The Stronghold
Front cover of first edition
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| Author | Mollie Hunter |
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| Cover artist | Charles Keeping |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's historical novel |
| Publisher | Hamish Hamilton |
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Publication date
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May 1974 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| Pages | 205 pp (first edition) |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 8238633 |
| LC Class | PZ7.M18543 St |
The Stronghold is a children's historical novel by the Scottish writer Mollie Hunter, published by Hamilton in 1974. Set in the Orkneys during the 1st century BC, the story is an imaginative reconstruction of the development of the broch, the circular stronghold design of fortifications that dot the islands. The main character is a lame young dreamer who turns his fear of the Roman slave-raiders into a strength, not only for himself, but for all the islanders.
Hunter won the annual Carnegie Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year's best children's book by a British subject.
The action is set on the largest of the Orkney islands (now known as Mainland). At the time of the story it is largely settled by the tribe of the Boar (Ork in their language), but the original inhabitants, the tribes of the Deer and the Raven, still live on the island, more numerous all together than the people of the Boar, but divided by old rivalries. The tribe of the Boar is matrilineal, the Chief coming to power through his marriage to the former Chief's oldest daughter. The power of the Druids, maintained through ritual and secrecy, is still strong. The Roman Republic is extending its influence outwards, and invasion is feared. Meanwhile, the Roman civilization requires ever more slaves, hence the raids which have been going on for decades.
The novel opens on the day when over seven hundred Men of the Boar from many islands gather together, summoned by the chief Nectan. Nectan puts forth the proposal that the warriors should no longer fight the Roman raiders, but retreat when they approach, as the tribe's very existence is threatened by their losses. The Chief Druid strongly opposes the idea, saying they must continue to fight; he declares it a matter of faith, and therefore his domain, directly challenging Nectan's leadership.
Coll is convinced that his idea of a high circular drystone stronghold, designed to be impregnable, is a third way. He has been developing the idea, drawing plans and building models, since he was five, when a Roman raider killed his father, abducted his mother and shattered Coll's leg, crippling him. However, none of the elders will listen to him.
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