Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just finished reading The Last Kingdom. It’s a brilliant work and it drew me in immediately. Strangely, my ancestral home is also Bamburgh Castle in Northumbria (about 15 miles from Alnwick?). According to our published geneology, my family, the Fosters, held Bamburgh until 1709. It was then sold to Nathanial Crewe, Lord Bishop of Dunham. Lady Crewe was the daughter of Sir William Foster. This particular branch of the Fosters was sprung from the loins of Reginal Foster. It appears that he can be traced back to Anaker, Great Forester of Flanders. Looks like someone jumped the Channel at some point. I wonder, are we related, Mr. Cornwell? Or is the Foster geneology incorrect? Regardless, The Last Kingdom thrilled me, as does Alfred, pious, self-rightous, priest-wanna-be that he was. For without him, I seriously doubt that I would be speaking English today, if I even existed. Can’t wait for the next book! Donna Yelton