Dear Bernard,I have enjoyed the Sharpe books and the films.do you intend to write any more Sharpe adventures?Trevor
Yes, I do intend to write more Sharpe.
I'm sure you are sick of this but don't you think its time to write another Starbuck story-you have been saying maybe for years and years-can't you send ole Sharpie on an extended vacation and bring Nate back-go on-please-lol. Tim Wilson
Dear Mr Cornwell I have just read all 4 of the Starbuck Chronicles. But I am left dangling in air as to what happens to Nate in the end. Will he find true love or perish in battle. Is it your intention to write a final book or a further series? I hope so. Peter Crewe
I hope so too!
I wanted to thank you for the Saxon series, the last book of which I'm reading right now. It's actually the first time my dad (who is 84) has recommended a book series to me so it's been a real pleasure to be able to chat with him about the plotlines! I live about 6 miles from where the Staffordshire Hoard was dug up last year. Just wondered if you'd taken an interest in all that gold armour decoration buried on a hill a few yards North of Watling Street! All the best Andy
The Hoard predates my stories, and, Hoards are so common that I tried to incorporate them anyway (Uhtred buries a Hoard at least once). I have visited the Anglo-Saxon galleries in the British Museum and I'd guess that 80% of the exhibits were labelled as being from a Hoard.
Hi Mr Cornwell I just want to let you know that your Saxon stories had me hooked! I must admit that your historical stories are some of the greatest I have ever read. However, the big question is when will your next book in the series be out? I just cannot wait to find out how Uhtred retrieves his fortress form his uncle. You have made the character Uhtred so likable and I just want him to experience his dream and what is rightfully his. You have a great gift and I hope you will be writing for a long time. >From a new fan of yours Marcia Fenton.
Hi, When you will finish the The Saxon Stories, book number 6? Sorry for my bad english, I'm Brazilian, cant write it very well. Thanks, Rafaelo Bragança
Dear Mr Cornwell, (or person who checks this) My name is Hassan Nasser, I'm a huge fan from Brazil, Ive read many of your books, and I must say I'm fascinated by your narration, and the way you tell all these stories, I particularly have my favorite which is Stonehenge, but all of them are amazing. Anyways, the reason for my contact, is that when I start reading one of your stories I just dont stop, and I have just finished the fifth volume of the Saxon Stories, (The Burning Land) and I'd really like to know if you have an idea of when the 6th volume will be ready, I saw that there was a two year gap between Sword Song, and Burning Land, and I hope it doesn't come to that here :)... Besides I read them in Portuguese, even though I was English educated, here in Brazil its the easiest option to find quickly. I thank you for your attention, and I hope to receive an encouraging reply! :) Regards, Hassan.
Hi Mr Bernard Cornwell I first started reading your novels when i was at school i could not read or write at the time at least very little,as i am dyslectic,as you may tell from the way i write.but i can can read very well now an in part by reading a lot of your book over an over i really enjoyed the Arthur books an the grail quest which i loved, am now 22 an would like to thank you for helping me better myself by reading your books,an i have just finished reading book 5 in the saxon stories an have 1 question will there be more books after the burning land i hope there is a few more ;D your a truly wonderful writer an hope you continue for a long time yet many thanks
John C. Moore
We are hoping the 6th book of the Saxon Tales will be ready for publication by Autumn 2011.
Hi. I am currently working my way through the Saxon novels and I'm on the third book The Lords of the North. One thing that I keep noticing reading these books is the amount of slavery. I'm no expert on Anglo-Saxon history but I wanted to ask you as you have obviously done lots of research before writing, was their really slavery on this massive scale? It seems anyone anywhere could just be grabbed randomly and sold into slavery at a slave market. As though the slavers were just as much eligible to become a slave as the slaves they're selling! I hope to hear back from you and I really appreciate learning more about these times from your work.
Aaron Jones
Slavery was integral to both Saxon and Viking society, and there were large slave markets. The Domesday Book (late 11th Century) estimated that 10% of English society were slaves, while in Cornwall (which stayed British longer than the rest of England) the figure was 25%. The Vikings tended to take captured Saxons to slave markets on the continent (notably at Rouen). The Irish made slave raids on Britain - Saint Patrick was a Briton enslaved in Ireland, so yes, it was endemic, widespread and attested in wills and charters.
Hello Mr. Cornwell, I've started reading your books 5 months ago (first was The Last Kingdom) and I've finished The Saxon Stories and now I'm reading the Arthur books (just started Enemy of God). I just wanted to say that I love the way you tell the stories. You write with such passion and enthusiasm that I often felt like I was right there with your characters. Keep up the good work! I also have a question. Have you ever thought about writing a story that takes place in Asia, or in some other place that you've never used before in your books? Felipe, from Brazil
It's always said you should write about what you know - and I really don't know Asia at all well! I'd need to live there for a while, preferably learn a language, and really, that ain't likely! So I shall probably stick with the places I know best and I'm afraid that means more of the same.
Dear Bernard, Just finished reading `The Burning Land' and desperate to know when Uhtred will ride again [He seems to have a good few years left in him]. Living near the Wirral UK I wonder if Uhtred will be still around in 937 when Alfred's grandson Athelstan trounces Constantin, Owein and Olaf Guthfrthson at Brunanburh [? Bromborough]. Yours Sincerely Paul
That's the destination! I wish someone knew exactly where Brunanburh was, though. God, Uhtred's going to be so old, poor bastard. That was the battle where, supposedly, seven kings died, and really it's the event that marks the birth of England.
Hey! Just a couple of daft questions not related to each other: In Sharpe's Fortress, Sharpe blows the brains out of a certain officer. (hint begins with a T). He hands the pistol to him so he'd blow his own brains out, the officer however points the gun at Sharpe only to find its wasn't charged properly. My question is, if the officer tried to blow his own brains out would Sharpe of let him off? Or would he of killed him anyway?
Second, in Uhtred's time did they speak english as we speak today or a totally different language?
Richard Hatton
I can't even remember the incident! I suspect Sharpe would have killed him. He's like that.
English! But the English spoken in Uhtred's time, which these days we call Old English. But it is still English.
Hello Bernard I have just finished The Burning Land; this may sound odd but I actually purchased it in hardback on it's release date - I have been working up to reading it on the basis that the longer I leave it the more I will enjoy it. Such delicious anticipation. And it did not disappoint. Wonderfully graphic, well researched and so very readable. I'll take a drive to Benfleet and poke around, the channel between Canvey and Benfleet won't have changed too much. Are you aware of any archaeological investigations in this area? How long until the next one when, I suspect, Arthur finally pops his clogs and Uhtred goes north to reclaim his birthright? With deepest thanks and appreciation John
I'm not aware of any archaeological digs in the area, but I'm sure there have been plenty! I suspect the channel between Canvey and Benfleet has changed out of all recognition, mainly thanks to the efforts of the Dutch who were hired to reclaim Canvey back in the whenever it was (17th century? That's a guess) and then, of course, in the 19th Century the railway line was smacked down right along the northern edge. Maybe it hasn't. I used to know the channel well, or at least the Leigh end of it, but it would be a great place to explore with a kayak!
I am working on the next Saxon book now - hopefully you'll have it next Autumn.
Good Afternoon Mr Cornwell, I have just finished your latest book 'The Fort' which I very much enjoyed, especially given my interest in the American revolution. My eyes nearly popped out when i read one of your Highland Redcoat characters was Sergeant Logie. I would be very grateful if you could let me know if there really was a Logie at the battle of Penobscot or if it was made up. Many thanks, Logie Cassells, Chester, Nova Scotia
There really was, though I know almost nothing about him. I think I got the name from one of the muster rolls. A lot of those soldiers settled permanently in Nova Scotia (in face they were granted land there), so who knows? A relative?