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The Anglo-Saxons

Beowulf
by Michael Morpurgo

In fifth-century Denmark, a murderous monster stalks the night, and only the great prince of the Geats has the strength and courage to defeat him. Beowulf's terrifying quest to destroy Grendel, the foul fiend, a hideous sea-hag and a monstrous fire-dragon is the oldest surviving epic in British literature. Artfully retold and magnificently illustrated, this companion volume to Sir Gawain and the Green Knightis made instantly accessible to children by a formidable children's book partnership.

Down with the Dirty Danes
by Gillian Cross

An hilarious story, told in letter form, about King Alfred – he who burnt the cakes, and his battles with the Vikings.

Berwin, son of Egfrith, writes to Wulfric, son of Elred using his miraculous new talent of reading and writing. Berry’s spellings leave a lot to be desired and in his hilarious letters he tells a tale of mixups and mayhem when King Alfred hides in his family’s cottage but is mistaken for a Dirty Dane – their word for the Vikings. A completely new perspective on why and how those cakes got burned!

Fast and very, very funny from the prize-winning author of The Demon Headmaster and other books.

Beowulf: Dragon Slayer
by Rosemary Sutcliff

Grendel prowled in, hating all men and all joy and hungry for human life. So swift was his attack that no man heard an outcry; but when the dawn came, thirty of Hothgar's best and noblest thanes were missing.

Only Beowulf, foremost among warriors, has the strength and courage to battle with Grendel the Night-stalker. 

In this thrilling re-telling of the Anglo-Saxon legend, Rosemary Sutcliff recounts Beowulf's most terrifying quests: against Grendel the man-wolf, against the hideous sea-hag and, most courageous of all - his fight to the death with the monstrous fire-drake.

Beowulf the Brave
by Julia Green

The King of Denmark is in trouble. His people are living in a terror of a monster that no one can kill. So the brave warrior Beowulf takes up the challenge. He sets sails with fourteen men, and arrives at the king's hall. That night, he slays the monster in a bloody battle, but now his problems have just begun...Beowulf the Brave is a modern retelling of the classic Anglo-Saxon legend.

Byrhtnoth at the Battle of Maldon
by Robin Campbell

Byrhtnoth at the Battle of Maldon relays the story of the mighty Saxon leader as he leads his army against marauding Vikings in an attempt to defend his homeland of East Anglia. In a battle of both heroism and cowardice, it is the sheer determination of their leader Byrhtnoth that is recalled to this day. Aimed at children aged 8 - 12 years, this story will open their eyes to the nature of battle in the year 991 when a very large force of Danes prepared to attack the Essex coastline in Maldon. Byrhtnoth would not agree to pay the requested tribute of silver to avoid battle, instead setting up a small army by the narrow causeway across the river from the Danes. Arrows, spears and swords were thrown by both sides in the ferocious battle of Maldon. This work of fiction brings together historical truth and the excitement of battle to teach children about the history of England, the Saxons and the invasion of the Vikings. Inspired by the work of Michael Murpogo, Byrhtnoth at the Battle of Maldon will appeal to children who enjoy historical novels and who are looking to learn about history in an exciting manner, as well as fans of Robin Campbell's previous books, Running One Thousand Miles and Gallipoli Guns.

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