A good historical fiction set in 12th-17th century england?

Question

I just finished reading Ken Follet's "Pillars of the Earth" and it was the first historical fiction ive ever read. I loved it! Im looking for something similar that takes place in or around England. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Check out "The Witch of Cologne" by Tobsha Learner.
From Publishers Weekly
In a sensuous 17th-century saga set in German Catholic Cologne, Learner transports readers to a time when studying the ancient Kabbalah could prove deadly for a young Jewish midwife. Ruth bas Elazar Saul is the headstrong daughter of the chief rabbi of Deutz, Cologne's Jewish ghetto. She undertakes the forbidden course of mystical study, her Sephardic mother's legacy, before absconding to Amsterdam to escape an arranged marriage. There, Ruth acquires the contemporary midwifery skills she will combine with her sacred learning, and upon her return to Cologne she delivers wealthy burghers' babies using new lifesaving methods, earning a reputation for more than medical genius. Word of her skills travels quickly, and as the Spanish Inquisition stretches its tentacles to the Rhineland, Ruth is arrested for sorcery by the sadistic archbishop Carlos Vicente Solitario, whose persecution of her is fueled by a stymied youthful obsession with her mother. Ruth's keen intelligence and bravery in prison win her an ally, Canon Detlef von Tennen, who falls passionately in love with the "Jewess." The two marry, and Learner has readers rooting for the survival of their unlikely alliance. This steamy, riveting page-turner is also a paean to the triumph of a woman's spirit.

Answer 2

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
Sherwood by Parke Godwin
The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley
Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmore
the Ursula Blanchard mysteries by Fiona Buckley

Answer 3

Almost anything by Phillipa Greggory; however, they are chick-lit.

I just finished A Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, and I immediately put it on the independent reading list for my senior English class.

The Borgia Bride by Jeanne Kalogridis was also excellent. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin was a very quick read, and it was a truly interesting perspective of England in the Middle Ages and of the medical profession.

Answer 4

Read books by Sharon Penman. 'Here be Dragons' set in the reign of king John (12th century) 'Falls the Shadow' and 'the Reckoning', known as her Welsh saga. Her other books, 'The Sunne in Splendour', set in the fifteenth century, 'Time and Chance,' set in the reign of Henry II, 'when Christ and his Saints Slept.' They are fantastic.

Also she has writen a historical Mystery saga, set in twelfth Century, they just blow my mind away, it's like reading inspector Morse but set hundreds of years ago!

I would also recommend Jean Plaidy, her books are great fun to read but I didn't feel that she was a very good writer.

Answer 5

The Book of Eleanor by Pamela Kaufman
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (especially good if you happen to be watching Showtime's "The Tudors."
Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
London: The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd

Answer 6

How about series Wheel Of Time by Robert Jordan?It is historical fiction,but not in our but in fiction world...Don't now if you're interested,but you should try,it's very interesting,but have lots of parts,11 or so...

Answer 7

Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series - they are set mostly in the 1700's in Scotland, but lots of English characters!

Answer 8

"Sarum" E. Rutherford
"Ivanhoe" Sir Walter Scott

Answer 9

One of my favorite historical novels is 'Barnaby Rudge' by Charles Dickens.

It is 18th century, but you'll enjoy it nonetheless.

Answer 10

I recommend Bram Stoker's Dracula. you are able to desire to apply the character of Mina Harker on your challenge, it somewhat is an excellent tale and you are able to truly build on the two the character and the geographical paths and how they build the story.