Your Questions

I Absolutely love the Saxon stories! They are some of my favorite books, I found The Last Kingdom in a Borders Books & Music by luck, and I re-read at least one Saxon book a month. I have a feeling Uhtred doesn't get Babenanburg back, please don't let Uhtred fail! And Have you considered writing a story about the Jacobite's or Bouidica? I know you mainly do English based stories so if your feeling out of character a story on the native Americans(the whole story should be placed before white settlers appeared on their shores), Philip of Masadon, Attilla the Hun,the Spanish reconcistor or Charlemange would be great! And maybe you should try your hand at making just movie scriptwriting, for a movie not a TV show. James Neal

Mr Cornwell, I have been an avid reader of your books since the age of eleven (I am now seventeen and in my last year of school). Your books, coupled with one fantastically influential teacher who has, alas, passed away have ignited a love for history that I cannot extinguish. I am applying to Cambridge, Kings London, Kent, Birmingham and Edinburgh to do the subject soon and am nervous. Sorry for the hero worshiping but I thought it a must, as I will be eternally grateful to you. The reason for my message was not this though. I am to be creating an independent study for A2 History, and due to Sharpe I have accumulated a large library (for someone my age) of Napoleonic and Military History. My title is to be How influential was Sir Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) in British and Allied success in The Iberian Peninsular and France between 1808 and 1814? Original I know, but it would be a travesty to my prior knowledge of and love for this aspect of world history and the wars (and to my eleven year old self) if I did not investigate it. I was wondering if you could recommend any areas of opposing view, and points of differing importance. Obviously I am considering French reliance on the land, The Royal Navy, The Guerillas and the such, but is there anything interesting published that is somewhat revisionist? Furthermore are there any books or authors that you recommend on the subject? Or even generally to widen my historical mind? I look forward to your reply, but dont feel obliged. Yours truly, Alex Mayhew Cherwell School Oxford, England

Dear Bernard. One of my favourite periods of history is Victorian London. As much as I love reading your series is there any chance you could write a one off novel based around the London of 1888 and the deeds of saucy jack? I'm sure a collaboration between yourself and Don Rumbelow would lead to an outstanding work. I wish I had the talent to write it myself but I couldn't even walk in your shadow!
Barrie Lovewell

Hi Bernard, Just wondering which of your books did you find the hardest to write and why? I recently read Sharpe's Waterloo where you mention you had to discard an initial attempt after 50000 or so words. Was this the toughest book or are there others?? BTW I thought your final effort was absolutely excellent!!! Regards Willie

Mr. Cornwell, Greetings yet again from a huge fan. I just completed your Arthur series and, yet again, greatly enjoyed the journey. Stonehenge is enroute to me as I type and Azincourt will follow. I do write you with a purpose however. I wonder, having read the Saxon Stories (my personal favorite of yours; I believe that Uhtred is the greatest fictional character ever written) and the Arthur tales, why you spend so much time writing about the great Roman architecture and art in dark ages England but don't write a story about the Romans, in England, in Rome, in... anywhere. Is it just me? You seem to have quite an interest in the Romans. Any plans to write a Roman tale? Many thanks for all of the great reads. And, as I've said on previous posts to you, please remember my name. I would love to have a note from you adorning the jacket of one of my novels. Not a request for you to read an unpublished work, just a hope that you will read it once it's published and, if the mood strikes, recommend the work; I can think of no higher honor. I read your advice for authors and it is good and encouraging advice indeed. Best regards, Billy Stewart Chesapeake, VA, USA

Hello On the Amazon.ca site, a new book titled "Warrior" is said to be available in April of '09, but there is nothing on your website about it. Is this book really yours, and if so, is it the next Saxon book?? (Hope so!!)
Sandra Herd

Hi, Mr Cornwell. I'm hooked on your books and have been for some time. What I was wondering is how you decide on the period for you books, such as the setting on the Hundred Years' War, or Agincourt?

Alex

Hello Mr. Cornwell. A while ago, I read every Sharpe book in chronological order - including the early years in India. That series gave me an insatiable appetite for anything Wellington, culminating with a trip to Apsley House and Sushi in Harrods! I have now just finished The Arthur Books, and am now cracking on with The Saxon Stories. So to my question: Is the style of the writing meant to be similar between the Arthur and Saxon series? There already seems to be a lot of similarities between the young Derfel and Uhtred. I suppose I'm hoping that The Saxon series will fill a small gap in information about what happened to Derfel and Ceinwyn between Arthur sailing off to Avalon and the old monk Derfel starting to write his account of Arthur for Queen Igraine. All we hear about is that Ceinwyn dies many years later of the fever... Anyway, I suppose I'll find out when i get to the end of Sword Song! Thanks for your great historical novelling - Jonathan.

I have recently reread Sharpe's Escape. During the early battle a rifleman by the name of Matthew Dodd goes missing. In the book Death to the French by C.S.Forester a rifleman by the same name is cut off from his regiment and spends time harassing the French with the aid of Spanish partisans. Is the inclusion of this character in your book a homage to Forester's character ?
Roy Wright

Dear Bernard, I just wondered when / if we can expect a follow up to Sword Song? Nicholas

I recently discovered the Saxon Stories and have enjoyed all four books immensely. Now I have to ask when book five should be released. Thank you. Oscar Santana

Mr. Cornwell I just wanted to know when I could expect to read more about Uhtred of Bebbanburg. I just finished reading Sword Song. Again I have to thank you for yet another great read. Tim Mahoney

I first started reading your books when I picked up Stonehenge from a library, which got me hooked when I found the Arthur series. Since then I've read (And own most of) the Grail Quest, Arther Series, the Saxon Stories, and Stonehenge. I was just hoping that you could tell me if you have a certain amount of books planned for the Saxon Stories, or when we can expect the next one? Thanks for writing such great stories. Josh Lyle

I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed reading The Saxon Stories. These were the first of your books that I picked up. But I must ask is there going to be more to Uhtred's story? I hope that there is more to come, I would really like to know if he returns to Northumbria. Thank you, Jason Johnson

Mr.Cornwell, I've already read The Grail Quest, The Arthur Books and I'm currently reading The Saxon Stories which I think is the best of all. The only complaining I have is: Every book of The Saxon Stories that I read, I want Uhtred to join the Danes again but, sadly I believe this would mess up the historical background(Danes conquering England?:)). Oh almost forgot my questions: - None ever showed interest in making a movie about one of your books? Saxon Stories on the cinema would sure be great. - When is the next book of Saxon Stories coming? Nathan