Search Results for Uhtred

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I have watched the Netflix Series The Last   Kingdom 5 times now, and am on my 2nd read through of the Saxon Stories,  and one thing always enters my mind at the beginning.

As you have the best insight to your characters' "minds", you are the best source to answer my question. What do you think Uhtred's father would think of Uhtred's accomplishments and the person he became? (The main Uhtred, as I know he was renamed when his brother was killed). Would he be proud of him? In the books, especially it seems he did not like his son all that much. Would he like, or even love, the man his son became?

Thank you for your time, and thanks for your Saxon stories. They have enriched my life greatly.

Douglas

Hello!

I just wanted to commend you and thank you for the great works you have provided. I started with your Saxon Stories and could not get enough of Uhtred. Most recent was The Grail Quest book's and loved those as well. Will we see Thomas again? Will he get his own Feast?

Your battle description has no rival. Always on the edge of my seat.

Again, thank you and I can't wait to dive into more stories and characters.

Jordan

Good evening Mr. Cornwell,

I hope all is well.

Thank you for making these stories. I understand your intention of ending Uhtred's story with the Battle of Brunanburh in Warlord.

Now some that some time has passed, are you/have you been tempted in further Uhtred novels? Do you have new ideas for stories that could be slotted in-between existing books similar to the Sharpe series or a brand new story based after Warlord?

Regards

James

Hello, I really like the use of the old place names in your Uhtred series. I am curious about the River Hedene (River Eden, Cumbria) & if this is indeed an old name for it or is as you confess, capricious? I have hunted on line for any verification and fine none, only the roman name Ituna, which I can't see that making its way to be the modern version of 'Eden'. Any light would be illuminating.

Thanks very much

Ruth

I, and so many fans would love to hear yuor take on the origins of the Staffordshire Hoard. Was it booty sold by the Mercian King Æthelred I,Reign: 675 – 704, who after his queen was murdered, built Bardney Abbey in her memory and retired there as Abbot. Did he sell all the gold and garnet warchest to some merchants who were waylaid and slaughted by his nobles, not knowing the treasure had been buried shortly before their attack, just off the Watling Way? This is Uhtred period history, and may explain how Mercia as the most powerful kingdom, defeating Kent and Northumbria, was overtaken by Wessex and English history changed for ever!

Stephen Pollock-Hill

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

Is the Rev. William Oughtred, who invented the slide rule and introduced the use of the letter “x” to indicate multiplication, an ancestor of yours?

There is now an Oughtred Society for those who collect slide rules. I wonder what Uhtred might make of this.

Sincerely,

Richard Reich

Greetings Mr Cornwell,

huge fan of your books! I have just reread your Uhtred novels (again) and wondering if you could ever be tempted to drag him and Benedetta on a pilgrimage to Rome? Uhtred’s lamentations on the marvels left behind by the Romans was such a powerful concept in the stories. Having achieved his life aim (and Alfred’s in the process) it would be great for him to walk amongst the ruins Rome itself. Even another short story if you are missing him?

 

Can’t wait to see whatever you are currently working on or thinking about working on!

 

Thank you for everything you have written and for being so approachable despite your workload!

 

Kind regards,

 

Nic

Dear Mr Cornwell,

Firstly thank you for your efforts to entertain me over the years which I have to say have been quite successful.. I am an avid reader and have read all your novels and and enjoyed them immensely with the exception of two (which I'll refrain form naming, you can probably guess). Having recently acquired "Sharpes Command", of course I had to start the series again from book one, which apart from the time involved is no hardship.  I then decided to revisit the Starbuck Novels, having forgotten that series ends in 1862 with many unanswered questions.

What happens Nate after Sharpsburg? What happens to Sally? Why does Lassan leave? (he has to) Do Sally and Truslow reconcile? does Belvedere Delaney get caught? How does Nate find Billy and inflict Rothwells revenge. How does Potter (my favourite) get back to his wife etc..........

I surmise that you have no plans to write another Starbuck, after so long a break.  I would love to know why. Didn't you like the characters? the story? the time period? didn't sell well? Or was it case of Uhtred taking over your life, he does have that effect.

best regards

 

Chris

Dear Bernard, greetings.

I hope this message finds you well.

Firstly I would like to thank you for sending me an autograph. I never believed I had an autograph from someone I admire immensely. I put it on a board next to the your books.

Having said that, I would like to ask you if it ever occurred to you to write a story set in one of the Great World Wars?

I wish you peace and good health. As our great friend Uhtred would say, destiny is all.

Smith Gomes

Hi, just finished gallows thief, great read. Whilst I begin to investigate your catalog wondering if you ever considered making Rider Sandman into a series? I used to work close to the artillery cricket ground; brought back memories.

Best

Matt Williams

 

Mr. Cornwell,

As a longtime fan I enjoy your successes--Uhtred is on NETFLIX!! --nearly as much as you must do.  Were I you, I'd have long since retired on my laurels.

However, I suspect I'm not alone in wondering what happened to Rider Sandman.  Had you written him as a two-dimensional goody two-shoes I'm sure I'd be content to imagine him safely married to Eleanor and avoiding drama with his horrible mother-in-law.

If spared, I hope to revisit Captain Sandman's fascinating life.  He seems a perfect bridge between Arthur Wellesley's (KG GCB GCH PC FRS) England and yours...

v/r,

Mike F

Lt Col, USAF (ret)

Hi Bernard,

I absolutely loved ‘Seven kings must die’ and will miss Uhtred hugely. Having communicated with you before , I’m aware that The Winter king’ series is due for release in England next year.  I hope that your wonderful stories are brought to life as vividly as The Last Kingdom Having passed Stonehenge many times on the A303 to London , I wonder if your novel of that name will ever be made into a film or series ?

David Gillbanks

 

Hello Bernard.

I have been a reader of your books over many years and thoroughly enjoyed following the Uhtred story from the very beginning. A minor point I have noticed; in several of the books are references to Uhtred handing out shilling coins - but the shilling was not introduced until the beginning of the sixteenth century in the reign of Henry V11. A silver penny, in use extensively throughout the eighth century would be worth very roughly £20 to £50 in today's currency so a shilling would have been worth anything from £240 to £600. Still; Uhtred would have been able to afford it!

Christopher Allen

Hello there! I first off want to start by saying I'm a huge fan of yours and will forever be grateful for The Last Kingdom series. I listen to them in the car over and over from first to last and they are absolutely incredible. I watched the show before I read the books and was also, obsessed. After I read the books though, I couldn't help but feel like the series was done an injustice. I always tell my fiance' that if the show had a budget the same as GOT or Vikings, it would be the best show to ever air on any platform ever, I felt the same way about the movie as well. I really don't want to sound ungrateful, but I wanted to ask your opinion on the matter. Do you think the show could have been better? Do you wish anything would have been done differently? I personally wish more than anything that they would have kept Sigtryggr alive and done a whole new season based off of War of the Wolf. That was such an amazing book and probably my favorite, aside from War Lord of course. The war at then end of War Lord was so beautifully written, I can see, hear, smell, and feel everything going during the battle of brunanburh, there is nothing else like it. Sorry for rambling, but yeah, how do you feel about the series/movie? What would you have done differently? What would you have liked to see brought to life? Thank you so much for taking the time! I hope this message finds you!

 

P.S. I CAN'T WAIT FOR UHTRED'S FEAST!

 

Ryan Dakhil

Dear Mr Cornwell

could you tell if you have any plans to write a short story novel of uhtreds adventures? I very much likes the ones in Uhtreds Feast

thanks

Robert

Dear Bernard Cornwell

 

I just wanted to say thank you

For being such an outstanding novelist,

You have the knack of leaving the reader, ( I listen to the audiobooks ) keen to know what happens next

 

Like many of your readers, I had not heard of you until Sharpe hit the screen, which I enjoyed immensely I then listened to the whole series of Sharpe, then the Sea stories, then the Harlequin, and I am now halfway through The Last Kingdom I’m beginning to wonder what I’m going to listen to when I have gone through all your books

 

I do like the main character idea

Sharpe, Uhtred, Thomas of Hookton

Uhtred I know was real, were the others based on real people? Or just a character for that book

 

May your ink never run dry Sir

 

Kind regards

Brian Stimpson

 

I have finished The Grail Quest Series, The Fort, Azincourt, Stonehenge, Waterloo and have now read of all of Uhtreds adventures. Sharpe next. I have started reading chronologically, Sharpe’s Tiger and Sharpe’s Triumph. Is this what you would recommend? Or does order of publication flow better. My interest was increased even further when I discovered that an ancestor of mine had served as an officer with Wellesley in India. He married an Indian Princess and sadly, he died while on their way back to Ireland with their many children.

Best regards,

David Cobbe

I have been like yourself having health issues which have stopped myself from dropping you a line to thank you so very much with the story of Uhtred's adventures which have kept me excitedly looking forward to the last episode of his life it was an excellent story & one I was deeply sad to see brought to it's end the T.V show was equally as good an well acted by the major stars who I was pleased to see waiting for him inside Valhalla's hall. Please can you tell me have you plans to write more only about his son & his adventures which were to follow? I am as ever one of you avid fans with every book you have written standing proudly in my collection of hardback books. If ever you come to Wales I would love to meet you in person over a drink to say thank you for the years of pleasure your books have given me & long may you continue your work.

Graham Nicholson

Hi,

I love history and have read pretty much all of your books. However, my standout favourites are the Starbucks Chronicles (as well as The Fort, the Grail Quest books, Azincourt and 1356). I’d been hoping you may pick them up after concluding the Uhtred series. So do you have any plans to revisit the Starbuck Chronicles? I’ve seen you’ve picked up Sharpe again, but would love to continue the story of the Civil War! Fingers crossed.

Thanks,

Steve

 

Hello Bernard,

I am an avid reader of your novels and have read all of your various series and most of your single books as well.  One series, that I have read several times, is the Rebel Series of 4 books. However, this tale has not been completed and I wondered if there was any likelihood of a further book/s to complete this story.

Best regards

Graham

I'm currently reading Cat Jansen's River Kings  which I know you enjoyed, "An astonishing and compelling triumph" according to you! i cant argue with that!  i''m loving it too! in your review, though you say the book taught you more than a dozen others.

the only thing is you've finished Uhtred, so its too late to use River Kings!

so, i was  curious about whether you've read any non-fiction books AFTER you've written a novel, that would have changed something, in Sharpe or Uhtred of Thomas of Hookton, in either a minor or major way, had you read first and wrote second?

Kind Regards

Matt in Kendall

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I would be interested in your thoughts on the actor chosen to play Uhtred in the TV series.

My own vision of Uhtred was of a FAR more masculine (and larger) man.

It made the series a little hard to watch and I have to say I enjoyed the books far more.

 

Kind regards,

Mak

Thank you, Bernard, for the Saxon saga. I’ve loved the Uhtred stories since the first, and I loved the last. A poignant and emotional ending on many levels – including the birth of England itself, of course. It’s perhaps a little sad that our origins remain obscure for most of us, so full credit for popularising what should really be essential and basic knowledge for the English people.

When you initially penned Uhtred of Bebbanburg, was it always your intention to culminate with the Battle of Brunanburh? My expectation, in the early days, was for the series to track the life and achievements of Alfred. I was delighted when it kept going. Did it take on a life of its own?

Awful as it is to interrupt a man’s well-earned retirement, but I think I speak for many, when I say we would love to read further books that plug into the series – possibly in the form of backstory – so that we can continue to enjoy reading about our favourite fictional Northumbrian? Or perhaps the trials and tribulations of his son?

Stephen Llewelyn

 

Hello,

Big fan of both The Last Kingdom as well as the Warlord Chronicles. In the Netflix adaptation of The Last Kingdom Uhtred has a tattoo on his back of Jormungandr. I don't remember him having one in the books but I might be mistaken. I know tattoos were popular amongst the Danes so it would make sense for him to have one. My question is do you think book Uhtred would also have a tattoo like this?

Ameen M Taha

At an early age I was told that William beat Harald (1066) because William's folk used stirrups and the Saxons did not. Much later during my fourth reread of the saga of Uhtred Ragnarson this moldy old concept came to mind. So what happened to all the Saxon stirrups between Uhtred and William? Did the Pope ban them as later the crossbows?

PS: I started with Sharpe and currently enjoy Uhtred's books the most. Thank you!

Paul Keller

Firstly thank you for The Last Kingdom series which I have read and seen the TV adaption. I have read all your books except the Sharpe series.

Can you please consider writing a book about William Marshall, The Greatest Knight. For someone who gave so much of his life to Kings, and so many heroic actions, he has been sadly neglected by history. He is another Uhtred of sorts. This is a story I know you can do justice to.

Lucy Neame

Greetings, Mr. Cornwell!

I enjoyed only your "The Last Kingdom" series so far and I'd like to ask why you didn't mention Osferth in the last 2 books? He appeared in "War of the wolf" for the last time and then he wasn't even mentioned during Aethelstan's struggle for the throne and the final battle of Brunanburh though he is Aethelstan's uncle,Uhtred's good friend and the hell of an amazing character. I loved him and I admire you.

Thank you!

Augustin

Good morning Sir,

Thank you for writing such fantastic series. One of our bookcases is entirely devoted to them be it with Sharpe, Uhtred Ragnarson, Nathaniel Starbuck or your Arthurian novels.

I am just finishing the 4th volume of the Starbuck  chronicles that “ended” in September 1862 at Antietam, published in 1996, with the hopeful message in your “history notes”  that Starbuck would march again.

However, even searching high and low, I can not find him. With regrets.

You are probably tired of being asked these questions but I would really appreciate it if you could confirm that you have laid Starbuck to rest forever, the remaining 3 years of that American conflict being too repetitive for another good plot ? And yet….

I have, thanks to you Sir, actually delved into that period of American history with relish, visiting, with google maps and Wikipedia, the various locations and people described in detail in your tales.

I hope the present ghastly “ woke “ movement that is stupid enough to want to rewrite history and unseat statues is not the main reason for your silence.

Being French and Cartesian-minded, I wish people would come to their senses and stop their idiotic useless “crusades” that only belittles them.

Funnily enough Le Figaro, a French national newspaper, this weekend published or allowed me to read an article about young French “observers” of noble stock who joined McLellan army and were utterly bored for not allowed to join the fray, amongst them the 24 year old comte de Paris.

Wishing you a very happy New Year, and hoping that indeed Starbuck may march again, I remain, yours faithfully.

Elisabeth Ashworth

 

Greetings, Mr. Cornwell.

First, I hear you had some health issues. Hope you feel better by now.

I have the annoying habit of underestimating certain time periods. I guess I created a certain resistance towards them out of pure arrogance and the consequence is the complete disregard of the books that take place on those timeframes. I should say that my favorites are ancient (not a time specifically but you get the point) and medieval. So my knee jerk reaction is to not even check them out.

I do that frequently and very seldom I change my mind and pick the poor books up. I confess I´ve done this to some of your books.

I was absolutely and immediately captivated by the Grail Quest and Uhtred series. But Sharpe, Warlord and Gallows Thief were completely ignored, until very recently in the case of the last two (I did a 180 on Sharpe a long time ago). I breezed through Warlord and enjoyed Gallows Thief very much - I know you don´t have any more books planned on this but you´ll have a supporter if you change your mind.

The reason for all this rambling is that I wanted to congratulate and commend you on your abilities. It´s astonishing how well you can do research and create a story about so different periods of time.

 

You´ve said before that your favorite time period is the Napoleonic Wars and of course you focus on English history. Do you like any other time periods? Any other cultures? Enough to write about them?

 

Thanks for all the reading hours you provided and please, please keep writing.

Tiago

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I am a Bit unhappy to start a message with some kind of sentences that you for sure did read so much often that they can seem not to be more than mere phrases, but anyway I need go use them too. Because I indeed do admire your books and I love it how your way of writing catches me in a way that it is difficult to put a book to the side.

I came quiet late into the joy of  your books. I've seen the last kingdom on Netflix, and then got to know that they are based on your books. Tür rest is history... I read all the Uhtred books, then Sharpe, and Starbuck I have in front of me. But for one thing I am happy to have started that "late" with Sharpe. I had the joy to can read more than 20 books in a row.

Did you ever had the idea, to let Sharpe getting into contact with Hornblower? I read this books too, but already some while ago... You stated that one of the idea roots for Sharpe has been to create something like "Hornblower" on land. Or do you have even a plan to do so?

I don't know how difficult this maybe could be, because of copyright reasons... But they are placed in the same period of time, both are connected to the duke of Wellington and there been missions that brought Hornblower close and/or on shore. Like for example the siege of Riga and the following Tauroggen Convention. I guess not only I would love a meeting of them.

I can't  hold my self, out of patriotic reasons, to ask you one more question. Is there a chance to see Sharpe taking part in the battle of Leipzig? I know, für British detachement was very small, but Sharpe "shows" some affaction to the Congreve Rockets, and who could better and more ruthless use them to the maximum effect.

However...

With kind regards and best wishes from Hamburg

Sincerely

Oliver Wetzel

 

I realise you may already be aware of this, and that you may have already ruled it out but on the off chance that you are not and have not I wanted to point something out.

Hornblower enters the public domain in about 10 years.

Personally I cant imagine anything more fun to read than a Sharpe/Hornblower crossover.

Perhaps a short story, perhaps with both of them as older men. Who knows.

You're the only person who can do this.

Thank you.

Gary Devine

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

First I would like to say that I really enjoy all of your writings. I have a question dealing with The Last Kingdom series. I seem to recall in one of the books (not sure which) Uhtred talking about arm-rings and Thors hammers and there importance to warriors. He spoke of taking them off of notable enemies he has fought and vanquished. I swear I read that in one novel he had the hammers of the vikings he's defeated integrated into the bottom links of his chain mail to be imposing to his enemies (just like arms full of arm-rings). Please clarify if I have read this correctly. It has become quite a debate between a friend who has also read the series and I. Thank you so much for your time. SKAL!

Michael

My question which period of history do you find easier to set you books in? Is it the Sharpe era where the movements of the armies and the development of the battle are well known and hence give structure to the storey. Or is the Uhtred time where the details are less well, or even unknown to allow you more freedom to develop the plot lines as you wish?

Bob Wood

Mr Cornwell,

having recently been reminded of your friendly chat with Mr GRR Martin (now some years in the past, yet I still keep wondering what sort of havoc your characters might wreck, handed actual dragons - the image of Lord Uhtred with his very own living flamethrower is one to make any peaceable soul shiver), I was then somehow moved to wonder:

What sort of person would you be most interested in writing about, were you to write a story set in the Middle Ages that did not follow the Men of War? (This question might more elegantly be phrased as "What aspects of Medieval society outside wartime do you find the most inherently interesting?").

Now that I consider this question, it occurs to me that the connection between your chat with Mr Martin and this particular query might well be the notion of "Mr Bernard Cornwell off the beaten track" (one hopes this is not too insolent a way to phrase things and can only apologise if it is).

Thank You in advance for your consideration and Best Wishes.

E D

I just finished War Lord. I am sorry that we will hear no more from Uhtred but can understand why his time is done.

I was, however, intrigued by the historical events which War Lord covered. The site of Brunanburh battle was of interest as I grew up in the Wirral and have family there. I am just curious why this battle has not received the same attention as others in our history. We hear about Hastings, Bosworth, Culloden but nothing on Brunanburh. I played many rounds of golf at Brackenwood before moving to Australia, without realising that a significant historical event had taken place there. In fact, I was not aware of that event until recently. I feel ashamed that I studied English history to A level at school and am now, at the advanced age of 68, only just finding out about an event that actually happened in the neighbourhood where I grew up. As you say, this event was as significant as the Battle of Yorktown to the history of the USA.

Just as an FYI, I grew up in Prenton and the Roman road mentioned in War Lord I assume is one which runs close by the M53 near to Prenton Golf Course. Am I right?

Chris Stubbs

I’ve just re-read the first few volumes of the Uhtred series.  (Actually, this time I listened to them as audiobooks.)  It seems to me there’s a sometimes a curious threefold perspective that the reader has to engage in.  I wonder if you’d agree.

I’m thinking of the religious/philosophical conceptions.  So the death of King Edmund jumps to mind.  It’s re-imagined as a dare, and this is a bold and imaginative idea, and what the reality—which is inaccessible to us—was doesn’t matter.  The point is: what can be created out of what we have?  I think that’s an interesting approach, and already familiar from, for example, Robert Graves’s I Claudius.  (In truth, Claudius was likely as much of a thug as anyone at the time, but imagine that he wasn’t, and you get an interesting tale out of it.)

So the triple perspective—there’s the view of the nature of life and reality that Christian Anglo-Saxons might have taken; there’s the view that Pagan Northmen might have taken—and actually those are closer than might at first seem—but then there’s a third view.  This isn’t directly expressed in what anyone says but is situational: it’s the authorial view and it’s there in what happens within the action.  For both Saxons and Northmen the world is an “enchanted” place in which the marvellous can and does happen.  And they’re not necessarily hostile to each other’s conceptions (although some characters in the books can be).  The Danes are people who might be converted in the Saxon view.  To the Vikings, Christianity is perhaps, as the Swedish historian Anders Winroth has suggested, as much as anything, like silver, another exotic and prestigious possession richer cultures further south have that might be worth acquiring.  But the Dark Age Scandinavian warband, with that very practical, laconic attitude that one sees in the poem Havamal, thinks to put things to the test and see what happens.  King Edmund, when he sees how things are unfolding, would rather back out but can’t because (a) he’d lose face and (b) his captors wouldn’t let him.  Is Edmund’s faith wavering when push comes to shove and he has to _really_ think about it?  Or is it that he reflects that he’s been told God “moves in mysterious ways” and can’t be ordered to do this or that, and that God arranges what’s best from the Divine point of view, but that that may not be what he, King Edmund, would wish for?  High drama.  What a situation!

But there’s also the situational viewpoint, the view the author has, I take it—correct me if I’m wrong—this is that miracles don’t happen and Edmund must and will get it in the neck everything being as it is.  And so I think we see the situation simultaneously from three viewpoints at once.

Michael

I have read (many several times) all of your books, save the latest Sharpe - that one I own but am rereading the Sharpe books now. Two questions/suggestions really -

1 - I think Uhtred the younger, probably now lord of Bebbenburg is an interesting character, and there is much of interest still happening before the Norman conquest - would you consider some books from the death of Athelstan until the invasion by William the Norman?

2 - would you consider a story set in the American west from just before the Mexican war until maybe 1900? we have some starting point documents if you are interested. Thank you for so much reading enjoyment

Mike Brady

I hope you won't be embarrassed by having an octogenarian fan, who incidentally was a fan of the real Richard Sharp 60 years ago! I have just read “Sharpe’s Assassin” – delighted he’s back!

I have also finished "War Lord" but the Epilogue was a bit previous (the appropriate northern expression). Æthelstan died in 939 just two or three years after the Battle of Brunanburgh. Olaf Guthfrithson returned to Eoferwic (York) as King of Northumbria and then conquered 5 boroughs of Mercia. After Olaf’s death in 941 Æthelstan’s brother and successor Edmund took back the 5 boroughs, then in 944 Northumbia, thus becoming the second King of Englaland.

And how did Olaf die? At the hand of Uhtred? And how did Edmund succeed? Impossible without the active assistance of Uhtred, but which Uhtred? Is Uhtred Ragnorson either too old or dead? Or is his son Uhtred Uhtredson the new Lord of Bebbanburgh? He was the “I” in the Prologue of “The Empty Throne” and been prominent in subsequent events?

I am sure that you already have these idea so I am not suggesting but requesting you make them your next priority. I was always disappointed that George Macdonald Fraser died before he had completed The Flashman Papers. You are younger than and I’m sure will outlive me, but I would be equally disappointed you had not completed the Saxon series before I die.

Richard Faber

 

Hello,

This is a question I've had since I recently finished the Saxon Stories. In the last few books, Uhtred spends more and more time pondering his childhood. More specifically, he talks about advice his father gave him about war and strategy. It may have been me not reading close enough, but I cant tell which father he is talking about. Is it Uhtred or Ragnar? Both? I don't ever remember Uhtred talking about his birth father like he was an amazing leader, it always felt more like he was good but not great. Whereas Ragnar was portrayed as more of a warlord of legend. If you could clear this up I'd greatly appreciate it.

Ameen

Hi Bernard,

Hope you are well? I recently listened to sharpes assain during a work trip and found my love for him reignited after focusing on uhtred for a long period.

First of all i wanted to comment on how amazing your research is and if you knew that the historical community holds you research in high regard? I was actually allowed to reference your historical epilogue for sharpe's honour as a source in one of my history assignments at University.

Secondly did sharpe ever tell jane the real cause of her brothers death? I know they wouldn't whilst he was in love but did he ever let it slip subtly at some point during there estrangement?

Jim

Good morning sir,

I have enjoyed your Sharpe and Saxon series VERY much. I see many similarities between Uhtred and Sharpe. Their military prowess (and perpetual luck) is matchless in their own stories. Who do you suppose would be the superior warrior between the two? Let's suppose that both are in their prime and fully geared for battle. If Sharpe was to be transported from the skirmish line into Mercia as Uhtred is patrolling (but not already in danger), and they both decide that the other is a threat, what happens? Would one win, or would they expertly beat each other to a pulp, then ironically become close friends?

Thank you for all that you do!! Have a great day.

 

-Michael

Good morning, Mr. Cornwell!

I'd like to know, what happened to the Uhtred family in the next centuries (12-20) of history? How long did this family hold Bebbenburg/Bamburg?

Thank You.

András Kiss from Hungary.

Mr. Cornwell,

Out of curiosity, what do you envision is the time frame between the end of The Winter King series (Derfel as an old monk) and the beginning of The Saxon Stories (Uhtred as a child)?

Thank you!

Caroline

I have loved The Last Kingdom series (I wish there was one more book honestly to wrap it up).  Are there plans or have you thought of writing a book about Uhtred's ancestor that first came to Bebbanburg (as Uhtred mentions in the series)?

Craig Johnston

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I first wanted to say thank you for you amazing books. I loved the Saxon Tales and Uhtred is a great character, but Sharpe is one of my all time favorite characters and the Napoleonic era is one that fascinates me. After finishing Sharpe’s Assassins, I listened to your interview with Dan Snow on HistoryHit podcast and you said you’d like to do more on Sharpe. I was wondering if you’d ever go back to Sharpe’s first campaign in Flanders in 1793 under the Duke of York. I know this campaign was a disaster in many ways for the British, but I’d love to read about Sharpe’s first days in the army. I also must say Id love to see  the Duke of York as a main character, I found your portrayal of his brother the Prince Regent to be one of the best moments in the whole series. I was laughing out loud reading his sections. Julian Fellowes was amazing in the series too. Did you have as much fun writing those parts as I did reading them?

Last question is if you’d ever think of delving into Marlborough’s time and his campaigns against Louis XIV? I could see you having a lot of fun writing Queen Anne as you did the Prince Regent.

Thank you again for your books I have the Grail Series on my shelf I just purchased and will read as soon as I finish a biography of Edward III I’m reading.

Thank you

Jack Tilghman

Hi Bernard,

hope life is good..

I've noticed Uhtred increasingly looks for omens, and by War of The Wolf he's more superstitious than previously.

By the time he prepares to take revenge on Skoll he's searching for omens everywhere, and feels cursed.

What was it do you feel that is making Uthred increasingly superstitious? Could it be his increased age and a sense of judgement day approaching?

I find it fascinating how you have given your character such depth that there is a sense of increased vulnerability within him..

This is one of the finest series of historical novels I've read.

Thanks so much for writing them.

Best wishes

Toby

 

 

 

Hiya, I have been thoroughly enjoying reading The Saxon Chronicles. I am currently on The Burning Land.  I like to read each novel deeply, paying really close attention and sometimes rereading parts. Everything has made perfect sense to me throughout all the books so far but I just have a few questions. Why was Uhtred’s horse called Smoca in Sword song but Smoka in The Burning Land? Also in The Burning Land it says that Haesten had escaped him 5 years before so I’m assuming there is a 5 year gap between book 4 and 5.  However Osbert Uhtred and Gisela’s 3rd child is only 2 years old and she was pregnant at the end of Sword Song, it does not mention timescale that seems not to align. I would be most appreciative if you could clarify.

Louisa Lennen

Mr. Cornwell!

My curiosity had grown too great, so I had to ask- are you aware of the profound inspiration the tv series of Last Kingdom has had on the Milwaukee Bucks organization in the NBA, specifically Jrue Holiday? Holiday has taken it on himself to evangelize his teammates to watch the show. It’s taken a strong root in the meme culture of the team right now as it makes another playoff runs, destiny is all, t shirts with players super imposed on the shield walls- the whole thing has been featured in local news and recurring in social media many times over.

I’m a Milwaukee resident (and lifelong Bucks fan) so to see this intersection of two beloved interests was an auspicious and unexpected delight. If the tales of Uhtred and company can help spark my team to back to back league championships, I will owe you an even larger debt of gratitude beyond your wonderful writings.

-Sean, a Bucks fan-

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I've devoured the books of the Last Kingdom Series.  I've admired the brilliant way in which you have developed the storylines, and with them the carefully constructed characters of the protagonists and their interactions.  These have formed powerful images and expectations in my mind: Uhtred, Brida, King Edward, Stiorra, Sigtryggr, Father Prylig, King Constantine, and so many more ... I know it's just fictionalised history but ... Where did second son Uhtred get to?  Why have not only the storylines but also the characters been steered so fundamentally off-piste by Series 5?  What was wrong with what you had so meticulously crafted?

Yours sincerely,

Simon Mainwaring

 

Mr. Cornwell,

I love historical fiction (and non fiction) and you have become a favorite author. Uhtreds story is the first one I ever read, but I’ve read Sharpe and the series about the archer too. I also read the one about Shakespeare.

I have enjoyed The Last Kingdom on Netflix, but as it always happens, it falls short of the books. I was wondering if you have ever thought of having it made into an anime cartoon series? I could see the Japanese liking the story. It’s just an idea I had and I really think it might be very successful. For one thing, your characters can be illustrated or computer animated to be exactly as you made them. I think the Mad Bishop would be a wonderful cartoon character. The old animated Hobbit turned out better than that farce of a movie they put out a couple years ago. Anyway, thank you for your consideration and time and your wonderful stories.

Lindsey Wehr

 

I just heard that you Uhtred the Bold is part of your ancestry, as he is mine. Ealdhun is my maternal grandfather about 31 generations back. Watching the show has me digging deep into my ancestry and learning so much. I look forward to reading you r books and have told my brother about it as well as he is a much more expeditious reading than me.

Could I ask how Uhtred fits into your family tree? Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

Bradley Conley

 

Hello there, and thank you for so many many hours of being able to lose myself In your magnificent storytelling. I'd just like to ask whether your own initial image of any character has changed after seeing an actor casted as a character in the TV adaptations. I know from myself, I read all the Sharpe books with a certain image in my head for Richard Sharpe himself, and initially found it strange seeing Sean Bean as this character. However, as the time has gone by, I don't think there has ever been an actor so suited to  role, or even actors suited to the roles for Richard Sharpe and Patrick harper. Oh and Dan Hagman,  also I found was incredible casting.

I struggle a little more with the casting of Alexander Dreymon for Lord Uhtred.  I don't know why, regardless of the amazing job he has done bringing him to life, I just imagine Uhtred as a larger, fair haired hold giver.

 

Many thanks.

Mathew Phillips

Wyrd bid ful araed

Mr. Cornwell,

I very much enjoyed the series, but one thing that perplexed and disappointed me was that Uhtred's patron(ess) disappears without a trace somewhere in the middle of the series and we never learn how he makes it to the monastery(?) where he presumably spends his final days, or at last writes his memoirs.  Why did you decide to abruptly terminate the frame story, if I may ask?

Alex Relyea

 

Dear mr. Cornwell.

I have finished your well told story about your ancestor Uhtred, with love.

You say that you tell the story of the birth of England. As I see it, the battle of Brunanburh, is the moment when the seed 'England' is planted. Every thought about England, before Brunanburh is just dreams about planting a seed.

Two danish kings - Swein Forkbeard and Canute the Dane - came to the English shore and if Harthacanute, son of Canute the Dane and Emma of Normandy, didn't screw it up, England would still have been a part of Denmark today.

The Danish dream of the English throne, was finally extinguished in 1066 at Hastings. By my knowledge, Wilhelm was a hard lord, who took a lot of Saxon properties, so how can it be, that the lord of Bamburgh Castle could keep their property after 1066?

PLEASE, mr. Cornwell, finish the story about the Oak tree, that is known today as England. let your ancestors, the sons of Uhtred, tell the story!

With hopefull regards, Jens Eggert - a fan of a great Skald!

 

Reading this book (The Pagan Lord) again and noticed you make a brief mention of Kettil and Eldgrim having a friendship going "far beyond mere liking" and Uhtred threatening anyone who questioned it (very progressive for a 10th century Lord!).  Are we to assume they were lovers?  If so I think may be the only time in your books you have included a gay character, at least that I can recall.  Was this common in this era, I cannot imagine the Christian Saxons approving!

Chris Horry

Hello Bernard! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to ask you a question about Ragnar (Uhtred's adopted father). Would Ragnar have been saddened to see Uhtred and Brida become bitter enemies? Especially because he had once intended for them to be married.

Best regards,

Joshua from Ohio.

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I'm writing to you from Germany just to tell you, what a great Story you've been telling over the years. Starting in 2004, the first part was published here in 2007, guess i followed it since then or maybe 2008.

What was it, that made this story to be more than just another viking story? Well, i call it the speed. It was the undertone, the story was told in every single part. It began with the tone of an old man and his first memories of childhood were fury and fast, just as childhood can be. Followed by the tone of a young man (testosterone heavy) in the next parts and going on. Uhtred getting older, getting settled, getting self-assured. I never found this anywhere else. Great thing, thank you, Mr. Cornwell.

Well, just finishing the last part in 2021, i recognised on tv, that in Bamburgh castle there was found an old sword dating back to the 7th century. Found by Brian Hope- Taylor in 1960 and refound after his death in 2001. Well, this sword is unic but it was never mentioned in the saxon series. Wasn't it? I guess, news about it were published after the series was out. What i really would like to know from you: How does this feel?

I mean, imagine someone getting this story on paper. The many strong and wild characters, the places, the weapons... Serpentbreath... Negotiations with publishers, the initial release and then you realise, there was a sword buried in that castle and it was not any sword, it was made of six strings, not four, a sensation of that time and of our time, it isn't older than Serpentbreath could have been but so outstanding, that anybody must ask: "How come, that Uhtred doesn't knew??", it has found no place in that story..... I'm not mocking at you, please don't get me wrong. That's what i felt. How was it to you? Did you felt like it is in a way ironic?

 

All the best, stay healthy

Ulrich

 

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I have always loved how the Uhtred books explore  the juxtoposition of Christianity and older Pagan (for want of a better word) beliefs. Have you ever considered a book about Penda of Mercia? As "the last pagan king in england" I've always been fascinated by his (barely recorded) story. A Pagan Angle allied with the Waelisc and bearing a brythonnic name raises all sorts of possibilities!

Dave Crook

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I'm still a huge fan of your books, and just now got to finishing the Saxon series. In War Lord, Uhtred counts Egil as his only ally and not even once mentions Sithric and all of Dunholm's might. So I'm just wondering what happened to Sithric?

Kind regards

jonas

Your work has been of interest over the years and I have read some of your material (to about the fifth book?). It helps stir my own interest in the matter as well as my own family history, which I thank you for.

 

I write you today to ask about the family of Ravn and Ragnar the Fearless. Is this family, or anyone in it based on historical men/women? I cannot find such an answer online. Many seem to think that you fabricated Uhtred even, but as far as I can tell he is based on Uhtred the Bold and is directly related to you, thus your inspiration for the story.

 

Thanks for your time and work!

Tyvar Ingeberht

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I'd like to start by saying I am a huge fan and you are my favorite author. I'm an avid reader and love historical fiction and you are just the best. I've read most of your books (I'm working my way through the Sharpe novels rights now) and have gone through the Uhtred and Thomas of Hookton series twice.

I have a bit of a personal question for you... and feel free to ignore me! I've noticed that you do so well with the religion of your characters. Uhtred is a worshipper of Thor and Odin in a Christian world. Thomas of Hookton is an educated bastard. Sharpe is essentially and atheist and yet can be very superstitious and believes in fate. The most evil of all your characters are the very strict and legalistic priests, especially the Dominicans who torture Thomas. And some of your best characters are the priests who know how to compromise (like Pyrlig and Beocca).

Here is the question: What is your personal religious background and belief? I have wondered this for years and you clearly are well versed in Catholic and Anglican belief systems. Super personal and probably offensive to ask, but I am a Christian myself and would love to know.

Thomas Allen

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I am Giacomo Cecchin, one of his passionate Italian readers.

I am writing to thank you for Sharpe's latest story: it is truly magnificent.

I missed Richard Sharpe and Patrick Harper, and although I have strong sympathies for Boney and the French, I find them really interesting.

I just add two things:

1) The feature that I like most about Sharpe is that he is a 3D character that is not perfect: he gets angry, kills and does everything that an English officer of his time would have done (and maybe even something more ).

2) Will there be more Sharpe stories? maybe he can't tell me but I'd like to read more and who knows if Sharpe doesn't decide to go to Italy too. In this regard: have they ever contacted you from Mantua to participate in Festivaletteratura www.festivaletteratura.it ? Meeting you would be a dream come true for me.

Thanks for everything you wrote (I loved the Grail trilogy very much) and best regards.

Giacomo Cecchin

 

Mr. Cornwell,

I’m a great admirer of your novels. I think, to date, I’ve read all of them. I just finished (“devoured”) your latest “Sharpe’s Assassins” in two days flat. I’m a history buff and I’ve learned quite a bit of history through your novels. I particularly enjoy the historical notes at the end of each of your historical novels where you set the record straight. I a curious to know if we will see Sharpe and Uhtred again or maybe you will present us with a new hero/character in a new series???

John Balian

Hi Bernard -

I am Chris, a 32 year old aspiring writer from Canberra, Australia. I found your work a couple of years ago when TLK first made it onto Netflix and immediately started to tear through the written series (loved the last one by the way, Fantastic!). I am currently writing a fantasy series, that started out as a Historical Fiction and evolved from there. I have been re-reading your TLK series again for inspiration, I'm taking more time this read through to focus on arcs, particularly the friendships of Uhtred with Leofric and also Brida. But mainly I find it difficult to write fight scenes. I find you are able to describe them so effectively, and your work has helped me to improve in this area so much! I was wondering, when you write a fight scene, do you have a process for planning the fight out before you start to write? Do you play it out physically with somebody else, or some other process to visualise the action, or are you able to come up with it as you go just with an end result in mind?

Appreciate you taking the time to read this

Again, love your work Mr Cornwell, thank you so much for all the inspiration and countless hours of entertainment!

With regards -

Chris Edwards.

Dear Sir,

I have much enjoyed the Uhtred series, all the way to The War Lord.

I am left with a vexing question - why is Gisela never mentioned as being in Valhalla, as opposed to all the lords Uhtred fought with and against? Are women excluded?

All the best,

Marie-Claire Perrault

Dear Mr Cornwell

 

Thank you very much for your books. I've just finished reading the Saxon Chronicles, and I'm very grateful for all that time I spent with lord Uthred and King Alfred the Great. Before reading your books I had no idea about the role of King Alfred in creating the English kingdom. Now he is one of my favorite historical characters and I'm very proud of the fact that Wessex royal dynasty (Alfred's legacy) was connected with Rurikids by princess Githa who, as you may know, found the new home in Rus and became the first wife of grand prince Monomakh.

 

My actual question is about the Uhtred way of thinking. Just like Galahad in Arthur books Uhtred thinks the world falling into darkness as he is surrounded by ruins of roman civilization which cannot be restored by Saxons or Vikings.

 

But what would he think about Constantinople if he had a chance to see that magnificent city?

 

In the times of Uhtred Constantinople was a capital of the Byzantine empire, it was still a great Roman city. It was also a center of eastern Christianity. The sight of Hagia Sofia and other churches inspired russian prince Vladimir to choose the Orthodox faith. So what would be Uhtred's and maybe Derfel's or Galahad's impression? Would these characters change their pessimistic point of view?

 

Please excuse my English. I don't have enough practice in Russia.

 

Best Regards,

Dmitry from Moscow.

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I have recently started reading your books on Anglo-Saxon England with Uhtred. In one of your interviews about your book War Lord, you mentioned that you read a lot Saxon poems.

I was curious what poems these would be? I'm developing a deep fascination for the Saxon era and wish to learn more about the stories from that time.

Thankyou very much for your time and hope you are keeping safe in these crazy times.

Kind Regards,

Max Tatton

Dear Bernard

I have read and loved all the books of Uhtred. thank you so much for creating them and bringing to life a period history that I barely knew existed.  I'd love to learn more.  Could you recommend a history book that would cover the early history of England. Maybe a few hundred years either side of the period you've written of. Or even a bigger book! if there is some thing wonderful.

Thank you again

Best Regards

Aziz

Hi Bernard,

 

Longtime fan of the books and TV series of both Sharpe and Uhtred.

 

Just finished Assassin - thanks!

 

Have you read my favourite novel "The Skystone" by Jack Whyte which tells the beginning of the Arthurian legend?

 

Regina

Hi there!

I'm currently re-reading the Saxon Tales and I recall you stating that you have direct lineage to the family of Uhtred of Bebbanburg and I was very curious as to how you were able to track your ancestry! I have been attempting to track my ancestry for years but I can only find definitive records as far back as the sixteenth century. I find it so interesting that you're able to connect yourself to a family from a millennia ago!

Sarah Whitaker

Dear Bernard,

I have two questions (if that’s allowed). I’ll keep it short. One is sensible, one is.. not so sensible. The sensible question:

The battle of Hastings, has it ever been or ever will be in your plans as either a stand alone novel or series?

The not so sensible question:

A prime Uhtred of Bebbanburg and a prime Richard Sharpe are drinking in the same tavern. They get into a brawl. Who are you putting your money on?

Best wishes,

Luke

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I do not know how to begin this message, but I felt compelled to contact you. I am a 23 year old male from Houston Texas and I have fallen in love with your Saxon Tales series. I am an engineer by profession, but I have always loved history and reading and I have never experienced a series of books that interest me so much. Your series has quickly become my favorite of all time. I am currently on book 11 in the series and I look forward to reading it every night before bed. The way you show the progression of Uhtred's life in a realistic way I find very interesting. I feel like I am actually sitting and listening an elder tell me a story about his warrior days. It makes me sad to hear in passing from Uhtred when a character like Beocca or Ragnar the younger. However, I do appreciate this way of informing the reader of their deaths because it makes it feel more realistic. Most people in real life do not go out with a dramatic sword to the back. I do have a question about Odda the elder. I apologize if I have missed this, but I do not recall a resolution to his character in the books. What happened to Odda the elder?

I could write all day about things that I like about the series,  My favorite book so far is still the very first one.

Thank you,

Michael Diaz

Hi, Bernard.

Over the years I have been an avid reader of almost all your books. It all started with a given book of one of the Sharpe's series. I especially enjoyed your books that had characters of the "Long Bowmen". This has led me on a crusade to form some study of the Bow. It seems incredible that the big war bows had a pull of 130lb plus. Now I have a question that you may have heard of the answer to. It refers to the "Bodkin arrow". It was said that it could pierce plate armour, But to do this it had to hit directly square, otherwise it would glance off. In 2011 I was on holiday in Northern Ireland & visited Carrickfergus castle in Belfast. On display there is a collection of some long bow equipment containing Bodkin Arrows. I entered into a discussion with the curator there & we talked about the arrows. I mentioned about them having to hit square to penetrate, otherwise glancing off. He said that they overcame this problem by putting a small ball of wax on the tip & this evidently solved the problem. Have you ever heard of this in your researches?

I would like to thank you sincerely for many hours of fascinating reading & a great deal of history lessons. I have just finished the final book in the Uhtred  of Bebbanburg, "War Lord". I hope Netflix make it the final to the :Last Kingdom Series"

Kind Regards,

Dave Green.

Hi,

I just finished reading the Saxon Chronicles, although I tend to think of them as the Uhtred Saga. I would love additional books about Uhtred, Finan or really anything regarding the Anglo-Saxons, Danelaw, Vikings in Britain, etc; however, I recognize you have previously said you're unsure about that.

 

My actual question is about things you mention in your historical notes: that the pre-Norman conquest history of England is often overlooked, even in England. I was wondering if you have any idea why that is?

 

In high school (USA) I had a literature class where we read Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and the Canterbury Tales (all translated to Modern English). One of the things I liked about that class was that it was as much about the historical context as the literature itself, which is also why I appreciate that you include a historical note with each novel!

 

Take care,

Liam

Loved the Last Kingdom series from the first book to last and it has inspired my thirst knowledge of all things late Anglo-Saxon period. Just reading Marc Morris' superb new(ish) book "The Anglo-Saxons" and in the section about Athelstan he refers on several occasions to an "Ealdred of Bamburgh" - especially in respect of the gathering in Cumbria that Athelstan integrated. Is this same person as Uhtred? Is Ealdred merely an alternative name for Uhtred in AS times? Intrigued as Michael Wood also referred to the same event in one of his TV programmes and clearly referred to "Uhtred of Bamburgh (or Bebbanberg).

Phil Whitehead

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

 

I'm currently reading "The Flame Bearer" (Saxon Stories, Book #10).

 

In the last couple of books in this series, as Uhtred ages, it occurred to me that he's like Odysseus - a great warrior, but as likely to outwit his adversaries as to outfight them,  always trying to get home (Bebbanburg), etc.

 

Did Odysseus cross your mind at all as you created Uhtred and plotted his journey through life?

 

Thank you for decades of wonderful books and countless hours of reading pleasure!

 

Sincerely,

 

Susan

Hi Bernard,

as a 13 yr kid watching Sharpe got me into your books. I have at 41 started re-reading the books in chronological order, I feel that there is room for a new series. I am currently watching Rifles and feel that after reading India, Denmark, Trafalgar etc, that sorting put a new series would be awesome (sure you get this all the time).

Telling the story of Sharpe from his Origins (as a kid) to an officer would inspire a new generation of young people. Sharpe epitomises the struggles of society that still echoes today. Add in new elements and it could be modernised to a certain extent.

Please tell me a new Sharpe could be in the offing (though replacing Bean, would be hard)?

Well I don’t expect a response, but I hope in the future a new Sharpe series could be done with anyone but Netflix (don’t have a subscription) not caught up with Uhtred since it moved from BBC.

Carry on writing and even after 28 yrs

These books still resonate.

Steve Millar

Hey Bernard,

Over the past few months I've started reading your last kingdom series, its been a major driving force in reading becoming a big hobby for me. I just recently finished Warriors of the storm so I don't have many books left to go until the end!

One of my favorite recurring characters so far has definitely been Haesten but I guess I won't be seeing him anymore! I was curious did you always plan for him to die in the way he did? I was hoping he would last until the end of the series and become one of Uhtred's final challenges, especially until at least this point I think he was the most recurring antagonist and always managed to find a way to escape.

I also recently took a trip to Chester while reading Warriors of the storm so it was really interesting to be able to walk along the roman wall and then have characters mention it in the book.

I also loved the final confrontation between Cnut and Uhtred, the whole battle was so intense and the ending to Pagan Lord has been my favorite so far.

At least up until the point I am at in the series there always seems to be a one on one fight at the end of each book, without giving spoilers past Warriors of the storm if possible what are your favorite 1 on 1 confrontations you have written?  My two personal favorites are Ragnar vs Kjartan & Uhtred vs Cnut.

I'm excited to finish off reading the rest of the series and to see what happens to Uhtred. I look forward to hopefully hearing from you but I understand you are busy! I love the series!

Kind Regards

Kurtis

Hi Bernard.

I’m a big fan of the Uhtred series and have been going to Bamburgh and the surrounding areas on family holidays for 30 years. I was wondering if you have drawn a map or picture of Uthred’s Bebbanburg I would love to see how you thought it looked.

Patrick

Hello Bernard,

firstly I’d like to say I’ve really enjoyed the last kingdom series. The Netflix series doos not do the novels any justice what so ever. Secondly is it likely that we might hear more about Finan, before he meets Uhtred? Lastly thank you very much for taking the time and the effort to write such fantastic work. I’m incredibly grateful

Best wishes

Drew Smith

Mr. Cornwell,

Hope this message finds you well. Just wanted to thank you for the hours of entertainment. The Saxon Stories have become my favorite books and re-awakened my childhood passion for reading, specifically historical fiction. Uhtred is an extremely interesting and relatable character and his dynamic with Alfred was intriguing to say the least.

I know that you are done with Uhtred (and rightfully so - I love how his story ended) but you do that era so well! Have you considered another series in Saxon England, or following any of the other Germanic people of the era (Carolingians? early Normans? something set in Scandinavia?).

Thanks again!

Jordan Kinsey

Hello Bernard,

It was near a year ago that I wrote to you about my father who had read all your Sharpe books.

You actually emailed him and told him of another one coming soon. Thanks for that.

Since then, I was given a copy of The Last Kingdom. I was dubious that anything could rival Sharpe and at first I did not read it. No offence. In fact, take it as a compliment. I just didn't want to be disappointed. However, one day, I felt as if that book called to me. I took it out and looked at it. Then began to read...

To me, at that time in my life, it was even better than Sharpe.

I was once a naive and very skinny 17 year old boy in the Royal Marines. Scottish too. I’m not given to fancy but there have been times in my life - and I hope in yours too - where the world does not hold so tightly to it’s solid foundations or rules, and reality peels a layer or two to show us something else.

Uhtred and the old gods opened up something in me. As an innocent child, I was forced to be a catholic by my parents. I did not like it. I hated the morbid pictures of saints and the “son of god” dying on a cross. I remember that. It gave me an unsettling feeling. Their tedious prayers and beliefs quelled a natural fire in me that, as I read about Uhtred, realised was still there and wanted to burn again. Perhaps it was the simply the right time, but the Last Kingdom Books opened up old memories, possibly of an ancestral nature, that made the candle light grow into a flame. It might sound strange to you, but my legs seemed to become more solid and more connected to the ground.

You may laugh, or raise an eyebrow when I tell you I had a bronze hammer amulet made up by a Norse craftsman whereupon the old fierceness and power I’d felt as a child before I was confirmed to the “nailed God” came back to me. My life and circumstances have improved markedly since reading your books and having my amulet. Of course, it’s down to my choices and actions, but these have been affected by the power that surged through me. It filled me up. I performed a small ceremony around fire to renounce christianity completely. I saw it fly off me into the smoke swirling around my body - and then I laughed. The next day I swam in the clear blue sea here in Sydney and cleaned myself of all those old beliefs in sin and shame which did me no service and instead subjugated my true nature under feelings of guilt and repression the Ragnar Lords would have belly laughed at. My humour has come back to me in the most useful and wonderful ways.

And so, for this I thank you. You had a part to play.

I think you can tell much of the nature of a person in how they write. Little clues, subtle intuitions or visions come through at times - I like to stop reading at those time, close my eyes, and let the message through -  I wonder sometimes if you are not Merlin himself in another time.

I have not read your Arthur Books, yet.

I’m saving them for when I return to the UK. I will take a trip to Cornwall and Wales and read them there. I get a strong feeling in the celtic regions and so it’ll be more enjoyable there.

There is one question, I would ask you - I hope you will answer me.

It is simply, have you read Mary Stewart’s Merlin Trilogy?

And what you thought of those books, if you had.

That is all.

And thanks again for sending a message to my dad. He couldn’t believe it. We had a good laugh about this. He was also very pleased to hear another Sharpe novel was being written. As was I.

I wish you and your family all the best,

Stephen

Hello!

Your Saxon Chronicles books saved my sanity during lockdown!  I cared for my mom for many years and wasn’t able to read much.  After she passed, I was adrift!  Then I found TLK on Netflix!  I needed to know more so I devoured the 12 books in three months!  Amazing craftsmanship!

My question is:  who is the woman Iseult mentions as being Uhtred’s shining light?  Many claim it was Aethelfled, but I thought it could be Bernadette.

Thank you for these beautifully written books!  If I were still teaching, I’d do study guides for them as I love history and great literature!

Holly Stevens

Although it is somewhat difficult to say goodbye to Uhtred, I look forward to the new Sharpe story and wish to thank you for returning to him.   Unfortunately Sean Bean is most likely too mature to portray a 'young' Sharpe, perhaps you might be enticed into writing some stories about a more mature Sharpe that can then be transferred to the screen? Hopefully allowing the original actors to return to their iconic roles.

Dan McCarry

Hi,

I have a question about your writing. Why/How did you decide to write the Last Kingdom series through Uhtred's perspective only versus switching POV's (like from King Alfred to Uhtred to Æthelwold, etc). You have a big world, so I'm asking how did you make that decision? Or, what factors helped you to decide? Thanks in advance!

Alex

Dear Bernard!

Despite having countless women, Uhtred (according to my count) “only” fathers four children in his lifetime. What are your thoughts, are there more and they go unmentioned, did Uhtred take active measures against spawning more offspring or did it simply not fit into your story that he’d have more? I’m especially curious if you think he’d have any “random” illegitimate children without his knowledge.

Best wishes and thank you very much for your books

Paul

 

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I am on book 3 of The Last Kingdom series (after a recommendation from James Dellingpole)  There was a discussion going on his chat (which is nominally Christian) about whether Uhtred was fashionably anti Christian or not. Someone commented that the Christian characters are like modern day snivelling civil servants.  I don't think i quite agree and while as a Christian i don't quite feel i'm in the same safe pair of hands that i am reading say CS Lewis or Tolkein i accept that the protagonist narrator is a pagan and accept seeing the world through his eyes and here and there the Christians are seen in a 'redeeming' light.  Overall i enjoy the books and feel i have got over my slight hestiancy over whether i should be letting your narrative voice into my inner being !  I hope that doens't sound precious but reading for me can be intimate and i am sensitive to books that are (especially today) filled with politically correct virtue signalling and some of this is often (for example) pro Islam and anti Christian - eg films and books about the crusades.  I do NOT think you are guilty of this and i am enjoying the books immensely.  However i am led to assume that you are substantially more sympathetic to the pagan view point.  I hope you are self critical enough to know that often modern ideas of paganism can be grossly romantic though i don't think you're guilty of that as your books seem pretty realistic.  I am curious to know what your response to this would be and i think us Christian sympathtic readers who you have not quite alienated would be interested to know to what extent your writing is a reflection of your world view or to what extent you feel they are purely written from the perspective of the pagan Uhtred.  But i actually meant to just ask you for some good history books covering the period of the Last Kingdom so i could understand more about this fascinating period.  I live in Northumberland so am in the midst of the setting of these books.  3 or 4 really good books covering this period but if possible focusing on Northumberland especially in relation to the followers of St Cuthbert and also how Northumberland and it's leaders related to the wonderful King Alfred.

Thank you for your time

Dan Ashton

Northumberland

 

Hello Mr.Cornwell

I hope you are having a good day. My question is would Uhtred's fortress of Bebbanburg still be active around during the reign of Cnut the Great in 1016. Also what do you think Uhtred's reaction would if he ever visited to the Rome.

Tevin Daniels

Dear Bernard

I hope I find you well.

(Sadly) I have just finished War Lord. I say sadly as I will miss the exploits of Uhtred & Co having followed his path from the very beginning from The Last Kingdom to Warlord. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole Warrior Series (and others you have written).  As Uhtred has now become my favourite historical fictional figure, taking over from Horatio Hornblower(!), I was pleased to read that you did not "kill" him (or dear Finan!) off at the end of your book.  No doubt I will read the whole series again as there is so much to take in.

I also found your comments at the end of the book about the period of great interest.

Sad to read despite all his efforts poor old King Athelstan only lived 3 years after the great Battle of Brunanburh and Anlaf returned to rule Northumbria & Mercia for a short period before King Edmund drove him out. I wonder what Uhtred, if he had survived (or his son) would have made of that?

One fascinating fact. If Uhtred fought with Alfred at the Battle of Ethandun in 878 and he was around 20 years of age, by the time he finally fought at Brunanburgh in 937 some 59 years later he would be almost 80!

You and I met very very briefly at the Winchester when you attended their History weekend a few years ago. You signed my copy of "Waterloo" - which I am happy to say I have read once again. At that time, I suggested a character for a new series of books for the future you might consider – William Marshall. He had such a long and eventful life that you could easily do another long series as you did for Uhtred – only this time it would be more factual than fictional. It would even be better if it were written in the first person like Uhtred as it would be fascinating to read what he thought of the 4 Kings he served and the turbulent time he lived in.

I wish you well and thank you the books you have written (and continue to do so) which have given me hours and hours of enjoyable reading.

Andrew Weldycz

 

I was determined not to be this person.  I have read all of the questions and comments on this site and have seen over and over people asking for more Nathaniel Starbuck, and over and over again your reply that it was not likely.  So much so that I only read them out of desperation for more of your books having read everything else.  I wasn’t even going to read them because I didn’t want to find myself here begging for more.  That being said and knowing the answer to the question of if you will ever bring him back, I would like to know why you are no longer interested in continuing that series. I have many theories.  One being that it is kind of politically incorrect at the moment to have a confederate hero.  I am somewhat conflicted myself having grown up in the south where there was a lost cause love for the southern cause (of states rights).  To now being a fully educated and informed adult realizing that it was a cause better lost than won, and that romanticizing the southern plight has only lead to a prolonging of problems within the nation.

Thank you for your time,

Whitfield Brackett

 

 

Hello Bernard,

I have to ask a question that you are probably tired of answering , are you planning on finishing the Starbuck Chronicles? The series is some of the best I have ever read about the American Civil War and although I know it has been 25 years since the last book in this series I am have just now finished the first 4 books. Great stuff to say the least.  I have read every single book series that you have written (all within the last year) and you are now one of my all time favorite authors , not trying to blow smoke just telling my truth.  I do see that you have another Sharpe book coming which is fantastic news , I watched the TV movies a couple of times before reading the books (which were as usual when comparing a book to a movie or TV series so much better) and eagerly await the new one.  I also cannot wait for the new Uhtred book (The Saxon Stories) , I am assuming that it is coming sooner than later?

But back to my original question , will you be completing the Starbuck Chronicles? I and am sure many others truly hope you do. They are brilliant!

Sincerely,

Robert Nelson

 

You really need to write another Nathaniel Starbuck book.  One of my favorite book series.

Paul Kroth

 

Do you intend to let us know what becomes of Nate Starbuck?  I've been immersing myself in American Civil War literature, particular historical fiction, because I (unfortunately) see many similarities to that era and the present times, and after reading the Starbuck Chronicles to date I am left wondering what happened to him. I really appreciate your portrayal of him: not a comic book hero, but very human, yet heroic at the same time. I, for one, would really enjoy it if you chose to return to the series and continue it, but I also understand the tightrope any author would be walking in the current climate if writing anything that even resembles the slightest praise (or even a lack of condemnation) for anything "Confederate".

John W Theisen

 

Hi Bernard,

I expect you stopped reading at the subject as I do not suspect but know that you have been asked this question a hundred times before... nay a thousand. You could give me the same three word answer you give them "Rule nothing out" However, just between us you do know if you are ever likely to return to him. You may not want to commit yourself but as I am just a nobody fan who has read everything you have ever written and have been doing so for what seems like most of my life and will continue to do so for what remains of  that life it would not commit you to anything to tell me your gut feeling on the subject. Indeed I would understand when the "my=use" has gone it has gone. There have been many wonderful stories since and I pray many more but I would dearly love to know if I can maintain a brief hope or if I must resign myself to the fact that Nate has ridden his last.

Thank you for you consideration and may I once again thank you for many many hours of adventure and history.

Yours sincerely,

Stuart Dangerfield

 

Dear Bernard

Now that you’ve completed (?) the Last Kingdom books (which are even better than the Sharpe novels, though the Arthurian books remain my favourites), when are you going to return to the Starbuck series? They seem very truncated! I’ll also be interested to see how you deal with a hero who inevitably must end up on the losing side.

Thanks for all of your work, most of which I’ve read more than once.

Cheers

Nigel

I have loved many many of your books.  Will there be any further tales of the great Lord Uhtred or is he out to pasture?

Roeney E Brooks

 

Is the war lord book the last in the series of the last kingdom?  I've read a lot of your books and really enjoy them

Simon Cromwell

Just about to start reading War Lord. Will be sad to see the last of Uhtred. Not sure if you have "naval" interests but would love to see you writing about the RN in the Napoleonic War times - I am sure you would rival Patrick O'Brian and Alexander Kent if you put your mind to it!

Barry McNamara

Mr. Cornwell:

My name is Sam Tyndall and I am from the United States. Let me start out saying my wife and I are big fans of The Saxon Stories and The Last Kingdom programme. I know your protagonist is fiction, but loosely based on historical accounts. I have read that you are a descendant of Uhtred the Bold and in doing research I have traced my lineage back to the Tyndales of Northumbria area and around the Tyne River. It is suggested that the Tyndales intermingled with some of Uhtred’s clan but I can’t find any proof of this. Uchtred, Lord of Tyndale whom married Bethoc Canmore of Scotland and lived around 1100 is as far as I can go. His sons were Uchtred Fitz Uchtred and Robert de Tyndale. I’m sure the name may have been common, as in Michael or David today, but maybe there is a shared connection. Adding to the mystery is the timeline, as Uchtred was born around 1074, long after Uhtred the Bold passed and leading to the slight possibility that Uhtred’s offspring may have intermingled with my family? Descendants of The Tyndales also spread from Northumbria to Ireland with a faction of the clan settling there. My DNA profile (if you believe those) is overwhelmingly Scottish, northern England and Northern Europe (Denmark).  I was just curious if, in your research, you came across any known links to the two families.

Thank you for the entertaining reads. Many blessings to you and yours.

 

Cheers,

Sam Tyndall

Hi Mr. Cornwell,

I just want to say a huge (and belated) thank you for giving us the Warlord Chronicles. I was just ten years old when i started reading them and now I'm 21 and doing a degree in Medieval History. It was your stories that first got me interested in Anglo-Saxon England and i honestly don't know what I'd be studying now if I'd never come across them (probably something incredibly dull!)

I know we've probably seen the end of Uhtred, but would you ever consider writing about Anglo-Saxon England again? I'm sure your fans would love to hear about Uhtred's grandchildren for example!

Arman Razak

 

Hello Bernard,

I just finished War Lord and I am both melancholic to see Uhtred who has been with me since I was five and my mum read me the Lords of the North every night before bed and happy to finally get to see his story end. I am now twenty-three, I wear an amulet of Thor around my neck and when I am afraid, I always clasp it and ask myself, "what would Uhtred do?" I thought your choice to end his story with Brunanburh was perfect and I remember years back when you first introduced Æthelstan I wondered if that was where Uhtred’s story was leading. The question I had was whether you had the aspirations to make any further novels in the Anglo-Saxon period? I think of Æthelred the Unready and his son Edmund Ironside being faced by Canute the Great. Surely the Lords of Bebbanburg continued to rule in the 11th century? Even if you do not, I think these stories have done something great. I major in History at Carleton University in Ottawa and my studies have been in no small part inspired by years of reading your novels and I imagine there are many others who have fallen in love with history thanks to you. Looking forward to reading Sharpe’s Assassin and thank you for inspiring me down my educational path, I don’t know where I would be if I had not read your books but as Uhtred would say, wyrd bið ful aræd.

Warm regards,

David Damas

 

so, there i was enraptured with your series when i get some information on my family history that includes the names thorkil and uhtred. and while many of my family sites claim to have been there around the time of william the conqueror i was wondering if you had encountered the name cleveland, cleaveland, or de cliveland. i know you have much better and more important things to do, so thank you in advance for seeing this.

 

i am a cleveland descended of moses who came here in 1635; the northern branch. i actually met someone who was from the southern branch (cromwell's mistress) as a traveling notary - go figure;)

 

from of all places, tempe, az.....

sincerely,

tom hencz

Hi.

Just a big thank you as a dyslexic child of the 70s I only ever read one book. The machine gunners by Robert Westhall. At 15 I was lent the first Sharp, I read it (hard when you struggle) it went straight on my Christmas list for a reread. I have had everyone of your books for Christmas or birthday when they come out since. I now read other authors but always yours first. Looking back I think unexpectedly for me the Warlord Chronicles are my favourite but also can't wait for Thomas and his bow to get back into action. I know you repeatedly say no more Starbucks, so please don't leave them both. I probably would never have read another book without sharp so thanks again. Please keep going.

Kind regards

Ian

 

Thank you so much for the adventures of Derfel and Uhtred.  Truly two of the greatest protagonists to come out of literature.

Regarding other great protagonists...would you consider, at the least, a short story that might provide closure to the Starbuck Chronicles?  Having grown to care for the characters it would soothe my mind greatly to have a vague idea of where they found themselves at war's end.

Thanks again for the hours of entertainment, distraction, and inspiration.

Shep

 

 

I have recently started the Last Kingdom Series and I am really enjoying it. It's a period of history I've found fascinating for a long time. I have one question that's been bugging me a little-- not in a bad way, I just can't stop wondering. Finally, I realized I could just ask you!

The Dane who adopts Uhtred is named Ragnar. This could cause some confusion, since a man named Ragnar was also the father of several other characters in the book. You fix this problem by calling them 'the sons of Lothbrok'. It isn't what they would have been called in history, but saying 'sons of Ragnar' would make us think of the wrong Ragnar.

My question is-- why did you name Uhtred's adopted father Ragnar? Are you just a big fan of the name? Is there some historical precedent I've missed?

I'm dying of curiosity to know your thoughts!

Last of all, thank you for your time, and for writing these wonderful books I cherish. The Warlord series helped me get through the isolation of COVID and I'll be forever grateful.

L Cohen

We do understand a lot about the formation of the so called "church" that was in Rome that is actually a very wicked deceitful lie. We really like how you expose the hypocrisy. We do get very annoyed and angry when characters like Hild says to Uhtred, " don't kill him he is a man of God" which he is not. He is an apostate follower of satan. We were wondering if you are aware that during that time, those who were members of the true Body of Christ how they were murdered and killed by this apostate false copy. There is a great book you can even read online called "The Pilgrim church" that tells the true church history how the body of Christ since its birth was hunted down and killed by the fake evil church, The Roman Catholic church. Kings back then were not anointed by God even though they claimed that. They also proclaim false teachings like the 10 lost tribes of Israel which are and never were lost. The apostles and Christ spoke about the 12 tribes. Anyhow, we really enjoy how you mixed history and made a great story out of it. I am a history buff and love history. What is funny when the so called queen and king, Alfred and his wife call Danes pagan, they are also pagans them self! They are unbelievers that follow a false God. Anyhow, my husband and I cannot tolerate organized religion. It is evil and apostate and even now is a falling away. I had another question about my favorite catholic priest, Purlig. When he blew on Uhtred when he was baptised again, where you making references to Benny Hinn!! Hee hee! it was hilarious. I told my husband, his guy has observed "Benny the Hunn" I call him doing his religious fake crap when he blows on people! I wanted to know that too. Thanks so much for writing such a thorough in depth adventure.

Desma Jones

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I wanted to reach out and tell you how much I enjoy your stories! In fact, you are probably my favorite Author of all time.  Your imagery craft is astounding. We like a lot of the same things. (adventure, intrigue, history, fighting and women). Not necessarily in that order. From a small age I was always drawn to knights fighting glorious battels. Sometimes I wonder if I should have been born in 1400, sword in hand and wind on my face, or under a stifling helmet. This could be a secret but who is your favorite hero? There are so many to chose from. I am drawn to the time period of Uhtred but Sharpe is my favorite by a mile. I am a commercial real-estate broker in Richmond VA with 4 boys. Thanks again for all your work!

Isaac

It's taken a while but here it is the last the last Uthred was perfect  thank you. As for time scales check out Aubrey his last ten books were questionable to say the least and Flashman made it to Rourkes drift, (the word fiction is the clue).

I am starting Sharpe from the beginning again next  AWSOME.

Just to clarify Defel beats Sharpe (just ) then kicks seven shades out of Stabuck and is narrowly beaten by Uhtred who is then bested by Steappa.

I have just finished G M F WW II biography and wondered if you are as in awe as I am?

Mike Davidson

Dear Bernard,

It is probably every authors wish to produce a "page turner" to enthrall and stimulate their readers. You certainly do this, but not all authors have this ability.

I myself am guilty of skimming forward on a novel to see what is going to happen next. I profess that having got my copy of War Lord i skipped to the end to see if Uhtred and Finan had made it to the end. Then i could relax and enjoy the novel knowing he was going to be victorious over his enemies.

We all love a happy ending

I have watched like a lot of people the end of the series of "Game of Thrones", but unlike your books the tale has not been completed by the author and there are at least two more books to come.

I have no doubt that George R R Martin has supplied HBO with a plot outline for the ending, but would you like to write novels that someone else has already finished for you?

I'll stop bothering you now, i would'nt want to slow down the release of your latest pager turner!

 

John B

Why isn't Aelfric, as the younger brother of an Uhtred, named Osbert?

Howard

Sir,

I have finished all 13 of Saxon Tales and the Grail Quest books to include 1356. Amazing writing and stories, your historical Note at the end of each book is wonderful.  I am now starting the Arthur Books.  I know the 13th book of the The Last Kingdom/Saxon Tales is the last of that series but will you be bringing back Thomas of Hookton?  I hope so, like Uhtred, he is a special character.

All the best, stay safe and healthy.

Jim Soiles

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell;

Like many of your readers, it was both a pleasure and an emotional culmination to read the last words of War Lord, quickly followed by listening to them read by Matt Bates (whose voice so clearly resonates in my head as that of Uhtred), The series is my all-time favorite and I find that I would like to have a proper set for my bookshelf.  I would love to see a leather-bound commemorative set created, or at least an attractive matching set in hardcover.  Can you tell us if any such plans are afoot?

Thank you for the many hours of blissful reading (and listening).  My best to you.

Douglas Lambell

At the risk of taking up some of your valuable time I firstly wanted to thank you! I’ve read all your books except the Sharpe books (I’m about to start them!) and quite frankly I’m speechless! I started the last kingdom series when a difficult period of my life began (which also hasn’t ended yet), however working my way through Uhtreds story, then Derval’s, Arthur’s and Saban’s! your books have helped me keep my head above water and honestly keep my life on track! Uhtred and Arthur, although they have their flaws (as all good protagonists should) as you tell their stories, they are men to be revered.

Having said that my most burning question is will we ever hear from Thomas of Hookton again?

As he did not die at the end of 1356, It seems a shame to hang up Thomas’ bow (or at least Thomas’ family’s story!) there is undoubtedly more cathar treasure to be lost?

If not Thomas then perhaps a continuation where we see his son Hugh move through the ranks! Then even Hugh’s son?

Where the warlord chronicles clearly had the storey told in the trilogy, there’s so much more of the Hundred Years’ War to tell, and specifically through Thomas and his descendants! I understand every story must have it’s end, but I can’t help but ponder whether there is more to Thomas’s tale? Is his tale and/or any potential continuation from his sons/grandsons totally out of the question?

 

All the best,

 

Tom Pratt.

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I first discovered your writings with the Warlord Chronicles during my interest in the Arthurian legend stories.  I loved how you took what we know historically and wove the tapestry of historical fiction, bringing to life an ancient tale.

Then I discovered the Saxon Tales/Chronicles which I have greatly enjoyed these many years.

Before or just as you begin to write your novels, to what extent do you create backstories for the core characters and events as you/we follow Uhtred’s journey?  Do you develop a chronology before or during the writing as the main narrative progresses?  If so, how detailed is it?  Do you primarily allow the historical facts as you discover them provide all that you need to develop the story?

It seems at times Uhtred knows exactly what is happening and planned, then at times he is surprised as an event unfolds to which he must adjust.  These adjustments are serendipitous events as the story moves along and reaches its climax.

Thank you.

Michael Dotson

Afternoon Bernard,

I’m currently reading my way through the Last Kingdom (Warrior Chronicles) series. I wondered about your choice of writing in first person- from the point of view of Uhtred. Why did you choose this method, and not say, in an omniscient way which would have given an insight into Alfred and other characters from their point of view. It works brilliantly by the way but I wondered if you felt like you became limited in some ways? Thoroughly enjoying them, being from Durham.

Peter Groark

 

Hi Mr. Cornwell,

I will keep this brief as I am sure that you get untold thousands of these messages. I have just finished reading the Last Kingdom series of books, I have enjoyed many of your books and series over the years, I have also read the Warlord Chronicles, the Grail Quest series, 1356, Agincourt, The Fort, and 5 of the Sharpe books, I plan to read the entire Sharpe series, but having two small children it may be a couple years before I can get to all of them. Having said all of that every one of the characters in your books brings a unique experience to the reader, that makes reading your books a real joy. I must say that Uhtred is my favorite character of the many great characters you have been responsible for bringing to life. I started reading the Last Kingdom series when I was in high school, and Uhtred really became like a brother to me. I sat and reflected over the many hours I have spent enjoying these books over the years after I finished War Lord, and I just want to thank you! You have added color and untold hours of enjoyment into my life through your books and Uhtred specifically (Thomas Hookton is not that far behind him on my list). I do have a couple questions for you and I am sure these are not unique to me, but while reading War Lord the Saga of Beowulf is mentioned and it dawned on me how similar the great Uhtred and Beowulf were to each other. I know the Last Kingdom was your retelling of the forging of Englaland, but did you gain some inspiration for Uhtred from the saga of Beowulf? Was his story in some way a retelling of the great saga of Beowulf? Please don't take offense to that question, I hold that Uhtred is a greater character than Beowulf in literary history, and am in no way accusing you of anything other than being the greatest writer of historical fiction alive today.

Lastly I am sure you get asked this a lot, who is your personal favorite of the characters you have brought to life in your books over the years? Or is that too much like picking a favorite from amongst your children? If you can't answer that, allow me this question for you. Which of the characters has been the most enjoyable to write over the years? Thank you again for all the long hours of deep enjoyment you have given to me through your writing, I have truly benefitted from your books. When my two year old son is of age I will introduce him to Uhtred and I am sure he will be to my son what he has been to me all of these years. Please don't think me too much of an earsling for my basic questions, and how long I have gone on.

 

Blessings,

Ben

I suspect, like any other people, I have often wondered " what if (name) had made the other choice?". I'm curious if the thought of writing Uhtred's story from the perspective of if he had sided with the Danes and the alternate resulting timeline has ever given you pause for thought.

 

Best wishes,

 

Andy

Mr. Cornwell,

 

I just finished "Warlord" and feel well- satisfied at the conclusion of the Last Kingdom series. When I read the first book, I estimated that Uhtred would have been born in about 857AD and so would be around 80 when the Battle of Brunanburh was fought. Is that right? If so, there was never a more vital octagenarian.

 

As for the battle itself, I've read that a group calling themselves Wirral Archaelogy has identified the Wirral peninsula as the likely site of the battle. Do you agree with them?

Keith Biesiada

 

Hi Bernard,

my name is Dan and I’m from Snotingaham. I use the word amateur lightly, it’s a hobby, I’ve never published anything.

When I was 9 I was diagnosed with an Austin spectrum disorder called Asperger’s syndrome. One of the symptoms of this disorder is obsessions. History is my obsession. It so happens that the periods I favour, you’ve written about! Henry V and Agincourt is a favourite of mine, and your book on Agincourt was incredible. However, The Saxon stories remains my all time favourite book series. Warlord was incredible and an amazing way to finish the series! Thank you for so many hours lost in that amazing world..

I’m wondering whether you have any plans to write anything set within the golden age of piracy? It’s another of my favourite periods, but I’m sure you’ve got far better ideas.

Thank you for taking the time to read this if it reaches you, and once again, thank you for creating the Saxon stories, I can never tire of Lord Uhtred and his men.

Dan Smith

Is this the end with War Lord  and Uhtred? Can’t bear it. Totally enjoyed this series and always looked forward to the next chapter. He is still too young and so am I at 83. I am looking forward to your next creation.

Paul R

 

Is War Lord the final book in the Last Kingdom Series?

 

Paul G

 

ps I think I have read everything you have written. With one exception I loved them all

 

 

Sir Bernard,

I read your books and I became a big fan of your books sir, thank you very much!  I have a question and wanted to share it with you.  in a Derfel vs. Uhtred battle both at the height of their lives who would win that 1x1 battle in your opinion?  big hug take care!  here in Brazil book 12 of the Saxon chronicles just arrived and I'm reading!

Artur Pedroso

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

 

First off, congratulations on finishing up The Saxon Stories! It was bittersweet reading the last book, so I can only imagine how you must have felt writing it. I greatly enjoyed the way you wrapped things up for Uhtred (and Finan).

 

My dad and I have been fans since the first book came out, and after 16 years I've decided to surprise him with a trip to England to see Bebbanburgh in person. We live across the pond, so it's a bit of a journey. I'm looking to add some historical stops to our trip, in addition to Bamburgh Castle; any suggestions?

 

Regards,

Ryan McCormick

I’m a tremendous fan, and I can’t wait for the next Sharpe!

 

Because I know you are a student of Shakespeare, I wanted to share one of the lectures I remember from college. It goes like this: part of Shakespeare’s genius was casting the wrong character for the unique problems they faced in the play. For example, if you take pensive, contemplative Hamlet (or Brutus) out of his play and drop him into Othello, he would have smoked out Iago’s schemes and we wouldn’t have a tragic ending. But take decisive and vengeful Othello (or Hotspur) and put him Hamlet, and we have an action adventure story where the prince never doubts the Ghost and instead seeks vengeance against Claudius. It’s been a fun mental exercise ever since: swap the characters (with all of their flaws and strengths) and see what happens!  And so I found myself wondering the same thing about Uhtred and Sharpe. If Uhtred was in Sharpe, on account of his status, he likely would have been a senior officer. Maybe he would have been someone like Black Bob Crauford?  I’d like to think he wouldn’t be some braggart cavalry officer charging into the guns.

 

I can’t recall which of your books it was where you acknowledge the point, but I remember there’s one where Sharpe realized that in Napoleon’s army, he might have wound up a flag officer.

 

So my question is this: if Uhtred (Alfred Lord Bamburgh?) was born in the late 18th century, and found himself in Spain, would he and Sharpe have become friends and allies or would they end up killing one another?

 

Can’t wait for the next book!

Jack

Good morning Bernard,

I am attempting to delve into the history of a Saxon manor in Gargrave North Yorkshire. What I have discovered so far is the the Lord of the manor was Gamal son of (C)Karli, who in turn was the son of Thurbrand the Hold, the feller that, at the behest of King Cnut assassinated Uhtred the Bold. I have managed to piece together the chan of killings down to what appears to be the last act which took place at Settringham in 1073. Trouble is, I am no historian and I have no idea where to keep looking. I was intrigued by the similarities of events that take place in your book The Last Kingdom, which actually stimulated my interest in the swampy field that is all that is left of Gamal's manor house. Would it be too much for me to as if you have any suggestions as to where to find out more?

 

Best regards,

Donavon

Well Mr cornwell,

what can i say other than what a beautifully written ending to my all time favourite series. That ending was spectacular. I've often wondered and worried how uhtreds story was going to an end and you did it remarkable justice. I cried. I cried because be was alive, he was happy and he got his happy ending. We've met a few times at book signing and ive told you before that i adore uhtred more than my own boyfriend and you even signed my book "To Zoe, who uhtred would adore" which I'll always be proud of haha. My qiestion to you is; did you always have that ending in mind for uhtred are was it a last minute thing?

zoe

Would you ever consider using a descendant of Uhtred to tell the Story of the battles of Stamford Bridge and Hastings?

Peter Brown

Dear Bernard,

I hope you are well?

I have literally just finished your new book War Lord.

I started reading The Last Kingdom on the advice of my father in 2004 at the young age of 14, before this novel I had only read a mere 4 books from cover to cover (3 of them being your Warlord Chronicles because my love of King Arthur) this was down to my severe dyslexia and I missed over a year at school as I was recovering from a broken neck. I picked up the hardback and admired the front over, flipped it over to read the blurb and was my instant reaction was "Nah not for me...." Long story short, about a week later I struggled my way through the first chapter and from then until now I have been hooked.

Being a born and bred Northumbrian I feel invested in Uhtred's story, I grew up with him. I am devastated now the novels are over.

I wrote to you some time ago about how Id like to see Uhtred's tale end and I suggested possible spin off novels about Uhtred's descendants (i.e. his grandson Uchtred the Bold and the blood feuds of Northumbria etc) the part they played in forming England's history. You replied saying you were long in years and starting another series of novels about the dark ages seemed daunting to say the least.

My question to you is a simple one, given the choice would you prefer a bed death, hoping that gripping a sword hilt, wishing your past deeds and reputation is enough to see you into the halls of Valhalla as you slip away peacefully or would you prefer to don the war paint of the úlfhéðinn and charge the centre of a shieldwall and allow the Valkeries to lift you straight to Valhalla?

Kurt the Northumbrian

I really loved War Lord, and was genuinely surprised with how you incorporated the historical Ealdred into Uhtred's story. Just before War Lord was released I found my father's biological family through a DNA test and found that I too am a descendant of Uhtred the Bold (I suppose you and I must be distantly related), I already loved your books before and though I know they're fiction it definitely made me feel more connected to the story. I'm glad Uhtred, despite being ancient, managed to shoulder his way into the shieldwall one last time.

I was wondering if there's any historical find in particular you imagine to represent Serpent-Breath? I'm sure Ealdwulf would've given her a proper Anglo-Saxon hilt?

Best wishes ,

Teryn

I just want to start off by thanking you for writing your amazing series about Uhtred. They are by far my favorite books!

Just curious if you have any plans to release a box set of all 13 books in the future, because I would love to purchase that. I have been purchasing and reading all of your books on my Kindle, but it would be great to own a physical copy of the full series.

Once again, thank you! I look forward to reading more of your work in the future.

Bobby

Dearest Mr.Cornwell,

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you! Your response is not something I seek. I only wanted to thank you. Your stories are truly a worthy diversion. I use to love reading but I'm to damn busy, so therefore I haven't read anything other than your titles. I have however listened to many, including The Last Kingdom series in its entirety. I love your wonderful characters and Uhtred's story is an exciting adventure. It has distracted several me into burning supper or letting a cow, meant to be kept penned, slip by.... I don't watch much tv and I despise social media. I tried Facebook and I have to confess it does have some good points but all too often left me feeling like my favorite Uncle Kyle. He's a truly grumpy and often outright unfriendly old hermit. I love him, he's one of my favorite people even if he is angry with me at the moment. I had a sick cow dying and he came over to look at her. He made an angry comment about how the man I had bought her from had ripped me off. His anger was caused by the belief the cow was so old she was missing half her teeth. Well I hadn't noticed that so I went out to look again. Her gums were almost white and pulled back from her teeth but the teeth themselves looked as strong as any I had seen and I had this sinking feeling that my uncle, a man who has lived his entire life in the proximity to cattle, did not know that cows have no top front teeth..... I commented that scrap of knowledge a bit carefully and he vehemently denied my knowledge, although I detected a bit of doubt for a second. He was so determined for just a fraction of a second I doubted myself. But I remembered all the baby calves I've bottle feed and the pet milk cows I've fed left over cake and pasta to and knew I was right and he was wrong. My husband gave him a ride home and Chet said the minute they were headed down the driveway, Uncle was on his phone looking it up and made the comment he owed me an apology. I have not heard that apology. We could have made peace but he got in a feud with a man I'm friendly to. On hearing his rant, I refused to join the feud and when he got mad, I lost my temper and told him I had already bee to junior high and didn't feel any need to join his hissy junior high girl fight. He has not forgiven me..... Oh well, it's funny I guess.

Even my husband has grudgingly found himself engrossed.... I'm still waiting for him to listen about the mouse and the battle cry in her honor. He'll enjoy that.

I have one book left of the Arthur trilogy, I'm so delighted that Jonathan Keeble is the narrator for my audible account. He did 3 of the first 4 Kingdom books and that he didn't do the entire Kingdom series is the only complaint I have. I also started the Sharpe series and was very excited but there are so many missing I've decided to wait.... Hint, hint, nudge, nudge......

Anyway, all I wanted was to give you thanks and well wishes. You're a gentleman and a scholar.

Once again, Merry Christmas and may your 2021 be happy, healthy and successful in any of your endeavors!

Thank you,

Lindsey Wehr

 

Sorry for pestering you again. I'm sure you've much better things to be doing but, I realized I was wrong. I have a huge complaint. Why couldn't you make Pyrlig immortal. Couldn't you make him appear in every novel. I love Steapa and Finnan and Clapper and etc etc etc but none are as loved by me as Pyrlig. I mean even if you put his face in a cloud Monty Python style, following Uhtred about as his conscience or some corny thing.... I resent the disappearance of Pyrlig.

Lindsey Wehr

 

Reading The Warlord I was more than a bit surprised to read the words” malochio it ha colpito” . I remember from many years ago my grandmother performing the oil and water ritual of the malochio for a neighbor. My grandmother, a Sicilian like all of the family, had her dark side, like all of the family. Witchy stuff.

Never thought I might read those words in a book about about Uhtred of Bebbansburg. Another coincidence is that my name is  Benedict, or Benedetto to my grandmother.  I love all your books, and thanks for many happy hours of vicarious adventure.

Ben Mazzullo

Dear Bernard

Very much enjoyed the Uhtred books. Have you ever seen the Bedford (UK) War Memorial on the Embankment by the river Ouse?

https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/19782/War-Memorial-Bedford.htm.

Unusually the memorial statue is of a Saxon lady in a cloak. The sculptor was I have heard depicting a warrior queen from the dark ages. It seems to me a depiction of your 'Lady of the Mercians' commemorating her conquest of Bedford from the Danes. so she was not forgotten even 100 years ago

David Craigen

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

Hope this finds you well and in good health, in these disturbing times!

I just finished reading the first 8 installments of the Saxon Stories in record time, and I have to say this is the most gripping and entertaining historical fiction series I've ever laid hands on. My deepest respect and sincere congratulations on this exceptional work.

I have one question though which does not stop bugging me, and it concerns the fate of Ragnar Ragnarson. When (in The Burning Land) Uhtred left the Danes in Dunholm to ride to the rescue of Aethelflaed, Ragnar was still planning to attack Wessex by ship together with Cnut and Sigurd. However, as Uhtred continues his quest and becomes the sword of the Saxons once more, Ragnar is no longer mentioned, and only Cnut and Sigurd's failed efforts to capture Wessex are briefly discussed. Ragnar is only recurring after his death due to sickness. What was the reason for you to more or less remove him from the tale, without providing any more details on his later years?

Hope this question does not come across as unjustifiably critical, I'm more curious than anything else, what your motivation was.

I cannot wait to continue reading this exceptional series!

All the best, and good luck for 2021!

Reinhard Wagner

Although separated by a considerable period of time, would the earthen work dyke built by the Mercian King Offa  (Offa’s Dyke) have played any part in the tales of Alfred and Uhtred either as a territorial marker or a military barrier?

Bob Kent

(Spoiler Alert)

Hello,

A teacher recommended your first Saxon Chronicle book to me my first year of high school.  You touched off a powder keg of reading historical fiction for me.  While Uhtred is by far my favorite, Derfel and the Arthur series is usually the first I recommend to people.  I think the thing I liked most about Uhtred is that he is unabashedly an Asatruar, one who practices Asatru, a pagan in a changing world.  Being an Asatruar myself I was amazed to read a pro-pagan story, even at times an anti-christian story!  I've read other authors that have done this, but then vilify their character for their beliefs on the last page, even if those beliefs have been conclusively proven false.  I know you've said here before when someone mentioned Asatru that you had not heard that term before, but I was convinced reading these early books that you were a believer.  I think that helped me connect to it more.  Perhaps if we ever do get an Uhtred short story you could mention something very few authors have included when they do Norse paganism?   Only half the warriors who die in battle go to Valhalla, the other half go to Freyja's hall in Folkvangr.  In fact, both Gisela and Stiorra would almost assuredly have gone to that shining field since they both died in battle, and if you know anything about the Norse cosmos, Valhalla and Folkvangr are just across the tree branch. This is mentioned in both Poetic and Prose Eddas, I know it is simply easier to say they just all go to the Spear-Hall so I guess it is just a pet peeve now.

 

Why didn't you include Uhtred's death? I had prepared myself for it, and Finan's, but they never came.  His story almost seems unfinished because of it.  I really expected him to die, possible betrayed to hold up to history, and to have him describe the Valkyrie, of course looking like Gisela, her image rushing back to him in death, leading him on her winged horse to the All-Father. Perhaps it is better in my imagination.

 

As good as these books are I have to say, in my opinion, that the Netflix show is one of the worst adaptions of a book.  It is right up there with how badly they did American Gods.  I know you have said you don't have any say in that venture but you have to get them to drop "Destiny is all" in favor of Wyrd bið ful aræd.  They've changed too much.

 

Thank you for all these wonderful books, I look forward to reading them to my daughter, whose middle name is Stiorra.

Anthony Lombardi

Dear Mr Cornwell

First of all, I would like to inform you that I am your ardent fan. Thanks to your creativity, I have an aim to learn English, and I also became a fan of reading books, which is very rare in our time. Getting to know you as a writer, I started with the trilogy "The Saga of King Arthur", and to be honest, after reading it, I was still thinking about this story for about a week.

After reading the trilogy I decided to continue reading about “Inglaland” and bought myself all the books from the Saxon Chronicles.  Today I am reading the book "Wars of the Storm" and, for me personally, this book plays a key role in the history of Uhtred, as I see that Uhtred, with age, has become more of a general, miltary leader, as Iseult had predicted, rather than a warrior.  I want to note that after reading 8 books, I have practically any question or misunderstanding.  But... It was not in vain that I mentioned the trilogy “The Saga at King Arthur”.

As we know, this trilogy and the Saxon Chronicles are united by the presence of such a people as the Anglo-Saxons.  In the trilogy, the Saxons were described as an aggressive nation looking for new territories to live in.  In the chronicles there are no descriptions about Anglo-Saxons, because the history itself is conducted from a representative of this nation.  However, we can notice that this nation has become more peace-loving and believing.

My question is: Can a parallel be drawn between the Saxons from the trilogy and the Anglo-Saxons from the Saxon Chronicles?  If so, what do you think turned the Saxon barbarians into those people who truly believe in God and pray for life in the peace?

I would love to see your answer.

Yours faithfully,

Oleg Buiko

 

I just wanted to thank you for ALL the many books you have written...  I was gourd by my pet Jersey Bull a couple of years ago and started reading one of your Sharpe's Rifle books ...  took me a bit of time to get them in order and finish reading them, but well worth it.

After that I read most of your other books and then found the Last Kingdom Series - OMG...  one Great collection of stories...  just finished your War Lord book and I thank you for Uhtred and the way you finished the series without him dying - gives me the chance to let him live on (even though I know there are no more books about him coming from that pen of yours).

I have a local community college that is open to clever 1 credit class ideas - my question to you is:  Have you even put together an outline of English history (from King Alfred to the War of 1812) that you published (or would publish) for use as the framework for such a class or series of classes?

Thanks again for proving once again that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Dan

 

Dear Bernard.

Paul here from Liverpool UK.

Avid reader if your wonderful work.

Now the final story of Uhtred is ended to all our disappointment and thrills.

Having covered the American Civil war before would you consider an epic in that genre ?

I am originally from Crosby in Liverpool.

The work of one Captain James Dunwoody- Bulloch, Confederate Naval Intelligence Commander and associates is raising new attention in our area. Even the pub he plotted in with his associates away from eavesdropping in Liverpool town, the Liver Hotel in Waterloo a few miles away from town knows most of the story.

The Alabama and the Shenadoah's stories are yet to be told in historical fiction.

Many seamen were lured away from the seamen's ghetto on a promise of a 6 month tour to the Azores yet left their families for years once on the Alabama.

We recently unearthed how the Shenandoah had still been attacking Union shipping off the coast of Alaska months after the war was over, realised their mistake and made a 9000 mile journey back to Liverpool to surrender to the Lord Mayor.

You are the master storyteller

This tale is far superior to the film 'Master and Commander' Bernard. Please consider.

 

Hello Bernard,

 

I just finished the final installment of the Saxon Stories on Audible last night, and today I am moved to express my appreciation for Uhtred's remarkable journey. He has been my constant companion through many sleepless nights, and now that the journey is done, I feel like I have lost a dear friend.

 

It is a marvel to me how you wove fiction with historical reality to create an astonishingly seamless story that never felt inauthentic or fanciful, never felt like it went too far. Sometimes Uhtred was at the heart of the historical action, but many times he remained on the periphery, a restraint that felt like a genuine life lived in turbulent times.

 

The final battle for Englaland was masterfully done. I was nearly sick with apprehension for Uhtred and Finan in the thick of it. But the decision to leave Uhtred to narrate Aethelstan's  victory from afar was sublime. Uhtred's time was over. What a poignant realisation.

 

I have read Homer's Iliad countless times - it is my favourite thing in all the world. I just love those vividly detailed battle scenes, unflinching in their grim ugliness, tragic and heroic, but above all else the humanity shines through it. When I first started listening to the Saxon Stories, I was struck by your battle scenes - there are strong Homeric resonances. I have wondered if you were influenced by The Iliad when you wrote those battle scenes?

 

Tonight, I will probably begin again from book one, because I am not yet ready to leave Uhtred's world and I fear I will not find another story quite like Uhtred's conflicted loyalties, amid the broader historical landscape of religious and cultural conflict.

 

So thank you for the many hours of gripping story-telling that kept me so enthralled and immersed in the world of Saxons and Danes that it conquered the everyday demons of anxiety, and made night times something I looked forward to instead of dreaded. My thanks also to the Audible narrators who both brought the world to life.

 

Wishing you and your family all the best,

 

Margaret Dean

I'm rereading Empty Throne, and I was wondering where the hostility between Aethelflaed and Uhtred the Younger comes from? Didn't she raise him?

 

Also, Uhtred remarks that he had 'made Alfred's dream come true' when he spared Berg in Wales. Was this because of the help he would later get from Berg's brother Egil?

 

Hope you're well

-Teryn

I am a big fan from Brazil of the The Last Kingdom series and have just bought the Warlord Chronicles.I just wanted to thank you for all the work you put in your books, your style of humanizing historical figures as people with as many great qualities as horrible flaws is incredibly captivating. You sir are by far my favorite historical fiction writer.

And the question: Do you plan to ever write a book about the roman period? Majorian reminds me of an Alfred whose Uhtred (Ricimer) wasn't nearly as loyal or honor-bound.

Felipe Prata

 

Sir,

I am writing to ask if you have any plans to finish your wonderful Starbuck series? I’ve been a lifelong fan of your work, and as an Army officer, can’t help but love the Sharpe and Starbuck series!

My sincere thanks for your wonderful work.

Kind Regards

James

 

Hello

Any chance that you could revisit The Starbuck Chronicles?  It was a brilliant short series.

Best regards

Terry

 

When Sharpe is laid to rest can Starbuck please march again?

Robert McDermott

 

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

The Last Kingdom series is fantastic and I am looking forward to reading War Lord when it comes out in the United States. A few months ago I discovered your Starbuck series and I just finished Bloody Ground. When you have wrapped up the Last Kingdom series may I humbly petition that you recall Starbuck from his vacation?

Very best regards to one of the best story tellers alive.

Matthew Beazley

 

Hi Bernard,

I have just finished book 4 of the Starbuck Chronicles. PLEASE tell me you are working on no. 5 !!???

Starbuck must get revenge on Blythe!!

Can I just say, that I love your books. Sharpe was fantastic (got and read all of them) whilst the Uhtred books are awesome too. Just waiting for latest one to come out in paperback!

Keep up the great work.

Best Wishes,

Sean

 

Esteemed Mr Cornwell,,

You have reignited my passion for reading. Thank you. Your stories will always have a special place in my heart.

I hope you can one day bring Nathaniel Starbuck back out of retirement.

Much love.

Gonzalo

 

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I have just finished the last of Uhtred’s adventures and I am simultaneously exhilarated but saddened to see his journey has ended.  With each of your novels, through his eyes I learned much about the birth of Englaland.  I have laughed at his impetuousness, which has gotten him not some serious trouble, admired his sense of honor, cringed at his lack of discretion, but always happy to see him find a way out of predicaments often of his on making.  I do have a question though.  At the end of Sword of Kings, Uhtred sadly thinks of Folcbald who dies at the Battle of Crepelgate. But at the end of War Lord,  Folcbald, unless he is a different Frisian, is fighting alongside of Uhtred with Wibrund right after Aethelstan has killed Thorfinn.  Is this the same Folcbald or a different warrior of the same name?   I have also read the Arthur stories, the Grail series as well as Stonehenge, and Agincourt.  Thank you so much for all of the research that gives birth to so much inspired story telling.  And I agree that Alexander Dreymon is Uhtred!

 

Hello! I am a great fan of all Saxon Chronicle books! And now, when the saga is over, I'm feeling like I've lost a part of my life...There is nothing to wait. I'm sure I'm not alone. I'd like to ask whether there'll be any books about Uhtred the Younger?  I'm so much eager to read further....

Eleana

 

I just finished War Lord the final book in your last kingdom series. I’m sad that Uhtred’s story has ended,  but I knew it had to end in this final battle. I’m wondering if his son has what it takes to fill his father’s role for a future novel?

Tevin

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am 75 and live in Norfolk, England. I have just finished the final part and want to tell you I feel bereaved at the loss of Uhtred although the ending was lovely. We have all the books and my husband has enjoyed them as much as I have and we are sorry that is the end. Thank you so much for a wonderful character, even better than Sharpe. Like you, I was taught nothing about this period of our history and it has been fascinating. Thank you again for the Uhtred years.

What next Please?

Yours

Hilary Baker.

I have read and enjoyed your series on the making of ‘England’ and the exploits of Lord Uhtred, indeed, I think I am now word perfect!

Surely you cannot leave us here? Surely you must record the events that took place in Sept/Oct in 1066.  Surely an Uhtred must have stood alongside Harold on Telham Ridge.

I have read the amazing book by Sile Rice, Saxon Tapestry, which chronicles the life of Hereward the Wake and the events of the Great Battle.

Can you not work your magic and bring to life this period for us? The death of Anglo-Saxon England truly deserves your master's touch.

I am sir, yours sincerely...........

John Davie.

 

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I have been a huge fan of the last kingdom. I have watched it many times. I have been puzzled by the fact that the son born to Uhtred and Gisela is not mentioned. What happened to him? Will he make an appearance in season 5?  Just wondering?

Thank you for this wonderful story!!!

Sharon Nelson

Dear mr. Cornwell,

 

First of all, I love the last kingdom books and currently I am reading 'the empty throne, all in English by the way, helping me a lot with increasing my knowledge of your language!

 

I am from the Netherlands and I really like reading these action packed stories about people that could have been my distant ancestors. My mother's family originates from Friesland and my father's from Saxony =). Anyway, on to my question..

 

Uhtred keeps referring to himself as a Saxon, yet his family stems from Northumbrian Bebbanburg. Wasnt Northumbria settled by the Angles instead of the Saxons, thus making Uthred and his family Angles?

 

Would love to hear from you.

 

All the best,

 

Vincent Imhof

Utrecht, the Netherlands

 

Hi Mr Cornwell,

 

I've just finished War Lord and I have read Uhtred for over 10 years. I've loved the books and have read them all more than once each. However I can't seem to recall what happened to Osferth in them? I don't remember reading a page which told of his passing or what he had decided to do but maybe I just missed it. Can you shed some light on this? I thought for certain he was going to turn up at the final battle in War Lord akin to Steapa.

 

Also in terms of Young Uhtred, I was slightly disappointed he didn't play a more prominent role in the final battle as well. Uhtred & Finan have always done the major killing's in the books normally but by my reckoning Young Uhtred hadn't really killed anyone of note since Sigurd in The Pagan Lord some 6 books ago. I just wondered why you chose Uhtred & Finan to kill Cellach & Domhnall when Young Uhtred might have been more fitting to show he was the future Lord of Bebbanburg?

 

Finally I just want to thank you for the many hours of pleasure you have given me reading the Saxon Stories, so thank you :)

Jonathan Boal

My first time writing to you.

 

I have just finished reading War Lord and I am sad to see the end of Uhtred’s tales. I happened upon The Last Kingdom by chance and now have many of your works, which I love to reread regularly.

 

My question is of Aethelstan. Appreciating that I have only read through the book once and I may have misinterpreted your writing (sorry if I have!), but I came away with the impression that he may have been gay. Was this your intention? Of course it’d be near impossible to confirm if he was/ was not, but was this a rumour of the time/ in history? I think he did not marry and did not have any (known) children, but is there more in history to suggest on this? Would people of the time have talked about this; true or not, and would it have been a scandal of the day (or alternatively have I just totally misread your text)?

 

Many thanks

Scott

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

first of all I want to congratulate you on your fantastic books.

I wanted to ask you when is the next new publication in Italy?

We have been "orphans" since 2019.

Thank you

Francesco Clementi

 

Good morning Mr. Cornwell,

My name is Salvatore and I write from Italy

I wanted to express my appreciation for several of your works including the adventures of Derfel Cadarn, Thomas of Hookton, Uhtred of Bebbamburg.

I really appreciate the style, how the era is described and the way in which it manages to involve the reader and live situations.

About Bebbamburg's Uhtred, I have been waiting for a while in Italian for the translation of the volume "War of the Wolf".

I was wondering if you know when it will be translated into Italian.

Thanking you in advance, I offer you my best regards.

Salvatore Italy

 

Hello, Mr. Cornwell.

I'd like to thank you for the countless hours of pure joy whilst reading The Last Kingdom series. I've just finished reading Warlord and even though the ending is just perfect I'm so gonna miss Uhtred and, mainly, Finan.

About Warlord, I noticed that Uhtred says he's fighting with Folcbald by his side, which is intriguing since Uhtred himself said he had died during the Crepelgate battle in Sword of Kings. As the story is told by an aged Uhtred, has his memory failed him some how?

Thank you again for the great series!

Renan Eduardo Chiulli

Hello Bernard,

Love your work especially the Uhtred sagas but recently have been introduced to the bernician chronicles by Matthew Harffy.

The similarities are striking.

Have you, I wonder, read any of his work and if so what is your opinion?

Anthony Barry

Just finished your last Uhtred!  Wonderful and thanks for all the great books over so many areas of interest.  I know people will argue over the location  of the battle of "Brunanburh", but is the name so very far removed from the current "Bromborough"?  It had to be nearby.

Robin Goodhand

Hello Mr Cornwell,

I have just finished War Lord, and not surprisingly it was fantastic.

I know you have said Sharpe is next, and I cannot wait to reread that series for a 3rd time

But I can't help but wonder what comes after that?

Uhtred expresses his admiration for the Romans throughout the series. Have you ever considered writing about their conquest on Briton?

Best Regards,

Roger

Thank you very, very much for the Saxondale Chronicles.

I had to pause the book I was reading when I realised War Lord had been released!

When I was younger I devoured the first part of the series over and over. I've lost count how many times I read the first two books in particular. The series really came alive for me when Father Judas, Stiorra and Uhtred the younger came into their own.

The final book was brilliant and I must thank you .....

Brunanburh was brought to life brilliantly and I couldn't help but hear whispers of the tactics used at the battle of Cannae.

I must also thank you for finally including Teesside into your tales! Each time a new Uhtred came out I checked the place names at the start of the book in vain to see if any place in the Tees Valley was mentioned and fate gave me my wish in the final book.

Did you have a specific location for the Devil's Fort and were you able to visit any areas when researching?

England is finally made and it brings bitter sweet feelings as I am now greatly looking forward to seeing Sharpe again. I sincerely hope that in this novel Captain Morris and Lord Pumphrey return and receive Cornwellian justice as the hands of Sharpe's boot and blade.

All the best,

James Trethowan

Sir,

Thank you for "The War Lord", sad but all "very" good things must come to an end and a very good end for Uhtred, I who have read all your books over the years must ask you what is to come? are you going to call an end to writing, I do hope not, we need your story's, I hope you may bring back Rider Sandman to us all, a great person in a time your books about Sharpe and others have opened to all of us but thank you all the same for Uhtred, Sharpe and many, many others, so I look forward to your further works, thank you and may your god bless you.

Clive

 

I just finished Warlord tonight and have to say I loved it. You are my hero! I’m in the states and always buy your books in the UK so I can get them earlier then if I wait for them to be released here. I was wondering if you could say what you have in mind next. Thank you so much.

Mike Mecham

 

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I believe I have read and own 60+ of your books and loved everyone of them.  My faves are the 'The Last Kingdom', Warlord' and 'Grail Quest' series with Sharpe coming a close fourth.  I thought that 'Fools and Mortals' was an interesting departure from your normal historical novels.  I enjoyed it very much.

I am sad that the 'Last Kingdom' series is ending and I was just wondering what your new project will be after Uhtred?

Many thanks from an avid reader of yours...

Kind Regards

Chris

 

Just finished ‘Warlord‘ having re-read all of ‘The Last Kingdom’ series. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience but now there is a void to fill! What next?

Many thanks,

John Hopkins

 

I have just finished reading "War Lord" , the last "Last Kingdom" book. A stunning end to the series ...

I agree it is strange that the Battle of Brunnanburh has been lost to British history as it appears to be such a turning point in story of our island.

I've been re-reading Sharpe and Thomas of Hookton during lockdown, have you a new character and era in mind for your next series of books ?

Best Regards

David Kellock

 

 

--

Did I catch a mistake in War Lord?

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I do not mean to nitpick and I could be mistaken however if I am not wrong then I believe you used a character in Warlord that had actually died in Sword of Kings! Folcbald was said to have been killed in the fight and the Crepelgate in London but yet he is mentioned at the Battle of Brunanburh as fighting alongside Uhtred and his men! This is the only mention of him in the book and he has no dialogue. I hope I am not inconsiderate in saying that I hope I caught a slip as that would be rather exciting for me and rather insignificant for you and your team.

 

Your books are my favorite,

 

William Moore

Hello,

I've read the Uhtred series up to volume 11. One day I would be interested in the basis on which Uhtred's statements about Christianity are based. Do you have the roots in your artistic freedom, or do you have historical sources here.

MfG Bernd Klingelhöfer

Just finished Warlord. Sad that the story of Uhtred and England is complete. Thanks for the last 15 years. Wyrd bið ful āræd.

Did Uhtred's line survive until 1066?

James Barrett

 

What happened to Nate Starbuck? At the end of The Bloody Ground” you say he will be back.

I love all your books. My very favourite is Fools and Mortals

David

 

When will Nate Starbuck be seen again? Miss him!

Pat McGarry

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

A recent article in the Guardian has you saying you’d hate to start another series and not finish it as you are now 76.  Please don’t go to Valhalla and leave Nate Starbuck where you left him-that’s a tale that begs more telling! Please consider it, and thank you for the many hours of diversion, entertainment and enlightenment you have made available through all your hard work.

DFM

 

Please, please finish the Starbuck Chronicles.......love Sharpe, love Uhtred......I’m awaiting the finish of the last kingdom.....and caught in the middle of the civil war? You left Nat’s enemy and revenge quite frankly unavenged.

Peter Brazolot

 

are we going to have more Starbuck, pleaseèeeeeeeee.

Heather Brown

 

Good evening Sir,

is there any way to continue the Starbuck books? I have to admit that the Uthred books fascinated me, but meanwhile they offer nothing new. A book about one of the great battles of the American Civil War would of course be great, too.

my respect for your work

M. Götz

 

Will there be more Starbuck books forthcoming beyond book 4?

Latrell Cronister

 

Archers refer to the flight feathers on arrows as fletchings ( origin of the surname Fletcher ). I have found fledgings in “1356”. Is this an alternative you have found in your researches ?  Love the Uhtred books.

Mike.

Oxford, UK

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

 

I've been rereading the Saxon books in eager anticipation of War Lord's publication this fall. The series has given my father and me many hours of joy and something to share with each other, so I thank you heartily for writing them.

 

I have a question, though, that's occurred to me while rereading the series. In The Last Kingdom you mostly use "Destiny is all" as the translation of Uhtred's catchphrase, before switching primarily to the more familiar "Fate is inexorable" in subsequent books. I was wondering why this is so? It seems the tv series has opted for "Destiny is all" as well. I apologize if this has been asked before!

 

Thank you again and warmest regards,

 

Shane Majszak

Dear Mr. Cornwell

Thank you for your wonderful novels.  I have read most all of them.  My favorites are the Uhtred's stories and have read all of those.  No, I have no interest in actually living close to him or in his times.  I'm one of those "fussy women" I like indoor, flushable plumbing and people not being offensively smelly.

Your extensive reading and research and then the ability to turn those into the stories we get drawn into, learn from and love is testament to your rare talent.

I have been addicted to reading all of my life.  Absolutely, must have a book.  Historical fiction being the primary interest.  In all of that reading, there was never a book read twice.  Until I met your Uhtred, Finan and company.  Actually, in adapting with this pandemic, I am finding it comforting to re-read some of them even a third time.

But I am puzzled.  Uhtred has told you and you have told us of his fear of the number 13.  Yet, sir, you are leaving him there for all of time on book 13.   Why?

Thank You, again, and please take care.

Renee of Colorado

 

Hi,

I have just finished the  wolf hall trilogy and loved it, did you read it? And are you aware that Derfel gets a mention? What was your source for him?

I just have time to reread Uhtred before the last book, will Steappa make an appearance?

And finally what year are you putting Sharpe in?

I have attended your last two book tours and hope you come back soon

MIKE

 

Hello, Bernard!

I'm a big fan of yours. I wonder about one thing: The Uhtred character was based on a real person named Uhtred?

Thank you very much! Hugs from a fan from Brazil!

Igor

Dear mr. Cornwell,

In the Netherlands, season 4 of the Last Kingdom is broadcast by BBC first. To Pick up the thread again, I re-read the Pagan Lord. From the attack on Bebbanburg, everything is different in the movie than in the book. Quite confusing, and certainly a lot less exciting. It started already with the cast, Uhtred supposed to be a large, ( one of the largest in England) and fair haired, and in the series turn out to be fairly small and dark haired. Although I think Alexander is pretty good.

My question is: to what extent do you influence the scenario?

 

By the way I can’t wait for volume 13 of the series, and I hope that one day, the more than excellent Warlord Chronicles Will be filmed too.

 

Kind regards

Mas Peters

Since King Alfred chose his daughters’ husband/ knowing Athelreds weak ,arrogant nature /even so for alliance sake/ then why did King Alfred so selfishly hold to “Dignity of Wessex sake” willing to sacrifice “all” of Wessex for his choosing so wrongly/ not loving his country as Older Odda sacrificed his son for the treason of Wessex !! It just didn’t work in the story line and one other thing / Uhtred and Lady Athelfled! / no chemistry on screen / almost painful watching that match-up/ not believable at all and hopefully steered away from in season 5 as it appears it maybe ,ha!  Thank-you

Sincerely.

Marilyn Z

 

Hi Mr Cornwell,

I am currently reading book 11 “War of the Wolf” of the Last Kingdom, in Rome. I take your books on holiday (my reading time) and they have travelled from Ireland to Uganda, Australia and many places in between. What a Journey the Uhtred (Alfred) series has been on. I have also watched the TV series to date and got confused by Uthred’s son. I started reading this series back in 2007 so the earliest books are a bit foggy, but I always thought Uhtred had two sons, one he disowned. Did the TV combine the two sons? I thought I made them up in my mind but then I just read on page 104 a summary of Uhtred‘s children. Are you aware of any sources that accurately list the differences in the TV series?

On a different note, I read My first of your books when I was 18. (The winter King) I am now 41. I was not a reader! I had never bought or read a book in my life (voluntarily) that was not for school. I loved the story of Arthur so I gave it a go. I have now read 17 of your books and love them. (Never read the sharpe ones, but the warlord/shield wall and historic battles I love). It also got me into reading and I have found a few other authors that I have enjoyed across some historical fiction and thriller.. Your still my top one.

Out of interest.  You obviously do a lot of research,  But do you enjoy reading any particular historical fiction?

Just thinking now about going back a reading the Arthur series again (although my books tend to loose pages in the sun heat lol) and maybe starting this series again.

Thanks for inspiring me to read.

Scott

Just completed Book 12 - Sword of Kings. I've been an avid of this whole series and look fwd to the concluding Book 13. The character of Uhtred has certainly mellowed and now he is much more of a thinker than he was and also now a confirmed believer in "fair play" I pick up too. Age seems not to have blunted his ability with the sword though! I was sad to see the deaths of so many of his family, all almost listed (a bit matter of factly!) in the penultimate page - but he seemed very accepting of that. Just one other thought there - linking back to Gisela. Gisela foretold about all of his 3 children and how their futures would enfold - however, she did say that Stiorra would be the mother of kings - given the demise of his two grandsons by Stiorra & Sigtrygger, it would seem that didn't come to fruition?

Phil Whitehead

Dear Mr Cornwell.

I do not make a habit of writing to well-known people, but in your case I had to make an exception.  Principally to say thank you for all the wonderful books you have produced and all the pleasure reading them (several times over) has given me.  I feel a certain connection to your books as an avid family historian.  I (like you) am a descendant of the real Uhtred of Bamborough and of Alfred the Great and his son Edward.  I also descend in the male line from an ancestor who was probably a Norse settler in the Lancashire area in the ninth century as so well portrayed in your Last Kingdom novels.  His descendant a thane called Outi was lord of several manors in the twelfth century, a younger son, Richard, was given one of them called Orrell and was the ancestor of that family.  I can relate to your Agincourt novel as three of my family fought there as Men-at-Arms, (Robert, William and Hugh Orrell) and I can relate to the wonderful Sharpe novels as my five greats uncle, Andrew Orrell was a Lieutenant in the Penninsular War (34th Regiment), he was a friend and neighbour of Lieutenant Robert Knowles who was killed at Roncesvalles and whom I assume was the original of the Lt Robert Knowles who appears in the Sharpe books?    A distant relative John Orrell was a Lieutenant in the Rifles.  Who knows, perhaps an Orrell will appear in your novels one day?

Thanks again for all your work.

Terry Orrell

I have read many of your books but I am particularly interested in the Nathaniel Starbuck series.  Will you be writing another book in this series like Nathaniel at Gettysburg?

Carol Ross

 

Bernard some years ago at the Cheltenham festival I asked if Nathaniel would walk again. Has he been lost in the Civil War or has he been serving coffee? Thanks for all the pleasure your books give. Enjoy the sailing

regards

David

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell:

I've been reading & re-reading your books for the last 15+ years or so.  Your books are like favorite adult beverages where one can savor & consume them each time & never grow tired of them!

I can understand your weariness of the "next Starbuck?" question; however, Nate stands proudly next to your other "sons" Sharpe & Uhtred and he deserves just as much in the writing of his tales.  Maybe 1 (or possibly 2??) book(s) ought to do it?

Kindly consider this as a huge favor to your legions of patient Starbuck fans.

Sincerely yours,

Lorena Hoo Al-Ali

Hi Bernard,

Thank you for The Warriors of the Storm and now currently The Empty Throne

 

After a restless life working FIFO (Fly In Fly Out) as an Australian seafarer with no real fixed abode.  I now find myself settling down and benefitting from a terrific local Library in Margaret River Western Australia.

 

It’s taken several run ups following suggestion to find your books. Just a little addictive I might say. I love the honour and integrity of being true to your own core and that of the brotherhood of which you belong, with some dead-set brilliant one liners uttered by your main man Uhtred.

 

I realise now though it would have been astute to have had a notebook handy, to have been logging down names and associations from the start.

 

Is there any chance you would have a character guide already created that can be downloaded, the searching I’ve done so far has not led to any results. It’s time consuming too.

 

Trust you are well, here we’re fortunate to be so far down under and away further isolated to the west to be almost free of the pandemic.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mark Robinson.

Hi Bernard,

May I begin by saying how much I enjoy your books.  Starting with all of the Sharpe stories and now those about Uhtred plus one or two others.  I could not get into the Arthur series, sorry.  Uhtred just pips Sharpe for me.

Recently, I finished 'Sword of Kings'  and whilst I know that modern day proof reading seems to be vastly inferior to that of years gone by, yours is usually pretty good, so I thought I should point out an error that is almost more of editing I believe.  Much is made in the story of Benedetta's ordeals and her hatred for, amongst others, Gunnald Gunnaldson and his son  The father is subjected to a painful revenge but, despite opportunity, the son to none whatsoever.  I appreciate that time and circumstance may have been different but to exact not even a painful if swift end makes no sense.  On page 119 of my copy of the book Benedetta tells Uhtred that the son was worse than the father!!!  Only a small point I know but it is surely an unintentional flaw in the storyline.

Apologies if I have misread something but if I am correct perhaps you could alter the wording for reprints.  I wondered if you had intended a revenge on the son but then lost it in editing?

I am very much looking forward to reading my next 'Cornwell' story: for me that will be 1356.

I hope you and yours are well.  Keep safe.

Kind regards,

BoB

Hello Bernard,

I hope you are well and safe as can be in these times. Firstly I just wanted to thank you for rekindling my love of reading and historical fiction. I love all the books, but The Warlord Chronicles in particular stands out the greatest take on Arthur. But returning to Uhtred, and to 'War Lord', I was wondering if you planned on returning to the UK to promote the book? I shouldn't imagine you would want to travel unnecessarily given the circumstance, but thought it worth asking anyway, along with my best wishes. Can't wait to read more.

 

Conor

 

Hi Mr. Cornwell,

Hope you and your family are safe and healthy with all the trouble in the world right now.

I have a question about the Saxon Stories, if I recall correctly Guthred was rescued in Strathclyde and it was described as wild and lawless, and the folk there were pretty much all Danes (at least those Uhtred encountered, and my memory may be forgetting some lines). The sample for War Lord mentions Owain, and I'm guessing that's Owain ap Dyfnwal. If it is him... where has he been in your story? What have the Cumbrian Britons been up to this whole time in your story? I understand that might be something I gotta read War Lord to find out.

Secondly, are the Arthur books still your favorite? There's a quote from you on my copy saying of all your books, those are your favorite. I love all your writing, but I think I agree. There's something about that trilogy that's just 'magical'.

I'm really excited for War Lord, I have the audiobook preordered already. Can't wait for that and whatever else you choose to write after! (Maybe a 1066 or Anarchy book? wink wink)

Teryn Shaw

Have loved & followed this series right through from Book 1 - always eagerly awaiting the next one. Looking forward to Book 13, to what I assume, is the final book in the story of Uhtred. Hopefully, a happy ending in the main!

Have you ever considered bouncing on a few generations (perhaps 4), with an Uhtred descendent (obviously also called Uhtred and still owning Bebbanburg) bound up in the chaos of 1066? An Uhtred sworn by oath (of course) to assist Harold Godwinson to accent to the throne. He could be involved as Harold's army commander and finest warrior in the battles that Harold fought in the mid 11th C, then directly involved in the political skirmish for the throne after Edward the Confessor's death. He would be proud of the exploits of his ancestors - in particular a certain Uhtred, born of Saxons, raised by Danes a 150 years before....and the bitterness of his expunging from the history books - a legacy he wants to correct. A perfect character would be Harold's wife - Edth "The Fair" Swanneck of Mercia - apparently a  great beauty of her time and obviously a perfect target for an affair with Uhtred! This Uhtred's finest moment could be leading the emphatic victory at Stamford Bridge, followed by the breathless dash to Kent to meet the Normans....the fate of the England at stake....Uhtred's own fate at Hastings? a story in the making!

Phil Whitehead

Dear Bernard

I have just finished reading ‘Sword of Kings’ to keep up my record of having read all your novels.

I was, however, confused with the section where Uhtred and Eadith were talking with ‘Wistan’.  Eadith left the discussion and returned with Aelswyth.  It states that Aelswyth smiled when she saw ‘Wistan’ but it was Eadith who exclaimed ‘Aethelwulf’ and approached him with open arms,  Surely, it should have ben Aelswyth who recognised Wistan/Aethelwulf.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series and I wish you well for the future.

Kind regards

Kevin Gelder

Dear Bernard

I hope you are well in these strange times. My question is have you ever considered Sharpe remembering his past lives (perhaps in a dream or on his death bed) as Uhtred, Derfel etc? It would be a nice way to connect your major character's together.

Best Regards

Phil

Hi Bernard.

Looking forward to/dreading the final Uhtred book this year (Not ready for it to end!).

In the meantime I have been re-reading Sharpe and can i ask does Sharpe's failure to murder Hakeswell in Tiger, Triumph and Fortress lead to his decision to hand him over the authorities in Enemy? And the same later on with Ducos in Revenge? Or has he just simply learnt the value of justice as he grows older?

Also one final question we're seeing lots of reboots at the minute would you be open to a Sharpe reboot? And who would be your choice to play Sharpe?

For me it would be Sam Riley the distinct accent being a key part of this, but that's just me! Although it would be hard seeing Sharpe played by anyone but Sean Bean.

Hope you are well and please keep the books coming!!!

Jim

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I just finished reading the Saxon stories and eagerly await the last book.

Your books are quite intriguing and gives us a view to that era from prospect of a warrior. Sigtryggar and Athelstan are my favorite male characters. I love how their  personalities are different from the characters around them, specially Athelstan. Thank you for keeping Gisela alive through Stiorra in every book. I must confess I wished you would written more of Stiorra, Sigtryggar and Athelstan. As I finished reading "Sword of Kings" I had many questions on Uhtred's personality.

Uhtred's character hates kids; he finds them irritating including his own son. Which is odd because parents love their children unconditionally.

Uhtred claims to love many women in his life(Gisela, Aethelflaed, Eadith). But he moves from one woman to another with lightening speed. In the page of  "Sword of Kings" he tells Benedetta that he wished Eadith dead. Is it because he liked Benedetta?

Throughout the series Uhtred adopts many happy boys and protects many pretty women. He claims to "love" them. But his love seems feeble and conditional. Is it possible that Uhtred confuses liking with love? After reading"Sword of Kings" I wondered if Uhtred is truly capable of love? I would like to know your thoughts.

Thanks,

SJ

 

Dear mister Cornwell,

I have read the last kingdom books two three times ,but I cannot find any description of how Uhtred moved into Dunholm after the death of Brida.

Can you tell me how this happened?

C. H. Cottam

Is there any way to bring Gisela back?  She was a wonderful character and showed that Uhtred was capable of true love.

Steph

Dear Bernard,

 

I just finished Sword of Kings and I very much enjoyed it.  I thought the way Aethelstan killed his brother at the end somewhat mirrored how Norwenna died in The Winter King.  I am looking forward to the final book in October to see how Uhtred copes in war when he's pushing 80!

I have a couple of questions about the Last Kingdom series.

1. Did you ever consider killing off Uhtred and replacing him with his son as the narrator/main protagonist, for example between The Pagan Lord and The Empty Throne where he nearly dies following his fight with Cnut?
2. What was the nature of the oath Uhtred swore to Edward in Death of Kings? It is at the bottom of page 165 of that book.

Toby

Dear Mr. Cornwell:

 

Congratulations on “The Last Kingdom” series, and now TV series. I started watching, but decided I’d rather read it first.

 

Just a question on Norse religion. In several places early on in the first book characters state that the Vikingr religion had no clergy. I’m not any kind of expert, but almost all ancient pagan European religions had Some form of clergy/ shaman/ druids/ temple guardians. Weren’t the Norse priests/ priestesses called gothi/ hofgothi? Of course the leaders and nobles might have religious roles as well.

 

Looking forward to the rest of the saga of Uhtred!

 

SAT

Nova Scotia

Hi Bernard.

My husband and I love your books.  We were very happy to see The Last Kingdom done by the BBC. It was well acted and close to our 'picture' of  Uhtred. We were shocked and disappointed at the last series done by Netflix.  They changed his character and also those around him. We did not mind a change of story line, it was the complete altering of the characters personalities that was so disappointing. It was Uhtred that put Athelflaed on the throne of Mercia and we loved the way he cleverly achieved it. Sadly the writers took Uhtred's clever planning ability from him and made him look weak and helpless -  simply led along.  Uhtred is better than that.  We could not bear to watch.  Could you please get BBC to do the next series?  We have also watched Sharpe and they are good.  Sean Bean is excellent at portraying him.  Thank you for all the great reading we have been able to do during lock down.

Kindest regards,

John and Sandra Hansen.

 

 

I just wanted to tell you that you are by far my favorite contemporary author, having replaced the late Tom Clancy in that role years ago.  I've got all of your series, as well as all or most of your "stand alone" novels.  In addition to loving your topics, plots, characters and writing style, I'm particularly impressed by your exhaustive research and attention to accurate historical detail in every book.

Although the Sharpe and Last Kingdom film series generally followed your respective threads, there have been some significant departures in each of them in some respects, especially with regard to The Last Kingdom.  My question is; did the producers consult you or give you any veto rights or latitude in making those revisions, or was it pretty much on a dictated "take it or leave it" basis?  (My hunch is that they perceived that the tv audience differs from the hard copy readership in what they consider to be entertaining.

Thanks much in advance.

Art

I just wondered if you have come across The Paladin, The Wolf Time (sequel) and Knight In Anarchy? They're by George Shipway, set in the C11th and C12th, in England and Normandy. I suspect Uhtred would have approved of Walter Tirel and Humphrey Visdelou...thoroughly recommended!

Martyn Kerr

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of your books! I have read all your books apart from the Starbuck Chronicles, simply for my lack of interest in that particular part of history, and I loved all of them all. I’m very much looking forward to last books of the Sharpe and Saxon series' respectively. My favourite ones are still the Arthur books though, because I love the way you used the old Magic, with a particular luminous squid coming to mind. Now to my Question though: Am I mistaken, or has Durham/Dunholm lost much of its power, wealth and men since Uhtred made Sihtric the Lord there? Before it always seemed a great force to be reckoned with under Kjartan, Ragnar and Brida, but now barely plays a role anymore(which I regret, because I always loved him by Uhtred’s side, but I suppose he deserved that castle). Also, Sigtryggr Ivarsson seems a lot weaker than all other Nortumbrian lords/kings before him. Why do so many of his southern Lords fail to support him with men? What happened to Northumbria’s power, which in Cnut’s times could field many thousand men and now Sigtryggr struggles to field a few hundred?

Greetings from Colombia

Jonas

Hey Mr. Cornwell!

I was curious about the current women in Uhtred's life. Will Uhtred and Aethelfled have another chance at romance after she has been crowned lady of Mercia? Also concerning Brida as a new mother, will she come back into Uhtred's life too?

Erin Threlkeld

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

Firstly, I would like to thank you for a such a wonderful series in the Saxon Series! I haven’t been able to stop reading them since I started last year and look forward to the rest of the books. I was wondering if you have seen Season 4 of The Last Kingdom and what you think about it.

I cannot wait to see you how you end Uhtred’s journey later this year. Thank very much!

- Jaedon

 

Mr. Cornwell,

I have been a fan of your work since 2013 when "Death of Kings" was tossed at me by an annoyed friend. I have been a longtime fan of the classic fantasy genre ever since I picked up a copy of The Hobbit as a kid.  I appreciate your perspective and historical commitment to your characters of the Warlord Chronicles, The Saxon Tales, and the Grail Quest. To me your work neither romanticizes nor vilifies the medieval time period, which is an easy trap to fall into. I have a somewhat eclectic taste in reading material though I find myself often returning to your works I mentioned. Thank you for such entertaining and wonderful stories of adventure that I will enjoy for years to come.

I also want to let you know that while a mild annoyance for you, the Archer's Tale title (I'm an American) was what reeled me in to the series. I found your annoyance with the title on your website worth a good chuckle. On a personal note, I was curious as to your opinion on the Netflix adaptation of your Saxon Tales. I am often wary of screen adaptions of literature.

Best Regards,

Michael

Hi!

First off, I absolutely adore your TLK series.  I’ve read the first 10 three times and o catch something new every time I read them.  I just have a question and a comment.  My question is are we going to see Sihtric or Steapa in the last book?  I hope so!

I just finished Sword of Kings.  Great book, but I do have to say I was a little appalled by Uhtred wished Edith death.  I know him being a flawed character is part of his charm, but him saying he wished her dead made my “What a dick!” meter go all the way to the left.

Thank you!  I eagerly await the last book!!

Vanessa Donnelly

Hi Bernard,

I wanted to thank you for creating the Saxon Stories!! I am now up to date on the series and looking forward to the latest book of the series this October. I am sad to hear it will be the last of Uhtred’s adventures!

Saying that I wanted to ask if you have thought about taking on the 11th century of England’s history and writing about William Victory at Hastings in a series to set up the time period and the after effects on England?

Love your writing and will be starting Harlequin very soon!

Thank you again

Robin

 

Please write the fifth Starbuck Chronicle. Just read the first 4 back to back..awesome and as enjoyable as Uhtred.

Simon Stevenson

 

I love the Sharpe series and I am thrilled you plan on doing another Sharpe book next but allow me to press you finish Starbuck. I think he only needs 1-2 books. Think you will ever be able to do it for us? Thanks.

Michael Kruckemeyer

 

 

 

I have asked in the past how you felt about changes in your stories when they are adapted for TV - whether Sharpe or Uhtred.  You have always answered that you didn’t mind them and found many of them interesting. I have agreed up to this point. HOWEVER, I am stunned by Season 4.  It in no way remotely resembles anything in the books. I won’t give any spoilers, but maybe 5% of it corresponds to the books. So rather than adapt the books to a TV format, the writer thought he could write a better story and just completely wrote his own. As a serious Cornwell fan I am baffled, disappointed and disheartened.  I have to think your legion of fans feels the same.

Ron Filipkowski

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell

Though I think not, I was wondering if you had any any input into the Netflix "The Last Kingdom" based on your novels?

Season 4 is almost unbearable to watch. Uhtred has been emasculated. He cries on shoulders, needs hugs, and really, his story seems incidental to the story. Most of it is on the King of Thrones-like intrigue of the various courts. In short, Uhtred is weak. I don't know if this dummying down of his character is a sign of the times, or simply just poor artistic direction of the lawyers, but Uhtred's fierce mischievousness and military prowess has has been watered down to something akin to Forrest Gump. It is frustrating. He lacks character. You have plenty, as reflected in your writing. Wish it showed through.

If you have any say at all, please ask the writers of the series to put some steel into Uhtred, as written by you.

Best,

Adam

I hope to find you in good health Mr Cornwell?

I am looking forward to Uhtred’s final tale which is due to come out this year. I want to thank you for writing these novels, I am a Northumbrian born and bred and we (and our history) are often forgotten up in this part of the World.

I hope in this final novel you will do right by Uhtred and give him the sword death that every warrior craves. Hopefully at the hands of his apprentice and protégé Æthelstan as a reward for his service and sacrifice to Wessex and England. Uhtred’s death in this manner would Symbolise the death of Paganism in a (mostly) Christian Kingdom. However I am most likely way off the mark.

You have commented that you intend to return and finish Sharpe’s story. I hope with ending of 2 Era’s (Sharpe and Uhtred) that you do not intend to hang up your writer’s quill?

Have you/do you entertain the prospect of returning to the troublesome time of the dark ages? You have previously state you are a descendant of Uhtred’s and I remember reading that there had been an Uhtred, Uhtredson or Oughtred at the heart of many conflicts and political events through English history. Would you consider writing a novel or novels about Uhtred’s descendants throughout the chaotic years after Uhtred’s death and 1066 and after?

Or maybe a novel about Uhtred’s ancestor Ida and him taking Din Guarie, maybe even the forging of the Saxon Kingdoms?

Just food for thought...

Kurt Beck

Hello Mr Cornwell,

I have loved your Saxon Stories for many years now. I originally became immersed in the world of Uhtred in the most unusual way. I naively purchased 'The Empty Throne' for a holiday abroad, thinking it was a standalone book. Quickly I realised this was not the case but because I was abroad and it was the only book I had with me I decided to persevere and read it. It was a testament to your writing that I quickly picked up and followed the story. When I finished I was at somewhat of a crossroads, do I start from the beginning or do I continue with the story and read The Warriors of the Storm, the latest one at that point? I decided to continue the story as I was desperate to know what happened next but I managed to read the first books after, in time for release of The Flame Bearer.

Anyway, in my love of The Empty Throne, Sigtryggr quickly became my favourite character. I found him fascinating and my love of his character has only increased with each passing novel. I loved his intelligence, his charm and how he felt different to many Danes in your series and other forms of literature or television. I was also relieved when watching Season Four of The Last Kingdom that the show managed to do the character justice. He was easily the strongest aspect of the season for me.

My question surrounds his death from the plague in Sword of Kings. I haven't found any information online confirming how he died. My question is was his death in the books historical or fictional? If fictional, what was the rationale behind having him die from illness. Apologies for the long winded way of asking a simple question.

Thank you,

Andrew

Dear Mr Cornwell,

It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

I merely wish to say thank you for writing the absolutely wonderful Saxon Stories/The Last Kingdom series. I happened upon them after watching the first series of the TV show on Netflix and was captivated by your writing style and brilliantly engaging plot.

Might I also ask if you could tell me the meaning of 'Uhtred' and 'Stiorra' if at all possible please? I am an amateur name etymologist and very much would like to add these names to my list.

Thank you in advance!

Selena

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

First I would like to say I have enjoyed reading all of your stories from Uhtred to Sharpe and everything in between.  I was re-reading The Saxon Stories and I ended up with a much different perspective about Osferth's behavior at the battle of London.

Uhtred and his men have their shield wall holding the gate. Father Pylrig and Osferth are on the walls above tossing stones and dead bodies on the Danes attacking Uhtred. This is Osferth's first fight and he is behaving somewhat underwhelmingly. He's mostly terrified and so far all he has done is spear a cripple for which Uhtred mocks him. Then at just the right moment, a huge crash of stone falls behind the Dane leader and Osferth "jumps" down behind it to stab the Dane in the leg crippling him.

Heroically jumping off the wall to attack a strong enemy from behind just doesn't seem to fit Osferth's character at all. He's timid and scared, he's been training to be a monk for ages and everyone thinks he fights badly and will die in his first shield wall.  Later on we come to know Osferth's character even better.  Uhtred acknowledges him as a smart and cautious like his father.  When he attacks the slavers in Lundene Uhtred thinks how Osferth disapproves of Finan and his rash actions and attacking before thinking it through.  Also, when Uhtred needs a commander to lure away the Dane's away from Caester so he can visit the Erce's grandma, Uhtred picks Finan because he believes Osferth would be too cautious and retreat to quickly.  Osferth just doesn't seem at all like a man who throws all caution to the wind and jumps.

It seems most likely to me that Osferth was pushing the rocks off the wall and accidentally fell behind Sigurd, but then no one ever says anything about it in the rest of the books and they all think he jumped? Uhtred seems to think he jumped and changes his opinion of him, but I'm now convinced that dude fell pushing the rocks off and just luckily recovered quickly.  Would you be able to share what you think happened?

Thanks,

Louis

Hello Mr.Cornwell

I hope you and your family are safe from this virus that been plaguing the world. I just wanted to say I've been using this free time to reread your Last Kingdom series I'm currently on the 8th book and I enjoyed how you give a bit of Finan's past in Ireland.My question is in your last book will it be more historical then fictional. I'm sad that your next book War Lord will be the last in the series but I'm excited to see how Uhtred's story ends.

Tevin

I love your books. I have read or listened to every one of the Saxon stories. I am a big fan of Uhtred of Bebbanburg. I am very interested in Bebbanburg castle the way it looked in Saxon times. I would like to make a model of the castle and also to paint watercolor paintings of how it looked back then. I know you have described the castle and it’s grounds in several of your books which I am rereading to get geographical details. Where did you get your information about the different coastline and geography of the area? I have looked on several websites but can’t find a good map of how it might have looked. Do have any guidance for me? I know that present day Bamburg and it’s coast looks very different than it did a thousand years ago. I would be very grateful for any help you can give me. I would be glad to give you a free copy of any paintings I do and can send you photos of the model I build. Thanks for your time.

Mike Kroes

Dear Mr Cornwell.

I was fortunate enough to read 11 books from the Uhtred series. It is unfortunate that the thirteenth book will be final.

In the ninth, tenth and eleventh centuries, the land of Lothian and the city of Edinburgh were part of the Kingdom of Northumbria. Perhaps Lothian and Edinburgh were the property of Lord Bebbanburg. But in the first book, Uhtred said that the Tweed River was the northern boundary of his possessions. Then who owned Lothian and Edinburgh?

Will the Battle of Brunanburg in 937 be in the thirteenth book?

Thank you so much for Uhtred. These books made me happier.

Best regards,

Dmitry.

Hi Bernard I

have been a massive fan for nearly 20 years now. My mother stumbled upon Sharpe's triumph when i was 11 years old and since that day i have been hooked. I have two sons who will be hearing your stories when ready. I have a couple of questions. After the massive success of the last kingdom and sharpe tv series would you consider letting more of your stories become a tv show?.

Who would win in a one to one combat between Derfel vs Uhtred?

Looking forward to the next book in the last kingdom series.

Kind Regards.

Jordan McDonagh

Hi Bernard.

Don’t fret this is not yet another “will Nate return” question. I’m using the lockdown to re-read the Starbuck series. For my sins it’s how I read, somewhat superficially so I can find pleasure and even a new plotline in a book many times. So a question that has bugged me since my first reading if you will indulge me, Generally it seems you pick the winners, Sharpe, Uhtred, Arthur, etc. Was there a reason you chose to enlist Starbuck in the confederacy and not have a displaced southerner fight for the north?

Steve Cavell

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

Greetings from Greece. I would like to thank you for your books. I was 18 when I first read Last Kingdom and now I'm 35 with two children...your books have been my comfort through good and bad times and although I knew this moment would come I must say I will greatly miss Uhtred. Nevertheless, I can't wait to read this final chapter of perhaps my most favourite fictional character.

Again, a big thank you!

Ioanna M

P.S: As a woman, I have to say I didn't like the way you treated Eadith. It was a bit unfair...Moreover, I remember Uhtred saying something about Constantin...that what he did to him after their first encounter was much worse. Unless there's been something that I forget so far I haven't read anything about Constantin to justify it. I hope I'm not talking nonsense.

Good morning Mr Cornwell

Firstly, thank you for your books especially the Warlord & Uhtred series. I've read in your responses that you do not plot and I wondered how that worked with a historical fiction series?(obviously quite well!) Battles happen at fixed points in time and space so your characters need to be there also, for example, we are introduced to Kjartan/ Sven/ Thyra in book 1 but that plot/ sub plot isn't resolved to book 3. When you introduce someone like Kjartan is it the case that you don't know quite what will happen, simply that something will depending on events in between? You know the destination of your trip but not how you'll get there - sort of thing?

Many Thanks for all the enjoyment

Simon

Good Morning Sir,

I hope you're staying safe in this difficult time. I’ve been using the quarantine period to reread your excellent books.

But one major issue seems to have been forgotten - does Uhtred ever make up with his first born son? Surely they will have a moment before the end.

Love your work

Tom

Mr Cornwell.

I love your books, I think I've read/listened most of them; we've  watched/read Sharpe avidly and also the Uhtred saga.   However, my very best favourite is Thomas..

I've just finished listening to 1365 which has left me hungry for more!  (Read The Trilogy before 1365 some time ago...  I think they were the first audio books I ever listened to!)  Surely there's, another book in "the works "?

Thank you very much for your books and for choosing the right narrator!  Looking forward to hearing some good news?

Lucy Swanton

Dear Mr. Cornwall,

I read out (edited) the books to my ten year old son - he loves the books as much as I do.

We are wondering why it is you (we think) have chosen the "west" location of Brunanburh on the Wirrall, favoured by Max Adams, and more recent historians rather than the "east" location near Doncaster as favoured by Michael Wood?

Still think Uhtred should have buried a hoard just outside Lichfield on his way to the battle of Tettenhall, but hey, it was your book.  We are partisan, living in Hednesford, not far from Lichfield, Penkridge and Hammerwich.

Are you going to branch into another area of history when Uhtred's story is finished?  I still could see a generational gap and maybe a grandson carrying on post Brunanburh - there's the whole drama of Erik Haraldson (who may or may not have been Eirik Bloodaxe) and the morally bankrupt Wulfstan yet.

By the way, we are wondering what Stiorra's son is called - you told us she called her daughter Gisela, and that they both sadly died at the end of the most recent book.   Or did they? Because the are both niece and nephew of Olaf Guthfrithson, who is going to be opposite Aethelstan next to Constantine over the matter of York.

Rory (my son) likes how you write the landscapes so well. He has aspirations of being an author when he's older.

Best regards,

Lucy and Rory

Can you please describe how Uhtred and Aethelred are cousins?

Thanks!

Michele Fernandez

Hi Bernard,

I just started book 10, The Flame Bearer, and I had a thought about Uhtred's oaths.  He is very aware of his oath to Aethelflaed but did he not swear an oath to Edward on Alfred's deathbed after Alfred granted him that new estate? I don't have a copy to Death of Kings to confirm this but he doesn't seem to mention it in the books I've read so far that take place after Death of Kings. Was it just a temporary oath like in the tv show or was it supposed to be for life?

David Major

Dear Bernard/Mr.Cornwell,

I write to you as a friend, we have never met, but I have read so much of your work and have felt so much joy in reading your work that I feel closer than strangers at least. I did sign-up to meet you at a signing in Jorvik (York) once, but such as Arthur or Lancelot, I was driven to a position in France and was sadly not able to attend.

I am from Ipswich (sadly not mentioned in your series so far from what I have read as I always look for it in the place names in the Uthred books), but have family in Whitley Bay towards Bamburgh. Thus, I have had the pleasure of driving up to Bamburgh, and, if I had my way, you and I would share a pint (or a Jameson Whisky as I understand you enjoy) in a nearby pub and would talk for hours about your books and History.

Alas, as I have found love in France, which keeps me here (happily I should add) such as you ventured to America to be with Judy, so I shall just ask a couple of questions.

You mentioned on a live chat once (and in the Sharpe books) that Harper came from your friend and his son in Ireland, and you were about to mention where Finan came from when all of a sudden you were side-tracked by another question, so, I would like to know what you would have said about Finan's origins (is it from your love of Ireland etc.)?

Now that the Uhtred series is coming to an end (and he has done spectactularly well), do you think there will be some continuation or ending of the Starbuck Chronicles? (I understand it is probably an annoying question by now, so feel free to ignore it).

To finish, and if you have made it this far I applaud you because damn do I ramble-on, I just wanted to say that it was The Arthur Books that got me reading you. As many a British boy I'm sure, I am in love with the idea of being a hero, Robin Hood, or Arthur or Henry V or indeed Derfel or Thomas of Hookton. Your take on the Arthurian legend really grasped me in the way characters could hold depth in their stories, and what a story to be a part of. Of course when I read I am there, with Sharpe or with Derfel as their right-hand man.

Apologies for the essay and the bad grammar, I do hope you have the time to read it.

In the hopes I will make a reading one day, I leave you a loyal fan, looking forward to reading more and more.

Best regards,

Alex

Hi Bernard,

Will War Lord be the last in the series? You were non-committal last time I asked but your answers to others suggests this will be the end. Can you shed light?

Good luck with whatever comes next.

Chris

 

Hi. I was just wondering how long you think Uhtred has left? By my reckoning he was born in about 857, and by the end of Sword of Kings Edward dies, which happened in 924, so Uhtred is 67! Surely he doesn't have many battles left in him?

Andrew Evans

I love the last kingdom series and can’t wait to read the next book. Curious to know - will there be a 13th book and if so when will it be published? No pressure of course - I realize you need to write it!

Cheers

Stacey from Down under.

 

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I just wanted to take a moment to say to you that the last kingdom series is one of the best I have ever read. I recently came about them after seeing and being recommended to watch the show currently on Netflix. I have always been a medieval time period fanatic. I decided to read the books first ( as always ) and wasn’t able to stop. I have read all twelve books in the matter of three weeks and, just finished the sword of kings a few days ago. I have seen on other questions and comments that you are currently writing a thirteenth! Very excited!! I was curious when might we see it released? Also when Uhtred passes, which I hope is never haha, will you continue on writing through the eyes of his son?

Thank you for your time reading this, I hope to hear from you soon!

Forever Fan,

Doug

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Last Kingdom series. Thank you for your creativity. I likely missed it in the series, but what happened to the deaf girl Uhtred’s son had at his farm? What happened to the wife and child of Uhtred’s cousin (also Uhtred). The wife was with Osferth, and her son went back to his father, but I don’t recollect seeing what happened with them. Does Mildreth ever make a return, or is she living her days out in the nunnery?

Thanks,

Steve

Hi Bernard.

I have read and loved your books for many years now, not least The Last Kingdom series. Thank you for years of enjoyment, entertainment and historical education. My question surrounds the first couple of books in the series, written in first person by a seemingly aged Uhtred, in what seems like secret solitude. As the series moves on, there is no reference to this any more. Why is this?

I also really enjoyed the Waterloo book. Any plans for any more non fiction books?

Dave Pugh

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I am new to your work and just recently picked up the first book of Uhtred's saga. I've been tearing through it but came to a spot that left me a little confused. When Uhtred meets up with Ragnar the Younger on the beach to set the record straight regarded Ragnar's death, why doesn't Ragnar the Younger (I suppose he's just Ragnar by then) ask Uhtred why he switched sides? Uhtred was nearly a man grown by the time he abandoned the Danes and was so immersed in their world that it must seem like a very real betrayal. Wouldn't Ragnar at least have reprimanded him about that? Or not trusted him since he became a turncoat? Instead he simply asks Uhtred to help him get revenge.

Looking forward to finishing the first book and all the future volumes waiting for me!

All the best,

Ryne Davis

First - Thank you so much for your books. I just finished listening to the 12th Last Kingdom book. I experienced them one after the other on audible in what has felt like a great dream. Now, I must wake up from the dream while waiting for #13.

Still, I must ask you about the women in the book. Honestly, it's a bit of a protest. Did Uhtred really say at the end of book 12 that he was happy Edith died? Huh? So he could have Bendetta? Really? I realize women died earlier in the middle ages and men had serial marriages, but by book 12 Uhtred has had a harem's worth. And they are always strikingly beautiful. Please don't descend into teenage boy fantasy of women.

Gisella and others have been reasonable characters. Some of the gals could use a little more of your attention (what did they do with their time for goodness sake?)  But it seems Uhtred ends by despising his last stupid, pious wife. This is what your foreshadowing seems to indicate.

It does seem sad to spend a lifetime as a kingmaker and end with  such an impoverished hearth. Perhaps your Bendetta can do something with all her orphans?

Whatever you decide, I am looking forward to reading the results. Cheers!

Rorie

Hi, g’day from the land of Oz. I’ve read the 4 Starbuck books and am holding onto life in the hope of a further book to tie up loose ends, particularly to see Blythe cop his much deserved dues. Any chance of that before I shuffle off this mortal coil?

Wally Bezeruk

 

Hello. My son and I have enjoyed together every Sharpe book, each of the Uhtred books, Agincourt, The Fort, and have recently completed all four of the Starbuck Chronicles. In all, we have bought 41 different stories, many of them in more than once; including print, kindle, and audiobook editions. We also own the box set for Sharpe's TV series, even though we do not yet own a player capable of playing it!

Starbuck is by far your best work. I am writing to encourage you to please, pretty please, write more Starbuck books. As fun as it would be to have more Sharpe, all that we really want to know can be learned from Patrick Lassan; and Uhtred is a little long in the tooth for more war glory. But Starbuck is fresh and just hitting his stride.

We are waiting with bated breath to know how you will tell the story of Marye's Heights, the long hot road to Gettysburg, and then introduce us to Ullyses S. Grant. Stories your readers already know, but want to hear your telling. Please write more Starbuck soon!

Brad Nelson

Hi.

You may have been asked this already. Sorry if you have or ive got it wrong but i thought young Edmind rescued by boat in Kent by Uhtred with his brother mum and bernadette was half brothet to Athelstan with his dad being the dying Edward. Towards the last pages before the feast Athelstan says to Uhtred he will not harm his nephews and their mum when they go to Kent. LOVED the book and instalment. Cant wait for next .

Regards

Mike

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I have enjoyed the Uhtred series and hope to read the final novel.

I am writing to you to bring up a point for your consideration.

In all my reading of history, I have never read or seen a reference to the use in England in the ninth century of stirrups.

I appreciate stirrups added to your novels but I believe that while the Normans had stirrups at Hasting (this their feigned retreat) Harold did not.

This is not a criticism as all your novels are terrific.

Regards

Andrew Davis

 

Dear Mr Cornwell,

Best Historical fiction i have ever had the pleasure to read.  I have just finished 'Sword of Kings' and although i believe that Uhtred deserves a long happy retirement in Bebbanberg i believe he may still have some scores to settle? Any plans for a thirteenth installment.  Finan will be itching for a fight by then

Graham

Hello.

What about Uhtred swearing an oath to Edmund next?  You know it makes sense!  I'm sure you could come up with some skirmishes or set-to's!

Many thanks,

Andrew S.,

Leeds

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I am a huge fan of your books as I am very interested in British history and I love your style of writing. I am also very interested in mythology, especially Nordic mythology. And here comes my question. In the Uhtred books the sceadugengan are sometimes mentioned. I have tried to find more information on them but these information seem to be very rare. Could you recommend me a good book or webpage where I can find more information and that I could also quote as a source?

 

Greetings from Germany!

Miriam

HAPPY NEW YEAR , Bernard !

Just finished Sword of Kings ! Excellent stuff! Poor Uhtred got himself in quite a pickle there , didn't he ?

One tiny tiny tiny complaint though...

My favourite character was mentioned, but never showed up!

STEAPA!

I was waiting about 200 pages for him to lumber up and save Uhtred's arse. ..just like old times!

So I was annoyed at that and am now Grumpy Grumpyson!

May Steapa rises from his Fictional grave and chop your head off!

Looking forward to what's next

Yours

Lord Grumpy Grumpyson

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell.

Many years ago, a friend recommended your book Agincourt to me and although I didn't think I'd like a book about a battle, I was drawn in by your marvelous character development and fascinating historical descriptions.

That said, I love Uthred.  I was thrilled that BBC developed a series and I think they've been true to your books.  One thing that has me wondering, though, as I am reading Sword of Kings, is how old is Uhtred now?  Pushing 60, I would imagine.  Considering in the first book, Uhtred laments how he's an old man and starts telling us his story in flashback mode, and that life expectancy in the 9th century was probably around 35, aren't you cheating a bit my making him such an active and invulnerable senior, considering all the physical trauma (slavery and war wounds) he's been through?   He doesn't complain about his age anymore, as we read in "real time" and not flashback mode, and many of his acquaintances from the younger generation have already died.

I love Uhtred and am thrilled to continue reading his story, and I know it's fiction, just wondering about this, since everything else is so realistic.  And just for the record, don't go killing Uhtred on my account. LOL!

Thank you so much for such wonderful books and many blessings to you and your family.

Maria Garaitonandia

Hi Bernard,

Is it sheer coincidence that your character Uhtred sounds similar to your father’s surname Oughtred? Big fan.

Chris

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I really enjoyed your entire book series of Uhtred. I just finished Sword of kings and I was somehow puzzled in the last chapter when King AethelStan refers to Eadgifu’s sons as his nephews while in reality they are his half brothers.

Is there a reason behind that statement?

Thank you and looking forward to Uhtred new adventures.

Roland Younes

Dear Mr Cornwell

I have been an avid follower of your books since Sharpe’s Eagle first came out in paperback nearly 40 years ago. Throughout that time I have been serving in the British Army although despite coming from good greenjacket stock I only spent 3 months as a rifleman myself.

Your Uhtred books continue to entertain and I have recently traced my own ancestry back to Prince (later King) Edmund, his parents Edward and Eadgifu, and his grandfather Alfred the Great, who is my 36th great grandfather. This has added another dimension of interest!  There is also via another branch an Uhtred in there, but being born in 1120 this is clearly not our hero.

I do wonder though whether in Sword of Kings (which I have just finished for the second time) you might have got your London gates a little bit mixed up? Cripplegate was the gate in the fort - I got married for the first time in St Giles-without-Cripplegate church, as did Oliver Cromwell, but that’s another story - which Uhtred and Finan can see in the distant west. From your description I think the gate where the battle to place is actually Bishopsgate, although I don’t believe it was known by that name in 10th century London.

Could I be right?

Yours sincerely

Rick Keeson

Hi Mr Cornwell,

I have recently finished the book series Last Kingdom and I hugely enjoyed the series especially as it was a completely different kind of series to the usual that I read. I have previously thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Bosch and Inspector Rebus series but anyway that’s beside the point.

The books have had a big effect on me and i’m keen on tattoos and would like to get one of Uhtred in all his glory with a Welsh dragon behind him. I just wanted to know whether he looks like you imagined him to look on the series the vikings (yet to watch this). And if not is there an image somewhere that you can think of that really resembles Uhtred in the way you see him?  I know there’s the description in the books but I wondered whether you have seen an image that really does the character you created justice.

Thank you for your time,

Dewi Williams.

Dear Mr Cornwell,

Mere words cannot express the appreciation I have for you and your collection of published works. Thank you. Your works have lit up my life for years.

I am sure you have been asked this before, but I am unable to find the answer, so if you will bear with me, I will ask again.

Did you ever consider turning the Grail Quest series into a longer series of books? The setting of Hookton and his band of Hellequin seems like a perfect backdrop for a longer series of books, like what you have done so well with Sharpe and Uhtred.

This is not a criticism, as the four books in the series are all phenomenal anyway. Just a curiosity.

Jared

Dear Mr Cornwell,

Congratulations on another excellent un put downable addition to your Last Kingdom series.

I noted in the book you make a number of references to iron rimmed shields. My understanding is that the majority of shields of the time would most likely be edged with leather? Forging an iron rim for a circular shield would involve a skilled blacksmith for some considerable time, thus making the shield expensive. However shields were semi-disposable items. The Icelandic Sagas record participants in pre-arranged single combat bringing a number of shields with them, no doubt in the knowledge they wouldn’t last long against a battle axe or heavy spear in the hands of a skilled user? I appreciate remains of iron shield rims have been recovered through archaeology however I would suggest these would be from ceremonial or “dress” shields owned by chieftains and the like who could afford them?

With Uhtred being born in 866 and Athelstan becoming king in 924, this makes Uhtred 58 for the period of the Sword of Kings. Being a six foot tall, reasonably fit 50 something myself, the thoughts of donning a coat of mail and slugging it out with sword and shield (even if leather edged) against someone of a similar build or bigger seems rather daunting? As you mentioned Uhtred lives to see Englaland united then I take it he will be present at the battle of Brunanburgh 937? This will make him a venerable 71 so presumably he will be limited to giving Athelstan sage like counsel rather than wading in to the battle with his new friend Egil who I note you have also introduced, being someone we also know from his own saga, was present at the battle. Not that you will give anything away of course!

Your reference to heraldic type badges for leaders banners and shields seems a bit anachronistic however I appreciate this gives needed clarity to the reader. The Bayeaux tapestry shows the Saxons carrying dragons on poles as standards at the battle of Hastings. This has been literally interpreted as being a carved dragon or more likely a continuance of the late Roman draco standard, being an iron forged dragon head with a brightly dyed “wind sock” arrangement attached behind it. The dragon head being forged in such a way as to give our an eerie noise when the wind blows through it. As Uhtred’s standard is a wolf’s head, it would be really cool for him to carry forth a wolf head version of this type of standard? I am not after any credit for this idea. It would just be great to read about in the next book!

Kind Regards,

Peter Clayton

 

What has been your most important research resource for the Uhtred saga? How good is your Anglo-Saxon?

Dick Godfrey

Hello Bernard,

I continue to enjoy your well researched and entertaining novels - especially the Last Kingdom series.

In your latest book, Uhtred, as is his benevolent nature, continues to give away shillings. This intrigues me since the coin never existed in his time. It was first issued, a ‘Testoon’, in early 16th Century in the reign of Henry VII. I’m sure you have had this pointed out to you before now. However a literary licence does allow such generosity !

Keep up your good work

Keith Wilson

 

I must thank you for the many hours I have been entertained by your stories.  I still have 3 or 4 books left to go.  They have made my road time to and from work enjoyable.

I was wondering, will there be more to the story of Uhtred after Sword of Kings?  My only wish with this series is that Jonathan Keeble had done the whole series.  The way he told the story was amazing.  Matt Bates has done well.

If there is going to be more to Uhtred's story, when might the next book be released.  I will have it on release and will make sure I have audibles ready to play it when it is released.

Many Thanks for the wonderful stories.  They are brilliantly and richly written.

Kind Regards,

Heather

 

Dear Bernard,

I’m such a huge Uhtred fan and have been happily expecting the next in the series this autumn - but I’ve realised you’ve not yet said (or I’ve not discovered) what you’ll be working on next or when it might be due! Are you able to tell us yet?

Very best wishes

Jackie (proud BCFC member)

 

Is this the last of the series or do you plan to write some more. Have loved the whole series (so far?).

John Turnbull

Thank you for having this interface with fans. I don't think it is sufficient to say you are my favorite author. You spawned an entire genre of captivating historical fiction, and I am as grateful for that as for your books, which still reign supreme.

Two questions:

I am puzzled by the ending of Sword of Kings where Uhtred says "but I did" (after Benedetta proclaims "you did not want her dead."). What am I missing here?

Second question: Sharpe vs. Uhtred: who wins? Yes, I know, different eras, different weapons. But level the playing field on that score, and...??

Jeremy Symons

 

What is the meaning of the stone in Uhtred’s sword pommel?  In the series, it is shown quite often.

Chip Redden

I am sure you have seen this news about the King Alfred hoard:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/11/21/two-metal-detectorists-convicted-stealing-3-million-viking-hoard/

Is there any way you could work in Uhtred dancing on the heads of the ancestors of these w....rs in your next book?

Lars Kristiansen

I love Uhtred's skepticism of Christianity.  But I've always wondered whether there were doubters of both that religion and the pagan religions during the ninth century.  My assumption is that there must have been some (who very likely kept quiet about it) and their doubts didn't make it into recorded history.  What do you think?

Richard Brown

I have read the 4 volume series of Starbuck twice and really enjoyed it both times. When will you be releasing Volume Five? You say on the last page of V4 ..."Starbuck will march again.".

Thanks for all your great books, especially the Sharpe's Series, my Grandson is now enjoying them.

Gary Brown

 

Hi Bernard,

I recently finished the bloody ground and I am wondering if we will ever see more of Nate and Truslow? I understand you are busy with the excellent tales of Uhtred (and hopefully bringing Sharpe out of retirement!). Given this I wondered if you had ever considered allowing another author to finish the tale, or is a novel too personal to hand to someone else?

Thanks for the many hours of entertainment so far,

Sean

 

Really enjoyed the Last Kingdom series, which I have read and purchased (doubtless you are happy to hear) over the years. How much longer do you plan on keeping it going?

Paul Alan Thompson

 

Hello Bernard,

Will the Uhtred book you are writing now be the last of the series?

Separately, the correspondent asking for a series about Wales would enjoy Sharon Penman's series, Here Be Dragons, Falls The Shadow and The Reckoning.

Cheers

Chris

 

Good afternoon,

i'm a great fan of your books, especially the Uhtred saga. Now i have one question regarding the last book:

As Uhtred's daughter and grandchildren are all dead, how shall the prophecy be fulfilled, that his daughter will be the mother of kings?

And i must say that i'm really sorry for Eadiths death as i liked this figure. I have no idea why she had to die too, but i'm sure you'll have one.

Greetings from Berlin and looking forward to the next book

Peter Ansorge

I love this series and have just finished your last book, Sword of Kings. Will there be another book after this one in the series?  I particularly like this period in history as to how England is borne.  I believe that you did hint in your last book that Uhtred would live to see the unification??

Would appreciate hearing from you.

I have so enjoyed your Last Kingdom series. The have brought me many hours of reading pleasure.

I am from Wales now living in Canada. I would love to learn about the history of Wales and how we became to be a principality of the UK. Have you thought about doing a novel on that particular piece of history?

Regards,

Linda Marshall

Dear Bernard,

Firstly, can I just say how much I love your Last Kingdom series of books, and the current TV series based on the novels.  Not only I do I find the history of the Vikings and Saxons fascinating, I also find Uhtred's dry sense of humour highly amusing and very like my own!

Secondly, I have a query regarding your novel, The Pagan Lord.  You make reference to two place names, Tettenhall and Wednesbury in the West Midlands.  I understand that there is some debate regarding where a famous Viking battle took place - however as someone who lives in Wednesfield in the West Midlands, I am certain this is where the battle was fought.  You will notice that it makes more sense for 'Odin's Field' to be Wednesfield - not Wednesbury, which would actually be Odin's 'burgh'.  Wednesbury is about 15 miles from where I live.

Interestingly, I also live just off a road called 'Waddensbrook Lane', which makes me think this could be referencing Woden's brook.  There is indeed the remnants of a brook along this road, which I am certain would have been much, much wider 2000 years ago.  Could the Vikings have travelled along this brook to meet their fate just a few minutes from my home?

I hope you don't mind me questioning you, but Wednesfield as a small village, is often mistaken or overlooked in favour of the small town of Wednesbury.  I would be extremely disappointed if this was reflected in your TV series.

I know deep down the place where I live has some historical significance and I feel the road names support this.

Thanks again for your wonderful writing,

Kindest Regards,

Angie

Hello Mr Cornwell,

thank you for another excellent installment of Uhtred's adventures. As I read Sword of Kings I started wondering if perhaps Uhtred's adventures at his age were getting a little silly, even for a fictional hero. After all, I think Uhtred turned 67 in 924, the year of Edward's death.

Then it dawned on me that my father-in-law is 79 years old, drinks like a fish, eats terribly, yet visits the gym every other day where he bench-presses weights that most men half his age can't cope with. On reflection, Uhtred seems far more believable a character than my father-in-law, and I see no reason for him not to be quite literally fighting fit at 80 years of age by the time Brunanburh comes around. Even then, he'll still be a good decade or more younger than Cohen the Barbarian!

Anyway, a quick question (which I understand you may not wish to answer!). Have we now met Uhtred's future and final wife in Sword of Kings - the lady he likes to have a bit of a moan about from time to time when he narrates in the present tense...?

Phil Dean

I recently purchased War of the Wolf and so, of course, had to read through the whole series before opening the new read. My wife laughs as I read through these books for the third time but I just smile and enjoy myself.Thanks for that.

I'm a retired High School History teacher and I share your love of Saxon Britain but even more the period of Roman Britain. I keep hoping you will turn your talents to that period. After all, Uhtred is an admirer of all things Roman,no? Rosemary Sutcliffe, as I'm sure you know, did a wonderful job of that period in her books.

I know you must feel a strong connection with this series due to your ancestry and I am "proud" to say I too have an ancestry that I feel connected to. I am a 9th generation Ranger living in Quebec. Hubert Ranger arrived in New France in 1686 as a soldier in the Carignan Salieres Regiment sent to protect the settlements. He then married a "Filles du Roi" and settled as a tenant farmer on the Ste. Anne Seignury on the west end of Ile Montreal. The ancestry makes me feel connected, even proud.

Finally, this was mainly to thank you for your contribution to Historical Fiction and to wish you many more adventures. Thanks for the entertainment!

I got so caught up with my ancestry note I just sent that I forgot the other reason I wanted to write you...Alfred's Dream!

As I live in Quebec continually caught up in the English/French language debate I recently reflected on the success of the English Language. Wouldn't Alfred the Great be amazed at this success? I wish some Quebec Francophones would remember how important English is on a global scale.I am a 9th generation French Canadian comfortable in both languages and wish all Quebecois would respect & embrace our 2 founding languages!

Huzzah for Alfred!

Paul Ranger

Mr Cornwell,

Thank you once again for Uhtred's latest adventure. The poor old boy is a bit like me; bits dropping  off him, every joint aching!

I was wondering if we could look forward to another BBC series of Last Kingdom. It seems a long time since the last one. Can we also look forward to one more Uhtred battle?

Thank you for so many hours' of reading pleasure.

Best wishes,

Carol

Dear Mr Cornwell

I recently finished Sword Of Kings. Another very good addition to the series.However upon finishing the book i'm left with some questions that I hope you can help clarify.

Firstly the whereabouts of Sihtric, I'm not certain if this is answered in a previous book that i'm simply forgetting but is he still alive and a warrior of Uhtred's, and if so can we expect to hear from him again?

And Secondly on the final page of Sword Of Kings Benedetta states to Uhtred that "You did not want her dead" and he responds "But I did". Who exactly is he talking about here because my initial though was Eadith but that seems rather cruel even for Uhtred.

Regards

Callum

Dear Mr Cornwell,

Thank you for another excellent adventure for Uhtred. I'm sure the final book's action will largely take place in Northumbria, but should he ever return to Cent, is there a chance Uhtred could stop by my home town of Dartford (Tarentefort)? He keeps coming so close!

Regards

B Tidman

Hey Bernard,

I've been following the exiting news and discoveries made by Wirral archaeology and I see you have made a visit. I live just around the corner to where i suspect the site is. Have you any plans to re-visit the site in the future? Would love to meet you and be cheeky and ask for an Uhtred book to be signed!!

Chris C

Hi again,

Just re-read Sharpe, War of the Wolf as a refresher and then Sword of Kings. Congratulations on the latest book it was really entertaining. And I look forward to the next book! It was nice to see Uhtred looking over Foulness about a 1000 years before Richard Sharpe did.

Regarding Sharpe, following my latest (re) reading of the series, I seriously cannot imagine, after being given Prince of Wales by Wellington at Waterloo, that Sharpe would just run off back to Lucille in Normandy and desert them. ...can you confirm you plan to finish this off with a novel leading on from Waterloo?...because I for one think it needs it! And I hope we hear from Sweet William, Antonia and get confirmation on Dally's health.

Kind regards

and keep up the good work

Dan!!

Hi,

Firstly, sword of Kings is fantastic, and I cant wait to see where Uhtred goes next. Secondly, I owe you a lifetime debt- I found my love of reading via the sharpe/starbuck books in the 90s, which I read for hours at a time in Cheshunt Library. The 8 year old me would have been incredibly excited to see Cheshunt featured in one of your books (as was the 36 year old version!). My question is why Cheshunt? Based on previous answers to similar questions I imagine it was a random choice, but I thought I would check!

Michael

Well I've finished another one, 5 days and it's been a roller coaster.

Thank you so much Sword of Kings, I think the best Uhtred yet, your genius continues to amaze.

2 Questions,

Steapa is alive, will we meet him in the next one?

Uhtred is getting older and there are signs that he is starting to doubt himself and worry that he isn't the man he was ( I know the feeling). Was it your intention to portray him that way, it certainly gives him another dimension?

Mike Davidson

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I have recently finished "Sword of kings" and just one question, will we - i.e. Uhtred - ever meet his older son again or at least find out what happened to him? Did he find about the recent tragic events in the family?

OK, two questions, fair enough!

Kind regards,

Gris Grill

I really enjoy the Uhtred series but the last book confused me. In a previous book the elderly Uhtred said that Stiorra became the mother of kings.  The historical Sigtryggr was the father of kings yet we are told in "Sword of Kings" that his only offspring died as small children.  Was that a mistake?  Did the children actually die?

AD Powell

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

best regards (just bought Fools and Mortals, I'm really excited to read it!) I was thinking about something about the Last Kingdom series that i'd like to ask you. In Warriors of the Storm we finally after a long absence see a returned Brida. She had previously been furious with Uhtred when he left Ragnar and had stayed there in Dunholm in the north, where it seemed inevitable that she would play a part in the story. Her relationship to Uhtred and her character itself had so much dramatic, emotional potential I cannot stopped feeling disappointed that she came back as mad witch who does horrible things, showing no sympathetic features whatsoever unlike many of the norse antagonists or say Nimue. She and Uhtred never had a single exchange of words, she just showed up being an completely evil insane witch that a vile norse lord used for the fear she gave and then she died horribly and Uhtred didn`t have a single thought or feeling about it, she could have easily been a whole different character. I was just wandering if you could say why did you brought her back like this?

Pedro Oliveira

 

Mr Cornwell,

Thank you once again for Uhtred's latest adventure. The poor old boy is a bit like me; bits dropping  off him, every joint aching!

I was wondering if we could look forward to another BBC series of Last Kingdom. It seems a long time since the last one. Can we also look forward to one more Uhtred battle?

Thank you for so many hours' of reading pleasure.

Best wishes,

Carol

Hi Bernard,

It has been really great meeting up with Uhtred again but I am worried about him and his state of mind.

He seems to be frequently and affectionately remembering sayings and quoting advice given by his “father”. This seems strange given that he last saw him when he was 9 and always seemed to recollect his father as distant, showing him little attention and even less affection. What is more puzzling is that many of the “Pieces of Wisdom” attributed to his father would seem more akin to what Ragnar, his adopted father, would have said.  He has often affectionately referred to Ragnar as his father and found his fame whilst still calling himself Uhtred Ragnarson.

Is Uhtred’s memory of his natural father mellowing with age or is he the victim of the confused recollections we all have as we get older (speaking for myself that is!)?

Whichever it is, he  can still tell a ripping yarn.

Paul Stein

Dear Bernard

Just finished Sword of Kings and as always loved it. However there is one thing that has confused me. At the end of The Empty Throne, Uhtred writes "and I thought of the old prophecy that my daughter would be the mother of kings. And so it proved." And yet at the end of Sword of Kings we are told that both of Stiorra's children are killed by the plague. What is going on????

Best wishes

Rodney Doran

Dear Bernard

you're my preferred writer, and I'm waiting for the 12th book of the Saxon series but.. my daughters read only in italian and are waiting to read the 10th, the 11th etc.

do you know why the italian version of them is so late?

got any news?

 

thank you for your art

Stefano

 

Hello Mr. Cornwell

I'm waiting from more more more time the last three books of Uhtred saga in Italian language. Thank you and compliment ( sorry for my English),

Gianluca.

Hello!! Me and my 10 year old son are absolutely fans of your books. We read it in Spanish version, me sometimes in English, we are specially fond of Uhtred! We have already read all the books of the Last Kingdom in spanish version at the same time, we always use Uhtred phrases that only me and he understand, the rest of my children and my husband do not understand our fanaticism. I always tell them they don't know what they are missing. Anyway, we wanted to know when the Spanish version of Uhtred's last two books, War of the Wolf and Sword of Kings, would be on sale and where (Amazon?). Thank you so much for all your stories! We love it. Hug from Argentina.

Lucrecia

Aprenda a pronunciar

Good night

Thanks for all your shared knowledge.

Is the Uhtred saga coming to an end? I hope not.

 

Thank you

Lucas

Dear mr.Cornwell,

thanks for your stories and the adventures that you give to us. I'm a student from Italy and your books always helped me and my best friend to feel better in moments of stress and sadness. We read the stories of Uhtred because we love Vikings and Britain's history so you inspired us to write our own story on vikings. Thank you very much. I have a question to you, how do you find inspiration?

Thank you from my heart, your reader and fan,

Pia Eugenia D'Antonio

Mr. Cornwell,

I am a huge admirer of your writing style and the way you consistently incorporate the themes of your novels into the story line of the series as a whole.(ex. Wyrd bid ful Araed and the theme of Fate in The Last Kingdom Series). When you sit down to start to tell a story, like Uhtred's. how do you select the themes that you want to weave into them? And as a follow up does the themes you wish to use have any weight in the historical era within which you choose to explore those themes?

Best,

Jeff

Hi Bernard

Are you planning to visit Bromborough? I believe there is new and promising archaeological evidence to prove that this was indeed  the site of the Battle of  Brunanburh of 937AD. I understand that battle will feature in your last book in your Last Kingdom series. Is that where Uhtred will  finally meet his end?

Best regards

David Brewer

Hi,

Thank you for all the stories I can read from you. I really enjoy it.

I have a little question about Uhtred Standard. I don't find any historic references about the wolf standard related to bamburg History. Did you chose it on your own, based on Uhtred proper story, or is there an historical reference about this choice ?

Thanks again,

Best regards,

N

As the hero in your "Saxon Tales" considers his helmet almost as valuable as his sword, does it seem odd to you to see the actor(s) portraying Uhtred & company in the filmed series fighting bare headed?

Michael McKittrick

Hi Mr. Cornwell, I'm your fan and I love your books, specially The Saxon Stories.

I have a lot of questions!

 

1º: In The War of the Wolf Snorri spoke a prophecy and mentioned that Danes and Saxons would united themselves and Uhtred's family would lose Bebbanburg. In Historical Note you said that this alliance will happen in 1016 (the year that Cnut take English Crown). However, I saw that this family keep Bebbanburg until 1085, with the Earl being only saxon in the Norman England. Uhtred's family keep the Bebbanburg until norman conquest?

 

2º: Since the Main Character of story is based on your ancestor and in the first book you mention that you advanced him a bit on the timeline, do you intend to close the Saxon Stories with the Canute invasion?

 

3º The Saxon Stories will finish with Uhtred, or will the Uhtred's family fight against danes with King Edmund Ironside??

 

4º Do you have plans to War of The Roses? Will your writing skills that would be a WONDER Story!

 

Thanks Mr. Cornwell!

Lucas

Hello Mr. Cornwell!

 

First, let me say that I love your books! I discovered you through The Last Kingdom television series, and as soon as I realized it was based on your books I began reading The Saxon Tales. I'm almost done with book 10, and look forward to moving on to all of your other books once I've caught up with Uhtred's latest exploits. Thank you for sharing your brilliant imagination with the rest of the world, it has opened a curiosity in me about my Anglo-Saxon heritage that I never knew I had.

 

I do have a brief question for you, if you find the time to respond. Do you have a recommended resource for translating Modern English into Old English, and vice-versa?

 

Thank you very much, and keep up the great work!

 

Kyle Williams

Dear Sir!

Can you include Mildrith in your coming season 4 The Last Kingdom?  I hope she is the one who is taking care of Uhtred children. Thank you!

Sierlen Aguilar

I just wanted to say how wonderful I think your Saxon series is - I think I’ve re-read the Last Kingdom around 10 times since it was released. My question is will Oswald be part of Uhtred’s life in upcoming books in the Saxon series?

Regards,

Laura

Dear Bernard,

I was never much of a reader until I found Sharpe’s Tiger, then I found everything I ever wanted. I was a teenager at the time and not much in my life had gone according to plan. I always loved history, but I never read books that spoke to me in a way I could visualize and believe in until your Sharpe series entered my collection. I have read each book several times and finally convinced my wife she too needed to share in this experience. My favorite characters are Sharpe, Harper, Derfel, Thomas, and Uhtred, thought I feel he is too arrogant at times, but I get it. If you were to rank your favorite characters, how would you rank your favorites?

My wife did finally listen to every Sharpe book with me. Just a few weeks ago we finished the last book together. Even though they have a "happy" ending, we were deeply saddened at the prospect of ending the series that entertained our stressful work nights, road trips, and entertained our weekends for the past year. I must say, my wife was so sickened by Hakeswill, she forced me to give away the plot a few times by threatening me she wouldn’t continue listening. I told her she had truly found a gem in a book when she so vehemently opposed a character…you can’t have a good hero without the villain.

Three summers ago, Derfel's narration was the soundtrack to painting the exterior of our house. We cried when Derfel cried for Dian...we even paused the book. Your books are more than stories to us, we can look back at our time together and anchor your stories to significant parts of our life together.  You have imprinted a great and positive series of memories for us that have fused your stories with the story of our life...you possess and have shared a great gift.

Our son (who is 7) thinks every book we listen to is Sharpe, and while he isn't the first person in the house to ask for your stories, even he leans in to hear what is happening and finds similarities. He feels he is written into Patrick Harper's character since Patrick is his middle name. In another ten years, maybe he will be like me at 17 and find great stories and a dear friend in the Sharpe series too.

In "Sharpe's Company," when Wellington says, "If Wellington had had 1,000 Sharpes, the city might be his," I often chuckle, because I think I've listened to your books nearly 1,000 times, so by now, the city is his.

Thank you for every word.

Sincerely,

Clay Schaeffer

Hello,

First of all I just want to say how much I have absolutely enjoyed your Saxon Tales series. I’ve read all 11 books, and your series has me hooked on that genre. My question is: How do you intend to reconcile the fact that Uhtred is getting very old (particularly for his time period where life spans were short and he is probably three to four times the expected), arguably too old to fight battles and lay siege, for this upcoming book and any future books of this series?

Please leave out any spoilers as I am very much looking forward to reading it.

Thank you.

Jeff

Hi,

I started to read your Last Kingdom series about 14 years ago (I have read as well some of your others books but not the Sharp series yet)  and since the beginning i am a huge fan. I have just finished "War of the Wolf" this morning and one more time i really enjoyed reading your work. I'm looking forward to be able the next one "Sword of Kings". Do you know how many books left do you have to write about Uhtred? If i remember well a long time ago you said that there will be 12 of them. I can't believe it , it's amazing how time flies, but the next one is number 12... Is it really going to be the last one??? I like as well the TV series, i thought it was going a challenge to be as good as the books, but it is indeed very good. Unfortunately i haven't seen season 3, as i am now leaving in Norway and here it has been delayed. Thank you for your amazing books!

Gwenaëlle Sizun-Thomé

 

Hello

I'm really looking forward to the release of Sword of Kings. Is this going to be the last Uhtred book in the series or will there be more?

Thanks

Kevin

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

First thanks for this magnificent sight with so many questions answered.  Second glad to see Sword of Kings will be out just in time for  Christmas.

About Uhtred carrying and using long a long sword.  I have read or watched on line a lot of discussion about using a back scabbard.  I am sure that you wrote a sequence about the reasons for Uhtred having a long and a short sword and the reason for using a back scabbard.  As I recall Uhtred used the short sword in close quarters and shield walls.  I believe Uhtred describes carrying the long sword at the waist as usual when in towns or castles but across the back when riding.  The long sword itself being useful for combat while riding (not exactly cavalry) and against individuals or small groups.  Also carrying both swords on the back in combat so that either could be drawn during the press of battle.

Could you please tell me where this sequence is in your books and any references you might be able to provide which lead you to give Uhtred manner of using arms.

Separately I have noticed that rubbings or pictures of knights and lords buried with their swords often show the person being buried holding their sword in front of them with two hands (rather like the Academy Awards Oscar statue).  In early and medieval England could this be a lingering belief in Odin?

Thank you,

Peter Brickwood

Hi Mr Cornwell -

I wanted to thank you for writing the Last Kingdom series of novels.  They are crackers and Uhtred (and his son Uhtred) are great characters.  In your writing on the Contact page, you said that you don't want ideas for books but here is something that I think that you are up to.  The best novel that I have read about Vikings was/is The Long Ships by the late Franz Bengtsson. There has always been a follow up book meant for this tome; especially what happens to Orm's sons and Cnut the Great.. Once I had a dream to write such a book but, alas, don't have the skills that you have. You are going to be flat out with novels that open the way for Uhtred junior (I hope so anyway).  Maybe you can suggest to other aspiring authors to give The Long Ships sequel a go.  It is terrific that you are writing your novels and I wish you all the best of fortune and good health.  I can't wait to read the next instalment!

Your sincerely

Andrew

 

Hello Bernard

Hope you are well!

Firstly, i hope this isn't patronising of me, but i wanted to help one of your readers out. A few months ago a Loren Cohen asked you how Sharpe and Pat can know each other in Sharpe's Prey, when they are supposed to meet for the first time in Spain 2 years later. Loren said Pat had been a sailor in Prey. You said you had "no idea" what she was asking! i think Loren was confusing Pat Harper for Bosun John HOOPER, who of course Sharpe finds invaluable in Copenhagen!

Just thought i'd answer Loren's question for her!

 

i wanted to ask you about Oaths and Honour though.

I've just finished reading a novel called "Knights of the Hawk", set in 1071, and concerning the post-Norman Conquest. i could definitely spot your influence on this author, because like you with Uhtred he uses the old names for places, and provides a helpful little map for us! The hero, Tancred the Breton, is rather Sharpesqye, being brilliant and bold, with a knack for taking absurd risk, but ones which certainly pay off, and Victory is due mostly  to his efforts!   Interestingly the Hero is a Norman ! i suppose all us English grew up with the idea that the Saxons were the "Goodies" and the Normans were The "Baddies", so it threw me a little bit reading a  story told back-to-front, as it were. History though, is a bit more complicated, isn't it, and the Normans are just as much a part of Our Island Story as the Saxons, vikings, Romans and Celts before them...

Anyway, in the book there are several references to Harold Godwinson as "the Usurper" and an "oath-breaker" and it got me to wondering about the power of an Oath.

it seems to me that Duke William had NO Claim to the Throne of England, other than an Oath from Harold. I'm a bit sketchy on this, but i heard somewhere that Duke William forced that Oath on Godwinson. It was given under duress, not freely.

Is an Oath given under duress still binding though? Or can it be broken?

ii'm pretty sure you dont believe in Magic, but does an Oath have some kind of "Magic" to it, and when its broken...? So, if Harold Godwinson did indeed break faith with Duke William by taking the crown himself, did he is some mysterious way "cause" the Destruction of Anglo-Saxon England? i don't know if you see what i mean there! i'm not sure i i see what i mean there! Sort of like Fate. Once Harold had declared himself King, Fate was set and he was going to lose his Kingdom. Or was it just that fortune favoured Duke William, and went against King Harold. Pragmatism, not Fate?

Certainly Duke William believed God was on his side, because Harold swore over Holy Relics. That was, apparently, a trick though, and Harold only found out he's done it, after he'd done it!

i'm asking you this, because i saw an interview with you where you revealed that one of the characters in War of the Wolf who makes an Oath, will break it, somewhere down the line. So, i'm wondering if you believe an Oath should not be broken, and that the very breaking of it will create negative consequences, or whether its just a neat Narrative device for you to use!

Returning to 1066 though, i always like the way Simon Schama described Duke William's invasion of England, "Not a righteous Crusade, but just a grand throw of History's dice..."

Your thoughts?

oh, i'm a bit grumpy that Sharpe has been delayed! Still, it'll be a pleasure deferred, i'm sure...

Thank you for taking the time to read this and answer it!

Kind regards always

Matt

Still in Wiltshire

Three of us, from three different countries spread around the globe, are huge fans of your masterful series, the Saxon Stories. We were brought together by our mutual love of the journey of Uhtred of Bebbanburg and every character and storyline have bewitched us. We are bound and determined to grow a book club on Facebook we’ve just created dedicated to the series, in which we can have intelligent, thought-provoking discussions about the books while we wait patiently for #12.

My questions for you are:

1) What are you asked most often about regarding the creation of the series?

2) What is your most challenging topic to discuss as an author of historical fiction?

Appreciatively,

Nadine (with Des and Kate)

>From Ontario in Canada, California in the U.S., and NSW in Australia.

Sir, will there be a 12th Last Kingdom novel? I dearly hope so. Thank you

Daniel Roberson

 

When are you releasing your next book on Uhtred?

Have read every book in the series and am impatiently waiting for the next book!!!

George Asprakis

 

Hi Bernard,

Just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the latest chronicle of Uhtred's eventful life! There is always that pleasurable yet also sad feeling of finishing a good read. I'm really looking forward to the next adventure - and this time it seems you've hinted what's to come... Forgive my eagerness, but do you reckon it'll be out later this year? Thanks again for brightening my existence! Take care for now,

RD.

 

Hi Mr. Cornwell.

Isn't it about time that you told us what the title of Uhtred #12 will be?  And perhaps the back-cover blurb of the plot?

Alan Kempner

Dear Mr Cornwell

I am sure one of the Last Kingdom books has given the translation of the phrase Uhtred is fond of quoting, and which are the last words in War of the Wolf. Something about fate, but I cannot remember enough Old English to fully understand! Your help would be much appreciated - and I live the books. by the way! I hope this is not the last we will hear of Uhtred!

Sincerely

Carolyn Devine

Hi Let me start with saying I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! The story about Uhtred is amazing and I bought everyone that has been released in swedish. And that is my subject: Is there anyway for you to push for translating in swedish? As I said I have the books about Uhtred, Azincourt, 1356 and The Fort but that are the only ones I can find in swedish. The rest I have borrowed on the library in english, just going to start the books about King Arthur. I am sure you wold get a large group of readers and buyers in Sweden cause we like books about history.

Thank you for your books!!!!!! I wish you all the best!

Ewa-Maria

Dear Mr. Cornwell:

I am a fan, having read a number of your novels  enjoying them thoroughly, including The Fort, Gallows Thief, several Sharpe books and now I am reading The Last Kingdom series in order.  My problem is that I am "reading' them on audiotapes. While there has been a variety of narrators, until Death of Kings, there was always a  consistency in pronunciation of Uhtred and Bebbanburg. However, in the current audiobook, instead of the pronunciation OOO-tred, it is YOU-tred. Similarly, until Death of Kings, Bebbanburg was pronounced as it is spelled but in Death of Kings, it is something like Bamra. Is this a variation introduced by the new narrator or is it something that you suggested? Do I now have to change the way I occasionally roar "I am OOO-tred of Bebbanburg" around the house?

Thank you.

Regards,

Barry Guerke

Hi Bernard,

Looking at the questions section, I have to say there are many people totalling to the mass of Jupiter requesting continuation of Starbuck! It's your decision, of course, but while Sharpe might have another adventure left in him, and Uhtred is nearing the end of his saga, I reckon Starbuck would be a great contender for possible future projects. Unless you have something else planned...? Probably more an elaborate hint than a subtle one. But, whether you cave in to such fanbase cravings or not, I have to say I'm eagerly looking forward to your next novel - whatever that might be! By the way, I'm not on Netflix but nevertheless purchased the Blu-Ray third season of The Last Kingdom, waiting for a nice, quiet moment to enjoy it. And I'll look out for your cameo role! My Mum will be sure to do so - she loves Uhtred, after all, and I wish I was more like him.

Robert Douglas

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I enjoy your writing very much, I appreciate a mixture of fiction and history. I'm working my way through the Sharpe series now, and read the Starbuck books a while back. I was disappointed that it was left unfinished, and I wonder if you have plans to do so.Also, I recently acquired our family genealogy and discovered that I'm of Norman descent. I would be fascinated to read your take on the Norman Conquest.Thanks,

Jay Washburn

Will we be seeing more Uhtred the Younger POV chapters in the final books?

The final book, covering the battle of Brunahburh, would have to be completely from his POV for it to have been written at all... right?

Teryn Shaw

I was reading your responses to questions from fans. I noticed in one you said,"I enjoy Uhtred's company, although I'm not sure he enjoys mine." It put me in mind of how Robert E. Howard wrote his Conan stories. He stated he wrote as if Conan was sitting beside him telling him of his life. Robert said he could scarcely type fast enough to keep up. I was wondering if that's how you see Uhtred, of if Robert E. Howard was ever an influence on your writing. Thank you for your time.

Eric Hughes

I’m far behind on your Saxon stories, I didn’t even know that it was one of your books when I watched the show! My question is in the pagan lord did Sihtric Kjartanson leave Uhtred after the burning of his hall by priests?

Thanks if you have time and thank you for writing this and the sharpe series!!

Paul

Dear Mr Cornwell

I am sure you get a lot of emails from fans but I just wanted to add my appreciation and thanks for the many hours I have spent reading your books.

I think I have read nearly every book you have written now and have enjoyed each one within its own right.and their series. In fact make a point of rereading them periodically.

This in turn led me to the works of G.A Henty and I was curious if he was indeed an inspiration to yourself?

Like most people I would love to write a novel but I do not seem to possess the artistic element or discipline to do this. I do have an idea for a series but do not know how to get started on such a venture and was wondering if you could offer some advice for a mere mortal on where to start.

Also do you know when you will be publishing the last Uhtred novel as he has become one of my favourite characters that you have written about.

Once again thank you for your indulgence and my heartfelt thanks for the hours of enjoyment that you have given me over the years.

P.S Like you I am a transplant from UK to USA and if you ever find yourself in Milwaukee area then you would be most welcome to stop in for a proper cup of tea and some scones.

 

Regards

Henry Toal

Hello Mr Cornwell.

Thanks for writing your King Arthur and Lord Uhtred stories. For me I really like the way you merge real history with your ideas. (I haven't read the Sharpe novels its too recent a history for me). I come from Coventry and have been interested in history for over 50 years. I was brought up with the history of the 2nd world war ( my mother is 96 and she lived through the Blitz) so I never got to know about Coventry's more interesting medieval history! Coventry in the Saxon times had  a nunnery founded by St Osburg which was looted of its gold and destroyed by the Danes under King Canute! (Sound familiar). It also turns out that I was born in the grounds of a medieval monastery (Whitefriars). It also turns out that the road I live just off is directly connected to the Gun Powder Plot. The start of the War of the Roses, King Richard Banished Henry Bolingbroke (Henry IV) from the kingdom on Gosford Green. Also the Twins in the Tower as 2 Knights of the realm were hanged in 1495 at the top of the road, the site is now a pub! It it said that they were involved with the Lambert Simnel  Rebellion which was all about Lambert being an imposter of one of the twins. Not only that you may be interested to know that my road has direct links to King Arthur! ( I say with slight tongue in cheek) but seriously 4 miles up the road is the home of Sir Thomas Mallory! and it was his nephew that was hanged for the Lambert Simnel Rebellion. Its amazing what history is all around you when you take a serious look.

Anyway an idea struck me after seeing an interview with you online and that is 'What or Who' will you be writing about next, I know you have an idea but let me throw another idea into the mix. William the Marshall!  He I would think ibe right up your street. An amazing warrior living through the most historic of times, again sound familiar? Anyway I hope you don't mind me writing to you.

Best Wishes.

Kim.

June 6th D-Day

Greetings Mr Cornwell,

I hope this finds you in good health. I'm a long time fan and was wondering whether you might answer a question for me.

Have you at all made your mind up as to where you're going to have Brunanburh take place? Obviously, we're all waiting with bated breath for that final, glorious showdown and have been ever since the beginning (I was giddy as a schoolchild when Uhtred received the prophecy at Buchestanes saying that 'seven kings would die'). But, as I'm sure you're more than well aware, it would be an understatement to say that the location of the battle is the subject of serious debate.

I wonder if you've decided on whether to have the invaders land in the North West or to have them sail around Scotland and land in the North East. I suspect I'll just have to wait to find out!

Thanks again for all of your wonderful stories, and for deigning to tell the story of England's birth in the first place.

Kyle

Hello Bernard,

I have enjoyed all of your books and recently started re reading Gallows thief. After reading a couple of books by Edward Marston. (the Bow street rivals) set at the same time in history.

I have to say i find your book a lot more entertaining and with a much better plot line and characters.

I  feel is that it would have made a good idea for a tv/film adaptation. Was that ever your intention? Or was it just good writing on your half that it manages to draw the reader in?

Would there ever be the possibility of this ever happening as I know your already busy with the new Uhtred ?

Kind regards

Chris Lee

Hi I'm desperately waiting for another book in this great series (The Last Kingdom) are you writing one if so when will it be available?

Alan Metzger

 

Hi Mr. Cornwell.

Isn't it about time that you told us what the title of Uhtred #12 will be?  And perhaps the back-cover blurb of the plot?

Alan Kempner

 

I'm currently reading the Warlord Chronicles and thoroughly enjoying them.  I've also read Agincourt and the Grail Quest series.  My favorite is still the Saxon Chronicles, and I'd like to know when the 12th Uhtred book is coming out.  Thank you for the many hours of education and entertainment you've given me.

Sincerely,

Al Lenzi

 

 

You're currently writing the next book of Uhtred's story. This is going to be the last one, or it will have another one?

All the best to you.

Alexandre

Would you consider writing a book with multiple first-person POVs? I've only read thirty-odd books from your bibliography so I'm not 100% sure if you have before, but I do recall you briefly touched on that concept in The Empty Throne, when we followed the narration of Uhtred's son briefly before returning to our hero. Would you ever consider doing that on a somewhat larger scale in the future?

Christopher Jarvina

Mr. Cornwell,

let me first state that I’m a big fan. I think I’ve read all your books. I just finished the Sharpe series (took me about a month) and was wondering if you intended to do another one on him, maybe in later life?  Also, I’m anxiously waiting to see Uhtred again...

John Balian

Hi Bernard,

Currently enjoying Uhtred's latest adventure, but I have to wonder about the name of main antagonist Skoll? Were you inspired by the name due to a particular lager advert featuring Hagar the Horrible? Or did such a ruthless character by that name actually exist?

Robert Douglas

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I'm a big fan from Brazil, really enjoy reading your books. While rereading the warlord Chronicles, for the first time after having read Uhtred, I've noticed some coincidences between them, one of them being the name of the main character's daughters, Seren and Stiorra, which both mean "star", and the other being the place where Derfel fights Liofa, which is the same where, some four hundred years later, Uhtred will defeat Haesten's fleet. Was this intentional? And another thing, when will "War of the Wolf" be available for us in Brazil?

Thank you for your time

Best regards

Lucas

Dear Bernard

Firstly thank you for Uhtred and the whole of the series - I am currently on book 10 and have loved them all.

I have equally loved and enjoyed the BBC & Netflix TV series adaptations but would like to ask your feelings about and involvement in the series 3 scripts. The changes in events and storylines - even inventing some new ones was a shock to me (particularly killing Ragnar) and although they where handled well they were not what was written by you and thus changed something that did not need changing.

It has left me feeling a little frustrated - I hate it when a great story is not followed properly and I would like to know your thought as the creator of that work.

Thank you again for your work and I look forward to reading much more in the future .... although I'm a little scared of reading the Sharpe books as I've watched every episode and worry how they may have been changed too!!!

Kind regards

Georgina

I have noticed that as Uhtred gets older he more frequently refers to the brutality of the shield wall.  As a retired infantry officer I understand his growing understanding that there will be war and he will fight but there really isn't any glory in it.  I wondered if that was what you planned for Uhtred or was it your understanding of war as you wrote more about it with Uhtred, Sharpe, and Starbuck?

Edward Marty

Mr. Cornwell--

In the Saxon Chronicles, Uhtred is always comparing the Anglo-Saxon building structures and the old Roman ones, and laments how Saxon only knows how to build with wood and the great Romans of stone. I was always confused when you wrote that because i've always thought that the Saxons built stone structures since the mid 800s: the crypts of St. Wystan's Church, St Mary's Priory Church, and St Peter's Church, Barton-upon-Humber. After some digging, modern excavation at Bebbanburg has shown that  "the first of the two halls was a timber building that we broadly date to the 7th century. It was later replaced by a smaller stone hall that went out of use by the 11th century, when its stone was robbed away for re-use. To the west of the halls and close to the modern wall of the castle." (Bamburgh Research Project). In short, I want were you got your research of Anglo-Saxon architecture? And in your mind, am i wrong.

John Erikson

 

Please can you advise what is engraved on Uhtred’s sword?

Many thanks

Caroline Jackson

Good Day Mr. Cornwell,

I am simply writing to express my great appreciation for your work. I must say I have only read the first three books of the Saxon Chronicles, but that's all it has taken. I have become a huge fan of the series! I admit i first discovered the series after having watched the adapted T. V. Series on Netflix (big fan of the show as well, as is my wife, we are looking forward to season 4). I myself studied History while in College and am certainly a history buff. I find myself delving into different eras of History and exhausting resources on said Eras and moving on to some other timeline. Currently i am researching Anglo-Saxon history in England after reading immensely about Norse history (Why?, simply for the joy of learning something new and fascinating from resource texts to archaeological findings to historical fictions pertaining to the subject matter). So I decided to get into your novels after watching the show. I went down to the Cape Cod mall (I read you live in Cape Cod now, how do you fare in the summer traffic? I live on the mainland side just over the Sagamore Bridge) Barnes & Nobles and grabbed the Last Kingdom. The detailed description and additional content were great; I could go on and on. I particularly have enjoyed the battle narratives and the subtle intricacies you give in them that you miss when watching them on the show. I finished the book in a week, which for me and my busy schedule having to work and raise my three children with my wife was quite fast. I was back to Barnes & Nobles and bought the next 2. Fantastic reads and as i said am well into the fourth. I understand you have plenty more books and i have a ways to go to catch up to the War of the Wolf but i will be there soon. I have never actually written to an author before but i was on your site and saw the contact bar and thought I should give credit where credit is due. So now having done that I again thank you for your work and only wonder if the story of Uhtred will continue on and also wonder if you have any hand in the tv series itself in any capacity other than what the books give?  Hope this finds you well and have a Great Day.

Respectfully,

Richard Frazier

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I'm currently reading The Empty Throne and really enjoy your series after having found them through the Last Kingdom Netflix series. I am also a Christian who understands how some denominations have a dark, brutal, and undeniably hypocritical history. With that being said, and I know you've addressed this before, we aren't all bad. You have surrounded Uhtred with Christians, some "better" than others, and he has grown bonds with them. Some of my favorite moments in your books are when Uhtred and one of his Christian friends share moments of absolute friendship and loyalty, without a care of what God, gods, or lack thereof they worship. (My personal favorite occurs when Uhtred is sure they're going to die in the shield wall in East Anglia and has amazing dialogue with Finan and Osferth.) Is this something you intentionally weave into your story telling? Regardless if it is or not, I find it as such a great lesson to both religious and non-religious people that we can still live side-by-side if we respect each other.

Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Best Regards,

Marc

Hi again from Australia.  Thanks once more for your interest in my short publication on theories regarding the origin of the idea of 'Arthur'.  Thanks too for your advice here to writers.  Very sensible and useful.

This note though is to say that I was still thinking of your 'Last Kingdom' books when recently reading Alistair Moffat's book 'The Sea Kingdoms' (pub 2011).  Moffat (ex-BBC presenter) you may know from his book 'Arthur and the Lost Kingdoms'.  I've always liked his emotive style and non-academic approach.  'The Sea Kingdoms' is a bit of a grab bag on things 'Celtic' but what a tale there is within it about the Celto-Norse and Hiberno-Norse world of the Orkneys, Shetlands and Western Isles, down to Dublin and the Isle of Man: coastal kingdoms formed over sea lanes not land. An obvious geography of power, confirming what I had myself concluded re this whole region. Moffat's book illustrates how over the centuries this sea kingdom area has thrown up some compelling characters (how about an amazing Queen called Aud,The Deep Thinker?), whom I'm sure you could do much with.  Perhaps another TV series could be the eventual outcome?  A series of books on these Dark Age kingdoms and their kings, the original historical Lords of the Isles, would doubtless have a ready audience of people attracted to and bloodied in the Dark Age warrior world evoked so well by Uhtred.  For the Lords of the Isles, this period continued on well into mediaeval times.  Romantic, brutal, passionate, questing, cruel, fierce and fascinating real histories, peopled by men who fought their way to power and women who stood strong for them and for themselves too.  The Christian-Pagan tension in these tales is also very evident.

Anyway, just a thought.  Wondered if you'd read that book.

best,

Lizzie B.

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I'm a great admirer of you and have bought (and read) all of your books. Please tell me if you will release a new novel in the near future (i.e. 2019)?

All the best, and enjoy your writings!

Sincerely,

R. E. Unruh, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

 

Hello, Master Cornwell,

I do not know if you remember me, my name is Adamo, I'm from Brazil and a few months ago I asked for an autograph, I was very grateful to receive it. Now I'd like to ask you: Will we have more Uhtred next year? War of the Wolf has not yet come out in Portuguese here in Brazil, but should be released soon. Even so I am curious to know what you are writing at the moment and intends to launch the end of the saga of Uhtred next year. Since I wish you the best and I await your response. A big hug.

 

First off, as a highly educated man I'm sure you understand the law of supply and demand. On that thought I demand another Thomas Hookton book. Just kidding, but my related question is are you swayed at all on deciding your next project by how much your fans want/need another fix of Uhtred or Sharpe?

Secondly, is there a certain historical time that you enjoy researching more than others?

Rick M

 

Hi -

having finished (and thoroughly enjoyed) War of the Wolf, i was pleased so see a good mention for Ribchester! I live about 2 miles from Ribchester and in fact drive through it every day on the way to work. This essentially leaves to much day dreaming of battle on the journey to work each morning, and thoughts of Uhtred and Finan emerging from the mist on the River Ribble! I was wondering if there was a particular reason for choosing the area for use in the book, and also if you have ever visited Ribchester? I'm a librarian in a nearby town and if you're ever in the area we'd love to welcome you!

Robin

Hello Bernard,

Loving the Saxon stories and finished War of the Wolf. Currently reading the warlord chronicles to tide me over til Uhtred’s next outing. My question for you is at the end of book three the grandson of Ivar the Boneless swears revenge on Uhtred and as far as I’m aware that’s the last we see or hear from him. Any chance of Ivar the younger making a reappearance or did he just perish off page?

First class series and looking forward to the next shield wall!

Adam

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I learned about "The Last Kingdom" book series after starting to watch the Netflix show. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the books - the humor and charisma of the characters, particularly Uhtred of course, and the great descriptions of the battles, politics and religious influence that gave me a better sense of the historical context in which the stories were set. I read through all 11 books in no time as they were so engaging and well written. I was wondering if you intend to continue the series as I realize Uhtred is getting to be an old man. I hope so as I hate to see the series end - such a gem! Thank you, sir, for giving me hours of pleasurable reading.

Best Regards,

Grace

 

Hi my name is Clayton I live in thundering so when I read the last kingdom books I know where the devil stone is in st Peters church.  Doug acres was my GPS and I know thundering lodge well.  Are you going to do another book in the last kingdom series or a spin off from the character in Benfleet?

 

 

Hello, Mr. Cornwell,

I love your work, and in particular the Saxon Stories.  These books are very special to me, particularly due to the circumstances in which they were introduced to me, as well as the times in my life I find myself coming back to them; but that is a story for another time.

I am re-reading the series again at the moment.  I finished the first book a few weeks ago, and as I was finishing the last couple of pages I was struck by the beauty of Uhtred's harp metaphor.  It was almost as if I had never noticed it before, and those words have stuck with me ever since.  Indeed, for various reasons this passage is particularly meaningful to me at this moment in my life, and I am even considering getting a tattoo of a harp for this reason (which would be only my second tattoo, my first being my two sons' birthdates over my heart, if that gives you any indication how moving I found those words).

It occurred to me, however, that I am not sure what type of "harp" Uhtred would have been thinking of in 877.  There is the "standard", generally triangular shape harp (think Coat of Arms of Ireland, or Guiness); but there is also the "Sutton Hoo"-style harp that results from a Google search of "Saxon harp".

If I do end up getting this tattoo, I would certainly hope to get the "correct" one.  Therefore, you would do me a great kindness to reply to this message, at your convenience, and clarify what type of harp you had in mind when you put that picture into Uhtred's imagination.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you for the wonderful world you have shared with us through Uhtred's eyes.

Best,

Kristopher Jensen

P.S. - I didn't find the guidelines on your contact page to be at all unfriendly, but then again I am one of those wretched lawyers.

Dear Bernard!

I am very curious if your ancestor named Uhtred who was an inspiration for you for the Uhtred in the novels was also this keen on the Danes as is the Uhtred in the novels. Do you know any details about your ancestor's life that you wanted to picture in the books or you have made it all up? And if this is made up, then why did you want your ancestor to be associated with the Danes? Do you feel any connection with vikings or it is just to make the world in the novels more exciting? :)

I am really sorry if my question has already been asked by someone else, but I could not find it on the page.

All best!

Marta

Hey there Bernard, my brother got really addicted to your Saxon Stories series and I really enjoy it, particularly the setting, but would like to know if you plan on writing maybe about Uhtred making it to Valhalla, since you mention how he is worried about not making it there and feasting with enemies(I quite liked Cnut), would also like to know if we are going to get more narration from another perspective like when his son narrated, I enjoyed looking at the world back then with a different pair of eyes and how men saw Uhtred.

Hope you can respond to this and thanks for all the good times

Guilherme Maebara Bueno

Dear Mr. Bernard Cornwell,

my name is Rosa , I do not read fantasy books but on Italian television I saw “The Last Kingdom”. In a scene (the one of yesterday) Uhtred together with the pagan magician Queen Iseult, they take the son of King Alfred, and during the night with the "new moon" they make a ritual putting the child in a mud grave, the morning after the son the king is safe but Queen Isetul cries because another child died in his place. (It is called "alchemical exchange" in black magic). I am 52 years old, my life has been a long failure, everything has gone wrong since I was born, and I have not succeeded in anything. I come from a family of unhappy and quarrelsome people for futile reasons. I began to realize that in my life there was something strange since I was 33 years old. I was able to compose all the pieces of the puzzle (so I thought) around the age of 47. I secretly burned my mother's wedding kit in pure Italian linen with bobbin embroidery, and I threw between 150 and 200 maligned items in my house. In this dismal story that arises from a family curse, I realized, about 5 years ago, that there had been an important passage linked to the death of my brother. A child born June 18, 1962 and died June 29 (day of St. Paul) in 1962. In his place, I discovered over the years, lives a certain "Paul" born March 15, 1962, but of poor health. The women who did the ritual are the grandmothers of Paolo (two sorceresses of my small country, here in Sicily, born, respectively, in 1888 and 1905, but death after my birth).

I discovered these things not only by making various connections, and noting that when I burned objects (at night in the fields) my ears were ringing, I felt sick, my head was spinning and I felt like something bad was coming off of me , but also by consulting cartomancy. But the fortune tellers, as well as betraying and taking advantage of me, were limited to telling me only the response of the tarot. No one has ever told me how exactly these things work. So, Mr. Cornwell, could you please tell me where did you read about that exchange ritual of a child's life for another that you describe so well in your novel? Are there ancient documents describing these rites in the early Middle Ages? Where can I document myself?

Best regards,

Rosa

Since Uhtred is Northumbrian, and i still love all maters concerning Anglo-Saxon period, i need to ask you this:

Why did Northmen choose Northumbria as their primary target in the beginning of so-called Viking Age? Northumbria was not nearly as rich or developed as southern Saxon kingdoms. Plus, Scots and Picts were raiding those parts, so it was not a peaceful place even without Northmen. Is it possible that Danes chose Northumbria because, as some historians claim, there was already a significant number of Scandinavian settlers there, before the invasions began? Plus, Northumbria was well known for remaining staunchly pagan for a long time, in spite of very developed church and monastic life. Could it be that all this would have made that part of England more “susceptible” to Danes? Therefore, they might have seen it as a great base for further conquest.

Once again, thank you for your time and patience!

Miroslav Subašić

Hi Bernard,

enjoying your novels immensely! I began with the Uhtred books, then the superb Warlord Chronicles and now your Hundred Years War series (just about to finish 1356). Might we see a HYW novel one day that incorporates the story of Joan of Arc? Thomas of Hookton might not be around by that point, but perhaps we could pick up Nicholas Hook's story. Would love to see what you could do with this material.

Matt Soffe

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I love your books and will be sad when I am through reading them all.  Maybe you could recommend whom to pursue after?

My question is regarding Englaland.  The contest is mainly Saxons vs Danes.  Many other people from the islands and the north are involved as well.  During the most precarious times Uhtred wonders if the country will be Daneland instead.

Is the name England derived from Angles?  And if so, why no mention of them?  Sorry to bother you but I was unsuccessful trying to figure it out on my own.  We all know the term Anglo Saxon but I wonder how many people understand the Anglo part.  I wouldn't mind clarification.

Thanks so much!

No biggie if you don't get to this!

Regards,

Ed

Happy New Year Bernard !

Hope you had a jolly Christmas!

 

i've been reading War of the Wolf, which i got for Christmas, and am about two-thirds through, having just reached Uhtred and Sigtiryggr being at the Witan.

Its great and i'm loving it! Bit upset you killed XXX off though! How COULD you do that?

 

I wanted to ask you about Villains in your books though. I believe a Hero is nothing without a great Villain. They define each other. Without the Joker, Batman would just be a berk dressed as a bat! The Hero must slay the Monster or defeat the Villain. That's what they do!

But, how do you create and define your villains? it seems to me  that in your books there are Villains, like Obediah or Haestan or Aethelhelm,or Ducos, who cannot physically match-up to Sharpe or Uhtred (although Hakeswill certainly seems  to be able to take a beating!) but they are incredibly devious bastards and they plot and sneak around...But, i think there are guys who aren't really "Villains", just "Opponents". I  always really like Svein of the White Horse, and he never really seemed to be to be a "baddie". He's just a Danish warlord, and Uhtred likes and respects him. Cnut Longsword as well, and even Skoll. Without spoiling it for anyone who hasn't read War of the Wolf yet, (and i've not got to the end yet!), but surely he is not going to get away with what he did? But, does what he did make Skoll a "Villain" or was that killing, just War?

i'm not actually sure what i'm asking you here! Just wondering about you views on Villainy in your books...

i know  you were tremendously fond of Obediah, and regret killing him off, and he is a gloriously repellent character, but what other villains and foes have you enjoyed creating?

i'm trying to think of ones that could match up to your heroes in a fight...Cnut, certainly and Svein. And Leroux for Sharpie...

Musing...musing...

i'll finish with a more straight foward question! Even at 42 i still love wondering about things like this...

Ubba vs Steapa? Who would win? (i still think Ubba..)

 

Looking forward to Uhtred and Sigtryggr wreacking a just and bloody veheance!

(i only have one eye, so i feel a strange  kinshiop with Sigtryggr...and Odin!)

 

Kind regards as ever

Matt

Wiltshire

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I was a bit confused while reading "War of the wolf" (loved it, btw!) when Uhtred makes his kind of deal with Aethelstan and he says Uhtred's son will, after his father's death, have to make his own separate agreement with Aethelstan. But that certainly should not be a problem, should it, as those two have kind of grown up together and seemed to be friends? Especially with Junior being a Christian himself ("damn him!").

PS: At the moment I am bingeing all of the Saxon books, I just wanted to reread the first few, but it seems I can't stop, what a lovely problem to have. They are even better the second time! I also always forget how funny Uhtred can be with his bone dry comments. I have quite a few LOL moments while reading.

Kind regards,

Grisel

This may seem strange but I have nothing to ask of you. I am writing simply to thank you for writing the Saxon Stories. I was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in August of 2017. Before that, I was a busy lawyer. The diagnosis was sudden and unexpected. It led to a lot of medical treatment and time in bed. Uhtred’s story brought me tremendous joy. It was a great distraction at a bad time. I've devoured all the books in the series. I’ve always been a history buff, especially English history. I had read of Alfred the great. You really brought him and his time to life. I love the creation of the fictional Uhtred as a medium to tell the story. Simply brilliant. I loved the story of Ethelflaed. I was sorry to see her story end in Flame Bearer. But am excited about the Ethelstan story line which seems to really be taking off in War of the Wolf. Please keep writing! I hope we can look forward to another book soon. Again, thank you for the work you do. You may be surprised that I am a 36 year old female. This probably isn’t your biggest fan demographic, but I’ve always been fascinated by warfare and battles—your battles are the best ever written. My favorite was the end battle in the Pagan Lord. One question—have the seven kings died as indicated in the prophecy or is that yet to come. A lot of King’s died in Death of Kings but I did not count seven. Thanks again and may Uhtred ride again!

Amy

I happened across “Archers Tale” while training with the Marines in the California desert.  I was enthralled, and over the course of the last 16 years I’ve devoured almost everything in your catalogue.  I hope this is not too premature, but with Lord Uhtred winding into old age will the series continue through his son(s)?  Thank you for all the joy and education you have given to me over the years.  Some of my most fond memories of being deployed was us playing paper rock scissors to determine who got “The Winter King” next while in Afghanistan, or chatting with another Marine about Nathaniel Starbuck in Iraq.  Truthfully we all stay in touch if for no other reason than to remind each other the next “Uhtred book” is out.  Thank you again.  I’m just a big fan.

Jeffrey Fowler

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I'm a big fan of your books about Uhtred an the making of England. The last 2 months I did read all eleven books and I was very disappointed as I finished book 11 yesterday. I have to ask if  there is a book 12 which will released in 2019?

Thanks for making history so real an reading an adventure.

Greetings from Bavaria

sincerely

Kilian Pongratz

 

When will the 12th book be released? I just finished War of the Wolves and it was great as all Uhtred books have been. I love this story and I have followed The Last Kingdom as well. Eagerly awaiting the next book. Thank you for writing these books that are entertaining and educational as well.

Kathleen

 

Just loved War of the Wolf. I did think it would be last in series. So thrilled that there will be another book? =) Thank you for such entertaining and informative tales.

Yours

Tony

 

Thanks for the very enjoyable last Book war of the Wolf .  When can we expect the next one?

Eric Dean

 

Hello Mr Cornwell,

My partner Louise is very smug with the fact that she hails from Amble, on the coastline opposite Coquet Island (Cocuedes), and therefore is a proud Northumbrian sworn to Uhtred of Bebbanburg himself (or Alexander Dreymon most likely).

I myself come from the village of Whiston near Rotherham, which was mentioned in the Domesday Book, but not as yet in any of Uhtred’s tales! If Uhtred was to swing by, what would he make of the place? Are the lands of South Yorkshire historically Northumbrian and therefore his kinsmen, or would he find Mercians or even a place overrun with Norsemen?

That said, a much more interesting place in the area for a potential cameo in your next book is a place called Dore in the posh part of Sheffield. It was here that just before Alfred’s time, a King Egbert of Wessex took the submission of a King Eanred of Northumbria and was declared overlord of Britain. Seems the kind of place Uhtred would detest, and the Wessexians in his life would love.

Kindest regards,

Alex

I've devoured all the book in the Saxon Tales saga, and feel I've lived through Uhted's life alongside him the the shield wall. When I read in The Flame Bearer that Babanburgh Castle exists today as Bamberg Castle I decided to go to Scotland to visit it in person. Then it occurred to me, "Why not visit other important sites of Uhtred's life?" Starting in Wessex where he first meets Alfred the Great, the redoubt in swampy south east Englaland prior to breaking out and starting to drive back the Norwegians and Danes. Do you have such a 'tour' or have you ever recommended such an itinerary to your readers? I think it'd be a fascinating vacation. Any ideas, Bernard?

Willam Maloney

I picked up a copy of Lords of the North before starting a 12 hour coach journey to visit friends in The Netherlands.  I was almost rude to them to be ignoring them in order to finish it.

Since then I've read almost all the fiction you've written and enjoyed it.  I even have copies of much of your work as audio books which I listen to when I am working.

Uhtred is a favourite character, mixed in with many other strong characters in the Saxon series.

I am curious.. what is Uhtred's hammer amulet made of, bone or wood?  The one he snatched from around the neck of a Danish boy who tried to bully him while he worked on Ragnar the Fearless' boats?  Through each book you mention this same amulet, and it seems to change composition.

Looking forward to reading your latest War of the Wolf as I hope to unwrap it next Tuesday.

All the best.

Ged

Hi Bernard

I have made a Sim in Second life and named it The Last Kingdom and I am basing it loosely on the books, I say loosely as I do not want the arguments that this was not in the books like the Sims based on the Gor series by John Norman. I would like your approval to do this as I am taking your books onto the Virtual reality level, I play Uhtred and would like your permission, failing this I will rename and base it on 10th century Wessex but having read all the books and everything you have written, I have found you to be a great source of history in a period that is hard to define. All the best to you and please, please lets hear more about Uhtred,

your avid reader Jon,

in Second life (DarkStorm Llewellyn)

Series dialog -

Sometimes I just catch details that intrigue me. When Aethelwold invites Uhtred to have a drink and see that he (Aethelwold) is four by six, is that a use of historical slang? Perhaps referring to the square corner (4x5x6)? Or something else?

The Last Kingdom makes a wonderful TV series.

Charles Greer

I have two questions regarding your treatment of lawyers.  In almost every one of your books - all the series and stand-alones - you have a villain who is either clergy, a lawyer, or both.  However, you often tend to balance out a clergy-villain with another character who is a "good" clergyman.  You NEVER do this with lawyers.  There is never a lawyer who comes and bails out Sharpe, Uhtred, Derfel, Thomas of Hookton, etc. - out of a legal jam  (And they have been in plenty!)  So, my questions are:

 

1. You have explained your childhood experiences as the basis for your hostility of organized religion. I get that.  But I have never heard you give the source of your deep seated hostility to lawyers.  Can you tell us?

 

2. If there any chance, that just ONCE, you could have a lawyer-character who is not an evil, blood-sucking parasite on humanity? (Some of us actually do help people!)

Ron Filipkowski

Hi Bernard

I love the Saxon Stories, but would like to check something with you. According to Uhtred's wiki page (never wrong!). he was born in 856 or 857. This means at the battle of Brunaburh he will be eighty!! Surely this is a little old even for Uhtred (no NHS remember.)

Rodney Doran

 

Firstly, thank you for your writing which enthralls me and brings me so much pleasure.  I understand that you intend your Last Kingdom Series to end with the Battle of Brunanburh. I have just started to reread book 1 - The Last Kingdom, and noticed that it states that the year Uhtred's father was killed was 867 and that Uhtred thinks his is 9 or 10 years old. So he would have been born in 857?  The Battle of Brunanburh was in 937 so Uhtred would be 80 by that time.  My question is, will Uhtred really still be fighting?

Ann Collins

Hi Bernard,

I have been reading your books for a good 20 years now and have loved each and everyone (The warlord trilogy being my absolute favourites!) I am enjoying following Uhtreds journey on both paper and film, particularly David Dawson's Alfred... Absolutely first class and those last scenes with him and Uhtred (brilliantly portrayed by Alexander Doetsch)   in the show are really powerful and sum up perfectly the relationship you created in the books of a Grudging respect and mutual realisation of dependence! It fuels hope that maybe the Warlord chronicles will get a debut via the colossus that is Netflix... and you know what?, I reckon Dawson and Doestch would make a great pairing as Arthur and Derfel! I get that you don't really worry about the onscreen portrayal's of your books and characters, but do you ever amuse yourself with considering if any other books were made into a series/ film what actors would suit the what roles? For example Sean Bean became Sharpe in most peoples eyes and I couldn't imagine anyone else portraying the long retired Lt Col  (I think that's the last rank he made!) but imagine a Sharpe played by Richard Armitage!   A dead ringer for the Sharpe described in the books... so who would you like to see cast as Merlin and Nimue if it was ever made into a series... (fingers crossed if ever a show needed to be made its that one! At the very least to repair some of damage wreaked by recent cinema efforts on  the Arthurian legends!)

James Shoebridge

Sir,

Am enjoying War of the Wolf now. I have two geographical questions.

1. I've been to Bebbanburg, but I recall no long strip of land leading to the gate, bordered by water on either side. It seemed to me that the fort was at least 200 yards from the sea. Was there a landfill after the life of Uhtred?
2. Which side was the Skull Gate on? I believe it was the northern end, but I may be mistaken.

Thanks!

Scott Dragland

Hello Mr. Cornwell.

Reading through the comments/questions about your stories, and your responses, is very interesting and enjoyable.

In response to one comment regarding Uhtred, you said, "I suspect the love of his life was Gisela, with Aethelflaed coming in a close second!  He still hasn’t finished though . . . . ."

I'm heartened to think "he still hasn't finished" because I'd really like to see Uhtred find another "true love." He's experienced so much loss. As far as I recall, Uhtred is still married to the lovely red-headed Eadith in book 11. Is there any possibility she will become more prominent as a character? I'd like to think, considering Uhtred's age at this point in the story, that he wakes up one morning, takes a look at her, slaps his forehead and thinks, "Eadith really is the bee's knees!" OK, wrong era, but you get the drift. I'm not crazy about him experiencing another loss in his life because it's all so sad, and I'd like to think he becomes wildly in love with another woman.

Could Eadith become that woman?

Regards,

Jason

Hello Mr Cornwell,

I hope this message finds you well.

About a year or so ago, I wrote to you regarding the representation of that most glorious county of Bedfordshire in your Last Kingdom novels.

Now I must say, wonderful though your most recent book, War of the Wolf, was, I couldn't help but feel the lack of 'Bedanfordscir' was an oversight indeed! I trust Uhtred will at some point find himself back there one day? Perhaps he might even pass through a little village called 'Weligtone' (modern day Willington) near Bedford? Just a suggestion, you understand!

On a serious note, however, I must congratulate you for how brilliantly War of the Wolf turned out. It never ceases to amaze me that you can turn out such quality storytelling in such short spaces of time. Simply marvellous!

I, as ever, wait with bated breath for any and all of your work in the future.

Yours sincerely,

Kyle Barron (certainly not a proud denizen of Willington, Beds)

Finally it occurred to me!  I'm up to date on the Last Kingdom Series, and just finished watching the newly released third season of The Last Kingdom on Netflix, and it took until now for me to release what Uhtred is in the series.  Initially I thought he was just a device to allow the history to be told as a captivating human story, which of course he is, and it is, as are most key non-historical characters in great historical fiction.  But I realized that the reason the character is so compelling and captivating, is that Uhtred the character is intended to be England itself.  He has a mixed background, because of course the England that emerges in the story is comprised and the results of contributions from the different peoples in the land.  He is part of all the great battles depicted, both historical, and battles intended to stand in for a series of historical battles, because that's what England was forged through.  England is forged by the good fortune of having two strong kings back to back fighting for the same vision, so of course that is Uhtred's path to serve those two kings.  He is both Christian and Pagan, as were the people of the land, and even the dominant Christianity that emerges subsumes key elements of the Paganism of the story.

Anyways that might be right or wrong, but it was a fun thought.

Thanks!  And thanks for the great story telling.

Adam Waese

Hello, am watching The Last Kingdom and find Alfred to be very lacking in the milk of human kindness so to speak as well as without gratitude for Uhtred's   (fictional ) sacrifices . and have to say, his stupidity. Where did this aspect of his character come from and is it factual?  Also have read the date he died was recorded but not whether it was his illness or something else. How can this be. Thank you.

Kai Roberts

Hello Bernard -

I've asked questions before and possibly they've been more of the norm of this Q&A section. But two came to me whilst watching the third series of The Last Kingdom. Oh, quickly I'll slip in that I loved War of the Wolf. Still astounds me how you manage to keep it so vibrant and fresh after so many books. And poor Uhtred is now getting on in years. Anyway, both of my questions were actually borne out of watching the third series of The Last Kingdom.

 

1. How good do you think the casting of Finan is? My opinion is that, out of all the casting, barring possibly Alfred, he is exceptionally cast. Apart from the fact he is more heavily "musculatured" than I envisaged, I was amazed at how well the actor fit the character, both in actions and physically. Which are your personal favourites.

 

2. This one is more unconventional, especially for the sort of question I'd ask, but who do you think the love of Uhtred's life is? On reflection, after so many books, with Aethelflaed still fresh in the storyline despite of her death, I'd have plumped for her. But after watching Alexander Dreymon's excellent portrayal, it brought back to me how devastated Uhtred really was. He's had so many, as he's "loose" but they were probably the most two standouts in his life. I would really like to hear your thoughts.

Danny

 

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I think I should write to you to personally thank you for writing the Last Kingdom series. I, like countless others, was never a fan of historical fiction until this. You can never imagine how much fun it is for us to live through Uhtred and your imaginative, vivid stories and the exciting world in which you built. It truly enriches us in many ways. If I may be slightly dramatic, England should thank you as well. Why there is not much of an effort to uncover, learn and educate on the origins of England, I cannot understand. Surely there is nothing to be ashamed of or kept quiet about. Mmm let's leave it as that.

After watching Season 3, I have a few things to ask or comment:

Who do you think is Uhtred's favourite girl, if he has to choose one on the spot?

Brida, Mildrith, Iseult, Gisela, Skade, Aethelflaed, to name a few..

Maybe we should ask Alexander too! You should ask him if you have a chance! I know this is a highly inappropriate question that cannot be answered for obvious reasons, but still, millions of us do wonder. It's your fault haha, you are partly to blame.

To make it less pointed, maybe the question should be, who does Uhtred dream of?

In the show, Alfred and Uhtred sat down and had a heart to heart talk in his chamber. If only you had made a cameo entrance then! Instead of Aelswith walking in, imagine if Bernard Cornwell the creator walked in and continued the discussion! This is a "what if"/alternate universe dream scene that would have blown our mind. This will be something like "Dinner/Table For Five", also featured on Youtube. There is one where JJ Abrams, Mark Hamill, Stan Lee, Kevin Smith and Jason Lee sat down and shared stories. Sometimes these interactions are priceless.

The TV series is growing from strength to strength, despite virtually no promotional activities. The production budget had obviously increased, just look at the quality of the show. This is turning into a monster. Worldwide. Did you foresee that it will come to this?

Warm regards, destiny is all.

Ben

Malaysia

PS: Your books are flying of the shelves here as well, in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok. We try to pick up your books whenever there is a new release.

 

 

 

I've followed you for a quarter century through the exploits of Richard Sharpe, Thomas Hookton, Uhtred et al and your work is impressive. Do you have any thoughts on a follow up to "Fools and Mortals?"

Martin Sommerness

Quick question re meaning of Uhtred’s name. The “red” part means “counsel” - Alfred = Elf counsel, Aethelred = Noble counsel; what does Uhtred’s name mean?

Andrew Bell

Is Uhtred handsome or ugly? It is ambiguous because Uhtred’s narrator. Though there are many instances where characters signal that Uhtred is ugly. For example, Mildrith wept at the first sight of Uhtred. We know Uhtred has a broken nose and a blunt, scarred face, but that doesn’t mean he is ugly. Also a whore said she would not marry Uhtred the younger because he looks too much like his father. However, there are signs in the novel that Uhtred is handsome. Gisela said she was stricken by Uhtred at first sight. Also, we know Uhtred is tall and formidable in his appearance. In all the novels written in the third person, the main characters such as Thomas, Sharpe, and Starbucks are all described as tall and handsome. Only in the first person novels like the Warlord Chronicles is it left ambigous.

Peter Ho

Hi Bernard,

Finished War of the Wolf and enjoyed it very much. My question is regarding Uhtred's age and his capabilities, you responded to another question responding his capabilities that you didn't want the reader to notice him losing his capabilities. I was just wondering how strongly you believe this because as much as I love reading about Uhtred being involved in duels (and as much as he loves a scrap) there must be a cut off point where he can no longer be involved? Have you thought about if you might have to phase him out of combat before this greybeards luck runs out?

James

Mr. Cornwell,

I just finished War of the Wolf. I am slightly confused at the timeline. I know Edward the Elder historically dies in 924. And you mention he fell from his horse toward the end of the book and is assumed to be on his death bed. Am I correct in assuming the book is set in 924?

You also mentioned the Saxon Stories will continue through Brunanburh. I can also assume Uhtred will live until then? Or are you going to continue with another character? Regardless, I am excited to see how it all ends.

Thanks.

Andrew Bennett

Dear Bernard Cornwell,

I hope my message finds you well.

I would like to start this message to you by thanking you for the Uhtred series, it has got my brother and I through some very bad times and it truly is a work of art as history and fiction. Finan is now my favourite fictional character ever! That says a lot as I am a keen reader.

I know when a book gets made into a film the author usually has a big part to play and I know you are active within the works of the Last Kingdom series which is fantastic by the way. I know to make it work things need to be changed slightly or left out but I was left rather disappointed by the treatment Alfred received from Uhtred S3 E2, i wondered what your thoughts were on this?

I apologise if I speak out of line or you do not wish to comment

Kind Regards

Bob

Hello, Mr Cornwell,

Very big fan of the Saxon Stories starring Uhtred of Bebbanburg. I just had a couple of questions to ask concerning the books that I hoped you might be able to answer.

Firstly I'm curious as to what happened to Alfred's nephew, Ethelhelm, who was the brother of Ethelwold. Is there a sentence I must have missed saying he died or became a priest, because history records he was alive at the time of Alfred's will in the 880s. I can see why Ethelwold is the more major character though, since his life is better attested.

I'd also like to ask would there be any exploration of the Gaels and Finan in later books. As a descendant of the Uí Néill (like 99% of Ireland's population) I suppose that makes me a relative of Finan's, fictional though he may be, and was wondering would we have further exploration of his clan in the future.

Hope you keep up the good work.

Seán

Hello!

Big fan of the saxon stories and reading previous questions submitted you mention that Uhtred will take part in the Battle of Brunanburh. How many stories do you predict will follow War of the Wolf up until that final battle?

Thank you!

Hussein

 

Hi Bernard

I have read every single one of your books and loved them all...will you writing  another one after WAR OF THE WOLF????

LYNDA

 

Dear Mr.Cornwell

I have just finished reading The Last Kingdom series back to back over the last two weeks  (yes I read fast, sorry).  I am wondering if you have started the next instalment yet and if so when it will be out.   I also enjoyed the Grail Quest books, The Arthur series and Stonehenge. Thank you for making history so easy to read.  I love history and love your books sir.

Lucy Neame

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I just finished War of the Wolf and loved it.  I have two questions.  First, this is a minor comment, but I missed hearing Uhtred say, "fate is inexorable" this volume.  I would suggest think about bringing that back in future volumes if the fits the story, as to me that is one of the "glue" items that describes Uhtred's views on life.  Secondly, will your be doing any book tours to California over the next year?

Best Regards,

Mark Jensen

Mr. Cornwell,

I have read most of your books, enjoyed them all, and at last I have started on the Starbucks Chronicles. About two-thirds through "Rebel" I found this wonderful sentence: "Fools usually need repetition to understand even the simplest of ideas." The speaker was Major Thaddeus Bird, and of all the characters in all your books,  Major Bird comes closest to be of like mind with myself (I am no Uhtred or Sharpe). Would you reveal your inspiration for this character? I'd really like to know.

Keith Biesiada

Hi. My son and I are both huge fans of The Last Kingdom series and we thank you for bringing them to us.

 

I do however have a really really cheeky request. Would it be possible to integrate the word (name) Cyningesburh into an Uhtred story? I'm sure you know what it means. As you can see from our surname there's a ancestoral of connection for us. Although such a connection is lost to me the name lives on.

 

Why would you do this for us?  Because it would make us so happy to know that our family name would be associated with Uhtred. It would become something for my family to pass on, connecting the past with the present and with the future.

 

As my mother (a Northumbrian by the way) is so fond of saying...if you don't ask. You don't get.

 

All the best.

James Kingsbury

Hi Bernard,

been a fan of your books for a long time now starting with the Sharpe series but this question regards Uhtred. As a carpenter in my 40's I'm finding tasks not as easy as the were say 20 year's ago. Uthred's getting on in years and I'm wondering have you based his capabilities on real life older Warriors?

Richard Polkey

Hello Mr Cornwell,

I have a quick question which I am genuinely curious about if you don't mind. I'm reading the war of the wolf (which is brilliant and my Friday treat which I read with a beer) and have realised that for the majority of the present and future books Uhtred is classed in the dark ages as an old man. He states in the current book that his Norse nemesis was younger than he'd remembered, less than 40 and a man in his prime. It got me thinking, which of the books is Uhtred at him optimum prime? When he is at his peak as a leader and warrior? I'm guessing it's the Burning Land but might be wrong.

Thanks for your time

Ian

I know you must be asked this many times, but how far into history will you take Uhtred? Will it be death of Alfred in 899 Athelstan becomes king of the English in 927 or when England is united at Brunanburh. He would be about 60 by Brunanburh.

Andrew Earl

Gidday Bernard,

you are one of my favourite authors & i especially love your Arthur & Uhtred novels.My best loved character of yours is Finan the Agile Uhtred`s best mate.As you have told a little of his early history any chance of a stand alone book of his younger years in Ireland? It would make the plastic Paddy in me happy.Thanks for entertaining me .

Wayne Mcauliffe

Hi Bernard,

I've just read War of the Wolf and it was a great read.

There was some great humour in the book and I wanted to know, what would you say has been the funniest moment / dialogue that you have written in the series so far?

I can't recall which book it was, but the moment when Steapa produces an important note and Uhtred suspects he might eat it! ... That damn near floored me!

Andy

PS - I'm looking forward to your cameo in the show.

Mr. Cornwell,

Loved War of the Wolf, but your hints as to another book in the series was very vague. Is this the end of the line for Uhtred?

John Clark

 

Hi Bernard,

I have just finished war of the wolf and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Will it be another Uhtred novel next or will we finally get another Sharpe? Either way I'm happy!

James.

 

Just finished War of the Wolf and would like to know your plans for Book #12 to follow.  Have read books 1-10 twice already.

Peter Beveridge

Hi Bernard,

Firstly, Thank you for signing my copy of your new book  in Newcastle, I've just finished it and am now totally depressed that I have another year to wait for the next one.

During your chat you mentioned thinking about a "one off" novel about the battle of Towton. Obviously we want to get to the end of Uhtred's story and our mouths are watering at the thought of another Sharpe, but what a battle Towton was.

Over 50, 000 people were involved, just to put that into perspective that is roughly 2% of the entire population on one battlefield.

I have read several accounts of the battle but would love to read your take, here's the question... Who's side would you be on and why?

Thank you again for the hundreds of hours of pure pleasure and I look forward to whatever you put your pen to next.

Mike

Hello!

I am writing because I was very much wondering if, despite the amount of time that has elapsed since the publication of Gallows Thief, you might be considering or have considered writing another Sandman novel or a Sandman series, in which he, Sally and Berrigan investigate other dastardly deeds, either as self-employed investigators or as agents of the state.

I've thoroughly enjoyed not only your fictional corpora, but also and in particular, your Waterloo: the History of Four Days... .

While still in the enthralled process of reading Gallows Thief, I truly believe that the stage is already beautifully set for yet another great series, alongside that of Richard Sharpe; Thomas of Hookton, and Uhtred of Bebbanburg, and I would very much look forward to the next Sandman tale in a new, future series.

Anyhow, thank you very much for your time and patience.

Alein Bryan

Dear Bernard,

Looking forward to picking up my copy of War of the Wolf tomorrow and to watching TLK series 3 next month, hopefully.

Unfortunately, I can't make it to the UK to catch up with you on the tour, but I've heard you have a cameo role in the new TV series and have seen you looking distinguished in a photo from the show.

May I ask you if your cameo role is as a generic warrior etc or are you playing a named character & if so, who is it?

Have a safe trip. I'm still hopefull you'll be able to visit the Isle of Man one day - or maybe Uhtred will.

Thanks.

Boakesey from the IoM

Hi Mr Cornwell.

Love your books, esp, Uhtred. Do you have any idea what was going on in Lancashire area during those times? All the Anglo-Saxon  and Viking focus seems to avoid that region, and I’ve been wondering why. In Australia it’s a bit hard to know who to ask.

Thanks for making history interesting,

Paul D

Hello Sir.

Thank you very much indeed for your wonderful books.  I have read  all of them of course,  and followed the Last Kingdom series on TV, and have a question for you.

My understanding from the books is that Uhtred is/has a free Viking spirit that believes in Norrøn mythology, and despises the men of the church and the christian religion, even though he respect the believers. (because he is a free spirit) In the books he often touch his hammer and hope his fate will be good, and I think you have managed to describe the norrøn religion very well.

 

In the TV series on the other hand, this is toned down alot.  There is a lot of focus on the christian cross, and I can not remember once having seen Uhtreds Thor hammer, or any other Thor hammer on vikings. It seems to me that the series is made to appeal to american christians on behalf of the true story of the books?

 

My question is: Am I right, or have I missed something? Do you appreciate the way this subject is portrayed in the TV series??

 

Thank you for your time.

Best regards and thank you again for ALL your books!!

Arne

Hello....my! do people really send you manuscripts?! I couldn't imagine doing that. Anyhow, I have read the Warlord Chronicles-twice,and all of the Saxon tales to date. Two questions if I may: 1- In the Saxon Tales, Uhtred and other characters show a profound distaste for the "welsh" and for "wales" a very marked difference from the way the lands of "Wales" -even Siluria, are loved in the Warlord Chronicles. Now, granted the feelings of the characters are driven by their learned hatreds and loves for peoples and lands, but why so stark a difference? THIS is not a criticism! Please don't be offended. it is just a question based on observation.  2- I have read through your answered questions and see that any new story bridging the time of Derfel the writer monk and Derfel, survivor of Camlann may not be in "the cards". It seems there is still a good bit of story-fiction and history-to tell. Would love to see it. But it is understandable if we never do. Thank you for your time.

Ted Agens

Hi Bernard,  (if I may call you that).

I have read a great many of your books including every last one of the Sharpe series.

I have just finished reading "The last Kingdom" and was struck by Uhtred's description (during his marriage period), of a forty year old man as being either "elderly" or "very old".

Now, although life expectancy has varied wildly throughout history, lifespan has remained relatively constant at, to quote a source much more ancient than either of us, three score years and ten (or thereabouts).

Please Sir,

I would love to hear your comment on this particular issue as it seems there are so many famous and distinguished people throughout history and way back into antiquity who have all lived, seemingly, quite happily into their eighties and beyond..

I am most grateful.

Bo Bodragon

Once Uhtred unites England, will we see a book where Richard Sharpe gets to trade in his redcoat for the green jacket of the 95th?

Much Thanks

William Schlotthauer