Just finished the *excellent* “Death of Kings”. I note that you mention descent from Uhtred. An “Uchtred, Earl of Northumbria , 960-1016” is my 32nd Great-Grandfather (since I had to retire on service-connected disability–long story–back in 2005, my family history hobby has filled a lot of the too-much time I now have). My reading in Wikipedia tells me that whoever wrote the article on “Uhtred the Bold” believes that your protagonist is based on him. Is the later Earl of Northumbria indeed the ancestor of whom you are speaking? If so, nice work, cousin! Even if his lifetime is a bit different, I don’t doubt that you’ve captured his true personality in your novels. I won’t bore you with a recitation of the links and documentation that led me to Uchtred of Northumbria, but if you just can’t help yourself, my family tree is on line at Ancestry.com. If you are really *that* curious, tell me and I’ll send you an “Invite”: so you can view it conveniently. Another “just because I’m curious” question. I had my DNA tested, and have learned that I’m part of a fairly rare paternal haplotype, known as G2a. Do we share that, or have you ever had your DNA tested? If that *is* the case, then we share another well-known relative (can’t prove “ancestry at this point–need more detailed–and expensive–DNA test!). That is Ötzi the Iceman, who lived about 5300 years ago, and has been the subject of a number of lawsuits over “finders fees” and “ownership” (between Austria and Italy). His specific sub-group is G2a2b. I have been accused of an “inappropriate” sense of humor…bear that in mind when I suggest that those of us who are G2a could really mess with the Austrians and Italians if we put in a claim for the body as the nearest living relatives! Enough rambling! I have read, and enjoyed all of the Sharpe stories, and have appreciated your making my life more interesting over these many years. Good health, long life, and endless creativity to you!

David Finster