Tillers of the Soil

Set in the final days of Roman Britain, this sweeping historical novel follows a family’s struggle to preserve their land, identity, and way of life as the empire collapses around them. For four generations, the Rusticelii have farmed their estate, weathering political shifts, invasions, and the slow erosion of Roman rule in the British countryside. Now, as the legions withdraw and raiders from across the sea descend upon the land, they must make impossible choices—clinging to the past or forging a new future in an uncertain world.

At the heart of the story is Gaius Rusticelius Armoricus, the villa’s steadfast master, who has devoted his life to maintaining the farm his ancestors built. While others abandon their estates for the safety of distant Roman cities or flee across the sea to Gaul, Armoricus refuses to surrender the land that defines his family’s legacy. His wife, Corotica, a woman of both British and Germanic heritage, understands that survival requires more than stubbornness—it demands adaptation, alliances, and, perhaps, a willingness to embrace change.

For readers who love immersive historical fiction, richly drawn characters, and stories of endurance in the face of change, this novel offers a deeply moving and thought-provoking journey. It is a tale not just of survival, but of the timeless human desire to remain rooted, even when the ground beneath one’s feet is shifting.

Author Biography

Mark is a Canon Theologian, author, and public speaker with a rich background in history, theology, and pastoral ministry. Holding degrees from William & Mary, Duke, and Durham, his work focuses on Augustine of Hippo. He has served in parishes across the US and UK, lectured at prestigious institutions, and contributes to BBC Radio 4. Mark enjoys walking the Brecon Beacons with his wife and their three Spaniels.