The Romans have settled into Britain. They continue to build forts and subdue the indigenous tribes. The lives of Cethen, Elena, and Roman Gaius, with their now-adult children play out around their fateful meeting in Roman York. After spoiled, cocky Marcus returns there, he finds himself in terrible danger; Rhun and Coira are caught between the land of their birth and the way of life they've come to know.

Filled with action, The Fortress continues their story begin in The Village and shows realistically how Britons and Romans would have dealt with hardship, danger, and each other. These are our ancestors, warts and all: no reckless heroes and no evil villains; just everyday people with familiar problems that echo down through the centuries.

The human face of history beckons the reader on. It is both a political and personal tale, as feuds and friendships develop and run their course.

Sitting perfectly between the Roman soldier bloody buddy dramas of Simon Scarrow, and his more family-oriented Gordianus series by Steven Saylor, Graham Clews has created a saga of Britain and Rome, played out between families: one on each side. Gaius and family, Cethen, Elena and their children; and Cartimundua's bard, Criff, play key roles in the development of Briton throughout the Eboracvm trilogy.