Your Questions

Hi Mr Cornwell. This might be just folly but I was wondering with character development, as many of your books are set before much study was paid to things like post traumatic stress, (I'm guessing) is coping with the confronting stress of coming battle? ie other than getting drunk beforehand. Because I couldn't imagine looking forward to the horror of a shield wall. (unless courage comes from knowing you are good at it) I don't know what took the most courage in history. I think 'going over the top' in the first world war would have been horrible or standing in a redcoat line, I don't know how they kept going, quite amazing. Almost fascinating to think where they found the courage, I know they fight for each other but still amazing courage. Sorry to droll on.

Adrian

Dear Bernard, First, I must say that I am constantly amazed at how much I love your novels. My copies of Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Enemy and Sharpe's Honour are all but worn out but since they don't publish them with the TV-show covers anymore, I fear to replace them. I was, of course, turned onto the series by the TV show as a young lad. Ironically, I am the very same age as Sharpe and suspect he was "born" very close to my own birthday. What date was Eagle first released? I must say that if you are to write more Sharpe novels, you must re-read Eagle and Gold! I suspect that you must have, because you remembered that Tom Garrard was with Sharpe at Gawlighur and thus found a way to have the 33rd's Light Company show up several day's march from where the 33rd was posted. But, you claim to be afraid to re-read them so please get over that fear, read your old works and produce your finest Sharpe book ever! We will all be eternally grateful. It would also be really cool if you re-edited those old books to include some references to the newer ones, as well as changing Sharpe's character to that depicted in Tiger through Prey. It is plainly obvious just how much Sean Bean influenced you and rightly so! Of course, that would be hugely time consuming but I can wish! I also wish that the Sharpe series would come to the big screen but maybe that will be a better fate for Thomas of Hookton? Your characters get better and better! I will admit to my failings, however. I stalled while reading both Stonehenge and Sword Song because of some treachery that you depict so well that I felt as though I was the one being stabbed in the back, so to speak. I have also not managed to dig into the Arthur books, probably because you keep publishing stories that I'm already invested in and can't stop reading. I am, however, currently reading through your works using the Kindle app on my phone. And now, since I'm completely rambling and probably both high on coffee and as sleep-deprived as anyone, I bid you adieu. Keep up the fantastic work and I hope for new Sharpe soon! (it's been a few years, so it's due!) - Paul in Washington D.C.

Hello Mister Cornwell, I am a french man and I enjoyed your saxon stories. But, since 2008, your editor in France, Michel Lafon, did not publish the fifth tome. Could you get an answer about that ? I hope so, because I want to know what happen to Uhtred.Thanks a lot for your answer. Michel Cornélis

Hey Mr Cornwell I've always loved reading books set in the era similar to you're warlord chronicles and Saxon stories, but I've always found it hard to find something which hasn't already been written about, I'm just wondering if when you're writing your books how do you find an event to base it around? and does it matter if someones already written about this event?

Tom Stanway

Dear Mr Cornwell. I have written so many times lately that I feel you must be fed up with the likes of me. So quickly this time, is Sharpe's father Gitan the gypsy in Fallen Angels. He fits. He is dark haired, cunning and brave. In 1792 Campion is 24 years old, presuming Gitan is five years older he would be the right age to flirt with the working girls in London(who would have fallen at his feet)for Sharpe to be born in 1777. You do seem to like to interweave characters from different series, i.e. Starbuck-Patrick Lassan, You mention a Green Jacketed officer who saved Rider Sandman in Gallows Thief, it must have been Sharpe. Any how. Love your books. Keep writing them. Best regards Mike Walker. Worcester.UK.

Hello Mr. Cornwell! I was wondering if you know how long it usually takes for your danish publisher to translate and publish your Saxon Stories books in danish in Denmark. I am asking this since I want to know if I can wait till Death of Kings is translated into danish or if I'll have to order an English book from abroad and read it instead (which I imagine would be somewhat difficult for me). I cannot seem to find the publishing dates from your previous books. Kind regards from Denmark, Frederik

I love your books and have read most of them. More importantly my grandchildren are now reading them. They are now reading history, they get very little real history at school. I have the Saxon Series, which started them all off, as well as the Grail Quest Series, the Battle of Crecy etc, and Azincourt, and of course, all the Sharpe books. They also love 'A Crowning Mercy' and 'Fallen Angels' which started one of them off, set in the period of the English Civil War and the French Revolution. Most of these books are in hardcover. I have pre-ordered 'The Death Of Kings' as my eldest grandson also keeps asking "when is the next one coming out?" I have been hoping for one on Aethelflaed, Alfred's daughter. The 'Lady of the Mercians.' She, as Queen of Mercia fortified more Cities and won more battles against the Danes than Alfred ever did. There is not a lot that has been written about her, but I think that she was a greater warrior than Boudicca, (she won her battles). Do you plan another book in the Saxon Stories, she already had an affair with Uhtred so I would presume he would also feature in it.

Mike Williams

Mr. Cornwell, Good evening, first i want to thank you, for the first book, and the first Series that i read in my life(The Arthur Books), then i want to know: - Uhtred is going to get the revenge with his uncle or no? I'm almost getting into the book to get his uncle. thanks. Fernando Campos São Paulo-SP/Brazil

Dear Bernard After reading that your doing another book on Thomas of Hookton.I wondered if you had ever thought of going even further back and considered a prequel with his father. The man was dead in the first few pages of Harlequin but there still seems so much more to say about him. While with Nick Hook and his voices what would he make of Joan of Arc and hers and what would they make of each other if they met ? Yours sincerely Geraint

P.S Next year is the anniversary of the war of 1812 the British troops in Canada like the troops in Burma in WW2 called themselves the Forgotten Soldiers and I wondered if you could ever be persuaded to write about even 1 of there battles. After all you even had Fredrickson sent over there.

Geraint

Dear Mr Cornwell I've just finished the fifth Alfred book and wanted to send you a short email to tell you how much I've enjoyed the series so far. I've only recently discovered your work, and have devoured the first five book in around two months. I love the way you blend history with fiction, and the characters you build are superb. I seriously cannot wait for the sixth book! I did have a question for you - has anyone ever asked to turn the Alfred saga into a film / films? I think they would be amazing - there's a real shortage of decent films about this period of history (I even have the perfect suggestion for Uhtred for you Chris Hemsworth from the new Thor movie is EXACTLY how I imagine him!) Anyway, I just wanted to thank you sincerely - looking forward to the next masterpiece in the series! Kindest regards Pip

Are there any talks of adapting your saxon novels into movies or tv? that would be amazing if they could do your work justice. Thank you

Justin Webb

Sir, I am working my way through the Sharpe series on the Kindle, BUT, they do not list 'Sharpe's Sword', all the others but not that one. It is available in other e-book formats, so I guess you don't mind the format.

Bob Ellis