Hi Bernard,

It has been really great meeting up with Uhtred again but I am worried about him and his state of mind.

He seems to be frequently and affectionately remembering sayings and quoting advice given by his “father”. This seems strange given that he last saw him when he was 9 and always seemed to recollect his father as distant, showing him little attention and even less affection. What is more puzzling is that many of the “Pieces of Wisdom” attributed to his father would seem more akin to what Ragnar, his adopted father, would have said.  He has often affectionately referred to Ragnar as his father and found his fame whilst still calling himself Uhtred Ragnarson.

Is Uhtred’s memory of his natural father mellowing with age or is he the victim of the confused recollections we all have as we get older (speaking for myself that is!)?

Whichever it is, he  can still tell a ripping yarn.

Paul Stein