by Sharon Bryant
The Medieval Age in Europe spans a huge time period from the 5th to the 15th centuries. It begins with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ends with the Renaissance.
Men dominated society and woman had to "know their place". For example, in the United Kingdom women needed their parent's consent to marry, could not divorce their husbands, or own property unless they were widowed. Teenage brides were common in wealthier families, and girls usually had no say in who they married. Married women left their father's control and came under the control of their husbands.
This period affords the romance author challenging and exciting opportunities to write about love between masterful men and spirited women. Here are some of my favourite medieval romance novels. I hope you enjoy reading them.
Captured by a Laird by Margaret Mallory
Lady Alison Douglas is relieved when her abusive husband dies. So relieved, she burns his bed. Looking forward to a lengthy widowhood, Alison is shocked when David Hume, Laird of Wedderburn storms her castle as an act of revenge, and compels her to marry him. Passion quickly flares between these strong, independent protagonists. However, David is determined never to fall under a woman's spell as his father did, and Alison, given her abusive past, cannot trust David or believe in him. Margaret Mallory's expert weaving of historical fact with fiction make this novel an extra special read.
The Bride by Julie Garwood
Alec Kincaid, a Scottish laird, must marry one of Englishman, Baron Jamison's daughters by order of King Henry. He chooses the baron's stepdaughter Jamie who is being treated a lot like a servant in her own home. Jamie is strong, brave and accustomed to speaking her mind. Alec expects absolute obedience and subservience from his wife. The clash of cultures, expectations and sheer willpower of these strong, brave and thoroughly likeable characters make this book a real page turner.
The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson
Utilising themes from the tales of "The Goose Girl" and "The Prince and the Pauper", Dickerson has written a beautifully constructed story of medieval excitement, love and loss. This young adult novel features Magdelene, who leaves her home to marry a duke at her mother's behest. Evil servants force her to switch places with a young servant girl, Agnes.
Duke Steffan is returning home from university in Prague when an attempt is made on his life. On arrival at his castle, he poses as a servant until he can work out who is trying to kill him. The growing love and trust between this young couple while they work out how to regain their rightful places in society is a joy to read.
Have you read many medieval romances? Which is your favourite?
I love to love: We became grandparents for the first time recently. It's such a special time.
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Have you read many medieval romances? Which is your favourite?
I love to love: We became grandparents for the first time recently. It's such a special time.
I love to laugh: I watched "Lost in Austen" the other night. This mini-series is so much fun.
I love to learn: Everything I can about writing.
Hi Sharon. As a lover of intrigue, suspense and danger of course I fell in love with the medieval period when I discovered it through reading fiction. (Didn't do history at all at school so didn't know what I missed out on). Though I love reading about the era and how love overcomes the hardships, sadly, the happenings of then, women having no power, men having control and ruling everything, cultural and religious hatred, seems to be at risk of happening now and love is having a tough time trying to win against adversity.
ReplyDeleteHi Enisa, they were certainly difficult times. The novels I like best have strong, independently minded heroines and heroes are flexible or learn to be so. For me, this tends to overcome some of the obstacles you’ve outlined above.
DeleteAh Julie Garwood was one of my favourites. Haven't read one in a while. must go and have a look on the TBR pile to see if I have one.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed her novel and intend to read more of her work.
DeleteI love a good medieval story! (So much so that I'm in the process of writing a dual timeline with a medieval thread.) Sarah Woodbury and Sherry Ewing are two of my favourite authors in the genre.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marilyn. I’ll have to check these authors out. I love the concept of a dual timeline with a medieval thread, and look forward to reading your book.
DeleteThank you for spotlighting this era, Sharon!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently working on my third medieval romance novel (Knight of Her Heart and Knight of Her Dreams have been published as Alyssa James) and I love this era. My novels are set in the time of Henry V and I've enjoyed the research I've done. One attraction of writing in the medieval period is that women had relatively few rights and so the heroines in my novels have found themselves having to take drastic measures to extricate themselves from the dire circumstances they've found themselves in.
It's a period full of danger and uncertainty, of bloody battles, but also of chivalry and heroism.
I hope our readers will check out my two medieval titles as well as the ones you've mentioned!
Hi Alyssa, I think the challenges you outline make novels set in medieval times exciting to read. I look forward to reading your books.
DeleteHi Sharon! Besides the marvellous Alyssa's Medievals, I also love Julie Garwood's 'The Bride', a keeper on my shelf. Another is 'The Deed' by Lynsay Sands, so amusing! I also love Marsha Canham's trilogy featuring the legend of Robin Hood: 'Through a Dark Mist', 'In the Shadow of Midnight' and 'The Last Arrow'. I think Robin Hood was the first Medieval I read as a child and I've been hooked on Medievals ever since. Seeing a few Medieval castles in the UK has also helped!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendations Malvina. Like you, I find seeing castles in the UK inspires me to think about life in the medieval period and makes me want to read more about it.
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