Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am writing a story for school that takes place in a sci-fi navy, but Im basing it off of Nelsons navy. Are you aware or could you post a list of crew-members and their duties on a British frigate? Thank you and warm regards. Adam Azzalino

Submitted May 27, 2008

A

There's an excellent book by Patrick O'Brian called Men-of-War which is a short, non-fiction account of Nelson's navy, and I'd start there.

Q

Good evening, I'm soon departing to the USA to work for the summer, any tips you can give me that makes living there easier? James Trethowan

Submitted May 27, 2008

A

Drive on the wrong side of the road? Actually living in the States is extremely easy for Brits; you can even get decent beer, but it's served much too cold. You'll find very friendly people who will go out of their way to make life easy for you. The language is recognisable, just don't tell a girl you'll knock her up in the morning if you mean you'll give her a wake-up call, on the other hand you might just get lucky? Have fun!

Q

Bernard, Having read a few of your anglo-saxon/danish books I wondered why you made the two languages incomprehensible? All the historical evidence I've read suggested that the anglo-saxon of the era and norse were mutually intelligible, and that interpreters were not required. It even states this in the Icelandic sagas. Just interested in why? Did it make the plot easier? Regards Jon

Submitted May 27, 2008

A

I didn't make them incomprehensible to each other, but difficult. If you consider that a Saxon from Wessex would find it hard to comprehend an Angle from Northumbria, then both, I think, would find it hard to penetrate a Norse speaker, despite the common heritage. Till very recently it was possible to travel round England and meet people with dialects so difficult that they might as well have been speaking Martian . . I can remember being in a pub on the Somerset levels and hardly understanding one word in three, but that's all been smoothed out by the media. So I'll stick with my contention that communication was even more difficult a millennium ago.

Q

Is there any talk of a movie series for the Saxon stories, to my knowledge the best Viking movie is the comedy Erik the viking, but I'm sure Uhtred and co. would bring the era more alive,keep up the great work and thanks for all the hours of enjoyment! Mick Hosking

hello there, first off I would like to say as a Historian and reinactor I love your Saxon Stories, very imaginative and have captured the saxon age very well. I would like to know if, like Sharpe, there was any chance they could turn those books in TV Films? Iif done properly (historically accurate)they could be very successful as there isn't a lot written or done about our Anglo-Saxon past it seems to be rather a forgotten period. kind regards, Wulfnoth

Hello Mr Cornwell, I want to tell you that I`ve read the whole saxon story and I love the way you`ve written it;) I also read "Sword song" and now I want to know if you could tell me if a sequel will follow this or the next year? I don`t know if it is wrong to ask you for that, because I don`t want to affront you with this question...but...will the books been filmed? I ask that, because I think that it would be probably as complicated as Lord of the Rings...maybe more complicated...but it would also be such a success I think. the story of Uhtred is (as I believe) as good as the of Tolkien or even better:) if you couldn`t tell me something about it...maybe you could tell me if you even think about it???:) best regards from Germany (and sorry for my English...I`m not good in it...but my teacher knows:D). Lucas

When is the next "Lords of the North" book scheduled to be published? Uthred needs to ride again. Thanks.
Jack Howard

Submitted May 27, 2008

A

I'm glad to know you are enjoying the books! There will be a sequel to Sword Song but not until 2009, at least. I don't know if the books will ever be filmed. It would be nice....but not sure it will happen and I don't spend too much time thinking about it.

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell. Would it be unreasonable for you to get a hold of someone involved in the production of the Sharpe films and simply suggest a new series based on Uhtred's adventures? The worst they could do is say no, and you'd be no worse off than before. Alan Kempner

Submitted May 27, 2008

A

I could do that, and have done that, but they have their ideas about what works and doesn't work, and they're still working on Sharpe, so whether anything will happen I really don't know!

Q

Firstly thanks for all your great books, I am thoroughly enjoying the Alfred (Saxon) series. Please can you give me an idea of when the next book will be published. many Thanks. Leigh Godfrey

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I really fell in love with the Saxon Stories and especially Uhtred. I can´t wait to read more and I just have one question to ask :-) Is there going to be a new book continuing "Sword song"? Many thanks for answering me! All the best for you! Tanja

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have been a fan of your books since coming across the Sharpe series, to my surprise and delight my 14 yr old nephew,12 at the time became as much if not more so a fan,which lead from the Sharpe series,to the Grail Quest and now the eager await to see what Uhtred of Bebbanburg is up to.I understand you must have a lot on your plate,but 8 and a 1/2 mths of waiting is hard for a 14 yr old,and even harder for me.So you can see where this is heading,how long till we hear the sword sing again!! soon I hope,thx. Mick Hosking

Good afternoon Mr. Cornwell, I'm a long time reader of your books, although I've swayed more towards the reading of the Grail Quest (the first book I read and purchased by you was the Harlequin) and Saxon Stories as opposed to your Sharpe series which you are more renowned for. The reason for my contact is to ask if you plan on writing additional books in addition to the four that exist under the Saxon Stories. After the long awaited UK release of Sword Song, which I completed 5mins ago, I have been pondering how far you will take the story of Alfred and consequently, Uhtred. Obviously I would not ask of what you may write about or how the plot may be developed after the battle at Beamfleot, but my only query is in the hope that this series continues and when you may contemplate releasing the continuation in Australia (Where I am from and moving back to in June) I have already started your Arthur Books, however I am greatly interested in how the Saxon Stories will progress. Kind regards, Andrew Coleman

Can i ask when the next Saxon stories book will be out; if there is going to be another one. Simon Dawson

Could you possibly say when the next installment of the Uhtred story will be out as they are a fascinating read. Thanks for all the great stories so far in all your ranges, as I am an avid reader of all your books. Stephen Turner

Submitted May 24, 2008

A

I have not started the next book of the Saxon stories, but I believe it will be the next book I write. If so, look for it to be published in the UK in 2009

Q

Hi You've said a couple of times that you're only writing a book a year now and that your next one will be about Uhtred. I'm sorry to say that I just can't get into that series at all. Could the Sharpe or Starbuck fans please have the next book after that? 2010 is a long time to wait. thanks Jane

Submitted May 22, 2008

A

Yes, but which? Don't know. Sorry you can't get into Uhtred. Think you'll like Azincourt, though.

Q

Hello I began watching the Sharpe series on television with my dad when I was a small boy. Enjoying then the explosives and the story. Though it was only till later on in life when I hit my late teens I was given the complete set of the Sharpe books which completely changed the way I looked and thought about Sharpe. The television series was really good and the choice of Sean Bean as Sharpe I can now see was a very good choice but the books are so superior to the films. Since then I have been an avid reader of all of you books enjoying your writing style and the themes and plots of your books. The one thing I have a problem with, is that I am always going back to the Sharpe books and reading them over and over again. I can't put them down. The main thing I wanted to ask is are you writing more Sharpe novels in the future??? Or has Sharpe fought his last battle? thanks very much great novels all of them.

Alisdair Castle-Smith

Submitted May 22, 2008

A

There will be more Sharpe...

Q

Hi, I'm a massive fan of the Warlord Chronicles and I'm starting to get into the Grail series and the Saxon series. I was just wondering if there are any plans to make the TV/Film adaptation of the Warlord Chronicles? This is by far and away the best ever interpretation of the Arthur legend and would lend itself wonderfully to a screen version in the ilk of the recent Rome tv series. Chris Kirk

Submitted May 22, 2008

A

Thanks! No plans for it at the moment.

Q

You use a phrase fate is inexorable in several of your stories. I was wondering what language you are using? I have been unable to locate it. Thanks, Berdetta Colbert

Submitted May 22, 2008

A

English! But the English spoken in Uhtred's time, which these days we call Old English. But it is still English. The quotation is from an Old English poem, 'The Wanderer' . . . and I've known of the poem (a bleak thing) for over forty years now.