Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I love your books having read Tiger, Triumph, Fortress, Trafalgar, and Rifles and I'm nearly done with Prey.

One thing that strikes me about poor Richard Sharpe is how during the book stories, things tend to start out badly for him but end on a high note, but then during what I call the "interbook-time" his life seems to always go to the toilet.  It appears poor Mr. Sharpe suffers from Rocky Balboa Syndrome.

As his creator and master of his destiny, do you ever feel any guilt over leaving him adrift between books?

Jamie

Good day mister Bernard.

First of all i want to wish you all the best and thank you for your extract of Warriors of Storm. Its magnificent.

And I would like to give a shot. Was the Sharpe's father William Bryant?

William Bryant (c. 1757 – 1791) was a Cornish fisherman and convict who was transported to Australia on the First Fleet.

David

Hello,

What is the last book(s) you have read, fiction or non-fiction,  that  you wish you had written yourself?

Regards and thanks,

Adrian.

Dear Bernard,

I hope this message finds you well. I am a huge fan of all your works, particularly the Saxon series, which are a hugely instrumental factor in me resigning from full time work to pursue a degree in Ancient History at Swansea University. As a budding historian, I am particularly interested in warfare, and have read an article recently about the 'Bamburgh Sword'; a sword heralded as "the only one in the world" forged by twisting 6 or 7 rods of iron to give a shimmering, bone-like pattern along both faces. Was this your inspiration for Serpent Breath? I've recently picked up a novel by Matthew Harffy, 'The Serpent Sword', set in 663AD Northumbria and features a sword incredibly similar to Uthred's trusty blade. Your books are so meticulously researched and I wonder if this forging process influenced you, and if this type of blade is really that rare?

I do look forward to hearing from you.

With best wishes,

Rhys

Hi

it's the first time I have ever wrote to author.  I have never been eloquent I'm much better fixing things than expressing my self. But I really wanted to thank you and tell you how great an author I think you are. Since reading one of your books as a boy I have been hooked and followed you ever since. Your work on bringing history to life in a relatable way is astounding and the affection you find yourself having for the characters in it truly brings both great sadness and joy to me. Ever since the death of Terry Prattchet I regret never writing to one of my favourite authors to tell him how much his work has meant to me. I was wondering if you may be back in the U.K. at any point to sign books ?

Richard Arnold

I just finished listening to the audio version The Empty Throne. The credits included the statement that

"Bernard Cornwell asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work."

I don't understand the concept of moral rights of authorship. Does the statement refer to some form of intellectual theft?

Janet Yang

Hello

I'm a big fan of your books, they're good stuff, and I was wondering if you've ever considered making another officer from the ranks as a possible nemesis for old Sharpie ?

Oldame.

I am looking forward to seeing The Last Kingdom but there is another great story which has never, to my knowledge, ever been filmed. This is the story of 1066.

I can see it as an epic cinema film or perhaps as another BBC America production? Next year is the 950th anniversary and there would surely be international interest in this story.

I would be interested in your opinion please.

Thank you.

Regards

Adam Stoddart

Dear Bernard ,

let me begin by saying a big thank you for producing such awesome novels. My father gave me my first sharpe novel when i was 9 years old and have been stealing them from his bookshelf ever since. I have worked on oil rigs in the middle east for the last 2 years and every night i would read the war lord chronicles, i can honestly say that those books kept me sane and i found great comfort from reading them whilst being so far away from home. My Father and I adore your books and have great discussions and some heated debates, We are both eagerly awaiting the next installment. I never realised how much Alfred the great shaped Britain and made it the country it is today , I did history at school and we never touched on this topic at all, yes were taught about viking raids etc , but not about Alfred and what he achieved. My father and I live in Pembrokeshire in south west Wales, Having Uthred visit St Davids and Fishguard was fantastic , may I ask did u visit Pembrokeshire whilst doing research for that particular book? Thank you for taking the time to read this , I have planned to contact you for sometime and thank you for your work and for opening my eyes to how my country became what is today. If you are ever in Wales your most welcome to pop in for a cup of tea. Thank you Bernard

James

Read all your books! All excellent. Any chance Uthred's son retakes Bebbanburg?

Also did RSM Harper go back to Ireland with Assumpta and raise horses and kids? May you live to be 105 and the last voice you hear be mine! Live well be happy and remember the joy you have given you readers.

Bill Poley