Hello, it seems that the one thing I love the most about your stories is also the thing that most disturbs me. How real they feel. In particular, the way men like Sansum and Alfred rise to the top in almost every climate. Meanwhile, the Arthurs, Uhtreds and Derfels of the world… Sir, does your knowledge of history offer a suggestion of when this became so? Sorry if I sound naive or perhaps even bitter about this. I am not. I just wonder if given the choice of being noble and just or a bastard of sorts world leaders tend to choose the latter. Please shed any bit of light on this that you may care to. Sincerely, John