history of fiction – UnusualKingdom.com

1136 AD

History of the Kings of Britain (Year 1136)

A Norman clerk called Wace presented a long poem to Eleanor of Aquitaine, we are told, around 1155. This poem was a French translation of Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain (c. 1136)…

8th Century AD

8th Century AD — Japanese Kojiki is published including many fables

550 BC

Aesop fables around 550 BC

while Aesop dates around 550 BC he probably gathered fables from throughout the world

5th century BC

5th Century BC — oral beast Fables in India become Panchatantra (also The Fables of Bidpai) compiled in 200 BC

4th Century BC

4th Century BC — Chinese fables begin to be gathered into the Bore jing.

1120 BC

Egyptian fable 1120 BC

Egypt fable depicting a anthropomorphized cat guarding geese

1937, 1954-1955

JRR Tolkien’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings

Quintessential series in forming modern fantasy and fantasy world building.

1950-1956

C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia

Popular juvenile fantasy series with high Christian symbolism.

1949

“Fantasy” Magazine Published

The first use of the term “fantasy” in the title of a new magazine dedicated to the genre.

1896-1950s

Pulp Magazines

Popular fantasy and fiction outlets where many authors got their start.

1880s-1890s

William Morris’ Poems and Stories

First fully realized fantasy world, sometimes offering socialist critique.

1869

Jules Verne Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas

Verne becomes the father of modern SciFi with his famous works.

1858

First fantasy novel for adults.

George McDonald Phantasies

1837

Sarah Coleridge Phantasmion

First recognizable work of modern fantasy.

1819

Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe

Historical fiction set in England during Richard the First.

1818

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Gothic novel related to modern horror and SciFi

1812-1815

Grimm’s Fairy Tales

Two volumes bridging the gap between popular myths and new tales.

1764

First Gothic Novel: The Castle of Otranto

By Horace Walpole