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Hi just a quick message to say how much I have enjoyed your books.so far I have read THE WARLORD CHRONICLES and your SAXON STORIES and they have been the best books I have ever read.Just about to start STONE HENGE.KEEP WRITING DONT STOP!ADAM SHANKS

Just finished the Heretic. What an incredible series. I made it to book II of Uhtred's story but the third book is not in the library, so my wife brought me the Archer and I literally could not put it down. I have read five of your books now, more than I read this year, or last year -- I think the last time I read so much is when I discovered M. Creighton. Ok, I am not a fiction reader but you know, when you marry an English teacher (Brit. Lit.!!!)you get hammered about the merits of fiction. I just saw your book at Barnes and Noble and randomly chose it. I have an interest in English history, (and a 70 year pen pal from London who for two years has tried to explain that culture to me) but have never really found any book that helps me make connections. Your work truly bridged the gap for me. The stories of Uhtred and Thomas are rewarding enough, but I also benefit from being able to finally build a framework of understanding about how the English culture evolved. I think the Arthur Books shall be next. I read Steinbeck's version years ago, then Mallory's. But Steinbeck's was incredibly impressive. I look forward to reading your versions of that history. Thank you so much for your dedication and hard work. To me, your work is masterful. Kent Moore Dallas

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I first discovered Richard Sharpe in my mid-teens and I am happy to say that he was my devoted companion throughout school and university. A short while after graduating I went to work overseas. Richard came with me of course, but by then I had been introduced to Nathaniel Starbuck at a party and I had also come across Arthur during a leisurely browse in Hay-on-Wye. The four of us journeyed together for many happy years, occasionally meeting new friends on our travels, until eventually I returned to the UK, married a Northumbrian and moved into the village of Edington in Wiltshire. After so many happy years in the company of such gallant men how could I have known that the best was yet to come? I met Uhtred in Swindon in 2004 and since then we have spent many unforgettable hours together on the downs reliving the glorious days of Wessex. A few months ago I even took my husband and daughters up to the white horse to read aloud to them the final chapters of 'The Pale Horseman' so that they, like me, could look towards Chippenham and imagine how it must have looked to Alfred and the men of Wessex - the sight of that vast Danish army marching across the plain to fight that decisive battle on our very doorstep. I have been reading and loving your books for so many years and I just want to say thank you. Thank you for writing, thank you for making history come alive, but most of all thank you for creating my heroes. I couldn't love them more! Best wishes, Carina Wiltshire

I can't tell you how much I am enjoying reading the Starbuck books. I read the first two, then read "To the Gates of Richmond" and am now reading Battle Flag. I have learned so much, and I grew up in Richmond! I especially enjoyed learning about John Bankhead McGruder and his theatrics and the Quaker guns. Makes me proud of their creativeness and ingenuity. I try to find a few minutes each day, and I am hoping and praying there will be a 5th (and more) book to this series. I belong to the United Daughters of the Confederacy and have always loved reading about history. Please keep writing them! Betty Luck

I stumbled upon you in {i know you will probably hate me for this }the cut price section at Tesco's : It was a compilation of Harlequin and Vagabond, and you Sir , are a Thesauraus yourself - I found your storytelling utterly compelling ; informative historically ; and a damn good read . I also read your FAQ's , of which the one about actually getting a book written and then published , to be honest and heartfelt . If I ever get round to writing I will use your wise words as my inspiration . Thank you for a stunning yarn .... Calum

I had intended to ask when the next Saxon book would be, however you have brought me so much pleasure, I just decided better merely to thank you and wish you well. Please don't reply, it distracts you from bringing pleasure. If ever I can do anything for you, please ask. You are just f*****g fabulous. thank you very much, Frank

Regarding a question submitted to you about the name Faircloth, and Archbishop of Canterbury, I have extensive info on this family, which has been traced back to 200BC through the royal lines of Scotland and Europe. Would be happy to answer any of his questions. He's thinking of John 1550 and his son Daniel who were both Rectors of Lambeth, and therefore served as chaplains to Abbott, Archbishop of Canterbury. John was also chaplain in ordinary to Chas 1 of England. (Some great story lines in this large family of knights and doctors of divinity) Also, are you related to John Le Carre? (close friend of my uncle Philip). SHELLY HALEY

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I will try to keep this short, but have little hope. I have recently returned to Australia from travels in parts of France, Portugal and Spain, which I told you about a while ago (thanks for your comments at that time). Several points (punctuation and paragraphing fall apart when converted through your system, so I have used asterisks to mark paragraphs. I hope it works): * In all the airport and other bookshops in Spain and Portugal, with English language books I found no copies of Sharpes stories. Perhaps you might speak to your publishers. This should be a great potential market. * In Portugal and western Spain I had planned to see as much as I could of places Sharpe had distinguished by his presence. I was somewhat handicapped by losing my annotated maps, guidebooks and notes, in Brussels when my suitcase was stolen, but nevertheless saw a lot that I wouldnt have otherwise seen. * The high point for me was seeing Almeida and Fort Concepcion. The former is restored (except for the central destruction which the Portuguese attribute to the French invasions, rather than Sharpe)) and the latter definitely not restored. Nothing but birds, wildflowers, lizards, a couple of rabbits and blue sky. And me, of course. It was fabulous in itself, but both are of a size that the mind can grasp, and the comparison between the two enabled me, at least, to see how a fortress might work in practice. I also had a lovely time driving through the local roads to get to them both. * I couldnt make sense of Fuentes dOnores. It is effectively conjoined with Vilar Formosa these days, despite the now non-existent border and the huge freeway/motorway bisecting the conurbation. Since I got back, I have looked again at my copy of Julian Pagets Wellingtons Peninsular War (1990). He says it is still a village, but I think, now, no more. A number of his other descriptions suffer under the test of time. I didnt allow enough time to allow for the changes in the last twenty-odd years and my (lack of) stamina. (here and elsewhere, sigh!) Still it is an invaluable guide. * I am staggered at the nature of the country and the distances that the Allied Army covered in Spain and Portugal on foot. How did they do it, especially given their rations and equipment? (Not to mention the steep slopes in Coimbra and Portugal.) * I found that reading Sharpes stories gave me some insight into military tactics. Basically (until the last fifty years of modern warfare): take the high ground and hold it, whatever the cost. This seemed to be the case in the Somme which I also visited (especially at Vimy Ridge where my Canadian confreres assisted by the Commonwealth brothers in arms held the ground!) * I was also able to visit a weapons museum (part of the Museum of Arts and Industry) in St Etienne, near Lyons in France. Your novels enabled me to look at a rifle and think beyond the beautiful ivory inlay and say Oh, thats what a flintlock is!. * So thank you for the various contributions that you and Sharpe made to my recent travels. Elizabeth Smith, Canberra, Australia

Hello again, just been lucky enough to purchase a ticket to your Flying visit at the Scottish Borders Book Festival! And After your last reply which horrified me at your lack of golfing ability(I'm Scottish after all & only 29!!). You may be interested in this chap!-- THE LEGEND OF LORD SOULIS (Early owner of Hermitage) This baron is supposed to have had dealings with a familiar spirit. His story was made into a ballad by Dr John Leyden 'Lord Soulis he sat in Hermitage Castle, And beside him Old Redcap sly - Now, tell me, thou sprite who art miekle of might, The death that I must die?' Naught that enemies can attempt, replies the spirit, will avail against him until 'Til threefold ropes of sifted sand Around thy body twine. In the end, this is what happens, when Thomas of Ercidoune, a wizard, binds up Lord Soulis as described, then wraps him in lead and boils him to death in a cauldron http://www.attackingthedevil.co.uk/spiritualism/hermitage.php. And he wasn't even a foxhunter.

Craig Macdougall

I have just finished the Saxon stories and can't wait for the new book in September. May I take this opportunity to let you know what pleasure your books have given me over the years and beg you never to stop writing. Louise Crehan