Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwell I am a big fan of your books especially The Arthur Books and The Starbuck Chronicles and I was just wondering that since rebel victories become scarce in the upcoming years of the Starbuck Chronicles does that make it difficult to write more Starbuck books?
Tom

We are a family of avid readers. We share books, discuss them, get really happy when we find a "new" author; when that happens we then seek out every book written by him/her. So thank you very much for your prolific output, you must work very hard and long and I for one appreciate your efforts. It is difficult to choose one particular group of books as favorite, they are ALL favorites. I am in awe of your abilities to write in such a diverse and enthralling manner, characters become part of the family, until the next series takes over. Retirement and old age bring many good things and not so good, not sleeping well is one of the latter. I mention that because I have solved that problem, I just switch on the light and pick up the book, put on my specs (of course) and pass 2/3 hours until my body says OK put the book down now. So you have kept me company on many a long night that would otherwise have been even longer and lonelier. Many, many thanks to you for all the pleasure of your books, learning something new is always great even at 76 years of age. Just one question? How do you "find" all the stories and the life-like characters that fill all your books? Mrs. Sheila Tofield

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I will not flood you with admiration and adulation because I know you've probably heard it all before. Needless to say, you are awesome at your job. I was just wondering about different sword styles and their benefits and drawbacks in different situations. I understand that a straight sword is preferable to one with a curved blade due to stabbing being preferable to slicing but why does a curved sword work better from horseback when facing infantry(or at least a curved sword seems to be preferred by cavalry)? Is it because a curved sword is less likely to become stuck in an enemy? I'm designing a game and I want to have as realistic a combat system as possible. Thank you very much. P.S. If you're ever on Vancouver Island and you're looking for a free meal I'd love to oblige you. Joe Fenner

Hello Bernard, congratulations on the new Sword Song novel, another terrific read. My young sons (9 and 7 years) have watched me devour your books and like all young boys love any stories involving Swords, Epic Battles and Vikings. So I started with the prologue for The Last Kingdom and they haven't given me a night-off from reading it to them for the last week! Anyway, I have a couple more questions for you;

1. Will Uhtred move his story away from London in the next installment? I know it's an important part of the story telling process to fit-in with the historical time-line, but I'm getting itchy feet for Uhtred - he's spent too long 'down South'.

2. There is a lot of interest in Beowulf at the moment (associated with the movie of the same name). I would most likely be wrong, but some sources would have the poem / tale being recorded mainly by the West Saxon's during the 10th Century. It would be terrific for you to have some reference / indication to this in the next part of Uhtred's tale. Thanks as always, Dean Tams (Cumbria, England).

Mr. C, I love the Saxon series and am trying to find Sword Song! But one quick question if you would not mind. How exactly do you pronounce "Sceadugengan"? Is it pronounced as it is spelt or did the Anglo's have a twist on it? any help would be very much appreciated. M.Sheehan

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Greetings. My name is Joel, and for a year now I've been a fan of your creations. It started when my father, an Amazon junkie, purchased the Sharpe DVD box set. After watching the first few episodes I became hooked and created a Sharpe group on Facebook. The group is now the largest Sharpe group on Facebook, at over 1000, and we our offering support to NOS and Sharpe Chefs. I also read your books, and just recently picked up the Saxon Tales. From the first paragraph of The Last Kingdom to the last line of Lords of the North, I was not able to put the books down. I would be nose deep in Sword Song, but it has yet to be released over here in the US. Yes, I am an American, and this brings me to my point of inquiry. As an American my understanding of the Sharpe series has been challenged by an English native who verbalized his disappointment that the group was not founded by an Englishman and said, "It is our history and culture and I defy you to truly identify with it in the same way." What are you views on this? Is there a preferred lens in which Sharpe should be viewed and identified. As Sharpe's creator I would find your thoughts most enlightening. Thank you very much. Your fan Joel D. Castro

Sirs.I am reading the "Sharpe" novels in what I thought was chronological order. Having completed "Sharpe's Sword as a "Captain" I then started on the next novel in the list, Sharpe's "Enemy" where suddenly, he is now a Major!! Have I missed a novel? if not then when did he become one? At the end of "Sword" there is only a hint of promotion rejected by Sharpe. Robert Fairburn

Dear Sir, have you considered letting us know the fate of Antonia? I have a vision she may walk up to Sharpe's farm in Normandy one day, only to have him look up and see Teresa's face staring back at him (wouldn't she look like her?). Sappy, I know, but since you have not written about her, one can only daydream. Also, although everyone loves Sean Bean (me included), I think that Paul McGann actually would have resembled the Sharpe of the books better, don't you? (do you ever get tired of answering Sean Bean questions? Did you have anything to say in his casting? When will they bring Sharpe to the big screen??? I'd buy a ticket or two!) Thanks for being so accessible. A big fan. Andrea

Dear Bernard After all the discussions on the American war of Independence I was curious on who you thought was the best British commander in that war some have say Carleton others Rawdon etc etc who do you think was the best???

I also have to ask if you have ever thought of writing on the 30rys war it was a real maelstrom that was probably more brutal than the Napoleonic wars had some of the truly great commanders of that and any other time like Tilly/Wallenstien and Gustuvas Adolphhus while many English/Scottish and Irish fought in those wars on one side or another????

On another note can you give any hints on what the next Viking novel will be set around???? Yours sincerely Geraint

I was just wondering, having just read "Fallen Angels" did it really take 2 drops of the blade? I haven't been able to find a source to confirm it. But usually everything you write only varies from history if it has to. Just Curious, Justin J Wright P.S I'm a huge fan