Bernard.

Following the release of ‘The Last Kingdom’ on TV I went back to the beginning and re-read all 9 Uhtred books.

I live in Northwich in Cheshire – one of the salt towns, and I get all excited knowing Uhtred may have passed this way. Chester is a very historical city and even though it is not the place Uhtred would have known I have found myself walking the walls with your books in hand trying to envisage what Uhtred would of looked out upon. I have looked at Bromborough as a different town since discovering its history through your writing.

Its possible he passed through my town after visiting Erce in Buxton then travelling to Chester, but ‘Warriors of the Storm’ has some very detailed knowledge of our area and its history.

I have walked around Eddisbury Hill a few times and it felt great to put a picture to your vivid descriptions of the land, even though I am 1000 years too late. It certainly brings the imagery to life. I must walk the route from Chester to Eddisbury Hill next spring.

I was also impressed by a paragraph with Uhtred discussing salt mining with Athelflead. Where did you do your research? Have you been to visit Cheshire to gain a vision for your descriptive writing?

If you have not yet been and ever find yourself passing through can I recommend a visit to a little museum – http://weaverhall.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk/. It has some enlightening information on the history of salt mining from early history, details on the hill forts at Eddisbury, Kelsborrow and Oakmere, as well as a history of the Cheshire Archers (from your Grail series). These archers reputedly wore green, which I am convinced explains why the football teams of Nantwich and Northwich both play in green to this day.

Please keep writing, every one of your books is a pleasure to read, although having consumed the entire 9 books of the Saxon stories in 3 weeks, I think I need a break and catch up on the rest of my life!

Simon James