Your Questions

Q

Bernard, I have just finished reading two of your Grail Quest books and have been thrilled by them as I am currently trying to flesh out my family tree by understanding what my ancestors were up to. I was fascinated by your description of the Battle of Neville's Cross which I am fairly certain my ancestor, Richard de Langley or de Langeleghe from Lancashire was involved in; he appeared back in Lancashire in 1350 when he managed to marry the daughter of a local lord of a manor who, thanks to the plague, turned into a wealthy heiress. However I have a snag, there was a Richard de Langeleghe from Lancashire who, ten years previously, was guilty of fatally stabbing another Clerk in the neck with a bodkin in Oxford. >From your research of what might have happened at that time, do you think this Richard de Langleghe could have got away with his crime and was sent off to fight in France? Langleys had been breeding in Lancashire for about 2 generations, so he could have been a cousin. Many thanks in anticipation. Keep up your writing, I love it. Regards, Peter Langley in Ireland

Submitted September 24, 2010

A

Wow, I don't have a clue! Without knowing the killer's social status, the court records . . . . .it's one of those mysteries, I'm afraid! And how common was the surname de Langelaghe? And what variant spellings? I'd assume they weren't the same guy and choose whichever you'd prefer as an ancestor!

Q

Hello Bernard - I hope you are well. Do you have any plans to visit the South West on your next UK tour please. I always enjoy your unique brand of humour and insight.

Your historical novels cover such a large period, i.e. Stonehenge to the Napoleonic wars, and I was wondering what is your favourite historical period and why, and who is your favourite historical figure? Can't wait for the next Uhtred! With best wishes Andy Green

Submitted September 24, 2010

A

I'll be in Manchester, Oxford and London this trip. For itinerary details click on the Diary link of this website.

I'm not sure I have a favourite - I like all the periods I write about, and some I don't! I'll offer you Elizabeth I as my favourite historical figure (though I suspect Nell Gwynn would be a lot more fun)

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Thank you for your pithy advice on writing. If you have the time, perhaps you can guide me in a couple areas. I was wondering if you map out or chart the plot of a book before writing it, or do you just jump right in and see where the plot takes you. Also, I'm curious as to how you generate plot ideas. Do you do a little research on something you find interesting first and get plot ideas from the research, or do you ask an intriguing "What if" question first and see what research might support it? Or something else? Thank you so much for your time. Sincerely, Josh

Submitted September 24, 2010

A

I don't. I have a very broad idea of where I want the book to go, then just let the characters sort it out amongst themselves. I'm not saying this is the right way to do it - some writers plot very carefully, and their books are great, but others, like me, leave it to instinct. I always start with a stick figure . . but there ain't no rules. I like to get the story straight so I write fast, pushing the story line ahead, but I revise constantly. I always think that writing a novel (for me! not for everyone!) is like climbing a mountain - I get a quarter of the way up, look back and see a better route, so it's back to the beginning and start again and that better route takes me halfway up, I look back, and so on and so on. Once that 'first' draft is finished I rewrite the whole thing maybe two times, and it's then that I add lots of detail.

I choose what interests me! Simple as that. I never know quite what will happen in a book till I write it, but I love history and read lots of it. I guess most ideas come from reading and, I suppose, what passes for my imagination.

Q

Hello My name is Tim, I´m from Germany and 16 years old, so my English isn´t perfect, but I´ll try my best. I always enjoyed reading your books, especially the Warlord Chronicles and the Saxon Stories. When I read through your website, some questions came to my mind. The parallels in the two series are sometimes very obvious, the heathen is fighting for the christians to get the heathens out of britannia, Derfel as well as Uhtred have important relationships to their enemies. And they both have a Woman, Derfel has Seren, the star, and Uhtred has Aethelfaed, the woman of gold. In my opinion they also seem to have very similar characters, but the point is, I read on your website, you had the most fun at writing at the Warlord Chronicles, but of course after the last book you couldn´t continue writing the series. So I´m asking myself, well right now I´m asking you, did you start writing the Saxon Stories because you wanted to write something like the warlord books again? Well i love both series, and I´m looking forward to your new books, and to me having enough cash to buy your old. greetings from Germany, Tim

Submitted September 24, 2010

A

No, the intention was to write the story of England's making - which deserves to be much better known. They don't have the mythical qualities of the Arthurian tales, but then, very little does!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell. I want to thank you so much for all the pleasure your Sharpe book have given me. I have the whole set and read them several times and will do so again. I would love to know when you plan to or if you plan to write anymore as I can't wait to read them. Please make it soon. Form one of your ardent fans. Lynne

Submitted September 22, 2010

A

I'm really not sure when I'll write the next Sharpe, though I hope it won't be too far away.

Q

I am reading your book Azincourt with great pleasure - particularly as I am a costumed volunteer man at arms at Bodiam Castle - 1385 onwards. I have also just finished Juliet BARKER's book The English Kingdom of France which follows the history of the 100 years war after Agincourt. Can we expect another series of Hook stories to parallel Sharpe?
Alan STAINSBY

Submitted September 22, 2010

A

I've considered a sequel to Azincourt, but a series is not likely.

Q

hi Mr. Cornwell I am a young American student and I really enjoy your books. I have read a lot of your work including "the Saxon Stories" "the Grail Quest" and "Agincourt". I am currently in middle of "the warlord Chronicles" and I'm soon going to start the Sharpe series. First, although I am sure you hear this a lot, I wanted to compliment you. You're a great writer and I have yet to find someone who can rival your writing in your genre. I am writing to you because your website does not contain any information pertaining to any further Saxon novels. These novels happen to be my favorite. Although I am one reader in millions and you are a a international bestseller I thought that you might read this, so I am taking the chance of a few minutes of my time. Please post further information on your website regarding this. I promise myself though, not to start an unfinished series of yours again. The waiting is almost painful. :) If you do ever get this and you're taking your time to read this, then I just want to say again -as tired you are of hearing this- that you are a great writer and I can't wait for the rest of your planned works. Thanks for your time Ari Vogel New York USA

when can I read the next thing about Uhtred and his adventures?

Anne Rich

When will Uhtred get Bebbanburg back? I've loved that series of books!
Amy

I've just finished THE BURNING LAND and I am breathless. Please tell me that you are working on another, I haven't enjoyed a story this much since THE HERETIC. Bless you and your fine work.
Jack Foley

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I now have read you Saxon Stories in less than a month.I enjoyed the novels very much. Now I would like to know if you will "finish" the story about Uhtred? I do like open ends but in this case I really like to get to know the rest of Uhtred's life. As well as the rest of the characters. It would be a bummer if you have no plans of continue the saxon stories. By the way. I am German and your books are quiet popular in Germany. At least among readers with a sense of good taste. Thank you and regards SD

Dear Mr. Cornwell: Hurray for you! (Maggie speaking:) I never thought I would read a full book again (I'm a fan(atic) of the poetry of WH Auden), and since working full-time for years, I'd thought I was done with fullbook reading forever. Then I happened upon one of the Saxon tales, not the first, by the way, and I was hooked. HOW DO YOU DO IT? You manage to weave the plot so thoroughly that I can't lose it and it can't lose me and I am thoroughly indebted to you. SO IS RICKY. We both are indebted to you. When will Utred get home, we wonder? When is the next book in the Saxon tales coming out? Rick and Maggie Hurll

Submitted September 22, 2010

A

I am working on the next book of Uhtred's tale now; hopefully we will see it published in Autumn 2011.

Q

Just finished Agincourt. It is a terrific story, and the book was very hard to put down until done. I felt that I was there, with Nicholas Hook, when Henry gave his speech before the battle. In fact I have to admit that I quite moved by the speech. So here is my question: Was that speech literary license on your part, to resemble Shakespeare's version, or did some of the people on the scene actually report that Henry gave a speech saying that he and his soldiers were brothers? I am now immersed in Stonehenge. Best Regards, John Sherman

Submitted September 22, 2010

A

There was a good deal of licence! There are some reports of the speech, but how reliable they are is open to question. It does seem he 'encouraged' the archers by telling them of the French threat to either kill them if captured, or else cut off their fingers, but I confess I used a very large dose of imagination.

Q

Dear Bernard, To begin I would like to thank you for your wonderful books, myself and my family own the entirety of the grail quest, Saxon and (almost) Sharpe series and you have given each of us countless hours of pleasure. However, I cheekily wish to ask you a favour. In the Saxon series you seem to have a great understanding of the Norse religion. I was wondering whether you could recommend a source for further information on it, reading your books has inspired me to take a more pro-active interest in discovering knowledge about it. Many thanks for your writings and any help you could offer. Dan

Submitted September 22, 2010

A

I'd recommend The Hammer and the Cross - a recent book by Robert Ferguson which deals very sensibly and comprehensively with the Norse religion

Q

Mr. Cornwell, A personal question...do you ever have a period of time, say 24 hours, that have nothing whatsoever to do with your profession? I am curious about that because I can imagine that even as you are relaxing at home in a chair and looking at the ocean your mind is occupied with some story or research or speech etc. However you manage it, DON'T STOP. It works very well! Thank you, Karen

Submitted September 22, 2010

A

I have months! Well, the summer months, anyway, when these days I make a fool of myself at the Monomoy Theatre and hardly think about writing at all. But once that's over it is back to work, and then I get obsessive about whatever book I start, and hate to be interrupted . . . and then I do think about the book more or less continually. And don't worry, I won't stop!