Sir,

Like many others I’ve enjoyed your novels immensely over the years. Having enjoyed the adventures of Uhtred, Sharpe etc, I commend you on your strong female characters. My question is, simply, in writing Gisela, Teresa, Jeanette or Æthelflaed, is it a balancing act between what is plausible in light of the reality of the times and your desire to portray an admirable, strong woman?

Paul Seesequais