Your Questions

Dear Bernard,

I have just finished Flamebearer (I have read all your books) and living in  Australia I love reading about my native Northumbria. as a Northumbrian I wanted to comment on Constantin's claim that the land north of Hadrians wall was Scottish. Uthred would have known that Northumbria's ancient border was the Firth of Forth and Edinburgh (Edwinsburg after Kent Edwin of Northumbria) was its northern outpost.

The Northumbrians originally fought the Picts (who were Christian when Northumbria was Pagan) but later lost their Northern territories to the Scots. When Hadrans wall was erected there were no English or Scots on mainland Britain, they came later and  Finan would also have known that the Scots were Irish raiders, like the Angles and Saxons were Germanic raiders. So Constantin's claim that north of the wall was Scottish is either bogus or he is stretching the facts to suit his ambitions.i am sure as a writer you can claim the latter but no Northumbrian would fall for it. I look forward to your next books and to hopefully revisiting Brunaburg again with Athelstan,

Kind regards

Paul

Like everyone else that posts questions on your site, I am a huge fan!  In fact, I don't think there is any of your work that I haven't read.  I started with the Sharpe novels when I was a young Soldier - instantly hooked - read many of them while I was deployed to Iraq (both times).  I can attest, based on personal experience, that you have done a superb job describing the sights, sounds, and emotions that are experienced in combat; not an easy task without living it first-hand.

 

Anyway, I read the comments and questions section of your site all the time and I know many of the same questions are asked over and over.  However, a recent inquiry motivated me to reiterate and second (maybe third or fourth or hundredth) that notion:  PIRATES!!

 

There is a derth of good pirate novels - aside from the classics.  Moreover, most of them are highly stylized and stereotypical.  The world really needs a more pragmatic approach to historical fiction as it relates to pirates; research, realism, and  authenticity is what's needed.  You are, undoubtedly, the best man for the job!  Plus, there is a wealth of material to call upon - Bartholomew Roberts, Sam Bellamy (who's ship was discovered in your "backyard"), Henry Morgan, Henry Every, Edward Teach, etc.

 

We all know that you can spin a great tale on the high seas.  Combine that with excellent character development, a dose of real history, and the world will have some much needed pirate fiction.  I honestly don't think anyone other than you could pull it off with just the right panache.  So, I humbly beseech you to make it happen. Thanks for giving me your time and thanks for doing what you do.  I am and will remain, a most loyal fan.

Charles

BC- I love all of your books and thank you very much for such great entertainment.  I have read them all and now have listened to most on audio.  How about setting up an audio library on your website and having loyal fans pay to join?  Consumer direct from authors- maybe a new fad?

Finish the Starbuck series one of these days please!

Best Regards,

RJ

Sir,

according to certain historians, Sharpe actually fought in the Greek war of Independence, helped Lord Byron get there.  Could you please investigate?

And kill all lawyers, as your characters in the Sharpe novels like to say.

Thank you for countless hours of joy, reading your novels (in English and in Hungarian) By the way, sadly, the Saxon Tales only made it to Vol. 6 in Hungarian.  Publisher went out of business. So sad.

Gabor Finaczy

Budapest, Hungary.

 

Hello,

Is there a department   at your publisher who investigates suspected cases of plagiarism of your works? Or do you have an employee who does it? Or do you rely on intel from your readers?

In the world of academia, staff use software like Turnitin, to detect and deter plagiarism. I think Kindle books and e-books will make it easier to detect plagiarism. Do you have an opinion, on whether advances in publishing technology is making it harder ( or easier)  for people who borrow from other writers?

Regards and thanks,

Adrian

Good day sir,I have just finished your "Waterloo" enjoyed it very much,thank you for taking the time to do it.I am always looking forward to your latest work.

I am curious,have you ever considered doing a series or book on "King Philips War 1675-1676"? A truly brutal war between founding nations!

I understand this event took place in the Southern New England area,almost your in back yard it might be said?

Thank You,

Happy Trails

SC

Dear sir

In Sharpe’s Devil …………….You wrote about Sharpe translating to Lucille what Louisa was saying about the “Service Blas Vivar did Sharpe”  and adding some facts of his own………

Please can I ask what you mean by that?  I have always assumed that you meant Sharpe was advising Lucille that he and his Riflemen also helped Vivar and Vivar needed Sharpe’s help as much as the other way round.

But I could be way off the mark with my assumption.

As a side question.........Have you been watching this year’s 6 Nations?  Our Mutual acquaintance has been pleased with the results if not the performances.

Lee

Thanks for years of books! I have just experienced The Flame Bearer! I would love to see a diagram, a kind of architectural drawing, of Bebbanburg to go along with the pronunciation guide and map you always provide. Bebbanburg is the central "stage" of Uhtred's story. I would enjoy a drawing to help me see the Sea Gate beneath and all around the great gates and the buildings inside the castle. Again, thanks for your stories. I wait faithfully every year for a new one. (I am a 72 year old English teacher from Texas.)

Sharon Kingston

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I am an avid follower of the Saxon Chronicles and loved the Grail Quest books. Planning on starting on the Sharpe series soon. My mother's maiden name was Sharpe so seems only natural that I should read them.

 

I have read many books about different specific periods in the history of England. Is there a comprehensive history of the country that you would recommend? Many thanks.

Randall Douglas

 

Hi Bernard

I run a small Falconry Centre in the Orkney Islands Scotland. I am a keen reader of the Uhtred series. You refer to Hawks & Falcons regularly. I am trying to research information about Viking falconry, my Centre is in the groundsof an historic building. I  am keen to know if Falcons & Hawks are an interest of yours? & if you have any references to Vikings,Danes or Norsemen & Falcons?. I wish to build my historical knowledge to enhance my Falconry Displays.

I have read somewhere that Trained Falcons were once symbols of the control of Christianity & free birds a symbol of Pagan beliefs. When a Falcon is mentioned it appears that things go wrong for Uhtred. Is this a coincidence? ( I understand if this is not something you want to comment on ) Thanks for your time.

Keith

skaillhousefalconry.co .uk