Beguiled, about the love between a Celtic woman and a Christian bishop and their efforts to protect the city of Chantalon during the ninth century Viking invasions of northern France; sequel to Devoted.
Gillian Bradshaw, The Wolf Hunt (2001), historical romance about a Norman woman in Brittany; based on a werewolf story in the twelfth century Lais of Marie de France. Louis L'Amour, The Walking Drum, an uncharacteristic medieval novel by the classic Western author, about a twelfth-century Breton searching Europe and the Middle East for his father.
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