Your Questions

Hi Mr. Cornwell. How long do you usually wait between finishing writing one novel and beginning another? You say you've finished Azincourt. Do you anticipate starting to work on the next Uhtred novel before it is released in October? Alan Kempner

Hi, I just read the excerpt from Azincourt and am already intrigued. Being an avid Sharpe fan I see possibilities in the character of Hook for a series. What are the chances that there will be more of this character in the future? I look forward to reading the book when it comes out in October.

Maybe another Sharpe book next?
Wiktor Falko

Hello Mr. Cornwell, First off, the obligatory but no less true expression of appreciation for your work...I THINK I've read everything you've done under this name, and am trying to get my hands on what you have written with others under different pseudonyms. Now, I have a few questions. These are not so much suggestions as a combination of curiosity and hope: Having looked at the kinds of periods which seem to intrigue you enough to write about, I was wondering if you had any plans for novels and/or series for any of the following eras: 1) The Roman Invasion of Britain. 2) The Welsh Wars. 3) Your own working on the Robin Hood myth. 4) The Battle of Britain (more recent than your norm, but not, I think, without its appeal for you.) 5) The Wars of the Roses...though I did see another address this with you, and you answered as unsure at the time. 6) The Civil War. I could see any or all of the above being fantastic in your hands, and though I have no real hope that you'll tackle them, I was wondering if I ought to abandon it altogether, or let it flicker. Henry V was another I'd hoped you'd take on, and am as such obviously excited about the novel.

Oh, last question, though this might be something answered elsewhere...I am not great at navigating the internet yet, and often miss the obvious...is there an ETA on the next of the Saxon stories? Thank you for even opening up an avenue for this kind of thing. The recent discoveries at Stonehenge are both interesting and dampening, no? Take care, James

Mr. Cornwell, Your in-depth understanding of Anglo-Saxon Englaland is impressive and fascinating. I have a particular interest in gaining a better understanding of the ancient Anglo-Saxon Common Law and I have two questions relative to that. First, what book or books address the common law and second, what do you think of Sharon Turner's "History of the Anglo-Saxons"? Best, Michael Hanselman

Mr. Cornwell, I have just finished rereading the Saxon Stories for the third time, and think that it is the best series of books I have ever read. The first page of the Last Kingdom hooked me on the entire series, "The law wants compromise. The law thinks that money will compensate for loss. The law above all fears the blood feud, but I am Uhtred son of Uhtred, and this is the tale of a blood feud. It is the tale of how I will take from my enemy what the law says is mine. It is also the tale of a women, and her father, a king. He was my king and all that I have I owe to him. The food that I eat, the hall where I live, and the sword of my men all came from Alfred my king, who hated me." I mean that's the best introduction I've ever read.

I have also been wondering on whether or not you have been approached to have the Saxon Stories made into a movie. If you have though would you please try and have the movie made by someone who is committed to having everything that happens in the book happen in the movie like the Lord of the Rings series. Because most of the time when books are made into movies the movies end up being terrible. For example Harry Potter, awesome books, movies were pretty awful though. So just let me know as soon as you can.
Justin Topper

I am an audiobooks listener because your books are that much better in a true english voice than the one in my head. My problem is I'm having trouble picturing England in the 800s (The Saxon Stories). Any chance of you posting your maps on your web site? I tried other websites and have had no luck. You are an amazingly creative writer. I've listened to most of your books but now find myself rationing the last few series with other writers books because I don't want to run out! Thank you for making my drive-time in my car so entertaining (that's where I listen the most).
David Marlow

Is Sword Song the last book in the Saxon Series or will there be another one? This is by far my favorite series of books. I have yet to read Sword Song, so I am not sure of the outcome just yet. If it is the last, I am not sure I want it to end just yet so I may need to delay the reading of it. I bought it awhile ago, just want to know if it is the end. Thanks. Joe

In answer to M Lucas question regarding British troops in Sicily he might try Tom Pocock's book Stopping Napoleon which tells of the war in Med including Sicily.

And Bernard in regards to the American Revolution you have mentioned doing another book on that would be a one off or start of a series??? And in query to what its about could it be the battle of Guilford Court House and if is not do you think will ever write about it??? yours sincerely Tony

Hello Mr Cornwell, I've just finished reading Fallen Angels, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not anything like your Sharpe or Uhtred novels, and I was quite surprised you had a female lead character. I know its a fair few years since you wrote Fallen Angels, but I just wondered if you had any plans to write a sequel involving the Lady Campion? Thanks, Jim, Dunfermline.

In several books you indicate the riflemen end up after a fierce action with powder burns on their faces from flashback off the pan. When I was a Rev War reenactor we were taught that the flashback out of the touchhole would burn the person to your right when firing in close ranks, since the touchhole is on the right side of the gun, away from the shooter, and that veteran combat soldier had the left side of their faces scarred from powder burns, but not from their own muskets, but their lefthand neighbors. Since the riflemen are usually not firing in close ranks, I was wondering why they are getting powder burns on their faces? Phil Lord