Dark Ages era Fiction?

[MaxKaladin]

Harry Harrison's Hammer and the Cross trilogy is an alternate Dark Ages story in which the vikings conquer England.

http://www.scifan.com/series/series.asp?SR_seriesid=507

I've read that one, too. It was pretty good.

 

[MetalBard]

Now this may veer the thread a bit, but Michael Crichton's Eater's of the Dead may be a good place to look. I would actually recommend the movie based on that book even more so, though - 13th Warrior. I couldn't really get through Eaters of the Dead even though I liked the concept. It will also give you a bit more of a historical angle on stories like Beowulf and the look and feel of the movie is just so authentic (I did live in Norway for a few years, so I can attest to the location looking authentic... and I'm guessing on the look of the time period, but it seems pretty safe to say that too).

If you are looking at something a little less grounded in reality, as others have said, John Gardner's Grendel is wonderful. Of course, knowing the story of Beowulf helps a bit when reading Grendel.

 

[Maerdwyn]

Couple more -

Song of Roland and the Poem of El Cid are possibilities. It's amazing to me that there's not more modern literature based on Charlemagne

Lion of Ireland, Morgan Llywelyn's version of Brian Boru (10th century), was very enjoyable, if quite romanticized. If you like it, her other novels of Irish heroes like Finn MacCool and Amergin are similar in style.

 

[Desdichado]

Isn't Ivanhoe solidly medieval? Reign of Richard the Lionheart?

Yes, it is. But what is the Dark Ages exactly? It's not a very precisely defined term, and it's not even used academically. It's certainly before the High Medieval, and for most, that's about the same thing. Where's your cutoff? The invasion of William the Conqueror? If so, what about Dark Ages on the Continent?

 

[Hypersmurf]

A couple of Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's novels are set in that sort of era - Better In The Dark for Saint-Germain, and A Candle For Byzantium for Olivia are two that come to mind.

Eric Flint and David Drake - the Belisarius series, set in the Byzantine period. Um, with a couple of time-travelling computers thrown in.

-Hyp.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

Offhand a couple I can think of are:

Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma series: Sister Fidelma is an Irish judge (at least, the equivalent of the time) who goes around solving mysteries in Ireland and on the mainland during the 7th century. The only one I've read so far is "Shroud for the Archbishop" which takes Sister Fidelma to Rome in 664, to solve the murder of the archbishop designate of Canterbury. Very interesting book, very well written and intriguing mystery, and there is a historical section that is a real interesting read (one of the things I love about Cornwell's historic fiction as well). My dad turned me on to this writer and title, and he's read most of the series.

Bernard Knight's Crowner John series: Just discovered this one while traveling to Ireland recently. Interesting series- again, a mystery series- about a Crowner (coroner) in Exeter, England in the 12th century. Crowner John works as the coroner for the King-in-Absentia Richard (who is off fighting in the Crusades) and has to contend with the cronies of Richard's cousin John while also dealing with the crimes that take place in his jurisdiction.

 

[Tanager]

It might not quite have the feel you're looking for, but Dorothy Dunnett's King Hereafter is, to my mind, the best retelling of Macbeth ever. Vikings, Scots and more dirty politics than you can shake a stick at.

Rosemary Suttcliff's Eagle of the Ninth and The Silver Branch, take place near the end of the Roman occupation of Britain and may be more what you're looking for. Not the most advanced reading, but I remember enjoying them. If you're burnt out on Arthurian stuff you'll want to steer clear of her Sword at Sunset.

I know you mentioned having read Mary Stewart, but have you also read her book on Mordred The Wicked Day? I think out of all her Aurthurian stuff that was my favorite.


[edited because there is no c in Viking]