Your Questions

Have just finished reading "Death of Kings" and wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying the Saxon stories. I am a bit of a British history buff so these and the grail books are a great read for me. I have over the years read most of your output though I cannot confess to having read all of your work. The Sharpe books are excellent, I particularly enjoyed the Indian episodes. I currently live in Buckingham so I was pleased to see Uthred living there as well. The location of the town on the Ouse makes it a highly defendable place so you can see why the saxons made it a homestead. Did you actually visit the town during your research? Originally, I come from Dagenham, another great Saxon place. A few years ago I did my genealogy chart, just out of curiosity really. I am partially from Hugenout refugee stock, from French Flanders, and partially from herring fishermen in the Yarmouth area (Anglian). I guess I am more Danish than Saxon which is not what I hoped for. Still I suppose we Brits are a bunch of mongrels anyway. At one point you mention that Uhtred's "army" is made up of Saxons, Danes, Frankish and Finians. I reckon we all are. Once again, thanks for a great read. I look forward to the next episode. Regards Arthur Newman

I have all Six of the Saxon stories in unabridged Audio Book format and I wondered why the Burning Land and Death of Kings start referring to Uhtred being from Bamburgh instead of Bebbanburg? Was this deliberate or is it a publisher thing similar to harry potter and the philosopher’s stone changing to seer’s stone? Either way really enjoyed the series so far and looking forward to more. regards, Ralph Mortimer

Hello there! I've just recently been introduced to your work, the first being your Warlord Chronicles. They were fantastic, and the twist about Derfel's hand was genius. I yelled so loudly with surprise that my family thought I was nuts! I'm currently reading Azincourt, (the names for the French are hilarious!), and I'm thoroughly impressed with the way you right the battles. I'm actually an aspiring fantasy writer, (I'm sure you've heard that a lot!) and I've almost finished the first book in my trilogy. However, to quote the great Inigo Montoya, I have no gift for strategy. So I was wondering if you could offer some tips when attempting to write large scale battles and the military/political planning of them? It can be difficult to think of realistic tactics when I can't experience them. Any help or advice would be golden, but if you don't get a chance to reply then I'll understand entirely. Can't be a bestseller without being a hard worker. So I wish you the best and hope to hear from you some day. Thank you for your time. Jo Amies

Hello Mr. Cornwell. After reading the Sharpe and Grail quest series, I have embarked upon the Saxon stories. I haven't quite got up to Death of Kings yet, but I was thinking. Now that Uhtred is in his forties, which for Medieval times was quite old, do you have any concerns about the stories not being as "action-packed", as the earlier ones? Judging from the excerpts, Uhtred isn't the rash, bold, headstrong warrior he was before. Will we still be enthralled by the later books? when Uhtred finally gets round too re-taking Bebbanberg, will he be too old and sick to do it himself? Yours, Daniel Evans

Great books You obviously do your research for your books and it really shows and was wondering when you wrote the Arthur books ( I know that's a while ago ) and more recent books on Alfred why Portchester castle near Portsmouth is not mentioned as it was built by the Romans and stands intact to this day with only a Norman keep and church being added in later years and as it lays against Portsmouth harbour it could easily fit into the Alfred saga as a base for his fleet so just wondering why it has never been mentioned before?

Ian Smith

Good afternoon Mister Cornwell, My name is Tiago and I am a Brazilian fan. I really like your books that I decided to improve my English to be able to enjoy them in the original language, and without having to wait so long to translate into Portuguese. I wonder if is possible give us a gift a book in the period of the Opium War against China. A big hug

Mr Cornwell: Thank you for all your books, many of which I have read and plan on reading them all. Especially, the Sharpe novels. I first met Sharpe in the TV series with Sean Bean which I thought was well done, but the books are so much better, each character being fleshed out more! Recently, I found a store where I live that sells soft cover books at reasonable prices and to my surprise have thus far found 4 or5 of the Sharpe series. Of course, they are not in chronological order, but each stands alone as a darn good yarn. The one I just finished moments ago was Sharpe's Trafalgar! I was so happy that Ensign Sharpe found a great love with Lady Grace and that she became pregnant with his child. I feel that I know what sex the child will be and it's name....which I won't say here. I cannot help but wonder though...is this a lasting love? Will we read more of Richard and Lady Grace? I certainly hope so for it gives Sharpe a higher degree of reality. After all, he certainly deserves love and happiness! Thank you again. To be able to put such stories to print is like magic!! Don W. Diminie, Ue Ontario, Canada

Hi, can you tell me please what made you decide to include my village Leaden Roding in your Arthur stories?

Steven Stannard

Dear Bernard Cornwell To say I am a fan is an understatement. I am a HUGE fan, and as such I think a lot about the characters. Richard Sharpe, Derfel Cadarn, Thomas of Hookton and Uhtred Uhtredson. If the four of them were to meet with nothing but their swords, who would come out on top? Also as a fan I think it would be an idea to create a story where all of these characters encounter each other?

Tom Lawrence

Will you be touring America for your new book, Death of Kings? If so, will you be visiting the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas?

Ty Muse