Your Questions

Q

Hi Bernard. I really enjoy reading your wonderful stories and have just finished reading the Saxon books and the Grail series for the second time, still fantastic second time round and am looking forward to reading the next Uhtred book - can't wait. You have mentioned in recent answers that you have many ideas for coming books, can you give me any hints what may be in the offing? I seem to recall you mentioning that Robin Hood may interest you, but have you considered Hereward the Wake for a story? regards Bob Warburton.

Submitted April 1, 2009

A

Hereward is a good tale so who knows? I've thought about Robin Hood a few times, but it is not likely to happen any time soon.

Q

Mr. Cornwell: I have been a fan of yours since I first picked up The Last Kingdom. I quickly read the first three in the Saxon Stories, and was excited when you came out with Sword Song. I hope that the stories of Uhtred have not come to an end. I am waiting to see how he can get his inheritance back (the castle of Babbenburg). Don't get me wrong, I have also enjoyed the Arthur series, Stonehenge and the Grail Quest, but the Saxon Stories are still my favorite. When can I expect an update on Uhtred?
Tony Franda

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I stumbled across the Sword Song on the airport in Qatar, waiting for a flight during a business trip. I finished reading it on the way back and since than I purchased the other three and just finished The Lords of the North. Compelling reading and I admire you for the historical facts you weave through the books and your historical notes at the end. You are one of those writers that when you finish the book you hunger for more. This is the case with me and as you wrote this series every year one volume I think, the next one is overdue already. Will your parental ancestor Uhtred be featured in another novel as you promised in the last line of the Sword Song? For the moment, I will be forced to buy into other series, and I think I will buy Azincourt now, but still, I want to see how Bebbanburg gets back into your family. If not the conclusion must be that you are a descendant of the usurping uncle, or not? :-)

Pim Vis

Mr Cornwell, Can you please tell me me when the next book in the Saxon Series will be coming out? Sincerely Tyler Hopper

Hello I have just finished reading 'Sword Song' and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I was unable to put the series down (which can't have helped my studies), I am also reading the Sharpe series and am also enjoying them greatly. I was really just writing to say thank you for such an interesting series, and was wondering whether you were writing another in the Saxon Series? You say the story will continue and i am eager to follow it on. Thank you for taking the time to read this Daniel Trotter

I don't really need an answer; but I just finished rereading the 4 Uhtred books. Need more, please. Thanks -- eb

Hello Mr Cornwell,I would just like to say what a big fan of your books i am. but please can you write quicker as i have to read other inferior books.When are you releasing any new books especially Sharpe or the Saxon stories.
James Ryan

Dear Bernard, when can we expect to see the next book no. 5 in the Saxon Chronicles? Its been a pleasure to read the first four and I am with great anticipation looking forward to reading the next one. Kind regards Heinz Thogersen

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have just finished The Sword Song. I enjoyed all the Saxon Stories very much. I would like to ask you if and when you are going to continue this series. Thank you very much in advance. A lot of success in writing and best wishes, Your fan Karel Varhaník

Mr. Cornwell, I've read most of your books and love Sharpe, but I've just finished the magnificent Saxon series and I hope there will be more. Please tell me you have more coming!! I so enjoyed them I revived an old computer and bought the outdated Medieval War computer game with the Viking expansion. You have made early English history come alive for an American not that well educated in the sometimes convoluted history of England. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Kent J. Cooper

hi Mr Cornwell i have just brought and read the first books of the Saxon stories i was just wondering if and when you where planing writing another installment of the life of Uhtred as i find these stories most captivating look forward to hearing from you

Frank Boyd

I know you are very busy man and do not have a lot of free time. I was curious when will Uhtred get to see Northumbria from inside his walls.

Matthew Bradley

Submitted April 1, 2009

A

One day - I won't know when till he gets there, but it isn't in the next book!

I am working on the next book of the Saxon stories now. Hope to have it ready for publication in the UK in October (January 2010 for the US).

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I want to congratulate you on the impact of your books and those of your translators. You're known in at least five languages. I have read your Sharp and Saxon stories. I have become fond of both Richard Sharp and Uhtred. I was curious! Are you planning to write follow up to the Saxon stories? Will Edward the Elder play a role? I read long ago Alfred's biography by Asser, and I am acquainted with the Anglo-Saxon chronicle. Your novels really bring out the mood of the period. Osfert is a name of relative of Alfred, who became important late in the reign and under Edward. You make out as being Alfred's bastard. Will he loom larger in the last fifty years of Uhtred? Will it be in one installment or two? You hint that Uhtred's daughter will play a major role. You also hint that Uhtred will regain Bamburgh. Will Edward play a role? On a different note, recent excavations in Wesminster have brought to light Alfred's and Edward's time. In 2008, the city organise a major exposition of artifact of his time. Did you see it? Best regards, Jean-Luc Gauville

Submitted April 1, 2009

A

I didn't see the exhibition - I wish I had. The short answer to the rest is 'yes'. I'm writing the next Saxon novel now and it brings Edward into more prominence, and his sister. Was Osferth Alfred's bastard? We don't know, but there are hints in the surviving documents, and historical novelists do tend to run with the vaguest of hints! I really don't know how many more books there will be - more than two, certainly!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell Many thanks for Azincourt. It was another great read. My question is a little off-topic but it's one I'd be fascinated to know the answer to. As a resident of Cape Cod, did you ever meet Norman Mailer who had a house in Provincetown? I know your two bodies of work are vastly different in genre and tone but I just wondered whether two of my favourite writers ever had the opportunity (or inclination) to meet up and shoot the breeze? Yours sincerely Bill Lyne, West Yorkshire.

Submitted March 31, 2009

A

The breeze wasn't shot, but I did meet him just once and, life being what it is, not in Cape Cod, but in Edinburgh, by which time he was already in bad health, but we exchanged pleasantries.

Q

Have enjoyed the Sharpe films and have now started reading the books. Is it very difficult doing "prequels"? It seems to me that you have to avoid anything too major happening because there will be no mention of it in the sequentially later (but earlier printed) books.

One technical query please. I know that officers could buy and sell their commissions but what happened to the commission of an officer killed in action? Is there a source for this info please? Many thanks for an enjoyable and informative range of historical novels Doug L

Submitted March 31, 2009

A

Oh, it was a daft decision and there are many inconsistencies. In one book I say that Sharpe and Hakeswill were together in the breach at Gawilghur and I knew that perfectly well when I wrote Sharpe's Fortress, but the story simply wouldn't work if they were, so I ignored the earlier book reference and wrote what, to me, was the better story. I suspect this is slightly frustrating for some readers, and it can be very frustrating for me, but there it is.

Unfortunately I'm not at home right now and can't answer the question - I believe the commission died with him? But I could be wrong. I'll try and remember to look it up when I get home.

Q

Dear Sir, I have just finished "An Archer's Tale" and I am now reading "Agincourt." Why do you think the French did not learn from the Battle of Crecy before fighting at Agincourt? Thank you for your thoughts. Jack

Submitted March 31, 2009

A

The French had learned a lot - the main thing was to avoid pitched battles with the English, but like a lot of learned lessons, it was forgotten. The Constable and Marshal knew the dangers well enough, but the young royal dukes were confident they could beat Henry's small army - so they ignored the advice of their experienced commanders and went for it.

Q

Hallo Mr. Cornwell, It's been a while since I read one of your books but I thoroughly enjoined reading and re-reading your books, especially The Arthur Books. Thank you. But, inevitably, I would like to ask if you are planning to write, or should I say, rewrite popular stories like Robin Hood or William Tell or Ivanhoe or stories in their genres? Why my interest in this? Well, ... to be quiet honestly I believe we need a more realistic kind of storytelling on the part of the above mentioned stories. Like you wrote the Arthur Books and the Saxon stories, woow! Superly to these romantised stories of chivalry and knighthood and the good old Middle Ages were better then our times. And now that I'm on it, why not writing a few books or stories about the Crusades? I hope to hear from you soon. Brendy Meurisse

Submitted March 30, 2009

A

For some reason I can never get very excited about the Crusades, though perhaps that will change? Anything's possible!

Q

Hi. Mr. Cornwell, do you have intention to make movies of yours books? (Arthur or The Saxon Chronicles)
Carlos Magno

firstly I just want to do the obligatory blowing smoke as I love your books and they got me away from the goggle box which for so many years had been a close friend. I have always had a huge interest in medievil warfare especially in England and English wars overseas, and wondered if after finishing the Starbuck Chronicles, there would be any more exploits into wars during this period at home and abroad. I also have forced many of my family and friends to read your books without one being disappointed and one thing always crops up, could the grail quest or maybe Uhtred's saga ever reach the Cinema? Although books I love are usually ruined by films, when they are done right they can make so many book exiles enjoy the stories! Thank you Drew

Submitted March 30, 2009

A

I'm not a filmmaker, so it's really up to someone else to do it. I'd be happy to see my books turned into film, but I really don't spend much time thinking about it. I've always thought I make my living by putting words on pages, not pictures on screens.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I'm a big fan of your writing. I've thoroughly enjoyed The Arthur Books, The Grail Quest books and the Saxon Stories and am currently reading my way through the Sharpe Books, which appear to be glued to my hand. I was wondering if you have any other periods in history that you would like to include in your writing that you've yet to explore? Thanks, Graham.

Submitted March 30, 2009

A

I do, but I prefer not to say too much until I'm ready to write them...sorry!

Q

I read StormChild and being an Ocean Yachtmaster myself - I was thrilled reading it and could not put it down. My wife - who is not a natural English speaker - also read it with the same result. Was it ever considered by anyone to make a movie of it? We both felt that it would have made a first rate adventure movie - probably with Russel Crowe as Tim Blackburn. It was an enthralling read where I felt that I was alongside Tim every step of the way. Wonderful, John Ringrose

Submitted March 30, 2009

A

Thanks! Glad to know you enjoyed it. No movie plans...