Your Questions

I am rereading The Warlord Chronicles. I read them for the first time about 14 years ago, when I did not even properly speak English. But all these years some episodes have been etched in my memory, so well were they written. Thank you very much, mister Cornwell. Among those episodes are the single combat descriptions: Arthur versus Owain in "The winter king", Tristan against the Kernow champion in "The enemy of God" and, the best of them all, Derfel versus Liofa in "Excalibur". I would dare to guess that the author knows very well what he is writing about and himself has operated foil or saber or epee on more than one occasion. Ant the other thing got stuck in my mind. It is when Derfel from the shore is watching Cerdic's ships going away and listening as the Sais rowers sing: Hwaet for your mother and hwaet for your girl, and hwaet for your lover that you hwaet on the floor. :-))) I wonder where does the song come from?

Alexander Dvorkin

Hello Mr. Cornwell. I will write an essay about fear in the 100 years war. I would like to know what book would you recommend to me, and, if I focus on the British coast and the fear of a french invasion, what should I read? Thanks.

Rodrigo Ongaratto

Thank you very much for your response regarding the archers and their draw weights. Segueing into swordplay, did the warriors of Uhtred's time (and all times, I guess) have massively developed musculature of their sword arm? Would the shield arm also be equally developed? BTW, some of my undergraduate work was in Old English. I particularly appreciate the way the Uhtred books often have the rhythms, cadences and alliteration of the Norse Eddur. As a geologist, I enjoy your descriptions of how geology often determines the outcome of a battle. Finally, Thank you for the wonderful Saxon series. I have read and re-read each volume and remain completely enchanted!

Jennifer

Mr Cornwell, I know you get the same questions all the time about when the next Starbuck or Sharpe books will be written (for good reason, as they are excellent characters), but which is likely to come first, a new Sharpe adventure or the continuation of Starbuck's tale?

Joe

Just finished Redcoat, having somehow managed to miss it first time around. Excellent! Before that, I also enjoyed American Scoundrel by Tom Keneally, a biography of (General) Dan Sickles. What a character! Looking forward to renewing his acquaintance when Starbuck rides again. They have to meet - surely?

Tony Mills

Dear Mr Cornwell, First let me thank you for Richard Sharpe. The first time I read one - Sharpe's Regiment and bear in mind I had not at that time seen any of the TV programmes two characters came to my mind Sharpe as portrayed by Sean Bean filled my mind and Sergeant Harper as Daragh O'Malley neither actor was familiar to me but the descriptions in your story was so vivid that when I saw them in something else I knew that really they were Sharpe and Harper in disguise. Brilliant! Secondly whilst I appreciate that the Sharpe series are historical fiction, I have learnt more about my country's history in a period that was glossed over in history lessons at school. I knew of course that Napoleon had invaded Russia, I knew that Wellington had beaten him at Waterloo, but did not understand the significance of seeing names like "Badajoz, Salamanca etc," on the colours of British Infantry Regiments. I never realised until I read your books how involved the British Army had been in the Peninsular War or how many miles those men had marched to Waterloo. That I now do is due to you and I thank you for that. I have carried out some research and more to follow but have discovered that I had relatives who fought in the British Army throughout Spain, stood in the ranks at Waterloo, that some relatives fought with the Prussians through Spain and again at Waterloo, but perhaps even stranger is that relatives fought for Boney too! I also have relatives who sailed with Nelson's fleet at Trafalgar. So I have a link to your stories and for enlightening me I can only say "Thank you." Probably you get asked "Will Sharpe and Harper march again?" Well soldiers - and here I speak from experience albeit I served in the Royal Air Force, do eventually hang up their boots etc and slowly fade away, but surely we have not been told all of Richard's exploits? I leave that choice to you and respect it. On another note - any chance of more "Redcoats in the USA?" I really enjoyed that one too. Sorry this has been a long letter, but Thank you for all your books. They have filled many a long lonely watch at night as I escaped to my past. Gerard.

Dear Mr. Cornwell, My name is Paul McGee. I am a history major and Central Washington University. Just this past year a colleague of mine introduced me to some of your literature. The first book of yours that I had the pleasure of reading was, The Last Kingdom. What an amazing story! I have avidly followed Uhtred's quest through his hectic life and the countryside of England. Your work is fantastic. I was able to do my own research and it is a wonderful thing to have a narrative to go along with historical facts. I hope that you continue Uhtred's story. If you have any idea when you will be releasing another book in this series I would love to know. Thank you for all of your works. I am currently reading Azincourt and have been blown away by the literary genius you pour into your novels! Please give me an update on the Saxon Tales. Sincerely, Paul M. McGee

Hello, my name is Stephan Hillebrand and I am in Germany. Because I am really interested in history, I just want to let you know how much I enjoy reading your Saxon Stories and the Grail Quest. These stories take place in a time so unknown to many people and mystic and you really fill the darkness with colour and light. Besides having lots of fun when I read the books, my theoretically based knowledge of the early mid-age became much more realistic. At least I think that my imagination of this time is now more realistic. ;-) So, I really look forward to reading the next Saxon story. How much Uhtred stories will come in the future and most important question: When do you publish the next saxon story? Will it happen in 2011? Best regards and I wish you all the best, Stephan Hillebrand

Dear Mr. Cornwell, first up I like to thank you for your books! They helped me to increase my English and to start reading in this language. I was wondering if there will be an other book about Uhtred in the Saxon Stories. I really want to now how his Story ends... Thank you very much. Warm regards, Mirijam

Dear Mr Cornwell, I started reading your books in the wrong order; as in I started with the last of your Arthur books. I have now gone on and read the grail quest, the Arthur books, the saxon stories and the fort. My question is are you going to be writing any more of the saxon stories or more like the above series? The Fort was different to what I had been expecting after reading your other books, but at the same time very enjoyable.

James Dale

Please can you give me some hope that there is indeed a follow up book to continue Uhtred's story from 'The Burning Land' and when it may be available? I find this series totally engrossing and would like to see it through to hopefully a satisfying ending.

Bob Bruce

i have just re read the saxon stories in a week & I'm begging you to write a new adventure. I've recently re read the thomas of hookton series as i had stopped reading after flying through sharpe nothing seemed as exciting & i lost the book bug.you have now saved me with your fantastic books the second time so please more uthred

Jamie Dainton

I hope you don't mind this question, but I am completely addicted to the Uhtred books and am intrigued to know if there is more after Burning Land? I did look at your "what's coming" page, but it was empty... Kind regards, Dawn Shepherd

Dear Mr Cornwell I read your comments regards offering you material etc. However I do have a collection of accurately documented historical data dealing with 5 different families, one even going back to 1069 (originated in Ireland). I have had this info for 45 years and always felt these would make very interesting reading in novel format. Does this begin to interest you? Best regards Donald

Dear Bernard, in a newspaper recently I read that you had greatly enjoyed reading the Shardlake series of books by C.J. Sansome. Until your recommendation my husband and I had not come upon them. They are splendid and like the fantastically enjoyable Sharpe books conjure up characters and history in a thrilling, lively and exciting yarn. I was wondering if you had ever read another series of historical novels by Lindsey Davis, about an entertaining Roman detective called Falco. They too are stunning and through his adventures history is brought to life in manageable chunks. Many thanks for hours of entertainment and pleasure. Kind regards, Andrea Roberts.

Hello Mr Cornwell, I was just reading some facts about Waterloo. One fact that stuck out is nearly 20,000 soldiers , in total from both sides, went missing. It seems like a lot for the amount of time the battle was fought. Did most of them run away?

Something different. Have you read about the clipper schooner Scottish Maid? It was built to cheat British tonnage laws. Something about an Aberdeen bow. It weighed 142 tons and was a fast two masted ship. The models of this ship look sleek and elegant. Regards, Nicholas.