Your Questions

Hi I love your books, especially the Saxon and Arthurian novels (maybe that's because they are the only ones I have read)and I would just like to know whether you are planning to or have write/written any books from a scot/picts point of view? PETE

1807: Sharpe on the Continent? I've much enjoyed reading your accounts of Mr Sharpe's exploits. We don't know his whereabouts between Copenhagen (Sept 1807) and Corunna (Jan 1809). Is it possible that he might have served in Sir Robert Wilson's retinue during the 1807 campaign in Poland. If so he would have been present at the battles of Eylau and Friedland. (see e.g. R. Wilson, A Brief Remarks on the Character and Composition of the Russian Army and a Sketch of the Campaigns in Poland in the Years 1806 and 1807; available on Google Books). Here's hoping that there's many more Sharpe adventures to tell. John Wladis
.....Correction The battle of Eylau (Feb) and Friedland (July) both occurred in 1807 before Copenhagen, not after as my first message implied

Dear Bernard I am a long term avid reader of your books, and once had the audacity to tell you (at a Waterstone signing session) that you portrayed, in the Arthur series, quite the best picture of post-Romanic Britain that I had ever read. Can you help me - I have read recently a book of late 7th century England, which concerns an Irish emigre, Abbess Hilde, St. Cuthbert (alive!), Wilfred, and the founding of Whitby Abbey. Much of the detail in the book was confirmed in one of Melvyn Bragg's excellent discussion programmes last week. I assumed that it was one of your books, a precursor of the Saxon series, but I can't trace it. Any idea - I can't find it in my collection and my guess is that you may well know the author. Regards Mervyn Sennett PS Recently read Lords of the North - well up to usual standards and again giving a realistic picture of life as it must have been in those times.

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I would like to start by saying that I have been a big fan of your work for some time now. The Arthur Books are by far my favorite and I have probably read them (all 3) 10 times. With all that being said, I am also a tattoo collector, and I would like to incorporate some art work from the Arthur books onto myself. My question is, apart from the covers is there any more artwork to go along with these books? Or a good place to find artwork that inspired you or your stories? I hope to hear from you, Your Fan, Scott T. Hadley

Dear Sir, I'm currently making a research on Napoleon's Empire. Do you know where I might buy a map which shows Europe at this time in history? Thanks a lot. Luca Caruana

Hello Bernard, You won't remember but I wrote on your bulletin board a few years ago, my name is Chris Webster and I am BA War Studies undergraduate War Studies student at King's College London. If my exams go as planned after Easter my summer dissertation will be on the leadership of Alfred the Great. I've been a massive fan of your books since I was eight years old, and I was wondering if my favourite story teller might be able to give me some advice as to research on the topic. It'd be great if you could get back to me.. Yours sincerely, Chris Webster P.S. Hurry up and finish the next Saxon installment, Bebbanburg needs to get the Uthred treatment!

I realize that my previous comment was not a question, ha...Didn't realize I had the chance to ask one, well as for starters I would very much like to say I had made the mistake of reading Lords of the North prior to the first two...Yes I know! Blasphemy! But...What can I do? No one ever said anything about their being a trilogy at the time and it was a gift. But I already have the first two now and am beginning... Now as for some questions, this one pertains to the whole idea of the sword in the stone. I do realize that Excalibur was given to Arthur by Merlin after he passed a series of tests, but where do the whole 'mumbo jumbo' of the sword in the stone pertain? Also I am curious what differs in a 'blood-oath','scar-oath' (what Nimue and Derfel took). and the hundreds of oaths are swore under... It seems they all may result in the same thing, distrust and a new enemy.

Now as for Uhtred, and I know that you are already thinking, well... READ THE OTHER 2! But that may not be the case. You mention Serpent's Breath and Wasp Sting... I know Serpent's Breath was a long sword, but what was Wasp Sting? (This may be answered in the first two) And does he ever dual wield them?

Finally...When did Druids first start appearing? Only some mundane questions, nothing really serious, perhaps if I asked when you believed the fourth book for the Saxon's Tale was going to come out; they maybe something to bicker about... But Those are my questions and hopefully this makes up for the last comment, thank you and please...PLEASE!!! Continue your writing! It is truly wonderful and very enjoyable, I could not express it more on how much I truly take passion in reading your books. -Nick Lepperd, Decsendent from the Norse...

Dear Mr. Bernard Cornwell, I am a very big fan of your Saxon stories. I am waiting for the 4th one to come out. My father has all your books and has read all your books. My father was the one who introduced me to the Last Kingdom. Once I read that book it was the first time I ever wanted to read. I was hoping you might consider turning them into a screen play like the Sharpe series. I sure you probably get this offer a lot. but you are very well known with the Sharpe series and why not be well known for the Saxon stories? If anyone tried to make a movie out of this they would not be able to. The reason why is that when you were writing these great novels you pictured what the characters would look like and no one could know what you had pictured in your mind. Well anyway I know you can consider it. Jake Cranmer

I just finished the Winter King and have the two remaining volumes to read. I deeply pleased with your Arthurian story. I have read Ms.Stewart's books and Jack Whyte's multi-volume works plus I have an extensive library of Romano-British materials. My wife Norma is English and thus the interest by an American citizen. My question is this - Have you considered doing a prequel to the Winter King for the years between St Germanus' first visit and 480 probably focused on Merlin? My only other thought is that the Frankish attack came after the elimination of the quasi roman lands around Soissons ~ somewhere after 486 - Is that correct? John Kelly

Mr. Cornwell, I really love the Richard Sharpe novels and was wondering if you might ever write another book post-Waterloo? I would love to read how Sharpe copes without being at war, his life outside of soldiering, and ultimately how he feels living around the people that he ultimately helped defeat. Also will we ever see Antonia again or find out who Sharpe's father is? Maybe we shouldn't on either one, but still do you have any plans for these? Thanks a lot, I love your stories, whatever you decide, please keep writing.
David DeForest