Your Questions

Dear Bernard
I am an avid reader of your books and have just finished The Pagan Lord.  My daughter has also read it (in one day!).  The problem is that we have both come to a different conclusion as to the ending.  I believe Uhtred survives but my daughter read it that he dies.  Which one of us is correct?
Kind regards
Carole

Dear Mr. Cornwell,
I have been looking forward to this The Pagan Lord for quite some time, and it has been a true pleasure to read, as it is all of your books. Such a joy and your writing skills are beyond comprehension.
I have a question for you regarding Uhtred: In one of the earlier books (I don´t remember exactly which, but I can find it if required) it is mentioned that Uhtred is sitting as an old man telling the story, we are reading. The Uhtred might of course be his son which we get to know in this The Pagan Lord, however the impression you get, is that it is the "original" Uhtred of Bebbanburg (from the first stories).
Now to my question: Do you really intend to let Uhtred of Bebanburg die? -our conclusion from the The Pagan Lord? We were a bit disappointed after such a wonderful (sad) story. Or do you have another book with Uhtred coming up?
Looking very much forward to hearing from you, as Uhtred (along with your other characters :-) ) have become quite a part of your every day life.
Best regards,
Marianne Frausing
Vallensbæk, Denmark.

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I am a 30 year old lawyer (yes, I know) who, after reading the first of your Saxon stories, is inspired to write a historical fiction novel set in Anglo-Saxon England.  Thank you for your inspiration!  My question relates to your sources (and please forgive me if you've touched on this somewhere else).  Aside from those listed on your website, can you recommend other sources you used in writing the Saxon series?  When writing historical fiction, how much does a writer draw on other, related works of fiction?  I'm here referring particularly to Beowulf, the Lord of the Rings (although not historical, Tolkein drew heavily from Germanic folklore), and similar "standards".

While I have you, would you mind telling me how much of a command of Old English you felt it necessary to possess when researching and writing your Saxon stories?  Your work is liberally peppered with Old Saxon words and phrases, which I find adds greatly to its quality.

Thank you for your time!

Sincerely,

Houston Middleton

Hi Bernard.

I am patiently saving to buy up all of your Sharpe series. I was just wondering in what book does Richard Sharpe join the rifles and is it explained in any detail?

Graham

Just finished The Pagan Lord and as with all the books in the warrior chronicles it was a great read. I'm a big fan of your work, I read all different types of historical fiction but Uhtred is my favourite character (a few others run it close) and I cant wait for the next book. I was a bit worried in the last couple of chapters that this could be the last book. I hope it isn't.
Thank you again for another fantastic book.
Thanks
Justin

 

I have only just now finished reading The Pagan Lord.  Loved it, loved the whole Warrior Chronicle series. I live in Australia and am very much interested in English history and how England began so when I came across your books I was very happy to say the least. They are not just informative, but very, very entertaining and graphic. I love that, as it makes one feel like you're actually there.  I read the books one after the other, as soon as I'd finish one, I was straight onto the next. Then I had a wait (trying to be patient) for the release of the last book The Pagan Lord. As soon as it was on the shelves, I pounced and bought it and read it within days.
My question to you now is...I feel you have left us up in the air a bit. Are you going to write one final book for this series?  At the end of the historical note you say that Uhtred will be there to witness the final victory....but that is another story. Please put me out of my misery and confirm that you will be writing another one.....Please!
Thanks so much
Lyn Davies

I just finished The Pagan Lord and as always, a fantastic read that kept me enthralled from start to finish. But most of all I don't think I've ever had such severe post read blues. It's an awful truth that you can't adequately explain the trauma you have sustained at the hands of a paperback to anyone else because they simply wouldn't understand. But truly I feel a sense of grief that this may be the end of Uhtred and the Warrior Chronicles. And while It may sound a little over the top. I can vividly remember reading The Last Kingdom as young boy. Struggling to read due to dyslexia but absolutely gripped by these books, I can say with some certainty they helped me develop my literacy skills and over come the difficulties i found learning to read. Your imaginative story telling, vibrant characters and relationship brought history to life and imbued and life long passion of which I am immensely grateful. I hope this isn't the end of Uhtred as it is in a way a timeline of my youth. I just
wanted you to no how much of a difference your books made to a young adolescent. Thank you.
Joe Robinson
London

I've read all the Sharpe Series, including most of the short stories, and just finished the books in print of the Starbuck Chronicles. When might we expect a new one to be available?
Randy Lucas

 

Love your books and have read them all.  I'm rereading Starbuck Series for the 2nd time.
My fervent request is for you to complete the series.  I need closure on Mr. Starbucks career as we still have 2 years of the Civil War to complete. AS I am in my 70"s I implore you not to wait too long.   Appreciatively Yours--Thank you so much for your body of work.

James Riley

Dear sir
I've been a fan of your books since I first read Rebell in August 1997 and had watched all the Sharpe programmes
I've followed all your novels and various series of characters since
I've always wondered what would happen to Starbuck and his friends since finishing reading those four books
My question us one you've been asked many tines before I guess : will you ever return to the Starbuck story and allow his fans to see what happens?
Yours hopefully
Mike

Dear Bernard

Just read Azincourt whilst on holiday in Indonesia ex Sydney, (having previously thoroughly enjoyed the Grail Quest series). An extraordinary account of the era and the battle. What fascinates me is that these events unfolded only six hundred years ago, which is not really that distant in the grand scheme of things. (I am 50 and I can recall my grandmother's renditions of her childhood memories of 100 years past). The portrayal of the accepted barbarity of human behaviour at all stratas of fifteenth century European society is quite shocking. It makes for an extraordinary read, but imagine the devastating psychological impact of these events on the combatants and their families. It also seems to me that the mainstream christian churches, royals and peers (English & French) do not have a great deal to be proud of, when they review the actions they took in the name of God. (Additionally, the detailed portrayal of the Harfleur siege was riveting. Much thought must have gone into that
chapter). One question of interest. After Henry V's efforts at Harfleur,  his foray through France, and the victory at Azincourt, how long did it take the French to repel the English from their stronghold in Calais? I will look forward to your future historical novels. All the best in your endeavours.

Marc Radcliffe

Mr. Cornwell,

I just finished The Pagan Lord for the second time and the biggest "beef" I have with your books is that I devour them too quickly! Thank you for sharing your passion and talent with us.

The next time my wife and I vacation in England, we would like to visit a number of the sites referenced in your books. We visited Edington (Ethandun) when we vacationed in England in 2007 and thoroughly enjoyed trying to visualize Alfred's forces defeating Guthrum on that ground in 878. Any suggestions for our visit next year? We plan on staying for at least 2 weeks.

Thanks,

Michael
Sterling, VA

Your explanation of the riddle states that the answer for "Four dilly-dandies, etc." is a goat.  From my hands-on experience, I know that goats do not have four teats -but only TWO!!  Very unlike you to make a mistake -or was it your character Uhtred trying to outwit Cnut Ranulfson?

Apart from that thoroughly enjoying the book!  Well done! Again!
Michele Deereux-Austin

First of all, as an archaeology graduate whose major interest is the Anglo-Saxon (particularly the pre-Christian 'heathen') period, I have to say your Uhtred books were inspired. You are the only author who has, for me at least, captured the true essence of our early culture in fiction.
I am also an aspiring writer and I just wondered what you think the most important aspect of a great historical action adventure story is?
Ian Carr

Dear Bernard,
I'm currently flying way too swiftly through The Pagan Lord. 'Tis most excellent, and I'm very much looking forward to reading all of the Uthred books when the series is done, which brings me to my question.
Unless it's giving away any trade secrets, did you know how Uthred's story would pan out when you started The Last Kingdom, or did the story develop as you wrote the books?
I keep on procrastinating over my books (not that I've written anything!). It's either a Sharpe/Harper-esque book about some Mongols in Genghis' army, or a Viking book with zombies (draugr) in.  Anyway!
Thanks for the untold hours of book loving you've given me! I remember reading a Sharpe book my dad had when I was about 14. Can't remember the name but it's the one where they break a French square with a charging dead horse. Read Redcoat swiftly after, and then the rest is history. Made several drunken shield walls in Uni, involving me and some fellow drunks yelling 'shield wall!' after reading Derfel's accounts! Sorry, I'm waffling!
Salutations
Owe Phillips