Your Questions

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

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

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

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