Your Questions

hi Bernard, I had a question about the battle of Talavera- I know that the capture of the eagle was a fiction, but was the battle a British victory? I thought it was really inconclusive, yet (maybe to my eyes, of course) it seemed a victory in the novel (although it was not said what was the outcome of the whole battle) and did as many British as French troops die? I imagine the French suffered more casualties, but...

Teo

Hi Bernard, I've bothered you quite a bit of late with questions. I promise this will be the last one for a while. I'm just wondering how you harness your research?? What I mean is, do you simply underline passages in books or capture useful information in a notebook. I find I read something useful but then when I want to use it, I can't exactly remember the source or what exactly I read. At other times I hear a useful quip or expression in a pub but then can't remember it later. Is it a case of keeping a notebook to jot down ideas, research references etc?? Regards Willie

Can you recommend any good books about King Henry & Elenanor of Aquataine? Thank you.
Natalie Powers

Hi Mr. Cornwell, When you first wrote your Sharpe series, did you approach your publisher with one finished book and plans for others? Or did you have several done already? The reason I ask is I have finished the first book in what I plan to be a series on the Napoleonic wars from the French perspective (we write what we want to read, as you always say). I have a general outline for the other books and have started book 2 but was wondering if it's better to have several of a series done? Would it be hard to sell the idea of a series with just one book done and never having published one before? You're right, one page a day and you have a book in a year, and that's about how long it took, just over a year. Thanks for your writing advice on your site and for this forum where you interact with your readers. Such accessibility is admirable. Art

I finished Agincourt recently and was pleasantly surprised-I say that only because you have me chomping at the bit for the next in the Saxon Stories...and more Sharpe...So here is my question: Why are your books published first in the UK? I hope the answer is more logistical in nature because I would be very disappointed if the cousins were getting preferential treatment!

Robert Draper

Bernard I was just wondering - The description of 'The Burning Land' suggests that it will be the final book in the series, and yet I get the impression that there is so much more to happen. In the first book Uhtred says that this is a story about a woman, and her father, a king (or something along these lines) and Alfred's daughter has only just become a central character. Also, Uhtred is very old in his narrations, and only 28 in the last story. Are you able to confirm whether or not there will be further installments after this release? Either way, many thanks for this excellent series. I recently visited Bebbanburg and it really helped in bringing the story to life.

Daniel Weller

Hallo Mr. Cornwell, Hoping this letter found you in the best of spirits, I continue with the following thing. These past days I've been looking at a few interviews of you and your books. Mostly enjoined the ones on your website and the ones with Barbara Peters from "The Criminal Calendar", interviewed a few years back now. A thing I mostly enjoined is that when the lady in the interview, Ms. Peters, asked you how many books you wrote, you simply don't know and instead of guessing you simply are saying "I don't know". From this I clearly see that you aren't a writer who is fanatical about his works and his doings. That does gives you credit. Thank you! Also, I like and love your library and study-room. Won-der-ful!!! So, when I re-collect, you read and read and read and after that, you read more. Does this mean you don't watch a lot of tv? Or you don't do other stuff except reading and reading?

But what about your book, Azincourt. I didn't read it, yet, but from the onset I understand that the English archers are the center point of the story but according to recent study it wasn't the archer and the longbow who were decisive in the battle at Azincourt. Maybe you saw that five part documentary called "The battle of Agincourt" on YouTube? If so, what do you make of it? Thank you, yet again.

A last thingy I would like to ask. I love to read history and I love doing a little bit of research myself. But I always have this feeling of "what if they omitted stuff" or "what if this is inaccurate" or "what if this or that isn't true" or "what if I don't have the right books" and so on and so forth? What should I do with this feeling? I thank you again. Have a wonderful week and week-end. Very best regards, Brendy Meurisse

Loved the Last Kingdom and the Pale Horseman. What is the next-in-line book? Have to know what happens to Uhtred, Ragnar and how they regain Bebbanburg. Please advise. and thanks for keeping me up until 2.00am. best regards. Colonel Holmes

Mr. Cornwell Hello. I really need to thank you sir. I am 25 years old and for the first time in my life, I have read a book from start to finish. Someone left "The Pale Horseman" sitting on a table outside of my work one day and I decided because I was bored to read it. Once I began to read, I could not put it down for I could not wait to find out what happened next and for the first time in my life a book hooked me and reeled me in. Before I could even finish I went out and purchased all of the books to the series. I can't get enough of Uhtred and the Saxon Stories. I am really looking forward to the release of the next book and am wondering how many books you intend on doing? I honestly PRAY that you do many more. Please understand that this is truly out of my character to write you, but I really enjoy reading these books and know that your stories of Uhtred genuinely make me happy. So I thank you and hope that you respond to my question. Oh... and do you plan on coming to San Jose, Ca or San Francisco, Ca anytime??? Nathan Peralta

Do you think Sharpe will gain his revenge against Captain Morris? Last we heard of him was from Hakeswill in Company he was prospering in Dublin Castle. Surely a man of Sharpes reputation would want to find him and have a few quiet words with him. When can we expect more Sharpe? I can't wait for the Burning Lands to come out. John