Dear Mr Cornwell, I just thought I’d drop a note to commend you on your work as I’ve become a recent reader although I’ve known of Sharpe through the tv for a good while of course. I found and read Sharpe’s tiger whilst on holiday in Greece earlier this year and was surprised at how much i loved it – no offence meant -i just never had any interest in the era up to that point. I then read your warlord trilogy and thoroughly enjoyed them and am now onto book two of your Saxon books. The reason i write is to tell you how fascinated I have become in British history through simply reading your novels. I have had an interest in oriental martial arts since a teen and am a black belt instructor in wing chun kung fu and for god -knows-what reason never felt the same fascination with my own British heritage. However, the warlord books altered all that, and I have felt a pride in British culture I’ve never felt before, and more so now that I’ve started the Saxon series. I myself come from the north east (south Shields) and have visited St Bede’s church at Jarrow as well as holding Bamburgh Castle close to my heart from childhood trips out – and so, to read about them in such a romantic and magical fashion has been a joy. That aside, my name is Nicholson, which I’ve been led to believe is of scandinavian descent, and so the reading of this Saxon saga has given me a view of perhaps my ancestors existence all those years ago and of when my family name may have arrived at these shores. So, quickly put, I’m reading your stuff, loving it and it’s making me want to find out more about my country’s history, as well as feel that little bit more impressed by it. So thanks for that. All the very best for the future, Paul Nicholson