Dear Bernard, Have just finished reading “The Last Kingdom” and as with your other books is a riveting read and obviously meticulously researched. However, and this is very cheeky of me, you have mis-spelt the place name of “Barnstaple” by calling it “Barnstable” – I live in North Devon (in the UK), on the coast about 10 miles north of Barnstaple and it is definitely spelt with a “P”. Anyway, something that may interest you – the town I live in is called “Ilfracombe” (mentioned in the Doomsday book) and apparently the derivation of this Town’s name is “Alfreds Combe” (or valley) ! Of course Alfred may have been a local peasant but then again, following your novel it may be a coincidence but it does fit in awfully well ! Ilfracombe itself is the largest Harbour on the North Devon Coast and the largest one between Padstow & Avonmouth. It was often used as a staging post for the Navy & in the “olden days” and was one of the ports from which the troops left for Ireland to quell the revolts there in the 1800’s. But I digress, thanks for a great read and I look forward to the next book in the series. Best regards, Glenn Perry.