Your Questions

Hi Mr. Cornwell, First off can I just say, the Sharpe and Saxon series-Brilliant. No other description will suffice. I can't wait for the next publication in either series. I was never a fan of historical fiction until I found a copy of Sharpe's Tiger in a waiting room and was hooked. I have now turned into something of a book geek and have devoured every historical fiction novel I could find. The point of my e-mail was two fold, one was to say a heart felt thank you for the novels you have written. The second was to actually ask you about a fellow historical writer, William Napier. I recently finished his Attila series, and was wondering if you'd read it? If so I would love to hear your comments. I loved the first two in the series, but was devastated when I read the third. No matter how many Sharpe books I read, I'm left with the same feeling that I had when I read the first and the standard never slips, yet the Attila series turned an iron figure and devastating warrior clan into a horde who are out fought man for man at every detailed battle, and a leader who goes from military genius in the first two, to becoming a clod who is out thought at every stage. I understand the need to keep the results of battles accurate, but his treatment of characters that he'd written so well in the first two just seems baffling. I mean this as a heart felt comment but I chose to ask you thoughts on this as I consider you the best at what William Napier does and was just very curious to hear your thoughts. I understand how busy you must be but would look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for your time. Adam Moran.

Like all who have posted - I add my "Bravo!" for a wonderful story in Azincourt. I was also happy to see as I browsed other comments that we'll get a a 5th Saxon Chronicle. I'll be ordering that from Amazon UK! Alas, I'm sorry that Starbuck isn't on your "to do" list! But that is another question. But, is Azincourt meant to be a series or is this a stand-alone book? Thank you for all the wonderful writing!
Carol Mathias

Dear Bernard (forgive my familiarity), I have just watched your film 'A Conversation with...' on the website. Thank you for telling us all a little more about your background. I have thoroughly enjoyed both the Grail Quest books and more recently the Saxon Stories (so glad to see that another one is on its way). As a former journalist, and then teacher, I find myself at something of a crossroads, aged 48. Put simply, I've often thought about writing a novel but I'm just wondering whether it is too late to start now. Is age relevant in such a decision and what are the attitudes of publishers? Kind regards, Crispin Pemberton

hi I have just finished reading Azincourt - really enjoyed the build up and the final at the end, but why did you not kill off Sir John? He was an excellent character he should have gone out with glory. Ok, he did survive the battle but did he really want to? Mark Spooner

Hi Mr Cornwell I have read all four books re Uhtred last being Swords Song. Is there to be another book that takes him back to Bebbanburg? Enjoyed them all. Thanking you, Barry

Hey Bernard, sorry for my bad English. I'm Brazilian. I finished reading yours books The Saxon Stories, and I would like know when the next book of the series will be launched? I would like too congratulate you for the books, they are amazing. Bruno

Mr. Cornwell, First I would like to say that I really enjoy your books. And that Jamie Glover guy that does the audio stuff really makes the story come alive when I listen to the Saxon Tales on long trips. I just ordered Sword Song online and I was wondering if you had planned on writing another book in the series? If you could let me know then I will definitely be on the lookout for it. On another note I wanted to let you know that my father, who recently passed away, was a big fan of yours as well and it was he who introduced me to them. Just thought you would like to know that people young and old appreciate your work.
Adam Sweitzer

Hello Cornwell. My name is Rosuel, but you can call me Ross, that is the way I use to foreign people to call me. I'm a eighteen years-old Brazilian, and I'm sending this message just to tell you that I love all of your books. The first I read was "The Winter King", and after I started to read all of your books I could (it's not easy, because here in Brazil not all of the books have been translated). Now I have finished "The Warlord Chronicles", "The Grail Quest", and "Saxon Stories". I intend to buy "Stonehenge" soon, it was released just few months ago here, and I'm waiting for "Azincourt", that will be released here on May. But to tell you the truth, besides I love the books, I hate when I finish reading anyone which is not the last one of a series, and this happened to me last month when I finished Sword Song. So, as I didn't find anything about it in your web site, I need to ask you what about the next Saxon Stories Book? Are you currently writing it or are you writing another one? Will take it much time to finish this book? I'm just asking because I need to know how long will I need to wait for this book, because it takes at least 8 or 9 months to all of your books to be translated (sword song was released here just on august, last year). To finish this long e-mail, I would like to thank you for every word you write in your books, because they are wonderful. I need to give you congratulations for you excellent work, I know you receive this all the time, but I couldn't resist. I love your work not just because of the awesome histories, but also because how you can teach us, your fans, things we can use in our life, like when Uhtred, in Sword Song, talk about his love for Gisela (I really don't know if her name is the same in English, I'm sorry if I made a mistake), and this kind of things. But what makes your books my favorite ones (you took this place from other two series, Harry Potter and Lord Of The Rings) is a simple thing called "Historical Note", because this is what says me how the things happened (I can say that I started to like Alfred after all your comments about him in your notes), or might be happened. I just want to thank you again for everything, and maybe one day, when I go to Europe, I can look for a place you will be to get your signature in one of my books. Thank you again for everything! >From one of your brazilian fans, Rosuel Krum Mathias de Assis Ross

Hi, I have just finished reading your Starbuck Chronicles and have grown quite attached to the Faulconer Legion (Truslow, Bird etc..). Couple of questions - were there many regiments created like the Legion privately paid for? Also the casualty rate seems awful so far (the Legion was almost just company size by end of Bloody Ground) The Legion was combined with the Yellowlegs, was that regularly done in the awful bloodlettings of the Civil War? I'm a bit worried, if you continue this series, of how much of the Faulconer Legion would survive the war, its really looking very sad. Thank you for your time and your wonderful books. Nick Duffy

Hi Mr. Cornwell. Do you see Uhtred's role in his stories changing as the saga progresses and he gets older? He's a warrior in his prime now, but you've said you plan to take him into his eighties, by which time I imagine he'll be getting a bit long in the tooth and stiff in the joints. Perhaps in the last couple of novels, he'll change from the bruiser in the front of the shield-wall to the cunning strategist, who plans the battle and lets the young bucks execute it? Alan Kempner

I know you get asked this a lot but do you have plans for anymore Sharpe books in the near future?
Philip Hinsley

hi! I am reading Sharpe's company a the moment and was just wondering if you had any plans to write any more Sharpe books? I have a lot more to get through but I am SO addicted to them and I think they are really good! Thanks Ben 14

Bernard Have you any idea when the next Sharpe book will be out? Hope you are well , Regards. Mark

Greetings Mr. Cornwell, I've read about 10 of your books in the last year, and find them fascinating. I've always had an interest in early England, and greatly appreciate the research you put into your writings. One item of curiosity for me is your descriptions of some of the Druid and Saxon priests in the Arthur books. Are the antics and appearance some of the fictionalized part of your works, or did they actually carry on as you describe them? Thank you for working on the next of the Arthur series. I'm looking forward to it. Thank you for all your writings, they are truly enjoyable. Tim Swope

Can you please tell me if Azincourt is avaible in Spanish or Dutch? Nigel Annett