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The Dolphin Ring Cycle #1, 2, & 4
Three Legions: The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch and The Lantern Bearers
A collection of three novels of Roman Britain in one volume.
The Eagle Of The Ninth is set in the early days of the Roman province. The Silver Branch is placed during the time when the rebel general, Carausius, is proclaimed Emperor by his British troops. The Lantern Bearers takes place when the last roman army has left, abandoning Britain to internal strife and the menace of invasion by the Saxons.
They are absorbing adventures in which an ancient world, peopled by warm, living characters, is dramatically brought to life by this award-winning author.
The Eagle Of The Ninth is set in the early days of the Roman province. The Silver Branch is placed during the time when the rebel general, Carausius, is proclaimed Emperor by his British troops. The Lantern Bearers takes place when the last roman army has left, abandoning Britain to internal strife and the menace of invasion by the Saxons.
They are absorbing adventures in which an ancient world, peopled by warm, living characters, is dramatically brought to life by this award-winning author.
638 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
49 people are currently reading
579 people want to read
About the author
Rosemary Sutcliff
107 books677 followersRosemary Sutcliff, CBE (1920-1992) was a British novelist, best known as a writer of highly acclaimed historical fiction. Although primarily a children's author, the quality and depth of her writing also appeals to adults. She once commented that she wrote "for children of all ages, from nine to ninety."
Born in West Clandon, Surrey, Sutcliff spent her early youth in Malta and other naval bases where her father was stationed as a naval officer. She contracted Still's Disease when she was very young and was confined to a wheelchair for most of her life. Due to her chronic sickness, she spent the majority of her time with her mother, a tireless storyteller, from whom she learned many of the Celtic and Saxon legends that she would later expand into works of historical fiction. Her early schooling being continually interrupted by moving house and her disabling condition, Sutcliff didn't learn to read until she was nine, and left school at fourteen to enter the Bideford Art School, which she attended for three years, graduating from the General Art Course. She then worked as a painter of miniatures.
Rosemary Sutcliff began her career as a writer in 1950 with The Chronicles of Robin Hood. She found her voice when she wrote The Eagle of the Ninth in 1954. In 1959, she won the Carnegie Medal for The Lantern Bearers and was runner-up in 1972 with Tristan and Iseult. In 1974 she was highly commended for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Her The Mark of the Horse Lord won the first Phoenix Award in 1985.
Sutcliff lived for many years in Walberton near Arundel, Sussex. In 1975 she was appointed OBE for services to Children's Literature and promoted to CBE in 1992. She wrote incessantly throughout her life, and was still writing on the morning of her death. She never married.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/rosema...
Born in West Clandon, Surrey, Sutcliff spent her early youth in Malta and other naval bases where her father was stationed as a naval officer. She contracted Still's Disease when she was very young and was confined to a wheelchair for most of her life. Due to her chronic sickness, she spent the majority of her time with her mother, a tireless storyteller, from whom she learned many of the Celtic and Saxon legends that she would later expand into works of historical fiction. Her early schooling being continually interrupted by moving house and her disabling condition, Sutcliff didn't learn to read until she was nine, and left school at fourteen to enter the Bideford Art School, which she attended for three years, graduating from the General Art Course. She then worked as a painter of miniatures.
Rosemary Sutcliff began her career as a writer in 1950 with The Chronicles of Robin Hood. She found her voice when she wrote The Eagle of the Ninth in 1954. In 1959, she won the Carnegie Medal for The Lantern Bearers and was runner-up in 1972 with Tristan and Iseult. In 1974 she was highly commended for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Her The Mark of the Horse Lord won the first Phoenix Award in 1985.
Sutcliff lived for many years in Walberton near Arundel, Sussex. In 1975 she was appointed OBE for services to Children's Literature and promoted to CBE in 1992. She wrote incessantly throughout her life, and was still writing on the morning of her death. She never married.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/rosema...
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September 25, 2016A mainstay of my childhood this large hardback with red covers contains The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch and The Lantern Bearers, its end papers decorated with a map of Roman Britain featuring the Latin names of cities. Its heft promised substantial reading.
The trilogy is linked by the central characters who all are off-shoots from the same family tree. The family signet ring is mentioned in each book, although there are no other overlaps between characters or books and each can be read independently or in any order.
The series grows darker chronologically, The Lantern Bearers, set at the close of Roman Britain has a raw emotional power coming from loss, bitterness and lovelessness remarkable in a children's book .
Emotion is the key to Sutcliff's writing . Above all she succeeds in conveying a sense of eventual resignation and acceptance to a child reader.
Historically it may be that the ninth legion was disbanded as part of a cost cutting administrative military reform rather than lost in combat as the fist story suggests, that changing narrative itself reflecting a shift from thinking of Empire as heroic combat to Empire as an exercise in heroic cost management against the odds, while the defence of Britain against the Saxons in The Silver Branch is too obscure to be certain about much at all but there's no reason for that to hinder your enjoyment of these engrossing stories .
Reading An Imperial Possession, then considering the time these books were written as well as Sutcliff's social position as the daughter of an Empire man, it is interesting to consider her choice of view-point characters. They are, until the last book, remote from their roots, representatives of Empire. All of them were part of a military elite ruling over, but not really a part of the place they happen to be stationed in. The writer who was the product of one Imperial experience imagining the lives of the products of another, however as the statue of Boudicca by the houses of Parliament suggests the British experience here is to have their cake and eat it - resistors of empire and inheritors
The trilogy is linked by the central characters who all are off-shoots from the same family tree. The family signet ring is mentioned in each book, although there are no other overlaps between characters or books and each can be read independently or in any order.
The series grows darker chronologically, The Lantern Bearers, set at the close of Roman Britain has a raw emotional power coming from loss, bitterness and lovelessness remarkable in a children's book .
Emotion is the key to Sutcliff's writing . Above all she succeeds in conveying a sense of eventual resignation and acceptance to a child reader.
Historically it may be that the ninth legion was disbanded as part of a cost cutting administrative military reform rather than lost in combat as the fist story suggests, that changing narrative itself reflecting a shift from thinking of Empire as heroic combat to Empire as an exercise in heroic cost management against the odds, while the defence of Britain against the Saxons in The Silver Branch is too obscure to be certain about much at all but there's no reason for that to hinder your enjoyment of these engrossing stories .
Reading An Imperial Possession, then considering the time these books were written as well as Sutcliff's social position as the daughter of an Empire man, it is interesting to consider her choice of view-point characters. They are, until the last book, remote from their roots, representatives of Empire. All of them were part of a military elite ruling over, but not really a part of the place they happen to be stationed in. The writer who was the product of one Imperial experience imagining the lives of the products of another, however as the statue of Boudicca by the houses of Parliament suggests the British experience here is to have their cake and eat it - resistors of empire and inheritors
September 27, 2012
This was one of my favourite books as a teenager. Re-reading it in my mid thirties, I still think it is brilliant.
The three books cover a big chunk of British history, from the early Roman age to after they had left. There is a family and military link through the books, so there is a feeling of continuity, even though 200 years may have passed between stories.
There is a clever balance of giving the whole picture of what is going on in the country, while telling it from the perspective of individuals, to make it personal and give a good picture of everyday life in the time. It could easily have been dull, all about troop movements and politics, but this is avoided by telling the stories of a few people and their personal quests.
Issues of the time are dealt with sensitively, so you have an idea of how people may have felt. As an example - slavery is shown both as a normal part of everyday life, but also from the perspective of the captured person, showing the impact on their feelings.
The books cleverly include other people and tribes in Britain and abroad - roman, pagan and early christian, giving you a feeling for the variety of people, their beliefs and how they interact with each other.
There is a real feeling of the danger and instability for people living in a country made up of warring factions, under constant threat of invasion or raids from a number of different places. But the books also work very well as an exciting adventure story, so there is much to enjoy for both the younger and adult reader.
Reading them again, I just sat there for several days, glued to it, and was genuinely upset for as long after, that it was finished.
Highly recommended.
The three books cover a big chunk of British history, from the early Roman age to after they had left. There is a family and military link through the books, so there is a feeling of continuity, even though 200 years may have passed between stories.
There is a clever balance of giving the whole picture of what is going on in the country, while telling it from the perspective of individuals, to make it personal and give a good picture of everyday life in the time. It could easily have been dull, all about troop movements and politics, but this is avoided by telling the stories of a few people and their personal quests.
Issues of the time are dealt with sensitively, so you have an idea of how people may have felt. As an example - slavery is shown both as a normal part of everyday life, but also from the perspective of the captured person, showing the impact on their feelings.
The books cleverly include other people and tribes in Britain and abroad - roman, pagan and early christian, giving you a feeling for the variety of people, their beliefs and how they interact with each other.
There is a real feeling of the danger and instability for people living in a country made up of warring factions, under constant threat of invasion or raids from a number of different places. But the books also work very well as an exciting adventure story, so there is much to enjoy for both the younger and adult reader.
Reading them again, I just sat there for several days, glued to it, and was genuinely upset for as long after, that it was finished.
Highly recommended.
March 17, 2018
'The Eagle of the Ninth' - 4 stars. The best known of Rosemary Sutcliff's works and it's rather amazing. I think Marcus is a great protagonist and this is one of the few books that had me anxiously flipping pages to make sure the characters survived to the end of the story. Love that adrenaline rush!
'The Silver Branch' - 4.5, bordering on 5 stars. AHHHHHHHHHH THIS STORY IS SO AMAZING AND JUSTIN IS THE BEST AND ALSO FLAVIUS AND THEIR FRIENDSHIP AND THE CHRISTIAN CENTURION AND JUST GAHHHHHHH.
'The Lantern Bearers' - 3 stars. Aquila was kind of nasty for so much of the book, which was understandable but not fun to read. I did like how his and Ness' and Flavian's relationship developed. But, overall, I didn't care too much for this one.
Overall: I want to read all the other books in this series!
'The Silver Branch' - 4.5, bordering on 5 stars. AHHHHHHHHHH THIS STORY IS SO AMAZING AND JUSTIN IS THE BEST AND ALSO FLAVIUS AND THEIR FRIENDSHIP AND THE CHRISTIAN CENTURION AND JUST GAHHHHHHH.
'The Lantern Bearers' - 3 stars. Aquila was kind of nasty for so much of the book, which was understandable but not fun to read. I did like how his and Ness' and Flavian's relationship developed. But, overall, I didn't care too much for this one.
Overall: I want to read all the other books in this series!
March 17, 2017
Have just finished the third of these and oh my goodness. I was on the verge of tears the whole way through.
About three non-adjacent generations of the Roman-British family Aquila at different times during the decline and fall of Roman Britain. In common between the books are an ancestral dolphin ring, a family farm, and a deep friendship between the Aquila protagonist and one or more of his allies, with whom he goes into battle against some enemy: unconquered native British tribes, Saxon raiders, or traitors within the Roman cause.
The aspect of these books that makes them so likeable and moving is what, I suppose, makes them children's books: they are completely uncynical. The good are good, the bad are bad, the good form unshakeable bonds of love and loyalty with each other and fight the bad; often the bad win with tragic consequences, but the good have kept faith and so have in a sense won. The writing also is unselfconsciously, fulsomely beautiful - almost pre-Modernist in sensibility. The falcon *can* hear the falconer. There is a feeling of great emotional safety even in reading of tragedy and disaster.
I'm sure the 'bad' enemies would write this history with a very different perspective. But they are sufficiently long dead that I don't feel any urgent need to correct the injustice.
About three non-adjacent generations of the Roman-British family Aquila at different times during the decline and fall of Roman Britain. In common between the books are an ancestral dolphin ring, a family farm, and a deep friendship between the Aquila protagonist and one or more of his allies, with whom he goes into battle against some enemy: unconquered native British tribes, Saxon raiders, or traitors within the Roman cause.
The aspect of these books that makes them so likeable and moving is what, I suppose, makes them children's books: they are completely uncynical. The good are good, the bad are bad, the good form unshakeable bonds of love and loyalty with each other and fight the bad; often the bad win with tragic consequences, but the good have kept faith and so have in a sense won. The writing also is unselfconsciously, fulsomely beautiful - almost pre-Modernist in sensibility. The falcon *can* hear the falconer. There is a feeling of great emotional safety even in reading of tragedy and disaster.
I'm sure the 'bad' enemies would write this history with a very different perspective. But they are sufficiently long dead that I don't feel any urgent need to correct the injustice.
February 20, 2022
I really enjoyed this trilogy of stories; The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch and The Lantern Bearers. I'm sure I read the first book back when I was much younger and reading up on Rosemary Sutcliff, the books are described as Young Adult. However, the ideas she presents, the stories she tells, are interesting for any age. I particularly liked the themes of friendship, duty, family. Especially in the last book, The Lantern Bearers, they touched a chord with me. The stories are set over a period of time, in Britain, with the end of the Roman Empires settlement in Britain. They follow various members of the Aquila family, from 3 different generations. They follow one man's journey to the wilds of Scotland to try and find and retrieve the Lost Eagle of the Ninth Legion (his father's legion), then a story of dedicated Britons to avenge the betrayal and murder of the self-proclaimed Emperor of Britain and finally the final exit from Britain of the remaining Roman legions and the fight by Ambrosios to kick the Saxons out of England... Excellent stories.
July 24, 2014
I can hardly believe Rosemary Sutcliff is a new author to me - her books seem to have featured in so many teenage reading lives, and her stories are exactly the kind of thing I would have fallen on greedily - why I only discovered her name in a tourist gift shop by Hadrian's Wall last summer, is a mystery to me. Her style of writing is unique, and once you get used to it, it has a gentle flow to it, a rhythm that is pleasing just in itself; but the stories are beautifully put together and the characters are superb.
There are three books in this volume, making it good value for money. They leap through time from when Hadrian's Wall was at its height, to where the Romans leave Britain to an uncertain future. The theme linking the books is a family, who are the descendants of the key character in the first novel; a ring with an emerald carved with a dolphin is the clue that tells the reader how the next story's characters are linked to those in the previous one. The history, where it's known, is accurate and portrayed with vivid and clear descriptions, raw enough to get a sense of desperation and fear but not so graphic that a young adult couldn't read them. The reader gets to understand life in a Roman fort, in a British camp, a Romano-British farm and in villages, cities and towns in Britain; life for a Roman legionary, a Roman slave, British people in Scotland, England and Wales, and life for the invading Saxons, as well as a Saxon slave, too.
I won't got into details about the stories themselves as others will have done that; suffice it to say you will want to read more of them, just as I do! I am delighted to discover the chronicles of the dolphin ring continue, and I will be looking out for the next ones in the series.
There are three books in this volume, making it good value for money. They leap through time from when Hadrian's Wall was at its height, to where the Romans leave Britain to an uncertain future. The theme linking the books is a family, who are the descendants of the key character in the first novel; a ring with an emerald carved with a dolphin is the clue that tells the reader how the next story's characters are linked to those in the previous one. The history, where it's known, is accurate and portrayed with vivid and clear descriptions, raw enough to get a sense of desperation and fear but not so graphic that a young adult couldn't read them. The reader gets to understand life in a Roman fort, in a British camp, a Romano-British farm and in villages, cities and towns in Britain; life for a Roman legionary, a Roman slave, British people in Scotland, England and Wales, and life for the invading Saxons, as well as a Saxon slave, too.
I won't got into details about the stories themselves as others will have done that; suffice it to say you will want to read more of them, just as I do! I am delighted to discover the chronicles of the dolphin ring continue, and I will be looking out for the next ones in the series.
December 26, 2025
Roman control of Britain stretched for almost half a millennium. Rosemary Sutcliff in her Eagle of the Ninth chronicles covers the whole stretch of that time period. This combined book contains three novels; The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch, and The Lantern Bearers.
In The Eagle of the Ninth Marcus Flavius Aquila after injury in an attack on a border fort decides to go discover the mystery of the 9th legion - which his father served in. His quest to uncover what happened and return the honour of the legion’s eagle takes him to the wild lands north of the frontier (modern Scotland).
Our hero is Justin, a Surgeon, along with Flavius, who are cousins (though have before the start of the novel never met). They are tipped into the intrigue around Carausius who is a self proclaimed Emperor - though only with control over Britannia. And as anyone with any knowledge of Roman Emperors knows it is a rather dangerous position to be in. Particularly as this is the end of the Crisis of the Third Century and Emperors have been practically ten a penny. There is however a chance to help regain stability if Justin and Flavius can seize it.
The final of the three novels here is The Lantern Bearers. We have moved more than another century forward. The Roman legions are leaving and there is no protection against the Saxon raiders. Although a member of the legions Aquila (a distant descendant of the Aquila from the first book) does not go with them. This is perhaps the wrong decision as he is captured not long after. The novel follows a broad sweep of time as Aquila works to get back to Britain and get his revenge on the Saxons.
Pros
Easy to read and follow
Some interesting points in time to set a novel
Cons
Disparate
Issues with some settings
This is three novels bound together into one; The Eagle of the ninth, the silver branch, and the lantern bearers. They are not even a clear trilogy and essentially the only common element is the setting of Roman Britain (though for the third even this is debatable!). This presents a considerable problem for reviewing so I’ll just stick to overall impressions rather than going for the opposite option of essentially providing three reviews.
Setting is both a good and bad point for these books. Although all three are in Roman Britain they are at quite different stages of Roman Britain with The Eagle of the Ninth just after initial conquest, The Silver Branch at the end of the Third Century, and The Lantern Bearers when the Romans leave. The second and third in particular are interesting points at which to set a novel, not well known bits of history. A period when the Roman Empire has changed considerably since the classical Rome of Caesar and Cicero and the height of the Empire under Marcus Aurelius. Sutcliff does well at weaving in some important figures from real history into a plausible story - something helped by the known history itself being patchy at this period in time so you can have even figures up the the level of Emperor do whatever you want to fit a plot.
But the interesting setting is also where I find there are problems. In the second book we are given a Roman Britain very clearly in decline, even only just holding on. This is taking a possible reading of situation for the whole of the Empire and applying it to Britain. But ignores that Britain largely avoided the civil wars that damaged the rest of the Empire, and the evidence seems to show Britain at the beginning of the next century at its height. Even just from reading the second and third books you could reasonably ask how did it last another 150 years? There are also potential mistakes in individual elements like placing the Iceni in the north of England - I wouldn’t rule out that Sutcliff has found some reference to the tribe being moved north from East Anglia but it is more likely simply a mistake.
The plots from each book are clearly self contained - though with very slight mentions of events in previous books. They do however have commonalities in being quite simple and directly done with a clear main character and thrust for each. This is not the kind of book where you will get lost in secondary side characters of complicated schemes.
And the lack of complication is likely because the intended audience is for Young Adult readers. Sutcliff keeps the language pretty simple and easy too. The language and plot combine to make it easy to read, but at the same time does mean at times the books feel like they lack depth and colour.
Given the young adult audience I very much hope it gets more people into Roman history. But I can't see any reason why those who are already interested in the period wouldn't be interested in these books.
In The Eagle of the Ninth Marcus Flavius Aquila after injury in an attack on a border fort decides to go discover the mystery of the 9th legion - which his father served in. His quest to uncover what happened and return the honour of the legion’s eagle takes him to the wild lands north of the frontier (modern Scotland).
Our hero is Justin, a Surgeon, along with Flavius, who are cousins (though have before the start of the novel never met). They are tipped into the intrigue around Carausius who is a self proclaimed Emperor - though only with control over Britannia. And as anyone with any knowledge of Roman Emperors knows it is a rather dangerous position to be in. Particularly as this is the end of the Crisis of the Third Century and Emperors have been practically ten a penny. There is however a chance to help regain stability if Justin and Flavius can seize it.
The final of the three novels here is The Lantern Bearers. We have moved more than another century forward. The Roman legions are leaving and there is no protection against the Saxon raiders. Although a member of the legions Aquila (a distant descendant of the Aquila from the first book) does not go with them. This is perhaps the wrong decision as he is captured not long after. The novel follows a broad sweep of time as Aquila works to get back to Britain and get his revenge on the Saxons.
Pros
Easy to read and follow
Some interesting points in time to set a novel
Cons
Disparate
Issues with some settings
This is three novels bound together into one; The Eagle of the ninth, the silver branch, and the lantern bearers. They are not even a clear trilogy and essentially the only common element is the setting of Roman Britain (though for the third even this is debatable!). This presents a considerable problem for reviewing so I’ll just stick to overall impressions rather than going for the opposite option of essentially providing three reviews.
Setting is both a good and bad point for these books. Although all three are in Roman Britain they are at quite different stages of Roman Britain with The Eagle of the Ninth just after initial conquest, The Silver Branch at the end of the Third Century, and The Lantern Bearers when the Romans leave. The second and third in particular are interesting points at which to set a novel, not well known bits of history. A period when the Roman Empire has changed considerably since the classical Rome of Caesar and Cicero and the height of the Empire under Marcus Aurelius. Sutcliff does well at weaving in some important figures from real history into a plausible story - something helped by the known history itself being patchy at this period in time so you can have even figures up the the level of Emperor do whatever you want to fit a plot.
But the interesting setting is also where I find there are problems. In the second book we are given a Roman Britain very clearly in decline, even only just holding on. This is taking a possible reading of situation for the whole of the Empire and applying it to Britain. But ignores that Britain largely avoided the civil wars that damaged the rest of the Empire, and the evidence seems to show Britain at the beginning of the next century at its height. Even just from reading the second and third books you could reasonably ask how did it last another 150 years? There are also potential mistakes in individual elements like placing the Iceni in the north of England - I wouldn’t rule out that Sutcliff has found some reference to the tribe being moved north from East Anglia but it is more likely simply a mistake.
The plots from each book are clearly self contained - though with very slight mentions of events in previous books. They do however have commonalities in being quite simple and directly done with a clear main character and thrust for each. This is not the kind of book where you will get lost in secondary side characters of complicated schemes.
And the lack of complication is likely because the intended audience is for Young Adult readers. Sutcliff keeps the language pretty simple and easy too. The language and plot combine to make it easy to read, but at the same time does mean at times the books feel like they lack depth and colour.
Given the young adult audience I very much hope it gets more people into Roman history. But I can't see any reason why those who are already interested in the period wouldn't be interested in these books.
June 4, 2024
Having read The Eagle of the Ninth recently and finding that it stands the test of time, I ventured into the other two books in this (loose) trilogy.
They do not not spoil the first book for me! The last book in particular was extremely moving in its portrayal of a man (very, very) slowly healing from the deep trauma of betrayal. I wanted him to heal faster and mend things with his family sooner, but he just didn't, and I think the book ends with hope that he will, given some more (slow) time.
These books are peculiar in my experience of women writers in that they do not pass the Bechdel test - men are the protagonists and the chief actors in all three books, although books one and three feature admirable and strong secondary female characters. I don't mind, because I read enough fiction written by and about women.
Excellent things about these books: the writing is spare but vivid, effective, and sometimes beautiful. The portrayal of close, loyal, deep male friendship. The subtext about slavery and freedom, discipline and creativity. What they have to say about good leadership. Main characters with physical disability. The sympathetic portrayal of a meaningful and powerful spirituality. The portrayal of an empire falling, in slow motion, over hundreds of years. The fight for loyalty, courage, discipline, and order in a chaotic and treacherous world.
And they even do a fairly good job at not Othering the enemy - not always, but all three books have balanced approaches to human weakness and what I would call sin - the Romans are almost equally likely to be traitorous or inimical as the tribal people they fight against. And, particularly in the first book, the enemy is treated with understanding and respect, as fully human as Marcus and Esca.
The last book may be the only one in which the protagonist's cause is totally aligned with that of good/light/order at the expense of other people groups, but it is extremely difficult to avoid doing that in a retelling of the Arthurian legend, which rests entirely on the premise that unity under one king is better than the legion kingdoms of the barbarian hordes, sooooooo I forgive it, I think ;)
They do not not spoil the first book for me! The last book in particular was extremely moving in its portrayal of a man (very, very) slowly healing from the deep trauma of betrayal. I wanted him to heal faster and mend things with his family sooner, but he just didn't, and I think the book ends with hope that he will, given some more (slow) time.
These books are peculiar in my experience of women writers in that they do not pass the Bechdel test - men are the protagonists and the chief actors in all three books, although books one and three feature admirable and strong secondary female characters. I don't mind, because I read enough fiction written by and about women.
Excellent things about these books: the writing is spare but vivid, effective, and sometimes beautiful. The portrayal of close, loyal, deep male friendship. The subtext about slavery and freedom, discipline and creativity. What they have to say about good leadership. Main characters with physical disability. The sympathetic portrayal of a meaningful and powerful spirituality. The portrayal of an empire falling, in slow motion, over hundreds of years. The fight for loyalty, courage, discipline, and order in a chaotic and treacherous world.
And they even do a fairly good job at not Othering the enemy - not always, but all three books have balanced approaches to human weakness and what I would call sin - the Romans are almost equally likely to be traitorous or inimical as the tribal people they fight against. And, particularly in the first book, the enemy is treated with understanding and respect, as fully human as Marcus and Esca.
The last book may be the only one in which the protagonist's cause is totally aligned with that of good/light/order at the expense of other people groups, but it is extremely difficult to avoid doing that in a retelling of the Arthurian legend, which rests entirely on the premise that unity under one king is better than the legion kingdoms of the barbarian hordes, sooooooo I forgive it, I think ;)
March 13, 2023
Each one of these books just grew deeper as they went, with lush, vivid writing, thought provoking themes and stories, and characters that are truly compelling and rich with life.
The Eagle of the Ninth is obviously the most well known and for good reason. It's a solid story that helps to start the discussion of Ancient Rome in Britain and truly makes you pause and think about it. It's adventurous and thought provoking as you embark on the journey of the lost eagle.
The Silver Branch is I think my personal favourite, though all of the individual books are five stars for me. I so appreciate Justin as a main character alongside Flavius. The story of both of their characters (and the band that is created around them), amongst the tumult that is taking place, was equally adventurous and compelling to follow as the Roman Empire draws near to its end.
The Lantern Bearers is quite definitely the deepest and most thought provoking of them all. Aquila's character and his story really drew me to think on the history of early Britain and of the real people on all sides that would have lived, fought, and died there as the Roman army left and fell and different groups rose up alongside the Romans left behind.
These lines near the very end are too beautiful not to share:
"I sometimes think that we stand at sunset...It may be that the night will close over us in the end, but I believe that morning will come again. Morning always grows again out of the darkness, though maybe not for the people who saw the sun go down. We are the Lantern Bearers, my friend; for us to keep something burning, to carry what light we can forward into the darkness and the wind."
The Eagle of the Ninth is obviously the most well known and for good reason. It's a solid story that helps to start the discussion of Ancient Rome in Britain and truly makes you pause and think about it. It's adventurous and thought provoking as you embark on the journey of the lost eagle.
The Silver Branch is I think my personal favourite, though all of the individual books are five stars for me. I so appreciate Justin as a main character alongside Flavius. The story of both of their characters (and the band that is created around them), amongst the tumult that is taking place, was equally adventurous and compelling to follow as the Roman Empire draws near to its end.
The Lantern Bearers is quite definitely the deepest and most thought provoking of them all. Aquila's character and his story really drew me to think on the history of early Britain and of the real people on all sides that would have lived, fought, and died there as the Roman army left and fell and different groups rose up alongside the Romans left behind.
These lines near the very end are too beautiful not to share:
"I sometimes think that we stand at sunset...It may be that the night will close over us in the end, but I believe that morning will come again. Morning always grows again out of the darkness, though maybe not for the people who saw the sun go down. We are the Lantern Bearers, my friend; for us to keep something burning, to carry what light we can forward into the darkness and the wind."
April 26, 2012
4.5
The Eagle of the Ninth 4.4/5
This is the story that started it all. After being severely wounded at his post on Hadrian’s Wall guarding the Roman lands from the Painted People of the north, Centurion Marcus heads south to stay indefinitely at his uncle’s house. There, he crosses paths with the young slave, Esca, at the arena saving the fighting man’s life. Roman and Briton become good friends even before they risk their lives on the quest they take up, the quest to cross the wall and find the lost Eagle of the Ninth. The Eagle belonged to Marcus’ father’s Legion, the cursed Hispana, who disappeared with it into the northern mists when Marcus was just a boy. And although the Eagle means more to Marcus, and to Rome, Esca is ready to find it with his former owner turned brother. With nothing but his father’s ring and a haunting story, Marcus and Esca set off. The long, harrowing journey takes them back and forth across the wilds of savage Britain and into the camps of countless tribes. In disguise, Marcus and Esca pass unnoticed until they find a former Legionary as well as the tribe that helped destroyed the Ninth.
The Silver Branch 4/5
Decades from where The Eagle of the Ninth left off, Marcus’s descendents, Justin and Flavius, become friends when they are posted at the same camp and rejoice when they discover their shared blood. A Decurion in the Roman Legions, Flavius is the ultimate soldier, worthy of carrying the family ring carved with the dolphin insignia. Justin, small and reserved, knew he would never be able to carry on the family tradition of soldiering, so instead he became a surgeon of the Roman Legions so that he could serve his empire and make his father proud. Britain is a much different place now than it was when Rome was at its height, three emperors reign across its vast holdings. Carausius is the emperor of Britain, a man the people love all across the island and one the Romans-in-Britain are proud to serve. The cousins become known to the Emperor and the three hit it off until the Legionaries discover a plot against Carausius. When they accuse a man close to the Emperor of treason the two find themselves posted on the Wall, seemingly banished. When word reaches them that Carausius has been murdered and the man they accused, Allectus, now wears the purple, Flavius and Justin cannot stomach the idea of serving such a man, and they know that their days will be numbered in the legions given their history with the man. Originally they set out for southern Britain looking for passage to Gaul in order to serve with one of the other Emperors who they hope will come to help the people of Britain from the Sea-Wolf loving new Emperor. However, plans always change and they find themselves members, then leaders, of a cause bigger than themselves.
The Lantern Bearers 5/5
Over a hundred years have passed since Flavius and Justin made their family proud, and hundreds of years since Marcus and Esca crossed into Briton territory. Rome is far from its greatness, in fact, the last Legions have finally abandoned their remote state leaving those loyal to the Empire shocked and at the mercy of the Saxon Sea-Wolves who have been invited by the self-named King of Britain. Aquila, a former soldier in the Cavalry Legion in Rutupiae, has lost everything. Abandoning his Legion in order to remain with his family and the place he loves and calls home, Aquila ends up fighting on his doorstep when a Saxon raiding party shows up at his family’s door. His sister is carried off and he is left for dead, the rest of the household having been slaughtered. Before he dies a different raiding party finds him and Aquila is carried off into Juttish thralldom. Years go by before Aquila sees his island again and manages to escape his slavery. More happens to the poor soldier so that he is no longer the bright and cheerful young man he was before. Finally, when it seems like he has nothing at all to live for he walks to Arfon to serve at the feet of Constantine’s only surviving son. The dark days of Britain are at hand and the assembled party of Celts, Brits and Romans battle against the constantly swelling serge of Sea-Wolves. What’s more, Aquila has his own personal battles to fight over the years while he serves at his Prince’s feet. Battle after battle is fought, but no clear victory seems in sight.
As individual books The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch, and The Lantern Bearers are fabulous. Historically accurate, interesting and greatly written they are fun and informative to read. I think putting the Chronicles altogether into this one volume was ingenious. Not only are the family quirks and ties more memorable and easier to see, but the thread that ties everyone together, Rome, is more powerful. Seeing Rome at its greatest and most powerful in Britain to its slow degeneration and then its ignominious and swift end is one of the best parts of these books. The pinnacle to the crumbling to the disintegrated face of the Roman Empire adds so much drama to this family that is wholly tied to Rome and the Roman cause in Britain. I think this is so because these books make an interesting case for colonialism. Watching Marcus, who is so wholly Roman fall in love with the Downs of southern Britain; and Flavius and Justin do Rome’s work for a British-Roman state and create stronger ties to the island; to ending with Aquila who essentially abandons Rome for Britain is complicating and enchanting. By the end these Roman’s see themselves as fighting for the cause of Britain and leaving the Empire behind them and yet while they work with some native Celts and Britons in order to drive out a new invading force the irony is impossible to miss. As much as you fall in love with the Roman characters you can’t feel totally bad for Rome’s demise or the Roman state of Britain. But the fight against the invading Saxons is admirable no matter what. This aspect was really poignant reading all of the books in a row.
Overall, a great series that any historical-fiction or Rome or Britain junky/enthusiast/fanatic will love.
The Eagle of the Ninth 4.4/5
This is the story that started it all. After being severely wounded at his post on Hadrian’s Wall guarding the Roman lands from the Painted People of the north, Centurion Marcus heads south to stay indefinitely at his uncle’s house. There, he crosses paths with the young slave, Esca, at the arena saving the fighting man’s life. Roman and Briton become good friends even before they risk their lives on the quest they take up, the quest to cross the wall and find the lost Eagle of the Ninth. The Eagle belonged to Marcus’ father’s Legion, the cursed Hispana, who disappeared with it into the northern mists when Marcus was just a boy. And although the Eagle means more to Marcus, and to Rome, Esca is ready to find it with his former owner turned brother. With nothing but his father’s ring and a haunting story, Marcus and Esca set off. The long, harrowing journey takes them back and forth across the wilds of savage Britain and into the camps of countless tribes. In disguise, Marcus and Esca pass unnoticed until they find a former Legionary as well as the tribe that helped destroyed the Ninth.
The Silver Branch 4/5
Decades from where The Eagle of the Ninth left off, Marcus’s descendents, Justin and Flavius, become friends when they are posted at the same camp and rejoice when they discover their shared blood. A Decurion in the Roman Legions, Flavius is the ultimate soldier, worthy of carrying the family ring carved with the dolphin insignia. Justin, small and reserved, knew he would never be able to carry on the family tradition of soldiering, so instead he became a surgeon of the Roman Legions so that he could serve his empire and make his father proud. Britain is a much different place now than it was when Rome was at its height, three emperors reign across its vast holdings. Carausius is the emperor of Britain, a man the people love all across the island and one the Romans-in-Britain are proud to serve. The cousins become known to the Emperor and the three hit it off until the Legionaries discover a plot against Carausius. When they accuse a man close to the Emperor of treason the two find themselves posted on the Wall, seemingly banished. When word reaches them that Carausius has been murdered and the man they accused, Allectus, now wears the purple, Flavius and Justin cannot stomach the idea of serving such a man, and they know that their days will be numbered in the legions given their history with the man. Originally they set out for southern Britain looking for passage to Gaul in order to serve with one of the other Emperors who they hope will come to help the people of Britain from the Sea-Wolf loving new Emperor. However, plans always change and they find themselves members, then leaders, of a cause bigger than themselves.
The Lantern Bearers 5/5
Over a hundred years have passed since Flavius and Justin made their family proud, and hundreds of years since Marcus and Esca crossed into Briton territory. Rome is far from its greatness, in fact, the last Legions have finally abandoned their remote state leaving those loyal to the Empire shocked and at the mercy of the Saxon Sea-Wolves who have been invited by the self-named King of Britain. Aquila, a former soldier in the Cavalry Legion in Rutupiae, has lost everything. Abandoning his Legion in order to remain with his family and the place he loves and calls home, Aquila ends up fighting on his doorstep when a Saxon raiding party shows up at his family’s door. His sister is carried off and he is left for dead, the rest of the household having been slaughtered. Before he dies a different raiding party finds him and Aquila is carried off into Juttish thralldom. Years go by before Aquila sees his island again and manages to escape his slavery. More happens to the poor soldier so that he is no longer the bright and cheerful young man he was before. Finally, when it seems like he has nothing at all to live for he walks to Arfon to serve at the feet of Constantine’s only surviving son. The dark days of Britain are at hand and the assembled party of Celts, Brits and Romans battle against the constantly swelling serge of Sea-Wolves. What’s more, Aquila has his own personal battles to fight over the years while he serves at his Prince’s feet. Battle after battle is fought, but no clear victory seems in sight.
As individual books The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch, and The Lantern Bearers are fabulous. Historically accurate, interesting and greatly written they are fun and informative to read. I think putting the Chronicles altogether into this one volume was ingenious. Not only are the family quirks and ties more memorable and easier to see, but the thread that ties everyone together, Rome, is more powerful. Seeing Rome at its greatest and most powerful in Britain to its slow degeneration and then its ignominious and swift end is one of the best parts of these books. The pinnacle to the crumbling to the disintegrated face of the Roman Empire adds so much drama to this family that is wholly tied to Rome and the Roman cause in Britain. I think this is so because these books make an interesting case for colonialism. Watching Marcus, who is so wholly Roman fall in love with the Downs of southern Britain; and Flavius and Justin do Rome’s work for a British-Roman state and create stronger ties to the island; to ending with Aquila who essentially abandons Rome for Britain is complicating and enchanting. By the end these Roman’s see themselves as fighting for the cause of Britain and leaving the Empire behind them and yet while they work with some native Celts and Britons in order to drive out a new invading force the irony is impossible to miss. As much as you fall in love with the Roman characters you can’t feel totally bad for Rome’s demise or the Roman state of Britain. But the fight against the invading Saxons is admirable no matter what. This aspect was really poignant reading all of the books in a row.
Overall, a great series that any historical-fiction or Rome or Britain junky/enthusiast/fanatic will love.
July 28, 2023
A light that never goes out: elegant and elegiac, Rosemary Sutcliff’s three short novels for children about the decline of the Romans in Britain are high quality indeed: not shying away from peril, injury, sex and death, yet avoiding the gratuitous with seeming ease. From centurion Marcus’s quest to discover the fate of his father’s legion, through cousins Flavius and Justin’s desperate bid to uncover a plot to overthrow the emperor, to Aquila’s last stand against the tide of sea people, the Saxons who ultimately swept away Roman Britannia, stories separated by centuries are linked by the device of the dolphin, an azure badge passed down through the generations, and the legend of the eagle. Stirring stuff, written with poise, control and an affection for the great imperialists with their baths, hypocausts, tesserae and poetry. And of course the bloody battles and gladiatorial combats, assassinations, slavery and all. With settings on Hadrian’s Wall, and in Silchester, Sarum and Rutupiae (Richborough) it’s familiar ground lit by an arc of luminous writing that pulses from the page. Yes, we were heroes.
October 6, 2019
Those of you who, like me, have a broad nostalgia streak, might appreciate the general premise of this trio of historical novellas. "If this object, building, old tree, whatever, could speak to us, what stories could it tell about the people and the land that have passed its way?" It's a bit of an extension of a question some of us ask when viewing a grave: "Who was this person, and how did they live?" Sutcliff has woven three tales surrounding two object uncovered by archaeologists: a golden Roman eagle missing its wings; an emerald signet ring incised with a dolphin. Who owned these objects, and how did they get to be in their final resting places? No one knows, but it's fun to speculate. So Sutcliff invented some characters to both explain it, and bring to life certain historical events surrounding the final days of the Roman occupation in Britain and the coming of the Saxons, including a story that readers should recognize as one of the several versions of the historical basis for the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
October 14, 2025
3 books collected in one.
Enjoyed the first book, almost 4 stars. Traversing the English countryside as Roman soldiers pretending to be locals, when Rome was expanding.
Second book was solid. Holding England for Rome. It was fine. 3 stars.
Third book started out very meh and kind of obvious. (Though, to be fair, this was written in 1950s-ish so maybe it felt less obvious at the time.) Last quarter was better and more poignant, but...still kinda obvious. 2ish stars.
Still, it reads well, and the style of writing is a bit more traditional of the time, yet still evokes the scene. Worth a read if you like hist fic or military books.
Enjoyed the first book, almost 4 stars. Traversing the English countryside as Roman soldiers pretending to be locals, when Rome was expanding.
Second book was solid. Holding England for Rome. It was fine. 3 stars.
Third book started out very meh and kind of obvious. (Though, to be fair, this was written in 1950s-ish so maybe it felt less obvious at the time.) Last quarter was better and more poignant, but...still kinda obvious. 2ish stars.
Still, it reads well, and the style of writing is a bit more traditional of the time, yet still evokes the scene. Worth a read if you like hist fic or military books.
July 29, 2023
This book series was so incredibly boring and so hard to read. In the first book, there was a whole page just describing how the characters were sitting in silence in the woods. There was no need to go that in depth for that description. The storyline was boring, well put together in some parts but still, very boring. I wish I could have enjoyed this book, but it was such a difficult read that I couldn’t enjoy it.
December 18, 2024
A collection of a trilogy of stories about members of a particular bloodline in Roman Britain, from an attempt to find the lost Eagle of the Ninth during Rome's ascendancy in Britain, then centuries later during times of turmoil for the Romans in Britain, and finally with the withdrawal of the Roman legions from Britain and the rise of local resistance to the Saxon invaders threatening the land (and a proposed "historical version" of the origin of the Arthurian myths . . .
September 22, 2018
Les histoires sont sympas mais cela manque de rythme et de détails. Led personnages ne sont pas assez fouillés. Il est difficile de s'attacher à eux et donc d'être pris par l'histoire, si bien que j'ai eu du mal à finir car leur destin ne m'importait pas plus que ça.
Un des rares livres que j'aurais pu fermer sans le terminer.
Un des rares livres que j'aurais pu fermer sans le terminer.
April 22, 2025
So far I have only read the first of the three stories in this volume, but I will go on to read the others.
Although written in the 1950s, they feel very fresh. The characters are credible and the author captures beautifully the British Isles both north and south of the wall. I feel I have learned a lot, as well as being entertained.
Although written in the 1950s, they feel very fresh. The characters are credible and the author captures beautifully the British Isles both north and south of the wall. I feel I have learned a lot, as well as being entertained.
November 17, 2018
3 very good books that chart the history of three different generations of a Roman family in Roman Britain at the height of the Empire and during its decline. If you enjoy historical fiction these books are definitely worth a read.
October 10, 2020
Three books in one
Three different but similar books about the Romans in Britain. Each story special in its own way. Good historical facts interwoven with fiction. Really enjoyed this collection
Three different but similar books about the Romans in Britain. Each story special in its own way. Good historical facts interwoven with fiction. Really enjoyed this collection
May 28, 2017
I read this series years ago - and remembered enjoying it but absolutely nothing else about it. Wonderful historical fiction.
July 17, 2019
Nice easy read
July 19, 2020
The historic aspect of this book was really interesting but I found it pretty boring, particularly towards the end. I finished it but only because I feel that I need to finish every book I read
January 5, 2025
Nice easy read
June 26, 2015
I've sometimes been disappointed by re-reading books from my youth. This did not disappoint at all. All three of Rosemary Sutcliff's Eagle books are in this volume: The Eagle of the Ninth tells the story of the Eagle's loss and how it was found again, The Silver Branch describes the fading of Rome's control in England and The Lantern Bearers gives us the Roman origin story for King Arthur. The dolphin seal ring and the battered eagle of the Ninth Legion Hispana travel through the passing generations
I read Roland and Oliver, King Arthur, and Robin Hood, all with Howard Pyle illustrations as a teenager and this fitted right in, although Miss Sutcliff's moral standards are more possible of achievement than those in some of the other books. This reads really well and doesn't have the dated feel of so many books of earlier periods and I can certainly imagine kids reading it today with pleasure. The cover says that there is a film and since the copyright for this edition is 2010 I would think it could be available.
I read Roland and Oliver, King Arthur, and Robin Hood, all with Howard Pyle illustrations as a teenager and this fitted right in, although Miss Sutcliff's moral standards are more possible of achievement than those in some of the other books. This reads really well and doesn't have the dated feel of so many books of earlier periods and I can certainly imagine kids reading it today with pleasure. The cover says that there is a film and since the copyright for this edition is 2010 I would think it could be available.
October 30, 2010
I read all of Rosemary Sutcliff that was published while I was a teenager, and these chronicles in particular were a great influence. This was the equivalent of todays fantasy genre for that upcoming generation.
I found this great quote on her page, a wonderful reminder to writers of stories.
"I do not think that you can be changing the end of a song or a story like that, as though it were quite separate from the rest. I think the end of a story is part of it from the beginning."
— Rosemary Sutcliff
I look forward to rereading her, and discovering the books published after I left high school. On our last Scotland trip, I finally visited Hadrian's wall and saw the ruins of one of the forts. Until Stefan posted the book trilogy, I had forgotten the role of Rosemary Sutcliff in developing my fascination with that history.
http://rosemarysutcliff.blogspot.com/
I found this great quote on her page, a wonderful reminder to writers of stories.
"I do not think that you can be changing the end of a song or a story like that, as though it were quite separate from the rest. I think the end of a story is part of it from the beginning."
— Rosemary Sutcliff
I look forward to rereading her, and discovering the books published after I left high school. On our last Scotland trip, I finally visited Hadrian's wall and saw the ruins of one of the forts. Until Stefan posted the book trilogy, I had forgotten the role of Rosemary Sutcliff in developing my fascination with that history.
http://rosemarysutcliff.blogspot.com/
April 10, 2011
I read the first of the three stories, "Eagle of the Ninth" when I was in grade ten - many years ago. I happened to see this version on the Library shelves and decided to read it. Sutcliff is a great story teller and she has the ability to draw you into her novels. While these books were intended for young readers, adults should find them just as enjoyable.
December 7, 2015
The german edition of "The eagle of the ninth" this was my most favourite book when I was 11-13 years old - I don't know how often I've read it. Reading it again (and the first time in english) after 35 years was amazing and entertaining - like meeting an old friend. "the silver branch" and "lantern bearers" are not as good as the first book but a good read anyway.
July 20, 2023
A wonderful trilogy
These books have been loved by me since the 1950\60s . They are so beautifully written. They inspired me to read as much as I have been able to about our Roman period in Britain, as well as Rome generally.
If you have loved these books too and haven't found it yet, try Sword at Sunset which takes the story on.
These books have been loved by me since the 1950\60s . They are so beautifully written. They inspired me to read as much as I have been able to about our Roman period in Britain, as well as Rome generally.
If you have loved these books too and haven't found it yet, try Sword at Sunset which takes the story on.
November 15, 2025
Good history book for young girls. I loved Sutcliff's historical novels as a child and young teenager, she was one of my favourite authors. I am not going review them all individually because all her books are good. If your looking for children's historical novels, just start at the beginning of her books and read them all. This is how I learned British history.
June 2, 2015
I bought this for Luca I started reading it to him and am really enjoying it. Very well written. Complex sentence structure. Too complicated for a 9 year old to read on his own but super interesting to read together.
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