2690+ Historical Fiction Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. Whether you’re looking to step back into ancient civilizations, the 19th-century, or anywhere in between, our collection of historical fiction stories is here to keep you riveted.

🏆 Winning stories

“The Last Of The Bright Young Things” by Wendy M

🏆 Winner of Contest #212

Friday 7th October 1932 - Adelphi Hotel, LiverpoolDearest darling Herbert,What excitement we have had!  Mother and I boarded our train on Thursday. The conductor was a charming man. I swear he held my hand for just a moment too long. The weather was terrible, of course, but we were heading for the sun, and neither of us cared one jot. Then the thunderstorm started, which terrified Mother. She shrieked like she had seen a dozen mice with every rum...

124 likes 93 comments 93

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“Come In Spinner” by Marilyn Filewood

🏆 Winner of Contest #180

Thommo rammed a bayonet into the rocky clay and tied a string to it. Thommo, the only one of us over thirty, and therefore responsible, was our Ringie, the supervisor of the Two-up ring. He attached a second bayonet to the other end of the string and, using the bayonets like a giant school compass, drew a perfect circle in the clay soil. It was the 23rd May 1915, just months since I'd left Australia, to f...

130 likes 86 comments 86

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“SOUTHBOUND” by David Sweet

🏆 Winner of Contest #168

SOUTHBOUNDby David M. SweetDoralea looked out the window of the southbound train. Mid-October leaves dappled the Kentucky hillsides in fiery oranges and burning reds, dull yellows and rusty browns with a few evergreens peaking through the canopies. Colors were made even more vivid by the morning sun and clear, blue sky. Flaxen sedge grass along with green tangles of weeds, brambles, and even a few autumn flowers blurred together as she shifted her gaze downward toward the edges of fields and fence rows ...

129 likes 96 comments 96

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⭐️ Recommended stories

“Poor Box Suprise” by Luca King Greek

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #244

New York Patrolman, James O’Donnell, spread the pale-yellow powder along the metal tray and closed the wooden lid of the box. The mechanism clicked.“Most ingenious” said Deacon Cassidy, thrilling at the prospect of pyrotechnics.” It is a mix of potassium chlorate, aluminum, and sulfur,” said officer O’Donnell, “known as flash powder in the trade.”“The modern invades our lives”, said old Father Morris with a sigh, “and the lord moves in mysterious ways.”“As do the Sunday offerings”, said Deacon Cassidy, for whom the pilfered Poor Box was a th...

28 likes 23 comments 23

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“Dancing to the Paintings” by Hannah Lynn

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #242

They were back. Clicking their hard nails on the wooden floor, panting as they grew closer. She assumed position covering herself with her coat and closed her eyes. She heard her mother’s voice as if in the darkened room with her. “Play dead, Shana.”  Did she remember to lock the door? Not that it mattered, a small flimsy lock wouldn’t keep them out. She heard their footsteps approaching, knew the vicious dogs were leading those men in black boots straight to her.  Angry German voices filtered into the...

40 likes 40 comments 40

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“The Last Man Kneeling” by Stephanie I

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #242

(*warning; Implied racism and mentions of slavery. *) THE LAST MAN KNEELING The man in the painting was nameless, but he knew three things for certain:1. He was depicted kneeling on a plush red carpet, his face locked in a stern expression as he gazed into the flickering flames of a grand fireplace.2. The artist who had brought him to life and placed him on display was known as Asher Vanderbilt, his elegant signature adorning the bottom of the canvas in golden letters.3. And most importantly - at night, the nameless man would come alive. It ...

27 likes 6 comments 6

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✍️ All stories

“The Two of Hearts Puzzle” by Wayne Peake

Submitted to Contest #246

It is a wintry Friday evening in the late seventies in the digs in Graham Street Narwee, Sydney, that ‘Ton’ Currie and I are sharing, and the usual detritus – Pretty Boy, the Cube, JJ Ryan, Dobber Des, Bouncer Farrelly, and some novices yet to earn nicknames – are blowing in off the streets and depositing around the broken dining table that is the venue for our weekend poker games. The television is playing ‘The Two Ronnies’, ‘Dave Allen’ and ‘Pot Black’ on Channel Two, and Andy Vincent is calling races from a rainy Harold Park Paceway. No o...

3 likes 0 comments 0

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“Syrup Stains” by Diana Lapaix

Submitted to Contest #246

**Trigger Warning: Mental Health, Physical Violence**_ As per usual, Dr.Marigold was eager to start our session, “Okay, whenever you’re ready. The last time we met, you mentioned you wanted to tell me about the first time you recognized you are oppressed.” Here goes nothing, “I’m ready.” Gently, she instructs me, "Jane, I want you to ease into a state of deep relaxation. With each word I speak, feel your body becoming more at ease. Imagine a gentle wave of relaxation flowing through you. This is a sanctuary, a place where you can release all...

11 likes 5 comments 5

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“Nations, Like Stars” by Alex Dawson

Submitted to Contest #245

“Are you sure this plan will work? How do we know that some of us won’t die?”“Some of you will die. You must for the plan to succeed.”We looked around at each other in the candlelight. Eyes searched out other eyes in the flickering light, probing for doubts, mistrust, or secret alliances in the half darkness.He explained the plan again. On the final day of the month the sacrifices would begin. One during every hour of sunlight at the temple of Inti. The most pious among us would volunteer as sacrifices to the sun god. The most pious among us...

2 likes 0 comments 0

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“Sir Fredrick's Discovery of the Damned Village ” by WRL Battle

Submitted to Contest #245

I, Sir Fredrick son of Dal, knight of King John, Ruler of Edinbrough, do hereby solemnly swear by Mary and all the Saints that my testimony is the truth and nothing but the truth. If I should fabricate my account in any way, may the Good Lord Almighty strike the ground on which I stand.In the Year of Our Lord 1354, I, Sir Fredrick son of Dal, was ordered by King John, Ruler of Edinbrough to scout the lands in the West for enemy outposts and to report back by the end of the year. I traveled many months over hills and mountains, fields and mea...

3 likes 0 comments 0

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“The Stones” by Jeffrey McDonald

Submitted to Contest #245

The cross-shaped standing stones of Callanish in the isles off the west coast of northern Britain have become the focal point of Saint Augustine’s mission to spread Christianity throughout Britain. Tradesmen, immigrants, and legionaries traveling from Rome had brought the religion to Britain by the late third century, but it never took root. Then Rome fell, their presence dissipated from the remote lands, but it was not gone. The mighty Roman empire crumbled under weak leadership and misguided ambition, but like the Phoenix from the ashes, a...

2 likes 0 comments 0

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“The Brighter the Light, the Deeper the Shadow” by Christina Santoro

Submitted to Contest #245

Thyra surveyed the water around her, diligently waiting for a minnow to reveal itself between the soft glints of reflected sunlight. Her long skirt was knotted around her waist, serving two purposes – keeping it dry and holding in place her bilberry-laden pouch. A faint ripple appeared beside her left foot. Without hesitation, Thyra deftly plucked a small silvery fish from the brook. She had four now, which wasn’t a lot, but with a portion of bread and a handful of berries, it would be sufficient. Cadoc wasn't expected home for another few d...

22 likes 10 comments 10

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“Reckless” by Kristina Lushey

Submitted to Contest #246

“Nancy Docherty, there is no way on earth you are going to the fair in that ridiculous outfit.” I’d whipped my brother Sean’s flat cap and scarf from his wardrobe, and wore a plain black blouse and black pants, with a trench coat over the top to finish off the outfit.I spoke with unwavering confidence, my eyes gleaming with resolve. “Just because it is a man’s cap mammy, doesn’t mean I can’t wear it. It looks grand.”Aware that she was wasting her breath, she sighed and said no more. I was an active child, often playing football with the loca...

23 likes 22 comments 22

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“THE JOKE THAT MADE THE WORLD CRY” by Darvico Ulmeli

Submitted to Contest #246

In the bleak solitude of World War, in a hospital ward, I lay, my body battered and broken by the merciless hand of war. Each breath felt like a struggle against an unseen foe, my spirit teetering on the brink of despair. In the oppressive silence, whispers danced like specters in the shadows, their words a tantalizing refrain in the cacophony of suffering."What is the point of all my efforts?" I started to ask myself regularly. After almost dying from a British gas attack, which left me temporarily blind, I began to realize that this war wa...

30 likes 37 comments 37

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“This Is What I Do, This Is What We Do” by Doux Ancolie

Submitted to Contest #245

Lying on the green grass, I drifted off to sleep, contemplating life beyond Earth. When I open my eyes, before me is the beautiful moon. Swirling prisms of glittering light were bouncing off my body, the spirit of love was so bright I raise my hand to protect my eyes. I am floating above the ground, looking around and I see other celestial bodies swirling and dancing, sending off sparkles of prism light.The Moon looks to her and tells her it is time for a wonderful love story. Feeling calm, she relaxes as the Moon begins to tell his love sto...

1 like 0 comments 0

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“Battle Blue” by Laura Thompson

Submitted to Contest #245

Laura Thompson Approx. 1,050 words237 Ogden CynOgden, UT  84401(801) 690-5837laurakthompson1300@gmail.com BATTLE BLUEbyLaura Thompson  The ship pulled slightly to the right as a gentle wind caught her sails and nudged the Ulfich closer to the shoreline. The wolf’s head on her bow bobbed with the waves, its open mouth appearing to howl with the wind. Thorsten shouted over the sound of the sloshing waves, “Men, ready the ship for landing!”   This prompted a flurry of activity as sailors ran to the bow and the ...

5 likes 2 comments 2

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“The Mound Of Nu” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #245

Until air, moisture, earth and sky emerged out of the deep, a formless mass existed that looked a bit like a pyramidal mound. It was called Nu. At some point in the mists of time, the sun rose like a goose breaking through the still waters to spread its life-giving light to the earth. In ancient myths, Ra was the Egyptian sun god, the creator of all that followed.Without creation, we do not exist. If we do not exist, what is there?^^^As priests, everything we do, every act and speech we make, every ritual and spell we perform is designe...

31 likes 38 comments 38

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“The Bulbous Thing In The Sky” by Farai Gotora

Submitted to Contest #245

*** Depictions of racial insensitivity.***From 1789 to 1792 a series of volatile events erupted in France and collectively became The French Revolution. For decades, the ordinary and unheralded people of France took increasing umbrage with the absolute rule of the monarchy and engaged in actions that ultimately saw the dissolution of the French monarchy and the beheading of King Louis XVI and his patronizing wife, Marie Antoinette. These acts plunged France into a new era and this sent shockwaves amongst French nobility and across Europ...

7 likes 0 comments 0

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“The Darkness Eclipse” by Noted Moments

Submitted to Contest #245

It was said that in the quaint village of Elipsia, there, nestled between thick forests and sleeping mountains, the night sky became a canvas of cosmic beauty. Stars twinkled like diamonds, and the moon glowed with a serene light. But every few decades, the villagers would whisper of an ancient legend, a time when the world around them would completely darken for only a moment, and the stars would hide. They called it The Darkest Eclipse.The ancestors said that during this eclipse, an entity, as old as time itself, would descend upon the ear...

6 likes 2 comments 2

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“This Is All Your Fault, Alexander” by Story Time

Submitted to Contest #245

Alexander, do you see that? Do you see the way the sun is disappearing right before our very eyes? Do you know why that’s happening, Alexander? It is because you abused yourself. When young princes abuse themselves the way you have, the Lord above sees it, and punishes them by making the sun disappear. You may have thought nobody noticed, but the Lord did, Alexander. The Lord always does. Despite being told that you are a descendant of Kings, and must treat your body with the utmost respect and care, you decided to give into temptation and t...

27 likes 12 comments 12

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“Star's End” by Paul Hellyer

Submitted to Contest #245

Three camels trotted languidly across a sweeping red desert. Upon these peculiar beasts, sat three wizened men, with rich dark skin, dressed in flowing purple and gold robes. They were a solemn procession, tracking softly through the endless sands, and had travelled in silence for the last few hours.In the fullness of time, one of them spoke, his voice cutting into the meditative quiet.‘Asuma, do you think they will think us mad?’The man who had been addressed held his peace for a few moments, perhaps considering what been said, before reply...

9 likes 2 comments 2

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