Your Questions

Q

Hi Bernard- firstly may I say how much I enjoy your work I've just finished "The Fort" and really enjoyed the story.I was impressed by the way you managed to tread a very careful line so as not to cause offence to either American or British fans by any overt partiality on your part. I notice from the replies to other questions that another Uhtred novel is in the offing and look forward to seeing it in print? I do have a question though will the shadowy,transient kingdom of Elmet ever feature in the Uhtred saga as I believe it was a sort of buffer zone between Mercia and Northumbria at roughly the time of Uhtred's exploits?

Gerry Dunne

Submitted December 18, 2010

A

Elmet did exist as a kingdom, but, like Bernicia, it had vanished by the 9th Century, so it won't be part of Uhtred's tale, though I suppose memories of it might have persisted.

Q

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

Submitted December 18, 2010

A

We are hoping the 6th book of the Saxon Tales will be ready for publication by Autumn 2011.

Q

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

Submitted December 18, 2010

A

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.

Q

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

Submitted December 18, 2010

A

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.

Q

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

Submitted December 18, 2010

A

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.

Q

Please provide the generally accepted pronunciation of "Majabigwaduce". I just finished The Fort and mentally stumbled every time I encountered it. Did not lessen my enjoyment of your work. Thanks. D Cutler

Bernard. Just finished read The Fort and true to form it was a compelling read. I just have 1 question. How do you pronounce Majabigwaduce phonetically of course?

Mark

Submitted December 13, 2010

A

Ma-ja-big-wa-duce

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, After having read the Starbuck books I have developed quite an interest in the American Civil War as it seems like such a fascinating period of history. I have looked on Amazon for the most highly acclaimed books on the subject and have found none more highly recommended that Shelby Foote’s The Civil War: A Narrative. I was just wondering if you have read this in your research for Starbuck and, if so, would you recommend it? Regards, David Heaton

Submitted December 13, 2010

A

I'm a huge fan! If I have a favorite author on the Civil War it would undoubtedly be Shelby Foote!

Q

Dear Bernard Cornwell, Hello Bernard! I am Fabio Di Fabbrizio, a big fan of yours. I read all the Saxon Tales and am starting to read the Sharpe Chronicles. I think that is a good accomplishment for a thirteen year old! But I do have some questions. Is there going to be another Saxon Tale? Also, don't you have ancestral inheritance to Bamburgh Castle? And finally, when is your next book signing? Please respond back.

Fabio Di Fabbrizio

Submitted December 13, 2010

A

Hi Fabio! Yes, there will be more to the Saxon Tales (that's what I'm working on now).

Bamburgh is the place name (and derives from the Old English Bebbanburg, which in turn derives from the name of a Queen of Bernicia, Bebba). The family that owned the fort during the Saxon period was named Uhtred, and in the 1200 years since that name has changed to Oughtred, and I am a direct relative. But I have met the present owner of Bamburgh Castle (at the castle) and he turned out to be an incredibly nice man, so I guess I'm not going to lead a shield wall and try to take it back (especially once I learned the cost heating the place!).

Most likely I won't do another book signing until this next book comes out.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I'm from Brazil and I've been reading the Saxon Stories so far. I've already read some of your other stories, such as the Arthur Books, the Grail Quest and the Gallows Thief. Firstly I must say that I really enjoy reading your books. In my opinion they have reach details and the historical note give us many details of the time the story took place. Thank you so much for writing wonderful stories for us! The secondary purpose of this note is to say that I'm getting a little lost on how to pronounce people's name and places on the Saxon Stories, for example "AEthelwold" and "AEthelingaeg". I searched on your website for some pronunciations (as you did with some names of the Arthur Books) but I couldn't find any. I would ask you if you can help me with this issue. Of course just if it won't disturb you. Thank you so much for everything. Yours faithfully, Tiago.

Submitted December 13, 2010

A

I'm NOT an expert on old English pronunciation . . but I generally assume the Ash(AE) was pronounced more or less to rhyme with 'say'. It means 'Noble', and was used by royalty and the aristocracy to denote status.

Q

Dear Bernard, I have enjoyed your books and have read The Grail Quest, some of the Sharp books and am currently working my way through The Saxon Stories. I have also read The Starbuck Chronicles with great enjoyment, having a great interest in the American Civil War and being an re-enactor of the same, I would like to ask if you have any plans to write more, the story did not appear finished as you only seem to have covered the first part of the war and stopped about half way, I hope that you don't take offence at my question but the Chronicles did leave me wanting more. I do not normally read fiction but find your books thoroughly enjoyable as they are historically accurate, keep up the good work. Yours sincerely Andy

Dear Mr. Cornwell, After three tries I already throw the towel in the ring. Your riddle on Sharpe's father, she said sternly,is not hermetic. A happy person can be Jack, Felix, Felicio, David, Joy, Joyce and I already worked out three horses: Burmese, Bayard and Cob, no doubt I can go on for a few more weeks trying every horse in wikipedia that remotely fits the description. So I'll just wait until the time you reveal the da. I just finished reading the Starbuck sequels. You wrote them in 1996, according to your site. I was truly intrigued to read about the North-South war, non-Americans hardly know a thing about them and I got a very clear view of that part of history through your books. The reason you never continued Starbuck was, as you said the fact that you were writing Starbuck and Sharpe at the same time and you did not fancy writing a bit of similar novels at the same time. I wonder if you would feel like reviving interest for Starbuck now that you dont write Sharpe either? Please don't mind my criticism about the riddle. One cannot be a superb writer and -quizmaster at the same time. Love, Constance

Submitted December 13, 2010

A

Yes, I do hope to get back to Starbuck (and Sharpe too!).