5 Books Like The Canterbury Tales to Spark Your Interest in Medieval Literature

If you’re fascinated by the world of medieval literature, there’s so much more to discover than just The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. While the tales of the pilgrims on their way to Canterbury are captivating and still resonate today, there are many other unforgettable works that emerged from the same period. We’ve compiled a list of five essential reads that can deepen your appreciation for medieval literature and tickle your fancy for the chivalry, romance, and wit of the Middle Ages.

1. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

One of the greatest masterpieces of world literature, The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri is a must-read if you’re interested in medieval literature. Written in the early 14th century, the epic poem takes you on a journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, as Dante explores themes of faith, morality, and love. It’s vividly descriptive, incredibly imaginative, and deeply moving.

Just as Chaucer did in The Canterbury Tales, Dante brings his own time and world to life in The Divine Comedy. Familiar faces include politicians, popes, and other historical figures, all appearing in the afterlife. If you’re intrigued by the portrayal of real people in fictional settings, The Divine Comedy is an essential read and a fascinating comparison to The Canterbury Tales.

The Divine Comedy on Amazon

2. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

A chivalric tale of adventure and romance, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one of the most famous and beloved Arthurian legends. Written by an anonymous author in the 14th century, it tells the story of a brave and noble knight who accepts a mysterious challenge from the mystical, green-skinned Green Knight. Along the way, Gawain faces tests of courage, loyalty, and self-control.

Filled with beautiful descriptions of the natural world, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a luminous example of medieval literature. Like The Canterbury Tales, it offers a glimpse into the values and preoccupations of the time, revealing a society where honor and chivalry are of the utmost importance.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight on Amazon

3. The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio

Often compared to The Canterbury Tales, Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron is another captivating collection of stories from the medieval period. Written in the 14th century, it features a group of ten young men and women who retreat to a villa outside Florence to escape the Black Death. To pass the time, they each tell a story, resulting in one hundred engaging and varied tales.

Like Chaucer, Boccaccio explores the full range of human experience, from the tragic to the comic, the bawdy to the romantic. And just like The Canterbury Tales, The Decameron features a cast of unforgettable characters and offers readers a window into the spirit of the medieval world.

The Decameron on Amazon

4. Piers Plowman by William Langland

Another essential work of medieval literature is Piers Plowman by William Langland, an allegorical dream vision written in the 14th century. In the poem, the narrator, Will, falls asleep and dreams of a “fair field” where he encounters a series of allegorical figures representing a range of human behaviors and virtues.

While it may not have the same comedic elements as The Canterbury Tales, Piers Plowman offers a rich and complex examination of the social and religious concerns of the time. The poem also provides a fascinating contrast to Chaucer’s work, as it is written in a different dialect of Middle English and features a more overtly political and spiritual focus.

Piers Plowman on Amazon

5. The Book of the City of Ladies by Christine de Pizan

Finally, we recommend The Book of the City of Ladies by Christine de Pizan, a 15th-century work that has been described as the first feminist book. In it, de Pizan constructs an allegorical city inhabited by noble, virtuous women from history and mythology. Through their stories, she challenges the misogynistic views of her time and champions the accomplishments of women.

While it might seem distant from The Canterbury Tales in subject matter, there are interesting parallels and contrasts. Chaucer’s work explores, and sometimes questions, conventional ideas of gender roles and courtly love, and de Pizan takes this challenge even further by creating a literary space that celebrates and empowers women.

The Book of the City of Ladies on Amazon