Dear MR Cornwell, My name is Ian Parkhouse and I’m from North Devon. I want to start by saying that I am a massive fan of your Saxon stories, they have introduced me into a part of our history that I think is fascinating. I’m currently working in Wellington, Somerset and finally went to see the Isle of Athelney a few weeks ago, and I have to admit I had a lump in my throat. You can still see the iron aged ditch, the graves and where the abbey once stood. I could not believe how important that hump in a field was to the making of England. The question I want to ask you is about your next Uhtred book. I feel that Devon and its people’s influence during the Viking raids have been slightly overlooked. In the Pale Horseman you placed the battle of Cynuit at Cannington Hill, Somerset instead of the many other possible sights in Devon such as Pilton, Appledore or Cantisbury Hill. A local author Nick Arnold place’s the battle at Castle Hill near Beaford, Devon. I have attached the website: http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/news/Viking-battle-site-near-Beaford/article-333838-detail/article.html. As stated in the historical note in the Pale Horseman it was the men of Devon that won the victory, which Nick states as ranking in importance with the Battle of Britain. From what I’ve read about where the next book may be based it will be Devon, inparticularly North Devon.. Is there any truth in that? I’d like to think my ancestors witnessed Haestens attack on Devon as my family have been in Devon a very very long time. Thanks for your time, Ian