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Celtic Radio Community > Medieval Gateway > Favorite Medieval Movie Or Book


Posted by: Rindy 02-Dec-2007, 11:50 PM
Was wondering what your favorite medieval movie or book is? To name a few mine are:

Movies

Braveheart
Rob Roy
King Arthur

will think of more later.

Slainte

Posted by: Madadh 03-Dec-2007, 05:18 AM
Rindy,

Robin Hood (Errol Flynn)
Kingdom of Heaven
First Knight
Excalibur
Ivanhoe
The Vikings
The Name of the Rose

For fun biggrin.gif biggrin.gif
Robin Hood -- men in tights
Knights Tale


neat site for medieval movies: http://oz.plymouth.edu/~medsoc/movies.html

PS: Don't think Rob Roy would be considered Medieval biggrin.gif

Posted by: stoirmeil 03-Dec-2007, 10:44 AM
The Vikings is wonderful; so is The Long Ships, with Richard Widmark. The real classic is The Seventh Seal -- one of my five favorite films of all time. I also loved Preminger's Saint Joan, based on the play by GB Shaw.

There are loads of books. One oldie but goodie about the Crusades by Frank Yerby is called "The Saracen Blade" -- love, sex, betrayal, an unusual hero, and loads of good period research in warfare, dress, and the like. Another wonderful oldie, which I think is still in print, is Anya Seton's "Katherine," about the mistress and later wife of John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster). Amazingly researched detail and good old-fashioned historical romance writing.

You should all check out the series of books written by Rosemary Sutcliff about the early centuries of the British Isles. They are for young adults, but don't let that stop you. Amazing level of research and clean, bold characters, and exciting plot writing. Most are out of print, but libraries have them. The best was "The Hound of Ulster," a retelling of the Cuchullain legend that will have you in shreds by the end.

Posted by: jime307 03-Dec-2007, 08:15 PM
Hmm.. choices choices
For Movies Id have to say
The Mists of Avalon
Tristan and Isolde
Merlin
King Arthur
Chronicles of Narnia


Book wise, theres very few stories I read that aren't complete fantasy but I have read a few good medival/ historic titles and right now I can only think of one
The Leopard Sword- And interesting book about the Crusades it's pretty good too.

Posted by: thecelticgiraffe 14-Jan-2008, 09:33 AM
Medieval period movies that have stayed in my memory the longest were:

Excalibur
The Name of the Rose

Watching "Excaliber" now it seems a little dated, but in its time, and many years after, was one of the best! Not to be missed.

As for books, I have been a medieval fan for years and have a collection of around 50 books on the subject. Without a doubt my favorite so far is:

A Distant Mirror, by Barbara Tuchman.

I read it twice, which is the only medieval history book for which I have done that! Written as story of one true "real" knight, mixed with history.


Posted by: Rindy 30-Jan-2008, 03:29 PM
Good ones!!!

I haven't seen The Name of The Rose. Sounds good! Isn't if funny how things get out dated that seemed so hi-tech at the time. I will have to check out A Distant Mirror.

Slainte

Posted by: Nara 04-Feb-2008, 05:18 PM
Ladyhawke is one of my favorite medieval movies. And even though it's silly and I've seen it at least a thousand times, I also still love "The Princess Bride".

Have any of you ever read "The Dark is Rising" series of books by Susan Cooper? They are based on the Arthurian legend, but set somewhat in modern times. They are for teens, I guess, like Harry Potter. Haven't read them in years, but loved them when I was younger.

Posted by: Rindy 06-Feb-2008, 02:45 PM
Hi Nara, I liked The Princess Bride also, haven't seen the other one sounds like I should though. Will also check into that book series it sounds very good.
I thought the movie the Last Legion was pretty good.

Slainte

Posted by: j Padraig moore 31-Jul-2008, 11:06 AM
Hmm...I'm surprised no one has mentioned The 13th Warrior. It has become one of my favorite films.
When I was a kid I loved The Long Ships ( with Richard Widmark) and always felt it was better than the Vikings (with Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis). But now, I can't even watch the Long Ships (I have it on DVD). I find it a bit too silly, especially compared to the Vikings. I guess my tastes have changed.

Posted by: Camac 31-Jul-2008, 03:44 PM
The WarLord, Charleton Heston and Richard Boone

Posted by: Rindy 20-Aug-2008, 03:41 PM
jp I loved the 13th Warrior, I forgot about it. I agree with you tastes do change. With all the technology some of the older movies look plain stupid. lol

Camac-wonderful movie! I need to watch that one soon! Charleton Heston is one of my favorite actors. I was so upset to learn of his passing.

Slainte

Posted by: jesstuss 29-Aug-2008, 01:57 AM
Wow don't know how I missed a reply on this topic in all the time it's been out. bag.gif

I've mentioned this once before, but my favorite medieval based book is "The Once and Future King" by T H White, which the musical Camelot and Disney's "Sword and the Stone" were based on. It is also my favorite book of all times.


Movie? The Princess Bride is an all time fave of mine, if it qualifies as medieval. Other than that, I love the armor and scenery in Monty Python's Holy Grail if that qualifies.

notworthy.gif bwahahaha

Posted by: Harlot 31-Aug-2008, 12:21 AM
I loved "Timeline" just for the fact that they could go back in time and come back. Sometimes I'd like to be able too do that but just for awhile.

Princess Bride was one my kids like watched it a lot,now my grandson watches it when he's here.

Posted by: ilpiccolobardo 01-Sep-2008, 04:20 PM
Books : the serie of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
Movies : Braveheart, Lord of the Rings, Highlander...

Posted by: gaberlunzie 06-Sep-2008, 04:07 AM
Another book I love and that wasn't mentioned yet is "The Court of the Midnight King" by Freda Warrington; it's about Richard III and the War of Roses. An excellent and enchanting book!

There is a trilogy about Wales, LLewelyn, Prince of Wales and his fight against England for a free nation written by Sharon Kay Penman.
Starting in the 13th century with LLewelyn, Prince of North Wales and King John of England it ends with the death of Davydd ap Gruffydd who was executed by the English King Edward at Shrewsbury.

These are the bokks in the right order:

Here be Dragons
Falls the Shadow
The Reckoning.

All my favorite movies have alreaedy be mentioned; I will try to think of some more.

Posted by: McRoach 30-Sep-2008, 11:12 AM
Although it is not super easy to read I do enjoy Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. The movie did the book justice but I would have to say that the 13th Warrior is my favorite movie. I am not really an Antonio Banderas fan but I liked the simplicity of the movie. No flashy kings and royal courts or enormous armies with lots of politics, just a well rounded film depicting life in the dark ages and of coarse bloody sword fights. Royal08.gif

Posted by: englishmix 16-Aug-2009, 10:45 PM
I am reading MONTROSE by C.V. Wedgwood, St Martins Press, 1995 (ISBN 0-312-12584-4). Its the history and romantic adventures of James Graham, 1st Marqess of Montrose. Found it at my public library book sale in like new condition for $1. Sold!

Okay well its not officially medieval as it happens in the 1600's when they had muskets and canons with their pikes and armor.

Its very good non-fiction Scottish history. Hard to put aside, and I am almost done.

Does anyone know of a movie about Montrose?

Posted by: Camac 19-Aug-2009, 08:02 AM
My favourite Medieval Movie is "The War Lord" With Charlton Heston and Richard Boone. I think it's my favourite because it was the first one that showed some realism of the time the 11th century.



Camac

Posted by: TheCarolinaScotsman 19-Aug-2009, 10:03 AM
It is straight history, but one that I have found very useful is Sutherland and Caithness in Saga-Time by James Gray. It originally came out in 1922, but has recently been re-released.. If you can't find a copy, there is one on-line at the Gutenberg project. http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/15856

Posted by: RebeccaAnn 19-Aug-2009, 02:41 PM
Please explain Medival. If Rob Roy is not medeval than I would say neither are the Vikings.
William Wallace
Ivanhoe

Posted by: Camac 19-Aug-2009, 03:25 PM
RebeccaAnn;

The Medieval period ended with the Renaisance in the 14th century. From roughly 900 to 1300 was the Medieval Period.


Camac.

Posted by: englishmix 19-Aug-2009, 03:44 PM
Ah, yes, "The Warlord." That was very good. I need to watch it again soon!

Posted by: Camac 20-Aug-2009, 10:24 AM
El Cid wasn't to bad. The thing that bugs me about Hollywood and its so called Historical Movie, The Kingdom Of Heaven, Braveheart, Troy, Alexander, is that they screw it all up and the first thing that suffers is the Historical Truth. Take "The Kingdom of Heaven" Balien was the defender of Jerusalem against Saladin. He was also a lot older than depicted, married with two children and he did not ride off with Sybilla the Queen. In Braveheart well the only accurate thing was his execution and that only in the method. Troy was so sickening that I guarantee Homer sat up in his grave and screamed.


Camac.

Posted by: RebeccaAnn 20-Aug-2009, 02:23 PM
King Arthur stories

Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

Posted by: TheCarolinaScotsman 20-Aug-2009, 02:35 PM
QUOTE (Camac @ 19-Aug-2009, 05:25 PM)
RebeccaAnn;

The Medieval period ended with the Renaisance in the 14th century. From roughly 900 to 1300 was the Medieval Period.


Camac.

I was always taught that it bagan with the fall of the Roman Empire (the sacking of Rome by the Goths and Visigoths) in the fifth century and ran till the fifteenth century.

Posted by: Camac 20-Aug-2009, 03:06 PM
From roughly 500 to 900 was considered the dark ages of western Europe.



Camac.

Posted by: TheCarolinaScotsman 20-Aug-2009, 03:57 PM
QUOTE (Camac @ 20-Aug-2009, 05:06 PM)
From roughly 500 to 900 was considered the dark ages of western Europe.



Camac.

I've checked many places on the net and some give roughly the same period as you while others include the Dark Ages in the Middle Ages. The most common interpretation I could find gave the Middle Ages as stretching between the Roman Empire and the beginnings of Modern Europe (the Renaisance), the age "in the middle" of the two aforementioned periods. The below quote is typical of the thousand year interpretation.

The term "medieval" comes from the Latin meaning "middle age." The term medieval (originally spelled mediaeval) wasn't introduced into English until the 19th century, a time when there was heightened interest in the art, history and though of the Middle Ages.

There is some disagreement about when the Medieval Period started, whether it began in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th century AD. Most scholars associate the beginning of the period with the collapse of the Roman empire, which began in 410 AD. Scholars similarly disagree about when the period ends, whether they place the end at the start of the 15th century (with the rise of the Renaissance Period), or in 1453 (when Turkish forces captured Constantinople).


Then coming closer to your interpretation is this:

Depends on who and where you are. In England, the Middle Ages are generally dated from the Norman Conquest of 1066. In France, the Moyen Age is traditionally dated from the Baptism of King Clovis in 498. In Germany, the Mittelalter is taken to have begun between 500 and 600. Many historians date the medieval period from the Hegira of Mohammed in 622 and the beginning of Islamic expansion ... and so on.

Then I found this which seems to clarify the two:

The sacking of Rome in 410 AD by Alaric, leader of the Visigoths caused the gradual fall of the Western Roman Empire. By 476 AD the last Roman Emperor was deposed, beginning a new era, this being the Middle Ages. It is also referred to as "Medieval" in history, so the two terms are alike.

The Dark ages is simply a word used to describe the early Middle Ages from 476 AD to approximately 1000 AD. It is named the Dark Ages because it was a specific period of time where there was very little technological development or advances in knowledge, where the quality of life for the people was moving backwards and they suffered as a result.

There are several theories as to when the Middle Ages declined and the Renaissance period started.

1. The capture of Constantinople in 1453 AD by Mehmed II, a General of the Ottoman Empire effectively neutralizing the Eastern Roman Empire.

2. The discovery of "The Americas" in 1492 AD by Italian explorer and navigator Christopher Columbus.

3. The widespread use of gunpowder, making the icon of the Medieval era (castles) become obsolete.

4. The Black Death ravaged Europe in 1347 AD, killing millions and efficiently destroying the Feudal system, which provided the basis for society in Medieval times.


I guess it could be either span depending on the interpretation you choose.










Posted by: Camac 20-Aug-2009, 04:56 PM
The Medieval Period has also been tied to the rise of Feudalism.



Camac.

Posted by: mcnberry 20-Aug-2009, 06:17 PM
Books:

A World Lit Only by Fire: The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance - Portrait of an Age, by William Raymond Manchester

The Name of the Rose, by Umberto Eco, translation by William Weaver
This book was also made into a movie!

How the Irish Saved Civilization, by Thomas Cahill
I love this book! There are parts where I found myself laughing out loud.

Eleanor of Aquitaine, by Alison Weir

The Physician, by Noah Gordon

The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffry Chaucer, translated by Nevill Coghill


Movies:

The Name of the Rose

The Lion in Winter

Excalibur

The Bruce

The Sorceress

A Man for all Seasons



Posted by: RebeccaAnn 20-Aug-2009, 06:21 PM
Wouldn't Rob Roy than fit into the Middle Ages? He is fighting the Jacobite Wars.

Posted by: TheCarolinaScotsman 20-Aug-2009, 07:43 PM
QUOTE (RebeccaAnn @ 20-Aug-2009, 08:21 PM)
Wouldn't Rob Roy than fit into the Middle Ages? He is fighting the Jacobite Wars.

Those were in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, two hundred and fifty to four hundred years after the end of the middle ages.

Posted by: Lady-of-Avalon 21-Aug-2009, 02:51 PM
QUOTE (RebeccaAnn @ 20-Aug-2009, 07:21 PM)
Wouldn't Rob Roy than fit into the Middle Ages? He is fighting the Jacobite Wars.

No RebeccaAnn

Rob Roy MacGregor was a Renaissance man as he was born around 1671 and died in 1734. And he was not the "gentleman" hero some people would like to think he was as he was a cattleman but also a notorious outlaw.

He fought on the first Jacobite rising led by Dundee at the time.

LOA smile.gif

Posted by: Camac 21-Aug-2009, 03:19 PM
LOA;

You got that right. He was a Cattle Thief and ran a Protection Racket. Pay or we steal yer coos.

Camac.

Posted by: mcnberry 21-Aug-2009, 03:25 PM

From www.essortment.com:


Scotland has a rich historical tapestry that spans thousands of years. It is also a country that has nurtured its fair share of heroes like the real MacBeth, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Rob Roy MacGregor, or “Red Rob” as he was sometimes known, was another Scottish hero who acquired legend status despite various discrepancies in the telling and re-telling of his many exploits and adventures.

Robert MacGregor was born in 1671 in Glen Gyle, Scotland, the son of Donald MacGregor, a soldier who fought in the armies of King Charles II. After leaving the employ of the King, Donald went into the cattle business. In those days going into the cattle business sometimes meant stealing the shaggy black beasts from neighbors and surrounding territories. Glen Gyle also happened to be a main cattle droving route so the pickings were often good.

Young MacGregor eventually took over the business, soon proving more adept at his chosen livelihood than his father. Sometimes Rob traded legitimately, other times his dealings were more unofficial. It’s said he didn’t shy away from using blackmail, bribery and “pay-offs” to achieve his goals. A Highlander of the old school, MacGregor believed that bribery and blackmail were an age-old and honourable practice. Even the Black Watch, a Scottish regiment specifically created in 1725 to guard against cattle thieving, looked the other way if paid adequate protection money.

MacGregor was also a known sympathizer to the Jacobite cause which extended over a period of around 50 years, from 1688 to 1745. Jacobites were supporters of the royal Stuart line, most notably King James II and his descendants. There were a total of five Jacobite rebellions, or wars, as they were sometimes known. The movement was particularly strong in Scotland and Wales. The culmination of the last rebellion occurred at the battle of Culloden in 1746 where the supporters of Bonnie Prince Charlie, most of them loyal Scottish clansmen, were killed or forced into exile.

Despite numerous royal intrigues and machinations initiated by Jacobite sympathizers, Rob Roy MacGregor stayed shy of any serious dealings with the movement during his early years. Instead he married, started a family and kept his full attention on his cattle business. When a few hard winters brought his family and kinsmen close to starvation, MacGregor was forced to raid the Lowlands for cattle. Because he was such an expert at secreting entire herds away under the noses of his neighbors, he was never caught and by 1711, his cattle business was once more thriving. Impressed with the MacGregor’s business acumen, the Duke of Montrose, a rich landowner under whose protection the MacGregor clan lived, offered Rob a business deal -- to buy a herd of sturdy cattle, which would be fattened and then resold for considerable profit. MacGregor accepted and sent an assistant to collect the money from Montrose. Unfortunately the man made off with the Duke’s 1000 pounds.

Montrose was furious and branded MacGregor an outlaw and brigand. The Duke seized MacGregor’s lands and burned down his home without allowing him to explain what had happened or to re-pay the stolen funds. Naturally MacGregor swore revenge.

From 1713-1720 Rob Roy MacGregor lived the life of an outlaw and soon gained folk hero status among his fellow Highlanders. Not only did he initiate many successful raids against the Duke of Montrose, he also took part in various Jacobite battles and skirmishes. The most notable was the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715. Some historians have differing opinions on the extent of MacGregor’s involvement in this battle. One theory suggests that he returned from a special mission too late to take part in the fighting. Another theory says that he and his clan merely watched the battle from a safe distance, their only interest in whatever plunder might result after the dust settled. MacGregor also played a part in some lesser skirmishes like the one at Glen Shiel in 1719.

By 1720 Rob Roy MacGregor had not only gained considerable notoriety for his open defiance against the British, he’d also escaped their prisons on numerous occasions. But after a few years of living the life of a brigand and outlaw, he decided to return home to his family and clansman in Balquhidder. He was eventually recaptured in 1726 and escorted to the infamous Newgate prison in London, a goal from which he could not escape. MacGregor was sentenced to transportation away from his homeland to live the rest of his life as an bonded servant in Barbados. He was pardoned before the order was carried out and in 1727 returned home to his family and kinsmen. They labeled him their Scottish “Robin Hood” and Rob Roy MacGregor lived out the rest of his life tending his family and his cattle and died in 1764 at the age of 63.

After MacGregor’s death his legendary status lived on. Sir Walter Scott, Daniel Defoe and English poet, William Wordsworth, wrote novels, stories and epic poems about Rob Roy MacGregor that are still read and enjoyed today. And in the Highlands of Scotland, around a lake called Loch Lomond, there are statues and historical markers that also tell the colorful tales of Rob Roy MacGregor, Scottish outlaw and hero.


Poem by William Wordsworth:

http://www.litscape.com/author/William_Wordsworth/Rob_Roys_Grave.html





Posted by: Rindy 21-Aug-2009, 04:05 PM
It's great to see some folks here that know their history! I suppose this means I can't like this movie Rob Roy anymore, sad.gif In this time period anyhow. lol.

I shall move it then. It needs to go in the Legend Of Josey Wales "Outlaw" category *just kidding*

Wonderful information going in this thread. thumbs_up.gif

Slainte

Posted by: mcnberry 21-Aug-2009, 06:51 PM
Rindy, I loved Rob Roy too! thumbs_up.gif

Posted by: RebeccaAnn 22-Aug-2009, 09:08 PM
Mcberry thank you for the history. I know William Wallace. He is my great uncle. My family, the Knelands, were great fighters and the royal hunters. We have two coats of arms, one given by Robert the Bruce and one by Mary Queen of Scots.
Rindy you can like Rob Roy. Who is outlaw and who is not depends on how you look at it and who is talking. Robin Hood is a thief but is a good man. In my family I have many that are called pirates by some and privateers by others. We allso have a few horse thieves who took from the rich to give to the poor.

Posted by: englishmix 30-Aug-2009, 10:34 PM
The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffry Chaucer is a great read and should not be missed in one's lifetime!

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