Hi Bernard,

I have very much enjoyed reading, as they have been published, the entire Last Kingdom series. The work of researching each book must have been immense. The fun then to launch Uhtred into the gaps in knowledge has created a brilliant series. So I am very much a fan.

My question is p27 of The Flame Bearer Uhtred is reminiscing about a childhood trip to Lindisfarne and recollects being shown a valuable book written in Latin. Surely this would have been a celtic Christian manuscript and written in contemporary English. I saw a year or two ago a book from the Lindsfarne gospels, which to my surprise was written in English. I was told that pre romaninised celtic Christian church operated in English. It was only after the diet of Whitby 900 ish if my memory serves me right, that the celtic church gave way to Rome and Latinised. Northumbria at this stage would have been influenced by celtic and not Roman Christianity.

I’m I right or getting confused. I await your answer with some curiosity and will continue to be intrigued and entertained by Uhtred’s progress towards retaking Babbenbergh. Thanks for hours of intriguing reading.

Regards

Phil Hanson,