Your Questions

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I first stumbled across The Burning Land around a year ago when I half-heartedly agreed to buy it on offer as part of a three-for-two deal. To date I have not fully read the other two books I bought that day. I finished reading The Burning Land in about a week and immediately set about buying the other four books in the series. I can honestly say I am not an avid reader by any stretch, but your books have captured my imagination like no other author since Roald Dahl. I have now began reading the Sharpe series and am enjoying it immensely. Anyway, I have a few questions. What sources did you use to research The Saxon Stories. Could you recommend some books as I have quite an interest in that time period. Best regards, Alan Kent.

Mr. Cornwell, I'm from Brazil and a true fan of your work. I've read The Warlord Chronicles, The Grail Quest, some Sharpe books and currently I'm reading The Saxon Stories third volume, The Lords Of The North. I was raised to believe that only classic literature holds true value but your books completely changed my views. Nowhere else I've found this sense of epic and atmosphere combined with harshness and realism. The true brilliance of your stories, however, lies in your ability to create larger than life (yet mundane), believable, three dimensional characters. Many times I found myself marvelled at how I how I related to them. It's wonderful to see so many important historical figures showing feelings and doubts just like the rest of us, apart from the cold, apathetic portraits that we see at History books. That said, there are somethings that I've been wondering about.. Were the similarities between Uhtred and Derfel intended? Was Uhtred's arrogance increased to set the characters apart? And which was the hardest book for you to write? Thank you for your time. Ives Leocelso Silva Costa

I am a big fan of Uhtred , when will we know what Alfred's reward to Uhtred will be ? (after his return of his daughter-Sword Song)

Robert Lowry

Dear Bernard, Recently whilst reading the last instalment of Simon Scarrows "Wellington and Napoleon" trilogy The fields of death,I found myself laughing out loud and uttering the word "Brilliant" !!! Wellington had just ridden ahead of the main Army in the Ebro valley in northern Spain to join General Alten of the Light division to view the 95th Rifles ambush a French division. After a successful conclusion to the battle a Major of the 95th approaches Wellington and Alten with a captured Leather satchel containing French orders.Quoting the book,"Unusually for an officer,the Major carried a rifle like his men" General Alten then asks,"What is it Richard ?" !! Were you aware of Richard Sharpe's cameo appearance in Mr Scarrow's book ? I think this is a wonderful tribute to you and of course to Dick Sharpe.. Thank you for taking the time to read my question and hope you are well. Anthony Morgan Lambert

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am in the midst of reading all the Sharpe books in historical date order. I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed them and how it has opened my interest to the Napoleonic War era and Wellington and Napoleon specifically. I have a sort of indirect question to ask you. I have finished reading Simon Scarrow's Revolution series. In the final book "Fields of Death" (page 423) there is a reference to a rifleman named Richard that bears a striking resemblance to Sharpe. I was wondering if you knew whether or not Mr. Scarrow was making a small tribute to your Sharpe character. Can't wait to finish the Sharpe series and wish there were more to come. Thank you Linda

That cheeky young scamp Simon Scarrow has included Sharpe in one of his books. Check out page 359 of 'The Fields of Death'. I'm sure it's him , gave me a right laugh :)

Lee Thomas

I'm in the midst of Stonehenge. I love it as I did The Burning Land and Agincourt. My question is (or comment) is there a map of the various journeys that take place in the story? Many thanks. Bob

Dear Cornwell Recently I went into a discussion about the Vikings and a major reason this discussion is that other person calling the viking of a nation and say they have always been a nation (and not a junction of several norse tribes who later were called Vikings). He also disagrees that the term Viking was (in ancient times) an action (exit "Viking") and insists that there was a Viking and Viking philosophy even before the Norse Vikings. you could tell by his knowledge who is more right about the Vikings (Vikings and philosophy existed before the Norse Vikings?The norse called themselves of Vikings and had an idea that they were only one nation, a nation viking? the word viking was referring in the past to all the Nordic people? Thanks in advance Your fan Arthur Nietch

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I really like your books but I find it disappointing that very few of your books have been translated into Dutch. Do you know why this is and is this something that perhaps will change? Best regards, Rene

Hi from the UK. Like many thousands around the world I am an avid reader of your books. I am currently re-reading (one benefit of a poor memory) your Sharpe series using a Kindle. However I've just discovered that the next in the series 'Sharpe's Sword' is not available in Kindle format!!! Is there a reason for this and will it be released in this format? Please keep new books coming, I'll read the 'Fort' when its released in the smaller paperback in the UK. Best regards Graham

Hi Bernard, I've been reading the Sharpe series on the Amazon kindle, and have just finished reading Sharpe's Company. I have thoroughly enjoying the series so far, however I just found that the next book in the series (Sharpe's Sword, as I'm reading in chronological order) is not available currently. My question is, do you know if (and when) this book will be available on the kindle from Amazon.co.uk? As I can't wait to continue reading the series. Kind regards, Phil

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I know that you use the iPad as an ebook reader which I also sometimes but I prefer to use my Kindle. The problem I face and I am not sure if you are aware of it but "the Fort" is no longer available on Kindle only iBook. Regards, Christopher

Hi. Firstly I would like to say how much I enjoy your books and congratulations on The Fort it was excellent. I am however desperately waiting for the next book in the Saxon Stories. Every year I re-read the books so far so my mind is upto date with the story and now for two years I have been disappointed to find, however enjoyable your latest book has been on a different subject. Can you let me know if or when there will been another Uhtred book. Thank you Tracy

Please can you tell me when the next Uhtred book will arrive? Barry Lazenbury

Dear Bernard,I have just read all your saxon series books and even starting on the last one didn't ruin it Please tell me there will be more there is a childhood castle to get back from a horrible uncle I have liked all your books but azincourt stands out as a favourite Regards Pete

Dear Mr. Cornwell, When will installment six (6) in The Saxon Stories be published? Do you have a working title for it yet? I love this series and am looking forward to the next in it. I've also read all of the Arthurian and Grail Quest books and enjoyed those immensely as well. I know your Sharpe & Starbuck novels are popular but the time period(s) you write about in those are too "recent" for my taste. I love to read medieval "historical" novels set in England, Ireland & Scotland up to the end (time frame) of Queen Elizabeth I's reign. Anything newer is too contemporary, at least for me. Please continue Uhtred's story! Finally, thank you very much for all of the quality hours of reading you've provided for me and numerous others!
Kimberly Gelderman

Dear Sir, I have been enthralled with the Saxon series. Can I ask please, do you have any plans to write a further book or books in this series, as I am very interested. Kind regards Lorna

As a devoted Bernard Cornwell fan I am constantly searching the bookshelves for your latest publications. Can you tell me if you have any new series or books due out ?

David Rush

Sir, I am from Bratislava (Slovakia). I am happy, your Uhtred story was translated into czech language. But we are afraid, we are going to day earlier then you finish the whole story about Uhtred. :-) Please, tell me, when can we expect the new book? Thank you very much. I wish you all the best. Mariana Cengel Solcanska

I have just read all the Saxon stories for the second time. They are are magnificent; thank you so much. When will the next one arrive please??

James Hardy

Thanks for answering my question about the village of Barrosa, mentioned in the background of Sharpe's Fury. I know about the beach and that there is a resort there now. I was informed of this by the Spanish Tourist Board. But I don't think there was a village there in 1811. I'm only saying this because I could find no trace of it in any of the accounts of the action (Oman etc) I read. There was a watchtower and some ruins bearing Barrosa in their names but nothing else was mentioned. It doesn't matter really, I suppose, but I'm pleased my research was correct and I had not missed it. I usually research as many accounts, if not more than I need, in order to be as accurate as you can about anything. I'm very pleased to hear that there will be another Sharpe book in the future. It will certainly be on my list and can't come quick enough. Have you any ideas for the background action to the narrative? Do you mind if I suggest Fuengirola 1810 or Campo Mayor 1811. I think these actions have great scope for some very interesting Sharpe-like characters, especially Fuengirola. I would love one based around that action, although some of your fans may not favour it because the French and Polish won, although heavily outnumbered. They should have lost and that's why the events and characters involved, on both sides, really jump out at you. I can well imagine Sharpe there fuming against the Allied commanders and, as an author, I think you'd have a field day. My apologies for going on but I did have on video, the documentary series covering The Peninsular War which you narrated. I consider it best Napoleonic documentary series produced, to date. But the tape was accidentally ruined beyond repair. I wondered if you knew if there were any plans for the series to be repeated? Thanks again for taking the time to reply to my questions. Much appreciated. John Walsh (Sr)