Bulletin Board

Hi again, Mr. Cornwell. In a February 22nd posting, Alec Davis asked your opinion on what post-Roman armies could have beaten the Roman legions. In my opinion, if the Romans had come up against a force of English longbowmen from the 100 Years War, they would have been slaughtered. The longbow shafts would have gone through their shields and armor like it were tissue paper, and the Roman cohorts would not have been able to maintain formation under such devastating volleys. Once they broke and ran, a charge of mounted knights of the 100 Years War period, both men and horses clad in full plate armor, would have finished them off. Alan Kempner

Dear Mr Cornwell sir, may I thank you for changing the way I read books. I used to read all the Tom Clancy novels, CIA, spying and all that macho stuff (by the way I am ex army). I stumbled across Harlequin a few years ago, and have not been able to put your books down ever since. The Grail Quest books had me gripped from page one to the last page of Heretic. Then I got hold of the Arthur books and again I was gripped. Then came my friend Uhtred, what an epic, I could not put them down, but please tell me when the next installment is published in the uk,and I will camp out side my local bookshop to get the first one on the shelves. I now read anything that you endorse ie-Conn Iggulden,and Pip Vaughen Hughes and so on. So thank you again sir for turning a light on in my very thick head and making me read, rather than sit watching football and moaning at bad refs. yours gratefully, Gary Winders aged 37&1/2

Hello again Mr Cornwell Not sure if they show Time Team the Channel 4 archaeology programme over there but recently they did a dig at Shorncliffe redoubt which may be of interest to you. http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/T/timeteam/2007_shorne.html.

Mr. C: Just wanted to tell you that after reading all of your Sharpe novels many years ago, I recently rediscovered you via your Saxon tales, and am now enjoying "Lords of the North". I like your "Witnere" warhorse, as "Tormentor". Witner is one of many variants of my last name, though I was told Witmer meant "Widow" or "Widowmaker" from southern Germany or Switzerland. I prefer the latter definition. Best wishes for continued success. I'll looks for some of your other series after I finish this one! - Bill Witmer; Lakewood, Colorado

Love your books! Hope you plan to bring back Sweet William in another sharpe adventure. Sad to read in the q and a that you don't plan to write a book around that character. Rick

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I`ve read all 3 books of "The Saxon Stories" and now I´m reading the books of "The Arthur Stories". I enjoy the reading of your very much and I can`t wait for the new book of the "The Saxon Stories"... That`s all I wanted to say... Thank you for the hours of being in an old fantastic world... Florian Kraus(Germany)

Bernard, I have just finished Lords of the North, which I read whilst staying in atmospheric Durham. Fantastic book, the best of the series yet and as good a historical novel as I have read ( With the possible exception of Eagle in the Snow by Walace Breem, which is a masterpiece) I was interested in your comment in the closing notes about tracing your ancestry back to 11th centuary Britain; that is a truly amazing piece of research and explains your obvious passion for the period. I look forward to the next book with anticipation. PS What has happened to the Starbuck Chronicles? Regards Jim

I just finished your book, "The Last Kingdom", and really enjoyed it. I was glad to see that you have followed up with two more books on King Alfred the Great. Your historical notes were interesting too. You used to names Leofric and Alfric. I do family history studies and have found ancestors from Mercia with these names. I have also read the histories of the Anglo-saxons.I enjoy reading history, but like to read stories like you have written, with fictional people in it. Thanks again for a great story, and I am looking forward to read the next two, and find out what happens to Uhtred.-----Ken

Mr. Cornwell, hi, I just finished reading 'The Last Kingdom' and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. I've read most of the Sharpe series with great pleasure, but this was the first non-Sharpe book. Your main character is an admirable soldier. My own book, Dawn of Empire, was published in hardcover by HarperCollins a few months ago, with the sequel scheduled for release in September. Several readers and reviewers have compared my main character and style to yours, which I consider a very nice compliment. We actually met briefly at the Poisoned Pen bookstore in Scottsdale a few years back when you were signing 'Sharpe's Fortress.' Thanks again for creating such memorable characters. Sam Barone

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have enjoyed your Sharpe books. Now, I know you asked not to get ideas, but I would like to hear more about Sharpe's early life in the infantry. Such as when he is recruited by Hakeswill, his training, and his exploits in Flanders. Because I enjoyed the start of Sharpe's Tiger, and was annoyed at the fact it was so short. So, just an idea. Please consider it because I have friends and relatives who all share the same opinion. Thank you for your time. Patrick Phillips