Your Questions

Q

Some historians defend that King Artur never existed and there are no substantial proofs that can confirm he really existed. They say it's more ancient folklore. I would like to know what do you think about this. Best Regards,

Luís Miguel Rodrigues

A

Mentioning King Arthur to historians is rather like telling doctors about the healing powers of crystals. No, there isn't any primary evidence for his existence, and perhaps there never will be. But we do know that there was a prominent British warlord who defeated the Saxons at the Battle of Mount Badon (no one denies that occurrence, though no one knows where Mount Badon is or even the exact year it took place), and there's a lot of circumstantial evidence that a great British warlord who came to be called Arthur existed . . . and my belief is that those two are one and the same man. Can I prove it? No. Can anyone disprove it? No, not unless some exciting new primary evidence turns up (most likely an inscribed stone). Arthur, of course, long lost touch with his beginnings . . .rather like the 4th Century Saint Nicholas who has mysteriously transmuted into Father Christmas! But I do believe there was a real man who gave rise to all the stories; we don't know his real name, or even when he lived precisely, but I'm convinced there was a British warlord who did great things and was transmuted into Arthur!


Q

Hi Bernard, hope you are enjoying the holidays! I am an expat, living in Illinois but back home with family in Chippenham for the next few weeks. Any advice on places to visit while I am here?? So far we have made it to Chepstow castle, Lacock Abbey, Stonehenge, West Kennet Longbarrow and the stones at Avebury. Love your books and love and miss the rich history we have here in Britain.

Rob B.

A

You're doing good! I'd add in Stokesay Castle and Abbey Dore, up on the Welsh border. Then you're close to the Wye Valley, and why not slip across to Caerleon?


Q

Hello, I'm a Brazilian, and I have 17 years old, I'm fan of your books! I'm like so much of all that you write! Have you read the new book of UMBERTO ECO? "Il cimitero di Praga", in this book, have a Jewish named Mordechai! On the moment that I have read this, I remember of your Mordecai, in the Grail Tales!

Why you don't have a twitter? You are my inspiration to be a good historian, here in Brazil! Thanks for Reading, my Idol! Lucas Aparecido Mota

A

I haven't read it yet . . . but I look forward to it! Thank you.

Honestly I'm not sure my days have enough interest to feed a twitter account!


Q

I've read all of your books to date (I started with Stonehenge) with the exception of the Sharpe series which I have now started. I have read (in chronological order) up to and including Sharpes Eagle, all in the 'new' format cover. What are the plans to republish the rest of the series from Sharpes Gold, with the new (old fashioned??) cover?

Steve Brookman

A

The next batch (Gold, Escape, Fury, Battle, Company, Sword and Enemy) will be available on 1 March 2012 (available on Amazon for pre-order now). Then another batch will come out on 7 June 2012.


Q

Mr Cornwell, I have just finished your latest book Death of Kings and as always it was a fantastic read. Are these books going to be made into a TV series like the Sharpe series of books? Keep up the good work. Ian Graham.

Been in love with the Saxon Stories since I learned about it. Any plans to try and make Uhtred hit the TV like it was done with the Sharpe?

Skylar

A

No plans for it, but I'm glad to know you enjoyed the book!


Q

First off Bernard (hope I'm not being too presumptuous on first name terms, I feel like I know you) I'm an Englishman living here in Georgia, USA. I own and have read every one of your books apart from a couple of the Sharp series. Basically your books make me proud to be British and I am constantly on the lookout to see if my hometown of Leek, Staffs be mentioned. The closest was Buchestanes (Buxton) mentioned in your 'Death of Kings'. My question is this I lived 15 years in Zululand, S Africa, do you have plans to write anything on the Zulu or Boer wars? I loved all of Wilbur Smiths books but they don't have the visceral attention to detail and feel of history as yours. Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward with baited breath to you next book

Peter Aller

A

No plans for it.


Q

Hi, I'm rereading the The Grail Quest. You mention Dorchester and White Nothe and a place called Hookton. I live in Weymouth and its nice to see places that you know being mentioned, but I can't work out where Hookton might have been located had it been real? There's a place called Hooke to the north of the county. I enjoyed your name for Portland or fraggle rock as its known locally The Isle of the Dead in The Arthur Books

Ian Fleming

A

Hookton is entirely fictional! Sorry!


Q

Hi, Mr. Cornwell. I'm a huge fan from Brazil. I just wanna say: I love your books, especially the Warlord Trilogy, Saxon Stories and Sharpe. Unfortunately we only have 9 Sharpe books in Brazil so far, and still wait for the release of Death of Kings in Portuguese. Currently we already have 25 of his books here in Brazil. But, I have a question for you: Have you ever considered writing a novel about the Battle of Rorke's Drift? It's a great English victory. Big Hug!

Michael Hasfel

Hi, I am a huge new fan of your work! You probably won't be surprised to hear that it was the Sharpe TV series that led me to your talent... I am slowly catching up with you, I've done the Sharpe, Starbuck & Uhtred series & also the Fort. I've never read so much in my whole life! I am completely hooked, and find myself unable to put any of your books down once I pick them up... Prior to discovering your work my reading was somewhat limited - Tolkein and Conan-Doyle mainly, but you have opened up a new world for me! I love history, and your work really brings it to life. Well done and keep up the good work. Long may it continue! Regards Pete Austin Ps. Have you ever considered a 'Rorkes Drift' project? Would love to hear it as told by you...

A

I've thought about it, but I don't think it's going to happen. Too many other things I've thought about more!


Q

Hello sir, first wanted to say thank you for your work. The saxon stories are some of my favorite reads. I first found it in the library on cd and soon bought the rest of the series also getting my girlfriend and a couple of my other friends to read them. So I was wondering if you do have a end in mind or how long you might continue writing them?

Also was wondering if you ever heard Mel Gibson talk about his love for viking tales? once again thank you.

Tim Mittman

A

Not sure how many books will be in the Saxon series - at least a few more.

I have not . . . .


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell. I have just finished Death of Kings. Fantastic read as always!! Now I have a list of characters from the novel in front of me and am internet-searching their historical background. I was surprised to find out that Osferth actually existed and was mentioned in Alfred’s will, and there’s a big possibility that he could really have been an illegitimate son. Regarding Azincourt, I was always curious what you had in mind when describing Nicholas imagining voices in his head. Was it because of some mental condition or extreme religious brainwashing...or is it meant to be left to the reader’s interpretation? Thank you. (On a different note. I’ve seen a few video-game related comments. Wikipedia states that the game Mount and Blade was partially inspired by historical fictional novels, particularly those by Bernard Cornwell.) Looking forward to your future work especially Uhtred’s inevitable recapture of Bebbanburg!! Andreas Azzopardi

A

Oh, he existed . . . there's no direct evidence that he was Alfred's illegitimate son, but it does seem highly likely!

I suspect he was hearing his own conscience, but I deliberately do not say that, because he believes he's hearing a saint, and there were plenty of instances where folk did hear or see, or believed they heard or saw, saints, angels or other divine figures. I certainly don't think that's evidence of mental illness (though of course it would be if taken to extremes), but rather as a direct consequence of intense belief during an age of faith, when there really is no easy alternative to faith (as there is now). Those people believed.