Your Questions

I probably am not the first person to ask this--but the one author of historical fiction I prefer to you is George MacDonald Fraser, the author of the Flashman series, who sadly passed away on January 2nd. Two questions. Did you know Mr. Fraser at all? Second, you shared the same publisher. If they asked you to write new books featuring Harry Flashman, would you consider doing so?
Jim Dickey

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

Dear Bernard, After looking at your diary and seeing you will be only in the southeast I was wondering if you will ever do any appearances in Chester at all????

In regards to the Sharpe series one story I was wondering if you ever write about the siege of Burgos and Wellington's (And Sharpe too I guess) one real defeat in Spain whether you would get Major Dulong there since he is the one guy who could give Sharpe a kicking and have it believable (besides you do kind of owe him for getting beaten in Havoc).

In regards to the viking novels any chance of Uhtred going north and helping his brother in law Guhtred fight off the major scottish invasion at the time??? Yours sincerely Tony

btw I can recommend both Donald Hickeys Don't give up the ship the myths of the war of 1812 if you have not read it it has a fine comparison piece between the merits of the various British and American rifles of the time.AND Fix bayonets and charge by Donald Graves which has a great account of Albuera in it both excellent reads. Tony

Hello Mr Cornwell, I look forward to getting Sword Song in Hardback from the U.K. because it cannot be found in Toronto . Do you ever talk to the publishers about this?

In your new book about Agincourt will you have the lists of men at Agincourt, that King Henry sent to England, listed in your book? It would be a nice touch. I do look forward to this book as well. Regards Nicholas.

Sir, i've heard that you are writing a new book about the battle of Agincourt, is that right? if so, I'm eager to read it! When is it going to come out? best regards, Jack JIang

Dear Mr. Cornwell, let me first tell you that I am really keen on your books concerning Uhtred of Bebbanburg. When I a few weeks ago finished the third one in German I just could not wait for the fourth. I decided to buy it in English and - it was a pretty good experience for me - I understood it and had the same fun. Now I am waiting again, but for the fifth part of the story. Do you have any idea when you will finish the next book? How long do I have to wait? I would be most grateful for an answer. Best regards Yours sincerely Jan-Christian Schwarz

My 93 year old father and I, as well as the rest of the males in our family, follow all your book series. Of particular interest are the Saxon Stories. We even purchased Sword Song from an English source for my father. We all assume there will be one more book in the series. Do you have any idea when it will be released? Thank you for your attention to our inquiry. Frans Weterrings

Dear Bernard, I'm a big history buff but I confess to knowing little of the Viking era. Your Saxon series has now stirred a new found interest, but while your stories revolve around Danes in Britain, I recall (I think) being taught as a young schoolboy in Ireland that the Vikings were mostly from Norway. Would that be right? Danes in Britain and Norwegians in Ireland? I should have paid more attention at the time, of course. I was a brat in those days. But I'm now becoming increasingly fascinated by the Viking period, thanks to your novels. Much obliged! Paul, Co. Cork.

In the Historical Note at the end of Lords of the North you say there was a fortress at Bebbanburg in the 11th century ruled by a family with the name Uhtred. Can you expand on that a bit? Is there a reference anywhere to a man who might have played a role like the Uhtred in your stories? You also say that family are your ancestors. Do you have any kind of documentation of this or is it family lore passed down through the centuries? I'm not doubting your statement. But I have run into difficulties in tracing my Swedish ancestors back beyond the late 1600's. Of course, my ancestors were peasants and likely never owned any fortresses. Dale C. Blomstrom

Dear Mr Cornwell, I'd like to start by thanking you for the years of pleasure your stories have given me. My first contact with your books was at the age of 11 (I'm now 32) with Sharpe's Eagle. I seem to remember you writing that looking back you have reservations with the finished novel of Eagle and I was wondering what specifically were you not so happy with? It's actually one of my favourites.

Secondly, you Sharpe novels have inspired me to begin researching Britain's other military genius Marlborough with a view to writing fiction. How do you come up with such engaging plots? Every time I feel I have an angle I recollect that you've got there before me! Anyway, I look forward to the continuing adventures of Mssrs Sharpe and Starbuck.
Steve Cresswell

Dear Bernard After reading Sharpe's Story and finding it fascinating I was curious what would the next Sharpe story be about and whether ALbuera would be on the cards it truly was the Soldiers battle since Beresford and CO were it must be said completely out thought by Soult yet it was the Soldiers themselves who won the victory (they were beat and did not know it!) and there seems nothing more dramatic in the whole Peninsular war and it would be a crime if Sharpe was not there. btw hope you don't mind me saying in regards to Sharpe keeping his promise and staying away from the war of 1812 Sharpe should not make a promise and not break it besides it would be great to see Sharpe eating Jemmy's dinner (anyway Sharpe released Killick from the promise why not visa-versa).

In the Archer stories in pretty much all the opponents are either the French or Scots yet neither had bowmen I wondered if you had considered getting to the wars with either the welsh or the various civil wars in England and have archers against archers??? Regards Geraint