Hi I’m a massive fan of the Sharpe, Arthur but especially the Saxon books – mainly due to my own family roots going back to the north east. After reading the Saxon books I often try to research each character, time period and any battles you describe. Was Uhtred’s first name Osbert chosen due to the mythological links to Ragnar? I ask only because Ragnar Lodbrok was Ivar Ubbe and Halfdon’s father – or is this a completely different Ragnar to the one which adopted Uhtred? Thank you for your time and I very much looking forward to the next instalment David