Product Description

Britain during the Dark Ages is the setting for the fascinating story of Bega, a young Irish princess who became a saint, and her lifelong bond with Padric, prince of the north-western kingdom of Rheged. This dramatic, far-reaching tale brings to life a land of warring kings, Christians and pagans, and tribes divided by language and culture, illuminating a little-known yet critical period in British history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #323405 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-20
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 800 pages

The Times
'A gripping saga of great passion ... sustained, impassioned and uplifting'

Review
'A gripping saga of great passion ... sustained, impassioned and uplifting' (The Times )

'An absorbing epic ... as splendid a ripping yarn as any of the best classics' (Daily Telegraph )

'A gripping, deeply accomplished work' (Evening Standard )

'I loved it ... Bragg’s stately, seething, passionate epic is several cuts above modern attempts at historical fiction' (Literary Review )

'A beguiling entry into a society strange, neglected, important, tragic in many of its triumphs' (Spectator )

'Wonderfully evocative, passionate and erudite ... No summary could do justice to a book of this erudition, romance and scope' (Glasgow Herald )

Literary Review
'I loved it ... Bragg’s stately, seething, passionate epic is several cuts above modern attempts at historical fiction'

Customer Reviews

convincing and authentic
Credo tells the story of a young Irish princess named Bega, and the two loves of her life - her God and a young nobleman called Padric - a lifelong tug between this earth and the next, romance and faith. The story is set in seventh century Britain, and Melvyn Bragg has really done his homework, describing life in Anglo Saxon times in rich detail. Many of the characters are based on historical figures too, St Bega being the main one, and the story hinges around real events. I personally found it very convincing, and a real insight into a particular place and culture, the Kingdom of Northumbria and Celtic Christianity.
It's quite a fascinating period in English history, and an important one in the story of Christianity, and Credo hits a satisfying balance between love story, adventure, and historical exploration. These were savage times, and Bragg doesn't gloss over the brutality. He doesn't dwell on it either, but sensitive readers should be warned that there are some genuinely horrible moments. My only real caution though is the length - at some 780 pages it takes some commitment to reach the end. But if you're a fan of epic novels and are willing to take your time, its a rewarding read.

Epic scale
They say don't judge a book by the cover but I did with this one. I saw the cover, liked it, picked it up, read the back and thought I'd give it a go. I was probably in need of something meaty to read having just read something less than challenging (well, one has a tendency to romanticise) and I wasn't disappointed.

This epic work tells the fictionalised tale of Bega (latterly St Bega) and the torments she faced between choosing the man she loves and her calling to serve the Almighty. It's set during the Dark Ages in Ireland and England and Mr Bragg uses his superb talents to bring those brutal times vividly to life. The sights, smells and sounds of the events seem very real and I don't think I'll be the only person to find myself itching when reading the scenes set in Carlisle!

While the book does have some slow sections (especially where Bega is wrestling with her conscience) it has some superb moments where it fair rattles along. The battle scenes and times of conflict are brilliantly written if somewhat nerve-shredding. For example, there is a violent rape scene in the early chapters that, although brief, is one of the most jaw-dropping scenes I've ever read. Don't get me wrong, it's not there for gratuitous titilation but to highlight the brutality of the times and the status of women as possessions and will leave the reader feeling a bit rattled.

The finale is executed on a grand scale and provides a suitable climax to the action, while Bragg deftly ties up the loose ends with the other characters. The characters have depth and are flawed and virtuous at the same time, while the events of the times are brought magnificently to life.

I'd recommend this to anyone wanting a good read that will stretch you a bit. My only criticism is that it's a bit overlong in places but that doesn't happen too often.

A magical journey of faith, spiritualism and of miracles
This book is a magical journey of faith, spiritualism and of miracles that stands out like a beacon, in our clean world of science, technology and materialism. The story is absorbing and it's difficult to put it down. The locations and characters are richly described and wholly believable. This novel is thought provoking and invites the reader into a world transported away, where real life and death hinges on failure of the crops or if the plague sets in, something we in the developed world cannot fathom any more. I personally found this novel provided a catalyst for me to re-think my perspective on life, and for that I am eternally grateful.