Hi again, Mr. Cornwell. I get the impression that Uhtred’s training in arms was above that of the average Viking. Just how skilled were they, or did they just hack away and hope they were luckier than their opponent? Was there ever any sort of “training center” where a young Norseman or Dane could go to learn how to use the sword, spear, great axe, and to stand in the shieldwall? Also, if a Viking found some valuable booty on the field after the battle, such as a mail shirt or a good sword, was he free to keep it? Or did he have to turn it over to his chief to be distributed to whomever of his men he felt had earned it? Alan Kempner