Better than Gold

by Theresa Tomlinson

Published 1 January 2014
Egfrid is the prince of Bernicia, an Anglo-Saxon kingdom. When he is captured by Penda, King of Mercia during a raid, all seems lost. But though the fierce warrior Penda hates Egfrid's cowardly father, he won't kill the boy. Instead, Egfrid is to be brought up, as hostage and adopted son, in the court of his father's worst enemy...

This fascinating look into a long-vanished past reveals the clashes between small kingdoms, between pagan and Christian beliefs, and between the loyalty demanded by blood and given from the heart. A richly detailed and moving tale, inspired by the Staffordshire Hoard, the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.

Ironstone Valley

by Theresa Tomlinson

Published 30 October 1998
Ned is only eleven when he starts work in the ironstone mine. His job as a trappy lad is to open the wooden door for the pit ponies as they haul their wagon loads of stone through the tunnel. The work is hard and dangerous, and like all miners, Ned knows that a rockfall could spell disaster.