Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell: I love your books, specially the Saxon Stories. But I´m from Spain and I wonder when we will be able to read "The Lords of the North" and "The Sword Song" in Spanish. Best regards from Oviedo. Thank you very much.
María

Hi Mr Cornwell, I have thoroughly enjoyed the Saxon series so far. When is Sword Song to be released in Australia? Thanks. Ian

I was in England for a year in 2005 when I got hooked to your books available in the council libraries and book stores. Now I am back in India and as a member of the British Council library I thought I would get to read your books here too. But to my great surprise and dismay they dont keep them. Your books are a great ambassador of your country. Mr. Cornwell can you please do something about it ? And of course thanks a million for all the reading pleasures. cheers Vikram

Love your Saxon stories. Initially very skeptical. The detail is marvellous and the plots are exciting. Alfred has long been my personal hero. I wish the Alfred in your books was a little less of a religious nincompoop and a bit more of a warrior but he is an excellent foil for Uhtred so I forgive you. My question is; were you influenced by the author Alfred Duggan, who wrote a number of outstanding historical novels decades ago, including one about Alfred? Neil McTaggart

please can you tell me where I can buy the audio cd's for the Arthur Novel series, (winter king, enemy of God, Excaliber). I luv the stories but only have a cd player in my car now, please help... many thanks, Lee

Dear Mr. Cornwell: I´ve just finished reading Sword Song. I did enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the previous three books of the Saxon stories, the warlord chronicles and the Grail Quest series. It all began last year when looking for the new Sharpe book translated into Spanish in a bookstore here in Mexico City, I found, between Sharpe's Eagle and Stonehenge, a book entitled in Spanish: Northumbia, el último reino, picturing a danish war vessel in the cover. The vikings being one of my favorite historical interests, I purchased the book and I loved it from the very first page. From that moment on, I became almost obsessed with your work (until then I had only read two Sharpe's), and a surgical procedure gave time and an excuse to read the Warlord Chronicles, The pale horseman, Lords of the North and now Sword Song. I had to buy the latter three online, cause they weren't available in Spanish yet, nor the American or British versions. As soon as I finished Sword Song, I felt the depression of having to wait at least a year for the next one, and now I found in your website that the wait is going to be of at least two!

Anyway, I have some questions to make you: were the similarities between Derfel Cadarn and Uthred Ragnarson (by the way, he should introduce himself using that name more often) deliberate?. Will Ragnar appear in the next book? .... I hope one day they will meet again and carry they swords northwards, to Bebbanburg. (please don't kill Ragnar before that!).

Why are the viking ships sails often portrayed as having had a striped pattern, usually red and white? Is that accurate?.

And finally, what about the death by "blood eagle"?. I expected Kjartan the cruel to be executed using that, he deserved it. But, did the Danes really do that? I have read in some history books that they did, and it's described is some ancient Norse saga, but hey, you know your job much better than I do. Meanwhile, i like to picture every historical event I'm interested in described by your pen. I had never understood many things about high middle ages in general and feudalism in particular as I had by reading Derfel's and Uthred's adventures. I trust that you won't let serpent breath "sleep in its scabbard" for long, Greetings from Mexico. Alfredo Reynoso

Hi again, Mr. Cornwell. Over the years of being your fan, I have noticed that some years you come out with two novels (usually in April and October), and sometimes only one. What makes the difference? Is it that some years, you are getting into unfamiliar historical territory and have to do more research? Or do you just want to take it a bit easier some years? (A choice which you have every right to, by the way). I hope you'll have many more two-book years! Alan Kempner

Magnificent. Just finished the 3rd book in the Saxon series , now awaiting no 4. Please, continue up to 1035, when Cnut the Great died. He and his father has the potential to fill more books from you. Did you, that the first "modern" king of Denmark, Gorm the Old, came from England in 934?? He was the father of Harold Bluetooth. Mr. Cornwell, PLEASE CONTINUE. Looking forward to your reply.
Jorgen Lundberg

Dear Mr. Cornwell I have within the last few minutes just finished Sword Song and have to say how thoroughly I have enjoyed the series so far, now surpassing the Warlord Chronicles as my favourite. As someone who is passionate about Dark Ages and Anglo-Saxon history I love the interplay between fact and fiction. What I like in your approach is when you drop in seemingly insignificant characters that later emerge as central; Heastan, Aethelflaed, Edward. To someone who knows the period this really adds to the sense of anticipation. I wonder about Sihtric (Caec?) and I spotted Wulfstan (of York?) this time. The history of my home town of York is a passion for me so I have my historical favourites too like Raegnald, the Olaf's and Erik of course. I wonder whether we are going to see Uhtred at Brunaburgh although I guess he would be getting on a bit by then. I look forward to finding out. Do you find that the nice thing about Alfred's age is that there is just enough light to write historical narrative and just enough mystery for you to fill in the blanks. I would love to write something similar with early 7th century Northumbria, Edwin, Oswy, Oswald, Penda and Cadwallon, Paulinus, Hilda etc etc. Far more dark than light here though. Are you also intrigued by this era? A pleasure to speak with you and I look forward very much to the future adventures of Uhtred. Many thanks and warmest regards John

Mr. Cornwell, If this were the time of Uhtred, I would enslave you at the point of my sword and make you write your tales at my behest...which would mean you would write more stories, and finish them faster! I just finished Sword Song and it is fantastic! I have to say that I am such an avid reader that it is not unusual for me to finish 3 books in a week, and I have read SO MANY through the years...but your Saxon Chronicles, Grail Quest series, and Arthur books have made it to the top of my list. They have rekindled a yearning for more tales of the dark ages, of Arthur and his Knights, of men-at-arms, Lords, and Ladies. Not since I was a teenager(many years ago) have I been so entertained by stories of this kind. You are a master! I have one question: If you could be a character in the Saxon Chronicles, would you be an Alfred, an Uhtred, or perhaps even a Ragnar? Not a Beocca, I hope! Tell us! Keep the books coming! Shawson Hebert, Monroe Louisiana.