Your Questions

Hi Bernard, I've just finished reading the third in your 'Saxon Stories'. I've learned more about this period in our history than I ever did from all my history lessons at school! My problem is that I fail to see how Uhtred can escape the vengeance of the Church (or Alfred, for that matter)after slitting the throat of a defenceless priest in a church in front of a Bishop and King! Even by the standards of the dark ages, that takes some nerve. Given that you have already indicated that he lives to be over 80 (that would be 120 by todays values), you must have some exceptionally devious plot to keep him alive that long. Regards, John Stevenson. Salisbury. Wilts. PS. I'm off to visit the battlefield site at Ethandun tomorrow.

hello, I have just finished reading Lords of the North and cannot wait for Sword Song. I was hoping you might help clear up a couple of points for me. An often used phrase throughout the trilogy is that, "fate is inexorable". Its original translation is also used. I was hoping for some information on this, firstly what language is this and where did you find it? Secondly how does one pronounce it? many thanks for your time.
Henry

In 'the Pale Horseman' Uhtred's ship was re-named 'Fyrdraca'. Where did you come up with that name? My reason for asking is I am a Viking re-enactor and the first ship I was on (2nd owned by the group) was named 'Fyrdraca'. Was this a common name for Longships or was it something you thought up? you can see the ships old pictures at www.longshipco.org. Adrian Kraus

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am a great fan of your work. I confess that I haven't read everything you've written although I would like to say that I appreciate the hero you have given me with Richard Sharpe. I am an ex Army Engineer (NZ Army) and was an amateur napoleonic war gamer when I was at school. The Sharpe's Rifles series (I have them all except the short story releases) have really appealed to me and I have enjoyed them hugely... I've already read Sharpe's Rifles to death and have had to buy another one to replace my first copy. Anyway, the point to this is just to say Thank You very much. Actually, I do have another motive for contacting you... I was wondering if you had any plans to visit New Zealand at any stage. regards, Craig Haywood

Dear Mr. Cornwell I listen to books in my car. The first of yours I picked up was The Archer. Yes, I know you did not like the title the publisher chose, but I would not have picked up something titled "Harlequin". An excellent book, and well read. Then I discovered that some of your Sharpe books were read by Patrick Tull, who is the very best book-teller I have ever heard. I think even you would enjoy revisiting those of your books that he tells. So I am reading the books that my library does not have on CD, tape or MP3. And on your recommendation I went online to get Mrs. Pakenham's biography of Wellington. So far, it is interesting. So, thank you for these wonderful books. And, in closing, I must say that from reading Sharpe's Rifles, I don't think Mr. Sharpe was doing anything with the 95th for the Vimiero-Rolica campaign. But then, in Copenhagen most of what he did was not with the 95th, was it? Again, thank you. Ed Hume

Dear Bernard, While looking foward to Sword Song I was just curious if you could say what era, without giving any plot away, your next novel could be in ala Viking/Hundered years war etc, etc?? Also on another note while you have covered the green jacket units in the Peninsular I was wondering if you had ever thought of writing about the green jacket units in the American Revolution from the british perspective e.g Simcoes Rangers or Tarletons Legion????

And in reading Sharpe's Eagle it said that Simmerson was Tarleton's cousin. I wondered what his opinion of Simmerson would be and whether Sharpe could ever meet Tarleton they look like they could get on quite well?? Yours sincerely Geraint

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Just a quick question if I may? Now if Im right in thinking, during our Sharpe time period a Regiment/Battalion was commanded, (in theory) by a Colonel, who was in fact a General in the army. But, the actual commander of a Battalion was the Lieutenant Colonel. Now I may have missed this, as it has been a while since I have read your wonderful Sharpe novels but, who was the Colonel of the South Essex Regt? If memory serves the first Lieutenant Colonel was that prat Simmerson, then Lieutenant Colonel Lawford I believe, then that nice chap who got killed by Colonel Leroux in Sharpes Sword, then the little chap Lieutenant Colonel Girdwood, then Lieutenant Colonel Ford I believe, who bought it in Belgium, then finally Sharpe himself. But is there any mention to The South Essexs Colonel? P.S. Sorry, one other quick question. Do you know, when a Regiment had more then one battalion, who commanded each battalion. Did the Regiment have a Lieutenant Colonel for each of them do you know? Many Thanks for your time sir. Andrew

Dear Mr. Cornwell, A while ago, I asked you if you ever intended to have Major Sharpe meet Major Scovell. I confess I think I read through chapter four of 'Sharpe's Sword' a little too quickly for my own good, as a sufficient mention of the Major (then Captain) was given and very appropriately so. I was wondering if you have any plans to write a novel during the War of 1812?

David McColl

Mr.Cornwell your books are the best I've ever read. I never read your books before but now I can't put them down. Have you ever thought of making your Lords of the North series into a movie? The characters are awesome and the movie would be all alone in its genre. I just like talking to you about your books. your loyal reader, Kas.

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I read several of your books: Sharpe, Stonehenge, the Grail cycle, Arthurian books, and always found them very enjoyable. I read your Arthurian cycle twice, once translated into Italian, my native language, and once in English which is now my daily language since I now live in Texas. I enjoyed it thoroughly, both times, and if have even a small regret about it, that would be I know it is going to be very hard to read anything nearly as good, beg your forgiveness, even from yourself! Yes, I do plan to read your relatively newer Saxon stories and trust they will be a good reading too. I'd have so many questions I would like to ask, that I wish I could buy you a beer, or a coffee and enjoy some conversation. It will never happen, since there must be so many with a similar desire and only one Bernard! But if you ever stop by our local bookstore, unlikely as it may seem, you do have a coffee waiting for you! If it pleases you to answer, allow me just one question: when you start a new cycle, do you write the plot beforehand and then fill the gaps, or write as the story unfold, more freely in your mind? One of your affectionate readers, Christian B.