Dear Bernard,

I hope you are well?

I have literally just finished your new book War Lord.

I started reading The Last Kingdom on the advice of my father in 2004 at the young age of 14, before this novel I had only read a mere 4 books from cover to cover (3 of them being your Warlord Chronicles because my love of King Arthur) this was down to my severe dyslexia and I missed over a year at school as I was recovering from a broken neck. I picked up the hardback and admired the front over, flipped it over to read the blurb and was my instant reaction was “Nah not for me….” Long story short, about a week later I struggled my way through the first chapter and from then until now I have been hooked.

Being a born and bred Northumbrian I feel invested in Uhtred’s story, I grew up with him. I am devastated now the novels are over.

I wrote to you some time ago about how Id like to see Uhtred’s tale end and I suggested possible spin off novels about Uhtred’s descendants (i.e. his grandson Uchtred the Bold and the blood feuds of Northumbria etc) the part they played in forming England’s history. You replied saying you were long in years and starting another series of novels about the dark ages seemed daunting to say the least.

My question to you is a simple one, given the choice would you prefer a bed death, hoping that gripping a sword hilt, wishing your past deeds and reputation is enough to see you into the halls of Valhalla as you slip away peacefully or would you prefer to don the war paint of the úlfhéðinn and charge the centre of a shieldwall and allow the Valkeries to lift you straight to Valhalla?

Kurt the Northumbrian