Your Questions

Hi Bernard I have a comment and a question. Firstly, I have always personally felt that your portrayals of early religious figures and religion is one of the most accurate and honest that I've ever read. I never thought of it as anti-christian, just realistic. That being said, I wonder if you've ever had a publisher/editor tone down (or attempt to) any of the ways in which you've dealt with organized religion, or if you ever have to deal with angry or combative religious people? Thanks Mike Seckla

Hi, I love reading your books, you are a true bard when it comes to story telling, and maybe singing too but I wouldn't know. I heard a rumour sometime ago that your Arthur series were to be made in to a film, is that true? If so hurray, we might get an Arthurian film worth watching for a change!!! Are there plans for any of your other books to be made in to films or TV shows? Also, I get a sense from reading your books, of the eternal hero, like a blood line running through your stories. Do you see all your main characters as springing from the same family tree all be it generations apart? Thanks for all your efforts both in writing and research, I'm really looking forward to the next Saxon installment. Gary

Hello, I've just started reading the Sharpe series again and at the moment I'm reading Sharpe's Enemy. At the end of Chapter Five Colonel Dubreton informs Sharpe that he was at the Royal Academy of Equitation in Angers, France, with none other than Sir Arthur Wellesley. Unless I am mistaken, this would mean that Dubreton was an officer in the French army before the Revolution? I'm intrigued by the idea that Dubreton become part of the French officer class through privilege in the days of the Monarchy, yet after the Revolution he attained the rank of Colonel through his merit... if I am correct in thinking that is what happened. It's also interesting how a man like Nicholas Soult, a private in Old France's army, could become a Marshal whilst officers of the old regime could still prosper under a meritocracy. I was reminded of Napoleon Bonaparte, and how he was an Artillery Officer in the pre-revolutionary Royalist army (and a member of the Corsican minor nobility, I think I read somewhere). I then wondered how common it was for the officers of Old France's army to serve (as officers) in the army of New France, considering many of them might have fled the country for practical reasons like saving their necks or ideological reasons such as monarchism, religious convictions etc. etc. Furthermore, would the Republican army have been as welcoming a place as the Napoleonic army for an officer of the old Royalist army? Thank you kindly, Matt.

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a student living in japan, and I wanted to thank you for writing such great pieces. I have all the Saxon stories twice each and I have enjoyed them more every time. Although the books are not being translated in Japanese, I wish I could have read them in my native tongue. I cannot wait for the next book to come out, can you give me a slight hint of what the book will be about? thank you, Sy

Dear Mr Cornwell, As someone who has purchased, in hardback, all of your books (I thought) I was surprised to see listed on a website called Fantastic Fiction, which purportedly lists every author and every book (ever?), two books credited to yourself that don't appear on your own website. They are "The Hidden Hand" and "The Snarl of the Beast". Both, evidently were published in 1992 and, my guess would be that they are US editions of books published in UK under another title. Would it be possible for you to confirm either way? On a personal note may I say that I love reading your books and am awaiting the next "Alfred and Uhter" (Sorry, sounds like a vaudeville act!)which I have pre-ordered. The only other important question, to me, is when may we expect another "Sharpe" and possibly (?) another "Starbuck".Sorry - too many questions but as I am as old as you are I just appreciate your gift of a "cracking good yarn". Thank you. David Barnard

Mr. Cornwell - I know that you have been around for a while... however.... I have only recently discovered you!! My gosh, where have you been!? :) I devoured the Grail Quest series in no time flat. After Thomas of Hookton, I did not believe there could be any other character or plot so vivid or engaging. I marched on, directly through Mr. Starbuck's meanderings (I am a U.S. Civil War buff), and now I find that I'm down the list to "Sharpe's Battle"... and I always get the next book when I am half finished with the last. I don't have many to go! My dilemma.... is there life after Dick Sharpe?? What am I going to do? I've become addicted! I even watched one of the Sharpe DVDs, but I had to go right back to the written word. As great as Sean Bean is, I have to keep my version of Dick Sharpe in my mind (pun sort of intended). I looked through your FAQ and the forum but did not see plans for more of either Thomas of Hookton or Richard Sharpe. Can you please, please bring them back??? Thanks for your wonderful books! Roger Hotelling Snohomish, Washington, USA

Just finished "Lords of the North". Loved it as well as the whole trilogy. Will you be continuing the saga? You stated in the last line of the "Historical Notes" that "He will need Serpent-Breath again". I hope this implies we will hear more of Uhtred adventures? Best wishes. Walter Chop

Mr.Cornwell I'm such a fan the Saxon stories. I was just wondering if you could get back to me on when the next book may come out or if you're writing another book to the saxon stories? Those are the best books I've ever read. If you could back to me on the progress and such email me I guess and please give me a update. I love your books so much the characters are stuck in me I've come to know and love them from The Last Kingdom through The Lords of the North please get back to me Mr.Cornwell your biggest, fan Bleu Marceaux

Dear Mr Cornwell, You tantalisingly mentioned in your reply to Charles Hamblen on 13th April that the next book about Uhtred will be entitled 'Sword Song'. Do you have a planned publishing date yet? I can't wait to find out what happens next! Best wishes and keep writing!

Robert Hartley

Hello Mr Cornwell. I'm a very big fan of yours. I've enjoyed the Sharpe books, the Arthur trilogy and most recently the Saxon books. I was just browsing your bulletin board and saw that you plan to publish the Sword Song book in October and I am very pleased about this. I was just wondering if this was going to be your last book about Uthred and his doings or if you had plans to write a little more about him? Thank you Chris

Hello Can I just say how much I have enjoyed reading all your novels. I have just finished the Saxon trilogy and am hoping that it won't be long till the fourth book will be available? Thank you for many hours of enjoyment reading your novels.

Andrea Sanderson

Sir, I just finished reading The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman, and The Lords of the North. I would like to know when the next book is coming out that will continue the adventure of Uhtred? I am really hooked and have fully enjoyed these books. When can I expect to pick up the adventure again?? Thank you for your time....Cal Chilton

Mr Cornwell, I have at present read all your novels, and, due to having a gaping whole in my life where your books once belonged I am compelled to ask you when Sword Song will be published?

dear Bernard Cornwell,I really enjoyed reading the,last kingdom, pale horseman, and lords of the north, please I ask of you to write more on saxon books following the previous ones. I love your books and if your ever in San Diego please let me know. David Scott

I just finished Lords of the North and have read all of the Saxon Stories. Are you writing more books in this series? If so, please hurry up! Thanks. Bob Wehling

hello I started reading your books last year and found them great. I have read the grail quest and the saxon stories which I am currently reading again, which is why I am emailing. I would just like to ask if there will be any more books in this fantastic story line? Please email me back soon because the story is good and as you probably know finishing a good book has both a good feeling and a bad one. thank you. Ewan Caulfield

Hi there, I had never read any of your books untill very recently, when away for business i was grabbed by the cover of The Lords of the North. I bought it and from that moment could not put it down. I went straight out and bought the other two Alfred books. I thoroughly enjoyed them all. I could not stop being whisked off to this other world, made all the better by knowing it was once a real world. I cannot give high enough praise for the series so far. This leads me on to my question which is when will the next Alfred book be published? because i cannot wait. Yours, Dominic Long (New fan) Lincolnshire

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I am just finishing your Saxon trilogy, which I have enjoyed very much. I have three questions: 1. Do you plan to continue the series. 2. Are there any plans to put the stories on film or television. 3. What part did your own upbringing as an orphan raised in a Christian sect have in developing Uhtred's character? What is your faith practice now? (Ooops, I guess that's four) Thanks for taking the time to read this. Sincerely, Dan Benon Port Washington, Wisconsin

British paperback edition of Heretic, page 193 "the goose-feather fledging", surely that should "the goose-feather fletching"?
Old Rappaport

Dear Mr Cornwell - I am a great fan of your books and have so many questions and comments that I hardly know where to begin! I have read the Sharpe series, the Arthur books and the Grail Quest and enjoyed them immensely. Indeed they refuelled my passion for history and after each set I always go and research as much as I can about the respective periods in history. May I also say that in your characters of Sharpe, Derfel and Thomas, you created men that modern day small unit leaders should aspire to. Having had military service myself, I recognise the qualities that they project and would have happily served under them. I do have two questions for you... 1. While looking up the history of Arthur, I came across the character or Sir Bedivere and noted that he was the one who was supposed to have cast Excalibur back into the lake upon Arthur's death, the very same job that I noted you had Derfel perform in the end of book 3. I also noted that Bedivere appeared to have been as well travelled as Derfel, among other things, fighting at Mont St Michel (The approximate site of Ynes Trebes). Was the character of Derfel based on Bedivere?

2. You frequently mention in your historical notes that you visit the battlefields that you mention in your novels. Is there one in particular that stands out for you more that the others? Once again thank you - Dan Machulka

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a student living in japan, and I wanted to thank you for writing such great pieces. I have all the Saxon stories twice each and I have enjoyed them more everytime. Although the books are not being translated in Japanese, I wish I could have read them in my native tongue. I cannot wait for the next book to come out, can you give me a slight hint of what the book will be about? thank you, Sy