Your Questions

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell,
I am currently reading your Saxon Tales, which I find to be fascinating and very entertaining. I have also downloaded the Arthur books to my NOOK, so I am eagerly anticipating immersing myself in that world as well. I greatly enjoy your story telling!
I would like to know if there is any evidence of music being enjoyed in Alfred's court, or in the Danes' and Northmen's halls, as well. I know that stories and poetry seemed to be important to the various cultures. Did they also have the where-with-all and leisure to enjoy music, and what types of instruments were available to the bards? Would Uhtred have enjoyed a good jig, reel or air?! I'm sure Finan would!
Thanks for the great tales, and best regards!
Dalton in South Carolina

Submitted February 5, 2013

A

They certainly had music; drums, pipes and, of course, harps. And I’m sure they danced. They certainly sang a lot!

Q

I'm wondering if Sharpe's father is Arthur Wellesley's Lawyer Messrs Coult because if I take 'u' out it becomes Colt and thus a horse appears! only I can't find his first name so I can only answer based on the horse part of the riddle and that as the Duke's lawyer he might have some influence there.
Brian

Submitted February 5, 2013

A

Sorry, no.

Q

Mr. Cornwell,
I think it would be superfluous to state what a fan I am of your books, but I seem to have said it anyway! I started reading the Sharpe series in the mid 1990s, immediately after the break up of a relationship. Looking for a distraction from my fractured emotions, I picked up Sharpe's Battle one day in a branch of WH Smith and devoured it (the novel, not the shop!), followed by no fewer than eleven other books in the series in rapid succession. By the time I'd turned the last page in the last of these, the ache in my heart had virtually disappeared, and a keen interest in the Napoleonic wars had been ignited! Since then, I've read the Starbuck novels, "The Pale Horseman", ""Gallows Thief", the Grail Quest series, and - right now - "1356" (a present over the festive period), which I'm enjoying immensely.

I do have a couple of questions, though. Your output of work is prolific - how do you manage it? Do you have a quota of words you set yourself to write each day? Also, in these days of the internet, research is, I imagine, simplified to a degree. However, many of your works were researched and written in pre-internet days. What was your main source for all the rich historical detail you incorporate into your novels back then? Just books?

Anyway, I look forward to your next release.

Thanks

Adam.

Submitted February 5, 2013

A

Is it prodigious? I just sit down every day and write, which I’m told is the only way to be a writer!  I don’t find the internet to be that useful; yes, to a degree, but you need to trust the websites and that can be a tricky business. They used to say that if you gave a million monkeys a typewriter each they would eventually produce the works of Shakespeare, but in truth they came up with the internet. I still use published books as my main resource as I always have. Maybe I’m just dully old-fashioned?

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell,

I noticed that History Channel is coming out with a scripted series called 'Vikings'. Due to your amazing work with the Saxon Stories, I was wondering if you were going to have a hand in this new series? I believe that your previous experience with the Saxon Stories, extreme amount of research plus loyal fan base would make this show a hit.

While I have only seen the trailer located on the History.com site, I personally know people that work at the History Channel who say they are putting as much production into this series as HBO would.  I think it is an amazing opportunity for you to promote your name with a demographic that loves History.

Beyond the above, I do not know if they are looking for a historian/writer or even if you are interested or already a part of it. This is not a business pitch, just a loyal fan who would love to see your take on a viking tv series. I base a lot of my knowledge of 800-1000AD on your work and really hope the History channel doesn't botch this one up.

Hope all is well with you and look forward to reading more about Uhtred (hopefully) in the future. I would love a response even if it is 'this is a stupid idea'.

Last, if none of the above is possible and you come out with another Saxon Story, this would be a great place for you to advertise and land new readers. I do not deal in the advertising of books, but even a collectors edition of the Saxon Stories might not be a bad idea or it may. ( I do the advertising for Hyundai and Kia on national TV)

Best,

John

Submitted February 5, 2013

A

That’s the first I’ve heard of it, so no, I’m not involved, but I’ll look forward to seeing the series!  Thank you.

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I was intrigued to read, in a foreword to the Saxon Stories, that you have discovered that you are a direct descendant of a man called Uhtred.  I am a keen family historian, and very much enjoy hearing about peoples' links to heroes of the past.  I am guessing that somewhere in your family tree, you have a gateway ancestor.
I have recently been thrilled to find a gateway ancestor in my own tree (Very briefly, I'm descended from Edward Sutton, 5th Baron Dudley and his mistress, who was called, "a lewd and infamous woman." Old Edward took great care of his illegitimate offspring, but one descendant ended up running off with a Welsh Redcoat. Hence the descendants became coalminers; how the mighty are fallen!).  It's opened up an entire canvas of famous, and infamous people.  One of them is your, "Billy,", William de Bohun.
So who, amongst your ancestors, is your favourite?
Your books are superb - please keep them coming; I still live in hope that some filmmaker will take up a challenge of filming your Warlord Chronicles one day!
Very Best Wishes,
Susan Winch

Submitted February 5, 2013

A

I really don’t know too much about my ancestors – the Uhtred of the books is invented (though there was a man by that name in that period). I confess a sneaking regard for the family’s founder, Ida the Flamebearer; he sounds like a man who wouldn’t endure much nonsense (and he captured Bebbanburg). But my real favourite is Doctor William Oughtred, a seventeenth century mathematician and Cambridge professor, who is said to have invented the slide rule (that gene got lost). I never was a mathematician, but I like the man because he is reputed to have ‘died from joy’ at hearing of the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

Q

Dear Bernard,
I have read most of your books which I enjoy very much and in particular I look forward to a big piece battle scene that you narrate superbly. I have just finished reading 1356 and was struck by how violent, bloody and graphic your description was of the battle at Poitiers giving much detail of the effect of the weapons used such as axes and swords on an opponents body. I have nothing against this as this is how it was. My question is that the graphic violent deaths in 1356 differs with your earlier battle descriptions in that certainly perhaps some of the earlier Sharpe novels were much less graphic in their descriptions of death than the ones described in 1356. Do you think that your style of writing over the years has changed in this respect or is it that you are writing for a more "open minded" reader now? (Looking forward to the next Uhtred !).

Kind regards,
Tony

Submitted February 5, 2013

A

I think the style of battle changed!  The ghastly truth of mediaeval warfare is simply how bloody horrible it is!  All warfare is dreadful, of course, but it’s inescapable that in battles like Poitiers or Agincourt the main killing was done in hand-to-hand combat with brutal weapons. Archers had an enormous effect, of course, but still the vast majority of casualties were caused by maces, falconbeaks, axes, and other butchers’ implements. Or they were stabbed while lying helpless. It’s a very different mode from the Napoleonic period and I suppose the books reflect that.

Q

Hello, Bernard, I hope you have had an excellent start to the new year!

I was just wanting to ask a few things really, if you don't mind, of course! :).

1) If you could meet one of your characters, or a historical character they are associated with who would it be, and why?
2) Do you have a favourite period of history/ Historical event?
3) Have you at any point, considered writing a book on the crusades? (I know you have an awful lot already to write about, all avenues of which are amazing I must say,  but I would love to see a book from my favourite author about the conquest for the holy lands!)

As well as this thank you for the autograph you recently sent my partner! i now have it framed and above my writing desk as a inspirational piece, thank you!

Wishing you all the best for the future,
Mike, from Manchester

Submitted February 5, 2013

A

I usually answer Nell Gwynn to the question of who I’d most like to meet from history, except she’s not one of my characters or even associated with any of them, so I’ll be boringly conventional and say the first Duke of Wellington. He was notoriously reticent when asked about Waterloo, but I think he might open up if presented with all the current nonsense which claims he deliberately deceived Blucher before the battle, and it would be useful to clear that up. Wouldn’t be half as interesting as Nell though.

 

My usual favourite is whatever period I happen to be writing about, which right now is Anglo-Saxon Britain, but I confess a prejudice in favour of the Regency (roughly around the Napoleonic wars).

 

For some reason I can never get very excited about the Crusades, though perhaps that will change?

Q

My favourite series follows Uhtred and his battles with the Danes.  Is there another one coming this year?  Please don't finish them too soon as I just love them.
Jennifer Wales

 

Hey, first of all, I'd like to say I'm a huge fan of your books! Arthur Chronicles, Starbuck Chronicles and Saxon Stories. But I was wondering, when is the 7th edition of Saxon Chronicles?? I would love to know what is going to happen with Uhtred... and if he is going to conquer his homeland again..
Gabriel

 

I have just finished reading the six books in this this series and they had me totally engrossed. I was wondering if further books are planned for this series? ..... So will the story carry on till we have a unified England and see how Uhtred gets back is beloved Bebbanburg?

Kind regards,

Paul Hird

Submitted February 4, 2013

A

There is another book of Uhtred's story coming later this year!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell,
Firstly I must give you my heart felt thanks. Your books (mainly the Saxon/warrior chronicles) have changed my perspective about books in general. Through out my life I've been brought up playing video games and generally thinking books were damn right boring, until however, I picked up one yours on a lunch break at work.  The last kingdom. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! I had to buy it, and the next one..... And the next. Now I have all of your books and I have found my inspiring new hobby. So again I must thank you Bernard, thank you for not only changing my outlook on books but also teaching me a great deal of my country's history.

Now I know you have been asked this many times, but as your Sharpe TV series was a major success, I would love to see Uhtred on the big screen...... Or small screen.

I hope you have a successful and happy 2013!
I'm ready for the final story of Uhtred Rangarson. Can't wait!!

All the best,
Paul.

Submitted February 4, 2013

A

Thank you.  I'm not sure Uhtred will ever make it on screen (big or small), but keep your fingers crossed!

Q

I've read all the books in your various series (except the Sharpe series); you are my favorite author.  I love the time periods about which you have written,and was reluctant to take on your 3 sailing tales but found I loved them too.  I was fascinated by "Stonehenge" and the early history of Britain.  Do you think you may write a follow up to Stonehenge?  This mysticism of the early Britons I find intriguing.
Ray Lewis

Submitted February 4, 2013

A

I'm glad to know you enjoyed the book.  I'm not planning a follow-up to it now.