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.
Rosemary Sutcliff’s finest historical novel and ‘masterpiece’ is The Mark of the Horse Lord, suggests Oxford The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children’s Literature
The The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children’s Literature from 2006 has a long entry on Rosemary Sutcliff. It suggests that The Mark of the Horse Lord (published in 1966) is her finest historical fiction in the eyes of many people.
5 thoughts on “Rosemary Sutcliff’s finest historical novel and ‘masterpiece’ is The Mark of the Horse Lord, suggests Oxford The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children’s Literature”
Hi Anthony – happily you’ve already done this in the past – nothing like a bit of recycling :) Unfortunately, though, Eric Eller’s excellent article about the Dolphin Ring Cycle in the context of actual historical events has somehow diappeared.
Also of interest is Charles Cunther’s work about Sutcliff’s Dark Age novels, available to read in 2 parts on the “Blu Remebered Hills” website (see link below) Like Gunther, I’ve always been taken by the fact that although Rosemary Sutcliffe is on record as saying that she never originally had it in mind to write a “Dolphin Ring” series, she wrote the first (“Eagle of the Ninth” and last (“Shield Song” )in the series one after the other.
I am trying to create a “timeline” for Sutcliff books which include the dolphin ring so that my grandson can follow the history of Romans in Britain. Has anyone tracked this iconic symbol throughout her extensive collection?
Mr. Lawton, I’m sure you will become aware of the issue soon. It appears that this website has been hacked and keeps posted inappropriate ads. Links to them are also appearing on your Twitter. Please take action to stop this from happening again. I really care about Rosemary Sutcliff’s work and I want to keep following the website.
I am so sorry. Thanks for writing: I have only just caught up with this after Xmas Day and Boxing Day. I have indeed been hacked and am trying to stop it. I hope successfully.
ROSEMARY SUTCLIFF (1920-92) 
Hi Anthony – happily you’ve already done this in the past – nothing like a bit of recycling :) Unfortunately, though, Eric Eller’s excellent article about the Dolphin Ring Cycle in the context of actual historical events has somehow diappeared.
https://therosemarysutcliffarchive.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/eight-historical-novels-by-rosemary-sutcliff-feature-the-same-dolphin-signet-ring/
Also of interest is Charles Cunther’s work about Sutcliff’s Dark Age novels, available to read in 2 parts on the “Blu Remebered Hills” website (see link below) Like Gunther, I’ve always been taken by the fact that although Rosemary Sutcliffe is on record as saying that she never originally had it in mind to write a “Dolphin Ring” series, she wrote the first (“Eagle of the Ninth” and last (“Shield Song” )in the series one after the other.
http://blueremembered.blogspot.co.nz/2005/06/dark-age-novels-of-rosemary-sutcliff.html
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I am trying to create a “timeline” for Sutcliff books which include the dolphin ring so that my grandson can follow the history of Romans in Britain. Has anyone tracked this iconic symbol throughout her extensive collection?
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I’ll try to write one for you – but can’t do it until after boxing day! Anyone else able to help?
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Mr. Lawton, I’m sure you will become aware of the issue soon. It appears that this website has been hacked and keeps posted inappropriate ads. Links to them are also appearing on your Twitter. Please take action to stop this from happening again. I really care about Rosemary Sutcliff’s work and I want to keep following the website.
LikeLike
I am so sorry. Thanks for writing: I have only just caught up with this after Xmas Day and Boxing Day. I have indeed been hacked and am trying to stop it. I hope successfully.
LikeLike