Under One Sceptre, or Mortimer's Mission: The Story of the Lord of the Marches

"Under One Sceptre, or Mortimer's Mission: The Story of the Lord of the Marches" by Emily Sarah Holt is a historical fiction that explores the lives of two boys, Roger Mortimer and Lawrence, born on the same day but into vastly different social classes in medieval England; one is born into a castle and the other into poverty. As the story unfolds, their paths intertwine, highlighting the sharp contrasts between wealth and servitude. The novel introduces Roger, an heir to an earldom, and Lawrence, born into a life of labor, and sets the stage to show their personal quests for meaning and the societal hurdles they face because of the feudal system. The novel draws a comparison between Roger and Lawrence, and their families, to show the roles of power and loyalty in Medieval England. The narrative emphasizes class differences and hints at future challenges of power, devotion, and aspiration.