Dear Bernard, I have just finished ‘The Burning Land’ and once again you have not disappointed. A thoroughly enjoyable read that fleshes out what life ‘might’ have been like in the formative years of the English nation. Two simple questions: You seem to have eschewed using phrases such as ‘sword-joy’ or ‘blood-lust’ for Uhtred’s feelings during battle. Was this a conscious decision to make Uhtred a more mature and reflective man or a nod to political correctness? Personally, I really enjoyed those spine-tingling moments.

Secondly, I noticed that in some descriptive passages, you have adopted the Saxon style of alliteration, which I loved. Again was this conscious or did you read so much Anglo-Saxon poetry during your research that it just slipped in? Anyway, it was well worth waiting the extra year for and Azincourt was marvellous. Thank you.

John Byrne