Dear Bernard
I get huge pleasure from reading your work so please don’t stop writing anytime soon! (I was especially impressed by Waterloo so I shall keep fingers crossed for more military histories, in addition to historical novels.) But anyhow the reason for me writing is to say thank you for all the historical facts you weave into your works of fiction – it was from you that I first learnt about Ulfberht swords. I’ve had a fascination with all things Viking since going to an exhibition at the British Museum as a boy in the early 1980s so upon reading about them in your Lost Kingdom series I searched Google and, long story short, after waiting several years, I was able to acquire one via a Bonhams auction. Happily I’ve also got my hands on an Ingelrii sword, which is a finer piece of craftsmanship than the Ulfberht, but then it dates from roughly 100 years later (10th Century as opposed to 9th) – and for good measure I’ve recently added another sword from the same period, though this one doesn’t have a “brand” as such, just a Christian cross inlaid on the blade. I’ve done a huge amount of research into Viking-era swords and now have a pretty good working knowledge of the subject, which is endlessly fascinating. Thank you, then, for opening this door to me. Hugely appreciated!
All the very best
Harry Tayler