@Becky, I enjoyed history at school to a certain extent, but it was a dry loveless affair of names and dates that I still can’t remember. So much different now!
A W Exley – The Artifact Hunters series is AMAAAAZING! Set in Victorian England, it is a mix of murder mystery, folklore, history and steampunk with a big old dollop of love ?
Love both of those series. Candace Robb also did a trilogy set in my home town of Perth about the rebellion and William Wallace. The first book is called A Trust Betrayed.
The Shardlake series, by C. J. Sansom. First one is called “Dissolution” and starts with the closing of the monasteries. Good detective stuff and very atmospheric.
@Cora her writing is good but I feel her stories lack. I think her best ones her early Wideacre Trilogy before she got into “serious” historical fiction. I love way Elizabeth Chadwick writes about minor historical figures.
For Tudor times, I recommend the quartet the Heron Saga, by Pamela Oldfield; it’s about ordinary-people characters of the era, making a good change from the monarchs themselves!
Just finished Conn Iggulden. Set of 5 books. Starts with Margaret Anjou and finishes with Henry vii. Also a set of books on Ceaser. Shardlake series is also brilliant.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel is excellent and won the Booker . She followed it up with Bring out the Bodies which also won the Booker the next year . Riveting stuff.
The first 20% or something where they describe TC’s background was quite tedious as I recall. Once he is in with Henry then Anne and the scheming begins it improves immeasurably.
@Shelly-Ann I would say it’s worth persevering with. But not all books suit all people. I have seen many recommendations that I wouldn’t even dream of buying nor reading.
When Christ & His Saints Slept, by Sharon Penman. Set in the 12th/13th century around the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda. Wonderful writing, scrupulously researched.
CJ Sansom’s Shardlake mystery novels – brilliant https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2014/oct/26/profile-cj-sansom-crime-fiction-history-shardlake
Becky Terdre I was just about to recommend them! ?
@Becky I concur brilliant series
Absolutely! They’re all standalone stories, but start with Dissolution so that you get the development of the character.
@Dee and the historical details are so fascinating
Esp for comprehensive-educated me who never studied any history prior to the 20th C!!
@Becky, I enjoyed history at school to a certain extent, but it was a dry loveless affair of names and dates that I still can’t remember. So much different now!
Phillipa Gregory or Alison Wier
I love Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir…. ?? x
Barbara Erskine has some really good historical novels xx
Forever Amber
Wolf hall!
The Shardlake series by CJ Sansom or Philippa Gregory books
I still enjoy Jean Plaidy
Cadphael stories are freak and historically accurate !
Queen Maud and King Stephen and the crusades!!
I’d completely forgot about these. Might have to go back and reread them.
Brilliant thanks for all your ideas !
Ken Follet Books, are the right period? Ages since I read them but I enjoyed them.
@Danielle yes! Pillars of the earth and world without end are amazing. Medieval rather than Tudor though
Totally agree
Try The Errant Hours, by Kate Innes, brilliant read also written by a good friend! (shameless plug, but it really is good)
Allison Weir’s 6 Tudor Queens series is great- there are 3 books out at the moment
I’m a big fan of CJ Samson and Phillipa Gregory, also Elizabeth Chadwick is fab.
A W Exley – The Artifact Hunters series is AMAAAAZING!
Set in Victorian England, it is a mix of murder mystery, folklore, history and steampunk with a big old dollop of love ?
Katherine by Anya Seton
I’ll second that
Definitely this series
https://www.amazon.co.uk/White-Princess-Rivers-Kingmakers-Daughter/dp/1471140318
Michael Jecks’s Templar series and Candace Robb’s Owen Archer series. Both brilliant reading!
Love both of those series. Candace Robb also did a trilogy set in my home town of Perth about the rebellion and William Wallace. The first book is called A Trust Betrayed.
The Shardlake series, by C. J. Sansom. First one is called “Dissolution” and starts with the closing of the monasteries. Good detective stuff and very atmospheric.
Nora Lofts – The Suffolk Trilogy – are marvellous. Or an all time fave of mine The Sunne in Spendour which is about Richard III
Elizabeth Chadwick all the way!! IMO she beats Phillipa Gregory hands down!!
@Paula definitely, greggory is soon far from remotely historical lly accurate it hurts ?
@Cora her writing is good but I feel her stories lack. I think her best ones her early Wideacre Trilogy before she got into “serious” historical fiction. I love way Elizabeth Chadwick writes about minor historical figures.
Phillips Gregory books are brilliant
Phillipa Gregory’s books are very good. I hope you find something you like. Xx
It’s a gift for someone, I’ve certainly got lots of ideas. Thanks everyone
‘A discovery of witches’ trilogy has a book set in Tudor times ?
Shardlake series,I’ve just started his recent one, they are all brilliant, you feel like you are in Tudor England.
Anything by Elizabeth Chadwick, her research is incredible
@Cora most of her research is from my university lecturer and even he who hates historical fiction praises her ?
Katherine by anya seton
Pillars of the Earth
Pillars of the earth by Ken Follett – excellent trilogy!
Anything by Elizabeth Chadwick
Shardlake series. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.
These
I agree with Shardlake or Mantel
Not Medieval or Tudor but have you read ‘Forever Amber’ by Kathleen Winsor? It’s a historical romance novel set in the 17th Century.
Ken follet column of fire and minette Walter wrote a series of books based on the black death era called the last hours
Second these too
The Proud Villeins by Valerie Anand.
The Courtesan’s Lover by Gabrielle Kimm set in Italy. Any Kate Mosse stories.
Rose of Rapture by Rebecca Brandewyne; and Forever, my Love, also by RB.
For Tudor times, I recommend the quartet the Heron Saga, by Pamela Oldfield; it’s about ordinary-people characters of the era, making a good change from the monarchs themselves!
I believe that Hilary Mantel wrote a couple of good reads about the Tudors – Wolf Hall springs to mind!
Loved the shardlakes
A very good time travel novel is The Doomsday book by Connie Willis
I’ve never read any C J Samson books before I’m very tempted
@Nina start with ‘Dissolution ‘ I was hooked after that and have read the series up to date.
@Jan thanks, irs first on my growing list
Really good easy interesting read. xx
I am going to be naughty and plug my own book. It is called Five Wounds and it’s about a teenage girl caught up in a rebellion in Yorkshire in the reign of Henry VIII. Obviously it is brilliant
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Five-Wounds-Katharine-Edgar-ebook/dp/B00U1KKOP0/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1544806829&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=five+wounds
If you’d not plugged it, I would have.
Thank you.
Anything by Anne O’Brian—superb
There’s a special Kindle deal on 5 of her best ones today ?
They are amazing her research is impeccable.Have read most of them but thankyou ?
Philippa Gregory books are a good read…
Following
CJ Samson, SJ Parris, Phillipa Gregory, Alison Weir
I love the Ariana Franklin ones. Mistress of the art of death, I think. Brilliant. Love CJ Samson too.
Any of the Philipa Gregory books are fab.
Philippa Gregory books are amazing
Just finished Conn Iggulden. Set of 5 books. Starts with Margaret Anjou and finishes with Henry vii. Also a set of books on Ceaser. Shardlake series is also brilliant.
Thank you for all the brilliant suggestions. I’ve got loads of choices haha
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel is excellent and won the Booker . She followed it up with Bring out the Bodies which also won the Booker the next year . Riveting stuff.
I loved them both though found Wolf Hall hard going at the very beginning. Once I was in though, I was smitten. Can’t wait for the 3rd book.
@Jo I must give it another go I found Wolf Hall too much of a slog & gave up ?
The first 20% or something where they describe TC’s background was quite tedious as I recall. Once he is in with Henry then Anne and the scheming begins it improves immeasurably.
I was so excited when she answered a question of mine on a MN webchat.
@Jo I remember finding it hard to follow, in terms of who was doing/saying what – I’ll try again because I love Hilary Mantels other books
@Lou I agree. Riveting
@Shelly-Ann I would say it’s worth persevering with. But not all books suit all people. I have seen many recommendations that I wouldn’t even dream of buying nor reading.
Books by Phillipa Gregory?
Have you ready a discovery of witches? It starts off in our time and then goes back!!? Fantastic set of books
When Christ & His Saints Slept, by Sharon Penman. Set in the 12th/13th century around the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda. Wonderful writing, scrupulously researched.
Oooo Dee , that is tempting
Go for it! Dammit… think I might have to read it again now
But I’ve got loads to read, but that’s a feeble excuse lol
No excuse at all
http://www.ilovenature.world/mindful-living/2018/8/7/tsundoku-is-the-lovely-japanese-word-every-bibliophile-should-know
Excellent word