Your Questions

Mr Cornwell. I have read all your books I know of but not Sharpe. Not sure why. My first was the Arthur books and they are the only books I have ever read more than once. I worried that I had seen the best of you with Arthur. However, you have not faltered and these days you continue to amaze, grip and propel me along with every sword thrust in your Saxon stories until I'm willing Alfred to get of his bloody knees and listen to Uhtred. I'm a Medic in the British Army and when on tours or deployments your stories give me a chance to escape the dust, dirt, heat or freezing cold of where ever I am. Keep writing and I'll keep reading. My question: In the Saxon Stories Uhtred's mantra Fate is inexorable is great. I am hoping you can confirm the translation, into Saxon are genuine. Alan Johnson

dear sir is it true that the Saxon stories are about your own family and there will be 12 books in the series? yours Marina

Hello Mr Cornwell. I would like to say a big thank you as you have given me many days of pleasure as I have delved into the wonderful worlds and characters you have created. I have now read nearly all of your books up to Sword Song and I am highly anticipating the next installment in that great series. I have just finished Gallows Thief and it has become one of my favourites out of all the books you have written. I thought the characters were extremely engaging and very funny. The Question I wanted to ask was would you ever consider doing a similar book set in the same time period? I am very fond of that era and the different people who inhabited that time and wondered if you would ever re-visit that kind of detective story again? Thank you Very Much for taking the time to read my message.
Phil Wilkinson

Hello, I am currently enjoying reading 'Sword Song.' I was wondering how you write your novels. Do you know exactly where you are taking each character before you start to write a book or does it come to you in the process? By the way, I live in the US, (like you), but grew up in the UK - my parents now live outside Trowbridge and we just found out they live next to the hill where the battle of Ethandun occurred! It was great to visit the hill having just read about the battle in your book. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent. Brad

Hello Bernard I am reading your Sharpe novels in order and I am just about to start with Sharpe's Eagle. Have you thought about doing a similar series of books i.e one central character through a series of battles but in later wars? As well as enjoying the stories, I am discovering history too. I would enjoy seeing someone through WW1 and WW2, especially to learn more about those times. p.s. I look forward to Azincourt!
Geraint Williams

Dear Bernard. I'm looking forward to Azincourt coming out in October, but one very quick question about the book. You mention you obtained the name Hook from the muster rolls, I was just wondering where you would would find the muster rolls for the Azincourt campaign. Cheers Phil

Dear Sir I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all of your work. I have preordered Azincourt and the next Saxons book as they are both already available through Amazon. I am currently a British Army officer and the greatest reason for me going to Sandhurst was reading your books from the age of 12 to my present age 24. It amazes me that I can still get just as much enjoyment reading Sharpe's Company for the 10th time as I did the first. Your books helped no end when I was in Afghanistan and as I am due to deploy again shortly no doubt I will be reading many of them again. Do you plan on writing any more Starbuck chronicles and if so will Gettysburg be the final part of the tale? Once again thank you so much for giving me so many hours of pleasure through your writing. Yours in highest Regard Ed Bodger

firstly I think it's great that you reply to all the correspondence and all the Sharpe books and the Warlord Chronicles and all the Uhtred books are great. That's all I've read. The guy saying about William Wallace was right that would suit your style pretty well but I have my own reasons - my dad tells me one of my ancestors was a guy called James Douglas[the black Douglas]whose father was William Wallace's champion but he was Robert the Bruce's champion and after Robert the Bruce died he took his heart in a silver necklace or locket on the crusades and died valiantly in the process. But that wasn't all; he was a figure of hatred to the English who told their children stories of the black Douglas to scare them into being good. I was just wondering whether you would consider a novel that features him or know of an existing one by anyone? Your books have really brought history to life for me, keep it up! Thanx, Robert Douglas

Hi Bernard, Just back from holiday where I devoured Sharpe's Triumph, The Lord's of the North & Sword's Song. GREAT GREAT books!! I especially liked the Sharpe one as it's the first early years one I have read and I liked the fact that he was not quite as assured and confident as he is in later years. The writing style you use in the Saxon books differs from Sharpe. You seem to use a more narrative style with the Saxon books where Uhtred is recounting his youth etc while Sharpe is written in the 3rd person. Why did you write the Saxon books in the first person and what effect do you think it has. Also, for an author's first published historical novel, how many copies would it typically sell. I know, a hard question to answer? For example how many copies did Sharpe's Eagle sell in the first year or two. Hope you don't mind me asking? Also thanks for answering my question about how you know if words were invented etc at the time of a novel's setting which you answered a few weeks back. Thanks Bernard, Regards Willie

Doing some research on my family tree. Noted that you have done extensive research for your Norse saga books and mentioned somewhere of Norse ancestry. Trying to find info on Scottish family name Skeith. Info I found relates word to Old Norse for race-course (for horses), root word for cutting; also mentioned as a plow part, shield or ship prow(?). Any thoughts or info you may have come across would be appreciated. Thank you VERY MUCH for any time or info you are able to give. LOVE YOUR BOOKS! Thanks! Thomas Wooded