First I want to thank you for providing me with so many happy hours reading your wonderful stories.  You are indeed a master of your craft and have that unique ability of being able to bring the printed word to life.  I started off some years ago following the exploits of Richard Sharpe and much more recently have been captivated by your handling of the “Dark Ages” with the adventures of Derfel and Uhtred.  Like you I was brought up in England, am of much the same age and have lived for many years in USA (California).  I was turned on to history by my high school history teacher, a giant of a man who was at one time captain of the Welsh rugger team.  I don’t know about your school experience, but in my case the period between the Roman occupation and the Norman conquest barely rated a mention.  So, I have frankly devoured your treatment of these times through the eyes of your two dark ages heroes.  Parenthetically, I do hope that Uhtred will continue his adventures, he is clearly not yet done.  My wife and I were in England this Fall and in our travels visited such places as Glastonbury Tor, Bradbury Rings, Dolforwyn and Chedworth (Roman Villa), near Cirencester.  Having recently been reading the Saxon Tales really gave me fascinating insight to how life must have been in those troubled times.  Although documented history is limited I can readily believe that you have handled it with skill and sensitivity.  That whole period of some 6 hundred years must have been similar, basically lawless with times of uneasy peace interspersed with invaders eager for good arable land and war lords fighting one another just for the heck of it.  Finally your treatment of religion is I think most insightful as is your handling of the Romans (were they giants or perhaps gods?)
I could go on and on, but I am sure you have better things to do, like working on Uhtred’s continuing saga.  Good luck and thanks again for filling in on my understanding of British history.

Alan