I love your work! I pass on your books to my grandsons to give them a different historical perspective.
Randy Peters
Dear Bernard,
I feel a bit sheepish sending in a correction I think I have spotted. I have been enjoying your novels for nearly 20 years now, and never once written to say thanks or say how much I have enjoyed them - so it seems a little churlish to only write a message to notify you of a mistake, that you are possibly already aware of anyway.
In Warriors of the storm, (pg. 272 in the Hardback version) in the final chapter while they are preparing the old roman fortress for the final battle, Uhtred says "my son took a score of men who hacked the bushes down and dragged them back..." but his son has not rejoined them yet. On page 266 Uhtred is talking with Stiorra about his hopes that her brother has reached Æthelflaed; and then on page 277 the younger Uhtred arrives, with the two other riders, and fight their way past the 6 Norsemen who are challenging the Saxons.
So I suppose it could be changed so that Finan or Sihtric or Gehrbrugt does it.
Anyway, that was it. It was actually my wife who spotted it. I got her hooked on the Warlord trilogy (my favorites, which I've read three times now) and now we are enjoying the Warrior chronicles together. We have built up a nice little routine, where I read aloud to her in the evenings. She is Danish, and while her English is very good, it is a little more taxing to read in a foreign language, so we sit together on the sofa and she follows on the page while I read aloud. During the dark Scandinavian winter nights, in front of an open fire, it really is very atmospheric :-)
We're looking forward to the rest of the series, and to many more good evenings in front of the fire. Many thanks.
Best regards,
Richard Naylor
I do know of that error - unfortunately, not in time to correct it prior to printing. Enjoy those fires!
Dear Bernard,
The fan/reader looking for The Last Kingdom' TV show in Canada may like to know that it is available on NETFLIX.
Best Regards,
Martin
Thank you.
Hi Bernard,
This is following on from an earlier question posed by a fellow fan regarding shield decorations. Like you said in your reply, there weren't many badges or symbols denoting families, clans, or warlords except for the standards (bloody axes, skulls, or a goose as described in the Saxon Chronicles) during the Dark Ages. It wasn't until medieval times when elaborate heraldry - with particular meanings - began to appear. I believe Celtic and Dark Age shield design was mainly more a matter of choice in style and colour. Back to heraldry, however, it was necessary for me to invent an entirely new design for a character of my own creation. Set during the Wars of the Roses, Sir Cecil of Kinlet - nicknamed 'The Raven' - has a black raven, clutching a bloodied white rose (thus rendering it to the red rose of Lancaster), set upon a gold field representing his allegiance to King Henry VI. Simple, but effectively foreboding! There is an online game called 'War of the Roses' where players can create their own soldiers and coat of arms. Great fun!
Robert Douglas
Thanks - does sound like fun!
I love reading these series of books. I actually think I am in the time and place possibly due to my vivid imagination due to reading Ivanhoe as a young girl. Your books are beyond excellence. Thank you and I also come from Saxon origins
Jill Chart
Happy 72nd Birthday Bernard-its already the 23rd down here.Cheers mate.
Wayne
Just wanted you to know how much your books mean to me. The first I read was Agincourt then Archer Tale. I loved them. I have been reading about your Saxon for years I can't wait for the next. Your battles make me feel I'm there. I'm 58 yr woman who has enjoyed the times I spent with the books and just wanted to thank you.
Deborah Dodds
Dear Mr Cornwell,
I'm a great fan of yours & have all your Sharpe & Starbuck novels, among many others. Every few years, I check your website to see if there is any sign that you are ready to write the next Starbuck novel. With the similarities between Sharpe & Starbuck's characters & era, I totally understand that you'd prefer not to write about them both at the same time but now that it's been 20 years since The Bloody Ground was published & a good few years since your last Sharpe novel, I (& a good few of my friends who also love your books) hope that you'll think hard about resurrecting Starbuck now? Go on! He's too big a star to leave with his story only half told.
Yours respectfully & hopefully
Chris
Hello Again Bernard
Thanks for answering my Greatest Britain Question..I liked your choices. I would put Henry the Second near the top too!
I didn't realize I could share a video with you!
I llke this..especially the bit with the flute...
Enjoy!
Matt
I have just finished the last Sharpe story - Sharpe's Devil and thoroughly enjoyed them all. I read them in chronological order so during the sea battle in 'Devil' he was unable to share his thoughts on Nelson in 'Trafalgar' with Cochran, which is a shame! As a schoolboy in England in the late 50s early 60s the history of the Peninsular War was sadly neglected - so your historical notes, and storylines, filled in a great gap and reminded me that as an Englishman there's much to be proud of! I passed through Vitoria in 1970 and saw Wellington's memorial, and now I see it in context. I'm going back to Sharpe's Christmas and think I will enjoy it more having read all the stories. Thanks for a great series. I've read 'Rebel' so will now carry on with the Starbuck series.
Chris Cuerden