Your Questions

Dear Bernard,
I hope all is well. Having spent a splendid day re-reading Redcoat and listening to Test Match Special I was wondering whether this fantastic story was ever meant to be part of a series or just a one off? It really is a gem of a tale and sometimes looks like a bit of a lost orphan among the Sharpe, Grail and Starbucks chronicles...

Typically, as my day was nearing an end the Australians took the light in farcical scenes but it coincided with Sam Gilpin's happy ending and news that the Ashes had been retained - so a good result in my book!

James

Bernard,

I was struck by a number of shared characteristics between three of your protagonists; Nicholas Hook, Richard Sharpe and Uhtred of Bebbanburg. All three characters come across as cynical, hardy persons with an individual, rough sense of honour. Richard Sharpe and Uhtred both face hypocritical opponents who are unfortunately also their superiors. I wonder if this was deliberate on your part or merely an accident of history?

I cannot comment on the grail quest books or the Warrior chronicles as I haven't got round to them yet, but I have noticed this similarity in the series listed above.

On a completely different tack, what's your opinion on alternative historical fiction? I refer of course to everything other than the 'What if a certain European despot of the mid-20th Century had won a particular conflict' sub-genre as it is my personal opinion that it is a genre all of its own.

Best Regards
David Buckley

Hello Mr CORNWELL
I come again, to ask, if is there a french translation possible on kindle reader?

many french people want to read your new books
thank you,

Kind Regards,
Mr D Liard

I love your thrillers and  I really enjoy the water and boating as a back drop. Do you plan on writing another one?
Greg Goodwill

I am really enjoying reading your Saxon books.  I have one question, however.  In Pale Horseman, you refer to Uhtred harvesting corn.  Does corn in 900 AD refer to something other than the grain which was introduced to Europe by Columbus in the 1400's? Or is it just an anachronism, intended or accidental?  No  problem either way.
It just caught my eye. I hope you can keep these story lines going for several more books. Needless to say, I've not yet finished the most recent  book of the series and and therefore do not have any idea of how this saga has played out over time. Thanks.
Bob Stimson

Hello Sir,
I notice that in a few past posts from you, that you have suggested that your mind/head was at Waterloo.  Is Rider Sandman going to make an appearance in a future novel?

cheers,

Edward

Hey mr. Cornwell!
First of all i would like to say how cool i think it is that you take time to answer all of your fans like this. I am 16 years and lives in Denmark, so english is not my native tongue. I like to write short stories, sci-fi and other fiction. I have found a website (strange horizons) where people can send in their short stories and I am currently working on one but it is going very slow. Do you have any advice for how to keep a story going? (know it's a hard question)
Also just a quickie, the saxons in The Winter King, are you aware if there were danes among them or did they come later?
Thanks in advance:)

Asger Åkerstrøm Knudsen

Dear Mr. Cornwell

First of all, thank you for all the amazing work bringing history to life. Just in the same way Carl Sagan could make physics seem interesting to everyone you sure make history an amazing adventure attractive to every reader.

First of all two small questions, that may be related to the longest question:

Will there be more Starbuck? Will there be more Sharpe?

Now... I noticed you have some battles left on you curriculum, and even after covering pivotal moments like Waterloo or Poitiers I can't help but thinking of Hastings, Blenheim, and Gettysburg (where Starbuck would make an appearance of course).

By the way (extra question), what about Roliça, and Vimeiro? I know that compared to other battles referred here they are mere skirmishes, but as a portuguese I couldn't help it, sorry.

Thank you for your attention
João

I stumbled onto your novels with 'The Last Kingdom' and have since read everything you've written.  Your books have provided me with countless hours of enjoyment and I hope you continue to write for many years to come.  I was intrigued to read in one of the comments a hint that you might be writing yet another Sharpe novel.  Can we expect that the boys 'will march again'?

Thank you
Bob Trombly

On page 334 of 'The Burning Land' you refer to Aethelstan as being Edward's son yet, in the family tree at the beginning of the book, he is placed as Aethelflaed's son? Whose son was he actually? I don't remember seeing his name mentioned anywhere else in this book?  Thank you.
I, of course, love all your books as does everyone else who enjoys English history.
Jane Whitticks