Your Questions

I have, in the past ten minutes, picked up my copy of The Empty Throne from Waterstones (they are just round the corner from my office), and I, being an insatiable Uhtred fan, am wondering how many more books there will be on his story.  I recall, possibly just after the release of Death of Kings, that you were asked this question and your reply was along the lines of "definitely seven, possibly ten". I've scanned the other questions and saw that at the beginning of October you mentioned in a reply that you needed "finish Uhtred", which implies at least a ninth book, yes?  I can't wait to leave work this afternoon and get reading, and now I shall leave you in peace! :-)

Su Bradley

Hi Mr Cornwell,

I have a question regarding historical fiction, I am currently researching for a book set during the civil war and my thoughts on this genre are that the actual historical facts should be background to the fictional story being told.  For example if the book was end with a battle then the fictional story should be the forefront that results in the main character being at the battle. As an expert on writing historical fiction I wondered what your thoughts were on this, do you agree? Thanks

Rob Edwards

Mr Cornwell,

Have enjoyed your books for a long time, so was intrigued to see you as i was walking down the street in York. Was there to visit Jorvik museum with my 10 year old son, and your Uthred came to mind as i saw the displays there - unbelievable place.  Did you visit whilst in York?

 

Dear Bernard

First let me say I have just finished the Empty Throne and found it immensely entertaining, really good thank you. I wondered in researching your book, did you ever get a chance to visit Chester at all ?

Second Dan posted on October 10th on whether the US Rifles fought the UK Rifles. The closest was when they fought the Glengarry Light Infantry (modelled on the 95th) at Ogdensburg in 1813. The Article here may be of interest http://www.napoleon-series.org/military/Warof1812/2007/Issue7/c_OGDEN.html

 

While the Historian Donald Hicky in his book don't give up the Ship the myths of 1812 did a direct comparison between the actual Rifles themselves.

Yours sincerely

Geraint

Sharpe's father...

Smuggler?  "Gee-gee" inside of "smiler."

Huge fan of all your work (maybe not the lawyer bashing . . .).  Thanks for writing.

Joe

I am in serious withdrawal......urgently needed....another Richard Sharpe saga!!  Are there any more books 'in the works' about Col. Sharpe?

David Rolfe

 

Will there be another Richard Sharpe book any time soon?

Luis Silva

Hi

When will your new book WATERLOO be available to buy in the USA. So far I can only buy it from UK store? You have a huge number of fans over here yet so far it's not offered through USA outlets that I can find.

Kenneth Quina

Mr. Cornwell,

I have noticed an inconsistency in Æthelstan's age. I understand that for the purpose of the story, you moved his date of birth from about 893-895CE to 899CE (he's born shortly before Alfred dies in the 6th book of the series), but The Empty Throne is set in 911CE which would make him 12 rather than 9 as Uhtred says.

All in all, I would say each book in the series is better than the previous one and this is certainly the case with The Empty Throne as well. Brilliant story and I really enjoyed the prologue narrated by Uhtred Jr.

That being said, I have heard that your next book will be set in the late 16th century. Does that mean you will take a break from the Saxon Stories for a while? (I hope not, but then again I'll buy your next book either way).

Kind regards,

Gustav

Dear Sir

When I think about the Peninsula War, which your creation stirred my initial interest in; I always get the impression that unlike the French, Wellington's campaign would have ended with one defeat.

Is that a fair comment?  Or do you think the Allies would have fought on?

If it is a fair comment, what do you think the factors influencing that would have been?

As I know virtually zero about armies, battle tactics etc, my own low intelligence can only conclude that, the vastness of France's armies and the fact that in those early years they were in a position of strength because they were occupying the majority of the countries they invaded; thus making one defeat for Britain and her Allies an almost catastrophe as we'd have found it near impossible to drive them out after that.

But as you can plainly see, I know very little, so forgive me but I rely on asking people like yourself who in my opinion have retained more of what you have learned in as little as an hour than I have retained in an entire lifetime.

Lee

Hello Mr Cornwell,

I have just finished The Empty Throne and found that my favourite series just gets better and better with each book. I intended to visit your book signing in York but due to surgery I could not handle the train journey (so I will have to catch you next time). Athelstan is fast becoming a favorite character, especially his conversations with Uhtred. I have a small question if you can answer it; there are two characters that have not cropped up in a while? Haesten and Brida; are they assumed dead? (I hope they are both around for Brunanburh; Brida with her influence among the Northern Danes and Haesten the snake who always wriggles free).

Thank you for your wonderful books (and do not listen to the wingers calling for Uhtred's story to come to a close; I would gladly buy and read as many more books as you can write!!!)

Nicolaas Nicholson