Your Questions

Hello Mr Cornwell, Thank you so much for enabling me to lose myself for hours and hours in your wonderful historic books. I think between you and George McDonald Fraser's "Flashman" series I've learned more British history than any text book. I especially loved the realistic retelling of the Arthur legend in your Warlord Series. Would you have any plans to write something that would fall roughly between that era and The Saxon Stories? I'm very interested in the original tribes of Britain being pushed back to Wales, Cornwall and Scotland as the Saxons took over. Thankyou.

Chip Jack

OBE? Does that mean you are Sir Bernard now? Also, I buy and occasionally sell your books on ebay. I have a few signed copies. I have a copy of Sharpe's Eagle that is "flat signed on the title page, but, also has an inscription, it says: "For Kay Wolff in thanks for a lovely lunch". I realise that you wrote that some thirty years ago, but thought it might recall someone you knew. I bought the book on ebay. It was one in a complete collection of your books from a doctor, female, from the U.K. She lived in California and was moving back to the U.K. and couldn't take her collection with her. Just wondering.

Jack Douglas

Dear Mr. Cornwell, we do really love your Saxon Stories and we want know if there will be 6 and 7 books? We are anxiously waiting for it. We appreciate for the attention and congratulations for the great story and the historical research.

Pedro 'n Stefania Guerra(Brazil)

Dear Mr. Cornwell As a consummate and copious reader of The Sharpe series, The Warlord chronicles, The Starbuck chronicles, the :Grail Quest series, and the last in the series entitled The Burning Land has in fact precipitated questions and consequently this letter. With reference to The Burning Land, page 154 I shall take it a subtle precursor to Uhtred’s return to Bebbanburg? With conquest of Beamfleot, and at this point assured of sufficient treasure to raise a sizeable army, to be in Alfred’s debt, assuming Alfred lives, but failing that Edward who is now king, having been successfully baptized in battle at Beamsfleot by Uhtred, should release Uhtred so he can address the conquest of Bebbanburg? Also, the following question begs asking. Page 330 As I took Aethelflaed home.? To her father or to Uhtred’s home in current London, which again raises more questions? And finally, Page 336 So Uhtred, now firmly allied to Aethelflaed, will campaign again!!! This is obvious the introduction to Uhtred’s most challenging campaign against his uncle, and we in Canada await the publication of the final chapter in this most interesting series. When might we expect same --- 2012?? Thank you. Robin Hethey

Hey how's it going? I just wanted to ask if you will be continuing the Saxon Stories? They are truly amazing. Please let me know. Thank you, Hector Soto

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I am a huge fan and I have read almost all of your books. But my favorites are The Saxon Tales and I wanted yo know if there is a book coming after the Burning Land? Thank you and please keep writing.

Tom Pierce

Have you stopped writing? I just finished all the starbuck series and am deeply depressed that you did not finish the story. I have started with the Saxon Stories which again leaves me wishing for more, I have seen a few of the Sharpe stories on TV and since there are so many stories I feel that I would rather read from your other projects and can only ask that you complete a few more of them and less on the TV Books. I truly enjoy your writing just wish you would finish some of the earlier stories.

Thomas Little

Dear Mr Cornwell, I absolutely loved reading your saxon stories! I was wondering if you will be writing another story after the burning land?? I'm dying to know more. Thanks, Steph Dobney

Dear Mr Cornwell, Every five years or so I re-read the entire Sharpe saga. At the moment I am doing it in parallel with Mark Urban's "Rifles", which is very interesting. The reason I am writing to you is, firstly to thank you for giving me so much pleasure, and secondly to make an appeal to you. As far as I am aware, there is no account of Richard Sharpe's childhood. It has been alluded to and Sharpe has revisited the area, But the events themselves remain a mystery. A childhood in the stews of late 18th. century London must be a temptation for you. How about it? Yours Faithfully, Adrian Talbot.

I picked up the 1st book in the saxon series, when someone left it, in the hotel whilst on holiday in October and have just finished no5. All i can say is that they are brilliant and I can't wait for the next one. Looking at some of the answers you have given, am I right in thinking that regarding Sharpe, there is more to come. Keep up the fantastic writing

Jo Mallon

Hi Bernard, I have earlier read some of the Sharpe stories, but recently decided to re-read them all in chronological order. I am halfway through Rifles which includes detailed references to Tiger (Tippoo), Triumph & Fortress. What's "odd" about that?? Well those 3 books appear to have been written 9 or 10 years AFTER Rifles!! Now that's what I call PLANNING!! From one ex-"Peculiar" to another, Well Done!! Could you suggest 7 numbers for next years Lotto? regards Ken from Leigh-on-Sea

Hello Mr Cornwell. My name is Jorge Irwin and this is the second time I've posted on your comments board. I only do things like this when I feel compelled to and its not very often. I wanted to tell you what a pleasure it has been reading the warlord trilogy for the second time. Those books are so detailed that reading them the second time was actually more interesting than the first. There's so much id like to ask you about your seemingly vast knowledge of dark age britain but alas text conversation is tedious. One question I will ask is about your character Sagramor who was one of Arthur's warlords. Was he based at all on an actual historical character? In many versions of robin hood, robin of locksley is accompanied by a moorish warrior who he met on campaign in the holy land. But is there anything to suggest the romans brought black skinned mercenaries to britain? For obvious reasons it seems such a man no matter how heroic would have trouble assimilating. Tell me your thoughts on this if you wouldn't mind. Thanks and by the way when will we next hear from Uhtred?

Jorge Irwin

Dear Bernard, On the riddle of Sharpe's father: "Take you out, put me in and a horse appears in this happy person!" Is the answer something to do with books? 'Take you out' = DATE; 'Put me in' = AUTHOR (i.e. you); 'Happy Person' = CONTENT. I am not really sure where I am going with this but am I on the right lines? Many thanks.

Gareth

Dear Mr Cornwell, Most of your "heroes" are reasonably stand-up, noble, honourable people despite killing and in some instances murdering (often with a good reason) Have you ever thought about writing a story about a much darker anti-hero? For example I thought that a book or series based on a young Hakeswill's bullying and terrifying rise through the army culminating in his recruitment of a young Sharpe? As Hakeswill is a character you often regret killing off would this be a way of writing about a character we all love (at least love to hate!) Please don't think I am trying to tell you what to write in any way shape or form as I am a huge fan of your work and I look forward to the next Uhtred adventure! Kind regards Tom Haslett

I have a quick (but kind of embarrassing) question about Richard Sharpe. Has his STI status ever been discussed? Because I find it hard to believe that, with his sexual history, he has never picked up "the pox" or something. Although some people are just really, really lucky. Do we know if he is "sound?"

Renee Reger-Kelsey