One of my favorite books growing up was G.A. Henty’s Beric the Briton. Henty was really my first introduction to historical fiction, and I’ve never been the same since. His stories had that spark of adventure, that peril and action, and that virtuous courage which every boy should admire and practice. And as I reread it recently, I knew I didn’t want this classic story to be lost.
Beric the Briton is the story of the fall of a nation and the rise of a Faith.
Conquered and oppressed by the Romans, the Britons rise in rebellion behind the leadership of a warrior-Queen Boadicia. Out of the ranks of the Briton warriors emerges a young man, Beric, whose skill and cunning earns him a trusted position among the Queen’s chiefs. Beric has lived as a captive among the Romans for 4 years, and has used the time to study Rome’s military methods.
So when the Romans attack the Briton tribes, slay their chief, and scourge their queen, the Britons are moved to action. With his unique knowledge of the enemy, Beric leads his band of Britons in an insurgency against the Romans. The military prowess and self-discipline of the Roman legions is pitched against the wild and heroic charges of the Britons. Though Beric knows how to defeat the Romans, he is young, and the older chiefs ignore his wisdom, sealing their own defeat.
Beric and his men escape the slaughter, attempting to survive in the swampy regions. But their sanctuary doesn’t last long. Recaptured by the Romans, and trained as a gladiator, Beric must risk his life to save his beloved friend, and to defend a newfound faith.
Highly recommend this historical adventure for 10- 14 year old’s. Though the story is set at a time of war, Henty excludes gore and bloodshed. When he writes the romantic pieces of the story, he does so without tasteless immorality. The level of detail to history will be sure to fascinate the young homeschooler, as it educates and entertains.
George Alfred Henty (1832-1902), a former English army officer, veteran of the Crimean War, and newspaper war correspondent, taught world history to generations of young men and women through exciting historical novels. Over the course of his career, he would write more than 120 books which were widely read and accepted. The sale of Henty books were exceeded only by Rudyard Kipling’s works. Some important world leaders of the 20th Century like Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, and Douglas MacArthur, were all Henty readers and admirers.
