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Thoroughly enjoying The Saxon Chronicles. I reread the entire series whenever a new book is released so as to maintain a flow. Excited about the new one in November though a tad surprised so readily on the heels of the 9th release. I empathize with Uhtred. I am a pagan myself, surrounded by many who only wish to "save my soul" when it is what I have already made of it (paraphrasing John Wayne in The Shootist). My brother is some sort of minister. We've been estranged for many years over this issue of salvation, as though some singular book provides ALL the answers rather than merely more questions. I try very hard not to find fault with anyone's choice of a spiritual path. I find it interesting that my own is rarely afforded the same courtesy. At any rate, thank you for the books. I look forward to many more. Uhtred and I walk very similar paths. His solution is often enviable. I am an oftentimes confused Vietnam Era Vet.  How I loathe the 21st century.

Chris

Dear Bernard

In furtherance to Ralph's query on the 16th about the US Marines using Buckshot. The US troops that fought at the Battle of Chateauguay 1813, did use Buckshot in there Muskets. Though since they lost the battle anyway it didn't help much

Yours sincerely

Geraint

I have for a long time been a fan of your work, and have just recently (today in fact!) finished The Warlord Chronicles, having read damn near everything else you've done before, and I'd just like to say Thank You. Thank you for writing so many phenomenal works, and thank you for writing something as spectacular The Warlord Chronicles, they're quite possibly the best books I've ever read. All I can do now is sit and wait until October for The Flame Bearer, by which point I'll be ready to thank you again!

Matthew Doyle

I have some information I'd like to share, Season 2 of The Last Kingdom is on the boards...http://release-date.info/tv-series/the-last-kingdom-season-2-release-date-5849367281/

Starbuck is coming to the big screen but you guys already know that. I can't wait for the next Uthred/Saxon Story book, The Flame Bearer. Sounds great. Keep up the great work Bernard, we love you. Someone needs to tackle the Arthur Books. If I had the money I would.

Peter

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I love your books despite the fact that I am French and that, by now, you must have killed at least half of my compatriots!

Major Dulong died in his bed in Paris in 1828. He ended up a general and a Comte, stayed faithful to Louis XVIII during the Cent Jours.

Best Regards

Perraud

 

Dear Bernard

Just wanted to say, as Bernard Wiggins you taught me history at Halliford School in Shepperton around 1968,I remember a bunch of us visited your house on occasion where we met your then wife and a pair of Afghan hounds. History and English were the only subjects I was good at , your classes were always interesting and entertaining which made learning so much easier.

I have only recently discovered you are the author of the Sharpe stories which I greatly enjoy watching on the TV Drama channel.

Best wishes to you

Miles Corbett

I just found two volumes of your series the Saxon Chronicles and read them and I am VERY impressed!

 

Re:  The Tempest.   You should look into the real events behind The Tempest, the wrecking of an English fleet on it's way to Jamestown, Virginia in 1609. They ran into a storm and the flag ship was wrecked in Bermuda.  There was a secret report that was sent to London that described the events and Hakluyt was one of the 8 shareholders in the company that funded the voyage and it's believed that he gave a copy of the report to his friend Shakespheare and that became his basis for The Tempest..  I think a story based on the events and the secret report would make a great book!

<https://historymyths.wordpress.com/2013/06/09/myth-117-shakespeares-the-tempest-was-based-on-an-actual-wreck-of-a-ship-off-bermuda-that-was-headed-to-virginia/>.

 

FWIW  My 12th great grandmother was Mary Purchas, the brother of Rev Samuel Purchas, a close friend of Hukluyt. Mary's husband was William Perkins a wealthy London merchant (and a Puritan) and he was a member of the Massachusetts Bay Company and he helped fund the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a refuge for the Puritans (just in case things went the wrong way during the English Civil Wars).

 

Samuel Purchas <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Samuel-Purchas>

 

Joe

Hello Bernard

I have form a number of years been a big reader of your fiction, having bought the Sharpe series twice!! and read them all 3 times over the years. because of your style and more specifically your actual historic summary at the end, I have read most of your other historic stuff too.

The reason, then for writing is to tell you what this has actually achieved for me.

As a direct result of being inspired by the above mentioned stuff, 5 years ago I decided to undergo a History degree with the OU. I have 1 year left to go - and also until I retire too.  Retiring means that there is limited real value of a degree other than the pure enjoyment of doing it. I was amazed at how the Sharpe stuff dovetailed in with the study but in this I would suggest a similar series to those of the 14the century, but for the turbulent 16th and 17th. - that way you would have covered most of the period I have studied. :) I have enjoyed the course immensely so thanks for the motivation and keep writing.

regards

Dave

Dear Bernard,

Once again I wish to express my congratulations on your book Waterloo. I recently spent time at the Battle-site and had a few books with me to help me orientate myself on the battlefield, your book and a couple from other Authors.

As a civil engineer I was particularly interested in the topography of the battlefield and its contours and I gained great insight into the fields of vision from different parts of the battlefield. It is interesting to place one-self in the valley and also on the reverse slopes and understand the view the soldiers and officers had during the battle.

Being my third visit to the battlefield in over twenty years, I found your book invaluable during this visit and referred to it again and again during my walkabout and unlike 1815, it did not rain, making my walkabout all the easier, I was very pleased to be able to wander about Hougoumont and enter the existing buildings.  I particularly enjoyed reading chapter 9 while resting inside the North Gate.

I said it on previous correspondence that your mapping is excellent and I reassert it here.

For anyone visiting the Battlefield, I would strongly encourage one to bring a copy of your book Waterloo for its clear mapping and excellent reading.

Thank you,

Robert King,

County Offaly, Ireland.

Last fall, my wife was directed to your "Last Kingdom" by a helpful employee at Joseph-Beth Booksellers after being unable to find a book I had requested by a British author.  I am indebted to you and them as I have since read all nine of that series and just finished the first four Starbuck Chronicles.  I look forward to both TV series and I avidly await the next books in both.  Thank you for hours upon hours of enjoyable education!!!

David Heery