Your Questions

Q

Hello Bernard Many thanks for all the books you have written and I have spent hours reading , I have just completed your most recent Agincourt ,and after the first page was " hooked" sorry couldn't resist. The language and personalities of some of the main characters was much darker I felt than possibly any of your other works , was that a decision made in light of the age the battle took place? It's always a challenge trying to second guess how you will tie all the characters together at the end and how the bad guy will meet his fate .... many thanks for a cracking read - thank God for rain and French mud !!
Allen Chesters

Submitted November 15, 2008

A

Maybe it's increasing age? I have no idea! Or perhaps you're right and it's the subject matter. But I'm delighted you were hooked!

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell I have been an avid fan of your work for years besides Sharpe, Patrick Harper is my favorite literature character of all time. so to the question; any plans on writing a novel set in Ireland in the 1800's? I hope my question does not seem too random it's just I'm sure your Irish fans( and I) would appreciate it very much! Daryl Mac Oirghialla

Submitted November 14, 2008

A

Probably not; I've always taken the view that Irish history is best written by Irish folk.

Q

I am a reader, collector and fan. Do you have any scheduled appearances in Southern California?
Mark Phillips

Submitted November 14, 2008

A

Nothing right now, but check the Diary page of this website every now and again for a listing of scheduled appearances

Q

Dear Bernard, I am currently reading Azincourt and I find it utterly absorbing. I was wondering how much of the fighting scenes come from historical research and how much comes from your own imagination? Did you strike a balance? If they mostly come from your imagination, then I am even more impressed! En passant, I was much tickled by the recent posting on this website by the 'Bearded Ulsterman' who decided to read a novel about Agincourt and was appalled to find that there were violent scenes in it. Do critics ever bother you? I doubt so. Please keep up your marvellous story-telling. Regards and best wishes, Paul Reid, Co Cork, Ireland.

Submitted November 13, 2008

A

Do critics bother me? I take them seriously . .. if someone is driven to criticise then there had to be something behind that decision and it's useful to know what! The fighting at Agincourt? We know a good deal of what happened, but of course we have no details. The shape of the battle in the novel is, I think, factual, but what really happened when the French at last managed to reach the English line is all imaginary . . . but we do know they were tired, half blinded (by visors, though many would have raised their visors when the arrows stopped), and we know what weapons they were using, and it really doesn't take too much imagination to understand the effects of a lead-weighted poleaxe on a man in armour. Ugh! And I promise to keep telling stories!

Q

Can you tell me when the next book of the Saxon Stories will be released please?
Mair Jones

Hi Bernard. Loved Azingcourt, your best book so far!! a simple question.... whats next??? thanks Chris Martin

All I want to know is when the Uhtred will next appear in the U.S. Thank for your response.

Richard Jones

Just finished Sword Song. Its going to be a long wait for the next book to see how how Uhtreds life unfolds, but well worth waiting for i guess.

Steve in North Wales

Hi I'm writing you from Denmark - i love The Saxon stories - when will the next book about Uhtred come out ? The way you write and the stories about my own past (The Danes ;-) )is the best i have ever seen. Keep up the good work !! Michael Koerth, Denmark

Mr. Cornwell, My ex-husband gave me the first three books of the Saxon stories, and though I began to read them reluctantly since I don't appreciate wars and prefer fantasy, I couldn't put the books down. I have recently purchased the fourth book and read it in 2 days. Basically I finished all 4 in a week. Frankly, I wish you would write that series faster, for I have no patience. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your gift of researching and writing historical fiction. So when is the next one coming out? Add a dragon or 2 and I would fall in love with you. Just kidding. Your new fan, Vita

Do you have any idea when the next Saxon tale will be done? I miss Uhtred. Maureen Toye

Submitted November 13, 2008

A

I'm currently working on the next book of Uhtred's story. Hope to see it published in the UK in October 2009 and in the US in January 2010.

Q

Hi Bernard, I have all your books on display and read of course, shame they're not all hardback. However, Peril? book please? I also can't cope with the gaps between releases now that I've caught up with you, Azincourt will be finished today, so please pull your finger out and double the scribbling, in the meantime I may have to start them all again.....how's this for an idea...read Sharpe in order? How you manage to write them completely out of order amazes me...I think Tiger was my favourite Sharpe...get scribbling, kind regards, Rick.

Just one more thought ...Sharpe is a tall dark haired Londoner, Sean quite clearly isn't. Did you ever have any issues about that? Or more to the point did any of your more scrutinising fans have anything to say? regards, Rick

Submitted November 13, 2008

A

There is no Sharpe book with the title 'Sharpe's Peril'. The story was written by the scriptwriter for the TV film.

I had no issues at all! I always knew the TV people would change things, and that was fine by me . . they have constraints I don't have, and Sean is so perfect for the part that they were absolutely right to ignore the books! And I've had hardly any comments from readers (and none who really objected).

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, You said that you don't plan to write any more Lazender books. I listened to these on my (Ipod at work) in the wrong order and was looking forward the middle one and was surprised to find that the wasn't one. Could you ask your wife where the missing contents of the golden seals went as Campion had them all at the end of "A Crowning Mercy". Kind Regards. Graham Whatley.

Submitted November 13, 2008

A

I did, and she can't remember. Nor can I. It was written so long ago that the details have vanished in the mists of time. Sorry.

Q

hi love the story of Sharpe, just got a copy of Sharpe's Story, and wanted to ask, why did you enlist him first in the 33rd, and from Yorkshire? thank you, Paul Smith

Submitted November 13, 2008

A

So that he'd be in Sir Arthur Wellesley's regiment at the beginning of the Indian campaign - I needed to bring them together and that was the easiest way

Q

Hello, having got hooked on Sharpe from the very start I never imagined you would surpass these stories, but the Arthur books blew me away. Not Arthur but Derfel,so I wanted to know if Derfel will ever be back? thanks for the pleasure,kindest regards Karl

Dear Bernard, Having just finished the Arthur trilogy for what must have been the third or fourth time, I would like to add my thanks to those of countless others for the original and riveting Arthurian Saga you have created. Upon finishing Excalibur once more I was reminded of a question that I have always yearned to hear answered: What happens to Derfel in the wake of that final battle at Camlann? Not just Derfel but Ceinwyn, Sansum, Nimue and indeed the last British kingdoms. The story of his journey from that bloody beach to the cold, lonely cell in Dinnewrac has always taunted me by its absence and i was wondering if you will ever pen such an epilogue? Not wishing to weary your ears with the praise that you have heard countless times over, I wish to extend my very deep and personal thanks for the enjoyment and escape you have offered me across your many different series. Many Thanks, Jim

Submitted November 13, 2008

A

I don't plan to add anything further to the Warlord Chronicles, but I'm glad to know how much you enjoyed the books.

Q

Dear Bernard,like so many others I became a big fan of yours by first reading Sharpe.Over the years I have read most of your other historical novels. But only last week did I first read one of you thrillers Sealord. I really enjoyed it and see that there are five of them. Does John Rossendale feature in them all? and is there an order in which best to read them? Us fans are always going on about Sharpe,Uhtred,Derfel,Thomas and Starbuck but rarely do I hear of this great character Rossendale. He and the story remind me of a modern day Kit, Campion's father from A crowning Mercy.Which incidentally I believe would make a wonderful film.

Finally with Sealord being set in the present and you being a keen sailor,how much of Bernard Cornwell is John Rossendale? Kind regards Nicholas Horton.

Submitted November 13, 2008

A

Rossendale is only in Sea Lord. The thrillers can be read in any order, they are all stand alone stories.

Oh, none at all! He's a much better man and a far better sailor!