by JCKohler

What if the legends people once told were more than just old wives' tales meant to scare children into listening to their parents? Maybe there was some truth to the stories people shared of faeries and goblins from days long ago. Within the realm of historical fantasy, those myths come to life within the context of real, historical events. Truth and magic blend together in such a way that it's easy to lose oneself and start believing in the "what-ifs." How would history change if the creatures of fairytale truly existed? How would our opinions change on certain famous figures if they were not entirely human? Historical fantasy attempts to answer those questions by throwing us into a world that looks very much like what we're familiar with from history books, but with a fantastical twist.

How is this sub-genre different from other sub-genres of fantasy? Writers of historical fantasy walk a delicate tightrope of finesse in which neither the historical nor the fantasy aspects completely overtake the other, always bridging the gap between the two. They must overlap reality with the imagination in such a way that honors the actual past events and takes readers on a new ride of magic and excitement. History is enriched with mermaids. Fantasy is grounded in a Revolutionary War setting. This sub-genre is a type of alternate history as well, but not all alternate history stories incorporate fantasy elements.

The setting for historical fantasy varies considerably. They can occur during any important historical event, though they tend to be set during periods of intense conflict. Wars, global catastrophes, conspiracies, transitions between royals, all of these are common jumping-off points within the realm of historical fantasy. Other historical fantasy books take place in alternate universes that parallel a real-time in Earth's history to a certain extent. Within historical fantasy, there is also a subsection known as high historical fantasy. This subsection still draws on a real historical setting, but it features greater detail in its world-building than a typical historical fantasy.

In terms of characters, historical fantasy writers vary in the types of characters they present to their audiences. Many stories feature a protagonist based off of a real historical figure, whose personality is expanded upon to bring a new perspective. Other writers choose to introduce completely original characters who are working behind the scenes during a famous historical event.

Themes within this sub-genre vary as much as with other genres, though authors often highlight self-acceptance and overcoming stereotypes when a character has an identity that is anything other than human.

One of the most well-known historical fantasy authors would be Gene Wolfe. His 1986 novel Soldier of the Mist brings us into the mind of a Roman mercenary whose injury in battle has both blessed and cursed him through bestowing short-term memory loss as well as the ability to see the supernatural within the natural world. Another example would be Naomi Novik's Temeraire series where dragons exist alongside humans within the context of the Napoleonic Wars. And who could forget Game of Thrones legend, George R.R. Martin? His books, which blur the lines between high fantasy, alternate history, and historical fantasy catapulted historical fantasy to a new level of popularity. Some authors might disagree that his books are historical fantasy, but if you take a good look at England's history, you can see several similarities between real events and the events in Game of Thrones. Even the author, himself, has said that history was his inspiration for these books that have become an HBO series.

In my opinion, it is one of the most challenging sub-genres to excel in because of needing to balance authenticity and creativity. To craft an original storyline that includes mythical beings, while at the same time making it logical enough that readers hardly have to suspend their disbelief, takes a high level of talent, commitment, and ingenuity, and is worthy of great praise.

Example of Historical Fantasy on Wattpad:
The Secret of Drulea Cottage by 

Synopsis:

A young midwife whose family holds secrets she cannot fathom. A Portuguese merchant whose reasons for coming to town are more than they appear. A handsome stranger who promises acceptance, but at a terrible cost.
All will come to light. And none of them shall be the same.
Briony Fairborn, Everton's midwife, will discover far more than she dreamed possible, and that fairytales may not be so different from reality.

Excerpt:

One night, when Briony was eight years old, she had awoken from a dream to the soft sound of weeping. Little Briony had gone to find out who it was and was shocked to find her mother crying as she sat in the outside chair overlooking the cliffs.

"Mum, why are you sad?" Briony had whispered. Bethany had slowly looked up and turned to her daughter. She had given Briony a small grin, despite the sadness behind her eyes.

"Come along, my peedie freck," she had said as she held out her arms. Briony had eagerly gotten up into her mother's lap, but had still looked at her mother questioningly as she waited for an answer.

"I was only a wee bit homesick, and I thought that if I came out here, I would na wake you. Looks like I was wrong about that though," Bethany had admitted, yawning in weariness.

"But we are home, are we na?" Briony had asked. This was the only home that she had ever known, and Mother had always told her that the cottage had been in the family since Briony's great-grandmother purchased it.

How could Mum be homesick?

"Aye, we are, bairn. But we also have another home, an old home that I sometimes think about."

Little Briony had frowned in confusion when she heard this. She knew for certain that she had never been there.

How could someone have two homes?And how could it also be my home?

"Why do we na live there?"

"Well, Briony, I knew that this would be a better place fer you. A safer place. Because no matter what, I am going to make sure you stay safe. And once I am gone, you have to promise me that you shall stay here where 'tis safe. Do you understand?" Bethany had said it firmly, as if she was desperate to make sure her daughter knew it.

Briony had nodded before nestling in her mother's embrace. Soon after, Briony had fallen asleep, and the subject of their 'other home' had never been mentioned again.

More on Historical Fiction:

Emma Donoghue — On Writing Historical Fiction

https://youtu.be/iWZuGJSJGys

Penelope Lively — Reading History and Writing Fiction

https://youtu.be/d6cK2SzMnus