Your Questions

I have a question, and apologies if it's one you've already be asked.

 

I've read that you don't plot your stories in advance. With this in mind, how much of Finan's backstory did you conceive before introducing him in the series? Was his backstory something you created for him over time?

 

I love The Last Kingdom series and the TV show, and you've sparked my new found interest in Saxon and Viking history - so thank you!

Catherine

 

Gidday Bernard.

Just wondering if you`ve seen the Northman yet?  I think you`d love it. Arthouse on steroids.

Love your work.

Wayne

Hello Bernard.

I hope all is well.  Wanted to get an experienced historian's perspective in this:  if Edward the Black Prince had survived, and had become king, do you believe he would have been one of the greatest kings in English/Medieval history, average, or one of the worst?

Also, Would live to see The Warlord Chronicles adapted to a TV series!!

Steven Criscio

Dear Bernard

Have you ever considered the Great Siege of Gibraltar. If you've not read it I really recommend Roy and Leslie Adkins book on the subject. It's great reading

Regards

Geraint

 

Dear Mr Cornwell

I have enjoyed all of your books and just finished the Last Kingdom series. One of the places mentioned in War Lord was Burgham. An unusual name and I am aware of only two places so called. One is a hamlet in East Sussex the other has been my home for forty four years. Originally a farm it is now a golf course. The name (Burgh and Ham) indicates a settlement but I can find no evidence of any history.

Situated in mid Northumberland it is not far from Bamburgh  and a lot of your story lines. Is there any reason you chose the name?

Any information and your views would be extremely welcome.

Regards

Keith McLean

A PLEA: As two 78 year olds and both fans of C S Forrester and Hornblower maybe you might agree with my observation that there is a gap in the series that should be filled. For my part I persuaded the Folio Society to publish the Hornblower series in logical order a few years ago. What I believe is missing is for “The New Hornblower Companion” containing maps of all his voyages, illustrations of the design of Ships of the Line together with a dictionary of their rigging and internal parts and a definition of standard English naval practices on them. This could be an attractive publication for all Hornblower fans. Do you agree and who might be persuaded to develop this further? P. S. Llove your Sharpe books.

Chris Stoker

Dear Bernard

I wondered if you'd heard about this forgotten Battle of Fayal of the Coast of Portugal in 1814 at all ?

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fayal

You could get Captain Chase to it https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/art/exhibits/conflicts-and-operations/the-war-of-1812/the-battle-of-fayal.html

 

Geraint

Hi. My name is Janet Young. My maiden name is Pipe. My great grandfather married a Florence puller. We have have traced her name back through time to first century BC. I have just found one line going from Bethoc daughter of Malcom ii of Scotland through to Ughtred of Bambrugh, through one of his daughters from Ughtred’s third wife, daughter of Aethelred ii. I wondered if you could tell me which of ughtred’s children you come from?  It would be great if you could.

Many thanks

Janet Young

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I'm reading 1356, and enjoying your descriptions of armourments.

I have a question about chivalry. What is a gosope to a knight? My Mum's family were called Gossop - farmers, shopkeepers and handymen, village people of East Yorkshire. I have traced back a few generations and found various spellings such as Gossip, written hurriedly; perhaps those being recorded were unable to spell their name. I don't expect they went on crusades, but they certainly went into the army in the first world war, on the supply chains. A photo seems to show them making coffins. Grandad got shrapnel in the eye, his older half-brother was killed on the eve of peace, but the others returned.

Regards,

Julia Cormack

Dear Bernard

I would first like to say how much I enjoy reading your books and also watching the last Kingdom on TV. I do have a question though regarding the helms worn by Alfred's soldiers and that is why are they wearing Norman helms?  As far as I can ascertain the saxon helm did not have a nose guard. I am not trying to be critical in a bad sense it just kind of makes me wonder

Jack Campbell