Your Questions

Hi Mr. Cornwell.

I finished Flame Bearer and I love how Uhtred recover his ancient family hold.

I have a question: The vikings saga said that Ragnar had a lot of sons, Ivar, the boneless, Ubbe, Halfdan, who are mentioned in Saxon Stories, and two other sons, Bjorn Ironside and Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye. Why do you choose don't mention them? By sagas, Sigurd was """First legendary king of modern Denmark""" and Bjorn """first legendary king of  modern Sweden""". Bjorn was mentioned to participated of Great Heathen Army who landed Nortumbria in 866. Do you preferred don't include him in story by literary issues?

 

Other thing, the real person who Uhtred was inspired was Uhtred, the bold? Because you're descendant of Uhtred who inspired the story, and I discovery that I'm descendant of Uhtred the bold by his grandson Gostaparic, by a family called Drummond, who was thane of Lennox (I think was that) in Scotland. If is that Uhtred, then we are distant relatives.

 

I'm your fan, love Saxon Stories and Sharpe books!

 

Thanks by attention Mr. Cornwell.

Lucas

Dear Mr Cornwell,

 

First let me say thank you; I will not labour the point but it goes without saying that I am a fan of your books. I'm glad to say that I have many more yet to read.

 

My reason for writing here is oddly enough to do with another authors work.  Have you read James Clavell? I have just finished reading Shogun and Gaijin. Both are, in my humble opinion, very will written, immersive and seem well researched. The period itself is fascinating and one that I knew little about. Unfortunately they also left me somewhat frustrated. It happened about 800 pages in; the realisation that neither was going to turn into the story that I was hoping it would be. I understand that the focus for both books is about the journey, not the climax so to speak, but I couldn't help but wish that they had been written by you. So in a roundabout way I'm asking if you would kindly (and as a personal favour) spend the next few years of your life writing books set in the Edo period of Japan.

 

Yours sincerely,

Jesper

 

PS: Having read your guidelines to contacting you, I solemnly declare that I have no literary skill or any intention of ever writing a book. Also, my wife has pointed out to me how ridiculous my request is, as well as my poor attempt at humour.  I hope you will take it in the respectful spirit it was intended. Now please get on and write the book!

Hello sir

I loved Agincourt. I thought it one of your best novels, and Nick Hook one of your best characters. Are you going to continue Hook''s story?He is a young man

Jeffrey

Dear Bernard,

 

My son bought me the first book, The Last Kingdom, for Christmas, knowing I like historical based fiction. I have enjoyed the series so much I have just finished the tenth book!!

I love the way you craft the battle scenes, particularly the shield walls. There is such momentum and energy that you can feel them surging forward.

As a female reader I've also enjoyed the strong female characters but as a fan of Utred, I've worried about his virility..a great lover of women, he had failed to impregnate Hild, Iseult,  Ethelflaed, Sigunn or Eadith. I understand that perhaps babies can complicate the story and it raises Gisela in importance  because she is the mother of his children. However, historical accuracy means that advanced birth control didn't exist. Perhaps...in a later book, an extra child or two turns up???

I would also love to see his friend, the Welsh fighting priest reappear at some point.

Good luck with your next book.

 

Regards, Stacy Riley

Burnie, Tasmania

Australia

 

 

 

Dear Mr Cornwell.

I have been reading, and thoroughly enjoying your books, since nigh first recommended the early Sharpe books. From then on I have always avidly read anything else new by you. I do remember meeting you once at a small talk you did at Waterstones in Bristol in the late 80's/early 90's whilst the Arthur Books were the current theme. One of your books that reader don't seem to mention much, but is in fact a particular favourite of mine, is Redcoat. It was brilliant and totally non-put down-able! I have to confess at being rather disappointed to find that it didn't lead into a series of books - is there any likelihood of new sequels being written?

I am currently reading (devouring!) The Flame Bearer, so have avoided reading too many comments by readers who have already finished the book! I love the Last Kingdom series, but do struggle on one point - the prenounciation of all the Old Englaish names and phrases. I keep looing for a pronounciation guide in each new book as it comes out! Is there a guide that you can recopmmend?

 

Kind regards

 

Dayton

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

 

I first began reading your Saxon Stories when I was 17 year old boy living in Colorado, while looking for a book to read en route on my first trip abroad to Ireland in 2007. Seeing the viking long boat cover of The Last Kingdom, I picked it up and I wasn't able to put it down. I've read every one of the Saxon Stories ever since. I've identified with Uthred's struggles with authority, his troubles with faith, and how when you have finished fighting for what is fair the fates spin their yarn in a way that was totally unexpected.

 

Your stories have evoked a lifelong passion for history and knowledge. I have developed a love for viking and early english history, which in turn has led to an interest in the history of mainland Europe, and eventually early 20th century American political history and debate. I have given your books, both Saxon Stories and other series, as gifts to my father, brothers, and sister, all of whom have gone on to buy their own copies of books within the series. I was absolutely ecstatic that the Saxon Stories were picked up by the BBC and remained relatively true to the books. I have suggested the show to everyone I know and everyone who watches loves it.

 

I'm writing because I am planning a trip to England and Scotland this summer and was hoping you would have some suggestions on historical sites to see in relation to the series. Of course I will be heading to Bamburgh Castle and Lindisfarne Priory, but I wasn't sure where else I could see ruins still standing from the age of Alfred. What are your top suggestions?

 

Also, if you are ever in Colorado, I would love to buy you a glass of scotch, wine, or whatever you drink for some questions and conversation!

 

Thank you for your time and your wonderful stories.

 

Sincerely,

Joel Igli

As a skipper of my own boat, my first mate( wife ) and I  enjoy your comfort with the ocean, boats and sailing adventures found in your fine books.  Question?  What is the name of your boat and what waters do you sail in?  As we cruise in the Bahamas this 2017 season and plans for the East Coast of America next year; what should we look for Captain?

 

John and Ruth Long

Sailing Vessel - Fantazia ( Switch 55 Catamaran ) Home Port - Corpus Christi, Texas

 

Is Carausius, usurper & rebel Emperor in the 3rd Century of Britain and Gaul a topic for a series?

John Kelley

Dear Mr Cornwell,

 

First of all I want to thank you for this incredible piece of Art, the Saxon Story, you developed. The only word I can describe it is the german word "erstaunlich".

These Books are the reasons me and my wife went on a Trip to Scotland and visit Bamburgh Castle and Chester. An unbelievable expierience. So thank you for all of that.

 

But I think you have heard this kind of stuff a billion times.

 

So here is the main reason i am writing to you. Me and my wife are awaiting a daughter in the middle of April and i love the Sound of the Name Stiorra. But for me the meaning is as much important as the sounding. I searched the web hours and hours but I can not find any description of the Name. The only hint is in the german Edition, where it is just described as "Star" or "Stern" in german.

So finally my question: can you give me a description where the Name comes from and what its meaning is in its origins? Or if that is too much, maybe you can give me a source where i can find something about the meaning of the Name Stiorra.

 

I really hope you can help us. And i really cant wait to get the german translation of the Flamebearer.

 

Best wishes from Germany,

Tim

I am just now watching Last Kingdom, based on your Uhtred novels and there is something really bothering me. If I recall your novel properly, and I'm sure I do, Saxons fought in a shield wall -- linking shields, and either waiting for the enemy to come to them or moving forward more or less as a unit to make contact. What then ensued was a stabbing battle, over, under, between shields in hopes of wearing the enemy down. In the Netflix version, no such thing happens! Have you seen it? They have the Danes forming a shield wall, two shields high, and a third shield over the heads of the first rank such as the Roman's Tortoise maneuver. Another history enthusiast and I had a spirited discussion over this, and because he is a Norse re-enactor, claims the Vikings (Norse, Danes, call them what you will) learned this from the Romans, and (probably) took it into battle against the Saxons. Yet in your books, your research stated the Norse didn't fight in fixed ranks such as the Saxons did, but preferred to be more fluid and fought more or less individually so as to more easily adjust to changes in the battle. Who's right?!

Al Lowe