Hunks in History

[Misfit]

Who are the men in your historical novels that make you swoon?

Jamie Fraser from the Outlander Series (DUH!)
William Marshal The Greatest Knight
John Fitzgilbert A Place Beyond Courage
Llewelyn Fahr Here Be Dragons
Llewelyn The Last The Reckoning

[lindymc]

Who are the men in your historical novels that make you swoon?

Jamie Fraser from the Outlander Series (DUH!)
William Marshal The Greatest Knight
John Fitzgilbert A Place Beyond Courage
Llewelyn Fahr Here Be Dragons
Llewelyn The Last The Reckoning


Misfit, I agree completely with your 5 choices, and would only add Rhett Butler. Don't you think it is interesting that of your five choices, four of them were real persons??

[Telynor]

Jofrey de Peyrac (from the Angelique novels)
William Marshal (I suspect that he's going to be on quite a few of these lists!)
Ian de Vipont (from the Roselynde novels)
Llewelyn Fawr (from Here be Dragons)
Fitzwilliam Darcy & Colonel Brandon (from JA's works)
Vicomte de Valmont (from Dangerous Liaisons) and his real life counterpart, the Duc de Richelieu

I know there's been other men who have made my toes curl, but I can't think of anyone right at the moment.

[Misfit]

Crap! I forgot Rhett Butler and Ian De Vipont! Shows me for posting so early in the morning. :):p:o

Interesting indeed that four of them were the real thing.

[MLE]

I rather liked John can't-remember-his-last-name from Bristow's Jubilee Trail. But I think Rhett Butler was an idiot. If he wanted Scarlett to grow up, why did he indulge her so as to keep her a brat? Her character went seriously downhill under his influence.

Also liked Alex Randall from Shadow of the Moon.

I did like Jamie from Outlander, but haven't got around to the rest of the series yet.

This isn't HF, but I always had a thing for Faramir in Lord of the Rings. Way more interesting than Aragorn, although the movie did a lot to humanize that character.
I like characters with difficulties and backstory. I would have liked Dunnet's Lymond and Nicholas about 20 years ago, but at the current level of experience their psychological makeup kept falling into incongruity and ruining the flow of the story.

It took a while, but Cecilia Holland's Richard from Great Maria got me when he confessed to his wife that even during the two years they were separated, he had never looked at another woman. You could see that for all his pride, violent nature and imperfections, he was being as loving as he knew how.

[Vanessa]

Funnily enough, the first book character I fell in love with was Aragorn in Lord of the Rings! Viggo Mortensen who plays him in the film does a good job, but he doesn't look so attractive in other films which I've seen him in. Mind you, if you're talking about the film, Sean Bean wins hands down with me!:D:D

From the books I've read recently, it has to be Jamie Fraser!! For some reason his character stays with me long after I've finished the book. I've got A Breath of Snow and Ashes to read and have the next one on pre-order (I've got a long wait, I know!!). Mr Darcy in Pride & Prejudice was always a favourite, too. And John Dexter in Noel Barber's Tanamera, a favourite book of mine.

[Leyland]

Three 'hunks' that spring to mind are the following:

Luke Ansell from Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow

Alexander Solarin from The Eight by Katherine Neville

Ranulf Fitzwilliam from Jerusalem by Cecelia Holland

[SonjaMarie]

John de Gael from "Kathryn In the Court of Six Queens" by Anne Merton Abbey.

SM

[LoveHistory]

Henry Tilney! I just love him! He's so wonderful! *sigh*

Oh, and I love Mr. Knightley, but only as played by Jeremy Northam. I'm sure there are others, but those are the first to come to mind.

[diamondlil]

Who are the men in your historical novels that make you swoon?

Jamie Fraser from the Outlander Series (DUH!)
William Marshal The Greatest Knight
John Fitzgilbert A Place Beyond Courage
Llewelyn Fahr Here Be Dragons
Llewelyn The Last The Reckoning


That list will pretty much do me! Although I would definitely add John Thornton as portrayed by Richard Armitage in the mini-series North and South.

[Spitfire]

I have to agree with your above list girls! But I would also like to add:
Ralph - Gregory's Wideacre Trilogy
John Clemente - Vanora Bennett's Portait of an Unknown Woman
and maybe even
Robert Dudley -Virgin's Lover

[EC2]

I don't know if it's totally non PC to name one of one's own characters but I'm going to because he has such a hold on me. In fact he just about wrote the book!

1. John FitzGilbert Marshal - William's father. It's the pheremones!:o:D
Cough!

Okay, seriously Men in novels who have had a lasting impression on me.

Ian de Vipont in Roberta Gellis's Alinor. (My eldest son may not have smouldering dark eyes and curly black hair, but the fact that he's called Ian might just have something to do with Gellis!) I love Ian de Vipont because for all that he is the tall, dark, handsome hero, he's not a cardboard cutout. I have rarely met a good looking male leave who is more alive than Ian.

Llewelyn Fawr in Here Be Dragons - what's not to like? Experienced, sexy man who mostly wears his power lightly.

Simon de Montfort in Falls the Shadow. I have to say here that he was once on my list. I fell hard for him the first time I read this book and for a while he almost supplanted Llewelyn in my affections. But having read the history and now having a Jewish professor of medieval studies as a close friend, I can no longer believe this version of S de M. But once upon a time I loved him to bits.

Hugh Berenger in the Cadfael series. I used to read those books just for him!
I defy anyone to read One Corpse too Many and not fall for him!

Nathaniel Bonner in Sarah Donati's Into The Wilderness - rather yummy.

Diana Gabaldon's Jamie Fraser - although I'd probably want to nick his hair and eyes for myself!

Lymond would have been on my list too, but I think he's just a tad too precious and although I like him a lot, in reality I'd probably end up pushing him down a well!

What about women? For memorable ones I'd nominate:

Alinor - creation of Roberta Gellis. A 12thC woman of her time who runs rings round the men

Scarlett O'Hara. Love her or hate her she's there!

Angelique from the Sergeanne Golon novels - what a life story!

Philippa from the Lymond Chronices

Claire Fraser from the Outlander series - for being so indefatigable!

[Divia]

OK I dont know if this counts...

never read the book but the mini series was wonderful and this man is just hunky!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.bootsandbonnets.com/uploaded_images/look-back-at-me-751227.jpg

[Misfit]

"What about women? For memorable ones I'd nominate:

Alinor - creation of Roberta Gellis. A 12thC woman of her time who runs rings round the men

Scarlett O'Hara. Love her or hate her she's there!

Angelique from the Sergeanne Golon novels - what a life story!

Philippa from the Lymond Chronices

Claire Fraser from the Outlander series - for being so indefatigable"

We'll have to start a separate thread. What shall we call it? I do so agree with this list (except for Angelique haven't read those yet), but Philippa or Alinor? We could put that one up for debate.

[Tanzanite]

Who are the men in your historical novels that make you swoon?

Jamie Fraser from the Outlander Series (DUH!)
William Marshal The Greatest Knight
John Fitzgilbert A Place Beyond Courage
Llewelyn Fahr Here Be Dragons
Llewelyn The Last The Reckoning


I definately agree about William and the Llewelyns (haven't read the other two books yet so can't say). I also agree with Sonja about John de Gael. Is it getting hot in here?

[diamondlil]

OK I dont know if this counts...

never read the book but the mini series was wonderful and this man is just hunky!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.bootsandbonnets.com/uploaded_images/look-back-at-me-751227.jpg


Works for me...I mentioned him earlier in the thread as well! :D

[MLE]

I know I might be the only one in the dark, but -- I have no idea who the guy in the picture is, or what book/movie/TV series he comes from.

[Lady of the Forest]

I totally fell in love with the Robin Hood in Lady of the Forest

[Vanessa]

I know I might be the only one in the dark, but -- I have no idea who the guy in the picture is, or what book/movie/TV series he comes from.



The actor is Richard Armitage. The TV series is based on Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. I believe Richard Armitage was in the TV series of Robin Hood as Guy of Guisbourne, too. He is an attractive man.

[pat]

My list...

Mr Darcy
Colonel Brandon
William Marshal
John Thornton(North and South)
John Fitzgilbert

I could be happy with any of the above!

[Carine]

I certainly with all of you and for me can be added James Read (= George Hazard in the series North and South - books by John Jakes)

http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m3/mar2008/7/3/83D70BB3-AAD3-92BA-352E614DDC6486CC.jpg

[Misfit]

I certainly with all of you and for me can be added James Read (= George Hazard in the series North and South - books by John Jakes)

http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m3/mar2008/7/3/83D70BB3-AAD3-92BA-352E614DDC6486CC.jpg

Ooooh. Patrick is so young there.

[Leyland]

Awwww, that's the Red Dawn and Dirty Dancing Patrick, too!

Another hunk for me is Terence Stamp as Captain Troy in Far from the Madding Crowd. So very gallant and skilled with a blade. His scene at Fanny Robbins' grave is so heartwrenching.

[LoveHistory]

Oh man! How, how, how could I have forgotten George Hazard as played by James Read??????????? I don't usually go gaga over actors but that soldier could have stormed my fortress any day!

And Richard Armitage does have the certain smoldering something. The "look back" line in N&S is just...beyond description and that last scene? :eek: I've yet to see anything more intense than that on film.

EC is it really so weird to have a thing for one of your characters? Maybe a lot of us do. I have a weakness for one of mine and he's not even a good guy. He has that dangerous air about him. Of course it doesn't hurt that in my mind he's played alternately by George Clooney and Sam Neill. ;)

[Carine]

Oh man! How, how, how could I have forgotten George Hazard as played by James Read??????????? I don't usually go gaga over actors but that soldier could have stormed my fortress any day!

LOL and giggles - EXACTLY MY THOUGHTS !! :D

[LCW]

Jaimie Fraser from the Outlander books is my top hero of all time! Sigh, he was just so perfect!!

And Sir William Marshall was quite the hunk too, at least how he was portrayed in The Greatest Knight by EC.

[SonjaMarie]

EC is it really so weird to have a thing for one of your characters? Maybe a lot of us do. I have a weakness for one of mine and he's not even a good guy. He has that dangerous air about him. Of course it doesn't hurt that in my mind he's played alternately by George Clooney and Sam Neill. ;)

Mmmm Sam Neill, sigh! Though lately he has shown his age a bit, but I prefer to remember as the Sam in "Jurassic Park" that made me go "Who is that!?" and playing a spy in ""Reilly: Ace of Spies".

SM

[LCW]

This may be a bit off topic but it is about a hunk! Do any of you watch "Dirty Jobs" on the Discovery channel? I think the host, Mike Rowe, is just about the hottest guy I've ever seen. He's intelligent, funny, witty, and smokin' hot! Sigh! I wonder if he's gay or taken???

[Tanzanite]

This may be a bit off topic but it is about a hunk! Do any of you watch "Dirty Jobs" on the Discovery channel? I think the host, Mike Rowe, is just about the hottest guy I've ever seen. He's intelligent, funny, witty, and smokin' hot! Sigh! I wonder if he's gay or taken???

My husband likes to watch that show and so I've seen him and you're right - especially when he's really dirty!:D

[diamondlil]

The whole cast of North and South was pretty good looking. Parker Stevenson who played a younger Hazard (Billy I think) had a certain charm as well.

[Barbara Passaris]

Okay, in books, definitely Jamie Fraser....Mmmmm, mmmm, mmmm! There's not too much that I DON'T love about Jamie!

In film, fell in love with Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis) in The Last of the Mohicans.

~Barb

[LCW]

Glad I'm not the only one! Everyone else is like, "Who?" :D

[diamondlil]

I even have an I Love Jamie Fraser postcard that I have on my desk at work, along with a couple of the other girls who love the series! One of my male coworkers doesn't get the attraction - he says that Jamie is always a victim, but it's okay, if they ever make a movie of the books then he will get it because he doesn't read books!

[Carine]

Oh ! Wouldn't that be great : a movie from the Gabaldon books !

Now, lets see ... who would we choose for the character of Jamie ? ....

[LoveHistory]

Mmmm Sam Neill, sigh! Though lately he has shown his age a bit, but I prefer to remember as the Sam in "Jurassic Park" that made me go "Who is that!?" and playing a spy in ""Reilly: Ace of Spies".

SM

If you haven't already seen it, you've got to check out the newer Dr. Zhivago. Sam is amazing in it. Never knew he was so good at being a bad guy. Funny, I never liked Rod Steiger's portrayal of that character.

[SonjaMarie]

If you haven't already seen it, you've got to check out the newer Dr. Zhivago. Sam is amazing in it. Never knew he was so good at being a bad guy. Funny, I never liked Rod Steiger's portrayal of that character.

Oh I've seen it. One of the first time's I've seen a younger Keira Knightley as well.

He's had a few roles where he wasn't so very nice! But always hot! (though not as much in the last few years, sigh :( ).

SM

[Spitfire]

Oh ! Wouldn't that be great : a movie from the Gabaldon books !

Now, lets see ... who would we choose for the character of Jamie ? ....

Really? I would Not like to see Gabaldon's Jaimy Fraser on screeen. I see him so perfectly in my head, how he moves and talks. I think it would totally wreck the fantasy to see somebody elses interpretation of what Jaimy would be like in a movie. Sorry, it's a big thumbs down for me, but that's my opinion!

[Julianne Douglas]

MLE, I'll gladly take Lymond and Nicolas off your hands, since you don't want them! And I totally agree with Vanessa, who said Viggo was incredible as Aragorn but loses something when he goes clean-cut in other movies.

Don't know why, but I'm having trouble coming up with a hero who's not already on other people's lists. I'll have to think about it for a while....

[diamondlil]

Really? I would Not like to see Gabaldon's Jaimy Fraser on screeen. I see him so perfectly in my head, how he moves and talks. I think it would totally wreck the fantasy to see somebody elses interpretation of what Jaimy would be like in a movie. Sorry, it's a big thumbs down for me, but that's my opinion!

I am not keen on movies of my favourite books for exactly that reason. If they get made, I will probably end up going to see them, but given a choice as to whether they are made, there have been so many bad adaptations that I would be worried.

[Carine]

I am not keen on movies of my favourite books for exactly that reason. If they get made, I will probably end up going to see them, but given a choice as to whether they are made, there have been so many bad adaptations that I would be worried.

True, but it would depend who they would have the part play ofcourse, it might be a good choice :)

I once had it, that they picked exactly the actor that I had in mind when I was reading the book, that was very pleasing although the movie was not as good as the book by a long shot ! But the actor choice was absolutely great.

[Misfit]

I am not keen on movies of my favourite books for exactly that reason. If they get made, I will probably end up going to see them, but given a choice as to whether they are made, there have been so many bad adaptations that I would be worried.


I've yet to see a movie based on a book I'd read that Hollywood didn't screw up in some fashion. Gone With The Wind, while a very good movie, doesn't come close to what was in the book.

[LoveHistory]

Yes, but considering that part of American history, I'm not sure a really true-to-the-book version could ever be made. That said, I'd love to see GWTW as a miniseries.

I have a fried who has a bunch of Gabaldon's books. Given the unwavering devotion to Jaime Fraser in this thread I may have to do some borrowing to investigate this phenomenon. :D

[Laura]

My favorites are:
Llewelyn from Here Be Dragons
Simon of Monfort from Falls the Shadow (despite EC´s comment)
Brian Boru from Lion of Ireland
Jamie Fraser from Outlander
Harold from Harold the King
For women:
Anna Karenina by Leon Tolstoy
Joanna from Here be Dragons
Eleanor of Aquitaine from SKP trilogy
Miranda Wells from Dragonwyck
Rebecca by Dahne Du Maurier
Anna

[donroc]

He appears in novels such as The Three Musketeers, but to the best of my knowledge he has never been an MC.

Based on research I have done, it seems that George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, would make the ladies swoon even today. He was said to be the handsomest, best horseman, leaper, and dancer in all Europe.

If all that was not enough, he did something unique to attract the ladies, which I describe in my forthcoming novel.

[boswellbaxter]

He appears in novels such as The Three Musketeers, but to the best of my knowledge he has never been an MC.

Based on research I have done, it seems that George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, would make the ladies swoon even today. He was said to be the handsomest, best horseman, leaper, and dancer in all Europe.

If all that was not enough, he did something unique to attract the ladies, which I describe in my forthcoming novel.

Would that be the little pearls falling off his garment for the ladies to retrieve?

[Volgadon]

An interesting topic, but most ladies men I know are a bit ugly, seems to have been the case with Henri IV

[donroc]

Would that be the little pearls falling off his garment for the ladies to retrieve?

Spoiler! :( He used more than pearls in Spain.

[boswellbaxter]

Spoiler! :( He used more than pearls in Spain.

Well, I'll have to wait and see, then!

[Volgadon]

I could spoil it further by saying go read the story "His Insolence of Buckingham" in Sabatini's "Historical Night's Entertainment vol. 2".

[Christine Blevins]

A few of my favorite guys -

Hawkeye and Uncas
Athos and Aramis
Captain Alatriste
Robin Hood
Mark Antony (that guy in the HBO Rome series specifically)

[donroc]

I could spoil it further by saying go read the story "His Insolence of Buckingham" in Sabatini's "Historical Night's Entertainment vol. 2".

No! Not you too?

Shameless teaser for my novel: At least Sabatini has Buckingham in France and does not reveal the unique revenge the Count-Duke de Olivares inflicted on the rascal.

"Buckeroo Steenie" is a minor figure who appears and is mentioned only in a few chapters in my novel.

[Madeleine]

My first hero was Mr Rochester from Jane Eyre. Now of course I can add William Marshal to the list, as well as his dad; although I haven't read A Place Beyond Courage yet, I've read so much about him on EC's blogs that I'm hopelessly in love with him already! And the same goes for Jamie - haven't read the books yet, but have heard so much about him on various websites that I feel I know him anyway. I also liked Inman from Cold Mountain, although I'm not quite sure about Jude Law in the film (tho he looked great!).

I also liked Aragorn in LOTR, helped a lot by Viggo in the movie!

Loved the "look at me" bit in "North and South", he is now in "Spooks" on BBC1.

Has anyone read the Hawkenlye mysteries by Alys Clare? The hero is a knight called Josse d'Acquin, and he is one hunk! Now I could definitely see Gerard Butler playing him.

[ejays17]

Robin Hood for mine! Especially Robin McKinley's (The Outlaws of Sherwood) and Jennifer Roberson's (Lady of the Forest)

Also, Llewllyn Fawr
and Hugh de Beranger (Cadfael books - it was always a disappointment when he wasn't heavily featured :( )

[Misfit]

Just for fun, over at Goodreads we started a Hunks in History list where anyone can vote on a book and add it to the list. Some months later, the current top five are,


William Marshall (The Greatest Knight)
Jamie Fraser (Outlander)
Llewellyn the great (Here be Dragons)
John of Gaunt (Katherine)
Rhett Butler (Gone with the Wind)

[Michy]

But I think Rhett Butler was an idiot. If he wanted Scarlett to grow up, why did he indulge her so as to keep her a brat? Her character went seriously downhill under his influence.



Very intriguing...... GWTW is one of my absolute favorites, I've read it several times, but, even as much thought and analysis as I've given to the characters of Rhett and Scarlett, I've never thought of their relationship in quite this light...... I don't know that I totally agree, but your points are interesting nonetheless.

So..... my list of hunks is quite short. It's been many, many years since any character in a book made my heart beat (I guess I'm getting hard as I get older! ha!). And I'm unfamiliar with many of the characters others have named. These are the ones that come immediately to mind (I may think of others to add later):

1. Rhett Butler (natch)
2. John of Gaunt in Katherine

3. Percey Blakeney in The Scarlett Pimpernel (I love the contrast of his assumed foppish, inane persona with his true character of brilliance and bravery. Plus he was rich. :))

4. Anton in Summer of My German Soldier (I don't think he was supposed to be a hunk, but he was the first male character in a book that I remember seriously falling in love with -- at about age 13, I think.)

5. Byron Henry in The Winds of War

[Madeleine]

Can I add Nathaniel Bonner from "Into the Wilderness"?

[Russ Whitfield]

....and there's no historical babes thread!

[parthianbow]

That's probably because we men are outnumbered on this forum by a considerable margin! Let's start one:
Angelique in all Sergeanne Golon's books.
Boudica in Manda Scott's Dreaming quartet.
Lysandra in a certain person's Gladiatrix.
The young Ayesha in H Rider Haggard's She.
Arwen in LOTR (only because of Liv Tyler!).

[Misfit]

....and there's no historical babes thread!

Feel free to start one anytime :p

[Russ Whitfield]

There's a book called "The Mouse God" by Susan Curran. Its set during the Trojan War and the depiction of Chryseis used to make me go all bouncy in my dreams.

I always imagined Auriane from the Donna Gillespie's "The Light Bearer" to be really be really beautiful (but not sexy).

Red Sonya - Don't spill her pint. There's just something about those amazons, I think...

Cheers

Russ

(and thanks Ben - Lysandra loves ya).

[Leo62]

Red Sonya - Don't spill her pint. There's just something about those amazons, I think...

ROTFL!

Must admit, I find it hard to think of actual historical figures as hunky. I always imagine that they'd be really horrible in real life.

I must be one of the few women that Jamie Fraser just doesn't do it for. I like cerebral, complicated heroes and he's just a p***k on a stick.

Favourite historical hunk fantasy? Reclining on a couch with my buncha grapes surrounded by most of the male cast of HBO's Rome. :p

[Russ Whitfield]

hey, hey - if we're bringing film and tv into it...I'm with Angelina "Olympias" Jolie!

[Misfit]

Reviving an old thread just for fun. We've had a list (http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5443.Hunks_in_History#comment_form) going at Goodreads (where anyone can vote a book on) and the top contenders have fluctuated a bit but right now it seems Jamie Fraser (Outlander) is the clear winner with William Marshall (The Greatest Knight) in second place, followed by Llewelyn (Here be Dragons) and Rhett Butler nipping at his heels.

For our newer members, who are your hunks (or hunkettes?) in history?

[Madeleine]

Probably said this before but Jamie Fraser didn't do much for me either - I'd go for John Marshal, then William Marshal.

[LoveHistory]

Since reading Outlander I have to say that while I like Jamie a great deal, he doesn't really float my boat. I prefer older men.

And I'm adding someone to my list. King John as written by Miss Moppet. Can't help it. The guy looks just like Eric Bana. :D