Ricardian & Medieval Fiction

While Helen of Troy may have been the face that launched a thousand ships, it is said that Richard III is the face that launched a thousand novels. In addition to the many historical books written about him, his life and mystery have produced countless fictional works of which many are listed here. You will note we consider Shakespeare’s Richard III a work of fiction–brilliant, but fiction nonetheless. Also, some books are about other people, and either predate Richard III or are about the Tudors who follow Richard III. (If known, the authors name links to his or her web site.)
Please note: The Richard III Society, American Branch does not endorse or recommend any fiction listed.

 

 

Author Name Title Year Pub Description–unless stated otherwise, the description is from jacket blurbs or other promotional material.
(anonymous) Richard III DVD, Olivier, 1956 1956 DVD version of the Olivier film, 1956.
(anonymous) Richard III DVD, McKellen, 1995 1995 DVD of the McKellen film, 1995.
(anonymous) Richard III DVD, 1912 Version 1912 1912 film version on DVD.  Yes, 1912!  One of the first motion pictures ever made.
Margaret Abbey The Warwick Heiress 1973  Romance
Valerie Anand Crown of Roses 1989 From Publishers Weekly: The tumultuous years leading to the reign of Richard III and, on his death, the ascension to the English throne of the first Tudor Henry are conveyed with authoritative detail in this engrossing historical novel by the author of King of the Wood.
Valerie Anand The Faithful Lovers 1994  From Kirkus Reviews: The English civil war and its aftermath form the backdrop for Anand’s tale of doomed, sad, and betrayed lovers, brave souls scurrying or galloping ahead of murdering pursuers, and survivors of plague, fire, and mindless persecutions.
Maxwell Anderson Richard and Anne:  A Play in Two Acts 1995 Includes two letters from Robert Sherwood.  Introduction by Roxane C. Murph. 162 pp
Mike Ashley Royal Whodunits 1999 From Publishers Weekly: Royal blood runs very red, as witnessed by this solid collection of 25 original short stories concerning royal beheadings, disappearances and murders.
Rowan Atkinson The Black Adder (DVD) 2001 From Amazon: Set in England at the end of the War of the Roses, we soon find out that the history we know is a Tudor fiction.
Ann Baer Down the Common — A Year in the Life of A Medieval Peasant From Kirkus Reviews: More a feat of historical imagination than a conventional novel, this 82-year-old author’s first fiction presents a year in the life of a rural peasant in medieval England.
Lucy Beckett The Time Before You Die 1999 A novel intertwining a fictitious monk, Robert Fletcher, the real Reginald de la Pole, the Dissolution, and attempts to restore England to Catholicism.
Varona Bennett Portrait of an Unknown Woman 2008 British journalist Bennett (Crying Wolf: The Return of War to Chechnya) makes her fiction debut with a sweeping reinterpretation of Sir Thomas More’s family as it coped with the vicissitudes of Henry VIII’s reign. …Bennett constructs lush backdrops and costumes, and has impeccable historical sense. She luminously shades in an ambiguous period with lavish strokes of humanity, unbridled passion and mystery.
Ann Benson The Burning Road 1999 From Amazon: Readers of Ann Benson’s bestselling The Plague Tales will bond immediately with this sequel and its unusual blend of historical romance and futuristic medical thriller.
Ann Benson The Plague Tales 1997 “Intriguing novel” with parallel tales of the Black Death in 14 c. Europe and 21 c. Britain.
Hazel Bird The Last Plantagenet 1994  From Alibris: Margeret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, spent her entire life close to the pageantry and intrigues of the english crown, a fascinating historical novel.
Rhys Bowen Evan and Elle 2000 A mystery in the “very enjoyable” series featuring Constable Evans.  Contains an Unexpected Defense of Richard III.
Rhys Bowen Evan Help Us 1998 In the Constable Evans series.
Rhys Bowen Evanly Choirs 1999 In the Constable Evans series.
Rhys Bowen Evans Above 1997 In the Constable Evans series.
Gwendolyn Bowers The Lost Dragon of Wessex 1962 “Historical fiction set in Saxon England …:
Shelley Bradley His Lady Bride 2000 Historical romance set in 15th c. England, but “rife with historical errors” as it takes its “facts” from Alison Weir.
Fiona Buckley The Doublet Affair 1998 “Ursula Blanchard, Lady … at the court of Elizabeth I, returns in her third adventure…”
Fiona Buckley Queen’s Ransom 2000  “Ursula Blanchard’s fourth adventure.”  Set in Elizabethan England.
Fiona Buckley To Ruin a Queen 2000 “Ursula Blanchard’s fourth adventure.”  Set in Elizabethan England.
Fiona Buckley To Shield The Queen 1997 From Library Journal: In order to quell widespread rumors about their supposed murderous intentions, Elizabeth I and Sir Robert Dudley dispatch one of her ladies-in-waiting, young widowed mother Ursula Blanchard, to help tend Lord Dudley’s sickly wife, Amy.
A. S. Byatt Possession 1990 Winner of the 1990 Booker Prize.  From Shari Gerhart on the Society’s listserv, circa 29-APR-2001:   Although it is not about R3 it is about individuals who discover letters about a secret of a famous writer.
Patrick Carleton Under the Hog 1995 This classic Ricardian novel covers Richard’s adult life from the Battle of Barnet to his death in 1485. Carleton’s Richard is a sympathetic and complex character possessing a strict moral code and a dedicated loyalty to Edward IV.  The author writes in a unique style.  This edition is a reprint of the 1938 original.
Elizabeth Chadwick Lords of the White Castle 2001 Set in late 12th and early 13th c. England.
Michael Clynes (P. C. Doherty et. al.) A Brood of Vipers 1996 See review — “If you loathe two Henry Tudors and would like to think that Richard was avenged in a very symbolic way, this book is for you.”
Karen Cushman Catherine, Called Birdy 1994 Young adult book about a medieval heroine.
Susan Dexter The Wizard’s Shadow 1995 The reviewer in the Summer, 2000, Ricardian Register found a roman a clef based on Richard’s story in this tale of Croken the peddler and the shadow of a dead wizard.
P. C. Doherty A Tapestry of Murders 1996 From Publishers Weekly: Swift, intriguing and sometimes bleakly comic, this “dark tale of blood and passion” is told by one of Chaucer’s pilgrims, the Man of Law.
Terry Dreary The Terrible Tudors Part of the Horrible Histories series from Scholastic Children’s Books
Ann Dukthas (P. C. Doherty, et. al.) In The Time Of The Poisoned Queen 1998  From Kirkus reviews: … The scene this time is mid-16th-century England, where a sickly Mary Tudor reigns after marriage to Prince Philip of Spain and the bloody reestablishment of the Catholic religion.
Kathy Lynn Emerson Face Down Among the Winchester Geese 1999 Another Susanna Appleton mystery.  “Winchester Geese” is an old term for prostitutes.
Kathy Lynn Emerson Face Down Beneath the Eleanor Cross 2000 In this Susanna Appleton mystery, she is accused of poisoning her husband and must find the true villain to save herself from being burnt at the stake.
Kathy Lynn Emerson Face Down Upon An Herbal 1998 “Going a little past our period” we solve a murder with “Susanna, Lady Appleton, a country gentlewoman in the reign of Elizabeth I.”
Kathy Lynn Emerson Face Down in the Marrow-Bone Pie “Will do fine as an introduction to Susanna, Lady Appleton, herbalist and loyal subject of Elizabeth I.”
Jane Feather The Widow’s Kiss 2000 “A fictional journey into the world so aptly described [in the non-fiction The Tudor Housewife} …
Patricia Finney The Firedrake’s Eye 1992 From Publishers Weekly: … Set in Elizabethan England, it sensuously reconstructs the era’s visual pomp and splendor as well as the fetid odors and…
John M. Ford The Dragon Waiting 2002 From Kim Malo’s review: It’s at the heart of why we still talk and debate about Richard III and his world. John M. Ford’s epic fantasy/alternate history takes that world and turns it upside down to provide some new what ifs, along with interesting answers to old questions…more
Margaret Frazer (pseud.) The Maiden’s Tale 1998 From a reader revoew : …This historical series is set in fifteenth century England and features Sister Frevisse.
Margaret Frazer (pseud.) The Murderer’s Tale 1996 Dame Frevisse Medieval Mystery
Margaret Frazer (pseud.) The Reeve’s Tale 1999 Dame Frevisse solves a murder, while acting as her convent’s reeve.
Margaret Frazer (pseud.) The Squire’s Tale 2000 “… brings Sister Frevisse and Dame Claire out into the world again, …”
Robert Fripp Dark Sovereign – The True Tragedy of King Richard 1991 Description provided by the author: Written in the idiomatic Shakespearean English, Dark Sovereign challenges Shakespeare’s play by casting Richard III favorably.
Roberta Gellis The Dragon and the Rose 1977 This book is about Henry VII (Dragon) and Elizabeth of York (Rose) and Henry’s  struggle to defend the crown after defeating Richard III. Reader reviews on Amazon give it four and a half stars.
C. L. Grace (P. C. Doherty, et. al.) The Book of Shadows 1996 “the fourth book of the cases of Kathryn Swinbrook … and her Chacer-quoting right-hand man, Colum …”
Paul Harding (P. C. Doherty, et al) By Murder’s Bright Light 1994 “Another of Brother Athelstan’s Sorrowful mysteries …”
Paul Harding (P. C. Doherty, et al) The Nightingale Gallery, Being The First of The So 1991 From Publishers Weekly: The stage of this atmosphere-drenched series opener is dominated by the city of London: a fetid, 14th-century melting pot brimming with all manner of life, high and low.
Susan Higginbotham The Traitor’s Wife 2005 Subtitled:  “A Novel of the Reign of Edward II”.
Susan Higginbotham Hugh and Bess: A Love Story 2007 As the eldest daughter of the new Earl of Salisbury, young Bess de Montacute is anticipating a suitable match. When King Edward III and her father choose Hugh le Despenser, the son and grandson of disgraced traitors, as her husband, she is aghast. …Set against the chivalry and pageantry of the fourteenth-century court of Edward III, Hugh and Bess is a story of love and loss, of letting go of the past-and of embracing the future.
Susan Higginbotham The Stolen Crown: The Secret Marriage that Forever Changed the Fate of England 2010 On May Day, 1464, six-year-old Katherine Woodville, daughter of a duchess who has married a knight of modest means, awakes to find her gorgeous older sister, Elizabeth, in the midst of a secret marriage to King Edward IV. It changes everything-for Kate and for England. Then King Edward dies unexpectedly. Richard III, Duke of Gloucester, is named protector of Edward and Elizabeth’s two young princes, but Richard’s own ambitions for the crown interfere with his duties…
Susan Higginbotham Queen of Last Hopes: The Story of Margaret of Anjou 2011 Margaret of Anjou, queen of England, cannot give up on her husband-even when he slips into insanity. And as mother to the House of Lancaster’s last hope, she cannot give up on her son-even when England turns against them. This gripping tale of a queen forced to stand strong in the face of overwhelming odds is at its heart a tender tale of love.
Susan Higginbotham Her Highness, the Traitor 2012 Frances Grey harbored no dream of her children taking the throne. Cousin of the king, she knew the pitfalls of royalty and privilege. Better to marry them off, marry them well, perhaps to a clan like the Dudleys. Jane Dudley knew her husband was creeping closer to the throne, but someone had to take charge, for the good of the country. She couldn’t see the twisted path they all would follow. The never–before–told story of the women behind the crowning of Jane Grey, this novel is a captivating peek at ambition gone awry, and the damage left in its wake.
Sidney Hill Don’t Call Him Mortimer  From Amazon: The hero a natural son of Edward IV trains at Middleham goes on to discover the plot against the princes in the tower after Bosworth becomes an aid to Henry Tudor.
Sheri Holman A Stolen Tongue 1997 From Publishers Weekly: Widely varied notions of faith and mission, from the conventional to the bizarre, color this intriguing historical thriller about a 15th-century pilgrimage from Germany to Mt. Sinai. The narrative takes the form of a journal kept by Dominican Father Felix Fabri, beginning at sea in 1483.
Rosemary Hawley Jarman We Speak No Treason 1971 Once described as a “startlingly gushy novel,”  this bestseller views Richard through the eyes of four of his contemporaries.
Ellen Jones The Fatal Crown 1991 Fictional treatment of life of Empress Maud (Mathilda), ca. 1100-1154.
Janet Kilbourne Garland of the Realm 1972 (no description available)
Pamela Kaufman The Shield of Three Lions 2002 A lively romance . . . a rich picture of a romantic time . . . [Kaufman?s] detailed descriptions of a bawdy land and its people are matched well by her touching and humorous portrait of an adolescent coming to terms with her own womanhood.
Pamela Kaufman Banners of Gold 2002 Home in England from the crusades (Shield of Three Lions, Lady Alix now is stranded and vulnerable at her Wanthwaite domain with husband Enoch off at war. … All told, this is another frothy, zany and irreverent medieval escapade that will delight readers who enjoyed Lady Alix’s earlier misadventures.
Pamela Kaufman The Prince of Poison 2006 This brisk if jumbled historical romance concludes the author’s trilogy about Lady Alix of Wanthwaite, a 13th-century English noblewoman whom trouble seems to follow. … Kaufman, who lives in L.A., mixes sound historiography and vivid dialogue with implausible events; this follow-up to Banners of Gold gets good mileage out of genre conventions.
Mary Lide Command of the King 1990 From Publishers Weekly: Philippa de Verne is the spirited heroine of Lide’s turbulent new novel set in England during the early part of Henry VIII’s rule.
Joanna Makepeace (aka Margaret Abbey) Dragon’s Court 1998 Historical Romance–no description available
Joanna Makepeace (aka Margaret Abbey) Stolen Heiress 1996  Historical Romance–no description available
Mammoth Book Series The Mammoth Book of Historical Whodunits 1993 1993 (no description available)
Mammoth Book Series The Mammoth Book of Historical Detectives 1995 1995 (no description available)
Edward Marston The Ravens of Blackwater 1994 From Publishers Weekly: The murder of a Norman lord in late-11th century England brings together Chancery clerk Gervase Bret and highborn soldier Ralph Delchard in a second case, after The Wolves of Savernake.
Edward Marston The Serpents of Harbledown 1998 From Library Journal: Series sleuths Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret (Lions of the North, LJ 9/1/96) suspect foul play in the supposed snake-bite death of a much-loved and -respected girl. Another realistic look at 11th-century Britain for historical mystery fans.
Edward Marston The Silent Woman 1994 From Publishers Weekly: Sparkling with humor, dramatic twists and deft turns of phrase, the sixth adventure of Marston’s Elizabethan acting troupe exhibits all the aplomb and panache that mark its lead player, Lawrence Firethorn.
Edward Marston The Stallions of Woodstock 1997 From Publishers Weekly: The sixth installment of Marston’s solidly written Domesday series (The Serpents of Harbledown, etc.) is every bit as entertaining as its forerunners.
Edward Marston The Wolves of Savernake 1993 From Publishers Weekly: Marston, whose previous mystery series features an Elizabethan theatrical troop, launches a medieval series with a servicably plotted tale set in 11th-century England after the Norman Conquest.
Isolde Martyn The Maiden and the Unicorn 1998 Set in the Earl of Warwick’s court-in-exile, 1470-1471.  Nominated by Romance Writers of America for Best First Novel 2000 and by Romantic Times as Best Historical Novel 2000.
Robin Maxwell The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn 1997 From Library Journal: This first novel supposes that Anne Boleyn, second wife to King Henry VIII of England, kept a secret diary that was delivered to her daughter, Elizabeth, upon her succession to the throne.
Robin Maxwell To the Tower Born 2006 From Harper Collins: A new and controversial  response to the question of the  fate of the princes in the tower and Richard III’s involvement.
Ian Morson Falconer and the Face of God 1996 From Library Journal: When Oxford teacher (and amateur sleuth) William Falconer witnesses the murder of an on-stage actor, he becomes involved in the second murder affecting a traveling troupe of jongleurs.
Ian Morson Falconer and the Great Beast 1998 Friar Roger Bacon helps Oxford Professor Falconer solve a murder involving Tartars, elephants.  “Morson can … make you see, and almost smell, 13th century Oxford.”
Sharan Newman Cursed in the Blood 1998 This is the 5th item in the Catherine LeVendeur series.
Sharan Newman Death Comes As Epiphany 1991 This is the 1st item in the Catherine LeVendeur series.
Sharan Newman The Devil’s Door 1994 From Publishers Weekly: Countess Alys of Tonnerre, victim of a brutal beating, is barely alive when her husband Raynald brings her to the Abbess Heloise at the convent of the Paraclete in medieval France.
Sharan Newman The Difficult Saint 1999 From Publishers Weekly: This sixth entry in the Catherine LeVendeur series of medieval mysteries (Cursed in the Blood, etc.) leans more heavily on history than mystery as Newman makes 12th-century Paris, a period of religious and political strife and much intolerance, a rich stage for her cast.
Sharan Newman To Wear the White Cloak 2000 From Publishers Weekly: With its attention to detail, depth of research and well-developed characters, this seventh book in Newman’s Catherine LeVendeur series should delight fans of her medieval mysteries.
Sharan Newman The Wandering Arm 1995 From Publishers Weekly: In 12th-century France, religion suffuses society. Relics, attributed with great power, are (almost) universally venerated and trade in religious objects is a lucrative, often dangerous business.
Pamela Norris Through The Glass Window Shines The Sun 1995 Subtitled: An Anthology of Medieval Poetry and Prose
Iain Pears An Instance of The Fingerpost 1999 Amazon.com: {Set in 1663) An Instance of the Fingerpost is that rarest of all possible literary beasts–a mystery powered as much by ideas as by suspects, autopsies, and smoking guns. Hefty, intricately plotted, and intellectually ambitious, Fingerpost has drawn the inevitable comparisons to Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose and, for once, the comparison is apt.
Sharon Kay Penman Cruel as the Grave 1998 Amazon.com: Readers of The Queen’s Man, Sharon Kay Penman’s first book about young Justin de Quincy, will feel right at home as Justin–the bastard son of a bishop–continues to help England’s aged Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine find out if her son Richard Lionheart is still alive in a German prison while trying to…
Sharon Kay Penman The Sunne in Splendour 1982 A best-seller.  Historically-accurate romance with sympathetic treatment of Richard.
Ruth S. Perot The Red Queen 2000 Subtitled “Margaret of Anjou and the Wars of the Roses”.
Tori Phillips Lady of The Knight 1999 16th-century romance set in France
Tori Phillips Midsummer’s Knight 1998 16th-century romance set in England–involves Henry VIII
Tori Phillips One Knight in Venice 2001 Part of the Cavendish Saga set in 16yh-century England
Tori Phillips Silent Knight 1996 16th-century romance set in England. Features Sir Guy in monkish disguise.
Tori Phillips Three Dog Knight 1998 16th-century romance–part of the Cavendish Chronicles
Jeremy Potter A Trail of Blood 1970 A novel, set during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.  By a former Chair of the Society.
Ann Rabinowitz Knight on Horseback 1987 Targeted for younger readers, this much-beloved novel about Richard III features a ten year old 20th-century boy who becomes involved with the ghost of Richard III while in England with his family.
Robert T. Reilly Red Hugh, Prince of Donegal 1997 Children’s novel based on the true story of Red Hugh O’Donnell who live in Ireland in the later 16th century.
Ginny Reyes Addie’s Knight 1999 Victorian schoolteacher magically transported back to 1485, finds love in the Wars of the Roses.
Judith Merkle Riley In Pursuit of the Green Lion 1990 From Publishers Weekly: Picking up threads from her first novel, A Vision of Light , Riley deftly crafts another historical romp, following Margaret of Ashbury through a tumultuous remarriage and a hazardous quest across 14th-century Europe.
Judith Merkle Riley A Vision of Light 1989 From Publishers Weekly: In this bouncy first novel, 14th-century Englishwoman Margaret of Ashbury heeds a “voice” commanding her to compose her colorful life story.
Candace Robb A Spy for the Redeemer 1999 Another Owen Archer adventure, a sequel to A Gift of Sanctuary.
Candace Robb The King’s Bishop 1996 “Robb continues to adeptly blend politics with period detail and three-dimensioned characterization in the Owen Archer tales.”–Publishers Weekly
Candace Robb The Nun’s Tale 1995 Owen Archer solves his third mystery, together with his wife and fellow-apothecary Lucie.
Candace Robb A Trust Betrayed 2000 From Publishers Weekly: Author of the acclaimed Owen Archer mystery series (The Nun’s Tale; etc.) set in late 14th-century England, Robb introduces Dame Margaret Kerr in the alluring first of a new series placed in 13th-century Scotland.
Evelyn Rosenthal Presumed Guilty 1982 “Rosenthal uses the device of multiple narrators, among them Buckingham, Francis Lovell, … but it is John Morton who ties it all together” giving an answer to The Mystery of what happened to the Princes in the Tower.
Diana Rubino Crown of Destiny 1999 From Amazon: In this sequel to “The Jewels of Warwick”, Topaz’s rebellion against Henry VIII gets under way, throwing England into civil war and chaos.
Diana Rubino Destiny Lies Waiting 1999 From Amazon: Beautiful, orphaned Denys has been brought up a member of the Woodville family, now in power thanks to her aunt Elizabeth, wife of the new Yorkist king Edward IV.
Diana Rubino The Jewels of Warwick 1999 From Amazon: In this sequel to “Thy Name is Love”, the saga of the Yorkist royal family continues. The “Jewels” are two sisters, Topaz and Amethyst Plantagenet. They are descendants of Richard III, who lost his life and kingdom to Henry Tudor, future father of Henry VIII.
Diana Rubino One Too Many Times 2000 From the author:  “In this paranormal time travel novel, the fifteenth-century English King Edward IV and his younger brothers George and Richard travel to the twenty-first century in order to try to rewrite history by making a film portraying Richard as he really was, a kind soul and benevolent king …”
Diana Rubino Thy Name is Love 1999 From Amazon: The story begun in “Destiny Lies Waiting” continues as Denys Starbury and her husband Valentine are thrust into the world of power politics. Only one man can contend for the throne–Richard, Duke of Gloucester…
Mary Schaller The Final Trial Of Richard III 1984 (Description not available)
Kate Sedley The Brothers of Glastonbury 1997 From Publishers Weekly: Those who have enjoyed the sleuthing of Sedley’s 15th-century peddler Roger the Chapman know what a feast of storytelling, historical detail and clever crime solving awaits.
Kate Sedley Death and the Chapman 1991 Subtitled:  “A Medieval Mystery”.  The narrator is Roger the Chapman, whose mother told him that he was born on the same day as King Edward IV’s youngest brother.
Kate Sedley The Eve of St. Hyacinth 1996 Another adventure of Roger the Chapman.
Desmond Seward The Wars of the Roses 1996 Subtitled: Through the Lives of Five Men and Women of the Fifteenth Century
William Shakespeare King Richard III 2000 Antony Hammond, ed.  A volume from The Arden Edition of the Works of William Shakespeare.
Arthur R. G. Solmssen The Wife of Shore:  A Search 2000 From Amazon: Still another story about Richard III? Yes, but from a fresh point of view.
The wife of Shore, as she was called by all the writers of her time, was the mistress of Richard’s older brother, King Edward IV.
Anne Easter Smith A Rose for the Crown 2006 From Publishers Weekly: Inspired by the historical record of Richard III’s bastard children, Smith invents a spirited, “tawny-eyed” mistress for the 15th-century king in her sweeping debut….
Anne Easter Smith The King’s Grace 2009 “Never again will history overlook Grace Plantagenet….Beautifully wrought and compelling, with vivid historical detail, this is a fascinating account of one woman’s determination to discover the truth about her family.”– Michelle Moran, bestselling author of The Heretic Queen
Anne Easter Smith Daughter of York 2008 “Here is the richly imagined life of Margaret of York — a woman who dares to dream of love in a world where she is allowed only the role of political pawn.” — Judith Mererkle Rileyey, author of The Water Devil
Anne Easter Smith Royal Mistress: A Novel 2013 Jane Lambert, the quick-witted and alluring daughter of a silk merchant, is twenty-two and still unmarried. When Jane’s father finally finds her a match, she’s married off to the dull, older silk merchant William Shore. Marriage doesn’t stop Jane from flirtation, however, and when the king’s chamberlain, Will Hastings, comes to her husband’s shop, Will knows King Edward will find her irresistible. Edward IV has everything: power, majestic bearing, superior military leadership, a sensual nature, and charisma. And with Jane as his mistress, he also finds true happiness. But when his hedonistic tendencies get in the way of being the strong leader England needs, his life, as well as those of Jane and Will Hastings, hangs in the balance. Jane must rely on her talents to survive as the new monarch, Richard III, bent on reforming his brother’s licentious court, ascends the throne.
Anne Easter Smith Queen by Right 2011 This dramatic tale has been an inspiration to poets and playwrights for 500 years, and, as told through the unique perspective of a woman plucked from obscurity and thrust into a life of notoriety, Royal Mistress is sure to enthrall today’s historical fiction lovers as well.
Robert Lewis Stevenson The Black Arrow reprinted 2010 From School Library Journal: Grade 7 Up–Students of the classics will appreciate Ron Keith’s excellent rendition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s adventure novel, set against the background of the War of the Roses. The time is 15th century England, and Richard Shelton, the young hero, overcomes one obstacle after another in his quest to rescue Joanna, his love. (Reprint)
Joan Szechtman This Time 2009 Brian Wainwright: In This Time Richard is transported to the 21st century and has to fight to reconcile himself with his new surroundings – and with the 15th century events he has left behind. Suffice it to say that he has not escaped from intrigue – nor danger. Beautifully written, this novel will be enjoyed not only by Ricardians, but by anyone who wants a change from routine historical fiction, and indeed those who prefer modern settings for their entertainment.
Joan Szechtman Loyalty Binds Me 2011 … Loyalty Binds Me is a unique novel that spins into a Richard the III alive in the twenty-first century. … With a five hundred year old murder mystery turning hot again, Loyalty Binds Me is a highly unique twist on historical fiction and mystery, recommended.–Midwest Small Press Book Reviews, September, 2011
Reay Tannahill The Seventh Son 2002 From AudioFile: History buffs beware. Though Reay Tannahill’s narrative is entertaining, it offers little insight into the complex personality demonized by Shakespeare in RICHARD III. About two-thirds of the book focuses on the life of Richard before his brother King Edward dies, and little time is devoted to the mystery surrounding who killed the heir, Edward, age 12, and his younger brother, Richard….His Anne Neville is graceful, sympathetic, and charming. Richard is commanding and brilliant.
Josephine Tey The Daughter of Time 1951 Reprinted as a Macmillan mystery classic.  Richard’s character and the mystery of the Princes are deciphered by a modern-day detective. Read Pam Butler’s review/essay.
Sheri Vaughn-Radcliffe Heir Apparent 2005 An epic adventure starring British monarchs both long dead and yet to be born. First-time novelist Vangen-Ratcliffe warmly embraces just about every narrative genre in this dashing tale of time travel and historical intrigue. Tudor fans will love the extended romp through 1534 London…
Carol Wensby-Scott Lion Invincible 1985 “Part of a trilogy tracing the Percy Dukes of Northumberland.”
Brian Wainwright The Adventures of Alianore Audley 2002 & 2005 “A wonderful romp set in 15th-century England…”
Brian Wainwright Within The Fetterlock 2003 The year is 1396, King Richard II is childless–the succession to the English throne is in doubt.
Meredith Whitford Treason 2004 From an online review: This historical is about the War of the Roses as seen through fictional character Martin Robsart. His family is killed and he flees to his “cousins” Edward, Duke of York and his brother who eventually becomes King Richard III.
Hugh Ross Williamson The Butt of Malmsey 1967 From the publisher: The life of the oft maligned George, Duke of Clarence brother to Edward IV is given a little more substance in this historical novel
Connie Willis The Doomsday Book 1993 “Highly recommended” in the review of The Plague Tales that appeared in the Spring, 2001, Ricardian Register.
From Amazon: Connie Willis labored five years on this story of a history student in 2048 who is transported to an English village in the 14th century.
Joan Wolf No Dark Place 1999 From Amazon: How much do you know about 12th-century Norman England? … This historical mystery allows us to slip under the skin of a period and its people.
Eunice Wormald Lady in Waiting 2003 This is a story about Lady Anne Neville as well as her husband, Richard Duke of Gloucester later Richard III. It controversially portrays Anne as a strong woman, on the basis that in the medieval period the upper class women were expected to run all their husband’s households, whether great castles or a manor house.
Sandra Worth The Rose of York:  Love and War 2003 Special features:  foreward by Roxane Murph, M.A.
Book is the winner of four awards and was nominated for the 2003 Dorothy Parker Award. THis is the first of a planned trilogy.
Sandra Worth The Rose of York:  Crown of Destiny 2006 The second book in The Rose of York Trilogy–From Editorial Reviews:  Richard III is said to have murdered his nephews for their throne, but this second historical novel in the ROSE OF YORK series–winners of a remarkable ten awards–tells a different, well-documented, and dramatic story: A man of conscience, Richard is a reluctant king, forced into power and chosen by destiny to save a nation from bloody civil war.
Sandra Worth The Rose of York: Fall from Grace 2006 The third book in The Rose of York Trilogy–From Editorial Reviews:  Defying Shakespeare’ss portrayal of Richard III, this prize-winning, well-researched novel concludes the ROSE OF YORK series — winners of a notable ten awards. Set in Malory’s England, it traces Richard’s remarkable reign, his passion for justice, and his undying devotion to Anne, and delves into the still-unresolved mystery of his nephews’ disappearance. A stirring saga of courage, sacrifice, and love.
Sandra Worth The King’s Daughter: A Novel of the First Tudor Queen Brian Wainwright:  Worth vividly brings one of England’s lesser-known queens to life in this luminous portrait of “Elizabeth the Good,” wife of Henry VII and mother of the notorious Henry VIII. …Woven into Elizabeth’s story are the shrewish machinations of her mother and Margaret Beaufort, Henry’s mother, as well as the mysterious fates of her brothers, Edward V and Richard of York, the princes who disappeared in the Tower of London.
Sandra Worth Lady of the Roses 2008 During her short time as a ward in Queen Marguerite’s Lancastrian court, fifteen-year-old Isobel has had many suitors ask for her hand, but the spirited beauty is blind to all but Yorkist Sir John Neville. It is nothing short of a miracle when the Queen allows Isobel’s marriage to the enemy, albeit at a hefty price.