Your Questions

Hello Bernard,

One of the many things I love about your books is your character, Patrick Harper. I always was incredibly proud that I shared a name with such an amazing character. My question is that in your earlier books he is always referred to as "Patrick" by Sharpe but in the more recent books he is usually called "Pat". Is there any reason for the change? I always personally preferred when he was Patrick as I myself hate being called "Pat". What name will he go by in your next Sharpe book?

Very respectfully,

Patrick

Just finished War Lord. Fantastic, is it correct that that is the last of the series?   I hope not would like to see what happens when his son takes over.

I’m from Basingstoke Hampshire and told your mother lived here is that true?  Thank you so much for writing these fantastic books can’t put them down

Alan Metzger

Dear Bernard,

It is probably every authors wish to produce a "page turner" to enthrall and stimulate their readers. You certainly do this, but not all authors have this ability.

I myself am guilty of skimming forward on a novel to see what is going to happen next. I profess that having got my copy of War Lord i skipped to the end to see if Uhtred and Finan had made it to the end. Then i could relax and enjoy the novel knowing he was going to be victorious over his enemies.

We all love a happy ending

I have watched like a lot of people the end of the series of "Game of Thrones", but unlike your books the tale has not been completed by the author and there are at least two more books to come.

I have no doubt that George R R Martin has supplied HBO with a plot outline for the ending, but would you like to write novels that someone else has already finished for you?

I'll stop bothering you now, i would'nt want to slow down the release of your latest pager turner!

 

John B

Why isn't Aelfric, as the younger brother of an Uhtred, named Osbert?

Howard

Sir,

I have finished all 13 of Saxon Tales and the Grail Quest books to include 1356. Amazing writing and stories, your historical Note at the end of each book is wonderful.  I am now starting the Arthur Books.  I know the 13th book of the The Last Kingdom/Saxon Tales is the last of that series but will you be bringing back Thomas of Hookton?  I hope so, like Uhtred, he is a special character.

All the best, stay safe and healthy.

Jim Soiles

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell;

Like many of your readers, it was both a pleasure and an emotional culmination to read the last words of War Lord, quickly followed by listening to them read by Matt Bates (whose voice so clearly resonates in my head as that of Uhtred), The series is my all-time favorite and I find that I would like to have a proper set for my bookshelf.  I would love to see a leather-bound commemorative set created, or at least an attractive matching set in hardcover.  Can you tell us if any such plans are afoot?

Thank you for the many hours of blissful reading (and listening).  My best to you.

Douglas Lambell

Dear Bernard

There's a new book just come called War at Saber Point by John Knight about Tarelton and the British Legion that might be of interest to you. It destroys a lot of myths. The Legion Infantry included many Patriot deserters and were Commanded by a Major Cochrane and they had a huge role in Tarleton victories.

He also points out that the story in the Green Dragoon of Tarleton riding/whipping a horse to death story only came out 80 years after his death and that the real Tarleton cared for horses quite a bit. Also points out that Waxhaws was not a massacre but a victory. The massacre story was first put out by Buford himself to excuse his defeat.  Even his men didn't remark on it Also prisoners were taken both then and in battles afterwards . Anyway its an interesting book that I think you'd like and I wondered if you were ever tempted to write about Tarleton and the Southern Campaigns in the American Revolution  ?

Regards

Geraint

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/War-at-Saber-Point-Hardback/p/18602

Afternoon Bernard.

Since you did so well with the Celts in your Arthur Trilogy i was just wondering if you would ever consider writing anything on earlier British Celts, say around when Caesar first ventured over in the 1st century BC or the big invasion in the AD?  Anyway thanks for the great books.

Wayne

Dear Mr Cornwell,

 

I'd like to thank you for the hours of pleasure you have given me from your books, it's always a great surprise and treat to find books that you know you will return to throughout your life and be as delighted in reading them as you were the first time.

I have been particularly fond of the last kingdom books, and the netflix series has been a great watch, I'd like to ask if there will be any more books in this series?

 

Kind regards

Amy Harris

At the risk of taking up some of your valuable time I firstly wanted to thank you! I’ve read all your books except the Sharpe books (I’m about to start them!) and quite frankly I’m speechless! I started the last kingdom series when a difficult period of my life began (which also hasn’t ended yet), however working my way through Uhtreds story, then Derval’s, Arthur’s and Saban’s! your books have helped me keep my head above water and honestly keep my life on track! Uhtred and Arthur, although they have their flaws (as all good protagonists should) as you tell their stories, they are men to be revered.

Having said that my most burning question is will we ever hear from Thomas of Hookton again?

As he did not die at the end of 1356, It seems a shame to hang up Thomas’ bow (or at least Thomas’ family’s story!) there is undoubtedly more cathar treasure to be lost?

If not Thomas then perhaps a continuation where we see his son Hugh move through the ranks! Then even Hugh’s son?

Where the warlord chronicles clearly had the storey told in the trilogy, there’s so much more of the Hundred Years’ War to tell, and specifically through Thomas and his descendants! I understand every story must have it’s end, but I can’t help but ponder whether there is more to Thomas’s tale? Is his tale and/or any potential continuation from his sons/grandsons totally out of the question?

 

All the best,

 

Tom Pratt.