Credo

by Melvyn Bragg

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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Fantasy, Medieval, Novels, British Literature

788 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1996

About the author

Melvyn Bragg, Baron Bragg, FRSL, FRTS (born 6 October 1939) is an English author, broadcaster and media personality who, aside from his many literary endeavours, is perhaps most recognised for his work on The South Bank Show.

Bragg is a prolific novelist and writer of non-fiction, and has written a number of television and film screenplays. Some of his early television work was in collaboration with Ken Russell, for whom he wrote the biographical dramas The Debussy Film (1965) and Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1967), as well as Russell's film about Tchaikovsky, The Music Lovers (1970). He is president of the National Academy of Writing. His 2008 novel, Remember Me is a largely autobiographical story.

He is also a Vice President of the Friends of the British Library, a charity set up to provide funding support to the British Library.

Reviews

[Hilary Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant evocation of life in Britain in the 'dark ages' and gives an insight into the beliefs and life-styles of early Celtic Christians. The amount of self-abnegation and sacrifice which they believed necessary to gain salvation is hard to accept from the point of view of our comfortable modern-day lives. I had heard of the synod of Whitby, vaguely, but I had never realized it was such a turning point in the history of the church. Bragg creates a very believable heroine in Bega. I was constantly wanting her to follow her instincts and accept her lover's proposal, but at the same time I admired her selfless devotion to the people under her care and her determination to stick to her vows.

Altogether, a deeply moving and involving book.

[Luke Manning · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I kept reading because I was sure it had to get better. It didn't. Maybe people really were like that back in Dark Ages Britain. I don't know. I do know that the Bega portrayed in this novel is one of the most consistently annoying and frustrating characters ever created. Well, her and God, both of whom feature heavily on every single page of this plodding dud of a book.

[The other John · Rating 5 out of 5]

One finds treasure in the strangest places. Take the small English library here on our small campus in the sticks of Yunnan. Compared to many libraries, it's a pitiful thing. It holds maybe two hundred books, mostly classics abridged or rewritten for foreign language students and children's books. For an adult native English speaker, it's quite boring. There are, however, a handful of grown-up books here. My wife, in her desperation for reading material has perused them. For the most part, she was unimpressed. This book, however, she enjoyed and recommended. Credo is a tale set in 7th Century England. It's essentially the story of a couple, Bega and Padric. As the story opens, Padric is a guest in the hall of Cathal, a king in Ireland. Padric himself is a prince of the kingdom of Rheged in Britain. Bega is Cathal's daughter and, at the start of the tale, Padric's pupil. Both Padric and Bega are strong, intelligent and idealistic; capable warriors and pious Christians. There's a budding romance between the two, but neither one of them has the maturity to realize it. The dawning realization of their mutual attraction permeates the background of the first section of the book, like the beginning overture of a symphony. the following book is a work of art. There's a gripping plot, compelling characters and a milieu that feels genuine. For me, the biggest appeal of the book is that Mr. Bragg captures what it's like to be a Christian. Every soul in the book, whether pious or impious, struggles with their faith. The good characters have their sinful side and the evil ones worry about facing the throne of God. Of course, as a Lutheran, sometimes I wished I could give these good Catholics a lecture on grace, but overall I identified with these characters. Credo is a great book. It's biggest flaw is that it belongs to the English library. I regret that I have to put it back on their shelf rather than my own. Ah, well, that's what bookstores are for.

[Eva Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all: This book was too long. The story could have been told, and told better I think, in half the number of pages. The theme, the meeting between the wild, personal and intuitive Celtic church and the orderly, distant and rigid Roman church, was very fascinating. The problem is the main caracters, Bega and Padric, who are static, annoying and boring. I think telling more of this story from Ecfirth’s point of view would have greatly improved it, since he was one of the few persons who caught my interest. Even though it grew on me, I’m not a fan of Melvyn Bragg’s writing style, which of course also affects my opinion of this book.

To me this was an interesting glimpse into British history and the evolvement of Christianity, but not an engaging story.

[Cher · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I lend this book to borrowers at library I always want to yell- run save yourself! It's not worth the time the story goes nowhere and that's hard to do in over 1000 pages. This took me a year to read I kept thinking it will get better I love this genre but it never did. This book is the reason I gave up on my quest to finish every book I start life is too short.

[V. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book and they were, unfortunately, not met. In summary - I wouldn't bother.

I began with the assumption that this novel was a piece of historical fiction; that it would be well-researched, intelligent and offer an interesting perspective on the expansion of Christianity in the British Isles in the aftermath of the collapse of the Roman Empire. I don't really think Credo fulfils those objectives particularly well, and I'm quite tempted to tag it fantasy or magical realism. If I was less preoccupied by a sense of lacking historicity I might have disliked the book less, but as it was this is the closest I've come to completely abandoning a book in a long time. I had to really push myself to finish.

I have a long list of frustrations with Bragg's writing but here are the main ones:

1) The lack of distance between the narration and the Catholic themes in the plot. This factor really makes this story feel very dated or 'out of step' for me. The reader is asked to suspend their disbelief for an array of miracles, saints, visitations, epiphanies etc that become the pivotal moments of the plot and determinants of the unfolding of Bragg's history of the dark ages. There isn't any ambiguity written into these events that would allow a modern rationalist reader to view the 'miracles' as non-religious phenomena that are, in the context of the 7th century, understood as miracles. These 'signs from God' aren't problematized at all, and although the characters spend hundreds of pages agonising over God's will, there is a surprising lack of in-depth analysis. A further gripe was that Bragg never questions the 'why' and 'how' of the shift from paganism to Christianity, and there seems to be an implicit assumption that this was indeed a positive and inevitable step in the teleology of human society.

2) The protagonist, Bega, is a bit of a trusting fool. She's really foolish for a good 300 pages, but most of that can be forgiven as the folly and naivety of youth- the foolishness that continues into her adulthood is less easily forgiven. The male protagonist, Padric, had much more potential but was given a disappointing amount of narration space.

3) The politics of the growing church and doctrinal differences are pretty inadequately covered. For the majority of the book, all religious figures speak with a single voice and the same legitimacy and authority. The best Bragg manages to do is create a pretty superficial divide between the 'true-Christian' Britons and the 'false-Christian' Northumbrians which was just silly.

4) I was pretty uninterested by what was supposed to be the main plot tension in the book - Bega and Padric's supposedly grand and (sort of ) unfulfilled love epic. There's only so many times you can watch the main characters allow opportunities to be together pass by before you start to think the burning passion isn't quite what the author is trying to make it out to be.

If you want to read a great book about Christianity, monks and the history of Catholicism, go and read Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose - now that is a truly brilliant piece of literature.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

" Synopsis from Fantastic Fiction ""This novel set in Britain and Ireland during the dark ages is the tale of a young Irish princess who became a saint and of her lifelong bond with a prince of the north-western kingdom of Rheged - a land of warriors and miracles, where the British people survived."" What this book is really all about "Stand fast I must" against everything that could be possible - family, beliefs, politics, language, loyalties etc. The 2 main protagonists are Brega and Padric. Bragg was born in 1939 and educated at Oxford (Wadham College). Grew up in Wigton, Cumbria. Sang in the Wadham Chapel choir, and in an extract of an interview with the Times ""(In 1959), other activities elbowed out choir practice and, regretfully, that particular pleasure of singing with others so that you are a part of a wonderful sound but you can't hear yourself was over."" Bragg was made Baron Bragg, of Wigton in the County of Cumbria and joined the House of Lords in 1998 as a Labour life peer.



"

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent balance of narrative, historical evocation and characterisation. Written in a pacy style.
I'm presently reading Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth, comparable in some ways to Bragg's novel, but am shocked at how he litters his style with cliche after cliche. E.g. his heart was in his mouth!I may review it when I finish it.

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book about four times and will probably read it again... At least I've now got it in e-book format! I enjoyed the scope of the book and the evocation of early Britain and the lives of the people. I certainly enjoyed the length so that I didn't feel 'wrenched away' too soon.

[Martin Noutch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggled to finish this. Shame. Should have been shorter and better.

[Sandy Morley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Academically interesting, the prose is jumpy and storytelling dull. Worse, Bragg didn't get the memo that less is more, and there's more waffle than a Belgian pastry fair.

[iphis · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay so i’m not christian but i am interested in the dark ages and cumbria (where i’m from) so this book was v v interesting. like don’t get me wrong was a very unnecessarily long book but was also lovely to read and beautifully described my home xoxox

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting to learn of a St. Bega, but turgid and ultimately too long. It became boring.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this novel a couple of years ago.

I'm really interested in the England of the 'Dark Ages' and also the development of Christian belief in this country. The book started off well and even now I can vividly remember the scenes around Bega's (the main protagonist) wedding, especially the violent rape of her maid by her prospective bridegroom and his subsequent demise...

However, once Bega and the love of her life, Padric, make it to England, I found myself increasingly irritated by the overly saintly heroine and her determination to live a celibate life. She is probably one of the most infuriating characters I have come across in an otherwise interesting backdrop. Why on earth couldn't she live a good Christian life while married to the man who loves her and while raising their children?! Silly, silly girl.

I also think the book could have been a LOT shorter; it dragged on far too long.

[Linda Humberstone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good description of the Dark Ages and the religious zeal of those wanting to convert others as Christianity progresses throughout Britain and Ireland. It includes a sad, unfulfilled, love story that has to be denied because of the vow to love Jesus above all others. It is unduly long and sometimes 'rambles' a bit too much, however, the descriptions of the beliefs and conflicts of the time are good.

[Mary Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is seriously awesome - and almost impossible to get hold of on amazon. Everybody, order this book off them so they get more stock in! It's like travelling time rather than reading a book. incredibly well researched, but never overly weighty in its academia. Well plotted, well paced, with good dialogue, and believable characters. Definitely a must read.

[Jenni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too frustrating and depressing.

[Reynold Levocz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too far reaching on unfulfilled love.

[C.A. A. Powell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this when it first came out. It had splendid write-ups as I recall and that is partly what made me buy this novel. I also enjoy anything to do with Dark Age Britain. It seemed full of promise, but I began to struggle with how tedious it was. The Irish princess, Brega began to get on my nerves. Her character was very wooden. Pardic of Rheged was a yawn too. It just seemed to go on and on. The book was far too long. Not one I would recommend even though the backdrop of Brittonic peoples struggling with Pagan beliefs, Hibernian missionaries and the Rome doctrines could have been a gripping idea. It was an interesting historical period, but the style of writing was as boring as Brega. The whole presentation could have been much better.

[Myles Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As many others have said, it is long and the pacing very deliverate. You also have to have a particular interest in the history of Christianity in dark age Britain because, Melvyn being Melvyn, the history comes before the story.

As an avid In Our Time listener, however, I knew what to expect and thoroughly enjoyed the story. It really does make you stop and think from a different perspective - imagine the world as described by Bede where miracles do happen and faith is a constant test against your own willpower (lest the Father of All Lies deceive you into leading an easy life of reading historical fiction at home in the warm!).

[Wyktor Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a book! I'd not have been able to read this earlier in my life as the subject matter would nave put me off. Being older I got right into the story, and the history of Christianity and thoroughly enjoyed it. Plus I learned a bit about the early history of Christianity which I never knew before.
An excellent book that's well-written. I recommend it to everyone with an interest in history.

[wayne mcauliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some parts of this novel are brilliant like the savagery of the times especially at the beginning in Ireland and the battles in the North of Britain.But even though this book is heavily about religion pretty much as soon as it raises its head it gets bogged down for me.Suppose that comes from being a atheist.Anyway still worth a read for a look at the 7th century and you can always skim the religious crap like i did if you want.

[wayne john mcauliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of those sum of its parts read. A lot of it is great thats why i give it 5 stars. The battle between the Celtic Church and Catholic is pretty good but i more liked the stoush between the old British Celts and the newer Anglo Saxons. Also the start with the malignant Dad of one of the mains Bega is pretty full on. Loosely based on truth with dashes of fiction strife. Worth a reread.

[Richard Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweeping narrative of the (imagined) life of Bega, an Irish princess and Celtic Christian missionary who lived in the Early Middle Ages. Her story is interspersed with that of Padric a Celtic hero reputed to be her lover. Bragg manages to convey the brutality of the times without degrading the romance.

[Rebecca Sloane]

I enjoyed this book immensely as it added to my enjoyment of an Oxford continuing education course: Ancestral Voices, covering the same time period - the 600s AD. Bragg knows his history and can weave a good yarn using his knowledge of the literature and poetry of the time. He manages to reference all the important works of the time.

[Margaret Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good meaty read. Ostensibly a love story between Bega and Padraid set in the 7th century it deals with the conflict between the Celtic and Roman Christian churches and the Whitby synod and its consequences. Much more readable than this précis sounds. Would recommend.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly compelling. I Thoroughly enjoyed this saga of the mythical/ historical life of St Bega. Having visited St Bees, I have been intrigued by her and Melvyn Bragg's depiction of how Christianity sat in the desperate, turbulent times of The Dark Ages, is totally credible and fascinating.

It may be that the passionate internal dilemmas of Bega are too much for many, but for me, that aided the perhaps unimaginable agony of wanting to be a religious in any period of history. Coming after reading a biography Of Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, living twelve and a half centuries later, those battles of personal will against what is understood to be the will of God, rang true. These people strive with every sinew to be the best they can be for their Creator, not for themselves. Humbling.

Apart from that, the descriptions of every day existence or non-existence, even without external interference, the lives of warrior bands, the lives of hermits and religious people and finally the lives of exhausted, vulnerable ordinary people who simply had no choice in these times, under the sway of savage, unstable rulers, are all fabulous!

[Jared Lanigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So thoroughly researched you wouldn’t know if it were historical fiction or a simple retelling of events. A bloody and immersive dive into Dark Ages Britain with an emergent Christianity beginning to define the politics of an otherwise Pagan world.

[b james · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for the second time recently and enjoyed it even more than the first time. I have a lot of respect for Bragg as a historian, and felt completely absorbed by the story which really opened my imagination to a period of religious and national significance.

[Samantha Grosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just came across this book again and remembered how much I loved it. A beautifully imagined history that draws you into a world we have almost forgotten.