Hi Mr. Cornwell,

I will keep this brief as I am sure that you get untold thousands of these messages. I have just finished reading the Last Kingdom series of books, I have enjoyed many of your books and series over the years, I have also read the Warlord Chronicles, the Grail Quest series, 1356, Agincourt, The Fort, and 5 of the Sharpe books, I plan to read the entire Sharpe series, but having two small children it may be a couple years before I can get to all of them. Having said all of that every one of the characters in your books brings a unique experience to the reader, that makes reading your books a real joy. I must say that Uhtred is my favorite character of the many great characters you have been responsible for bringing to life. I started reading the Last Kingdom series when I was in high school, and Uhtred really became like a brother to me. I sat and reflected over the many hours I have spent enjoying these books over the years after I finished War Lord, and I just want to thank you! You have added color and untold hours of enjoyment into my life through your books and Uhtred specifically (Thomas Hookton is not that far behind him on my list). I do have a couple questions for you and I am sure these are not unique to me, but while reading War Lord the Saga of Beowulf is mentioned and it dawned on me how similar the great Uhtred and Beowulf were to each other. I know the Last Kingdom was your retelling of the forging of Englaland, but did you gain some inspiration for Uhtred from the saga of Beowulf? Was his story in some way a retelling of the great saga of Beowulf? Please don’t take offense to that question, I hold that Uhtred is a greater character than Beowulf in literary history, and am in no way accusing you of anything other than being the greatest writer of historical fiction alive today.

Lastly I am sure you get asked this a lot, who is your personal favorite of the characters you have brought to life in your books over the years? Or is that too much like picking a favorite from amongst your children? If you can’t answer that, allow me this question for you. Which of the characters has been the most enjoyable to write over the years? Thank you again for all the long hours of deep enjoyment you have given to me through your writing, I have truly benefitted from your books. When my two year old son is of age I will introduce him to Uhtred and I am sure he will be to my son what he has been to me all of these years. Please don’t think me too much of an earsling for my basic questions, and how long I have gone on.

Blessings,

Ben