I have recently started the Last Kingdom Series and I am really enjoying it. It’s a period of history I’ve found fascinating for a long time. I have one question that’s been bugging me a little– not in a bad way, I just can’t stop wondering. Finally, I realized I could just ask you!
The Dane who adopts Uhtred is named Ragnar. This could cause some confusion, since a man named Ragnar was also the father of several other characters in the book. You fix this problem by calling them ‘the sons of Lothbrok’. It isn’t what they would have been called in history, but saying ‘sons of Ragnar’ would make us think of the wrong Ragnar.
My question is– why did you name Uhtred’s adopted father Ragnar? Are you just a big fan of the name? Is there some historical precedent I’ve missed?
I’m dying of curiosity to know your thoughts!
Last of all, thank you for your time, and for writing these wonderful books I cherish. The Warlord series helped me get through the isolation of COVID and I’ll be forever grateful.
L Cohen