"WORDHOARD" by Jill Paton Walsh and Kevin Crossley-Holland, published by Macmillan, London - 1969, first edition. Hardback book with a dust jacket
Anglo-Saxon stories for young people
Review by GoodReads: ""The oldest man, a leader of men, answered; he unlocked the wordhoard." So begins the first of eight Anglo-Saxon stories, reaching from the first invading settlers until a few days. before the Norman conquest. Unlike the early English writings that are usually anthologized, these do not focus on battles or didactic religious themes but on everyday lives, several featuring children, that reveal much about the period. 'The Woodwose', ostensibly about a forest troll, describes how time and story-telling distort history as an overrun king confronts his conquerors and their descendants. In 'The Horseman,' a cowardly warrior, deserting Byrhtnoth at Maldon, is challenged by two suspicious children. Taken from Bede ('Brother Baeda') is the story of 'Crowthroat' Caedmon's sudden poetic gift; in another, Alfred's version of the assignment of 'Asset's book' is given. Also, thoughts of a bard being replaced by a younger man; a boy-monk's first experiences in a monastery; the conversion of Thurkell the Tall because of the courage of an archbishop; and Harold Godwinson's deathbed reflections on Hardrada, Edgar, William. Because motives-and doubts have been supplied, there is little left to the imagination and several modernisms stick out - the bard's loss of 'security', Ethelred nicknamed 'Red', Regrettably, there is no indication of sources and no suggestions for, further reading. Nevertheless the stories are diverting, if more for insight than entertainment."
CONDITION: This secondhand book is in very good condition with minor shelf-wear to the dust jacket. No names, dates, inscriptions, etc. Please refer to the pictures
SIZE (all approx): 23x15x2cm, 122 pages, 350g before packing.
DELIVERY UK: Post free by Royal Mail Second Class.
OUTSIDE UK: Global Shipping Programme (International Priority Shipping)