Your Questions

Hi Bernard, just a quick grammatical question for you to clarify an ambiguity. . . >From reading the many posts on your site - I noticed contributors often replace apostrophe and quotation marks with a "square type" symbol. I have never seen the mark anywhere else and wondered if you know where it originates or if it has any name or grammatical origin in the written use of English? Martin Parfitt

Sir, Just finished reading Lords of the North and enjoyed it very much. I definitely will be looking for the first two books in the series. One question, I was wondering about the warrior armbands. Can you explain about them? What did they look like? Thanks Ed Fisher

I have just finished the last Sharpe book (Sharpe's Christmas) and I was just wondering whatever happened to Rifleman Harris because he just sort of disappeared towards the end. Dan Hagman was there at Waterloo while Harris wasn't. I was just wondering if he ending up living happily ever after?
Tom Owen

Dear Bernard, As a budding author myself I find myself compelled to ask yourself if you prefer writing in the 1st person (Sharpe) or the 3rd person (Arthur)? I would imagine writing in the 3rd person is a lot more challenging than writing in the 1st person. And which form of writing you would recommend for the writer? Many thanks, Phil

Hello Mr Cornwell. I hear that you are paying us a visit during the Borders Book Festival later this year. What an ideal opportunity to to Visit Hermitage Castle and the Centre of Reiver country-the History and characters are crying out for a writer of your talents to bring them back to life!! Ps. if you are a golfer I would be delighted to invite you to play on Hawick Golf course?? Lords of the North was Superb!! Craig

Hello Mr. Cornwell. In response to the letter on the 24th- who said, of his signing bonus, that '90% will go on whiskey and women, the other 10% I'll probably waste.' That was Philly's own beloved Tug McGraw- and a great quote it is.

While I have your attention, let me ask if you had a chance to read the new Robert Fagles 'Translation of the Aeneid'? I know it's not your period in terms of writing- but it seems that "national epic,heroic poetry" is a distant ancestor of the stories you tell of Sharpe, Starbuck and the rest. I sometimes go through the new translations looking for interesting verbs, making lists of them, so that I may incorporate them back into my own work,. Ever do that? You have a great command of action verbs-that's why I ask. Anyway, Cheers! R. Kulb

I like to review the letters posted on the bulletin board. But few of the letters refer to aspects of your books that I consider the most intriguing, that is, the spiritual and religious views of your characters, especially as they reflect not only personal faith but the predominant trends of the times and the lands of the stories. Where can I go to read more about this aspect of your novels? Have any articles been written that cover this? Your characters have such intriguing depth when they confront that part of themselves. I want to know more! Bernadette Freeman

Mr. Cornwell, I have just completed reading the Saxon stories and it seems to me you have left the ending open to adding a fourth novel about Uhtred, have you any plans for this?. I must also say I bought the first one by chance and was so engrossed I have purchased and read the other three in the series inside 2 weeks, I am now starting on the Grail quest, excellent writing! Malcolm Nellist

Dear Mr Cornwell I would like to begin by saying how much I admire and enjoy your books. I have read and collect them all. I am an avid historian, and am extremely proud of my heritage, both, as an Englishman, and of my Irish ancestry. The Saxon Stories, the Arthurian Tales and the Grail Quest series are my particular favourites. I have always been an advanced reader and from an early age discovered, through my mother's zest for literature, your work and I continue to be a great fan. The ending of The Lords of the North has left me in growing anticipation of more tales of Uhtred and his adventures, and as it states a number of times within the novel he lives to be near 80 years old, you undoubtedly have more with which to captivate your loyal readers. I was just wondering when the next installment is to be published? I do hope you don't find my question to be too trivial, and I apologise for taking up your time. I thank you for your time, and look forward to reading much more of your work. Yours Faithfully Dave Hickey

Hi Bernard I have read Saxon stories, Arthur books , Grail Quest & Sharpe books. All the stories are so detailed, it's like being there as you describe the battles. I have two questions for you . first of all is there a fourth book on the Saxon stories & have you ever thought of writing about the English civil war? It's just a thought as this was a very colourful period in English history. I look forward to hearing from you. regards from down under, New Zealand. Sam

I love the Saxon Stories! I have read all three several times so far, when is the next one coming? 2007? 2008? Randy Ellis

I was thoroughly enthralled by the first 3 books about Uhtred and just finished Lords of the North- Can you tell me if there is a continuation of this series? Doreen Johnson

Dear Bernard Cornwell I was first introduced to your marvellous stories, at rather a young age, when I was ten years. I couldnt sleep one night so I came down and watched what my father was watching, unbeknown to me it was Sharpes Waterloo. After observing this great story I naturally wanted more so, my parent showed me your books, and they took great delight in my ability to miss pronounce the French and Spanish towns. The first one I ever read was Sharpes Regiment and I have never stopped reading your stories since. But I have digressed, my real reason for writing is to ask - I have recently finished your Viking Series about Uhtred and am very excited, not only to see how the blood feud ends but also to know what Alfreds next political move is. Is there a new book in that series in the near future? Yours truly, James Ware

Hi Mr. Cornwell. I'm glad to hear that "Sword Song" is almost ready. So when are you going to post a chapter for us to read? And when do we get to see the cover design, either UK or US? Alan Kempner

I have enjoyed reading almost all of your other books except the Sharpe and the Starbuck series. I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I have been in reading your books. Your style of writing just strikes a chord with me. I am intrigued by the way you handle female characters in your books (the one I have read, of course), a similar thread seems to run through them, is that deliberate or unconscious? (I could elaborate but I'm sure you'd know what I am talking about). Of course, you accord them general respect but women seem to have key characteristics and relationship with the heroes of your stories. I can't wait to read the next book in the Saxon Series. When shall we expect the next one? Thanks for such entertaining and beautiful style of writing. Ishaya Yarison