The Lantern Bearers — Rosemary Sutcliff

A tale of revenge and hardship in the shadow of the Saxon invasion, The Lantern Bearers is a Carnegie Medal-winning novel of the twilight years of Roman Britain.

The last of the Roman army have abandoned Britain, leaving it vulnerable to civil war and Saxon invaders. Aquila, a young legionnaire, deserts his regiment to stay with his family, but his home and all he loves are destroyed. Through years of hardship and fighting, only one thing sustains Aquila: his burning desire for revenge.

Rosemary Sutcliff brings to life the final years of the Roman occupation of Britain in The Lantern Bearers, vividly evoking the era's military tactics, arms and armament. Readers are immersed in a world of ancient warfare, where the once-invincible Roman legions struggle against the rising tide of the Western barbarians. Amidst the chaos and upheaval, one man's quest for vengeance becomes a stirring tale of resilience and survival.