For award-winning, internationally-acclaimed author Rosemary Sutcliff (1920-92). By Anthony Lawton: godson, cousin & literary executor. Rosemary Sutcliff wrote historical fiction, children's literature and books, films, TV & radio, including The Eagle of the Ninth, Sword at Sunset, Song for a Dark Queen, The Mark of the Horse Lord, The Silver Branch, The Lantern Bearers, Dawn Wind, Blue Remembered Hills.
The knight Bedevere, played by James Traherne in the RSC production of Morte D’Arthur, returns Arthur’s sword Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake after his final battle. He carries Arthur onto the barge that sails to Avalon after he is mortally wounded by Mordred. The RSC note that Bedevere appears in Rosemary Sutcliff’s 1963 best-selling Arthurian novel Sword at Sunset as Guenever’s lover, rather than Launcelot.
And today via a Google alert I learn of an interview with Philip Reeve where again he reiterates his love of Rosemary Sutcliff, and especially Warrior Scarlet which he is or has been reading to his son.
EXCERPT
10. What/who are your favorite books/authors?
Some favourite authors: Geraldine McCaughrean, J.G.Ballard, Patrick O’Brian, Rosemary Sutcliff… My favourite books are still the ones I loved as a child – I think you like things more intensely at that age, and they stay with you. I’m reading them all to my son now: The Lord of the Rings, Swallows and Amazons, The Nargun and the Stars, Warrior Scarlet…
Philip Reeve also picks up this use of Bedwyr as Gwenhwyfar’s lover in his excellent young adult novel “Here Lies Arthur”, but whether he was influenced by Rosemary Sutcliff’s Arthurian novel I don’t know. Like Sutcliff”s work it demonstrates masterful use of language in a multi-layered story which can be appreciated at many different levels.
The knight Bedevere, played by James Traherne in the RSC production of Morte D’Arthur, returns Arthur’s sword Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake after his final battle. He carries Arthur onto the barge that sails to Avalon after he is mortally wounded by Mordred. The RSC note that Bedevere appears in Rosemary Sutcliff’s 1963 best-selling Arthurian novel Sword at Sunset as Guenever’s lover, rather than Launcelot.
ROSEMARY SUTCLIFF (1920-92) 
Philip Reeve is a great fan of Rosemary Sutcliff’s writing. See elsewhere on this blog by using search.
(https://rosemarysutcliff.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/philip-reeve-liked-rosemary-sutcliff-the-eagle-of-the-ninth-and-warrior-scarlet)
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Thanks for the link, Anthony. I’m not at all surprised that Philip Reeve was inspired by Rosemary Sutcliff’s work- I could hear its subtle echoes :)
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And today via a Google alert I learn of an interview with Philip Reeve where again he reiterates his love of Rosemary Sutcliff, and especially Warrior Scarlet which he is or has been reading to his son.
EXCERPT
10. What/who are your favorite books/authors?
Some favourite authors: Geraldine McCaughrean, J.G.Ballard, Patrick O’Brian, Rosemary Sutcliff… My favourite books are still the ones I loved as a child – I think you like things more intensely at that age, and they stay with you. I’m reading them all to my son now: The Lord of the Rings, Swallows and Amazons, The Nargun and the Stars, Warrior Scarlet…
ENDS
see http://www.teenink.com/nonfiction/celebrity_interviews/article/238457/Author-Philip-Reeve/
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Philip Reeve also picks up this use of Bedwyr as Gwenhwyfar’s lover in his excellent young adult novel “Here Lies Arthur”, but whether he was influenced by Rosemary Sutcliff’s Arthurian novel I don’t know. Like Sutcliff”s work it demonstrates masterful use of language in a multi-layered story which can be appreciated at many different levels.
LikeLike