'Credo' is a good read and it probably gives a fair overall impression of life in 7th century Britain, in the same way that Hilary Mantel's books convey what life was like in Tudor times, especially at the Court. But, in the same way as she embroiders history by filling in gaps in our knowledge with (informed and scholarly) conjecture, Melvyn Bragg does likewise. And, in his case, because we know so little about the history of Northumbria and its neighbouring kingdoms in the 7th century, he has a blank canvas onto which to indulge his fertile and sometimes lurid imagination. So do not read this if you are curious about historical events; you will be better off with Bede. But, if you want a long but readable story in a convincing historic setting with strong characters, this is worth your time and money. Bragg is also unusually gifted in his ability to write about the church with understanding of its historic role.