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I wanted to make a comment on your creation of Sergeant Hakeswill and the character as he was in the television series. I have to say he is one of the most vile and annoying and yet entertaining villains I ever read within any story. So many things make him one of the worst...or best...too many to mention here. I read the Sharpe series (most of them) before finding the television shows, but I have to say the image and visual mannerisms of the actor who portrayed Hakeswill forever left its mark. The studio did your man right when they cast him as Hakeswill (Says so in the scriptures). Anytime I return to the books, I see Pete Postlethwaite (rest his soul)as Hakeswill. Thank you for visualizing and creating this character. The man we will forever LOVE to LOATHE. Always a fan of your works and anxiously waiting for your next endeavor, Shawson M Hebert

Honorable Lord Cornwell: Just finished Grail quest series after reading Saxon Chronicles. Read Agincourt in between. Loved them all thank you. I am thrilled that Thomas of Hookton and Uhtred of Beebanberg will see more life. I have become so attached. Please keep them both alive. Warlord Chronicles next! Regards, Robert Agoura Hills, California

The meanings of words used in your books about the British East India Company and its actions in India by and large can be gleaned through your explanations or from the contexts themselves; however, trying to recall the meaning of one, as I browsed later after reading, I went to the computer for clarification, and this is what I found: http://www.lib.mq.edu.au/digital/seringapatam/terminology.html. Maybe if other of your readers would like such a reference, I myself found this to be most useful and enjoyable.

Elfreth

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Just wanted to relate a brief account of an interesting surprise I had while out shopping for a birthday present. My nephew had his birthday coming up and I dropped into the local Barnes & Noble to find an Andre'Rieu DVD set for him. As is my want, I checked out the new book arrivals and swung by the marked down books to see if anything interesting was available in hardcover at reduced price. There were a number of interesting books but one in particular caught my eye. It was Sword of Honor edited by Mike Ashley. A collection of battle stories, courage and victory (as the cover described). There were short stories from authors Joseph Conrad to John Jakes. I knew I would buy it. And then I caught in small print that you had written the introduction. Even better. I have yet to read the book as I'm now absorbed in an Alex Rutherford novel. But I couldn't resist reading your introduction in the meantime. It's marvellous, more like an essay on your craft if I may say so. Your thoughts and feelings concerning writing about war are much appreciated. I feel that much of what you say is implicit in your writings, especially in the Sharpe Saga. I think back to Sharpe's Waterloo when the infantry was required to maintain the squares to ward off French cavalry and had to just stand there and take it as solid shot ripped thru them. One can never say enough about the valor of the common soldier. But I do appreciate your putting it all together. Especially when you related your experience in the Falkland Islands. War is indeed terrible, but when it brings out the best in many men while the rules go out the window it is something worth writing about. For my part, I'd just like to say that I agree with what you wrote there. David M. Dunaj

Dear Bernard Cornwell: I have just finished your Death of Kings and though I thought it great read I also was offput by a serious anachronism. You had everyone galloping around on horseback at a time when there were few if any horses around. Almost a hundred years later, Harold's army arrived at the battle of Hastings with 7,000 infantry and perhaps a few mounted soldiers. You had 7.000 Danes and 4,000 Saxons on horseback at a time when there was no infrastructure to carry horses in those numbers through an English winter. Hay was not available as a major crop at this time for example. I have read lots of your books with great enjoyment and am not usually this picky but I felt I had to make a comment this time. Graham

Bravo on your latest Uhtred tale, Mr. Cornwell. Since I met you at SMU in 2005 the tales have grown at a feverish pace, and I eagerly await the storming of Bebbanburg that will herald their conclusion. My comments have two purposes (and I don't care if they are posted and I will always count you among my favorite authors and influences upon mine own work). One, that you should expect a copy of my first novel, signed to you, without whose influence and courage I could not have begun my career (I'm at nearly 140,000 words and while Conn Iggulden gives equal detail and William Deitrich equal plot device, you are unequaled in pacing and charicterization, plus dialogue and the romantic "little things" we call here in America.) Second, I've read of your upbringing among the "Peculiar People" and I can sympathize somewhat. I was raised Seventh Day Adventists, which is a cult unto itself here in America, and I understand your ambivalence to religion because of it. The only thing I will say, and please forgive me if I cross a line, is that the message of Christ is pure, even if His messengers aren't. You've read enough of the Bible to know, and the horrors you've described being raised under are not the work of Jesus. Far from it. Believe the message, if not always its carrier. God Bless You. Charles Scott Curtis

Hi Mr. Cornwell, A friend recommended "Redcoat" to me. I am currently reading and enjoying it! That is my favorite era in history! Janeen Dodds Indianapolis, Indiana

I've always been an avid reader, but ever since I picked up "The Winter King" 6 years ago in my high school library, I haven't been able to get enough of your writing. I've eagerly devoured the Arthur Books, all of the Saxon stories, the grail quest, and Stonehenge, and they all rank among the top novels I've ever read. Sitting down tonight to read "The Winter King" for the 5th time, I felt obligated to share my gratitude to you for creating works that have given me such entertainment.. Thank you very much. -Brian B.

I'm glad that Stephanie Moore Hopkins posted the review of Folville's Law. Though I must confess that the review threw me for a loop initially. I thought this novel might be something like Garrow's Law, which I'm now watching on PBS in America. Something about British crime and courts. I clicked on the Amazon link and was surprised to find it was actually an historical drama of political intrigue from 14th Century England. Well, I love both kinds of stories. Perhaps I'll give it a go in the not too distant future.

David M. Dunaj

Sir, writing you from Inuvik, Northwest Terr., Canada. Just to say thank you for the research and obvious passion that you put into each and every story. All the best!

Christopher Ziegler