Your Questions

Hello Mr Cornwell I am a recently qualified primary teacher in the UK. I have loved reading your Saxon series of books and have taken a new interest in this period of history. Co-incidentally next year, I am due to teach my new class a whole topic of work relating to the Anglo-Saxon and Vikings. As you can imagine after reading your books I am very excited about the prospect of teaching this module of lessons. I was wondering if you had any knowledge of any recommended and suitable fiction aimed towards 10-11 year old children associated with the Vikings or Saxons. Thank you for your time and fantastic books. I look forward to the next adventure of Uthred Luke Smith

Hello, I just wanted to say that I greatly enjoy reading your books (I've read 16 already), especially those based in the medieval times such as the Saxon stories, Arthurs Books, Azincourt, and the Grail Quest series. I find that you describe this time period very well and create a great story in the process. Anyhow, apart from complimenting your work, I would like to make a suggestion for a possible book or series. Have you ever considered writing about the rise of the Franks after the fall of the Roman Empire? I feel that you could best describe the wars between German tribes and how the Celts may have interacted with the Franks, Allemans, etc. Just a thought. Anyhow, I am sure I will greatly enjoy your next book whatever the subject matter. Best, Matt

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Having recently re-read the Sharpe series, I happened across an interesting comment of yours in the Historical Notes section of 'Waterloo'. The remark concerned the fate of Marshal Ney and the possibility that he had escaped his Royalist-imposed death sentence, but seemed to suggest that you did not quite believe this escape to have been feasible. 'Waterloo' was originally published in 1990. In the last twenty years, however, much information has become more readily accessible that seems to credibly support the possibility that Marshal Ney's execution was indeed fabricated and that he subsequently voyaged to the United States and became a well-respected teacher in the Carolinas. My question is: have you been able to peruse the matter any further over the last twenty years, and if so, are you more open-minded with regard to the possibility of Ney's survival? Yours Respectfully, James McNew Prescott, Arizona

Hi Bernard. Just finished reading The Burning Land and I love it. I don't know what I'm going to do when Uhtred settles down to his well earned retirement in Bebbanburg. Like some of your fans on here I'm trying to write my own book but I've got a problem. There's certain periods that I can't find much information for. I know that there's plenty of research material for periods like the Napoleonic Wars but what about when you wrote Stonehenge? There's not much research material to work with there. How do you get around it?

Michael Beaumont

Bernard, will you write a new Sharpe book soon please? I'm getting withdrawal symptoms. James in Glasgow

Dear Mr Cornwell, may I just say that over the years my father and I have been enthralled within your writing, from Sharpe to the Grail Quest series, and would like to thank you for being brilliant. Ive just started the Winter King and am sure it will keep me just as entertained as your other books. I was also wondering if you had any thoughts on writing about Robin Hood, as if anyone can do the legend any justice for once, it's probably you. Anyway, just a suggestion, Good luck on any future works you have planned, Mike and Duncan

I was thrilled to see that audible.com had added the 3 books of the Warlord Chronicles. Unfortunately, they are abridged, and I won't take a chance with abridged books. I read these in print, and would love to listen to them. Is there any possibility of getting these masterpieces in unabridged audio versions? PLEASE?!?!?!?
Stan Dickens

Living in (South) Africa, we don't fit into the usual uk/usa/australia/new zealand/eec known areas although I can assure you we do exist- in fact you must by now have heard of us recently - Vuvuzelas!? What is my best source of your books please?

Ian McDonald

Hi there I am a massive fan of the Saxon Stories, and 'the Burning Land' has simply fuelled my appetite. Will Uhtred campaign again in the next few years? Also, just as a matter of interest, do you research your subject matter before writing, or are you constantly researching during the writing process? I was curious how you would put together a work such 'the Winter King' or 'Sword Song', as I find it such a fascinating way of learning about period through a fictional character. Simon

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I have been quite impressed by the level of historical detail in all of your books. You produce an entertaining narrative that also teaches me many new things about the era that it is set in. This leads me to wonder, are you ever going to write a pure history book? I would be quite interested to read it if you ever did. I enjoy all your books, but the saxon stories are by far my favorite. What books did you read for your historical info on this era? Thank you for your time, Matthew Rowley Caroline, Alberta, Canada