Your Questions

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

Dear Mr Cornwell

 

I recently purchased and read “Gallows Thief”.  Thank you for this thoroughly interesting novel.  I found the detail about early C19 life in London, including the use of the colourful ‘flash’ language, the cricket incidents and the misery of coach travel, to be fascinating and the descriptions of Old Bailey quite sobering.

 

Tom Keneally, the respected Australian author, noted in his book “The Commonwealth of Thieves” that the use of ‘flash’ was so prevalent amongst the convicts in the colony that, in early court proceeding, an interpreter was required.

 

I noted that, in the “Gallows Thief”, there are a couple of references to Australia.  One reference is when Sandman is threating Meg with ‘A voyage to Australia and life in a penal settlement’.  May I respectfully suggest that in 1817 the use of the word ‘Australia’ would not have been in common usage.  Maybe either ‘Botany Bay’ or ‘New South Wales’ would have been used?

 

Matthew Flinders, the amazing English navigator and cartographer, in his 1814 ‘Voyage to Terra Australis’ suggests the name Australia.  The first time that the name Australia appears to have been officially used was in a despatch to Lord Bathurst of 4 April 1817 in which Governor Lachlan Macquarie acknowledges the receipt of Matthew Flinders' charts of Australia.  On 12 December 1817, Macquarie recommended to the Colonial Office that it be formally adopted.  In 1824, the Admiralty agreed that the continent should be known officially as Australia. (Wikipedia)

 

I expect that, from time to time, you receive pedantic comments from readers about your books.  As I have an interest in the exploration and early history of Australia, I tender this as my excuse for this message.

 

With apologies

 

Keith McLeod

Hello!

I am obviously a great fan of Your writing ( especially Uhtred ) and currently trying to persuade myself that I can also write a historical fiction. From one of your videos available on youtube I learned that you still read tremendous amounts of history and that I assume helps in writing stories about Uhtred, Richard Sharpe etc. My question is if you have ever considered  writing a story about non-anglo heroes? Will Your knowledge about 18th/19th century world, political situation, events etc be enough to write a story that follows ( for example ) Tadeusz Kosciuszko? And how long do you think research for this sample story could take You. I am Polish myself and for that reason I would love to apologize for my terrible English. I do try and improve it ( this is where your fantastic writing comes very helpful ).

Kind Regards

Pawel Ulinski.

How did Uhtred end up in the monastery? Is there a book 11 that tells us?

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all 10.

Satchidananda

When are you going to finish the Starbuck Novels?

John L'Amie

 

I just finished your  Starbuck series. Great stuff!. Your Historical Note of The Bloody Ground ended with, "Starbuck will march again." Just one question, when?

Charlie Rupnick

 

Are we going to see any more of Nate Starbuck? I really like all of your work and would like to see Nate finish the Civil War.

Thank you,

Bob

 

 

Any Starbuck books coming?

Steve Rodriguez

 

 

Hi Bernard,

I've just finished The Flame Bearer . It is Uhtred back at his brilliant best.What's next and when ? Also, my son is a huge fan of the 'Copperhead 'series is there any chance of the series being continued ?

Regards.

Chris Page

 

Dear Mr Cornwell

Will the Warlord Chronicles ever be televised or even made into films?  It would be interesting viewing.

Regards

Kim