Hello Mr. Cornwell, well done on the OBE, when are they going to knight you?? We met at York last month (27th May) and you were kind enough to sign the copy of the Lords of the North my girlfriend and I had with us. I hope you enjoyed the day, I liked the viking bodyguards, nice touch! Even had my photo with one. I’ve just finished reading the book (the girlfriend had it first)and thought it was great. I’ve read many of your books before so I expected excellence and once again you delivered so thank you! I wish I could trace my family lineage the way you have, the Irish side will be more difficult but the time will come I’m sure. Anyway from history I was wondering what your opinion of Alfred actually was? I try to judge by how an author portrays their characters. Sometimes Uhtred is utterly scornful, and at other times he acknowledges him as the ‘real power in England’ and a great and masterful king. I think it’s just the conflict of philosophies between the Saxons of the time and the Danes. He loves the Danes ideology of fight and never submit, and yet they are undeniably losing, and so he seems unsure of his opinion of Alfred. Poor Uhtred:-) So I was just wondering how you felt about him? Thanks for all the books, they truly are Britain’s best! Samuel