Hi Bernard,  (if I may call you that).

I have read a great many of your books including every last one of the Sharpe series.

I have just finished reading “The last Kingdom” and was struck by Uhtred’s description (during his marriage period), of a forty year old man as being either “elderly” or “very old”.

Now, although life expectancy has varied wildly throughout history, lifespan has remained relatively constant at, to quote a source much more ancient than either of us, three score years and ten (or thereabouts).

Please Sir,

I would love to hear your comment on this particular issue as it seems there are so many famous and distinguished people throughout history and way back into antiquity who have all lived, seemingly, quite happily into their eighties and beyond..

I am most grateful.

Bo Bodragon