Dear Bernard

I hope I find you well.

(Sadly) I have just finished War Lord. I say sadly as I will miss the exploits of Uhtred & Co having followed his path from the very beginning from The Last Kingdom to Warlord. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole Warrior Series (and others you have written).  As Uhtred has now become my favourite historical fictional figure, taking over from Horatio Hornblower(!), I was pleased to read that you did not “kill” him (or dear Finan!) off at the end of your book.  No doubt I will read the whole series again as there is so much to take in.

I also found your comments at the end of the book about the period of great interest.

Sad to read despite all his efforts poor old King Athelstan only lived 3 years after the great Battle of Brunanburh and Anlaf returned to rule Northumbria & Mercia for a short period before King Edmund drove him out. I wonder what Uhtred, if he had survived (or his son) would have made of that?

One fascinating fact. If Uhtred fought with Alfred at the Battle of Ethandun in 878 and he was around 20 years of age, by the time he finally fought at Brunanburgh in 937 some 59 years later he would be almost 80!

You and I met very very briefly at the Winchester when you attended their History weekend a few years ago. You signed my copy of “Waterloo” – which I am happy to say I have read once again. At that time, I suggested a character for a new series of books for the future you might consider – William Marshall. He had such a long and eventful life that you could easily do another long series as you did for Uhtred – only this time it would be more factual than fictional. It would even be better if it were written in the first person like Uhtred as it would be fascinating to read what he thought of the 4 Kings he served and the turbulent time he lived in.

I wish you well and thank you the books you have written (and continue to do so) which have given me hours and hours of enjoyable reading.

Andrew Weldycz