Your Questions

I love the last kingdom  story but I never see a black women in it! Was no black people in that time? I feel like it is only  for  white  if I say I am watching the last kingdom to my friends  their reaction is what???? Never  heard of it...... I will audition for it😊😊 but seriously think about it????

Mekdes

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I'm writing you asking for a little help (if you don't mind, obviously...) Right now I'm helping one of my friends in a project for the university related to historical jewelry and complements.This days we are investigating about beard rings and we found in "The Winter King" a fragment that specially interested us:

 

"He was a huge man with tattooed arms, a matted bare chest and a bristling beard decorated with warrior rings forged from the weapons of defeated enemies."

 

Our questions are, have you seen any of those beard rings? have you found any reference about them in any historical text? if you did where could we find references?

Thank you in advance.

 

Marc Arambudo

I am re-reading the Sharpe series in the chronology of the story, and I was struck by the detail of Sharpe having Gulliver's Travels in his haversack, as he progresses in learning to read. I cannot help but wonder if this was intended as a metaphor for the venality of man, as seems to come forth in your story, with Sharpe's struggles torn between McCandles and Pohlmann. I did not want to presume though.

Thank-you for your writings, which kept me entertained for decades.

John Kennair

I was thinking about the Europe-wide dimension of this activity.

The context is I just came across Christopher Dawson's book "Religion and the Rise of Western Culture", which is actually a reprint of a (second) series of Gifford Lectures that he delivered in Edinburgh.

Dawson is interesting inasmuch as he has the ambition, and breadth of learning, of someone like Toynbee (or earlier German scholars) and I think no-one would attempt so much now. But maybe, reservations on one side, there's something to be said for making the attempt. So here's what he says:

"... the victory of Eudes at Montfaucon in 888, and the still more important success of Arnulf in 891, when he stormed the camp of the main Viking army at Louvain, marked the turn of the tide. The Vikings once more diverted their efforts against King Alfred in the great invasion of 892-96 ..."

Doesn't this elegantly make the point that there's a wider context to the Viking incursions than merely what Englishmen would think of as "our national story" (though it is that too)? The Northmen were operating on a wider stage and mightn't have undertaken the Great Invasion had they not failed at Louvain. What a thought!

Michael

Hey,

I'm a fan. I hope this doesn't violate the part about not sending ideas for books, but how come almost nothing has been written about Charles La Tour? As an amateur historian and a fan of historical fiction the subject fascinates me and has never been done. I'm not a writer or a lawyer. Just sayin'.

Best wishes,

Ron

Good morning Mr. Cornwell .

I read excalibur books when I was a teenager. I compared with other books on that theme ,I still think your books are the best ever  and touched my heart. I want to know a detail that is still impressed in my memory after 18 years: the challenges druids must acquire by destiny   (maybe I will be wrong but I don' t have the book under my nose actually). It starts with a scar in the pride,in the mind and in the body. The Character of Nimue had her three scars to become wise.Where did you take inspiration for this? In my opinion is a beautiful metaphore,I am curios to know where is the limit between celtic folklore and your writing.

Valeria

Now that Uhtred is growing old and soon his stories will have to end, sadly, there will be more topics you can write about. Have you considered Charlemagne because there isn't much about him. How about Charles Martel? There is little of him also. Thanks for all the great stories, especially Uhtred!

Tom

Dear Mr Cornwell,

May I add to the many thanks for providing many hours of escapist joy across many centuries. I am a fan of the Saxon Stories in particular - it's a fascinating period.

My question is: roughly how long do you spend researching compared to writing? Do you prepare up front then write, or research as you go along?

Looking forward to more Uhtred soon.

Ben Tidman

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed your books over the years but my favorite fictional books of all time are the Warlord Chronicles. I have listened to them as audiobooks so many times over and I still enjoy listening to the tales of Derfel, Arthur, Galahad and the many more brothers in arms that occupy those pages. I have recommended this series many times to my own family and others.

I wonder if there have ever been thoughts to take this series to the screen? I truly believe that they would be wildly successful in the realms of Braveheart and Lord of the Rings. I could see a successful trilogy of movies here that many of us would absolutely support.

I have many times wished that I could put my ideas to paper like you and other authors do but until the time that I actually put myself out there and try (if ever) I intend to enjoy the books of my favorite authors like yourself. Take care and I wish you well.

Lee

 

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

Is there any chance one day that your Arthur trilogy could be put to film like The Last Kingdom series? I love the books on Uhtred and the TV series but your novels on Derfel and Arthur are the absolute best I have ever read!

Best Regards,

Rick Brimble

I must say first off, your writing style is incredible.  I have actually turned my father into a fan of yours after giving your name as an example of an author who can paint a picture in your head with words ( my father is dabbling in writing and was struggling in that area).  My question for you is have you ever thought about writing something in the Sci-Fi genre possibly set in the future? I'm a huge fan and just love everything you write, especially the Warlord Chronicles! I cant wait for the day they make that into a show!!

George Wilburn