Your Questions

Bernard - There have been many comments of people wanting Uhtred on the big screen. With the success of George Martin's Game of Thrones on the small screen, I was wondering if a TV adaptation of the Saxon Stories would be possible? Love your work. I cannot wait until October to read the next book. Todd Hill - Burlington, VT

Hi! I have read a lot of your books and I must say I think they are the best books I have ever read!! My favourite have to the tales of Uhtred in the Saxon Chronicles. But has no one approached you about films/TV series of the Saxon stories...?? If done properly they could be huge....just as big as Lord of the Rings or Star Wars!!!! The stories of Uhtred have everything a great saga needs....come on...there must be someone out there who could take this on!!! Neal, Wiltshire, UK.

Hi Bernard, I was wondering if you had ever considered a book based around the battle of Towton; having just done the battlefield walk there I was absolutely amazed by the sheer scale of the battlefield itself; and although I was initially sceptical of the contemporary estimated of casualties, the longer I spent there, the more they seemed completely plausible..anyway..just a thought! I would love to read a really well written account of that dreadful and greatly neglected battle! Best, Marc

First of all I would like to thank you very much for all your wonderful books. After reading the Saxon stories books I myself was inspired to start writing. My question is with regards to your take of Arthur and the wars with saxons. From my knowledge of this period, It seems to me that it was the Roman nobility who led the resistance against the saxons. Ambrosinus Aurellianus is a good example of this. And so in your opinion, dont you think that had Arthur existed, he would have been a Roman, or at least a Romanized aristocrat? Either way I loved your Arthur books and the way you brought to life that turbulent period of British history. Regards, Ahmad Tabari

Dear Bernard, Having long been a fan of Sharpe, I heard that during the Spanish campaign, Wellington got browned of with the stupid demands of Horse Guards ie asking him to account for one battalion using too much jam etc. I believe he wrote a very sarcastic letter back admitting to all these extravagances, but ending with the comment " however I believed I was here to defeat Napoleon" Do you know of this letter and where would I find it ? Thank you

Don Campbell-Thomson

Dear M.Cornwell, Let me first assure you that although I am a great admirer of your works, and especially of your Warlord series, I have no manuscript whatsoever to present to you. I am currently writing a paper on the three novels of your Warlord series for my Master at the Faculty of Literature in Starsbourg, France, and was wondering if you would perhaps be able to answer some of my questions through e-mails, naturally. I am well aware that I am asking a tremendous lot of you, but few have actually the chance to interact with one of their favourite authors, and so I thought I should at the very least ask you politely. I would totally understand it if you declined, however I would at the very least need light on a particular topic. (so here's my question) What were the reasons you had for changing your editor from Harper Collins to Penguin whilst publishing Warlord? Looking forward to hearing from you, Matthieu Zebrowsky

Dear Bernard. Hurrah that the new Uhtred is finished!I've just re read the series so I'm really looking forward to that one, whatever it may be called. I have a couple of questions, firstly: Wasn't The Fort originally to have the UK title of Captivate Kill and Destroy? Only a minor one but it did rather catch me out as I was looking for it on Amazon and it took me a while to realise it was already out in the UK! I'm assuming your publisher persuaded you that the Fort was a catchier title?

Anyway, my main question/suggestion. I am just coming to the end of Gallows Thief. What a great book and a real favourite of mine. I'm sure this has been asked before but is there likely to be another story featuring Rider Sandman and Sergeant Berrigan and if so have you perhaps considered these two meeting up with Sharpe and Harper? It could happen! It would have the virtue of setting the story after the other Sharpe books and I know you always bemoan having to interleave new Sharpes between existing stories so that would solve the problem. Alternatively perhaps Sandman could be featured as a character in the next Sharpe story which I fervently hope is coming next... Thanks as ever for your wonderful stories and for your kindly forbearance in the face of pushy fans such as myself! Kind Regards Rob Comber

Hi Bernard, I met you at a "The Fort" signing in London months ago. You did a very good impression of my Belfast accent! I always Particularly enjoy your Irish/ Irish descendant characters in your books, and was wondering if you would consider a novel set in Ireland and from that perspective, in maybe the same era as the Arthur or Uhtred books?? Beth

i have just watched a BBC 4 program called "The Vikings saga's" all about Iceland, i noticed some names that are in the saxon stories. did you or have you read these as part of your research for these stories? yours, Martyn Williams

Hello I have been a fan for years and look forward to each of your books when they are published, they make me laugh with the dry sense of humour you give your characters but I am English! Can you please tell me if have any planned visits to England? Unfortunately I missed your last visit. Regards Andrea

Hi Bernard, I've been really enjoying your books since buying The Burning Land last year. Been through the Arthur books, the Grail Quest and Vagabond, and have started through the Saxon Stories now. Tried to read another author in between and I just couldn't get into it! I just wanted more of your stuff! Got my brother into your books and now he's hooked too... But I'm not writing this just to gush praise. I missed your book signing and speech when you came to London to promote The Fort last year, and wish I'd have gone. I've looked in your diary on your website and there's no mention of another UK visit, so wondered whether you could tell me? I would like to say hi and shake your hand. So, when you release your next book please come back to London! Cheers, and thanks for the great stories. Matt

Hi Bernard! Thanks for another great read - just finished Uhtred#5. A comment and a question if you're interested! I expect it is the British love of the underdog that makes us (Brits) enjoy a writers protagonist who starts 'lowly' and finds himself promoted to lead men - Sharpe, Derfel, Uhtred, Thomas of Hookton, Nick Hook... even supporting characters get the touch (Steapa is a champion is he not?) Alexander Kent and C S Forester are two of my other favourites who, like you give us similar heroes. Here is my question: Unsuprisingly there are loads of authors who list your work as their inspiration for writing - Simon Scarrow being an obvious example with his 'rising through the ranks' star. Who, of the these inspired authors would you most recommend to a hero-hungry reader like myself? Thanks (and roll on Uhtred#6!) Simon, Lincoln UK