Bulletin Board

Q

Just want to thank you for writing such wonderful historical novels! My Mum had read the Swedish translation of "Last Kingdom" and bought the English paperback for my birthday in 2012. Since then I have bought all your books when I have found some I didn't already have and last March I joined an online bookstore. And I finally found the Starbuck Chronicles, Fallen Angels and Sharpe's Tiger. Since then I have ordered the Sharpe novels one after another and today I received the last eleven books missing in my collection and I cannot tell you properly to happy I am except by saying "THANK YOU! for writing such great books!"

Bettina Lindqvist


Q

Mr. Cornwell;

It would be difficult to convey the extent of my pleasure in your portrayal of Sharpe, Uhtred, and the historical settings in which they are brought to life.  Notwithstanding that difficulty, I do thank you for giving my imagination an outlet that both excites and entertains.  Well done, Mr. Cornwell; I do look forward to enjoying your writings for many years to come.

Bryan


Q

Dear Bernard

You recently answered a reader's question about the use of 'chain mail' in the C9th. It's quite correct that the Gauls were using mail during their wars with the Romans about 1000 years earlier, and the Romans adopted it as lorica hamata which was used right through the imperial period. I'm not so sure it was very common in the C9th though. Amongst warriors, yes, but I suspect that many men relied on leather and padding, with some metal reinforcement if they were lucky!

Just as a matter of interest, this type of armour was known as mail (or maille) at the time. Chain mail, ring mail, banded mail, plate mail and all the rest of the names that people use date from the C19th, possibly starting with Sir Walter Scott. It was difficult to depict mail in medieval art/tapestries and the artists usually resorted to using various types of rings and dots which later writers interpreted as different types of mail. Plate mail is just a modern nonsense, used incorrectly to describe plate armour.

Looking forward to the new book but, must admit, I'd like to see another Starbuck or 100 Years War story!

Martyn Kerr

A

Thank you!


Q

Hi Bernard Cornwell!

I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your novels, especially your Sharpe novels, the Warlord Chronicles, and your Starbuck series, just to name a few! I particularly love the eras and settings in your works, and of course your fantastically written characters.

My debut historical novel,Between Two Fires, comes out with St. Martin’s Press this August, and is set in medieval Wales. I just wanted to let you know how big a fan I am of your books and how your novels have been an inspiration in my own writing.

Thank you so much and take care:)

Mark

 

A

Best of luck to you!


Q

Good day Bernard, I am a German blade smith and knife maker, living for 15 years in Thailand.I just wanted let You know that Your writing always is a great inspiration to my work.(messerboll.net)

>From very good research on edged weapons, excellent described choreography in fights and battles, describing characters, landscapes, historic policy and so on, one thing is outstanding and absolutely unique: You are the only! writing artist who is able to write something like a timeless conversation....especially in the Uthred saga(that I love so much) it is very important to me to get a glimpse how people could have talked to each others in times long past ago... the German translation of Your books getting worse, overshadowed and disturbed by German translators who think it must be attractive to mix in young, recently up-coming fashioned phrases in street language. it makes me concentrate on English written releases that prove my English and are Your own right words....much better!

It is like You could have said: we have to accept and make the best out of it.

Stay healthy and keep on writing Your wonderful books!

sincerely Yours

Daniel Jeremiah Boll

 


Q

I'm on this website looking up your full catalogue so that I can fill in some missing pieces. There's a stack of 29 books next to me with your name on them.

Thank you for the hours of enjoyment which these books have given me. They have followed me on planes and trains, on beaches, by rivers and in many many armchairs.  You probably hear this often, but keep writing and keep writing well.

If you're ever in Sydney, drop me a line because I owe you a beer.

Ian Gibson

Architect, Cricketer and Cornwell Fan

A

Thanks!  The full listing of all the books can be found here:  http://www.bernardcornwell.net/books-by-bernard-cornwell/


Q

I'm not writing a book. Not looking for an autograph. This message is to tell you 2 things:

  1. Just finished reading Warriors of the Storm, and panting with eagerness to learn whether or not Uhtred wins back his Bebbanburg #10..??. You do an excellent job crafting his character. and 2. I was once a newspaper reporter for the Charleston newspaper, and love the city. Joe Riley one of my heroes. And been to many Spoleto festivals. Best wishes to you and I look forward to #10 of the Saxon series.

Adrian King

A

I love that city too!  Number 10 of The Last Kingdom series - The Flame Bearer - will be published later this year.


Q

I love your stories as I love the English language and its origins. My thanks and respect to you for displaying your culture round the world.

Monica


Q

I am from Washington (the original!) formerly County Durham & now Tyne & Wear.

Just dropping a line to say "Thank You" for your work  & to tell you that my Mam, Jean Ward, is visiting us from the UK. ( I now live in Australia) She is 90 years young & since she arrived here for a visit on 24th March she has worked her way steadily through your "Saxon Stories" and is ready for the arrival of "The Burning Land" in the post.  She returns to UK on 6th June.    I have to share this gem with you. She told me " I can't 'peg out' until I have read ALL of of Bernard's books!!"  She is such a fan & I have had great delight watching her devour each book - thinking - "this is the lady who taught me to read.. "  The race is on to see how many she can read before she leaves for the airport - and I know she will look forward to book deliveries when she returns home.   I have worked all day & Mam has sat quietly reading your book - every now & then I hear a "EEEH!" - and it is sooo frustrating - she has passed me & I get the book when she is done with it!  I'm smiling as I type this - I hope I can be so keen when I am 90!!  I love to hear her say "Anne - I'm almost finished this one - I want to know what happens next - but I don't want it to end"  Too good not to share Bernard.

Anne Jenkinson

A

I love it!  Thank you.  Please give your Mam my best!


Q

Thanks Mr. Cornwell for writing the Sharpe series. I have read the entire series many, many times over. As a former sailor in the RAN, these books kept me happy, content (and sane) during extended periods at sea. I hope you are proud of your work. You should be.

Christopher Flitton