Bulletin Board

Q

Mr. Cornwell
I came across your books rather late, having had a complicated working life that didn't allow much reading time, however in the last ten years I have make up for it.  Reading all of your work that I can get my hands on and, at times having to do the public library thing when I cannot find a specific book to purchase.   All I can say is thank you for entertaining me so much over such a wide subject area.   You have saved a grumpy old man (64) his sanity.   A favourite, sorry I like them all.   Thank you.
Warren Reye


Q

Just been re-reading Death of Kings. The map at the front shows the Scotland/England border. Where the border really was is an interesting subject. Northumbria once went as far north as the Firth of Forth. An even earlier Anglo-Saxon Kingdom, Bernicia, occupied what is now southeast Scotland long before any Scots ever got there. 'Scot-land proper' as the medieval writers called it was in essence only the Highlands.    'Scots' today speak English not Scots Gaelic because the south-east of Scotland has always been 'English'. These northern Anglo-saxons seem to have been cut off from the rest of Angledom by the Danish occupation and thus their territory was eventually snatched by the Scots. But at the time of Alfred  the country north of Bamburgh certainly wasn't Scotland but something more interesting, probably the Kingdom of Lothian. Hope that info is of use to you and Uhtred.

Best wishes

Steve Ainsworth
Halifax, Yorks.

A

It is of use, thank you! And Uhtred’s ancestors were the kings of Bernicia, a kingdom that stretched into what is now the Scottish lowlands. It’s all very fluid! I try to persuade the publishers not to mark ‘national’ boundaries, simply because they were so amorphous. Another interesting aspect is that many ‘Scottish’ names are Welsh, like Glasgow, because the Saxon invasion forced the native British out to the margins, and many settled in the lowlands. Y Gododdin, that great Welsh poem of the assault on Caetraeth, was written in what is now Scotland! All extremely confusing!


Q

Just wanted to thank you for all the wonderful hours of reading you've given me over the years. Waiting with bated breath for the next instalment in the magnificent Uhtred saga.
Andy Cheesman


Q

I'm a lifetime reader ---read a million books--- So I'm at the library, see one of your book, read the jacket, look at the picture--hum-- take the book home. I've been living part of my time in Mediaval Times ever since. God bless writers like you for readers like me.
Marcel Bechard


Q

I saw a message re Kenny descendants in an 18.10.10 email to you on your site.  Is it possible to get in touch with that person as Colonel William Kenny is my direct ancestor through Colonel William Henry Kenny,  I am happy for you to send this email on.
Robin McConnell

A

If we hear from anyone re Kenny descendants we will be happy to pass your email address along!


Q

Dear Bernard,

Very simply, I wanted to express my congratulations and gratitude on a masterly crafted series of works, the Saxon stories, which I have enjoyed as much as anything I have ever read.  Your ability to interweave a reasonably historically accurate portrayal with a rivetingly paced plot and a fascinatingly intricate exploration of character and the complexities of allegiances is extraordinary.

Regards,
Darren


Q

As a member of Warren Golf Club when I am at the 7th tee I think of Arthur and his last fight with Mordred and I look out to sea when the tide is out in the hope that I may see Excalibur rise from the sea.If you are ever down this way call and you will see what I mean. Thanks for the many happy hours that I have had reading your books, and I send those thanks to your wife also for starting the ball rolling.Looking forwards to the next one.

Phil Carr.

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Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell,
Love all your books.  Uhtred has by far been my favorite but your most recent Thomas of Hookton novel "1356" was incredible and in my opinion the best in the series and among your best works yet.  I thought after the original 3 books that there was nowhere for this series to go... boy was I wrong.  Before I read this series I had no respect for the archers at all.  I thought they were little wimps who hid behind everyone and shot their little bows at people.  But you showed me the skill strength grit and guts involved in the position.  Looking forward to the next Saxon novel.  I have already preordered it from Chapters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks,
Dave Anderson
Canada


Q

Hi Bernard,
I've just finished reading the Uhtred of Bebbanburg series and loved it! I hope you are going to write some more about him, I'm gonna miss that guy.  You're right that English schools don't seem to teach much history pre-1066, I don't remember learning much about Saxons when I was at school. I'm now a big Alfred fan.  I will do my best to take my kids to Athelney, which is just up the road and tell them of good King Alfred.
Many thanks for the stories,
Elli Cameron


Q

Mr. Cornwell,

I found a few interactive websites that alow you to put in one of your favorite books and it will then provide recommendations of similiar works of fiction.  Both websites independently suggested your work.  (if you are curious, the book i used to search off of was george rr martin first book of the game of thrones saga).

Anyways, getting to the point, I am actually upset that it took me so long to find your work.   It seems as though you know exactly what areas history lovers are curious about and thusly describe these topics in great and interesting detail.  After perhaps 10 days I'm a few stories into King Alfred's tales and I am very much enjoying your work.

I just wanted to thank you for giving us your books.  No response required.

Respectfully
>From a New Fan,

Paul Tanoos