Your Questions

Hello Mr. Cornwell,
In the last few Saxon series books the section divider page shows a flag flying the dragon. Which I am assuming is the Saxon flag.  I noticed that in the next books the flag moves up to the center of the page.  Is this to signify that THE SAXONS ARE COMING or is my imagination overactive at this point ?(as everyone who knows me delicately suggests).
-K

Dear Mr Cornwell

Every time a new book is released in this series I have to reread the previous books to remind myself of the story so far, this is never a chore.  I must ask what happened to Bishop Asser?   such a loathsome character and a thorn in Ultred's side I was hoping to see him come to a gruesome end.

Also I am amazed how news travels so fast, living in Northamptonshire near Cytringan and also a horsewoman I could not imagine riding to the Scottish border in a couple of days where do your time scales come from I would love to learn more.

Lastly poor Ragner ......  I did smile at you writing him ... that way but really Mr Cornwell didn't he desire better?
Long may you continue being the master you are.
Kindest regard
Nikki

 

 

Dear Mr Cornwell,
I started with your books because when I was 18 I would take the three hour drive every weekend home from college to see my girlfriend; I'm proud to say I own every Sharpe, Starbuck, Saxon, and Grail quest( which were very tough to find) on audio.
Uhterd is my favorite, but there was one great disappointment with Pagan Lord; ....Ragnar Ragnarson .....?   I was so much hoping he and Uthred would join up again.
Thank you for all your great works!!
Vince Kurtz

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I just finished Pagan Lord and it was, as they all are, wonderful!  As I read your amazing battle scenes, I feel as if I were there with the armies.

I do wonder, though, will Brida and Uhtred ever meet again? Or Uhtred and Ragnar's sons?

Thank you -
Jennifer

I just finished The Pagan Lord and I really did enjoy it. Sometimes it's hard to remember that Uhtred is a fictional character, you make him so very real. After reading the Historical Notes section I'm convinced that Uhtred will survive.
I love this period in history particularly the reign of Athelstan. He would be a fascinating character for a historical novel.
You did leave a number of loose ends. There was not a lot about Uhtred's daughter,Storra or who she will marry. Remember she's supposed to be the mother of kings. Also, you never mentioned Athelstan's twin sister. Then, there is Ragnar's sister Thyra, I wonder what happens to her.
I was happy to see the beginnings of a reconciliation between Uhtred and is elder son. Despite everything, there did seem to be affection there. I fear the younger son may be killed in battle leaving young Uhtred (cousin's son) as the only possible heir. I hope I'm wrong about that.
I'm glad you are writing the next book. Will you move it ahead in time? Will you cover the death of Athelflaed. Maybe that's when Uhtred will return to Bebbanburgh.
Anyway, make the next book longer. This one was far too short.
Ann Madonna

Mr. Cornwell:
My name is J. Nicolás Gracía Mesa. I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina.-
I came across your books just by chance about a decade ago. The first I read was Excalibur, a few years later I completed de trilogy. It is not easy to find the books down here.-
I enjoyed them very much.-
Last year, looking for something to read, I discovered “Agincourt”. It was a very nice book. The plot was interesting, and the name of the main character could not be better. (I just forgot to mention that I am a very fond of archery, and every year we organize a Medieval Archery Tournament) I understand that your focus on that novel is on the archer and not in archery. So I felt that something was sort of missing, but that it was all in my expectations. I really like the book you wrote. I read a very few lines about yourself, and don´t think it mentions it, but just in case, you should try shooting with the longbow or the recurved. It´s worth it.-
After finishing that e-book, I was eager for more and discovered “The Saxon Chronicles”.  They are as delightful as the Arthur books. I must confess that Uhtred, is a very human character that I can´t help enjoying. It´s superb.-
It is not in my mind to annoy you. But I´m wondering if you:  have already decided the length of the chronicles?  When are you going to publish the remaining titles?
By the way, I am not sure if this is relevant to you. In Argentina, The only books I found were “Northumbria” and ”Stonehenge”, both  titles were edited in Spain. The Arthur books that were sold here were purchased in second hand bookstores, also in Spanish, and the same applies to some titles of Sharps saga.-
Thanks a lot for your time, and especially for the books you write.-
J. Nicolás Gracía Mesa.-

Dear Mister Cornwell,
first of all I would like to tell you how much I love your books. Your heroes are my long time travelling companions and some guys on Amazon were probably surprised when they learned someone is ordering six Sharpe ebook novels from deep of Iran (because I simply had to read on and couldn't wait until I got home).

But I have one really, really small friendly complain. I've just finished Archer's Tale and was really pleased when you put into Battle of Crecy parts about John of Bohemia. Im from Czech Republic and let just say we do not have much warrior kings, so it is nice to read about his last charge (despite the fact that out of battlefield he was poor ruler).

What surprised me was that in the scene of his death dies his son Charles too ("bled to death"). But Charles was just three times wounded (probably by arrows), but survived, became Emperor of Holy Roman Empire and probably best and most famous Bohemian king (unlike his father, Charles was great builder and administrator). So...didn't you just by accident killed beloved future king?

Please, don't take it as criticism, Im historian myself, just for Middle-East, and I know how hard is to get all historical characters together. Also, I really, really loved the scene with father and son shouting "Prague" and dying on the same part of battlefield, it has beautiful tragic in it.

Oh, and if you are interested about John's death... I think works of professor Emanuel Vlcek were not translated into english – he is (or was, died few years ago) first class anthropologist who specialized to „forensic“ pathology of czech rulers. From John's skeletal remains he found that there were two mortal wounds apparent from skeleton. One was cause by three-sided weapon that stabbed through eye and bones behind to brain. Maybe english arrow? Second strike went from behing, pierced left shoulderblade and went into chest cavity. Hole in bone was round and about 1cm wide, so maybe another arrow? Also, his right hand was (probably after death) almost cut off by three strikes with axe or sword, probably to get his expensive sword and/ or rings.

Sorry for the lenght of the email, it is just natural response to your books – I need to get into more and more details about some parts of the book. Well, in fact you made me love Napoleonic Wars.

So, thank you very much for your books, its great pleasure to read them and learn new things. And sorry for my english, Im simply much better in reading than writing in it.

Sincerely
Ales Smutny

I just finished Pagan Lord, and, Mr. Cornwell, you never disappoint!  How can one not root for poor Uhtred, never thanked, always needed and then dismissed.  I only wish you could write more books as fast as I read them.  Any idea as to when the next Saxon book will be forthcoming, and also do you plan to continue to develop Thomas of Hookton, or was 1356 the end?
Andy Thomas

At the beginning of the series Uhtred say I am an old man and my sight is dim and all my wives are dead  or something like that. In the Pagan Lord how old would Uhtred have been, in his 50's? And recounting his life from what age is he doing that his 70's or 80's?

Thanks Bill

BTW great series

Mr. Cornwell:
My name is J. Nicolás Gracía Mesa. I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina.-
I came across your books just by chance bout a decade ago. The first I read was Excalibur, a few years later I completed de trilogy. It is not easy to find the books down here.-
I enjoyed them very much.-
Last year, looking for something to read, I discovered “Agincourt”. It was a very nice book. The plot was interesting, and the name of the main character could not be better. (I just forgot to mention that I am a very fond of archery, and every year we organize a Medieval Archery Tournament) I understand that your focus on that novel is on the archer and not in archery. So I felt that something was sort of missing, but that it was all in my expectations. I really like the book you wrote. I read a very few lines about yourself, and don´t think it mentions it, but just in case, you should try shooting with the longbow or the recurved. It´s worth it.-
After finishing that e-book, I was eager for more and discovered “The Saxon Chronicles”.  They are as delightful as the Arthur books. I must confess that Uhtred, is a very human character that I can´t help enjoying. It´s superb.-
It is not in my mind to annoy you. But I´m wondering if you:  have already decided the length of the chronicles?  When are you going to publish the remaining titles?
By the way, I am not sure if this is relevant to you. In Argentina, The only books I found were “Northumbria” and”Stonehenge”, both   titles were edited in Spain. The Arthur books that were sold here were purchased in second hand bookstores, also in Spanish, and the same applies to some titles of Sharps saga.-
Thanks a lot for your time, and especially for the books you write.-
J. Nicolás Gracía Mesa.-

Will there be a final book about Uhtred or is this it? Thanks...
Rose Lambert

 
it appears like you can end the series here or have him survive, if he lives, how long before you decide?  I also seem to remember him looking back like Derfel in an earlier book and he did not like his current wife.
Rick Martin

 

Have just read The Pagan Lord. Very good and I wonder what you are working on at present? I've read The Fort and The Redcoat, all the Starbucks, the Grail Quest series, Stonehenge, 131356, the Warlord series and now of course all the Saxon warrior series.
I am currently reading "Shieldwall" by Justin Hill.That is also very good and takes place around 1015/16. Very redolent of your own style and I thought you might like to have a read yourself?
Regards
Bob Hawkins