Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell, I'm a massive fan of yours. Most recently I've re-read the Arthur trilogy and had a question relating to "Avalon". There's clearly debate about if and where it may have existed. I've seen articles suggest Avalon was near Glastonbury, a small Island off Wales, or even the Canary Islands. I'd like to ask where you "think" Avalon was (if you had to guess)? Thanks very much.

Phil Martin

Hi, Bernard, You may recall we had a brief exchange some time ago about the name Uhtred appearing twice in the Welsh Mabinogion as Uchdryd ab Erim and Uchdryd Farf Draws, and I said it was a popular name among the Welsh. As you already know, we are all eagerly awaiting the further adventures of Uhtred. I've read the archives where you mentioned that the 6th. instalment in the Saxon series is going to be called "The Thorn Crown". When is this book coming out in print? I will most certainly pre-order it. Best Wishes, Karen Han

Dear Bernard Cornwell, Please note that I have read every book, story and parchment of literature that you have ever made possible to the general public to read. You are my favorite author, I feel like I have learned a good amount of history from you and would love to keep reading your novels. Do you have any idea how much longer you plan to write and publicize your work and/or when/what your next writing will be? I find the getaway relief that a good fictional novelist strives for from your writing and the sought after knowledge that a historical non-fiction writer assumes in all of your works. Waiting on the world to change, Michael, Dallas, Texas Favorite Books "The Pale Horseman" "Sharpe's Tiger"

Hi Mr. Cornwell. Why is it okay for Frederickson to break his parole and go to America, and yet you won't let Sharpe do it? Alan Kempner

How is the new dog? James Trethowan

Dear Bernard Cornwell(my favourite author), I'm slightly disappointed to learn that your next book will be about Uhtred and the death of Alfred and the events that followed this. Why am I disappointed? well it's because these are such wonderful books and I had thought after the way The Burning Land ended that the next one would be about Uhtred's pursuit of Haestan and the sieges that followed in Buttington and Chester and then the subsequent raiding the vikings did in the Welsh kingdom of their former ally Anarwd ap Rhodri.I really liked how from a minor character Haestan became a recurring nemesis to Uhtred and it would be a shame if their final reckoning has been skipped over.Since I enjoy this series so much I hope that longevity is a family trait with Uhtred and that his uncle will have a long life but not a happy one before Uhtred eventually fights his way north to claim his birthright and bloody vengeance. I have recently re-read all five and I'm enjoying how the hints from the earlier books are coming to fruition i.e Uhtred's woman of gold,the cause of Uhtred's dislike of his eldest son and hopefully in the future how is daughter becomes a mother of kings and his second son makes him proud.Lastly I noticed in the opening of The Last Kingdom that Uhtred writes 'I dream, and know that one day I will take back the land from those who stole it from me' which I thought implies he hasn't captured Bebbanburg yet but by the time of The Lords of The North he seems to be living there, does he take it back between writing these?also he writes 'He was my king and all that I have I owe to him. The food that I eat,the hall where I live and the swords of my men, all came from Alfred, my king, who hated me.' From reading the books so far I feel Alfred dislikes Uhtred but felt that he had a grudging respect for him, does something happen between them in Alfred's last years to cause this hatred? I'm guessing Uhtred relationship with Aethelflaed wouldn't go down well! Apologies for such a long message and I hope writing these books gives you as much pleasure as it does to me reading them,hopefully it will be a 10-12 book series and that a extract from the next book will be up soon. Thank you, Rhun (please give Pyrlig and Beocca long lives!)

In your book 'Rebel' when Starbuck is at Manassas he is talking to a man called Colonel Lassan. I was wondering if that was the same Henri Lassan from 'Sharpes Enemy'? Declan Gohsman

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Please allow me to give a brief background of myself and why I am writing before I ask a few questions. First, your books are the best I've ever read in this genre. I am from Massachusetts and have a degree in history and studied history for a period at Oxford University. I read some fiction, but mostly stick to pure history. Many years ago I discovered the pure joy of historical fiction when I read Sharon Kay Penman's book on Richard III (my first was the Killer Angels in College) and then got hooked on Patrick O'Brien to the point I read the entire Aubrey series in a couple of months and read them again a year later. Your books surpass all of these authors and I'm particularly impressed because you cover so many periods of history. It's obvious you do painstaking research before writing a book. I started with the Sharpe series solely based on the advise of a stranger in a book store who saw me looking at your books. Since then I have devoured everything you have ever written and my wife can't believe how quickly I read your books. To stay with the analogy, I am famished. Your various book series are wonderful, but once I finished them, I decided to read your novels. Agincourt and Gallows Thief are my favorites. The only series I did not read was Starbuck. I guess because I'm a yankee and the plot theme did not appeal to me. Well, I just finished "The Bloody Ground" and I must admit that I loved all four books. They are very much like the Sharpe books, but your research on the different historical periods and subtle differences in character make them stand apart. So here are my questions: 1) Will there be another Starbuck book? I pray so. 2) Will there be another Saxon Stories book? This is actually my favorite of all your writing and I'm hoping that you will write one more book. I want Uhtred's story to come to a fitting conclusion. Thank you for all the enjoyment you have given me, but now I am out of reading and going back to pure history seems rather boring to me. You are a literary drug. I hope one day to run into you as I visit Cape Cod somewhat frequently (my parents live in Plymouth), but please just keep on writing! Sincerely, Steven J. Ryan A Big Fan

Hi Bernard, it's Corey here. I believe I may be one of your biggest fans (I have 38 of your novels and I'm only 19), I read Harlequin about 5/6 years ago and since then I don't think I've read a single book that hasn't been a historical novel. I was wondering a few things, A) Will there ever be another Sharpe book? Because I recently finished reading the lot and now I feel as if I knew somebody personally who has suddenly gone missing, and I need them back! B) Will there ever be a film of Harlequin? I ask because it is by far the greatest novel ever written, and put into film would be a magnificent achievement. I have fully imagined that book as a film in my mind hundreds of times and it would work exceptionally well (I'm studying TV and Video Production in Newcastle and I like to think I know about these things :D). I've even managed to devise that Sir William Skeat is quite literally the perfect role for Sean Bean. More Sean Bean in more Bernard Cornwell plots is what this world needs most. I truly think you are an outstanding author ,I read some books purely because they have your blessing, and they always turn out to be fantastic (I have you to thank for introducing me to Simon Scarrow's Eagle series ("I really don't need this kind of competition"), second only to your novels). Do you have any similar books to these to recommend? I cannot wait for The Thorn Crown, please keep writing, your novels are all masterpieces and your attention to detail and thoroughness of plot never ceases to amaze me. Cheers, Corey Lees

Hello! I was wondering (and hoping) if there are going to be any more stories of Uhtred? The first five were awesome, and I'd love to know if and how he manages to recapture Bebbanburg. Over the last two years I’ve really enjoyed working my way through you’re books, starting with the Sharpe series, then Warlord Chronicles, the Grail Quests, Azincourt, the Redcoat, and now the Saxon Stories. Most of them twice! I’ve just started reading Stonehenge this morning and have ordered the Fort. Therefore my reading needs will be met for the next few weeks, but if you could have the next instalment of Uhted’s tale ready I would be most grateful. Seriously, I have thoroughly enjoyed all of your books. Thank you.

When is the next book in The Saxon Stories coming out? I enjoyed the first 5 and am anxious to read the next.

Ken Alger

Bernard, I have read most of your books but still have a few to go. I am now starting The Fort. I became addicted to the Sharpe series and bought all TV episodes on DVD. My wife even enjoys these but I think it has more to do with Sean Bean than Sharpe :) Of all your books, my favourites were the Sharpe books until I read the Saxon Stories. Uhtred is no goody two shoes and that's what I like about him: he is a true pagan Saxon warrior of the 9th century. I am beseeching you to continue the Saxon stories add infinitum. I am going to reread all of Uhtred's adventures and hope that by the time I finish them, that the next volume will be in print. Best regards, Bernard Brule P.S. Where did you ever get such a fantastic first name? :)

Your books are great reading, in particular the Sharpe, Grail and Saxon series.Hope there is something new coming up in your pipeline. Best regards, Helmut Augener Rellingen / Germany

can you kindly tell me when the next instalment of the saxon stories is due to be published in the UK I have just discovered them and think they are wonderful

Jackie Westrop

when is book 6 of the saxon chronicles due out

Kelvin Hunt

Dear Mister Cornwell, I read all 5 books of The Saxon Stories (the German translation)and have to say, that I read just a few books they are so good as yours. I hope, you will write more books about the adventures of Uhtred, and they comes out in German language too. Please excuse my very bad English, but my schooltime is many years ago. I wish you a happy Eastern and much success for your books. Greetings Christian Reuling

I would like to know when and if there are going to be any more books in the Saxon series .Fingers crossed that there are

David Jacob

I like the saxon stories, and am in the process of reading them the second time. I was wondering when the next Uhtred tale was expected? Looking forward to it. Alex Scheierman