Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I am reading "Death of kings" for the 3th time now and I'm at the part where Uhtred is in St Hedda's with Aethelflaed and that he realises that though he loved Gisela most, he is closest with Aethelflaed. And every time when I read this a line from "The pale horseman" comes in to my mind: "a six year old stared at me. And she had hair of gold" So I was just wondering whether you actually imagined her coupling with Uhtred back then? So, mainly what I'm asking is: "Did you finish the series in your mind by then? "

PS: Any Idea when there will be a new saxon story? I'm a big fan of Uthred, and was a bit disappointed when I saw the announcement for 1356. However this changed after reading it. I think it's brave to restart a series. Simply loved reading it (2 times now,)

Sincerely yours,
Robin Claes

Hi Bernard,

Firstly I'd like to say thankyou for writing another Thomas of Hookton book, I've been waiting years and it was easily worth the wait, spectacular! Secondly, I noticed you mention that the Sharpe series is not done yet, I was just wondering how many more there will be (21, mad as it seems, is nowhere near enough) and whether or not you know when they're set or what they'll be about?

And lastly, is the man who ran Sharpe's foundling home that Sharpe killed (in Prey I believe) Sharpe's father?
Thanks for all the amazing stories, can't wait for the next Saxon book!
Corey

Dear Bernard,

I have the entire Sharpe series, due to my huge interest in The Duke, and enjoy the big story and little story element of all your books I have read. Or as I explain to people, 'he writes excellent fiction on a bedrock of fact'.

So I tried the Saxon books and was amazed to discover the battle at Farnham. I live up the road from where three Saxon dwellings were discovered in Farnham, and have researched it as far as I can. So little documentation exists however. The museum at Farnham has been as helpful as they can, but no references are there. The web has been helpful to discover the little that does exist [ The Anglo Saxon Chronicle for instance].

As I see this as an important engagement for the period, I am trying to research it thoroughly. I dream of locating the site and getting it dug. Probably a pipe dream, but if you don't try and all that. My question is did you come across any other references in your own research for the book? My plan is to gather as much information as I can and see if Surrey Archaeological Society will take it further. Or there is always Time Team!

Kind regards

Alun.

I have greatly enjoyed all your books that I have read to date (the Saxon and Grail Quest series) and I am quite enjoying The Fort at the moment. I very much value the accuracy of your included history and that is why I have a question. More than once in the current book you use the derogatory "pillow-biter". In my research this appears to be a 20th century reference growing out of the John Jeffery Thorpe scandal. Am I wrong? Is this a term used in 18th century? And, if so, did it have the same meaning? Thank you for all of your work!

William

Dear Sir Cornwell,
I just finished reading all of your books pertaining to the middle ages, Saxons and Archer's Tales culminating with your last book 1356.  1356 was an excellent read and as in all of your books a chance to live vicariously with your character's great adventures.
Hopefully, you will continue your stories after France started gaining back their reputation with battle successes (I assume they did at some point?).
Your books are like coffee and one acquires an addiction to the adventures of Lord Derfel and Sir Thomas.  So, write some more and thanks for the ones you did write.
Best,
JD Miles

Dear Mr. Cornwell:
I have read many of your books and am presently enjoying 1356, but I'm rather puzzled by one geographical reference -- your chap. 3 siege of Breteuil in "Navarre" (p. 82,  "the Kingdom of Navarre on the edge of Normandy").  I am reasonably familiar with medieval Europe and Navarre for me is the kingdom straddling the border of present  ne Spain/ sw France.  If King Jean is avoiding the English, he's certainly not doing so in this Navarre which is right up against Gascony.  Breteuil is up in Picardy, it seems.  Is there another, far more obscure "Navarre,"  in the far northeast of present day France?  If not, you've got a major geographical error on your hands.
With all best wishes,
Martin W. Walsh, University of Michigan

With the 200 year anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo now just 2 years (and a bit) away, have you considered writing a book based around that battle? I know you have written a Sharpe novel based around the battle, but maybe a standalone book to commemorate what, i believe, is the single most important military battle in the history of Britain, would be very welcome.
Andrew Rose

Hi Mr. Cornwell.

Is your upcoming Uhtred novel going to cover the battle of Tettenhall (5th August, 910)?  Alan Kempner

Good afternoon sir:
I hope this note finds you well. I am largely writing about your recent "1356".
First, I genuinely appreciate your accessibility. Many people, well-known for whatever reason, insulate themselves from the world. Your openness is refreshing.
I very much liked this book, as I liked the Revolutionary War story (my favorite--I lived in Maine for quite a while) and the King Alfred series. I think what I found most appealing was the balance. Many similar books tell their stories in great geopolitical sweeps---they're too 'big'. Others tell a lot about the people, but not the 'why'; they're too 'small'.
I didn't much care for the sanctimonious 'cop-out', though. Many stories also employ this--the finder of the secret or the artifact elect to keep the secret. Your character commends two such artifacts to God. This is the same God who, through Moses, told people "Thou shalt not lie", through Muhammad said much the same thing and sent his son (if you believe) to tell people "Know you the truth and the truth shall make you free". I'd much rather read an author's speculations about who   how a discovery might make the world different. Not a criticism---I'm neither that arrogant nor that pretentious--just an observation.
I have some questions, too, that need an expert historian's 'take'. First, why is Prince Edward addressed as "Your Majesty" and King Jean as "Your Highness"? I thought "Your Majesty" wasn't even used until the reign of Henry VIII in the early 15s and in any event, I'd question a lower honorific for a higher-ranking noble.
Next, I saw your financial comparison in which you try to figure the modern equivalent of the ransoms. You note that ale now costs 3,000 times what it did in the 13s. I tried running a comparison using the value of 'pound sterling' and got between 80 and 130 times, depending on the price of the ale and the value of silver. How did you arrive at your figure?
Finally, you (along with many historians and the preparers of the souvenir tapestries of the British monarchy) credit Alfred with being the first king of 'England'. I read a history of the British monarchy that traced this lineage back to the Romano-British rulers of the 3s. Alfred assumed the reign of part of England and died still ruling just that part. The Danes still had a presence in England at the conclusion of his reign, so why is he viewed that way?
I appreciate your attention to these and look forward to another trip through time.
Take good care.

Respectfully,

Howard S. Shwartz

Dear Mr. Cornwell
I absolutely love your Saxon series. I was curious in some of your earlier book's Uhtred has major one on one fights with main characters. That's what made a lot of readers love him. I know that Uhtred is getting old now. My question is..... Is Uhtred going to have anymore major one on one fight or is it going to be group fighting that he has been doing lately? Thank you again for your time sir.

Michael