Dear Mr Cornwell, I first read your warlord chronicles whislt I was in my early teens, and for some reason I bought Excalibur first and read them backwords, I was, with want of a better word, amazed and I have read the 3 books over many a time. I’ve currently read through Uhtred’s stories as well and I must say I find these even more interesting as living in north east England with the stories including Durham. I was very happy to say the least. From a small age I have felt a strange connection to these times after hearing of my family’s history – I have heard that my family Usher was banished from Ireland for helping an english king at war. I feel no strong bond with Ireland but I do to the viking/norse ways, they seem to make sense to me. Anyway to cut to the point I was wondering if you felt a connection to your protagonists in these books Derfel and Uhtred? I might sound like a lunatic but your novels have made me feel like I have a place, as if my roots have been exposed and now I understand where I sprouted from, I may well have ancestors of viking raids on Ireland, but more likey not (as I’m unlucky , so I think the whole luck of the Irish thing is canceled out :D). many thanks for your great books and im sure you will have great success in many years to come. Phill Usher