A collaboration between two very well-regarded authors in the field of children's literature, Wordhoard presents eight short stories set during the tumultuous Anglo-Saxon period, from the withdrawal of the Romans in 416, to the Norman conquest of 1066. Here the reader will encounter many familiar figures, from Caedmon the poet-monk to King Alfred the Great, the venerable Bede to the defeated King Harald. Here also the reader will find ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events. Arranged chronologically, these stories provide an entertaining and sometimes moving introduction to the period. Included are:

The Woodwose by Jill Paton Walsh, in which a defeated "Bretman" lord appears after many years, and learns the fate of his people and family at the hands of the Saxon invaders...

Caedmon by Kevin Crossley-Holland, in which a young monk named Bede investigates the story of Caedmon, a man who awoke one day with a miraculous gift for poetry, and who was the first to combine Christian song with the older, heroic pagan style...

Asser's Book" by Jill Paton Walsh, in which an aged King Alfred recalls various moments from his youth...

Leof's Leavetaking by Kevin Crossley-Holland, in which an old court poet is dismissed from his position so that a young relative of the new king might take his place; and who, in a tragic twist, finds himself passing along his gift to a most unexpected person in his subsequent wandering...

The Horseman by Kevin Crossley-Holland, in which a young girl tells an unfortunate runaway from the Battle of Maldon just what fate awaits those who betray their oaths...

The Childmaster by Jill Paton Walsh, in which a reluctant young monk named Brother Oswald makes peace with his new place in the world, and with his abusive former teacher...

Thurkell the Tall by Jill Paton Walsh, in which a Danish Viking learns a new kind of courage from his captive, Archbishop Alfig...

The Eye of the Hurricane by Kevin Crossley-Holland, in which King Harald's life passes before his eyes as he lies dying on the battlefield at Hastings... ( )