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Author Archives: Patricia

What Historical Novelists Do at a Conference

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Patricia

The historical novelist’s life is a lonely one. We spend our days at our desks, arguing with computer screens, wrestling with words, engulfed by books and files, and holding conversations with characters who never existed or who have been dead … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 2, Episode 8

Posted on May 20, 2017 by Patricia

THE POWER OF LOVE Warning: Spoilers ahead. The final episode of The Last Kingdom, Season 2, is filled with action and conflict: King vs. ealdormen, brother vs. brother, Saxons vs Northmen. Although I’m not particularly fond of battle scenes, I … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 2, Episode 7

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Patricia

THE KING’S DAUGHTER Warning: Spoilers ahead. In the opening scene, Uhtred and his companions arrive at the Saxon camp to find no one left alive. It is heartrending to watch Beocca calling Thyra’s name over and over and getting no … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 2, Episode 6

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Patricia

ARE YOU SAXON OR DANE? There are numerous plot lines weaving through this series now, and here’s a look at how they develop in this episode. ÆTHELRED vs UHTRED: There is never going to be a bromance between these two. Æthelred … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 2, Episode 5

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Patricia

THE DEAD SPEAK Three years have passed since the rescue of Thyra and the banishing of Sigefrid and Erik. Ragnar and Brida are in Dunholm (Durham), Guthred rules at Eoferwic (Jorvik/York), Guthrum/Athelstan) is sitting like an old hen in East … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 2, Episode 4

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Patricia

WE ARE HERE TO DO ALFRED’S BIDDING The title I’ve given this episode distills, I think, the moving force – not only in this episode, but in the entire series. Uhtred is the hero of the story, but the larger background … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 2, Episode 3

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Patricia

PULL, YOU BASTARDS! Beware! Spoilers ahead, big time. DO NOT read this if you have not seen Episode 3 of Season 2. Even if you’ve read the book, this episode differs enough from the novel that I don’t want to … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 2, Episode Two

Posted on May 7, 2017 by Patricia

UHTRED RAGNARSSON IS MINE! Our Uhtred is many things: a Saxon, a sometime-Dane, a pagan, a baptized Christian (well, not really), a canny warrior, a lady’s man (Beocca: ‘even his scars are handsome’), and sometimes a downright fool. Gotta love … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM HISTORICAL NOTES

Posted on May 6, 2017 by Patricia

Events came at us thick and fast in Episode 1 of Season Two, The Last Kingdom, so I thought I would offer a few historical tidbits. GUTHRED: The 10th century History of St. Cuthbert says that a Dane named Guthred … Read More →

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THE LAST KINGDOM 2, Episode One

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Patricia

THE PATH NORTH Uhtred is back! The eight episodes of THE LAST KINGDOM Season 2 must cover events in two of Bernard Cornwell’s novels – Lords of the North and Sword Song, so screenwriter Stephen Butchard has a lot of … Read More →

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