Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell, Firstly, thank you so much for giving us Derfel, Uhtred, Hook and Sharpe - characters we all love despite none being particularly loveable! The Burning Land was a gripping addition to the Saxon series and I can't wait for the next installment. My problem is where to go while you are busy writing the next book! I recently enjoyed Simon Scarrow's Gladiator having seen an endorsement from you on the rear cover, but wondered if you could recommend any other authors that write in a similar vein that you enjoy? Do you know of any similar writers that delve into Irish history? Once again, many thanks for your writing. Alexis

Dear Sir, Firstly the usual salutations and thanks for all the great books I have discovered, due to my father in law's excellent collection! I have now read all the Sharpe's and others top notch sagas, and thought I would write to say well done sir! I have bought three as well your last few published, and I whole heartedly promise to buy any others you publish rather than re-read dad in laws (ill stick to borrowing his Wilbur Smith collection !) Anyway thought I'd ask if we'll be seeing any more adventures of Nick Hook of Azincourt, or even the lad from Gallows Thief Rider Sandman superb naming. A great character really was. I'm a fan of the history of that era, particularly the machinations of London, so the latter book mentioned was certainly one of my favourites. Very exciting to see that Celtic films (bought the Sharpe box set so had a look) are planning a gallows thief TV program? When we will see it ? So many questions but though I would ask, as if you do not ask you never know! So thanks, and keep it up, not that you need my encouragement, but thought I'd let you know, regards your faithful reader, Richy, Suffolk UK.

Hello again. My beloved and his son (US Army Major) have read and really enjoyed "The Burning Land" which was preordered from Amazon.uk. I will read it next and expect to love it as well. Of course, everyone will be pining for the next one and hope we don't have to wait two years for it! (I am sure you will hear that countless times.) I am sure this is a two-edged sword to you: we are thrilled and excited about each new book in "The Saxon Stories" and immediately ask when we may have the next one! Question: My beloved would like to know the length of Wasp Sting (blade alone and overall with handle), if you have ascribed a length to it. Thank you for another great installment in Uhtred's life! Adele

I contact you to thank you, your books have made a great difference to my life and job. I am in the R.A.f and have served for Royal Navy. when embarking on my first tour with the Navy I purchased Sharpe's Trafalgar, This you must understand was the first book I bought or read since Leaving School and was the start, as you can guess my education was bad but self-inflicted. your book changed that in so far as for the fist time in my life I read it from cover to cover twice. I could not wait to get back to Blighty and buy more Sharpe books. I have all the Sharpe books and have just finished reading The Burning Land which I could not put down it is fantastic and I really can't wait for book 6 in the Uhtred chain. Basically I have found your books inspiring and they have been my companion wherever H.M sends me. you capture the soul and military mind so well, I think if you had join up you would have been a splendid Officer. You and your books gave me a new and varied hobby, History. my favourite subject being the Norsemen and heathenism which I love. I even wear a Thors hammer talisman. Again I thank you for your writing and hope to read many many more of your books so get working. If you have any recommendation for Norse mythology please let me know. cheers, Steve

I am a fan of all your books and am currently enjoying the Burning Land. I now live in Western Canada but was born in Farnham and raised in nearby Tilford. Please can you tell me where I might find more information on this battle? Particularly exactly where it was fought. I imagine it was near to what is now Castle street.
Neil Johns

Hi Mr Cornwell, I read most of your books and I am particularly interested in the grail series and saxon novels, I was wondering if you ever thought about writing any further novels that followed from the agincourt novel? And also I have really enjoyed the archer novels but do you think that you might write a novel from the perspective of a man at arms (from a similar time-frame)?

Michael

I will try to be brief but if you are interested this will need expounding upon. I think I have read nearly all your books esp the Alfred and ancient Britain books. I long for you to move forward a few years to Edmund and subsequent Kings. I live in a house, Alpheton Hall, which has turned out, together with its church and barns, to be seeped in fascinating and romantic ancient history. On researching the history of our house, I have found the story of Edmund's second wife (Aethelflaed), possible attempted poisoning of his first wife's children latter on kings, and the death of Ealdorman Brihtnoth married to Aethelflaed's sister Aelfflaed at the Battle of Maldon and Aelfflaed subsequent settlement in our village resulting in its name evolving from Aelfflaed's Tun to Alpheton over the centuries. The house and barn and church all date back to this time and the house and barn are arguably the oldest timber framed structures in the country. I love reading but cannot write interesting text to save myself and would never dream of seeking reward or otherwise were you to expand on this brief history in writing a book. A greater in sight can be gained from some of the history pages on my website www.lavenham.com/barns.html. Nicholas Willcocks

Hi Bernard. I didn't realize that you we're such a character until I saw you speak in the "A Conversation with Bernard Cornwell". They should cast you in the next Sharpe's film! I love the Sharpe's novels. I've read them, but now I want to go to sea. So, if you are not going to write any more nautical/naval novels, what should I read next (other than O'Brian and Forester)? I mean, which naval author has the closest writing style to yours . . . well written with action and gritty realism? Thanks, Jim

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have just finished reading The Burning Land. Superb ! I've followed Uhtred from the beginning. Any idea when his next adventure will be available? John Paterson

Hello Mr. Cornwell. I am an avid reader of your novels and I am just in the middle of reading The Burning Land. My question is, do you ever base your characters off people you know in real life? Or do you make them up? -Gabe