Bernard I have just finished “The Burning Land” — a very enjoyable continuation of a great series. Thank you. I was surprised, however, that the chart of “The Royal Family of Wessex” at the front of the UK edition shows King Athelstan as a descendant of Aethelflaed. I did enjoy your suggestion in your Historical Note that you have used your license as an author of fiction to denigrate Eathelred of Mercia despite the lack of supporting evidence. Making Athelstan the son of Aethelflaed (and presumably Uhtred) would, however, be much bigger stretch.

John