Your Questions

Q

Why isn't 1356 included on the Grail Quest page? Isn't it part of the Thomas of Hookton series?
K Wilmore

Submitted January 3, 2014

A

Although 1356 does feature Thomas of Hookton, he no longer seeks the Grail so the book is not part of the Grail Quest series (which includes Harlequin/The Archer's Tale,Vagabond and  Heretic): 

http://www.bernardcornwell.net/series/the-grail-quest

Q

Will you be writing a #8 to the Saxon series? If so, when do you predict that it will be released for purchase?
I really love this series. My now husband recommended it to me about two years ago and we quote "Fate is inexorable" to each other daily :) thank you for such an amazing story!
Tina Roper

Submitted January 2, 2014

A

I am writing #8 now!  With any luck it will be published in September.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I just recently became a fan of your work and have already read Agincourt and 1356 and am just starting the Saxon Series. Thank you for your fantastic stories! They are some of the most enjoyable books I have ever read. Any tips/suggestions for someone who would like to write their own historical fiction novels someday? Also, have you ever considered writing a story about Richard the Lionheart and the Crusades? Any historical figures or times you'd like to write about, but just haven't had the time to get around to it yet?
Dan

Submitted December 31, 2013

A

I do have some writing advice posted to this website I hope you will find useful:  http://www.bernardcornwell.net/writing-advice/

There are many more books I hope to write, but the Crusades is not on the list.

Q

Bernard,

I just wanted to take a minute to say how much I have enjoyed your books. Saxon Tales is my favorite and I cannot wait for Pagan Lord to finally come out. Over the course of the series I have become invested in Uhtred's story and will be sad when it comes to an end. Have you ever considered turning it into film or a tv series? I think it would be fantastic. Anyway thanks you for the wonderful stories and hours of enjoyment.
Cheers
Luke Cunningham

Submitted December 31, 2013

A

Thank you.  I'm not a film maker so it's really up to someone else to do it!

Q

Mr. Cornwell

I would like to truly thank you for all the great books you have written. I was just curious if you have any idea how many books will there be at the end of the saxon stories novels? Hopefully you plan to write a hundred!!!!

Your biggest fan

Jonathan Elliott

Submitted December 31, 2013

A

Well, not a hundred!  But there will be a few more.

Q

Hello Mr Conwell!
I am a huge fan of your writing, you are the finest historical fiction writer I have ever come across!  I know you are a busy man with many interests and projects planned for your next books, but please, please, please, please say you will write another Starbuck novel!  I have just read the 4 books (in just over a week!) and would be overjoyed to see another one coming out!
Best wishes
Latifa xxx

 

Hello Mr Cornwell ,
I hope that you and your family are having a good Christmas ? The reason that I am contacting you , is to ask if you will be writing anymore books regarding the American Civil War / Starbuck adventures ? My eldest son and I have read all of the ' Sharpe '  and ' Starbuck ' books and think that they are Great !!!! I used to belong to the ' Rifle Brigade ' cadet core when I was younger . We have recently moved to Turkey from Essex and I have found the Starbuck books when unpacking and have now read them all again . I would like to ask you if you will be writing another book to conclude Starbucks adventures as you did with Sharpe ? If you are , this would truly make two men very , very happy !!  We are now waiting with baited breath for your reply .
Until then , I would like to wish you and your family a ' HAPPY NEW YEAR ' . Or as they say in Turkey ' MUTLU YILLAR '
Steve Montague

 

Hey brother I have read and immensely enjoyed all you have diligently produced, a rather hearty Thanks! QUESTION: when may I expect to hear of Nathaniel Starbuck and his continuing escapades. Thanks again all my best, Merry Christmas.

Respectfully

Blake Barton

Submitted December 31, 2013

A

I do hope to return to Starbuck one of these days!

Q

Greetings from the US. I am currently researching Viking arms and armor for a variety of reasons, including writing historical fiction. On the subject of armor, I'm aware that the chain mail brynjas could not be afforded by all Vikings. I've read that those who could not obtain chain mail may have opted for leather armor. However, I cannot find, as yet, and agreeing consensus on that. Did the vikings ever use leather armor either as a substitute for or in tandem with chain mail? If so, what kinds of leather armor would be appropriate to the period?
Matt Moore

Submitted December 29, 2013

A

They did use leather armour.  Most men would wear leather beneath their chain mail, but if you couldn’t afford the mail then boiled leather could be formed into breastplates, etc, and they were pretty good!

Q

1.  I was wondering if you had read Gladwell's "The Tipping Point", and reviewed his characterization of Paul Revere?  Although his interpretation of his character doesn't really interfere with yours (The Fort), it is very interesting.

2.  After reading the majority of your work (and still trying for the rest), I would suggest that there is no one better to tell the story of the battle for Diamond Rock, Martinique.  Have you ever considered that?

Thank you for many great hours of enjoyment and education.

Laurie Corbett,
New Brunswick, Canada

Submitted December 29, 2013

A

I confess I haven’t!  But I see that this coming fall the University of New England Press is publishing a book called ‘The Court-Martial of Paul Revere’ by Michael Greenburg, so I’ll wait for that!

 

I’ve not only considered it, but once, years ago, I made a huge detour to sail right past the rock! It’s formidable! And you’re right, an amazing story!

Q

I have just finished "The Pagan Lord" and really enjoyed it, as I did the other books in the series.  I even ordered it from the UK to get it early.

I got the impression, more than in the other books, that Uhtred has a great sense of living in the squalid aftermath of a great lost civilization.  He often is depicted as wondering about these Romans and what happened to them.  This is especially evident in his regret at turning the beautiful Roman bowl into "hacksilver" but needs must.  Is this due to Uhtred's advancing age and sense of mortality?
Bill Brockman

Submitted December 29, 2013

A

More than the other books? Perhaps, though it’s been a fairly consistent theme, I think. And, of course, it isn’t original, it’s drawn from the laments of the Anglo-Saxon poets who looked at the decaying ruins of the Romans and believed they were slipping backwards into a dark age.

Q

Hi.
I wonder if you have any idea when The Pagan Lord is being translated to danish.
I have asked saxo.com, a danish internetbookstore, but they had no idea.

Best regards

Steen Schmidt/Roskilde-Denmark

Submitted December 29, 2013

A

I understand the Danish translation of The Pagan Lord should be available in September 2014.