Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell, I wrote to you a little while ago saying that I had read the Saxon series and how much I had enjoyed them. I was watching a film last night with Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis called The Viking. One of the viking leaders was called Ragnar. Have you seen this film and did it give you any ideas for your book?
Graham Roberts

I wonder with his years advancing what Sharpe would do with the medal that was awarded for Waterloo. Would he collect it? Would he see it as frippery or something no real soldier would need or want?Indeed would he live long enough to claim any of the other medals Military General Service Medal and all the clasps, and the Army of India medal, that he would be entitled to? would he ever be nominated for other Honours? Would he accept if he had? They are just thoughts but it would be interesting to know. I have my thoughts what about yours? Neil White

Bernard, Great to see that you are coming back to the UK for the Essex Book Festival in March. Could this be to coincide with the launch of your book which you were so enthusiastic about at your talk in Bath last December on Agincourt or do we have to wait a little longer? Kevan Timms

Mr. Cornwell, having derived so much pleasure from your novels, particularly the Sharpe books, I feel obligated to insure that you derive maximum financial benefit from my purchase. Do you earn more from the initial hardcover sale,or is the paperback release better for you? Regards, and thank you. James Goode

Hi Bernard, I thought 'Slaughteryard' was a cracking title for your next book, did you have a change of heart or did those publisher types convince you otherwise? I know 'Azincourt' does what it says on the tin but not quite as evocative! Thanks, Paul.

Hello Mr Cornwell, I am a young but avid fan of the Sharpe series (of which I have worked through most the original series but then went back so I could start at the VERY beginning!) I am wondering if there are any plans to do anymore Sharpe's particularly any of his youth as this is mentioned in several books but is left in somewhat murky waters, unless this was the plan of course. Also have you been in any further talks with production companies? because the TV episodes are also brilliant especially now they seem more willing to invest more money in them! thank you for your time, any reply will be greatly appreciated. Marcus

Bernard, Your books have been a great enjoyment for me. They have also left me with a number of questions, and so, having just finished the Last Kingdom, I will pose a few of these. First, I notice you include the Yule service, and as part of it the blot, which was the scene where the prisoner and animals were sacrificed. You did not include the Sumbel, I noticed, which by my understanding is an equally important part of the ritual, and I was wondering if there was a reason for this. I know almost all of Norse celebrations are some manifestation of the Sumbel, but as some one who celebrates Yule today I was curious on your reason for this as an author.

Secondly, you reference the removable dragon heads a lot. Is there evidence of the prows being removable, as from what I have read in the sagas, all ships had such prows, but my understanding of the ships we've found is that none we have recovered today have had such prows. Is there any documentation of these removable dragon-prows?

Third, you use the name Snorri for more than one minor character. Is this a reference to Snorri Sturluson, who came years after? And is the name Ragnar a tribute to Ragnar, the father of Ubba, Ivar, and Halfdan? Or did you have some other reason for choosing the names?

Fourthly, you describe the fighting of the Norse in the shield wall. You compare it to Roman fighting, but I have found a very hard time of finding accounts of battle outside the sagas that are consistent, and many external of the sources I have contradict the sagas. How much is really known about the combat styles of the time, and their applications of the weapons?

Fifthly, and yes, I know this is a lot of questions, and some are based on your opinions as a writer, so I am sorry, but I come to an end with this last one. So, fifthly, you describe thegns as men who had land and could command troops but were not nobility. I know the word thegn means "servant" in Norse, and was wondering how the translation applied to them being commanders and leaders of men, but having no rank of their own. Thanks, and sorry for dragging out the questions. Your books have given me great pleasure, and your characters may be the best of any historical fiction I've ever read. Keep writing, and thanks for all, Theo

Mr Cornwell First of all I would like to say thank you for all the wonderful books you've wrote. I have really enjoyed so many of them. I am currently onto The Lords of the North which is set nearby my home town. I am loving this series. My question is, how do you research your novels? Is it done online, with books and do you visit all the places you write about? Thanks again!
Gary Agnew

Dear sir, At first, thank you. The story of Uhtred is a truly fascinating one and a feast for me as an Asatru. I am a Dane by blood and glad that we aren't forgotten in literature. Second, perhaps you could help me with finding the answer to a longtime question. As it is still a custom in our family, silver armrings are still given to a member of the family when he has achieved something good, on his own strength. But my grandfather died with one secret to take with him. The way of wearing those armrings. Do you, by any chance, know how they were worn? Upper-arm or under-arm? The truth is that i ask this question with shame in heart, but I do hope that you have the answer. Looking forward for your answer, Elivagar (My apologies for my terrible English)

This is a silly suggestion - but could you use a character (probably in Sharpe) known to the French as "Le Martinet/La Martinette"? It has a triple meaning: the swift (bird), a kind of scourge, and a person who is very particular about etiquette. Just a thought. Jen