Your Questions

Yes, I am an attorney, but please don't hold it against me (after all some of the money I have made on the suffering of other people have gone into buying your books ). A question, why, now that you are in the US, don't you release books here at the same time you release them in the UK??? FOr example "The Last Kingdom - now available in the UK" . James R. Askew III, Esq.

Dear Bernard Cornwall, I would just like to congratulate you on the amazing Sharpe novels that you have created. I have just finished reading "Sharpe's Honour" and it was the only other novel in this series that i had not read at least once already. It was truly spectacular. Especially when our hero got hung. I couldn't help but cry out even though I knew that he was still alive because otherwise there would be no story. The way you describe the scenes and the carnage truly brings the book alive. Like you I was truly disappointed in the death of Obadiah Hakeswill as he was a classic character and a big part of the series as much as Sharpe himself. We all know Sharpe wanted revenge on the people responsible for his flogging so I guess I must ask you, will he get revenge on his old captain, Captain Morris? I think all of your readers would love to see it happen. I look forward to hearing from you and reading any future Sharpe novels that you publish. Yours Sincerely Dan Jackson

Mister Cornwell, My name is Diego (as you may have read in the head line of the mail, but I wanted to introduce my self properly). I´m reading now the second book of your Arthur chronicles, The enemy of god, in a very good translated version (impressive I would say), and I became fascinated with your writing style, so, first of all, I´d like to congratulate and thank you for providing us all with a so enjoyable reading saga. Beyond the book, I´m medieval enthusiast and a RPG player, and I found in your book a very, very pleasant - and useful - description of the Battle of Lugg Dale (I´m not sure if it´s the way you wrote the name... but is most likely to the way we refer to this geographical accident). I´m now, beside reading your book and producing my first short movie (mark my name... Cannes is waiting for me!!! :) ), playing a RPG campaign settled in XIII century, England, and as a RPG game is expected to be, there are lots of fireballs crossing the air, magicians summoning demons for deals and forgotten places full of magic. But, there are battles too! And this is the point I wanted to reach (I liked very much your definition on Britains using arguments as they do their jewelry... criss-crossing ideas until reach a point). Could you give me some idea where I can find descriptions of battles and single combat at this time... the tactics (they still used the shield wall?!?), how large where the armies, what kind of weapons they used, that manuals of sword play (but I think that are from XVI century... but they are cool any way. And if a fireball can burn a man to ashes... well... I think I can found some use to a good prop like that!), famous battles, etc?!? I know a RPG game use for that kind of historical treasures may offend a researcher like you, but I discovered many good thinks researching for my games in 10 years, and I think there are much more to go (if you like RPGs, I´m playing a Ars Magica Saga... very good game! If you dislike RPGs, forgive my unnerving insistence! If you are neutral, ignore this parenthesis) Well, thank you very much for your time, keep writing your good histories and I´m sorry for my poor English... I assure you I read very much better than I write. Thank you again! Diego - São Paulo - Brasil

Hi, I've just finished reading The Last Kingdom and, like all of your books, couldn't put it down. As a Primary School teacher teaching Saxons and Vikings to Year 3 children, I felt even more inspired to make the period come alive for them. Especially as we are deep in the heart of the old Northumbrain kingdom and not too far from York! I am always amazed at how authentic you make such periods of history appear and am in awe of how much research you must put into them. Do you do your research in America or England? The only series of books I have not read are the Sharpe Chronicles. This is mainly because I saw them on television and often find it difficult to read the story after the fact. Do you think that Sean Bean and Pete Postlethwaite were true to your characters? To a non reader of the series they were magnificent, but this may not be as you viewed them yourself of course. Keep up the stirling work and I have been on your recommended reading list to keep me occupied until the release date of the sequel to The Last Kingdom. Lynn, Yorkshire

Mr. Cornwell I have read many of your books. The only one I still have to read is Sharpe's Devil. I just recently read the book Small Gods by Terry Pratchett and find it fascinating. It is a satyre, and I think through your style of writing, I was interested in Terry Pratchett. I was just wondering if you have read any of his books. I have a friend of mine, Conor Hardy, who says he knows one of your nephews actually. Which nephew, I know not. I have started to write a book fashioned after your The Archer's Tale. It is about a French boy in England, however. Uday Berry

A friend of mine who knows I read your books showed me one he was reading about Roman Britain and on the cover was a quote attribured to you. "I REALLY DON'T NEED THIS KIND OF COMPETITION" (Or along those lines.) This struck me as odd as it's not a genre you write about, and I believe you stated once it wasn't one you were interested in covering. Firstly did you say that and if not did you your name was being used? I must admit to never having heard of the gentleman before. Nigel James

dear Mr. Cornwell, BIG fan of your books. I have read most of your books (Sharpe, Starbuck and Thomas of Hookton). My question is: have you ever considered writing some fantasy, science-fiction or post-apocalyptic stories? Philip Gabela

Dear Bernard, I've read several of your books and was especially enthralled by the Warlord Chronicles. Usually I like to read fantasy fiction and found that the 'Warlord' novels could well fit into that genre. My question is: would you ever consider writing a fantasy novel? It doesn't have to be all magic fireballs and dragons, of course; indeed, it's better if it isn't. Would you ever be tempted to create your own 'medieval' world? (think of George Martin's Ice and Fire series, for instance) It would still be a 'historical' novel, of sorts, but you could invent the storyline and the characters! Hope you find the time to reply. All the best, James.

Mr Cornwell, this is my second contact to you and I just wanted to say that I have read all your books with the exception of the Starbuck chronicles. I only have a few questions to ask and will try to keep them as short as possible. I was wondering if you had ever thought of a book on the wars in Prussia and Lithuania during the medieval ages, there was a incredibal amount of border warfare which I think you are very adept at writing about and lastly I was wondering if you truly are not going to write about lThomas any longer because I would truly hate to see him die off. Thank you again for all your excellent books. Jimmy

Hi Mr. Cornwell! I've really enjoyed your series of thriller books. Will you be writing another one of these anytime soon? Thanks! Don Thompson

Didn't find on your site the answer to a question that's surely been asked 1000x: when is US release date for "The Last Kingdom"? Love your work / thanks. Bob Rice