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From The Black Moth to The Flame and the Flower to The Duke and I to Jeremiah’s Journey, historical romance has had an adventure, evolving and changing, becoming one of romance’s most popular subgenres.
In this article, learn more about how historical romance has changed throughout the years.
How Historical Romance Has Changed
As a genre that whisks readers away to bygone eras and far-away places, historical romance has to be full of passionate encounters and dramatic narratives. Thus, this genre has had several changes, having been shaped by the shifting trends of the time.
More than any other genre of fiction, historical romance is quite reflective of turning societal mores–not simply because historical romance’s focus is precisely on periods of history. Through a blend of historical and romantic tropes, the genre encapsulates the contemporary era’s values, expectations, and ideas of love and relationships.
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Heroes and Heroines of History
The evolution of historical romance can be traced to the 20th century, with authors like Georgette Heyer creating the template from which future samplings of the genre would take inspiration. The historical romance of this period was meticulous, focusing on periods that led up to and during the Industrial Revolution. Early historical romance novels were focused on witty banter between their characters, accurate social customs of the time period being depicted, and the slow-burn romance between their protagonists. It would be succinct to say that historical romance genres were just romance stories against the backdrop of history.
The heroes were honorable and stately, while the heroines were intelligent and spirited, with more or less modern sensibilities. Despite the latter, these early novels featured more traditional depictions of relationship dynamics, where men lorded over women. The conflicts that drove the relationship were often external, driven by misunderstandings, social obstacles, and; or familial expectations.
Sex and Sensuality in the Story
During the time of authors like Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, historical romance shifted towards more sensual and passionate narratives. Where the chase and courtly aspects were the key appeal before, it had become physical attraction and explicit romantic encounters. The term “bodice ripper” reflected the heightened interest in physical intimacy and dramatic adventures to create a more sensual and compelling narrative. The choice of time periods in this era widened and diversified, although there was still a focus on Western settings. There was a greater exploration of the time periods, touching not only on social norms but on broader cultural and economic aspects of the time.
The heroines of these novels became more assertive and in touch with their sensuality, becoming active agents for change against ingrained societal norms and becoming quite explicit with their desires. Heroes were now portrayed with greater emotional depth and vulnerability, replacing the cold and often aloof heroes of the previous era.
Diversity and Depth in the Depictions
As time passed and social perspectives changed, there was a greater emphasis on expanding the range of stories that could be told. Thus, more authors popped up, exploring a wider range of historical periods and cultural settings. Everyone had a stake in historical romance. More and more narratives were being set outside the West, in Asia, Africa, and South America, moving beyond the predominantly Anglo-centric focus. This change was reflective of society’s growing acceptance of more diverse perspectives. Alongside the expansion of the setting, there was also a shift towards depicting deeper, more complex relationships and more nuanced motivations, fears, and personal growth. Authors became more interested in the psychological complexities of their characters.
Heroines now had flaws and ambitions beyond searching for a partner; they were now true individuals whom readers could imagine living well without relationships (despite that being the focus of their respective stories). Heroes also had greater nuance, becoming living characters that grappled internally with themselves and broke the mold of traditional masculinity.
This period of the historical romance genre saw the emergence of multiple genres, blending historical romantic elements with other genres.
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Jeremiah’s Journey by Eileen Kirksey Triplett is a prime example of where historical romance has come. If you are looking to really indulge and immerse yourself in a world of romance and history, this book is for you.
Click this link here to learn more about the book and/or grab a copy!
