Your Questions

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell,

I am writing to you to let you know how very much I have enjoyed reading every book you have ever written. In particularly The Last Kingdom series, for which I have a couple of questions... 1: How long does it take you to research the subject matter before you feel you are ready to put pen to paper and start writing the stories? 2: Do you ever try to visit the sites of the battlefields that you write about or do you research the relevant info for the specific battles through the internet,etc?

 

I would also like to say that the Stonehenge story you wrote seems probably the BEST answer I have seen as to the question... Who built Stonehenge and why?

 

Please keep up the brilliant work, and please let me know when a new title will be appearing soon so that I can keep an eye out for it. Many thanks for unknowingly providing me with many many hours of enjoyment reading your books.

 

Best Wishes

 

Nick Lambert

Submitted March 2, 2017

A

I'm continually research - if not for the book I'm currently writing, then for the one I'll write next, or that I'll write a year or two from now.  I've been reading history since I was a child and all that reading contributes to what I do. However - when thinking about a new book I'll spend some months (or more!) reading in a very concentrated way, though how long and how much depends on the book.  I always try to  visit the sites in my books.  Often things are very changed, but all sorts of detail emerge from those visits, and I think it's important to see the land as they saw it and to imagine their feelings as they looked on that landscape.

 

 

Q

Hello Bernard,

 

I’m a huge fan of yours from Lombardy (which is mentioned in Heretic!), and also a dedicated history lover. My focus is mostly on the medieval period, and the combat and warfare of that era especially; after reading (so far) 14 of your books I am already looking into periods you seem not to have blessed with your work yet. The question is, which one is the most likely and least likely of the following periods to get your attention for a new novel series:

 

-the Norman conquest and the subsequent decades (I know you said you weren't interested many times before) -the period of Richard I ‘Lionheart’ and/or the first crusades -13th century England (the scot and welsh revolts)

 

And how likely will the most likely of these three actually get a novel set on it?

 

I know you can’t reveal much about your future projects and works, but I appreciate any attempt at giving a honest and useful answer! Thank you in advance!

Milo

Submitted March 1, 2017

A

Sorry!  Not very likely to all three!

Q

Hi Bernard,

big fan here.  Just curious though I sadly suspect I know the answer.  Any more tales to come from the world of Derfel and co. in any way, or is the Arthurian tale done being told?

 

Also, just for fun, Uhtred v Derfel, single combat of champions, who wins? :)

 

Thanks for humoring me if you have a change to respond!

 

-Brad

Submitted March 1, 2017

A

I don't plan to add to Derfel's tale.

They're as good as each other, which is all you'll get from me!

Q

Well there be a sequel to The Bloody Ground? I have read a lot about the civil war and without a doubt your Nate Starbuck series is the most entertaining I have read. Thank you.

JR

Hello, I hope all is well. I am writing to inquire about the Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicals. Although I enjoy the Sharpes series. I loved the civil war setting and would hope that good ole Nate would ride again one day soon. Thanks and have a great weekend!

Ejay Zuspan

 

 

Submitted March 1, 2017

A

I hope so!

Q

Is there another Sharpe book coming?  We left him as an Ensign in Sharpe's Trafalgar and he appears as a Lieutenant in Sharpe Rifles.

Mitch Roemer

Submitted March 1, 2017

A

Sharpe is an ensign, then joins the Rifles who didn't have that rank so simply becomes a Lieutenant.

Q

Good Morning Mr Cornwell,

 

I have as many people read the Saxon Chronicles and as many thoroughly enjoyed them. I am English (Geordie) and live not a stones throw away from Bamburgh (bebbanburg) Castle, I am so immersed in your books and the way you describe everything from battle to a quiet spring morning. Only one thing that gets me and it's not really anything to do with you in a way. I've obviously watched the first series on the "Last Kingdom" on the TV and there are one or two things that get me, 1, Uhtred's sword is in his back and not by his side 2, Father Beocca is isn't ugly or does not have a Club foot.

I know these seem silly but do you have any influence on the making of the series and if so would you be able to suggest to correct these as you are the author of these incredible books.

Uhtred is meant to be a large towering man but to be honest the actor who has taken this role does an outstanding job of brining Uhtred to life and wouldn't want him to be recast, they could use camera angles ect to make him look taller.

 

Well I hope you get time to have a look at what I have said, and I hope you manage to write many more excellent books

 

 

Regards

 

Chris Lumsdale

Submitted February 17, 2017

A

I have no influence, nor do I want it!  I like to think I know a thing or two about writing stories, but I know nothing about producing television drama, so the best thing is to stay clear and let the experts do what they do best!

 

 

Q

Have you ever thought of giving Midshipman Collier a more prominent part in a future Sharpe story? He's sort of become famous, or should that be infamous, amongst your followers as a Harry Potter like equivalent of the boy that lived. For Voldemort, read Cornwell and a (very) amusing propensity to usually take very young characters, and, as I was delighted in hearing you say at one of your talks, "taking the little b****rds heads off!". Full marks to Mrs Cornwell for saving him - he sort of grows on you.

Andy Green

Submitted February 17, 2017

A

I still regret not killing him. Damn it, now you want more of him? He’ll die in paragraph one of page one of the next Sharpe book!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell,

in regards to your Sharpe books, from my knowledge it is set in a time period where it wasn't uncommon for officers of one country to have been born in a different country than where they serve.

 

The most egregious example is Napoleon himself, he is a Corsican, who up until the was 12 was part of Italy, so we have an Italian, who becomes leader of France to plunder Italy.

 

My question would be if Sharpe had somehow ended in the french army, what kind of career he would have had there?

R.M.Solea

Submitted February 17, 2017

A

Lord only knows!  You’re right, of course, a number of eminent soldiers served in foreign armies, but Sharpe? He had enough trouble with the British let alone some other country!

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell!

 

I am thoroughly enjoying The Last Kingdom!  I've read your Sharpe books, but this Viking/Saxon history has really grabbed me.  Possibly it's ancestral. I've visited many of the places mentioned, so I can envision your characters in their settings clearly. One of my favorite memories was walking a Roman road in Yorkshire.

 

I designed and rigged all the ships and boats for the Pirates of the Caribbean series of movies.  When I was down in Antigua in 2003, there was a sweet little yacht moored at Nelson's Dockyard.  I was told it was yours.  I was impressed and took a picture of her..

 

Tell me, was it really, or did I fall for someone's fiction? If so, do you still have her? Where do you sail?

 

Thanks, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

Courtney Andersen

Submitted February 17, 2017

A

I fear you fell for a fiction! I did own a Cornish Crabber (#302) for over 25 years and sailed her out of the River Exe and then, when we moved, in Nantucket Sound where she still is!  She was never in Antigua! I sold her to a friend and these days, being old, I sail a Beneteau 35 which, while not nearly as pretty as the Crabber, is a lot easier!

Q

Hi Bernard,

Just finished reading Flame Bearer and I am left wondering if there will be another book/s to complete the series.  What happens next with Athelstan and the younger Uhtred?

Kind regards

Tony Lewis

New Zealand

 

I got the impression that, after reading The Flame Bearer, Uhtred, now in bebbanburg still has more to do. Is there another story to come? I really hope so.

regards,

David Tomlinson

 

Submitted February 17, 2017

A

There is more to come....