Dear Bernard, I just finished the Pale Horseman. It was a real page turner that I finished in 5 days, It would have been sooner, but I actually have a life that demands my attention. My question and actually it was origainally Uthred’s question…Why did Alfred agree to a second truce and exchange of hostages with Guthrum? After all he had been a victim once before of a suprise attack during a truce. I think I am missing something here in regard to Dark Ages culture. Bob Long