Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am intrigued to read in your Wikipedia entry that you have taken your mother's maiden name. This is quite an unusual surname which seems to be based in East Anglia and Kent. My maternal grandmother was a Cornwell born at West Langdon, in Kent, which is near Deal. If you have done any searching of your family tree, do you know where your mother came from? It would be fun if I was distantly related to someone whose books I have read and enjoy. Regards from Monteton David Norris

I just finished reading Death of Kings and I really enjoyed it. I'm wondering will Uhtred regain Bebbanburgh when Athelstan marches north to the Battle of Brunanburgh? If so, Uhtred will be very old. Of course He does live a very long time. Reading your book, has sparked my interest in Athelstan. I think he would be a great subject for historical fiction but I can find very little about him. He was a great warrior King, and yet chose not to produce and heir in favor of a younger brother. I don't see how a novelist could resist putting his spin on that.

Ann Madonna

I just first want to say, I have greatly enjoyed all of your books that I have read. I started with the Sharpe series, then Starbuck,and now Uhtred. All have been great. I would like to know when the next Uhtred book is coming out. And according to the Aztecs we have until Dec. 21st 2012. Love to know the ending before we go. Truly just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed your books. Thanks for writing.

Earl Burt

I am a college freshman who wants to write historical fiction. You are one of my biggest inspirations. I am currently in the idea stage, but I doubt you really care too much. My question is whether your new Thomas book is going to be about the Battle of Poitiers considering it only takes place a handful of years later?

Caleb Kesterson

Dear Bernard, I've read many of your books. They're fun and informative, concerning history. I just finished the Sword Song and am in the beginning of the Burning Land. I realize things can't always make total sense in fiction. You have to ask your readers to suspend logic, become gullible enough to let some stupid thing take place in a story, just so the story can go on. But when Uhtred has Skade with a rope around her neck, and Harald starts killing his Saxon women and children hostages, Uhtred, instead of likewise putting an axe in Skade's head, or just having Harald shot full of arrows, meekly says, "cut her loose", and away she goes! It's beyond stupid. How is that the slightest bit believable? Bernie, that's way too hard to swallow. You can't expect anyone with an once of intelligence not to shake their head and wonder if they should even continue with the yarn. I realize this isn't expected to be great literature, but please try to make it somewhat believable, in terms of basic sense. On the whole, I enjoy your books, but that gaffe was a clunker! Sincerely, Denny Waite

I'm listening the the audio of "Death of Kings" and note that Uhtred is now known as Uhtred of Bambria and not Bebbenburg? Did I miss something...Paul Tombleson

Mr Cornwell, First of all, I just read your interview with George R. R. Martin, and wanted to say that I am very excited to hear that Thomas of Hookton is up for your next novel. Thank you! Second, I mentioned this to you once before when the fifth Uthred book (The Burning Lands) was released on Audio-Book, and it has happened again with Death of Kings. For some unknown reason the reader of the book Stephen Perring refers to Uthred as "Uthred of Bambra(sic?)" instead of "Uhtred of Bebbanburg". (This is the Audible.com release btw) Last time you replied to tell me that you where unaware the change had been made. The website claims that the audio is an unabridged version. Does this mean that the UK version has a different text than the American version, or was this change made by the audio producers? Thank you again and keep up the great work. -Eric

I thoroughly enjoyed Death of Kings, and almost regret inhaling it in one night. Uhtred in 900 AD is now 45, and it looks like he'll be pushing 55 by the time he's back in the shield wall at Tettenhall. Up to this point I thought Uhtred was based on Ealdred of Northumbria, a "favorite" of King Alfred, but he alas passed away in 913 and Uhtred appears to live well into his 60s or 70s. I'm now thinking Uhtred is a combination of Ealdred and his son Eadwulf, but I'm not sure because Ealdred also had a son Utred who as near as I can tell was not a major player like his father and brother. Who is your historical inspiration for Uhtred of Bebbanburg? Also, when is the next installment? Hopefully Uhtred finally gets his rear in gear and takes Bebbanburg between now and the final bloodletting at Tettanhall. It's high time Uhtred retakes his birthright!

Alex Gregory

Hello Mr Cornwell I've have just read your interview with GRRM, and was so pleased to hear that Thomas of Hookton will be back and another Uhtred(my favourite of all your amazing characters)/Alfred novel (seven is a magic number - for me at least). In the interview you said that there is another timeline that you would like to cover, and I respect your wishes to keep this secret and so therefore will not ask you to reveal. But your wording makes me feel that a lot/a few historical events or characters, that you may have wished to cover have been done so by other authors. If this is true would one such character be Robin Hood, (I'm sure you love men of the warbow) who has been spun recently by Angus Donald...??? (Whom I feel wants to be your buddy "and the story teller of Arthur was Wigga..." hmmm...) or maybe the crusades, which has been done by so many, but the best has to be Robyn Young even if it has a slightly SNP view on the world. If you find time to reply I would kept high in spirit for a year at least =) yours faithfully Anthony Symns

Thanks for your great stories. My son and I both read the Sharpe, Thomas, and Uhtred series and it gives us a lot to talk about. The movie War Horse has rekindled my interest in World War I. Are there any plans for a series surrounding WWI (or II)?

Eddie Kelly

Mr. Cornwell, Hi. Huge fan. I've been enjoying your latest Saxon novel and have arrived at the part when Uhtred single handedly killed two warriors in pursuit of Æthelflæd. A thought came to me after reading Uhtred sing his sword song. Do you know the body count Uhtred has amassed? I thought next time I re-read the series in anticipation of the next novel, I would keep count of those he has sent to Vahalla, Hel, Heaven, and Hell. He's gotta be up there with the greats such as Rambo, Genghis Khan, and Jaime Lannister. Keep up the amazing work. Eric

I really enjoyed "Death of Kings", and in fact, the whole series. I wonder how many the hero has killed thus far? But I must admit that I figured out the Kentish strategem before Uhtred did ... he must be getting old. When might we expect another one?

Bruce Burns

I am now addicted to the Saxon tales and have read all books including death of kings. Will there be another book? Looking forward to hearing from you. Regards. Carl