Historical fiction
Beowulf: A new translation translated by Seamus Heaney (Faber,
2000)
Well-received translation in which Heaney has chosen the Northern Irish vernacular
as the poetic voice into which he renders the ancient poem.
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From Bannockburn to Flodden: Wallace, Bruce and the heroes of medieval
Scotland by Sir Walter Scott (Cumberland House Publishing,
2001)
The Scottish tales that Scott told his grandson.
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The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett (Penguin, 1999)
First published in 1962, this is the first part of the 'Lymond Chronicles' – a
series of six exceptionally well-researched novels exploring the intricacies
of 16th-century history through the exploits of the charismatic Scottish soldier
Francis Crawford of Lymond. Other books in the series: Queen's Play, Disorderly
Knights, Pawn in Frankincense, Ringed Castle, Checkmate. Also highly recommended
is the Dunnett 'prequel' series to the Lymond books, 'The House of Niccolò': Niccolò Rising,
Spring of the Ram, Race of Scorpions, Scales of Gold, The Unicorn Hunt, To
Lie with Lions, Caprice and Rondo, Gemini.
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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, edited by W R J Barron (Manchester
University Press, 1998)
Great classic of Middle English romance giving the original text side by side
with a modern translation.
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Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
(Penguin, 1994)
Classic tale of love, adventure and intrigue set in medieval England.
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The Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart (William Morrow, 1980)
Three novels – The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, The Last
Enchantment – that cover Merlin's childhood, his guardianship of
Arthur, and the fall of Camelot, set against the Welsh landscape.
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Satan's Fire by Paul C Doherty (Headline, 1996)
Medieval murder mystery, featuring Sir Hugh Corbett, keeper of the king's seal,
set in 13th-century York with the Knights Templar.
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The Tales of Canterbury: Complete edition by Geoffrey Chaucer,
edited by Robert A Pratt (Houghton Mifflin, 1974)
Compiled in the late 14th century, the tales encompass such themes as adultery,
revenge, courtly love, lechery, avarice and penitence.
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The White Company by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Wordsworth Editions,
1996)
Set in the 14th-century The White Company is a motley group of English mercenaries
who make their way to fight in local wars in France. Covers the aftermath of
Crécy and Calais from a soldier's point of view.
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