Your Questions

Dear Bernard,

Very many thanks for all the pleasure your books have given me, specially Sharpe and the Last Kingdom series.  For me, your writing style is just perfect, with exactly the right blend of atmosphere, information and action in superb balance.

What I am curious about, though, is your vision of Uhtred, as up to Warriors of the Storm I don't recall any instance of him describing himself -- why would he, except for mentioning the grey hairs in his beard!  But in Warriors we at last have a hint, where he refers to his second son as 'said to resemble me, blunt-faced and scarred.'  That, Bernard, is exactly how I had imagined him from your writings, together with the indication that he is big but a strong and athletic man.

So, although I enjoyed the BBC 'Last Kingdom', I was a little disappointed with the casting of Uhtred, not big enough and rather too slick looking.  I think the actor who played Leofric would have been more suitable, right down to the voice too!  Was the BBC version REALLY how you imagined Uhtred to look?

I was also disappointed that Steapa seems to have been left out -- will he appear later?  It would be nice to see Pyrlig too, specially with his brand of humour.  Will they appear do you think?

Once again, thanks for all your superb books.

Hugh Coster

Hi Bernard,

First, a Happy New Year to yourself, your friends and family, and fellow historical fiction fans! I'm enjoying 'Warriors of the Storm' at the moment. I do have a question: when Uhtred is looking for some kind of omen, you mentioned the death of star. Did people in Saxon England understand that stars were distant suns and the concept of supernovas?

Robert Douglas

As a name sake of the historical character Rollo of Normanday,  I am interested as is a previous correspondent to the history of this man. It brings into question the Vikings who settled in Normandy and went on to defeat the Saxons of Harold in 1066. It seem that the Saxons versus Danes/Vikings was an ongoing struggle that was eventually won by the Norsemen. Do you consider the Normans of William to be true viking descendants?

Rollo Mcgrath

Dear Mr Cornwell,

It's been a very long time since I last wrote, but in that time I've branched out from reading Sharpe to your other novels such as 1356 and Enemy of God, which I enjoyed immensely.  I was wondering, sitting between those two periods, would you ever consider writing a series about "The Anarchy" from 1135 to 1154?  It's a period of time which often gets overlooked, but is nonetheless very important as England's "First Civil War" and what came of it.

Best Regards

Robin Armstrong

Dear Mr Cornwell,

Happy New Year to you! (seems they did not celebrate that day back in the 9th-10th century, did they?) My question - did you make it deliberately that most of Uthred's warriors mentioned are not saxons? (mainly Norse or Danes). How come that Haesten was able to have a seizable band and army despite his humble start and defeats, and Uthred was never able to attract an army of followers? What is he lacking?

Sincerely yours,

Zeev

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I am a big fan of your historical novels. Read them all. I've always wondered why the vikings in your books never used siege engines against the burhs. Surely they were common knowledge as they were used also at the siege of Paris in 885. Is it for plot reasons or because of historical accuracy or did you save them for the epic final assault on Bebbanburg?

Sincerely,

Johannes

Dear Bernard,

I have really enjoyed your books for many years now, and have just finished Sharpe's Regiment, which is what prompted this letter. So many of the places you mentioned have a special significance for me. In 1966 I was a very junior site agent with a building firm in Southend on Sea, and we had a contract to build gun emplacements on Foulness Island, a very desolate place, brilliantly described by you. I spent may days as a youth sailing the creeks round Foulness.  It was then a weapons testing station, probably still is. I left the building firm to join the police, and Grantham was my first posting. Sleaford was my second, and the cattle market was still thriving in 1967 but is now a housing estate. You also mentioned Hadleigh Castle, which still stands, and where Christine, my wife, used to play as a child.

But now I am bereft, I only have Sharpe's Devil left to read, before Richard Sharpe, a long time companion, leaves me, though I have read many of your other books and enjoyed them as well.  Are there any more Sharpe books planned ?

Thank you so much for many hours of pleasurable reading.

Chris Matthews

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I own all Sharpe books published so far. Now for a very simple question: will there be any prequels/sequels of this series?

Sincerely

Ludwig Dittrich

 

Greetings Mr. Cornwell --

I've just started reading The Burning Land ... I've read the series leading up to this and know your character Uhtred pretty well (although that sounds silly since you know him best of all). I was wondering how you decided to make the monks copy the wrong version of the story ... in oral cultures it is important to get the story in writing correct? Unless, of course, there is someone who wants the story retold in a different way so that the truth is forgotten. I live in a valley where a person's word is very important in communication. I'm very interested in orality versus literacy, and how stories are told, any insight would be most appreciated.

Amber Gordon

Firstly, I wish to thank you for your stunning writings - I have read every single book you have ever published apart from Warriors of the Storm which I am saving for this Christmas.  Every one of your characters, from Derfel to Uhtred, from Campion to Hookton, from Starbuck to Sharpe have kept me company for several years now so thank you.

I have always found it very interesting that the Viking Rollo secured a foothold on the River Seine, was able to demand land from the French and then went on to establish Normandy.  It fascinates me that he was the ancestor of William the Conqueror.  This seems to me a great story but I can't find anybody who has written of this.  Do you know if anybody has taken up this story?  Would it be something you would find interesting or have ever considered writing about?  I have often wanted to research more and write a book myself on this topic but there does not seem to be a lot written about him.

Not sure if this is a question or a thought, but would like to know if you think Rollo and his descendants were interesting enough to write a series of books upon.

John Hinson

You have said that "Waterloo" will be your only non-fiction book, but have you never thought of writing your memoirs?  I love to read the life stories of my favorite authors and regret that such favorites of mine as George MacDonald Fraser and Robert Heinlein never got around to it.  Please think about it.

Jim Dickey