Your Questions

Dear Bernard

The British Army Historian John Fortescue said that Ferdinand was the finest British Commander between Marlborough and Wellington, yet because he was not British most people are not even aware of him. I wondered if you could ever be tempted by some of his battles in the Seven Years War such as Minden.

Regards

Geraint

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Ferdinand_of_Brunswick-Wolfenb%C3%BCttel

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I would be interested in your thoughts on the actor chosen to play Uhtred in the TV series.

My own vision of Uhtred was of a FAR more masculine (and larger) man.

It made the series a little hard to watch and I have to say I enjoyed the books far more.

 

Kind regards,

Mak

Good evening Mr.Cornwell.

My question is about your recent post is this new book going to be a cookbook or have all of the historical notes from the series?

Tevin Daniels

 

Hi Bernard!

Mattias from Uppsala here. I've got a question for you that I've never seen asked or answered here before. After writing so many books in so many series and genres over many years, you must've developed as a writer. I can't see it myself as I like them all. However if you do a bit of self-analysis, in what ways do you think you've developed your writing over the years, and is there a book you really think you would've written better if you had written it today? Maybe I could even ask the question like this, is there a least favorite book of yours when you look back at all of them today? Could be for whatever reason. Plot, ending, language, writing skills, character or reception.

And lastly, I apologize but I've got to do a Cato the Elder and again ask you to not forget our dear Thomas of Hookton when considering your next book.

All the best from Scandinavia

Thank you, Bernard, for the Saxon saga. I’ve loved the Uhtred stories since the first, and I loved the last. A poignant and emotional ending on many levels – including the birth of England itself, of course. It’s perhaps a little sad that our origins remain obscure for most of us, so full credit for popularising what should really be essential and basic knowledge for the English people.

When you initially penned Uhtred of Bebbanburg, was it always your intention to culminate with the Battle of Brunanburh? My expectation, in the early days, was for the series to track the life and achievements of Alfred. I was delighted when it kept going. Did it take on a life of its own?

Awful as it is to interrupt a man’s well-earned retirement, but I think I speak for many, when I say we would love to read further books that plug into the series – possibly in the form of backstory – so that we can continue to enjoy reading about our favourite fictional Northumbrian? Or perhaps the trials and tribulations of his son?

Stephen Llewelyn

 

Yo Bernard!

Obviously a huge amount of historical research goes into your books, but what I’ve always marvelled it is the brilliance of your own invention.  The world of Derfel Cadarn fascinates me —  the little details and unexplained allusions are what make it so compelling.

I’m saddened to hear you say you only expect another ten years of life, not just selfishly because it means no more of your books, but selfishly because it causes me to consider my own mortality! I hope you enjoy your last decade a great deal. Two questions for you then:

How does it feel to have an oeuvre of work to survive you?

Why does an interest in history develop as we get older?

Owen Choules

Hello.

Why did you choose the use two words in the title of 'War Lord' instead the more commonly-seen one-word 'Warlord'?

Many thanks,

Andrew S

Hello,

Big fan of both The Last Kingdom as well as the Warlord Chronicles. In the Netflix adaptation of The Last Kingdom Uhtred has a tattoo on his back of Jormungandr. I don't remember him having one in the books but I might be mistaken. I know tattoos were popular amongst the Danes so it would make sense for him to have one. My question is do you think book Uhtred would also have a tattoo like this?

Ameen M Taha

Hi Bernard,

First, I'm a big fan. I've read the entire Sharpe and Saxon Chronicles twice. Thanks so much for that. That said, I’m working on a book project myself. Its subject is the Irish Diaspora in America. If I ever finish, it’ll be part family history, part Irish history, and part travel narrative. Right now I’m deeply immersed in the family history part, and it seems my 3rd great-grandfather, Thomas Farrell, joined the British Army at age 17 in March of 1811. He enlisted for unlimited service in the 29th Worcestershires in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Ultimately, he died in Mauritius in 1830, likely of disease, but not before he had a son while on garrison duty in Waterford in 1826. This child was Godfrey Farrell, my 2nd great grandfather. Godfrey emigrated to Boston during the famine years, and here I am!

So here’s my question. I understand that at least 30% of Wellington’s magnificent Peninsular Army was Irish, mainly Catholic Irish, at least in the ranks. Given the history of British colonization of Ireland, and the festering wound of the United Irishmen of 1798 and 1803, why did so many young Irish Catholic men volunteer for British service? The poverty bit is obvious. Three meals a day vs. starvation is a no-brainer. But studies show that the Irish peasant at the time was far healthier than his continental counterpart because of the potato. When not afflicted with blight, it was a staple teeming with essential nutrients, far more than the grain/vegetable diet of European subsistence farmers. Some sources say that the Irish were heavily recruited by the British because they were so big and healthy. So why did Harper do it? Why did Thomas Farrell join up? Simply for adventure? Is the animosity toward the English narrative overblown? I’d be grateful for any explanations you might have, in addition to source material.

By the way, I grew up in the Boston area and vacationed in Chatham as a kid. I love it there. My mum lives in East Dennis now, and I’m on the Cape a lot. It’s great off-season. The summers are a little too busy for me.

Thanks again.

Dave Farrell

Hello,

I'm puzzled by the book cover for "Sharpe's Assassin". Nowhere in the book is there  mention of "Marshall Messena's Attack" nor "the Lines of Torres Vedras". Is this a mistake on the part of the publisher? Or, am I missing something (would not be the first time)?

Thank you. And thank you for so many, many years of very, very good reads.

Steve Barnier