Your Questions

Hi i have been a really big fan for years even before I was 10 years old ,since I first watched all the Sharpes on tv I have been hooked and decided to read as many of your books as possible . I started with the Sharpe books and then the Grail Quest and then the Arthur books . at first I couldn't get into the Arthur ones, I think I was too young to try and pronounce the names and I couldn't get used to reading your book in first person . But I have now read all the Warlord ones and just finished the Arthur Books and they are definitely my favourites out of your books,I can barely decide who i like more Uhtred or Derfel.I think Uhtred just takes it, he is a lot more of a rogue and i prefer this, I also cant see him putting up with Merlin for long after being called absurd so many times, although Merlin was very funny. I thought Enemy of God and Burning land was fantastic, i felt a lump in my throat when Dian dies and also when Uhtred kills Brother Godwin after Gisela dies. I realised that reading in first person makes it more powerful and i actually enjoy it more now. But I cant imagine reading Sharpe in the first person even when he is going after Hakeswill , so i want to ask which you prefer to write in, the first or third person? Also its clear how much research is put in.Even in the Arthur Books and Warlord books where in your historical not you point out how vague certain bits are , you still make it sound convincing and probable , But do you get many people try to contradict you ? Sorry its a bit long winded but I am a massive fan and I could seriously talk about your books for hours its easy to waffle on .

Karl Bacon

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

Enjoying The Saxon Stories very much on my Kindle. Is there a map or set of maps on the web that I can look at to understand where the cities of 847 are today to get an understanding of the geography? (I've figured out where Lundene is, I think). Thanks for all the great reading!

Ken Press

Hi Bernard, I've been enjoying your Saxon Stories so much that I thought I'd try and compile a Google Map of the various place names from the books along with a key to which books they appear in. I don't know how accurate I've been, but your readers might find it useful and I'd welcome comments from anyone who cares to view it. You can find a direct here, at Hookton.com, a message board dedicated to your writings: http://www.hookton.com/index.php?showtopic=621. I'm looking forward to the next book. Tony Blackwell

Dear Mr. Cornwell I am on page 224 of 'Death of Kings' &, suffice it to say, it is just wonderful. I have always had a real interest in AngloSaxon England & Vikings is general. I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed all the Saxon Tales. However I must bring something to your attention. On page 165 of the new book you use the term 'Steapa Snotor' which you define as 'Steapa the Stupid'. Doesn't 'snottor' mean 'wise'? With the utmost respect, John Varner

hi Bernard first off can I say thank for writing a fabulous series of books most of which I've read and loved! I've just read your interview with George Martin ,and you say that writing a fantasy book tempts you; may I say I think you would do a great job if you did ,and also if you do why not use your character Derfel (Arthur books ) as a starting point as you told George that you could not forgive him for killing off Ned Stark, I could not forgive you for not letting us know what happened to Derfel or that he most likely died bravely in battle ? Maybe he could go to Avalon and meet his daughter and then start a new fantasy with a touch of old england. Also if you would like a hint for a new bit of historical history ,try my home town of Evesham Worcs the old monastery no longer there and and simon de montford battle and ones before great history in a little market town and also a great name for a character who the town's named after (eofshamme). Well thanks for some great books, looking forward to seeing how Uhtred's story unfolds and glad to see you are going to continue Thomas of Hookton's story ! thanks for reading this. Richard from Evesham

Mr. Cornwell, I have read all of the Saxon Stories, Grail Quest and the Arthur books, enjoying them all. I have just started the Sharpe series (Sharpe's Tiger) and i thought you may be interested in the fact that there are many typo/spelling errors. I am reading your books via a Kindle and maybe the conversion to the digital format is the cause. Just wanted to give you a heads up. Prior to starting the Sharpe series I read "Death of Kings", will there be another coming in the future? Best Regards. - Norm.

Hi Mr Cornwell, I just wanted to say I usually dislike reading, and have done for most of my life. However I have just read your Saxon stories and they are amazing!! I love all history, so this brilliant series has certainly got me back into reading again. Plus Uhtred is a great character. I was wondering, are you writing any more? Regards, Ed.

I love your work... The Warlord Chronicles is is the absolute best set of books/story ever written, hands down... I have had Cymru on my mind for months since reading it... A very close second is The Saxon Stories... unfortunately I have already read the newest Death of Kings... so now I am waiting impatiently (sorry) for the next one to come out... May I assume your already working on it?!! thanks :)

Ben Norton

Hello Bernard, great great reads thank you for so many thrills, really. Your battle scenes put you right in there, be it shield-wall or a thin red(green)line, fantastic. My question is "has anyone ever approached you for a screenplay of the Arthur novels"? I thought that Ralph Fiennes would have played a great Arthur, not sure about an actor for Derfel now though. Any approaches at all for big-screen? Azincourt would make a beauty. Along with Lord of the Rings your Arthur chronicles are my all time faves. Thanks again. Cheers, Guy

Dear Bernard , I hope this e-mail finds you well , as a lover of historical novels , i absolutely love your books in particular the Saxon , Grail Quest and other series from that period . I have purchased and read all these books on my kindle and was hoping to be able to read the latest installment of the Alfred the Great series only to find it not listed , can you tell me when it is likely to be available , and having previously read these books in there original format it would have been good to have had the maps and pictures on the kindle version. yours Geoff.

Hi Bernard, First of all, as I am sure most messages start, you are one of my favourite authors. I am sure you can work this out by now, otherwise I wouldn't be contacting you. I am not much into the Napoleonic age, so I will admit I haven't read any of your Sharpe books, but I have devoured the Warlord Chronicles, Saxon Stories and Grail Quest series and look forward to your upcoming Thomas of Hookton book. I will keep this brief in the hope this will give you more time to reply. My question is this: how much of your own personality is reflected in the characters you create? I presume as an author it will be difficult to create a character with beliefs you find repugnant, but the time periods in which you write had very different standards to those of today. Is there any of your characters which are most like you yourself? If so, why? Apologies if this question has already been answered, I did a brief search but didn't see it. Cheers, Colin

Hello there, I am enjoying your Sharpe books after discovering The Fort. As I read through your books which I have enjoyed I wondered if you ever thought about writing about Boudicca? Not much has been written about her war against the Romans. Kindest Regards, Chris Ormond,Toronto ,Canada