Your Questions

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I've just recently become a fan of yours when I picked up 'The Last Kingdom.' Loved it and read the other books in the series. Now I've started on the Starbuck Chronicles and was just wondering: how do you choose or what inspires you to pick the time periods you use? Many thanks
Brian

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

Capriciousness . . . whim . . . . whatever happens to interest me. Nothing deliberate . . . I pick them because I enjoy writing about them.

Q

Hi! Mr.Cornwell, I have a doubt about "The Grail Quest"! I read the books and I wanna know what happened to Blackbird. Did she take back her son? Was her city infected for The Black Death? Did she survived? Please Answer me! Thank you.
Thamilles

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

I know this is a frustrating answer . . . but I don't know! If I wrote a follow-up book I'd find out, but I'm not thinking of doing that. You discover what happens to your characters when you write their story, and if I don't write it then I really don't know, but I'd suggest you give the Blackbird a happy ending in your own head, will that do?

Q

Dear Sir,I am a great fan of your warlord series,in the last kingdom,the wessex flag is depicted as a white dragon on a green background,the only reference I have found is a gold or white dragon on a red background for wessex?does the green background have a historical fact? Kind regards Mark Sheppard

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

There seems to be a lot of confusion over his . . . I have found references to the green, and I decided to go with that . . . but I've never found a really trustworthy source, so I can't swear that's the case.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, first of all, I love your work. The research you do is evident and I appreciate your hard work. Having said that, I am intrigued with life in the sixth through tenth centuries in Britain. Can you name any books that cover this time frame? I am curious about everyday life, living conditions etc. Thank you. Jim Smart

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

The answer is . . . so many. I'd suggest you start with the Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon England . . . it's in paperback. Other than that . . . The Anglo-Saxons, edited by James Campbell, is good and has a useful bibliography.

Q

Bernard....your Saxon Stories books are brilliant and I can't wait for the next book on Uhtred and his exploits. Will he finally gain back Babbanburg or will that take several (or, hopefully many) more books?

Mike Seamark

Submitted June 23, 2008

A

It's going to take many more books . . . . . .

Q

In your book Sharpe's Waterloo, Sharpe has a son by his partner Lucille. Do you have any plans to write a book about Sharpe's son ie using the Crimea war has a backdrop? Rod Bassett

Submitted June 20, 2008

A

I never could get too interested in the Crimea, so I'll have to say probably not.

Q

I've recently discovered your works and have devoured everything with the exception of The Sharpe Novels, which I shall be starting next. Unfortunately I can read faster than you can write and am eagerly anticipating the next book in each series. I've read that you intend to write another Nathaniel Starbuck story, but others are in line first. If I may have a request and have a vote, could you please make his story continue as soon as possible as I have just finished "The Bloody Ground?" Of course a Uhtred story or a Thomas of Hookton story would be welcome, but the end of "The Bloody Ground." led the reader to believe another novel would be forthcoming so I am waiting, but not too long, I hope. All the stories are excellent, but would like them to continue..... The end of your books is like saying farewell to a friend.....Dorothy Young

Submitted June 20, 2008

A

Thank you! I hope to get back to Starbuck before too long...

Q

Hi Bernard Just wanted to say how much I have been enjoying the Alfred series, I am about 30 pages from the end of Sword Song, and have to say your books have ignited a passion for reading again. I have always been interested in history and the way you combine fact with fiction is brilliant. Alfred is a great story and I love learning and reading about the birth of England. My question is if/when you have plans for future books in this series, Uhtred has become such a part of my life on my daily commute I really want to know how his story ends! Hope you do have plans for him as I am dying for him to take Bebbanburg back from his uncle! Thanks Michael (London)

I have enjoyed the Saxon stories very much. I am temped to start on the Archers books. But my question was around the Saxon stories. Will you be writing a 5th book? I have enjoyed them all very much. Sincerely Dave Becker

Submitted June 20, 2008

A

Yes! I will be writing a fifth book.

Q

hello. who is the character Sweet William based on? sam stephan

Submitted June 20, 2008

A

On the good Reverend William Frederickson - the Baptist minister who performed our marriage ceremony (read more about him in Sharpe's Story).

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell - First off, Thank you for many hours of enjoyable reading over the years. Your skills in character development and relaying the intensity of your stories' plots are what keep me a HUGE fan. I hope you don't mind me asking if you've ever considered writing something involving the Seven Years/French and Indian War? All of your series are truly enjoyed - can't wait for the next one! Thanks again -Sean

Submitted June 20, 2008

A

I think about the French and Indian War from time to time, but it's not a priority and certainly won't be done soon.