Bayeux Tapestry-inspired books

Six Bayeux Tapestry-Inspired Books

As you may be aware, the Bayeux Tapestry has arrived at the British Museum. Bringing with it a renewed interest in the turbulent history of our Isles. We have curated a selection of six Bayeux-inspired historical reads that explore life in medieval society. From battles and conquests to political intrigue and courtly love, there’s a new story to discover in the library.

The autumnal weather offers more opportunities to cosy up with a great book – fall into a new world, meet new characters to love and hate, and enjoy new stories.
We have a searchable online catalogue and a BorrowBox catalogue. If there’s a book you want to read and you can’t find it on the shelves, you can reserve it online, and it will be delivered to a library of your choice.

Here are our top six Bayeux Tapestry-inspired books from our libraries

1. The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell
Uhtred, born a Saxon nobleman but raised by Vikings, is caught between two identities as Alfred the Great fights to preserve the last Saxon kingdoms from the Danish invasion. It’s historical adventure driven by war, loyalty, revenge and the question of where one belongs.
Borrow The Last Kingdom from our Catalogue or BorrowBox.

2. Matrix by Lauren Groff

An ambitious young woman is sent to a remote medieval abbey, where she gradually transforms the impoverished convent into a powerful, self-sufficient community. It’s medieval history told through female ambition, sexuality, spirituality and power.

Borrow Matrix from our Catalogue or BorrowBox.

3. The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett

Set in England in 997, the novel follows a young boatbuilder, a Norman noblewoman and a monk whose lives collide amid Viking raids, political corruption and struggles for power. It’s essentially a sweeping prequel to The Pillars of the Earth.

Borrow The Evening and the Morning from our Catalogue or BorrowBox.

4. The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman

A sweeping account of the Wars of the Roses and the rise and fall of Richard III, following him from childhood through his struggle for the English throne. It’s historical drama driven by family loyalty, political intrigue, betrayal, war and the question of whether Richard was really the villain history made him out to be.
Borrow The Sunne in Splendour from our Catalogue.

5. The Wake by Paul Kingsnorth

Set in 1066, the novel follows a Saxon landowner, Buccmaster, as he wages a desperate guerrilla war against the Norman invaders who have conquered England. It’s a stark, immersive vision of the Norman Conquest, focused on resistance, violence, identity, language and the collapse of a world.
Borrow The Wake from our Catalogue.

6. Company of Liars by Karen Maitland

In 1348, as the Black Death begins to spread across England, a group of travellers flee north together, each carrying secrets and lies about who they really are. It’s medieval historical fiction with a dark, almost gothic atmosphere, driven by plague, superstition, fear, betrayal and the uneasy question of whom you can trust.

Borrow Company of Liars from our Catalogue.