Your Questions

Hi Bernard, I,ve been a big fan of yours for several years, and I have read all your books. Some of them more than once, and what I really like is the incredible detail, of wildlife and trees and flowers, and the amazing battle details, for example in The Last Kingdom, when Uhtred was in the shield wall at Cynuit, he started off with Wasp Sting and after a few deadly bloody blows, Wasp Sting was pulled out of his hand by an unnamed Dane, he then drew Serpents Breath and carried on killing. What happened to Wasp Sting? Because it's next mention is in The Pale Horseman, when Uhtred hands it to Iseult to kill Haswold at Aetheningaeg. Did someone pick it up and return it to him or did he pick it up himself?Excuse me for being picky Bernard, but as I said I really like the detail. I have enjoyed all your books, I am halfway through Vagabond for the second time, that Thomas is some lad isn't he? I am really looking forward to Sword Song and Uhtred's further adventures, keep on writing, you and Wilbur Smith are my top two authors. Many Regards Peter Carragher(UK)

Dear, Mr Cornwell I am a student in his first year of high school and I really enjoy reading your Sharpe books. The way you blend the right mix of history and fiction, as well as how you finish with a historical note. I also like the way you put in info on Sharpe's weapons and tactics. I am in the process of reading Sharpe's Trafalgar and am thoroughly enjoying it. I am wondering if there is a site where you can find a ship of the line cross section on the Internet. I must commend you on providing an enjoyable read for me and many others. Scott Allen

I have read every one of your books. I read Redcoat many years ago and recently reread it. It is a very good book. I was wondering if you ever thought about continuing the series and go farther into the American Revolution? Can't wait for the next Saxon book. Also wish you would go on with the Starbuck series. Thanks for all of the hours of reading I have enjoyed. Chuck Grantz

Dear Mr Cornwell, One question if I may - Now I think I read/heard this somewhere, on the other hand though, I may have made this up. I normally do with these things, down side to drinking too much caffeine and working shifts &Are you planning a new novel on the American Revolution War?? If so, any chance of a few bits of inside info - obviously not the big stuff that would ruin the story. Will it be like Redcoat - many main characters - or one main character. Will they be Brit, Rebel or German, French maybe?&nooo. Will it be a one off, or a series etc& Ive always found that campaign interesting, though, granted I dont know much about it - and personally I think the rebels cheated a bit (They had a very unsporting habit of hiding behind tress). Many Thanks for your time P.S. Thanks again for kindly signing my copy of Sharpes Rifles I sent you. Hope you didnt find the enclosed letter to worshiping. Thanks again, Andrew

I can't tell you how much I look forward to your historical novels. My only complaint is that I've read all your available works and have to show patience for the next one. Have you ever thought of doing an American Revolution novel (or 2 or 3)? Thank you for hours and hours of pure pleasure.

Jim Lucey

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

I have to admit your Arthur books are my favorites as well. I found them fascinating. I thought the way you treated Arthur as a secondary character was a master stroke and I appreciated the effort you put into making the stories historically accurate or at least, historically plausible. I cannot believe that they did not use your stories as the basis for that movie "King Arthur" that was represented as the "true story of Arthur." Was he suppose to be Macsen Weldig? Were Saxons and Vortigren invading Britain before the Romans left Britain?. Give me a break! Even if there were two Arthurs as some scholars suggest they would both have to have existed 200 years after that movie took place. Am I missing something? I would be interested in any Authors that you admire that deal in bringing myth to life with historically viable explanations. I am familiar with most of the very popular writers. Curious as to your opinion of Stephen Lawhead. I like his writing style, but in book Talesin he has Atlantis sinking during Roman times. It ruined the story for me. I really wish you would have come out with a version of "Robin Hood." His version was OK, but are we really going to swallow that Robin Hood was Welsh and he did not live in Sherwood Forest? I thought Stephen Whyte's "Camulod Chronicles were very good. Mary Stewart's "Hollow Hills" series was amazing. Yes, I am writing in this genre. My first book "The Fires of Belenus" is due out in December 2007 (Wings Press). Take care and keep the books coming. When I have one of your books to read, I eagerly look forward to going to bed, because that is time I allocate to read for pleasure.

One more thing. Do you have an opinion on Harry Mountain's Celtic Encyclopedia? I have found it invaluable for reference when dealing with anything ancient and Celtic.
William H. Russeth

Hello, and thank you for many enjoyable hours of reading. In the Arthur series, mention is made of a lover's cross that was inscribed on a ring that Valerin had, indicating that he and Guinevere may have been lovers. From reading your description, the marking was on the inside of the ring, not meant to be shown to the world. It seems such a romantic idea! I love Celtic jewelry and I like the idea of such an inscription or marking, but I can't find any source that tells me what a lover's cross marking might have looked like. What was your source for writing about this tradition? Many thanks! Saritha Anjilvel

I am currently writing a historical fiction set in the same time as your Saxon stories in the East End of London. I was fascinated by a reference in the A-S Chronicle that Alfred protected the farmers while they gathered their crops around what is now East London. It is the first mention of the area in the whole of history! For fear of sounding like a lightweight, do you make any mention of the Viking encampment on the River Lea near London around 895? What about the weir and embankment King Alfred supposedly built there? Thank you so much for this facility, as if you are not busy enough anyway! Rick, East London

Dear Bernard Having sat through the awful PC BBC adaptation of Robin Hood and after reading the Stephen Lawhead Pro Christian version (in my opinion) of Robin Hood, please may I add my name to the many requesting that you apply your talents to writing a novel on Robin. If possible in place of a new Starbuck novel, being a Brit I find it very hard to get my head around novels based upon the American civil war and from a very selfish perspective have to admit I much prefer your British based novels. Theres so many British based novels you could write (Norman conquest, Tudors, War of the roses, Wat Tylers rebellion that I hope you will be to busy to finish any new Starbuck novels. PS have you ever thought about a modern retelling of the Mabinogion? Best wishes, Phil

Dear Sir, I was wondering why at "Rifles" Dick Sharpe is out of money? Shouldn't he have some guineas left from Lavisser? yours, kowai

Hi Mr Cornwell, I have just finished reading Max Hastings book 'Warriors' which devotes a chapter to rifleman Harry Smith and his devoted wife Juana. I was just wandering if Sharpe was in some way based on /modelled on / influenced/ inspired by Smith's story? - there are lots of parallels in Smith's adventures and character. I was unaware of Smith's story (as I had no interest in the Napoleonic wars before your wonderful stories)and as I was reading about Smith it brought back to me a lot of Sharpe's adventures and made me want to reread them all. Many Thanks, Steve Barry