Your Questions

I've just finished 'Ida', and enjoyed that read just as I've enjoyed the others in this series and others you have written too. I looked too at some of the Qs and As and noted that in one response you mention how Uhtred is getting older now so perhaps confused. That might explain the slavery point, He claims that he was sold into slavery by his Uncle. My memory of the previous books is that this isn't so - or is it my memory that fades?

 

yours,

Peter Barley

Happy New Year Bernard.

 

Whilst listening to Uhtred's story from start to finish again of the Christmas period, quite a few 'what if's' drifted into my mind as they tend to do from time to time. I won't bother you with most of them, but I am curious if you have any thoughts about the implications and effects on the relationship between Alfred and Uhtred if the latter had fully converted and remained a devout Christina in Alfred's service. Both men clearly respected the other and it seems to me that there had been, on Alfred's part, a desire like Uhtred and foster a friendship, which was soured over the years. I wonder if you fee that had Uhtred been a committed Christian, Alfred would have allowed his merit to raise him to higher levels of lordship. perhaps in place of his cousin, or even to become a sanctioned king under Alfred's overarching rule. If this had happened and Uhtred had been allowed freedom to run the campaign against the Danes freely and with Alfred's full backing, do you think the results would have been wildly different in terms of effectiveness and duration?

Had Uhtred been a Christian and in Alfred's good graces, do you think he might have been allowed permission to marry Aethelflaed, and had that union brought forth sons in Alfred's lifetime, would he have recognised the potential for a stronger ruling line from that branch of the family and put them ahead other potential succesors? Alfred showed he could be ruthless, having usurped the throne himself, and I wonder if he would have weighed the future of his kingdom ahead of having Edward follow him

 

Best wishes

 

Andy

 

Of course this is all just idle musings but it does intrigue me!

 

Best wishes

 

Andy

Hi Bernard,

Just finished reading, and enjoyed your story greatly, as with the preceding ones.

In your historical research for the backstory I wonder why no mention of the Cuerdale Hoard? The River Ribble was the main connection between Dyflin, Mann and Jorvik.

I know you have explained your siting of Brunanburh to be on the Mersey previously, but still not convinced personally.

I read Michael Livingston's book and its dubious place name derivations. There were Norse settlements along the whole of the North West Coast, I was born in one at Blowick, Southport..

Living in Preston, Lancs., an Angle town, I am biased towards another claim, one amongst many, but which actually possesses some evidence?!

Bruna Hill near Garstang, Alston and Elston named after Athelstan and the Cuerdale Hoard a mercenary payroll still the largest find of Nordic silver outside of Russia. All of these well within a day's walk.

So not wanting to bore you further with the battle site arguments, please try to mention the Cuerdale Hoard somewhere, it did exist, I have handled some of the silver coins and hack silver.

Regards.

Andy.

Hi Bernard,

 

I have always been an avid reader of history, especially military history. My father introduced me to your books on Uhtred and I have devoured them until I became caught up a few years back. I also came across a computer game called "Mount & Blade - Warband" which had an additional patch titled "Viking Conquest". It seems to me that the game is inspired by your works, and does include a character named Uhtred floating about. In summary, the game pretty much let's you play out your Saxon or Viking fantasy of raiding, fighting, and conquering, enemies like Æthelhelm, etc...and/or usurp them all and create your own kingdom. Personally, I found Brycheinoig and Cornubia ripe territories on which to found my Viking kingdom, but now have the pesky Irish raiding my lands.

 

I was wondering if you have seen or heard of the game, and if not you should check it out! Although, I do fear it may hamper your writing of the next Uhtred book.

 

-Best,

David F

Hi Bernard!

You have been praised for your very accurate descriptions of the Viking society and their world views. For a fellow history-nerd, it's  a pleasure to see that you put a lot of effort into making some fantastic books. I've recently come across the Vikings of Jomsborg, an supposed mercenary army based in jomsborg near todays Wohlin in Poland. They have been accredited for the killing of Harald Bluetooth and important roles in different swedish succession-wars. What i've read is that they where closer to an actual organisation and not just ad-hoc ventures as the vikings of your books. I wondered if you heard of them and if so, what your thoughts are about these jomsvikings?

Christiern

I am an avid reader of your works and thoroughly enjoy them. I currently reside in Essex and get a lot of stick for that but you are proof that we are not all stupid.

Was it your idea to Have Sean Bean play Sharpe? He is absolutely perfect in the role.

Thank you once again for the pleasure you have given to many and to me in particular.

Martin Long

Good day Mr. Cornwell:

I just wanted you to know that I recently read "Gallows Thief" and very much enjoyed it and although this is a bit selfish on my part, I was hoping to convince you that writing a series, not too dissimilar to the Uhtred series, would be a good idea. I have read numerous books of yours and have enjoyed following the Uhtred novels.  The cast of characters in the "Gallows Thief" would seem to me to be perfect for a series of books that follow Rider Sandman, sergeant Berrigan and Sally.  This is an interesting time in Europe and the cast of characters sets forth an equally interesting spectrum of social actors.  You could mine a wide array of situations and social settings by having them work together as a team similar to what you set forth in "Gallows Thief".  The way the book ends seems as if you were already setting this up (hopefully).  Well, I just wanted to plant this seed in hopes that you would write a few more books that followed these characters -- I think many people could relate to them and would enjoy following their exploits.

Thanks for your time,

Rich Coon

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I have read so much of your work and have loved the way you have brought muddy, desperate reality to such as the Arthur legend (best I've read), Agincourt, Stonehenge and the times of King Alfred and much more. I am just amazed that you have not had a go at Robin Hood which is as open to interpretation and uncannily link with Richard the Lionheart that it cries out for your interpretation. The link of legend with reality is very interesting in this genre.

I would love to read your Book(s) on this before my demise!

Yours sincerely

Kim Melbourn

Hello,

 

This time last year, I watched the entire Sharpe  DVD's, over a period of a month. I am watching  some of them, again this December. The best word, I can think of to describe the Sharp TV episodes is Synergy. I thought the cast and technical staff assembled,  brought a  lot of  value for  the  low budget. Most people reading this, would agree, the Sharpe budget was low, and could never be described as being in the James Bond or Hollywood blockbuster region. A good example, I think is Pete Postlewaite being cast as Sergeant Hakeswill.   I recently read Pete Postlewaite's  autobioraphy. Postlewaite memorably brought Sergeant Hakeswill to life. Postlewaite, in his book, discused Hakeswill character  with Sean Bean, they both felt, that the series would benefit with  an expanded role for Hakeswill. Assuming you got this feedback, why didn't you write more about Hakeswill??? It is not a criticism, just an observation. The fact that Hakeswill was killed off, was not an insurmountable obstacle  for you to surmount.

 

Regards and thanks,

 

Adrian.

Hi Bernard,

big fan of your work.

In the Afterword to "The Fort" you mention that Massachusetts guns recovered by the British after the Penobscot Expedition ended up in British Colonies, including here in Australia. Do you know where? Is be fascinated to find them.

Adam Halgren