Your Questions

You will not be aware of it, but you have been a great help to me as I am writing my own book, set in 614AD. As you suggest in your writing advice, I have been studying some of the Uhtred books. I am working with a mentor and she is trying to lift me to another level. So in my rewrites I am looking for flaws and weaknesses.
One such problem was a difficulty with the battle of Chester in 616AD. Reading The Pagan Lord, I have discovered that I have got my characters crossing the river Dee when they didn't need to. Your account of the taking of the fort has been so helpful as well as the account of Bebbanburgh, which if ever I get to write it, will feature in a later book.
I am assuming that the Celtic Britons  fought with slings, spears, daggers and bow and arrows, only the trained military using swords. Would I be right? There is so little reliable information available.
Anyhow, reading your books is of an enormous help to me.
Maureen Chapman

Hi There,

First, I'd like to say that I adore your writing and you're the reason that I now read historical fiction profusely. I'm starting to attempt it myself within my undergrad writing degree in an English university and I'm working on a short story that I hope to expand about the invasion of Lindisfarne. However, I'm writing an accompanying critical piece concerning the nature of research within historical fiction as a genre. I would like to explore the ideas that you have to do far more research than you include, that it ultimately needs to feel real and believable, even if you forsake some of the truth and that with a subject like Lindisfarne, there is only so much fact to uncover and most of the historical sources were written by the English and not the Norsemen.

Gosh, this question became long. Sorry about that, I just wanted to know if there is anything small you could say regarding these topics that I would be able to quote you on in my essay. A direct source would be wonderful!

Thank you,
Emma

Dear Bernard,

Thank you so much for the wonderful Uhtred saga. It helped/helps me cope with some unpleasant things in my life. I hope there will be many more books featuring him. Have you thought about a spin-off series, focusing on Uhtred's son? It would be great if Uhtred's legacy continues, possibly written by another author. Then, in a way, it would become your legacy as well.

All the best,

René
The Netherlands

Mr Cornwell,
Thank you for your books.
I was raised on Hornblower (bolitho, ramage, Aubrey et al) and sailed for 30 yrs.  This is to say, I feel confident as a well read person in the 'genre' to say you have earned all your laurels.
Learning the other half of the Napoleonic wars ie Army versus Navy was a broadening experience. I especially love your epilogues. To 'come clean' with your artistic license, is a brave act, where many authors do not dare to venture, yet shows you to be true to the time.
I do regret that I never sent any correspondence to Dudley Pope, I enjoyed his work immensely. I decided at 3:13am EST here in Toronto, that I wouldn't miss another chance to send a note to thank you. I just finished Sharpes trafalgar...(14 yrs after it was published...oops.) Worried at first, seemed a bit too much romance...but the description of the battle was stellar ! I learned stuff ! You have earned your naval commendation badge !
I have a French Fiancée, who I tell that I i want to walk (or moped) the campaign from Portugal to Paris to see the battlefields you have written about so well.
I have maybe 5 questions per book, and 20 on top of that about other authors and your opinions, alas, I understand you are only one man and can't begin to answer all correspondence as i'm sure you would like to do. But the one I do have to ask is : Did you ever think your work would end up getting an OBE ? Well done ! One of the few awards which are truly deserved.
Thanks again for all your efforts- they are appreciated ! oh I also grinned when I heard you like Cape Cod and Charleston.  Two of my favourites on the eastern seaboard. Although I would might pick Mystic seaport instead of the Cape ;-).
Sincerely,

William MacBrien
Skydiving instructor
Toronto Ontario.

PS... I shall ignore your appeal for no suggestions and say: maybe a book or two to follow Dudley pope's Yorke era ?  Pirates and plunder ?

Hello Mr Cornwell
I have completed the Grail Quest, 1356 and I'm currently half way through Azincourt.

I've read that you currently have no plans for Thomas of Hookton and I don't yet know the outcome of Nick Hook.
I've thoroughly enjoyed reading about the 100yrs war, have you a recommendation of what to move onto next please?
Trevor Bate

Mr Cornwell,

I have just finished reading the pagan lord and I also read that you planned maybe 3 more books in the Saxon series. I was wondering whether Uhtred will continue to fight in the shield wall or whether he will be too old and have too many injuries to continue to be a warrior (or will I have to just wait until October to find out) will he now just be watching his son from the side line cheering him on? Sorry I'm not sure if I can wait until October to find out.

Richard Parkhouse

I'm 17 and haven't read for a while . i just want this time to say thank you for writing an amazing series about Alfred the great . I'm currently starting on the lords of the north and cannot wait to read some more tonight . Also ever since i have  read the pale horseman , I've been wondering if in time it will be made into a movie?  Keep up the good work -

Tommy Towse

Hello, Mr. Cornwell.

I am a fan of all your novels and the Uhtred novels in particular. I was wondering if you are familiar with a television series on the History Channel called "Vikings"? The reason I ask is that the main character in the TV series is Ragnar Lodbrok, who had several heroic sons, most interestingly Ivar the Boneless, Halfdan and Ubba, who are, of course, characters in some of your novels. Interesting to watch the series and keep your novels in mind when enjoying all the characters. Thanks for so many wonderful books: continued success to you.

John.

Sir,

I have read with great enjoyment the complete Sharpe series, flinched and ducked my way through The Fort, revisited the life and times of one of my forebears in Redcoat, and ridden with Nate Starbuck through his chronicles. I have read of warlords and great kings, but have come to the end. When is your next book coming out - and, more to the point, when is Nate Starbuck riding again? He still has a few years of the war left. My reading glasses are on the alert :-)

Regards

Phil Rutherford

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I've admired your work for many years and look forward to each new release and re-reading works I have not visited in a while. Let me preface, that I'm am not suggesting an idea for a book, nor do I have any manuscript generating literary ability! What I do have is an interest in history, partially nurtured by my mother who was decidiedly British in all ways! An interesting lady on many levels, she worked as a cryptographer in the RAF during World War II. One of my favorite discussions with her many years ago, concerned the astonishingly intrepid adventures and life of Captain Richard Francis Burton. To me, he seems an amazing amalgam of a Lawrence of Arabia, some of Errol Flynn's Victorian swashbucklers, Indiana Jones, and yes, Richard Sharpe. What is your take on this Victorian Renasance Man par excellence, and why have there been (other than ' Mountains of the Moon '), so few cinematic or literary adaptations?  I know that at one time the great director Richard
Attenborough was rumored to have considered this, and in my opinion Tom Clegg would be a fine choice as director of an adaptation.

Sincerely,

Bruce D. Worf, MD