The Shield Ring facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Rosemary Sutcliff |
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| Illustrator | C. Walter Hodges |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | OUP |
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Publication date
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1956 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 213 |
| Preceded by | Sword Song |
The Shield Ring is an exciting historical novel for young readers, written by Rosemary Sutcliff and published in 1956. It tells a story set during a big change in England's history, when the Normans took over. The book follows brave people in the Lake District who are fighting to protect their homes and way of life. It's about loyalty, courage, and sticking together when things get tough.
Contents
The Story of The Shield Ring
The book's story is about two young people, Frytha and Bjorn. Both of them lost their families because of the Norman invasion. They found a safe place with Jarl Buthar in his secret settlement near Buttermere in the Lake District.
A Hidden Community
The people in this settlement are Norse settlers who have lived in the area for a long time. They are bravely resisting the Normans who are trying to take over their land. They call themselves a "shield ring," which means they stand together like a strong wall. This idea of the "shield ring" is very important in the story. It shows how loyal they are to each other, even when facing danger.
Bjorn's Special Gift
Bjorn is raised by an old harp player. This old man fought against the Normans in the famous Battle of Hastings. The harp becomes a special part of the story. It connects Bjorn to the older Welsh and British people who lived in the area before the Norse arrived. Bjorn has a natural talent for music, which he gets from his Celtic family. As he grows up, he learns to play the harp beautifully. He also receives a special emerald ring with a dolphin on it, which is a family treasure.
Frytha's Journey
Frytha is very close to Bjorn. She came from a Saxon background but learns to fit in with the Norse community. The story sometimes reminds Frytha of an old epic tale called Beowulf. She sees connections between the events happening to them and the adventures in the Beowulf story.
Fighting for Freedom
The Northmen successfully defend their land from several Norman attacks. But the biggest challenge comes when Ranulf le Meschin leads a huge attack from Cockermouth. Bjorn is sent to spy on the enemy camp, pretending to be a traveling harp player. Frytha secretly goes with him, just like a loyal friend helped Beowulf in his toughest fight.
They manage to sneak into the Norman camp and gather important information. However, they are discovered when a Norman knight recognizes Bjorn's emerald ring. This knight had fought Bjorn before. Bjorn is put through a very difficult test, but he stays strong and doesn't give up any secrets. This moment truly shows the strength and unity of their "shield ring" spirit.
Bjorn and Frytha eventually escape and bring the vital news back to their people. With this information, the Northmen trick the Norman army into a deadly ambush in Rannerdale. The book ends with the characters ready to face a changing world, always staying true to their culture and to each other.
