Medievalism Favorites

Submitted by contributors to Encountering Medievalism

 

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Recommended citation: Various authors, “Medievalism Favorites,” Different Visions: New Perspectives on Medieval Art 11 (2025). https://doi.org/10.61302/LISO1748.

 

Inspired by the exhibition The Fantasy of the Middle Ages, curated by Larisa Grollemond and Bryan C. Keene, this section provides lists of medievalism favorites organized into the following categories: films and streaming series, literature (including historical fiction), music, places and experiences, theatre, toys, and video games. These are not comprehensive, rather they represent the specific interests and early formulations of the contributors to this special issue. Enjoy and HUZZAH!

 

FILMS & STREAMING SERIES

20th Century Studios

• A Kid in King Arthur’s Court, 1995
• Ever After, 1998
• The Princess Bride, 1987

A24

• The Green Knight, 2021

Amazon Studios

• The Wheel of Time (2021–present)
• The Rings of Power (2022–present)

BBC

• Cadfael (1994–1998)
• Merlin (2008–2012)

Cartoon Saloon

• The Secret of Kells (2009)
• Song of the Sea (2014)

Columbia Pictures

• First Knight (1995)
• Ladyhawke (1985)
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

DreamWorks Animation

• How to Train Your Dragon series (2010–2019)

HBO

• Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
• House of the Dragon (2022–present)

The Jim Henson Company

• The Dark Crystal, 1982

Legendary Entertainment

• Dune (2021–2024)

Lucasfilm

• Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
• Star Wars (1977–present)
• The Mandalorian (2019–present)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

• Stardust (2007)

Netflix

• Castlevania, 2017–2021
• Cursed, 2020
• The Decameron, 2024
• The King, 2019
• The Last Kingdom, 2015–2022
• Nimona, 2023
• Shadowhunters, 2016–2019
• The Witcher, 2019–present
• Yasuke, 2021

New Line Cinema

• The Lord of the Rings trilogy, 2001–2003

Paramount Pictures

• Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, 2023
• Timeline, 2003
• Van Helsing, 2004

Sony Pictures

• The Swan Princess, 1994

Studio Ghibli

• Princess Mononoke, 1997

Touchstone Pictures

• The Last Unicorn, 1982

Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT)

• Diriliş: Ertuğrul, 2014–2019

Universal Pictures

• Conan the Barbarian, 1982
• Conan the Destroyer, 1984
• The Northman, 2022
• Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, 2010

Walt Disney Studios

• Aladdin, 1992
• Beauty and the Beast, 1991
• Brave, 2012
• The Black Cauldron, 1985
• The Emperor’s New Groove, 2000
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996
• Moana, 2016
• Moana 2, 2024
• Mulan, 1998
• Robin Hood, 1973
• Sleeping Beauty, 1959
• The Sword in the Stone, 1963

Warner Bros.

• Excalibur, 1981
• The Hobbit trilogy, 2012-2014
• A Knight’s Tale, 2001
• The Name of the Rose, 1986
• Robin Hood, 1938
• Quest for Camelot, 1998
• The Witcher, 2019–present

Other / Independent Studios

• Andrei Rublev, 1966, Mosfilm
• King Arthur, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, 2004
• The Passion of Joan of Arc, 1928, Société Générale des Films
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, 1991, Morgan Creek Productions
• The Seventh Seal, 1957, Svensk Filmindustri
• The Vikings, 1958, Brynapod Ltd.
• The Eagle, 2011, Focus Features

 

A MEDIEVALISM BOOKSHELF

LITERATURE, FANTASY

Abercrombie, Joe

• The First Law Trilogy: The Blade Itself, 2006; Before They Are Hanged, 2007; Last Argument of Kings, 2008
• First Law World Standalones: Best Served Cold, 2009; The Heroes, 2011; Red Country, 2012
• The Age of Madness Trilogy: A Little Hatred, 2019; The Trouble with Peace, 2020; The Wisdom of Crowds, 2021

Addison, Katherine, The Goblin Emperor, 2014

Adeyemi, Tomi, Legacy of Orisha series

• Children of Blood and Bone, 2018
• Children of Vengeance and Virtue, 2019

Adorney, Julian, The Dragon’s Curse, 2015

Alexander, Lloyd (1924-2007)

• The Prydain Chronicles
  • The Book of Three, 1964
  • The Black Cauldron, 1965
  • The Castle of Llyr, 1966
  • Taran Wanderer, 1967
  • The High King, 1968
• The Westmark Trilogy
  • Westmark, 1981
  • The Kestrel, 1982
  • The Beggar Queen, 1984

Baldree, Travis, Legends and Lattes, 2022

Bardugo, Leigh, Six of Crows and Shadow and Bone series

• Shadow and Bone, 2012
• Siege and Storm, 2013
• Ruin and Rising, 2014
• Six of Crows, 2015
• Crooked Kingdom, 2016

Beagle, Peter S., The Last Unicorn, 1968

Black, Holly, The Folk of the Air series

• The Cruel Prince, 2018
• The Wicked King, 2019
• The Queen of Nothing, 2019

Black, Holly, and DiTerlizzi, Tony, The Spiderwick Chronicles, 2003

Brooks, Terry

• Shannara Series (1977–2007)
• Magic Kingdom of Landover Series (1986–2009)

Butcher, Jim, The Dresden Files

• Storm Front, 2000
• Fool Moon, 2001
• Grave Peril, 2001
• Summer Knight, 2002
• Death Masks, 2003
• Blood Rites, 2004
• Dead Beat, 2006
• Proven Guilty, 2007
• White Night, 2008
• Small Favor, 2009
• Turn Coat, 2010
• Changes, 2011
• Ghost Story, 2012
• Cold Days, 2013
• Skin Game, 2015
• Peace Talks, 2020
• Battle Ground, 2020

Cabot, Meg, Avalon High, 2005

Cashore, Kristin, Graceling series

• Graceling, 2008
• Fire, 2009
• Bitterblue, 2012

Chima, Cinda Williams

• The Heir Chronicles
  • The Warrior Heir, 2006
  • The Wizard Heir, 2007
  • The Dragon Heir, 2008
  • The Enchanter Heir, 2011
• The Seven Realms series
  • The Demon King, 2009
  • The Exiled Queen, 2010
  • The Gray Wolf Throne, 2011
  • The Crimson Crown, 2012

Clare, Cassandra, Shadowhunters books

• The Mortal Instruments series
  • City of Bones, 2007
  • City of Ashes, 2008
  • City of Glass, 2009
  • City of Fallen Angels, 2011
  • City of Lost Souls, 2012
  • City of Heavenly Fire, 2014
•  The Infernal Devices series (prequel to The Mortal Instruments):
  • Clockwork Angel, 2010
  • Clockwork Prince, 2011
  • Clockwork Princess, 2013
• The Dark Artifices series (sequel to The Mortal Instruments):
  • Lady Midnight, 2016
  • Lord of Shadows, 2017
  • Queen of Air and Darkness, 2018
• The Last Hours series (follows The Infernal Devices):
  • Chain of Gold, 2020
  • Chain of Iron, 2021
  • Chain of Thorns, 2023
• The Eldest Curses series (spinoff featuring Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood):
  • The Red Scrolls of Magic, 2019
  • The Lost Book of the White, 2020
  • The Black Volume of the Dead, 2021
• The Shadowhunter Chronicles also includes several novellas and short stories: The Bane Chronicles, 2013: A collection of 11 short stories featuring Magnus Bane.
• Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, 2016: A collection of 10 stories about Simon Lewis and his training at Shadowhunter Academy.
• Ghosts of the Shadow Market, 2019: A collection of 10 stories focusing on characters from across the Shadowhunter world.

Cook, Glen, Chronicles of the Black Company

• The Black Company, 1984
• Shadows Linger, 1984
• The White Ros, 1985

Cooper, Susan, The Dark is Rising Sequence

• Over Sea, Under Stone, 1965
• The Dark is Rising, 1973
• Greenwitch, 1974
• The Grey King, 1975
• Silver on the Tree, 1977

Croggon, Allison, Books of Pellinor, 2002-2016

• The Naming (2002)
• The Riddle (2004)
• The Crow (2006)
• The Singing (2008)
• The Bone Queen (2016) (a prequel to the main series)

Croucher, Lex, Gwen and Art Are Not in Love, 2021

Deonn, Tracy, The Legendborn Cycle

• Legendborn, 2020
• Bloodmarked, 2022
• Oathbound, 2025

Dickinson, Seth, The Traitor Baru Cormorant, 2015

Doerr, Anthony, Cloud Cuckoo Land, 2021

Eddings, David and Leigh

• The Belgariad, 1982–84
• The Malloreon, 1987–91
• The Rivan Codex, 1998
• The Elenium Trilogy, 1989–92
• The Tamuli Trilogy, 1992–95

Feist, Raymond E., The Riftwar Cycle, 1982-2013

• The Riftwar Saga
  • Magician (1982), later republished in two parts in the United States as Magician: Apprentice (1986) and Magician: Master (1986)
  • Silverthorn (1985)
  • A Darkness at Sethanon (1986)
• The Empire Trilogy
  • Daughter of the Empire (1987) with Janny Wurts
  • Servant of the Empire (1990) with Janny Wurts
  • Mistress of the Empire (1992) with Janny Wurts
• Krondor’s Sons
  • Prince of the Blood (1989)
  • The King’s Buccaneer (1992)
• The Serpentwar Saga
  • Shadow of a Dark Queen (1994)
  • Rise of a Merchant Prince (1995)
  • Rage of a Demon King (1997)
  • Shards of a Broken Crown (1998)
• The Riftwar Legacy – Takes place chronologically between The Riftwar Saga and Krondor’s Sons
  • Krondor: The Betrayal (1998)
  • Krondor: The Assassins (1999)
  • Krondor: Tear of the Gods (2000)
  • Jimmy and the Crawler (2013) – a novella replacing the cancelled novels Krondor: The Crawler and Krondor: The Dark Mage
• Legends of the Riftwar
  • Honoured Enemy (2001) with William R. Forstchen
  • Murder in LaMut (2002) with Joel Rosenberg
  • Jimmy the Hand (2003) with S. M. Stirling
• Conclave of Shadows
  • Talon of the Silver Hawk (2002)
  • King of Foxes (2003)
  • Exile’s Return (2004)
• The Darkwar Saga
  • Flight of the Nighthawks (2005)
  • Into a Dark Realm (2006)
  • Wrath of a Mad God (2008)
• The Demonwar Saga
  • Rides a Dread Legion (2009)
  • At the Gates of Darkness (2010)
• The Chaoswar Saga
  • A Kingdom Besieged (2011)
  • A Crown Imperilled (2012)
  • Magician’s End (2013)

Flanagan, John, Ranger’s Apprentice series, 2004-2013

• The Ruins of Gorlan (2004)
• The Burning Bridge (2005)
• The Icebound Land (2005)
• The Battle for Skandia (2006) (also published as Oakleaf Bearers in some regions)
• The Sorcerer of the North (2006)
• The Siege of Macindaw (2007)
• Erak’s Ransom (2007) (takes place between books 4 and 5 chronologically)
• The Kings of Clonmel (2008)
• Halt’s Peril (2009)
• The Emperor of Nihon-Ja (2010)
• The Lost Stories (2011) (a collection of short stories tying up loose ends)
• The Royal Ranger (2013)

Funke, Cornelia, Inkheart series, Inkheart 2003, Inkspell 2005, Inkdeath 2007

Gaiman, Neil

• The Sandman, 1989-1996
• Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett), 1990
• Stardust, 1999
• American Gods, 2001
• Anansi Boys, 2005
• Beowulf, 2005
• The Graveyard Book, 2008
• Norse Mythology, 2017

Gillig, Rachel, The Shepherd King duology, The Shepherd King 2021, The King’s Legacy 2022

Hambly, Barbara

• Darwath (1982–98)
• Order of Sun Wolf and Starhawk (1984–90)
• Order of Winterlands (1985–2002)
• Order of Windrose Chronicles (1986–92)
• Order of Sun-Cross (1991–92)

Hartman, Rachel, Seraphina, 2012

Hale, Shannon

• Books of Bayern series
  • The Goose Girl, 2003
  • Enna Burning, 2004
  • River Secrets, 2006
  • Forest Born, 2009
• Princess Academy series
  • Princess Academy, 2005
  • Princess Academy: Palace of Stone, 2012
  • Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters, 2015

Harkness, Deborah, All Souls Trilogy

• A Discovery of Witches, 2011
• Shadow of Night, 2012
• The Book of Life, 2014

Ishiguro, Kazuo, The Buried Giant, 2015

Jaques, Brian, Redwall series, 1986-2011

• Redwall (1986)
• Mossflower (1988)
• Mattimeo (1989)
• Mariel of Redwall (1991)
• Salamandastron (1992)
• Martin the Warrior (1993)
• The Bellmaker (1994)
• Outcast of Redwall (1995)
• The Pearls of Lutra (1996)
• The Long Patrol (1997)
• Marlfox (1998)
• The Legend of Luke (1999)
• Lord Brocktree (2000)
• The Taggerung (2001)
• Triss (2002)
• Loamhedge (2003)
• Rakkety Tam (2004)
• High Rhulain (2005)
• Eulalia! (2007)
• Doomwyte (2008)
• The Sable Quean (2010)
• The Rogue Crew (2011)

Khanani, Intisar

• Thorn, 2018
• The Theft of Sunlight, 2021

King, Stephen, Fairy Tale, 2022

Kingfisher, T., The Saint of Steel series

• The Twisted Ones, 2017
• The Twisted Ones: The Saint of Steel, 2019

Lewis, C.S., The Chronicles of Narnia

• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, 1950
• Prince Caspian, 1951
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, 1952
• The Silver Chair, 1953
• The Horse and His Boy, 1954
• The Magician’s Nephew, 1955
• The Last Battle, 1956

Lynch, Scott, The Lies of Locke Lamora, 2006

McCaffrey, Anne, Dragonriders of Pern (1967–2012)

McKiernan, Dennis L., The Mithgar series

• The Iron Tower, 1984
• The Dark Tide, 1987
• The Brega Path, 1994

McKillip, Patricia A., The Riddle-Master Trilogy

• The Riddle-Master of Hed, 1976
• Heir of Sea and Fire, 1977
• Harpist in the Wind, 1979

Morris, Gerald, Squire’s Tale Series, 1998

Morrison, Boyd and Beth

• The Last True Templar, 2021
• The Lawless Land, 2022

Nix, Garth, Abhorsen trilogy

• Sabriel, 1995
• Lirael, 2001
• Abhorsen, 2003

Novik, Naomi

• Uprooted, 2015
• Spinning Silver, 2018

Paolini, Christopher, The Inheritance Cycle

• Eragon, 2002
• Eldest, 2005
• Brisingr, 2008
• Inheritance, 2011

Parker-Chan, Shelley, She Who Became the Sun, 2021

Peters, Ellis (Edith Pargeter), The Cadfael Chronicles

• A Morbid Taste for Bones, 1977
• One Corpse Too Many, 1979
• The Sanctuary Sparrow, 1981

 

Pierce, Tamora, The Song of the Lioness: The Alanna series

• Alanna: The First Adventure, 1983
• In the Hand of the Goddess, 1984
• The Woman Who Rides Like a Man, 1986
• Lioness Rampant, 1988

Pierce, Tamora, Tortall Universe book series

• The Song of the Lioness series, 1983-1988
• The Immortals series
  • Wild Magic, 1992
  • Wolf-Speaker, 1994
  • Emperor Mage, 1994
  • The Realms of the Gods, 1996
• Protector of the Small series
  • First Test, 1999
  • Page, 2000
  • Squire, 2001
  • Lady Knight, 2002
• Tricksters series
  • Trickster’s Choice, 2003
  • Trickster’s Queen, 2004
• Beka Cooper: The Hunt Records
  • Terrier, 2006
  • Bloodhound, 2009
  • Mastiff, 2011
• Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales, 2010
• A Spy’s Guide to Tortall: From the Desk of George Cooper, 2017
• The Numair Chronicles
  • Tempests and Slaughter, 2018

Pullman, Philip, His Dark Materials series

• Northern Lights, 1995
• The Subtle Knife, 1997
• The Amber Spyglass, 2000

Rico, Ulde, The Rainbow Goblins, 1981

Rothfuss, Patrick, The Kingkiller Chronicle

• The Name of the Wind, 2007
• The Wise Man’s Fear, 2011
• The Doors of Stone, forthcoming

Rowell, Rainbow

• Carry On, 2015
• Wayward Son, 2019
• Any Way the Wind Blows, 2021

Sanderson, Brandon, Mistborn trilogy

• Mistborn, 2006
• The Well of Ascension, 2007
• The Hero of Ages,2008

Sapkowski, Andrzej, The Witcher series (Polish version / English version)

• The Last Wish, 1993 / 2007
• Sword of Destiny, 1992 / 2015
• Blood of Elves, 1994 / 2008
• Time of Contempt, 1995 / 2013
• Baptism of Fire, 1996 / 2014
• The Tower of the Swallow, 1997 / 2016
• The Lady of the Lake, 1999 / 2017
• Seasons of Storms, 2013 / 2018
• Crossroads of Ravens, 2024 / 2025

Sbrana, Analeigh, Lore of the Wilds, 2021

Shannon, Samantha, The Priory of the Orange Tree, 2019

Stewart, Paul and Riddell, Chris, Edge Chronicles

• Beyond the Deepwoods, 1998
• Stormchaser, 1999
• Midnight Over Sanctaphrax, 2000

Stevenson, Noelle, Nimona, 2015

Tolkien, J.R.R.

• The Hobbit, 1937
• The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
• The Fellowship of the Rings, 1954
• The Two Towers, 1954
• The Return of the King, 1955

 

Tolkien, J.R.R., and Christopher Tolkien

• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo, 1975
• The Silmarillion, 1977
• Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth, 1980
• The Book of Lost Tales: Part One, 1983
• The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two, 1984
• The Lays of Beleriand, 1985
• The Shaping of Middle-earth, 1986
• The Lost Road and Other Writings, 1987
• Tree and Leaf, 1988
• The Return of the Shadow, 1988
• The Treason of Isengard, 1989
• The War of the Ring, 1990
• Sauron Defeated, 1992
• Morgoth’s Ring, 1993
• The War of the Jewels, 1994
• The Peoples of Middle-earth, 1996
• The Children of Húrin, 2007
• The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, 2009
• The Fall of Arthur, 2013
• Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary, 2014
• Beren and Lúthien, 2017
• The Fall of Gondolin, 2018

Vande Velde, Vivian

• Tales from the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird, 1995
• Heir Apparent, 2002

Williams, Cinda, Chima The Heir Chronicles series

• Warrior Heir, 2006
• Heir, 2007

 

LITERATURE, HISTORICAL FICTION

Cushman, Karen, Catherine, Called Birdy, 1994

Eco, Umberto, The Name of the Rose, 1980

Follett, Ken, Pillars of the Earth, 1989

Groff, Lauren Matrix, 2021

Scholastic Press, The Royal Diaries Series, 1999-2005

• Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor, England, 1544, by Kathryn Lasky, 1999
• Isabel: Jewel of Castilla, Spain, 1466, by Carolyn Meyer, 2000
• Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba, Angola, Africa, 1595, by Patricia McKissack, 2000
• Lady of Ch’iao Kuo: Warrior of the South, Southern China, 531 A.D., by Laurence Yep, 2001
• Mary, Queen of Scots: Queen Without a Country, France ,1553, by Anna Kirwan, 2001
• Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars, Korea, 595 A.D., by Sheri Holman, 2002
• Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine, France, 1136, by Kristiana Gregory, 2002
• Lady of Palenque: Flower of Bacal, Mesoamerica, A.D. 794, by Anna Kirwan, 2004
• Anacaona: Golden Flower, Haiti, 1490, by Edwidge Danticat, 2005

 

 

Seton, Anya, Katherine, 1954

Smiley, Jane, The Greenlanders, 1988

Undset, Sigrid, Kristin Lavransdatter (trilogy), 1920-22

• Kransen (The Bridal Wreath), 1920
• Husfrue (The Wife), 1921
• Korset (The Cross), 1922

Unsworth, Barry

• Morality Play, 1995
• The Ruby in Her Navel, 2006

Yehoshua, A.B., A Journey to the End of the Millenium, 1997

 

MUSIC

• Beadle the Bardcore, Active, 2020–present
• Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos, Chant, 1994
• Cain, Ethel, Ptolemaea, 2022
• Chansons de toile, Traditional medieval spinning songs, 12th–14th centuries
• Chappell Roan, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, 2023
• Gregorian Chant, Revived popularity in the 1990s, especially Chant, 1994, by the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos
• Hildegard von Blingin’, Jolene, 2023
• Hildegard von Bingen, 12th-century composer and mystic, known for works such as Ordo Virtutum (c. 1151)
• Josquin des Prez, El Grillo (c. 1500)
• Led Zeppelin, Ramble On, 1969, Misty Mountain Hop, 1971, The Battle of Evermore, 1971
• Rush, The Fountain of Lamneth (1975) and Natural Science (1980)
• Savall, Jordi and Hespèrion XXI, active 1974–present, specializing in early music
• Sam Smith, Gloria, 2023
• Zorgina, Active, specializing in Basque and medieval music

 

PLACES and EXPERIENCES

Disney Parks and Resorts

Anaheim, California

• Disneyland Resort: Opened on July 17, 1955, created by Walt Disney. ​

Chiba, Japan (near Tokyo)

• Tokyo Disneyland — Opened April 15, 1983;
• Tokyo DisneySea — Opened September 4, 2001

Hong Kong, China, Hong Kong Disneyland — Opened September 12, 2005

Lake Buena Vista, Florida (part of the Orlando area)

• Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World Resort) — Opened October 1, 1971; EPCOT — Opened October 1, 1982;
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios (originally Disney-MGM Studios) — Opened May 1, 1989;
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom — Opened April 22, 1998

Paris, France (Marne-la-Vallée, outside Paris)

• Disneyland Paris (originally Euro Disneyland) — Opened April 12, 1992
• Walt Disney Studios Park — Opened March 16, 2002

Shanghai, China

• Shanghai Disneyland — Opened June 16, 2016

 

Medieval Times

Medieval Times is a dinner theater experience that transports guests to a time of chivalry and valor, featuring jousting, sword fighting, and games of skill. As of 2025, there are ten locations across the United States and Canada:​

• Atlanta, GA: 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
• Baltimore, MD: 7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD 21076
• Buena Park, CA: 7662 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620
• Chicago, IL: 2001 North Roselle Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60195​
• Dallas, TX: 2021 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207
• Lyndhurst, NJ: 149 Polito Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071. ​
• Myrtle Beach, SC: 2904 Fantasy Way, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579.
• Orlando, FL: 4510 West Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34746. ​
• Scottsdale, AZ: 7135 East Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. ​
• Toronto, ON: 10 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3. ​

Renaissance Faires

Renaissance fairs in America are experiencing a significant surge in popularity, with over 300 fairs attracting millions of visitors every fall. These fairs offer a variety of activities, including jousting, archery, medieval markets, and interactive performances. Some notable Renaissance fairs include:

• Arizona Renaissance Festival: Located near Florence, Arizona, this festival offers a medieval amusement park with 13 stages of live entertainment, a jousting tournament, and a 30-acre marketplace.​
• Georgia Renaissance Festival: Held annually in Fairburn, Georgia, this festival features jousting, live entertainment, and artisan crafts.
• Irwindale, California: Renaissance Pleasure Faire held annually with themed weekends ranging from cottage-core to Renncon to Pirate weekend.
• Texas Renaissance Festival: Situated in Todd Mission, Texas, it’s one of the largest Renaissance festivals in the U.S., featuring themed weekends, live performances, and over 200 shops.​
• Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire: Located in Manheim, Pennsylvania, this fair offers a recreated 35-acre English village with over 90 performances daily.​
• Minnesota Renaissance Festival: Held in Shakopee, Minnesota, it’s one of the largest and longest-running Renaissance festivals in the country, featuring themed weekends and a variety of entertainment.​

 

Medievalizing Monuments

Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania

• Glencairn: Constructed between 1928 and 1939 by Raymond Pitcairn.​

Carcassonne, France

• Cité de Carcassonne: Extensively restored starting in the mid-19th century under the direction of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.​

Doylestown, Pennsylvania

• Fonthill Castle: Built between 1908 and 1912 by Henry Chapman Mercer.​

Ferdinand, Indiana

• Sisters of Saint Benedict Monastery: Established in 1867.​

Gloucester, Massachusetts

• Hammond Castle: Constructed between 1926 and 1929 by John Hays Hammond Jr.​

Irvine, California

• Irvine Spectrum Center: Opened in 1995; designed to resemble the Alhambra.​

Las Vegas, Nevada

• Tournament of Kings: A dinner show at the Excalibur Hotel, opened in 1990.​

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Joan of Arc Chapel: Relocated to Marquette University in 1966; originally built in France in the 15th century.​

Moorhead, Minnesota

• Hjemkomst replica Viking Ship, which was sailed from Minnesota to Norway in 1982, and replica Stave Church
• Hjemkomst Center: Opened in 1980, this museum houses the Hjemkomst Viking Ship and a replica of a Norwegian stave church.​
• Stave Church Replica: Completed in 2001, this structure is a replica of a traditional Norwegian wooden church, showcasing intricate woodwork and architectural design

New York, New York

• The Met Cloisters: Opened in 1938; a branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art specializing in medieval European architecture and art.​

South Bend, Indiana

• Notre Dame Cathedral: Cathedral of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, completed in 1888.​

San Simeon, California

• Hearst Castle: Constructed between 1919 and 1947 by William Randolph Hearst.​

Shwangau, Germany

• Neuschwanstein Castle: Commissioned in 1869 by King Ludwig II; construction began in 1869 and continued in phases.​

Tarrytown, New York

• Lyndhurst Castle: Built in 1838; expanded and renovated in the mid-19th century.​

Versailles, Kentucky

• The Kentucky Castle: Opened in 1969 as a hotel; has undergone various renovations and name changes.​

Residential Architecture, Various Locations, USA

• For American Residential Architecture: #zgwcastlefridays is a hashtag used on Instagram to showcase unique residential designs, including castle-like homes.​

 

THEATRE

• A Knight’s Tale: The Musical, various composers/lyricists based on classic rock songs, premiered April 11, 2025.
•  Camelot, Frederick Loewe (composer), Alan Jay Lerner (lyricist), Alan Jay Lerner (book writer), premiered on October 1, 1960.
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Alan Menken (music) and Stephen Schwartz (lyrics), adapted from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 1996 film, premiered on October 28, 2014.
•  Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim (composer and lyricist), James Lapine (book writer), premiered on November 5, 1987.
• Kiss Me, Kate, Cole Porter (composer and lyricist), Bella Spewack and Sam Spewack (book writers), premiered on December 30, 1948.
• Notre-Dame de Paris, Luc Plamondon (writer), Richard Cocciante (composer), premiered on September 16, 1998.
• Once Upon a Mattress, Mary Rodgers (composer), Marshall Barer (lyricist), premiered on May 11, 1959.
• Pippin, Stephen Schwartz (composer and lyricist), Roger O. Hirson (book writer), premiered on October 23, 1972.
• Shrek the Musical, Jeanine Tesori (composer), David Lindsay-Abaire (lyricist and book writer), premiered on December 14, 2008.
• Spamalot, John Du Prez (composer), Eric Idle (lyricist and book writer), premiered on March 17, 2004.

Fisher-Price

• Play Family Castle (1975): A detailed and heavy Little People set, popular among collectors.​
• Great Adventures Castle (1994–1998): Featured knights in red and black armor; the 1997 version included a red and white Fisher-Price logo on the tallest turret.​
• Wood Toddler Toy Castle Block Set (Expected January 1, 2025): A 28-piece wooden set for stacking developmental play.​

Hasbro

• Indiana Jones Collectibles (2008): Released action figures and artifacts such as the Holy Grail, Grail Diary, Holy Grail Altar, and Ark of the Covenant.​

Teuber, Klaus

• The Settlers of Catan (1995): A board game first published in Germany by Franckh-Kosmos Verlag.​

LEGO

• Castle Theme (1978–2016): Consisted of 279 sets across 22 subthemes, with the most releases in 2005.​
• Viking Village (Set 21343) (October 2023): A 2,103-piece LEGO Ideas set featuring a Norse-inspired village with four minifigures.​

Morgen Studios

• Playmobil Knights (Video Game, 2009–2010): Released for Nintendo DS; known as Playmobil Knight: Hero of the Kingdom in Europe.​

Playmobil

• Playmobil Knights, Castles, and Other Medievalish Characters and Sets: Playmobil has produced medieval-themed sets since the 1980s.​

Square Enix

• Final Fantasy Collectibles (2023): Released a 1/6 scale statue of Terra and Mog on Magitek Armor from Final Fantasy VI.​
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Statues (Announced 2023, Release Starting February 2026): Deluxe statues of Cloud and Sephiroth available for pre-order.​

WizKids

• D&D Miniatures: Icons of the Realms (2014–Present): A line of miniatures for Dungeons & Dragons, with the first set released on July 15, 2014.​

Games Workshop

• Warhammer 40,000 Miniatures (Ongoing): A vast range of miniatures for the tabletop game; specific release dates vary by set.​

Various Manufacturers

• Knight Figurines with Castle and Dragon Playsets: Produced by various manufacturers, these toys are popular among young children.​

 

VIDEO GAMES

 

BioWare

• Dragon Age franchise, 2009–present

Blizzard Entertainment

• Diablo franchise, 1997–present

CD Projekt Red

• The Witcher series, 2007–present

Core Design / Crystal Dynamics (now under Embracer Group)

• Tomb Raider franchise, 1996–present

Firaxis Games

• Baldur’s Gate series, 1998–present
• Pathfinder: Kingmaker, 2018

Focus Entertainment / Asobo Studio

• A Plague Tale series, 2019–present

Konami

• Castlevania series, 1986–present

Larian Studios

• Baldur’s Gate III, 2023

Microsoft / Obsidian Entertainment

• Pentiment, 2022

Mythic Games

• Blight, TBA, likely 2027

NeoCoreGames

• King Arthur: Knight’s Tale, 2022

Nintendo Entertainment System

• The Legend of Zelda, 1986
• The Legend of Zelda: The Adventure of Link, 1987
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, 1991
• The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, 1993
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, 1998
• The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, 2000
• The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons, 2001
• The Legend of Zelda: Oracles of Ages, 2001
• The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, 2002
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Maker, 2003
• The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, 2004
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, 2006
• The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, 2007
• The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, 2009
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, 2011
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, 2013
• The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, 2015
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, 2017
• The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, 2019
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, 2023
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, 2024

Paradox Interactive

• Crusader Kings series, 2004–present

Sierra Entertainment / Cyan Worlds

• Myst, 1993

Sony Interactive Entertainment / Guerrilla Cambridge

• MediEvil, 1998, remade in 2019

Square Enix

• Final Fantasy franchise, 1987–present, 16 numbered entries to date

TaleWorlds Entertainment

• Chivalry: Medieval Warfare, 2012
• Chivalry II, 2021
• Chivalry III, TBA

Toplitz Productions / Render Cube

• Medieval Dynasty, 2020

Ubisoft

• Assassin’s Creed (set during the Third Crusade), 2007
• Assassin’s Creed II (set in Florence, Italy), 2009
• Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (set in Florence, Italy), 2010
• Assassin’s Creed Revelations (set in Hagia Sophia), 2011
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (set during the Viking invasion of England), 2020
• Assassin’s Creed Mirage (set 9th-century Baghdad, Iraq), 2023
• Assassin’s Creed Shadows (set in 15th/16th-century Japan), 2023
• Prince of Persia series, 1989–present

Warhorse Studios

• Kingmakers, TBA

ZeniMax / Bethesda Game Studios

• Elder Scrolls franchise, 1994–present
• Skyrim, 2011