Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell, Life is so very full of twists turns and surprise not to mention coincidences, as so often your wonderful books portray. But how is this for one. John La Carre’s real name is David Cornwell and his first wife was Alison Sharp (without the e). I wonder if the answer to the riddle is in there some where?

Dear Sir, Okay here is my crack at the Sharpe's father riddle.Happy Person = gaylord,gaylord in french = Gaillard.Take you out (letter I) put me in = Game Llard or Game Lord. And that's the name of a horse. Just need to find a man called Gaillard in your books. wish me happy reading. David Aubrey

I very much enjoy reading your novels, in particular those with Richard Sharpe. I am 57 years of age and skirmish Wargamer in a recent game we had Richard Sharpe fighting at the Alamo and successfully escaping. I am not an author and Sharpe is your character but I wonder what Sharpe would have done had he been in Texas in 1836. He would have been about 58 years of age not much older than the oldest Alamo defender. As I said just a thought.

Ahmed Ramiz

Is the title of your book The Pale Horseman a reference to the Apocalypse? I'm not altogether comfortable asking this. . . maybe others got it ever so quickly; however, my reading time is usually late at night . . . maybe my mind was muddled or something . . . I'm ordering the final book of Saxon Series (Death of Kings)after this question. You're a mesmerizing author . . .

Elfreth

Hi Bernard, I'm a committed fan. Really loved Arthur books, but Thomas of Hookton a great character. Really love to see another trilogy to do with the longbow-surely he must have sired a son to carry on the good work! Time to dust off that novel you started in 2003 perhaps? Kind regards Steve.

Just came across Stormchild which, I agree with others, is a real page turner. I've ordered the other similar books and was wondering if you plan on writing any other modern day thrillers? I couldn't put this one down! Thanks for a great read. Sincerely, a fellow sailor.

Dana Vincent

Have been reading the Richard Sharpe's series starting with Sharpe's Tiger and continuing(in chronological order) to presently with Sharpe's Escape. You depict the French as particularly brutal and sadistic with no regard for displaying a shred of humanity or civilization. Were the French really as brutal to the Spanish and the Portuguese as you portray them? Great series. I've read C.S. Forrester's Hornblower series several times so am loving your accounts of the land battles. Thank you, keep 'em coming. I use Wikipedia to see where Sharpe is and to read about the history of the battles. Good stuff!

Tom Jenkins

Hi Mr. Cornwell. Looking over Death of Kings, I would guess that Uhtred's saga has about four more novels to go until the battle of Brunanburh and the closing of his story. Does this sound about right to you? Alan Kempner

Hello, I know you've answered my question on the website already, but is another Starbuck story moving any further up the to-do list? I've just finished the series for a second time and personally, I have enjoyed them even more than Sharpe. Has any thought gone into the potential plot/storyline? What I really want to know is will Billy Blythe meet a suitably nasty end?! Thanks very much.

Danny Thomas

Just finished the *excellent* "Death of Kings". I note that you mention descent from Uhtred. An "Uchtred, Earl of Northumbria , 960-1016" is my 32nd Great-Grandfather (since I had to retire on service-connected disability--long story--back in 2005, my family history hobby has filled a lot of the too-much time I now have). My reading in Wikipedia tells me that whoever wrote the article on "Uhtred the Bold" believes that your protagonist is based on him. Is the later Earl of Northumbria indeed the ancestor of whom you are speaking? If so, nice work, cousin! Even if his lifetime is a bit different, I don't doubt that you've captured his true personality in your novels. I won't bore you with a recitation of the links and documentation that led me to Uchtred of Northumbria, but if you just can't help yourself, my family tree is on line at Ancestry.com. If you are really *that* curious, tell me and I'll send you an "Invite": so you can view it conveniently. Another "just because I'm curious" question. I had my DNA tested, and have learned that I'm part of a fairly rare paternal haplotype, known as G2a. Do we share that, or have you ever had your DNA tested? If that *is* the case, then we share another well-known relative (can't prove "ancestry at this point--need more detailed--and expensive--DNA test!). That is Ötzi the Iceman, who lived about 5300 years ago, and has been the subject of a number of lawsuits over "finders fees" and "ownership" (between Austria and Italy). His specific sub-group is G2a2b. I have been accused of an "inappropriate" sense of humor...bear that in mind when I suggest that those of us who are G2a could really mess with the Austrians and Italians if we put in a claim for the body as the nearest living relatives! Enough rambling! I have read, and enjoyed all of the Sharpe stories, and have appreciated your making my life more interesting over these many years. Good health, long life, and endless creativity to you!

David Finster

Dear Bernard Cornwell. As I am almost done with the last pages of your latest edition of The Saxon Stories - Death of Kings. And will be looking forward to your next book. I would like to thank you for unparalleled reading, which brings me, to my question (I am sure you had it before) will the Saxon Stories be turned into movies/series like the Sharpe? Once again thank you for always delivering excitement with each page turned (and watched with Sharpe) Best Regards Michael Pihl (devoted fan of especially The Saxon Stories and The Grail Quest)

. Michael Pihl