Dear Bernard,
Firstly, can I just say how much I love your Last Kingdom series of books, and the current TV series based on the novels. Not only I do I find the history of the Vikings and Saxons fascinating, I also find Uhtred’s dry sense of humour highly amusing and very like my own!
Secondly, I have a query regarding your novel, The Pagan Lord. You make reference to two place names, Tettenhall and Wednesbury in the West Midlands. I understand that there is some debate regarding where a famous Viking battle took place – however as someone who lives in Wednesfield in the West Midlands, I am certain this is where the battle was fought. You will notice that it makes more sense for ‘Odin’s Field’ to be Wednesfield – not Wednesbury, which would actually be Odin’s ‘burgh’. Wednesbury is about 15 miles from where I live.
Interestingly, I also live just off a road called ‘Waddensbrook Lane’, which makes me think this could be referencing Woden’s brook. There is indeed the remnants of a brook along this road, which I am certain would have been much, much wider 2000 years ago. Could the Vikings have travelled along this brook to meet their fate just a few minutes from my home?
I hope you don’t mind me questioning you, but Wednesfield as a small village, is often mistaken or overlooked in favour of the small town of Wednesbury. I would be extremely disappointed if this was reflected in your TV series.
I know deep down the place where I live has some historical significance and I feel the road names support this.
Thanks again for your wonderful writing,
Kindest Regards,
Angie