Your Questions

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

Good day Sir, first of all let me say that I'm a fan and enjoy your books immensely.  I’m wondering if you ever considered exploring your Canadian heritage and writing about the adventures of a Constable in the North West Mounted Police during its legendary march west.  Much like King Alfred, early NWMP Commissioner George Arthur French and Inspector Sam Steele had a vision of Canada and the NWMP.  Perhaps as this as a backdrop, an anti-hero Constable could operate with all the political and issues of the day. There is a rich history of the Canadian West and how the NWMP operated.  Just a thought… Best of the season otherwise and look forward to your next installment of Uthred son of Uthred who is also a son of Uthred.

Marc Hunter

I just found Forester's "The Gun" and "Rifleman Dodd".  They were pretty grim, dealing more with the guerilla fighting and less with the conventional combat you give the reader.  Part of the Forester voice is to stand back and remark on the situation.

Have you read them?  What do you think of them?

I have to say I like the way you put the necessary historical context to the reader without obvious lecturing. It's not easy.

I gave some young relatives Sutcliff's trilogy published several years ago.  I figured, no matter how educated they were, they needed four pages of history, or it may as well have been science fiction.

When Kipling introduces one of his Puck series by having Una--maybe twelve--shouting verses from Lays of Ancient Rome into the wind, Kipling presumes his readers know the poem and don't find anything odd about a kid knowing it as well.  But today, in the US...?

Thanks so much for building it into the novels so invisibly.

Richard Aubrey

Hello Mr. Bernard,

My name is Jovana and I'm from Montenegro.

I know you're busy man, but I hope you can find time to answer me. I don't know why, I can't explain it, but i became attached to one of your characters from book "Saxon stories". That character is Mildrith and to my regret you do not mention her after second book and we don't know is she alive and well, so I wanted to ask you to tell me something about her future, you are the only one who knows it. Does she, maybe, meets Uhtred again, does she really dedicates her whole life to God or maybe she starts new life, away from everyone and everything? And after all, is she happy? I would really like to know all that and I would be very grateful if you could give me a little more detailed response.

Thank you in advance,

Best regards.

Jovana

I have just finished reading the four Simon Scarrow novels about Wellington & Napoleon, did Simon contact you about using Richard Sharpe in his last novel of the series (albeit very brief) and have you read the series? Or have I put 2 & 2 together and come up with 5?

Philip Newton

Hi Bernard

Can I add my name to those calling for you to turn to Robin Hood?

I would be interested in particular in how you would go about tackling Robin Hood the aristocratic archer as depicted in a number of films and books. I have always found it grating that the Earl of Loxley or Wakefield or wherever is a top grade archer, because of course the longbow was the weapon of the yeomanry, not the aristocracy. (How are those eggs, Grandma?) I haven't ever read - poorly researched fiction excepted - of a top quality archer drawn from the aristocracy in the medieval period, I suppose not least because of the years of practice that would be required in childhood and adolescence, whilst instead the little aristocrats were busy learning how to be big aristocrats. Maybe you have?

I suppose he needn't be an archer, but some might think it would detract from the story for him to be anything else, so if/when you do turn to this, can I cast my vote for Robin having a yeoman background?

Chris Wagstaff

As they did with the Sharpe series, the BBC did a great job interpreting the Warrior Chronicles to the screen. The casting was perfect. They were just as I pictured them while reading the books. The final episode left me wanting for more. Will there be more?

Love all your books.

Richard Kadien

 

Gidday Bernard,

I have been watching The Last Kingdom tv series,& while it took a while to grow on me-love the books,& a brunette Uhtred was strange-I now love the show,especially Alfred.Can you tell us if a second series will be made?  I would love to see Finan the agile on the screen

.Cheers Wayne

.Merry Christmas.

 

The books are great. I have only read 8...1 to go. But the BBC series was better than Sharpe.   Please help them make the next Uhtred series just as good.  When will it be transmitted?

George Patterson

 

I am an uber fan...and have read everything. In fact some years ago...the Sharpe series kept me sane while pursuing a Ph.D. ... got to escape!!

Please let your fans know immediately when the green light gets turned on for Season Two of The Last Kingdom!!

In the mean time....stay healthy and keep writing.

Loyd Ganey

Dear Mr Cornwell!

I've just finished Warriors of the Storm! Just one more great Uhtred book. Stiorra and Sigtryggr are a charming pair!

Several old characters died in this book. And I wanted to ask what do you feel about the antagonists in your books? Does Uhtred mirror your view on them? Or maybe sometimes you sympathize with them, their cause? Foe example I've always liked Haesten and understood his choice. I think Uhtred wasn't just to him

I've just started to read Warriors of the storm and almost at once was so much saddened by one of the oldest characters' death. I must admit Haesten was one of my most beloved characters along with Svein from the Pale Horseman (It's so sad they were dropped out of the TV series.) And not just because I love pagans more than their enemies, but because he was a really bright and colourful character, cheerful and witty. I really felt Uhtred didn't do him justice taking his sword away. I could never blame Haesten for breaking his oath for how could he fight against his own people? Uhtred himself too many times led Ragnar down even though claiming brotherhood.

So I wanted to ask what do you feel about the characters that are antagonists of the main ones? Do you sometimes feel sympathy for their cause? Or does for example Uhtred mirror your attitude towards them?

Thank you so much for all your wonderful books, especially for Arthur and Uhtred. Now I'm reading forth and worrying about one more beloved Dane - Sigtryggr Anna

 

 

Hi, I'm researching and writing a personal investigation (for an an undergrad assignment) on the heritage management of Vikings.

I was just wondering if you believe the Vikings/Norsemen/Danes are under represented and misrepresented in British heritage and if so - does it matter?

I'm loving The Last Kingdom and all your work ;)

Thank you

Kind regards

Mandy