Fan of Tolkien?

We all know and love the famous J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote some of the best stories mankind has ever known. Lord of the Rings, Silmarillion, The Hobbit...

Well, if you didn't know already, Tolkien was a professor of Anglo-Saxon language. He would handle medieval manuscripts a lot for research, and well, his job. He had an interest in them. And if you've ever seen a picture (or one in person) of a medieval manuscript, you'll understand when I say they're beautiful. The artwork sprinkles the pages, making the paper come alive. It must have inspired Tolkien too, because if you compare the drawings of the dragons from his maps in The Hobbit, and other places he's drawn his dragon sketches, with the dragons from medieval manuscripts, you'll see just how similar they are.

Take a look!




Medieval Manuscript:

 Tolkien's work:

Pretty similar, huh? So next time you pick up a copy of The Hobbit, remember what those drawings were inspired by. Or, the next time you hear someone say "history is stupid," remind them that it's not so stupid after all and that it inspired an author to write a book which then turned into their favourite movie.

Medieval Times

"Surrender to an age of bravery and honor and witness epic battles of steel and steed during our ALL-NEW SHOW. From ringside seats, discover a feast of the eyes and appetite with more action, more fun & more excitement than ever before.
As you thrill to a rousing live jousting tournament, marvel at awe-inspiring horsemanship and falconry, Medieval Times serves a four-course meal fit for royalty.
Hang on to your helmet. The show is about to begin."

http://www.medievaltimes.com/

Gilt by Katherine Longshore

In the court of King Henry VIII, nothing is free--
and love comes at the highest price of all.

When Kitty Tylney's best friend, Catherine Howard, worms her way into King Henry VIII's heart and brings Kitty to court, she's thrust into a world filled with fabulous gowns, sparkling jewels, and elegant parties. No longer stuck in Cat's shadow, Kitty's now caught between two men--the object of her affection and the object of her desire. But court is also full of secrets, lies, and sordid affairs, and as Kitty witnesses Cat's meteoric rise and fall as queen, she must figure out how to keep being a good friend when the price of telling the truth could literally be her head. 

(From https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12952710-gilt?from_search=true )

Reign

"Reign is an American historical fiction television series following the early years of Mary, Queen Of Scots, in 1557 France. The series, created by Stephanie SenGupta and Laurie McCarthy, airs on The CW as part of the 2013-14 American TV Show. The leading roles are played by a combination of Australian, Canadian and English actors.
On February 13, 2014, The CW renewed the series for a second season." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reign_%282013_TV_series%29

The Tudors

"The Tudors is an Irish-Canadian historical fiction television series set primarily in sixteenth-century England, created by Michael Hurst and produced for the American premium cable television channel Showtime. The series, although named after the Tudor dynasty as a whole, is based specifically upon the reign of King Henry VIII of England." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tudors

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Oblivion is the fourth game in the Elder Scrolls series. It is a Fantasy game, but is extremely medieval-based. It'll take you right back in time, bringing along a bit of magic!

Ghost Of A Rose (Album by Blackmore's Night)

Blackmore's Night is a band that fulls under the genre of Medieval Rock, Celtic Rock, and Folk.

This album, Ghost of a Rose, features the songs:

1 Way To Mandalay

2 Three Black Crows
3 Diamonds and Rust
4 Cartouche
5 Queen for a Day, Pt. 1
6 Queen for a Day, Pt. 2
7 Ivory Tower
8 Nur Eine Minute
9 Ghost of a Rose
10 Mr. Peagram's Morris and Sword
11 Loreley
12 Where Are We Going From Here
13 Rainbow Blues
14 All For One
15 Dandelion Wine


Cartouche: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plkHmOvc6_k

Queen for a Day, Pt. 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx543gsIPTs

Nur Eine Minute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-n3ICWAV30

Loreley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6GTq96eDRU

Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin Trilogy #2) by Robin LaFevers

Vengeance is divine.


When Sybella arrived at the doorstep of St Mortain half mad with grief and despair the convent were only too happy to offer her refuge - but at a price. The sisters of this convent serve Death, and with Sybella naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, she could become one of their most dangerous weapons.
But her assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to the life that nearly drove her mad. Her father's rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother's love is equally monstrous. But when Sybella discovers an unexpected ally she discovers that a daughter of Death may find something other than vengeance to live for...


***

This is a historical fiction book set in the 1400s in Rennes and Nantes in Brittany (now France). The religion from the story, and some characters are purely fictional, but some characters (like Anne of Brittany, duchess) once lived and breathed. 

Dark Triumph is the second book in the His Fair Assassin Trilogy by Robin LaFevers. The first book is Grave Mercy and the third book is Mortal Heart. 

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9943270-dark-triumph?from_search=true

Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin Trilogy #1) by Robin LaFevers

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

***

This is a historical fiction book set in the 1400s in Rennes and Nantes in Brittany (now France). The religion from the story, and some characters are purely fictional, but some characters (like Anne of Brittany, duchess) once lived and breathed. 

Grave Mercy is the first book in the His Fair Assassin Trilogy by Robin LaFevers. The second book is Dark Triumph and the third book is Mortal Heart.

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9565548-grave-mercy?from_search=true