Review: Lured by the Hoard

Ian Walford, Lured by the Hoard (The Conrad Press 2021)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59752824-lured-by-the-hoard

638 AD. Aelfred and his slave Cadmon are digging. They uncover a rich treasure, the bejewelled war trophies of ancient kings.
Going back in time to the Roman era, Aelfred’s ancestor Eadrich, an Anglian mercenary stationed in York, enjoys a jar of ale with his mate Modig. Eadrich is getting ready to retire, having been granted land in Deira, which he plans to call Woden’s Ford. He means to found a dynasty.
Aelfred is born to Rinc, eighth in succession from Eadrich, and Hilda in Woden’s Ford; 6 months later in Gwynedd Cadmon is born to Abertha and Gerant. Rinc and his Northumbrian raiders attack Gerant’s village, killing him. Abertha, carrying her baby, and other villagers are taken as slaves.
The new house slave suddenly dies, leaving baby Cadmon to Hilda to raise, and Aelfred and Cadmon grow up as if brothers.
Tensions rise as King Edwin plans to marry a Christian princess, and some talk of a Deiran break-away from the Northumbrian alliance. King Edwin issues a decree requiring the land to convert, and Woden’s Ford, at least nominally, complies.
King Cadwallon of Gwynedd, allied with King Penda of Mercia, is planning to attack Northumbria and all the thegns in Deira and Bernicia are warned to be ready. King Edwin decides to hide his treasure in various locations (why would he do that?). The battle goes against them, and Woden’s Ford has to adjust.
Aelfred makes a secret plan, involving the treasure, during which his and Cadmon’s differences have interesting implications for the plot.
Aelfred’s attitude to the new religion and to King Penda seems in places contradictory, but in the end, his approach to Christianity is pivotal to the plot.
Personally, I didn’t like the frequent anachronistic expressions—‘no rest for the wicked’ (origin 15C), etc.—but I understand that the more colloquial modern writing style makes the story more accessible to a younger audience.
The writing style is clear, lively and interesting, and it is perfectly edited.
What a great idea to write a novel based on the Staffordshire Hoard! When viewing mysterious ancient sights and artefacts, who doesn’t think, ‘I wonder what it was like’? Walford paints a lively picture of what might have been.