Your Questions

Q

Bernard,

I've enjoyed several of the Last Kingdom series while on holiday this week - thanks for some riveting reads! I especially enjoyed learning some of the ancient names of various towns and rivers that are familiar to me, but I was intrigued by Exeter - I'd always presumed that this was named for the Exe River, but your books show that the Ex- prefix was used for the town (as in Exancaester) while the river was called the Uisc at the time. Do you have any idea how this came to be? Was the river perhaps renamed for the town? Apologies - bit of a niche question, but I'm intrigued!

Ben

Submitted July 8, 2016

A

Oddly enough both names derive from the same source – a pre-Saxon (and pre-Roman) name – Uisc, or Iska, which was a British name probably meaning water (you can imagine some Roman or Saxon pointing to the river and asking a native Briton what the river was called and he, misunderstanding, just said ‘water!’.  Early maps of Arabia’s empty quarter are smothered in names like ‘Wadi Why Ask Me’ or ‘I haven’t a clue). The names just evolved slightly differently, but in the end both ended up as Ex.

 

Q

Hello, Mr. Cornwell.

First of all, I just want to say "Thank you" for all the wonderful books that you had written so far and I hope there are lots to come.

My question is about your "Stonehenge - A Novel of 2000 BC". I want to know if you used any historical source to chose the names of the gods worshiped in Ratharryn or your just created those names. I'm also a huge fan of the George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and couldn't help but notice that the god of vale in your novel is called Arryn. Is it some kind of reference to the House Arryn of the Vale in the Martin's books? Or just a coincidence? Or maybe both of you using the same source?

Hope you can come to Brazil again soon.

Best Regards.

Timóteo.

Submitted July 8, 2016

A

I couldn’t tell you if it’s the same source, but Arryn is the name of a failed god! I assume George found it like I did – in some obscure and long forgotten book!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

Not since Harry Potter have I been so restless in waiting for a novel to release. I have, for a long time, wanted to visit England for its history and historical places. I am traveling to England in September and have decided to follow the trails of Uhtred instead of the well worn tourist path. While I am preparing my list from the 9 books so far, can I ask for your recommendation of places one should not miss when on Uhtred's Trails?  Also can I bother you to tell me exact location you had in mind and if they still exist from my below list?

I will go to the castle of Bamburgh, Cannington Hills,  Bratton Castle. I am not sure where, if any, of the plaques / castles / monuments related to Alfred the Great, by extension of our beloved Uhtred, are present in York, Benfleet, Durham, London and Tettenhall?

Hope you could spare a few minutes and guide me in the right direction.

Regards

Dwarakesh

 

Submitted July 8, 2016

A

Bamburgh for sure! And don’t forget Winchester (Alfred’s capital), and I’d certainly visit Edington (Ethandun) in Wiltshire. Durham (Dunholm), of course, is well worth a visit. But many of the places have changed beyond all recognition – Benfleet has its charms, but it’s almost impossible to trace the Saxon past thanks to urban sprawl. Wareham, in Dorset, has the only remaining Saxon ramparts in England - to be honest they’re not much to look at, but Wareham itself is a charming town and well worth a visit! York still has its mediaeval walls and, of course, a fine museum about the Viking occupation. Chester is also splendid, though again there’s little remaining of the Saxon town. That will take you to every corner of the kingdom!

Q

Could you let me what Sharpe novel covered Tarragona if at all Thank you for your great books

Hywel

Submitted July 8, 2016

A

I don’t think there is one . . . . sorry!

Q

If you could travel back in time and personally witness one battle, what would it be and why?

Jeff

Submitted July 8, 2016

A

Waterloo, because we still don’t know as much about it as we’d like. May I take a bullet-proof vest, please?

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I started reading the Richard Sharpe series when I was 14 years old and I have not stopped reading your books since.

Your books helped inspire me as a writer and helped me see history as something exciting and new.

What is your personal favorite historical fiction novel?

Regards,

Caleb

Submitted July 8, 2016

A

Either Lincoln by Gore Vidal or Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell.

In your researches about the fighting techniques of the Vikings, Saxons, knights, etc., did you ever come across any evidence of any system of unarmed combat that a warrior might use when no weapons were at hand, grapples, throws, strikes, kicks, etc?  Or was that something that a warrior just made up as the situation demanded?  The ancient Greeks had pankration, but that seemed to die out with their civilization.  I wonder if modern boxing and wrestling had any Dark Age/Medieval Age roots?

Alan Kempner

Submitted July 6, 2016

A

They certainly had wrestling, and wrestling competitions were fairly common. Other than that I imagine they were pretty good at gouging, kicking, throttling!

 

Q

Having read nearly all of your books my two favourite characters are Rider Sandman and Obadiah Hakeswill. I know you killed Obadiah Hakeswill off but have you ever considered taking him back to his early life and writing a novel with him as the central character?

Barry Evans

Submitted July 6, 2016

A

I've always regretted killing Obadiah.  Perhaps he has a twin brother????

Q

Good evening Mr. Cornwell,

I'm a french reader, who almost learned english by reading your books, in fact I couldn't wait till the translation would be available in my mother tongue so I had to go for them in their original language.

No need to say I'm a great fan; I've already read the nine books of Uthred, the graal quest and the Arthurian trilogy (twice).

I know you've probably heard this question too many times, but are you considering to write a book, or a series of books, about the english most famous archers, robin hood?

I think such a story would be a great gift to all of your fans!!

Bye,

Pierre

Submitted July 6, 2016

A

I have considered Robin Hood....who knows?  Maybe....

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I am new 2 your books me Dad put me on to you. But your novels r the best things iv ever read!!! I love Uthred and was wondering if when his saga is complete there's one in a similar style with Harold Godwinson in the role over Alfred about the lead up and aftermath og the 1066 invasion. You are the ONLY Man who could do that fact based fiction story and I would love to read your story of that period. I understand your legal bit but if I could id pay you to write it 4real! !!!. Anyways ur the best author on earth far as I'm concerned. Thank you for so many hours with with Uhtred ,Thomas of Hooton, Derfel Nick Hook and of course Sharpe. Keep on writing and again Thank You u should b Knighted or something.

Danny Bruce

Submitted July 6, 2016

A

Thank you!  Not sure I'll get to Godwinson....