When Christ and His Saints Slept

When Christ and His Saints Slept is a historical novel written by Sharon Kay Penman, published in 1994.

It is the first of Penman's Plantagenet trilogy, (ultimately five books) followed by Time and Chance, Devil's Brood, Lionheart and A King's Ransom.

The book was described as a "magnificent combination of history and humanity" in which Penman presents "complicated politics" in a persuasive manner with well-presented characters.

Although based on real life historical characters—Queen Maude and King Stephen are the main protagonists—it was thought that, in the fictional character Ranulf, Penman added a "successful addition".

The only complaint was that the era in which Penman sets the action (12th century England) "lacks epic qualities."