Your Questions

Dear Bernard

In one of your books I am sure I read in the Author's note that there is a particular stone in Hadleigh church yard. Legend says that if you walk around the stone 3? times anti clockwise then your wish is granted. Unfortunately, I cannot find the book in which you wrote this.......I hope it was one of yours.

I am hoping to write a book on local history and would like to find out more.

I love your books.  Reading about the little known Battle of Benfleet was a real bonus.

Rose Griffin

 

Hello Bernard,

Haven't got onto Sharpe yet, big commitment! Massive fan of the Saxon Stories, I hope you enjoyed the tv show. I was absolutely blown away myself.

I was wondering if you could, not do the research for me. I know you're a busy man but I was thinking, I've seen many Hammer amulets on the internet sold by many shops. I was just wondering in your opinion and from your own research, how do you think the amulet would have been worn by the vikings and Dane's of old?

Would it have been a varied design specific to that person or did they have a very specific medallion that was carried like a simple cross would be? Even with googling artifacts I'm still curious in your opinion how the hammer would have appeared in those days.

Thank you for your time, i'll keep this short!

Jake

Hi,

In Flame Bearer you write that Uthreds cousin Uthred had lost his wife and son to plague recently. But the son of cousin Uthred was supposed to be back in Bebbenberg after Sichtric gave him back to his father. So he shouldn't have been with his mother and thus die of plague......

Thanks, still loving the books

Cathy

Starbuck - Is there a book five ? I'm finishing The Bloody Ground . I love the books .

Robert Chehoski

 

My dear Bernard,

Like so many of your readers I have e mailed several times asking when will Starbuck march again. He's had a long enough rest and is ready to rock and roll. I have just bought The Flame Bearer and there is no word about what you will write next. None of us are getting any younger and I don't want to end up at the pearly gates or the other place not know what happened to Starbuck.

Lee Menzies

 

Hello Mr.Cornwell

I'm a huge fan of your books I think I've read them all,and own most of them.just reread the Starbuck Chronicles ,is there a 5th book? love to finish the story.

Ed Taplin

I watch two first episodes and in my honest opinion if this is british answer for Vikings made by history channel so in my opinion it is disappointing I hope that next episodes of this series will be more interesting.

And second question why don't you mention about polish in your book about Sharpe. I don't see nothing about polish in tv series about Sharpe too.

If I had a good memory during one of battle polish cavallry destroyed british infantry regiment and one of member of regiment almost kill british commander Beresford

Piotr Chmielarz

I am an avid reader of the Saxon Stories and have already managed to get through the Flame Bearer. As always, brilliant work, and it remains one of my favourite series.

Osferth has always been one of my favourite characters in the book; I must ask, has he died now? I cannot recall him falling in battle in the last book yet there is no mention of him in the Flame Bearer, apart from the thought on cousin Uthred's wife and son. Will we see him again? Or is he gone, now?

Charles

Mr. Cornwell,

I am currently reading my way through your Richard Sharpe novels chronologically and I am reading Sharpe's Regiment. Sharpe just saw Jane Gibbons. I remember in earlier novels, Sharpe mentioning her and had a locket of her and had met her sometime. Maybe I have forgotten, but in which book had he met her in? Anyway, I am really enjoying your novels.

I ran across a video of an interview you had in 2012, and you mentioned that you still were planning to write more Sharpe novels. Are you still going to write more? I hope so. Too bad you can't take suggestions for new stories because if you could I would have suggested the idea of a short story telling about when Sharpe joined the army.

Thank you once again for your books.

Burt Barnard

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I'm an avid reader of your books.

Having spent most of my teens and twenties following Richards treks I am curious to know if you consider the series finished or there maybe one last adventure for the brave Richard Sharpe to tackle?

Many thanks for you time.

Phil Wright

 

I wish you could write some more Sharpe novels but this time including Sharpe or a similar character working a) with the King's German Legion; b) the reformation of the Portuguese Army; c) the Chasseurs Britanniques.

It also occurs to me that Rifles soldiers on deployment (and previously in Iraq and Afghanistan) enjoy the Sharpe films, they could do with some more; or new stories that are more current?

Victor Newman

Dear Mr Cornwell,

having previously thoroughly enjoyed the Grail Quest series, I have just read the first (in chronological order) of the Sharpe series - Sharpe's Tiger. Love the way you bring the conflicting / contrasting personalities of the main and supporting characters to life in the exotic Indian subcontinent setting of 1799. Keen to read my way through the series over time. Found the reference to British officers of the era purchasing their commissions of interest. As officers couldn't officially profit from the spoils of battle (unlike the enlisted men), yet paid significant sums to secure their commissions, I wonder what the benefits of purchasing a commission were perceived be in the minds of British society at the time. Was it to complement / enhance their existing social standing as gentlemen / peers or were there other practical benefits accruing to the purchase of a commission?

Marc Radcliffe

Hi Bernard.

I have avidly followed the story of Uhtred from the beginning and at last finally made it to visit Bamburgh/Bebbanburg. I know the fortress of your imagination may not be exactly that of the original Saxon stronghold (underneath the current buildings of course) but I was not able to fully reconcile some of your descriptions. In short, did you imagine the "Lower Gate" was located at the north of the outcrop ( where the Saxon "St.Oswald's" gate is believed to be) or on the southern section where the current main Gate is? I know you describe characters approaching the Lower Gate from the south but in my minds eye the various descriptions given of entering the Fortress best suit a northern entry.

Oh dear! I have just read that back to myself and it does sound a bit pedantic. I hope you forgive me if it does!!

I also notice you are coming to York. In an earlier comment to your website I recommended the book on Viking Age Yorkshire  by Matthew Townend. I just wondered if you ever managed to look it up.

Paul Stein