Your Questions

Hello there, I have read all your books at least twice with the exception of The Starbuck Chronicles and have just finished "Lords Of The North". I then felt compelled to read the two previous novels in the series and was surprised just how much I had missed. I will not bore you with my inane natterings but before I sign off would you be able to tell me when the next installment in the saxon story's will be available and whether that will be the final one? I live on the Suffolk/ Norfolk border in England if that is any use to you regarding release dates. Thank you very much for your time and I look forward to reading more of your incredibly detailed novels in the near future. Jason Thorley

Dear Bernard Cornwell, Over the last year I have been, the best way I can put, addicted to your novels I have read all the Sharpe novels, Read the Grail Quest Novels, The Arthur Novels and also Stonehenge but I have just finished reading the Saxon Stories and Would like to know if there will be a a fourth book to this series? Yours sincerely David Robinson

After having read 20 of your 21 Sharpe books back-to-back I know now that Sharpe became something of a reader courtesy of Lady Grace and Madame Lucille but that his writing was somewhat hesitant. So when I stumbled across a penciled note left in a mid-19th-century volume on Wellington's Peninsular Wars in an ancient book shop in a back alley in Greenwich, signed 'R. Sharpe, wondering if his elder daughter still looked like him and who his father might be, I thought I would ask you if it could possibly be a note from one Richard Sharpe?

I also read the fascinating book by Linda Blandford on the making of 'Sharpe's Challenge' and she mentions that a character in your Starbuck Chronicles, Patrick Lassen, is Sharpe's son. Is that true? If so, I'm going to have to broaden my reading schedule as I am now suffering Sharpe withdrawal until 'Sharpe's Fury' finally arrives from amazon. Yours in history, Susan James

Dear Sir, I have just completed Lords of the North and am very impressed by your understanding of Norse thinking and religion. But would you please refrain from using "Valhal" in the genitive case, i.e. "Valhalla" and which spoils a little of my pleasure reading your novels. And I wonder if there is a fourth novel coming on Uthred's coming home at last(?) Year and Peace A Valiant Viking - Henrik Mortensen -

Just finished The Pale Horseman (Great!)and was wondering where the back cover photo was taken. My wife and I both think the land in the background looks like Great Island in Wellfleet. I'm guessing the photo was taken off Chequesset Neck Road or near Mayo Beach in Wellfleet. Am I close?? Thanks - I'm looking forward to Uhtred's next campaign. Garrett Moynihan Eastham. MA

Dear Bernard After noticing a lot of the debates about the Baker Rifle and US rifles. In Donald Hickeys book Don't Give Up the Ship The myths of the war of 1812. He did compare The two main rifles (Sprinfield Rifle and Pennsylvaia rifle) used by US forces against the Baker. Cannot remember the conclusion. But the gist was while the Sprinfield was essentialy a poorman's version the Pennsylvania could shoot further than the Baker but was not as tough under combat conditions. btw You have said you will not bring Sharpe to the war of 1812 but have you considered bringing an American rifle unit over to fight Sharpe in Spain/south france and so bringing the war to him. All the best Geraint

Finally is it likely that a future Sharpe book will cover the battle of ST-Pierre on the Nive a very near run thing??? Geraint

Greetings Mr. Cornwell I know you get this alot, but thank you for the many, many hours of enjoyble reading. I have read them all at least once, if not twice. In the next year or two, I want to travel to Great Britain and visit the sites you have written about. If you would be traveling there for the first time, knowing what you know now, what would you want to see if you had maybe a week worth of vacation? Would you use, or could you recomend, a touring company? Thanks for the help and hope you and your family have many enjoyable years to come. Jim J.

wow, I can't believe that you're going to read this. I won't get into how much I love your books because that would take far too long. I just wanted to know something. I noticed that you were going to Surrey BC while I was snooping around on your site and I was wondering what you would be doing there. are you going to be speaking? I hope so. Are you going to be signing books? and if so, what do you like to drink? I'll pick up a flask and share a sip with you. Timotheos

You say you want no ideas for books, but I wish someone(anyone) would finish Louis L'Amour's Walking Drum Series. I have read and enjoyed nearly all of your books and also LL's. Robert Boykin

I'm an English teacher in Louisiana, and I was curious as to what evidence exists that suggests Alfred the Great may have had Crohn's disease. I have this disease myself, so I'm intrigued. If you could point me to the research I'd be grateful. By the way, EVERYONE has been telling me to read "The Last Kingdom" because I researched the Anglo-Saxon period for my Master's (my thesis was on "The Dream of the Rood"). I finally have done so, and I LOVE it! Thank you.
James Houston

Dear Sir As the 'second Sharpe series' progressess' do you think that Sweet William will reappear ? In the booklet currently being given away with Sharpes Fury you mention that Sean Bean and Pete Postlethwaite were made for their respective parts Similarly I have always felt that Philip Whitchurch had the same effect as Frederickson. Regards, Chris Poulton