Historical Fictionistas discussion

would like your recommendation of an HF book of that timespan.

Thanks much,
Anna

Anna wrote: "would like your recommendation of an HF book of that timespan.

Thanks much,
Anna"

Hi Anna, you may be interested to read Below the Salt by Thomas B. Costain. I read this book years ago and I remember loving this novel. Another, although I haven’t read it (yet), is Myself as Witness by James Golman. Both novels take place in the period of King John’s reign. Good luck in your search.

I could also recommend Elizabeth Chadwick's The Scarlet Lion, the 2nd of her two books on William Marshall. This book takes place mostly during King John's reign (starts with Richard a bit, and ends with John's son, Henry, as a boy king). William Marshall was a highly respected and important man during that time and was close to all the important events of John's reign.

This is #4 in the Plantagenet series, so there are probably a couple of others in the same time period.

You might also check out Sharon Kay Penman's books. I know they also covered John's reign.

Here be Dragons is mostly set in Wales but strongly features King John. I haven't read it but The Prince of Poison supposedly takes place during John's reign and may feature him.

Late to the party, but FWIW, I read Here be Dragons years ago and enjoyed it very much.

I'm also late to the party, Pamela Kaufman has a trilogy with Richard and John





The last one deals with the Magna Carta - sometimes they are a little romancy and on occasion a little unbelievable, but still they are a good read.

She also has a novel out on Eleanor that is a completely different take than Sharon Penman