blood feud commitment, and the struggles of a child born between many cultures to reconcile his beliefs with this commitment.[1] In 1990 it was adapted into an ITV children's drama series called Sea Dragon, produced by Thames Television
.
Plot summary
The story is told in the first-person by Jestyn the Englishman as he recounts his life and how he ended up in Constantinople. After being orphaned, he is captured by Viking raiders and sold into slavery in Dublin. His owner Thormod frees him for good service, and Jestyn joins the crew of Thormod's ship when they leave Dublin to return to Denmark. Upon return, Thormod finds his father killed by childhood friends, and swears the blood feud after which the novel is named. Jestyn and Thormod swear blood brotherhood and set off to pursue the killers.
The journey takes them across the
Varangian Guard
. The feud is ultimately resolved, but with many twists and turns, and Jestyn finally settles to live in Constantinople.
The theme of the novel revolves around Jestyn's struggle to find belonging, as he is caught between conflicting values, conflicting cultures, and conflicting religions. The historical background depicts the
The Best of Rosemary Sutcliff (1987), illus. Charles Keeping—omnibus edition of Warrior Scarlet, The Mark of the Horse Lord, and Knight's Fee (1958–1965)
