Your Questions

Q

Hello,

I was just wondering if you have been able to watch the History channel's new tv show 'vikings' following Ragner Lothbrok and whether good reviews from this may find a market for a show or even better a movie series following Uhtred?

Thanks

Pat

 

I've just this moment read that The Last Kingdom is to be televised. Could this be true? huzzah and hozzanah! Is this something that Vikings has enabled, along with GoT? Anyway, that's awesome news. I'm almost as happy as when they announced Episode VII. Could this eventually lead to the Warlord trilogy being televised?

Thankee

Ser Phillpy

 

Very excited to read today that BBC America will be filming the Last Kingdom - be very interested to see who is cast as Uhtred (and if they find a role for Sean Bean).  Have you any preferences for who will play Uthred?

Roy

 

Dear Bernard

I wish you congratulations on the Last Kingdom becoming a TV show.

https://uk.celebrity.yahoo.com/news/game-thrones-scared-bbc-set-rival-hbo-drama-145832199.html

Who would you like to be Uthred, myself I think Philip Glienster would be perfect for older Uthred.

Also a previous poster asked about the Benous Aires expedition. There is a good book called Waters of Oblivion by Ian Fletcher on the subject he might like.

Yours sincerely

Geraint

 

Dear Mr Cornwell

Just noticed on a comingsoon.com that The Saxon Chronicles are to be made into a TV series.  Great news, hope they do the books justice.

Any news on other filmed projects?

Thanks for your time, Alex.

Submitted July 15, 2014

A

I'll leave the casting up to the experts!

Don't know if this will lead to any more films....time will tell!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

 

I just want to thank you for the many hours of entertainment you've provided me.  You are a terrific author, now one of my favorites actually, and your characters and stories are so realistic and enthralling.  All of this and I've not yet even started the Sharpe series, so I look forward to more hours of reading. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Warlord series, Grail Quest and Saxon Tales to date.

 

I have a couple questions:

 

1.  Will there be any more Grail Quest books beyond 1356?

 

2.  Between Derfel and Uhtred, in your opinion, who is the better warrior and why?  They seem so similar are terrific characters and have such great stories.  Doesn't have to be a long explanation, I'm just curious.

 

Thank you and may you have many, many years of writing ahead of you!!

Jeff Roberts

Submitted July 15, 2014

A

I am not planning on adding to the Grail Quest books.

They're as good as each other, which is all you'll get from me!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

The Starbuck series will be released in Brazil later this year. There is a strong discussion among his fans to buy or not a series that had no end. There is hope you finish this series?

Marcelo

 

Dear Mr Cornwell,

As all your readers do - thank you for your entertaining, interesting and enjoyable books! I recently took out my copies of the Starbuck Chronicles and re-read them; loving the adventures of Nate. Bloody Ground, the 4th book, ends with the line: "Starbuck will march again". My question is...probably fairly predictably...when?!

There are so many things I'd like to find out - characters who still need to get dealt with. Are you intending to write any more Starbuck novels?

Yours in eager anticipation

M. Carroll

 

I have read all your books and would like to know When or if any more books in the Starbuck series are coming out?

regards

Tom

 

 

Submitted July 15, 2014

A

I am hoping to return to Starbuck, but I don't know when!

Q

Hello Bernard,

greetings. I enjoy your work, specially the Graal series. But nowadays I´ve been in an intellectual pursuit, the history of strategy. It amazed me to find out that asians count on a sophesticated strategic thinking writings (such as Art of War, The Book of 36 Stratageme and forth). So I asked myself which could be, if any, western similar writing. That I know of there is Clausewitz´s "On War", but this is a recent war literature. There is also Machiavelli´s The Prince. Do you know some other interesting western book on strategy?

Thank you.

Joao Eduardo Bonavina da Rosa

Submitted July 11, 2014

A

Yes, there is an early mediaeval book on warfare, but for the life of me I can’t remember its title or author, nor do I remember any verdict on its usefulness . . . .and the same is true for the early modern period.  There are writings before Clausewitz – Marshal de Saxe for one – but again I don’t know how widespread or influential they were. I have the impression (merely an impression) that mediaeval warfare was conducted by leaders who were either well equipped for their role (like Henry V) or woefully inadequate (like Edward II), and they drew on a consensus of opinion – thus I doubt that the French decision to fight their men-at-arms on foot at Agincourt was based on any theory, but on practical experience. The one book I’d strongly recommend is John Keegan’s A History of Warfare, which should throw up a lot of thought-provoking ideas.

 

Q

I love Uhtred and have followed him through all of his adventures. I just received Martin Jensen's Oathbreaker for review. Imagine my surprise when the prologue featured an Uhtred that seems to be the same as the one in your books. Is your Uhtred based on a real character? If so, I am furious that through Jensen's book, I know his outcome which is nothing like I had in my head.  is it just a coincidence?

Susan Johnson

Submitted July 11, 2014

A

There was indeed a man called Uhtred – several, in fact – who were the lords of Bebbanburg, so Martin Jensen has as much right to him as I do!

 

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

 

I think it's the third time that I write some questions about your books in general. I'm waiting anxiously for "The Pagan Lord" here in Brazil (to buy it, because I've already read it in english) and for the publication of "The Empty Throne". Will you grant us a sneak peak of it? And when?

 

Also, I'm re-re-reading the Saxon Stories, and I've got some questions of "The Last Kingdom". They are about some details that I hadn't realized before:

 

1 - When Uhtred (half brother of the protagonist), goes to spy the Danes, his father orders him to take a dozen man. So he goes in a band of THIRTEEN warriors. It was a foreshadowing of Uhtred's death?

2 - When Uhtred (the protagonist) goes to war with his father, Aelfric gives him a helmet with a band of gilt bronze, "So they know you are a prince". The question is: Aelfric was already planning for Uhtred to die by giving him a helmet that draws attention of the enemies? Or am I seeing to much?

3 - In the first book, Uhtred says one day he will take back Bebbanburg. However, in a later book he says he's inside the strongest fort of Northern England (presumably Bebbanburg). So he takes Bebbanburg after he starts writing the chronicles? And when he does it?

 

Sorry if I'm being too inquisitive with hard questions, but that's what happens when there's no new books to read :\ Please, urge the publishers in Brazil to publish all your books here (most of Sharpe and all Starbuck books are still missing a brazilian version)! And thank you for all your incredible books!

Ronnie Junior

Submitted July 11, 2014

A

I don’t think you’re seeing too much!  And remember, the books are being narrated by a man in extreme old age so, yes, there will be hints of what is to come – so does he eventually retake Bebbanburg? Wait and see (or follow the hints)...

Q

Mr Cornwell,

 

I am a keen student of Mythology. Your Saxon series has been most refreshing, and your stance of having the protagonist a Pagan in a Christian world really lifts the novel, by giving more colour and depth to the subtext of the drama.

 

My favourite novel was the first in the Series: The Lost Kingdom, as I felt that it explored the Pagan themes the most deeply. I hope you went to the British Museum to see the Viking Exhibition recently, perhaps there was some treasure of Uhtred's there? I liked to think so. I sincerely hope you continue this fine series, and explore Norse Mythology more. I get the impression if you yourself were in the novel, you would be a Pagan over Christian - am I right in that?

 

Thank You,

Stefan Page

Submitted July 11, 2014

A

I didn’t have the opportunity to visit the exhibition, so did the next best thing which was to get the catalogue. It was very impressive!

Q

Mr. Cornwell,

First let me say that I can't wait to read your latest entry into the Saxon Stories! I was wondering, will we be seeing a lot more of Father Judas? In light of his relationship with dear old dad, it seems like he has the potential to be a very interesting character.

 

Thanks!

Eric Clay

Submitted July 11, 2014

A

Well I hope you’ll see more of him, but I’m afraid he’s absent from The Empty Throne, sorry!

 

Q

Dear Bernard

 

In your reply about Sir Thomas Picton you mentioned the likelihood of him suffering from Post-combat stress disorder when he was asked to join the Waterloo campaign. I recall that a smilar reason was advanced for Marshall Ney's poor perforamce in that campaign as well, i.e. due to his experiences in Russian campaign. What would your view be of this?

 

regards

 

Steven

Submitted July 11, 2014

A

I’ve never seen that said about Ney. No one emerged from Moscow with much credit, Ney being an exception. Was he suffering from PCSD? I’ve not seen evidence of that, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t.

 

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell

It should be taken for granted that I am a huge fan and the pleasure and education I have received from your novels are much appreciated.

Whilst I'm delighted that BBC are making Uhtred into a series I am also concerned about how this will vary from the books and the comparison to Game of Thrones (I understand the reason). Could you please let us know what your input/influence will be as this would reassure me of a sound grounding for the series.

As regards casting - I'm so glad Paul McGann broke his leg for Sharpe, but who do you think for Uhtred

May you continue to make me dream of being a hero

Andy OB

 

I'm delighted to see that the BCC are making a series of your excellent Uthred books.  Purely out of my own selfish interest will you have any input into this or will you just admire from the distance and count the richly deserved royalties!!  If you're not involved will you have sleepless nights that the Beeb might make a mess of it, which I'm sure they won't?

Lastly, many thanks for countless hours of enjoyment reading your wonderful books.

Andy Hampshaw

 

Dear Bernard

Just seen today's annoucement that the BBC will begin filming The Last Kingdom in the autumn.

After the success of the Sharpe films I am sure this series will be equally successfully and perhaps will give Game of Thrones a run for its money.

Best wishes

Steven

 

Excellent news today concerning the BBC's forthcoming show The Last Kingdom. Will you have anything to do with the production?  If only to keep the Beeb on the historical straight and narrow ....

Pyers Symon

 

Mr. Cornwell,

I just read an article which claims that the BBC is planning to adapt The Saxon Stories for a new television series. Can you confirm or deny that!?

Much appreciated,

Eric Clay

Submitted July 11, 2014

A

I’m delighted to confirm it, and no, I won’t have anything to do with the production! Carnival Films, who make Downton Abbey, will shoot the series for the BBC and they don’t need any advice from me!  I like to think I know a thing or two about writing stories, but I know nothing about producing television drama, so the best thing is to stay away and let the experts do what they do best!