Hi Bernard,

With the arrival of Warriors of the Storm, I had the enjoyment of re-reading the whole of The Last Kingdom Series. Presented with the continuous flow of events from 866 to the early 900’s I was reminded that the accepted Anglo-centric theme of the period is one of the rise and success of the Alfred’s family/Wessex Dynasty.

However, flipping the perspective over I became very aware that it is equally the story of the Lodbrok/Ragnarson dynasty and Uhtred’s story is equally entwined with that as well. Starting with the 3 sons of the legendary  Ragnar Lodbrok ;  Halfdan, Ubba and Ivor  and assuming the validity of the conventional view that Ivor the Boneless is the Imar, King of the Dublin Norse, then the start of the 10th Century sees the arrival in England of  the “Grandsons’ of Ivor” ; Ragnall, Sigtryggr (One-Eyed) and Guthrith (who we have yet to meet).

Even before the appearance of the next generation, consisting of Anlaf (Olaf) Guthrithson, Ragnall Guthrithson, Olaf Sigtryggrson and Sigtryggr Sigtryggrson, I had the intriguing realisation that Uhtred has had a hand in the demise of Ubba, Ivor’s son (your fictitious Ivor Ivorson?) and now Ragnald.

However, Stiorra’s marriage to Syrtryggr (One Eyed) has tied Uhtred in to this very same Dynasty. His Grand-daughter Gisela and any future siblings will share his genes along with those of the family he has done so much to thwart!

I am sure the irony will not be lost on Uhtred if he ever recognises the links (and I have got it right!). For whilst his head and sword arm have belonged to Alfred’s family, his heart – always so firmly with the Dane’s – has now become intimately linked with their leading family.

“Wyrd bid ful_ræd” I am sure he would observe!

Paul Stein