More Historical Epics I'd like to See on the Big Screen

In our previous essay on historical epics that would be great on the big screen, we concentrated on ancient times. But the Middle Ages contain a wealth of stories that would look cool as motion pictures.

The Paladin by George Shipway - This epic, which is long out of print (more the pity), is set during the reign of William II of England, one of the more interesting rulers of that island. William II, one of the sons of William the Conquer, was almost certainly gay, probably at best indifferent to the Christian religion, and a master politician and military leader. The story is told from the point of view of a nobleman named Walter Tyrell, a long time friend and ally, who fired the arrow that is said to have killed William in a hunting accident. Just for fun, there is also a noble lady who actually did ride around in chain mail and wielded a sword at the head of her knights.

The Last Viking by Poul Anderson - This story is a trilogy of novels consisting of The Golden Horn,The Road of the Sea Horse, and The Sign of the Raven and is the biop of Harald Hardrada from his youth in the Varangian Guard of the Byzantine Empire to his defeat and death at the head of the Norse Army at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, a little while before Hastings. Anderson was a great writer with a vivid style harkening back to epic story telling. This is among the best of his historicals. The Last Viking would make a great trilogy in the style of Lord of the Rings.

Until the Sun Falls by Cecelia Holland - This is the story of the Mongol conquests after the death of Genghis Khan as the Golden Horde pours across Russia, penetrating into Poland and Hungary and threatening to overrun the rest of Europe. Fictional Mongol warriors are mixed with actual historical people such as Sabotai, one of the Mongol Empire's greatest generals, and Batu, Khan of the Golden Horde and grandson of Genghis Khan. There are enough battle scenes and what not for several films of this sort.