Dear Mr Cornwell I have just finished reading “The Pale Horseman” and “The Last Kingdom” before that. I shall shortly start on the next in the series but wanted to write to express my gratitude for such excellent novels. The historical background of these books particularly resonates as I live in Hampshire and know the area you describe very well. I was born in a small village in the Blackmore Vale in Somerset and for years, as a small boy, I could see Alfred’s Tower from my bedroom window – built on the site where Alfred raised his standard when he came out of hiding. I know the Somerset levels and can just imagine the final battle in “The Pale Horseman”. Somehow all these characters come to life in your books. I have some Saxon blood in me as my last name derives from Wulfgar or Wulfar which I understand means “Wolf’s Spear” so I was interested to see Wulfhere’s fate – but much water has gone under the bridge since then! There are many Woolgars in Seaford, West Sussex. Anyway I just wanted to express my appreciation. Yours John Woolgar