Your Questions

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

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

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.

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

Your knowledge of history around Hastings and Romney Marsh is impressive and very extensive. A Royal Charter was decreed(1589) to Hastings Portsmen, following defeat of the Armada. Do you know if the same type of Royal Charter was decreed to New Romney and Hythe, or any of the other Cinque Ports please? Walter JC Murray, in his book, declared that this was the case, however, I have to date only achieved a copy of Hastings Royal Charter and would like to know the whereabouts of the others, or gain copies, if they exist. Would very much appreciate your assistance in this local history matter. Please keep up the excellent writing, I guess I have read Heretic and several others five times over at least, to date. Bernard Cornwell, Jack Higgins and Clive Cussler books line my shelves as compulsory purchase. Thankyou. Best regards, Barry Gilbert.

I was wondering if John Welch the American Marine Captain in your most recent novel, is the Father of Sharpe? I know Patrick the Frenchman in the Starbuck Chronicles is Sharpe's son, or I believe so. I guess this suspicion is based on a feeling and nothing more, however I figured I would ask. I am a devoted fan of Sharpe, Uhtred, and every other character you have written about, and I would like to say thank you for getting me into reading. I have read many books by many authors, and while there are many that I love, I always seem to find my way back to you.
Jared Cedarlund

Have you read Desmond Seward's account of "The Hundred Years War"? If so, any comments of it? I am reading it now, trying to align it with some of The Grail Quest series. Just curious.
Keith Campbell

Just finished The Fort; really enjoyed it. Do you have any plans to follow any of the F for fictional characters into a sequel?
Tony Mills

Dear Bernard In regards to your recent novel on the AR and writing about Paul Reevere one of the famous mythological heros I wondered if you were tempted to write about one of its mythological villans Tarleton??

Btw you mention the US Marines using green coats as a possible Genisis for the 95th but what about the Queens Rangers which like the 95th were Green coated and like them had a repuatation as being the best of the best unit of either side in the war and they had a rifle company in the unit anyway could they have been the Prequel as it were for the 95th?

Finally I know you have said you may only go back to Sharpes past again in a short story but please please could you go back and tell of his time in Flanders. In Sharpes Tiger you have him recall Boxtel now besides the heavy fighting Wellington did at the Vaal River (not just Boxtel) and as the rearguard commander How on earth did Sharpe get there anyway as the Light Company of the 33rd (had been shipped out to the West Indies) was not with the rest of the regiment in Flanders? Yours sincerely Geraint Geraint

Hi, Bernard, Just popping in to tell you how thrilled I am to hear that the next book in the Saxon series will be released next summer. I am a big fan of Uhtred, and I wonder if you noticed that his name actually appears as UCHTRYT in the Welsh text of "Culhwch and Olwen" in the Mabinogion? For some reason, the Welsh scribe thought it was a Welsh name! By the way, I have another question: if I were to write a very brief review for your Arthurian books on my website (I have a section on Arthurian novels), I understand that I'm not permitted to use any book cover images from your books. May I have your permission to do so? Many thanks, and hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving weekend! Best Wishes, Karen