Your Questions

Hello Mr. Cornwell. I first discovered your books because I have always had an interest in vikings and the cover of "The Last Kingdom" caught my eye. I must admit I first bought it over a year ago and since then, despite the fact i greatly enjoyed the book, I have never thought to purchase your other books. Now I come to your site and find you have a plethora of books and that you are a highly respected writer. I will be sure to look into your other books. Here's the reason why I'm writing to you. I'm writing a book. I know, I know. I read your page and I know you don't want me to tell you anything but I think you can help me a little bit. It follows the third crusade and I thought you may be able to provide me with some references and useful bits of information about the period. I have become a great fan of historical fiction after having read the works of Guy Gavriel Kay, Harry Turtledove, Morgan Llywelyn and yourself of course. I know writing a book that takes that much research is a large undertaking for a seventeen year old but I'm in no rush to get it published and want it to be as well written and as historically accurate as possible. So, If you can refer any books, essays or any other sources of information I would be truly grateful. By the way, I live in Canada, East of Ottawa. Benoit Rivard

Dear Bernard, I am wondering wether you are planning or would ever write a book about Sharpe's early life, maybe about his childhood or very early army career. In a few of your books you've had Sharpe remember being a frightened recruit at Boxtel and having to run from the constables to join the army - I think it would make a great story - any plans? Love all your Books! Nick

Absolutely loved Lords of the North, and realized that was the 3rd book, usually the ending one. However, the tease at the end implied there might be more in store for Uhtred to be written. Could that be true? Also, it struck me that there seemed to me to be more similarities between Uhtred and Derfel from the Arthur series than between any 2 other heroes in any of your other series. Finally, when might another book be out, and any hints as to direction of said book? Tom White

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I'm a great fan of your writing and also have been a subscriber to "Military History" magazine, starting with their premier issue in 1984. In the latest issue July/August in the "Letters" section, there is a comment about the gravesite of Benedict Arnold by a Bernard Cornwell out of Chatham, Mass. As you state you are presenting living in the Cape Cod area, is this comment from yourself and are you also a reader of the magazine? Being a historian of note, are you aware of the only monument on US soil that does not have any inscription on it located at the Saratoga Battlefield in upper New York? The monumnent is of a boot only. It is to represent the actions a of a certain American military leader at the Battle of Freeman's Farm in 1776. Very Interesting.

Also I wrote to you last year about a certain author I enjoy who, like yourself, writes about a fictional character during a historical time. His is during the Plains Indian Wars in the 1800s. Again like yourself, Terry C. Johnston always visited the battlefields before his writing and immenses the reader into the time period of his books. Again, like you do, he made his character, either Seamus Donegan or Titus Bass, believable in that they, like Sharpe, were a common man, one who could do wrong as much as right. That's what I enjoy about Richard Sharpe, a professional soldier, but not above committing even murder, for revenge or purpose. You wrote back on your website that you had not heard of the late Mr. Johnston, but that you might see about reading one of his books. I wonder if you ever got a chance?

Lastly, was there a particular individual in history that you based the idea of Richard Sharpe on, or was he a composite of several people and why did you chose the period of 1808-1821 to place your first historical character in? Thank you, Jeff Juri

hi Bernard, I have read all the Saxon stories which were fantastic and even better characters! I would like to know which I should read first- the grail quest or the arthur books? looking forward to your reply. jason

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I've been reading the Sharpe Novels for sometime now. I can barely put them down. I've also been watching the movies, and I must say that they don't follow the books. I was also wondering if you had ever thought of talking to Hollywood, and having a few movies made in the U.S. Sean Gillette

Dear Mr. Cornwell, As an avid reader of your works, I was curious to ask if there has been any interest in bringing your Saxon stories to the screen, big or small. It seems a perfect story for adaptation into something akin to the HBO series, Rome or Band of Brothers. I wonder what your thoughts might be about such an opportunity? Cheers, Tony

When will the next book in the Saxon Stories be published? I really enjoy reading them and don't think I can wait a year! Melody

Hi Mr Cornwell, love your books, read most of them, never thought you could top the warlord trilogy but seem to be doing just as well with the Alfred books, also being Scottish loved Sharpe's Triumph & Fortress. I have two questions - do you think that either fore-mentioned Sharpe books will ever be made into tv movies and would you ever write about the crusades? thanks Gerry

Any US book signing tour planned for Sharpe's Fury??? Maryland, DC area??? Ron Malecki

Dear Mr Cornwell, I must thank you for the countless hours I have spent reading your books and I am attempting to bring many of my familly to read your books, I've had mixed results. I have a few quick questions for you, just out of curiousity why did you pick the longbowman as your main character? and do you know what kind of soldier you will write about in your next medieval novel? Keep up the great work. James