Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I have two questions, but first let me say I was happy to see Uhtred (the Christian) join his father, Uhtred (the pagan) for a little sword song. First Q: I don’t think the Saxons regained Engaland until about ten years after the death of Knut the Great (1042-1045). Since the “Empty Throne” takes place in 911, I calculate (say 40 years per) that at least three generations of Uhtred’s are left to help achieve this. Do you see the saga going that far?

Second Q: In the 10th century both the Danes and Norse were speaking basically the same language, “Old Norse”, while the Saxons were speaking “Old English”, which I thought was a closely related Germanic dialect. In the Saxon stories there seems to be a larger linguistic distinction. Is that your intention, or am I incorrect? Thank you.

Peter Hansen