Your Questions

Hi Bernard. I wonder can you give me a bit of literary advice. I am beavering away at a historical novel and I am wondering about the choice of some words. I am steering clear of as many clichés as possible especially modern ones but I am wondering about the use of such words as "electrifying". The period of the novel is well before electricity was discovered so is it OK to use this and similar words which probably did not exist at the time the novel was set. How do you manage such words or is it a case that the reader will not notice?? Am I being too careful? Do you take the approach of trying not to use words which have entered the language recently?? Thanks Bernard, I really appreciate being able to ask you such questions. Regards Willie

Hi Bernard, Tis me self agin, Just got back from four days in Edinburgh for the Military Tattoo, thankfully I remember a good portion of the trip (hic!), they even had an ale called Skull Splitter which they would only serve in half pint measures. Two questions; have you ever been to the Tattoo (I would recommend it to every one) and more importantly have you ever visited the sword shop on the Royal Mile? The shop owner was more than happy to let me handle a lot of the swords (I was hard pressed not to jump into a long boat and go off invading someones country especially after a head full of your books. I reckon some of the real life characters back in those days must have been amazingly strong to wield those swords and battle axes in battle for long periods of time. Any way keep up the good work, Philip (SKULL SPLITTER) Newton

Hello Bernard, Any news yet on whether the Warlord Chronicles will be made into a film? This has got to be the best take on the Arthur legend so far! Tony

Hi Mr Cornwell, Your books are great, I am reading All Sharpe books for the 2nd time. Is there any chance that Sharpe or his son(?) could continue onto New Zealand to be in the middle of the New Zealand land wars (1840's to 1880's). It would be great if he could...Craig Emslie

Hi Bernard, I have just started reading your books (Saxon Series) and also 1st in Grail Series. I wondered if you had ever planned to write about the great history of events that surround the years when Robert the Bruce of Scotland was fighting for independence against that awful English King, Edward I? Think you could make a great series out of that. I am enjoying your style of writing immensely. Thanks. Dubhglas Taylor

dear sir I have now finished all of the grail quest and and the first four saxon books....your books totally blow me away, I enjoy them greatly....I can't wait till the new saxon book is finished, if you have even started it. I finished Sword Song in two days...I read your page about not requesting certain things and I truly understand but I do a have a question about something; was Genevieve an early example of Christians that didn't believe they needed a priest to talk to God or some saint, so was she part of the movement that lead to such forms of Baptist or Methodists seeing as how they believe they can speak to God directly? thank you for hearing my question.... Kevin

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I just finished Sword Song. I loved it and I am anciously awaiting the next book in the series. have you thought about writing anything about High King Brian Borou. I read a book about him called "The Lion of Ireland" by Morgan Llywelyn and would love to see your perspective on his life. please do not take this an idea for a story as the idea has already been used but I have fallen in love with your discriptive writing and would love to read something about him through your eyes. Kevin

Hope you are well, my good friend Paul squire is a big fan of yours, having collected all the Sharpe books over the years. He also enjoyed your Arthur Trilogy and was talking about it this morning. I have a question. He mentioned in one of the books a character talking about a religion 2000 years before the bible where someone died, was resurrected and had 12 disciples. This intrigued me, as Paul has told me that you base your books on fact as much as possible. What religion was this? I know that the Bible as we know it was cribbed from many other religions - Egyptian and Pagan stories to name but 2, but this sounded really interesting. All the best, I should really have a read of one of your books (sad Star Wars geek here!) Mark Newbold

Mr. Cornwell, first and foremost I must say that I am a huge fan of your writings and entirely agree with you with regard to my favourite books of yours, the warlord chronicles are, in my opinion, unparalleled for any novel or series of novels that I have read that encompass the murky transition from a Romano-British Society to the faction that you correctly called Englaland. As harsh as this may sound, I am not pleased for you with regards to the success of your Sharpe novels, and that is not a criticism for I have read, fully enjoyed and own all Sharpe novels, however, many people know you only for the exploits of Sean in the television series and I find it disappointing that people trudge through their literary lives without having absorbed The Warlord Chronicles, The Grail Quest and The 'Saxon stories' regarding Uhtred. Incidentally, my A-level history coursework was on the real life Uhtred, betrayed in 1016, one of your ancestors I believe and I have studied him further and the reign of Aethelred the 'Unraidy'. To summarise, I am a huge fan and eagerly await the next book after Sword Song and would dearly like to know some of the background reading you employed to obtain the knowledge of the Arthurian period prior to the writing of the Warlord Chronicles, aside from Roman historians as it is my belief that Gildas' views, while seemingly comtemporary can only be discarded when delving into the lifestyles of the true Britons, such as Derfel. Thank you for writing at a continually high standard and long may it continue. Your fan, Thomas. Ps: If you were to use a name akin to Thomas for a passing character in any possible future novels containing Uhtred, then I would be honoured to meet your ancestor and a man I have studied. To meet Uhtred in between the covers of your books would truly make my year and I eagerly await your reply.

I am a huge fan of all of your works and have a huge collection of your books. I have recently been enjoying the Saxon Stories. In Sword Song you hint that Uhtred's journey will continue. Will he go north? I look forward to reading any new works. Breffni