Reading fiction Welsh history books is like time-traveling in an author’s imagination while learning a little real history, too. And what could be better than that? In this list of carefully selected Welsh fiction books, prepare to meet kings, princes, farmers, monks, nobles, and everyday people who lived extraordinary lives.
As you’ll see below, we’re starting off our list of fiction Welsh history books with Illustrated Tales of Wales by Mark Rees. I selected this book as the perfect beginning. It has a bit of everything regarding this topic while being distinct from every other book on this list. Like works covered in an earlier post about books on Welsh mythology, Rees’ book tells of myths and legends born in Cymru’s ancient past. Are the stories fictional? Yes, at least when it comes to mermaids and shapeshifting (as far as we know, haha!). However, many of the stories unfold in real places. They mention real people and teach traditions, values, and lessons relevant to people at the time.
What are the oldest Welsh manuscripts? The Black Book of Carmarthen is the oldest known manuscript written completely in Cymraeg (Welsh). As it dates to the mid-thirteenth century, its unknown author wrote in Middle Welsh. The Black Book consists of poetry about Welsh heroes from the Dark Ages. The Black Book of Carmarthen is also a part of the Four Ancient Books of Wales (medieval manuscripts). The other three are The Book of Taliesin, The Book of Aneirin, and The Red Book of Hergest. The tales of the Mabinogion, many of which you’ll encounter in Illustrated Tales of Wales, come from The Red Book of Hergest.
This post is about fiction Welsh history books.
A List of Fiction Welsh History Books
If you’re looking for non-fiction Welsh history books, A History of Wales by John Davies is a great place to start. It’s one of the books I mention in the post 9 Welsh History Books That Rediscover the Land of the Dragon.
Illustrated Tales of Wales by Mark Rees
This beautifully illuminated book about Wales takes us wandering through Cymru’s haunting mythology one incredible story at a time. It seems like some of the best Welsh history books come to us in the form of these legendary tales because they reveal so much about the way people believed at the time. It’s available for Kindle and in paperback.
From the blurb: A red and white dragon fighting tooth and claw in the moonlit sky; mischievous fairy folk luring unwary travellers deep into their underground lairs; a kind-hearted mermaid saving the lives of those in peril on the high seas; and a charmed boy who transforms into an otter and a bird to outrun a wicked witch.
In Illustrated Tales of Wales, author Mark Rees explores the fantastical myths, legends, and folk stories of Wales, which have long fired the imagination of young and old alike. From the medieval tales of the Mabinogion to those rooted firmly in Arthurian mythology, they range from the quirky to the macabre and tell of heroic pets, strange superstitions, devious devils, and restless spirits.
Wales is home to mighty giants which live on the highest mountains and battle to the death with King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. It has a patron saint of hares, who created a safe haven for humans and animals alike, and a patron saint of love, whose idyllic island became a place of pilgrimage. It has a water horse, which has been known to give those who mount it the ride of their lives, and the unforgettable Mari Lwyd, one of the world’s more unusual Christmastime traditions in which an eerie horse-skulled visitor goes door-to-door in the dead of night.
Spindle and Dagger by J. Anderson Coats
Spindle and Dagger is next on our list of imaginative fiction Welsh history books. It’s a young adult novel perfect for readers 17 or 18. You’ll also be happy to know that it’s available in all formats: Kindle, paperback, hardcover, and for Audible through Amazon (links below).
From the blurb: Wales, 1109. Three years ago, a warband raided Elen’s home. Her baby sister could not escape the flames. Her older sister fought back and almost killed the warband’s leader, Owain ap Cadwgan, before being killed herself. Despite Elen’s own sexual assault at the hands of the raiders, she saw a chance to live and took it. She healed Owain’s wound and spun a lie: Owain ap Cadwgan, son of the king of Powys, cannot be killed, not by blade nor blow nor poison. Owain ap Cadwgan has the protection of Saint Elen, as long as he keeps her namesake safe from harm and near him always.
For three years, Elen has had plenty of food, clothes to wear, and a bed to sleep in that she shares with the man who brought that warband to her door. Then, Owain abducts Nest, the wife of a Norman lord, and her three children, triggering full-out war. As war rages and her careful lies threaten to unravel, Elen begins to look to Nest and see a different life—if she can decide, once and for all, where her loyalties lie. J. Anderson Coats’s evocative prose immerses the reader in a dark but ultimately affirming tale of power and survival.
A Welsh Dawn: Politics, Life and Love in 1950s Wales by Gareth Thomas
Do you love stories set in Wales in the 1950s? A Welsh Dawn is available for Kindle, in paperback, and through its publisher, Y Lolfa (links below).
From the blurb: “This is an epic novel in every sense of the word. In it, I rediscovered parts of myself.” —Lyn Ebenezer, Gwales
“The book is highly readable, written with humour and perception—a significant achievement. It has a unique perspective. It deserves to be widely read.” —Dafydd Wigley, Daily Post
“I see a film in the making.” —Linda Christmas, The Welsh Agenda
A novel set in rural Wales explores the tensions within Welsh society in the 1950s: tensions between Welsh and English-speaking Wales, between North and South, between those who wanted to preserve their heritage and those who wanted prosperity at any cost, between the generation who had experienced the war and the young people who see Wales within a wider European context.
Garthowen: A Story of a Welsh Homestead by Allen Raine
Garthowen is a public domain book, so you can get it for free on Amazon or elsewhere if you want it as a digital book. If you want a physical copy, it’s also available in paperback and hardcover for pence/pennies or a few pounds, depending on whom you order from.
From the blurb: Garthowen: A Story of a Welsh Homestead by Allen Raine is a captivating novel set in the picturesque Welsh countryside, exploring themes of family, love, and resilience. The narrative centers around the life of the protagonist, Mabel, who embodies the spirit of her rural heritage as she navigates the challenges of life on a homestead. Raine’s vivid descriptions bring the landscape to life, immersing readers in the natural beauty and rich culture of Wales. The story intricately weaves Mabel’s personal journey with the trials faced by her community, reflecting broader social issues of the time.
Raine’s writing combines poetic language with engaging dialogue, making the characters relatable and their struggles poignant. The novel’s exploration of the bond between the land and its people resonates deeply, encapsulating the essence of Welsh identity. Garthowen is not just a tale of survival but a celebration of the enduring human spirit, making it a timeless classic.
The Welsh Traitor’s Daughter (Welsh Warrior Book 1) by Arianwen Nunn
The Welsh Traitor’s Daughter is perfect for readers who love romance novels set in Wales. Written for ages 14 – 18, this young adult novel tells Angharad’s story through the many complicated aspects of eleventh-century Wales and the culture clashes of the time. Available in paperback and for Kindle.
From the blurb: Transport yourself to late 11th-century Wales in The Welsh Traitor’s Daughter, a captivating tale inspired by the noble lives of Angharad ferch Owain and Gruffydd ap Cynan. Immerse yourself in the tumultuous changes of this era as hostile Norman expansion threatens the Welsh way of life.
In this thrilling story, Angharad is torn between two worlds, navigating the Welsh’s chaotic yet rich culture while facing the cold brutality of their Norman overlords. As she enters womanhood, Angharad is faced with difficult choices, complicated further by her passionate love for her father’s enemy, Gruffydd ap Cynan, the young firebrand and heir to the throne of Gwynedd.
The Welsh Traitor’s Daughter is a gripping story of romance, courage, ambition, treachery, and the stark realities of life for a Welsh noblewoman. Join Angharad on the fight of her life as she questions the laws, societal norms, religion, and familial bonds that have shaped her life.
Uneasy Lies the Crown: A Novel of Owain Glyndŵr by N. Gemini Sasson
The next book on our list of fiction Welsh history books deals with one of Cymru’s most legendary figures, Owain Glyndŵr. Enjoy a fictional tale of the life of the man whose name is synonymous with rebellion. Uneasy Lies the Crown is available for Kindle, in paperback, and through Audible.
From the blurb: In the year 1399, Welsh nobleman Owain Glyndŵr is living out a peaceful gentleman’s life in the Dee Valley of Wales with his wife Margaret and their eleven children. But when Henry of Bolingbroke usurps the throne of England from his cousin Richard II, that tranquility is forever shattered. What starts as a feud with a neighboring English lord over a strip of land evolves into something greater—a fight for the very independence of Wales.
After a harrowing encounter on the misty slopes of Cadair Idris, the English knight Harry Hotspur offers Owain a pact he cannot resist. Peace, however, comes with a price. As tragedies mount, Owain questions whether he can find the strength within himself not only to challenge the most powerful monarch of his time but to fulfill the prophecies and lead his people to freedom without destroying those around him. For centuries, the bards have sung of King Arthur’s return, but is this reluctant warrior prince the answer to those prophecies?
Forgotten Dragons (The Chronicles of Prince Madoc Book 1) by Dai Pryce
Those who are familiar with the story of Prince Madoc (also spelled “Madog”) will enjoy this one. If you’re not familiar, this tale will pleasantly surprise you. Read Forgotten Dragons on your Kindle or as a paperback.
From the blurb: Long before Columbus set sail, Cherokee folklore whispered of pale-faced, moon-eyed explorers who braved great waters to reach their lands. A prince named Madoc was their leader, and the story of their epic journey begins here…
In the North Wales princedom of Gwynedd, chaos brews in the wake of the death of its great leader, Owain. Not all grieve, though. Owain’s cunning son, Dafydd, positions himself for an ambitious power grab. But when evidence of the murderous conspiracy comes to light, Madoc, Owain’s illegitimate son, finds himself caught in his half-brother’s deadly web. Forced to flee, Madoc’s path collides with an old ally from the Norse city of Dublin, offering him refuge—but there is a grave price to pay.
Exiled but determined, Madoc and his siblings hatch a daring plan to return to their homeland. Yet, obstacles abound: a key ally is captured, loyalties are tested, and forbidden passions ignite, threatening to unravel everything. Tensions finally erupt on the sacred druidic isle of Anglesey, Madoc must decide—continue the fight to restore order and justice to Gwynedd, or follow the call of an uncharted world across the ocean?
Fiction Welsh History Books: Borrowed Time by Russell Dean
Borrowed Time is the first in a series of two time-travel books set in Wales. Dive into these fun novels through Kindle or a paperback.
From the blurb: Tom Jacob is bored with his life. He’s stuck in a job he doesn’t like. His love life is non-existent, and he’s tired of being seen as boring and dependable. So, when his wayward twin brother convinces him to spend a night partying instead of doing paperwork, Tom reluctantly agrees.
The following morning, he wakes up in a field. In Wales. In 1889.
Stranded more than a century in the past, Tom has to overcome language barriers and suspicion as he attempts to adapt to the world around him and find a way back to his own time, but with two people from the sleepy village of Cwm Newydd now missing, one local resident seems hell-bent on pinning the blame for their disappearance on the strange Englishman who appeared out of nowhere.
A Morbid Taste for Bones (The Chronicles of Brother Cadfael Book 1) by Ellis Peters
A Morbid Taste for Bones is installment number one of a twenty-book series about Welsh monk, Brother Cadfael. Therefore, prepare to enjoy these amazing historical Welsh fiction books by the equally amazing and prolific author in any format. Choose from Kindle, paperback, hardcover, and through Audible.
From the blurb: The “irresistible” and “compelling” first novel in the historical mystery series featuring a Welsh Benedictine monk in the twelfth century. —The Washington Post
A Welsh Benedictine monk living at Shrewsbury Abbey in western England, Brother Cadfael spends much of his time tending the herbs and vegetables in the garden. But now there’s a more pressing matter. Cadfael is to serve as translator for a group of monks heading to the town of Gwytherin in Wales. The team’s goal is to collect the holy remains of Saint Winifred, which Prior Robert hopes will boost the abbey’s reputation, as well as his own. But when the monks arrive in Gwytherin, the town is divided over the request.
When the leading opponent to disturbing the grave is found shot dead with a mysterious arrow, some believe Saint Winifred herself delivered the deadly blow. Brother Cadfael knows an earthly hand did the deed, but his plan to root out a murderer may dig up more than he can handle.
The Fool’s Tale by Nicole Galland
The Fool’s Tale brings us a mix of unconventional characters, a love triangle of sorts, and historical comedy. It’s not as steeped in detailed Welsh historical context as some books. However, the author nonetheless tells an unusual story set in Wales with good writing. The book is available for Kindle, in paperback, and hardcover.
From the blurb: Wales, 1198. A time of treachery, passion, and uncertainty. King Maelgwyn ap Cadwallon, known as Noble, struggles to protect his small kingdom from foes outside and inside his borders. Pressured into a marriage of political convenience, he takes as his bride the young, headstrong Isabel Mortimer, niece of his powerful English nemesis.
Through strength of character, Isabel wins her husband’s grudging respect but finds the Welsh court backward and barbaric and is soon engaged in a battle of wills against Gwirion, the king’s oldest, oddest, and most trusted friend. Before long, however, Gwirion and Isabel’s mutual animosity is abruptly transformed. The king finds himself as threatened by loved ones as by the enemies who menace his crown.
A masterful novel by a gifted storyteller, The Fool’s Tale combines vivid historical fiction, compelling political intrigue, and passionate romance to create an intimate drama of three individuals bound—and undone—by love and loyalty.
This post was about fiction Welsh history books.
You may also enjoy 7 Best Welsh Novels Full of Hardship and Hiraeth.
Still looking for books on Welsh history? Check out Power Struggle of the Welsh Kings: Warriors, Warlords and Princes. It’s all about Kari Maund’s incredible book covering the rulers of early medieval Wales.
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