Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I'm writing to thank you for your books which have given me many happy hours of reading (and watching on TV).

I'm currently halfway through your book Copperhead and I note from your website that you may not return to the Starbuck chronicles, so naturally I am curious to know what the future might have held for the characters.

In particular, I remember reading that some Confederate officers made their way to Egypt to help fight the Mahdi, and I wondered if any of your characters could have ended up in the Sudan?

For the benefit of the lawyers, I would be happy to pay the cover price alone for such a book rather than looking to sue!

Thank you for your time and best wishes

Morgan James

 

Dear sir,

is there any chance at all of some more books about Nathaniel Starbucks and the American civil war as it seems a shame that there is no ending but seems stuck in the middle

John Jeffs

 

Dear Bernard

I read different things online. Some say you planned to kill off Starbuck at Gettysburg and others that you planed to get all the way to Appamatox. Can I ask what was the real plan ?

Yours sincerely

Geraint

P.S if you've not seen it. This Historian talk on the post Gettysburg fighting in Virginia upto December is fascinating https://www.c-span.org/video/?465539-7/fall-1863-virginia-campaigns#

 

Dear Sir,

I have all your books apart from the most recent which I will buy shortly.

I started reading Sharpe on the advice of a work colleague who was envious that i had the job of ploughing through Sharpe’s adventures for the first time.

I was worried that the ITV series starring Sean Bean would not do the books justice but I think they have done.

I have recently re-read the Starbuck Chronicles and the last book says Starbuck will ride again but he hasn’t yet! Have you plans to complete his story?

Bill Trendell

 

Hello Bernard

I would first like to say you are an amazing writer and I would like to thank you for the hours and hours of enjoyment you have given me over the years.

My Question to you is "are you ever going to finish off The Starbuck Chronicles."

They where a magnificent read.

Thank you for your times.

Andrew Jewitt

A

It seems unlikely that I will return to Starbuck...


Q

Dear Bernard

Have you seen this BBC Docu/Drama from the 1960s on Culloden. It's quite an interesting watch https://youtu.be/-1TZq6DfKKA?si=WwDa4453pSqlMn1s

I wondered if you'd ever considered writing about any of the Jacobite Wars

Regards

Geraint

A

Jacobite... It is tempting...and I have given it some thought, so who knows?


Q

Good morning.

I just completed The Last Kingdom series on audiobook and had already watched the show and movies. I'm more of a fan of the books. My biggest gripe about the show is it does a disservice to the origin and life of Serpent-Breath. I am writing because I am an amateur blacksmith and bladesmith and was wondering if you have an illustration of what Serpent-Breath looks like in your mind? What you describe in the books is not what the show portrays, in my opinion. I would love to try to build it. I know a lot of other swordsmiths and bladesmiths that I can ask about dimensions. The hilt is what I really want to see.

I wish you well and thank you for your time. And if you don't get to answer this, Wyrd bið ful aræd.

Justin DuPriest

A

I do not have an illustration but I assume it's the pattern-welded sword.  I know there are folk who can still make pattern-welded blades. They're difficult to make, but rather beautiful. I'm not sure what information I can give you because, so far as I know, there wasn't a standard design as there was, say, in the Napoleonic era. Individual blacksmiths made their own swords to their own designs, but there is, I suppose, a generic sword - straight bladed, cross-hilted, heavy pommel, symmetrical point. One place to begin would be a book - Viking Weapons and Warfare by J. Kim Siddorn - Tempus Publishing - 2005 which has a chapter on Viking swords which are not really different from Saxon ones. Good luck with it!


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

 

I hope this email finds you well. My name is Vitor, and I’m writing to you from Brazil as a huge admirer of your work. I’ve always been deeply fascinated by history, and your books are always an incredible experience for me.

I started reading your books when I was 13 years old kid, facinated by mitology and history, and a already voracious reader. My mother gave me The Winter King, and I am very grateful that she always encouraged this habit in me. That gift marked the beginning of a journey through your work that continues to this day. From that moment on, I couldn't stop reading your books, and I’ve devoured every one of them available in Portuguese, always waiting for your next release in my language. Your stories have accompanied me through almost half of of my life (I'm 24 now), and each new release feels like reconnecting with an old friend.

Your ability to bring historical events to life through such vivid storytelling is amazing. And seeing these characters facing their difficulties and achieving their goals, each book closer, is something indescribable. It even leave a feeling of emptiness when the series finally end and we won't have a new book next year (like Saxon Chronicles).

One of the things I admire most about you as an author is your consistency in delivering new books. It’s amazing how frequently you publish, even more so considering the research involved in each book, and yet every single novel maintains the same standard of storytelling and historical authenticity. Your dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed, and they’re deeply appreciated by fans like me.

As a lover of books and stories, I’ve always dreamed of writing my own novels someday. Your work has been one of the biggest inspirations for me in pursuing this goal. The way you combine rich historical detail with compelling characters and thrilling plots is something I aspire to emulate in my own writing.

For last, I would like to suggest a theme, that you've probably heard, and many times. The Roman invasion and occupation of Britain, it would be incredible to see a book written by you and set in Roman times.

Thank you for enriching my love for history with your extraordinary stories. I’m grateful for all the effort and care you put into your writing, and I hope you continue to inspire readers around the world for years to come.

 

With warm regards from Brazil,

Vitor Alexandre de Borba

A

I don't have plans for the Romans - I'll leave that to others.  Thank you for your message!


Q

Hello Mr.Cornwell

I love all that I have read of your work! I started with the last kingdom books and loved them then the warlord chronicles which quickly became my favorite book series ever! I just finished the first 3 Grail quest books and am starting 1356 right now. I know you said you have considered writing more about Uhtred and Thomas which I’m excited for but I haven’t seen anything about you considering writing more WarLord chronicle books. I was a little let down by the show which is fine but I can’t stop thinking about those books and want something more. I think they are perfect and I have no clue what more you could even add. But I have to ask have you considered picking it back up?

 

Thanks,

Liam

A

No, I have no plans to add to the Warlord Chronicles.


Q

Good day sir,

 

I  have read and listened to many many of your books over the years. Your ability to combine historical accuracy with captivating storytelling is masterful. Thank you for sharing these wonderful stories with us.

 

I have learned quite a lot of history and historical context from your tellings.

 

I have contacted you many years ago with a request/suggestion...

 

Many I please please implore you to write a series or single book similar to that of Starbuck form the Boers point of view in the Anglo-Boer war.

 

An admiring fan,

Lee Levinson

A

I'll give it some thought....


Q

Dear Bernard

I've enjoyed your novels so much over the decades. I didn't like history at school, but your way of mixing fact with excellent plots has always grabbed my attention. Although I've read most of what you've written, I particularly enjoyed Starbuck and the American Civil War, and hoped that you would continue your series. I know you would really like to complete it, but I'm only a couple of years younger than you. We all need to pass on the baton to someone younger at some stage. Would you consider taking on a co-writer for the series? The result can't possibly be quite as good as your own work, but at least Starbuck might reach the end of the war!

Jon Rigby

A

Sorry, not me! Writing is really a solo business, at least it is for me.


Q

Hello.

 

How far do you think ahead with your novels, please?  Do you plan beyond the next book and know what you intend to write quite far in advance?

 

Many thanks.

 

Andrew S., Leeds

A

I don't!  I concentrate on the one I'm currently writing and often don't know what might be next!


Q

Hello, huge fan and also a big nerd, :) I love the Last Kingdom Series, I read it at least once a year and then will rewatch it as well. Of course the books are always better. I am curious though if you have any intention of writing a book or series about Alaina. I got the impression that she was going to lead an interesting life and maybe through her we could get updates of some of these characters we have fallen in love with through this series of the Last Kingdom.

Dawn

A

I don't; but I'm glad you found her interesting!


Q

Good evening,

I’ve read all of your sharpe books and recently found a copy of “the winter king” while serving in the Middle East, on my return home I finished the rest of the trilogy in a week! Have you considered writing any more tales of Derfel? In my mind he dies Hywelbane in hand as an old monk defending against the Saxons before crossing the sword bridge (despite his conversion to Christianity) where Ceinwyn, his family and warriors greet him.

Luke Hill

A

I don't have plans to add to the Warlord Chronicles, but I'm glad to know you enjoyed them!