Your Questions

Dear Bernard, Having exhausted all your other titles - every one an excellent read - I have just read the two novels that you wrote with Judy. Both were extremely enjoyable and very hard to put down, but why the 150 year gap?! Please get together again and slot a couple in to cover the missing years. From the historical angle I'm sure there's a wealth of stories to be spun from the period when England returned to being a Monarchy and I'd be especially interested to know how Lazen Castle was returned to the family. Many thanks once again for the hours of pleasure that you give. Richard Hobart

I was wondering why you don't write more explicit love scenes. Have you considered writing historical romances? Jakki

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have read nearly all of your books and have enjoyed them all. My question to you is how do you decide which style of writing to use, for example the Arthur books and The Last Kingdom are written as if an old man is retelling his story but the Sharpe and Starbuck novels are written in the third person. Don't get me wrong I equally enjoy both styles. Neil Shelbourn

Hello Bernard, I have to tell you I absolutely loved "The Last Kingdom". It's nice to know that after 25 years and a Lifetime Acheivment Award you're still getting better! It's a bit of a downer that I have to wait a year for the next one though. I was a bit surprised at your take on why Alfred became King over his nephew (the pope deigning that he should be king). I always thought that his father Aethelwulf's decree was that all of his sons become King rather than turn the throne over to a child. It's been thirty years since history class so I could be wrong. Thanks for the great tales. Jim France

I want to express my thanks to you for the many years of interesting reading your books have given me. I just finished the "The Last Kingdom," and I am very excited that you have created a new series that is fast paced, gripping and extremely interesting. I look forward to the next volume with baited breath. Several questions, if you don't mind. How did you decide that this was the particular period of history you wanted to explore? I guess this can be asked about the variety of periods that you write about: Sharpe, the Civil war, Stonehenge, etc. you are constantly opening new vistas and horizons. Wither thou goest, so do I. Will you be doing any more of the Grail Quest series? Those charachters and the historical period, were, to my mind exceptional. Also, do you plan to revisit the Gallows Thief - wonderful story and character. Best wishes for success in all your endeavors. Ben Kirsch

I was interested to learn that you where brought up in Essex. I have noticed several references to places that I am aquainted with in your books. I was brought up in Romford & now live in Wickford. Where was it in Essex that you lived? They ought to errect a plaque. Thanks. Dave D

Hello Bernard, I dropped you a line a few months ago about R.L.S's The Black Arrow. I just wanted to drop a line again and say that The Last Kingdom series is off to a great start ! The subject of Alfred The Great seems very unique; I was previously aware of him only as a dimly understood, semi-mythical figure that somehow got lumped into the Arthurian Cycle and thus lost his indentity. I was primarily a fan of your Sharpe series, but when the dismal King Arthur film was released a few months back, it spurred me to finally read your highly acclaimed Warlord books- needless to say I was not disappointed. While reading The Last Kingdom I decided to go back to Asser's Life of King Alfred to compare them- this leads me to wonder, from a writer's point of view, how do you slough away all the dusty, archaic, meandering writing styles of these ancient chroniclers to devise a way to tell the story from the pov of an actual character? How do you find a way into the story? Or rather, how do you develop a story with real people around something that seems, at times, about as dry as a census report? I first wondered what your process for this was while reading the Warlord books and thinking that your biggest accomplishment was wading thru all the works written about Arthur; without succumbing to what these works actually would have you believe about him. All of them seem to be skewered to fit ancient political views or imbued with unnecessary, fairy-tale wistfullness. It seems like a very imposing mindfield for a writer to tread thru. Also, I read Face of Battle recently based on your recommendation, since the book is divided into three major battles- Agincourt, Waterloo and the Somme- I was left wondering if you would ever write a book about The Somme since the you seem to have depicted Agincourt and Waterloo so definitely? Thank you again for your time and all the wonderful books you have written! R.Kulb

I read Last kingdom in about 5 days (made me late for work twice!) I loved it. How old is Uhtred when he is telling his story? Derfel was an old man when his story was finished, so it would be difficult to do any more books with this character, but even when Uhtred story is told, will he be young enough for further outings? I wonder if you found out during your research, if did the Danes replaced the Saxons or did they integrate? The British seem to have been pushed west or wiped out by the Saxons. Thanks, Mark Stevens

Hello, Mr. Cornwell! I´m a Brazilian girl who has discovered your books very recently. They are always in the top ten, here in Brazil. I´ve just finished to read "Harlequin" (O Arqueiro, as it´s called here) and I loved it. I´m anxious now to start "Vagabond" (O Andarilho). Have you ever been to Brazil? Maybe it wasn´t good things you´ve heard about our country. Well, there is violence, yes, but many, many other good things to do and visit exist as well. That´s all for now! It was a pleasure to write to you and sorry for any grammar mistake. Adrianna

Dear Bernard, just wanted to ask if you ever plan to write a Sharpe that explains what happens to Jane after Waterloo? I know in Sharpe's Devil he's still married to her - but that can't surely be that? Is Lawford ever gonna feature? What happend to his brother in law? I assume disgrace!! and are we ever gonna hear from Sweet William again? Can't wait til the next Sharpe - hope it has Harper in it!! Lee Revell