Not sure if my last e-mail ever made it through, but would like to say how much I enjoy your historical fiction.  Though I have always been an avid reader, in the last few years I’ve discovered audio books, which is how I have become familiar with your writings.  I particularly enjoy your stories of Uhtred of Bebbanburg (please forgive my spelling if incorrect).  I am curious as to why Uhtred is sometimes Uhtred of Bebbanburg, while other times he is Uhtred of Bamburgh.  What is the historical significance of the two titles, and which is the more appropriate?

I am currently listening to 1356 which obviously takes place well after Uhtred’s time.  Could you explain what started the 100 Year’s War, and why England felt it had the right to press the war in France?  Also, why did the Gascons side with the English?

Having some English ancestry (as well as French, Russian, and Polish), I am fascinated by the many eras in English history (albeit rather violent that they may have been).  I am also perplexed by how many monarchs reigned over England, how they came to power, and in so very many cases how tragically brief their reigns were.  Given the high propensity for being either killed in battle, deposed from head of state, and/or the potential for being beheaded, why would any of them ever want the crown?   I’ve searched the internet to discover that England has had at least 63 monarchs (Kings, Queens, & Regents) over roughly 1500 years starting with the Saxon King Egbert.  Yet no King Arthur.  Was Arthur purely fictional?  If there was a real Arthur, where in the timeline would he have fit?  And with that in mind, have you any plans on writing about the first king of England, and what led to his crowning.  I would find that quite fascinating.

I am also very interested in the War of the Roses, as many of your readers are, and wonder if you will tackle that era someday.  Finally, since one my favorite movies is Braveheart, could you enlighten your readers more on the real life on Longshanks?  Given his long reign, could he have been as cruel and vicious as Mel Gibson had him portrayed in the movie?

David Gilbert