Dear Bernard,

My name is Adam Hopper, I’m 20 years old and an Archaeology student at the University of Reading. I have a keen interest in the Anglo-Saxon period and I am a huge fan of your Warrior Chronicles series. I’ve always wanted to have a go at writing and your books have inspired me to try and write a historical novel of my own. I am only in the beginning stages of research and although I have a good knowledge and understanding of the period, due to my degree, and personal interest, I need some help in producing a more accurate historical context. I wanted to ask mainly, how did you manage to produce a map of Britain during the 9th/10th century and where is the best place to gain information on things like place names and Anglo-Saxon settlements. Also, to what extent do you invent characters such as Lords of certain areas of lands. I want my character to swear oath to a Lord in Northumbria, but I do not know who the lord of an estate near the River Humber in the Early 9th Century is nad whether it is likely that I could find one. Also, How much can land boundaries be theorised?

Thank you for your time and I hope you are able to help,

All the best,

Adam Hopper.