Mr Cornwell,
I was born in Wallasey Cheshire, but have lived in the USA since 1960. In my library I have a book entitled The Rise & Progress of Wallasey, first published in 1929 & re-printed in 1960. Needless to say it is a fairly boring book, but I happened to be leafing through it the other day, & came across a reference to the first authentic record of Wallasey in Domesday Book. It states: “The same Robert holds Walea (Wallasey). Uhtred held (it) and was a free man.” As Uhtred is your major character in your Saxon series, it perked up my interest. Having followed the entire series to date, I recalled a comment by you in the Historical Notes of “Lords of the North, where you state that ” the name Uhtred is your ancestors!” Could this be a direct ancestor of yours? I have always been fascinated by British history, probably because it was crammed down my throat in my schooling. I have an extensive Family Tree record which begins with Levanoth Levanethrus,1086, Lord of the Manors of Bakewell, Hathersage & Edonson. His son was Mather Fitzlevenet, & his son was Thomas Fitzlevenet, Lord of the Manor & Rector-Dispossed 1192. The first to use the surname of Bakewell was Mather de Bakewell of Longston, & his son was William de Bakewell of London 1272. The “de” was dropped with William Bakewell 1347. Interesting stuff. I have enjoyed your work for many years, thank you, & keep it up.
David Bakewell
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