Your Questions

Q

Dear Bernard:

It's been some years since I wrote.  Never could solve the Sharpe's Father riddle!  The last time I wrote I was in Afghanistan and you kindly sent several books for the troops -- they were greatly appreciated!  I hope they are still being passed around Kandahar Airbase!

I am reading The Flame Bearer and find it another great story!

I read that what you are currently is not Uhtred's next adventure.  Can you give us a hint where you are taking us to next?

 

Merry Christmas

Scott Evans

A

I’m still finding out for myself – something different. I won’t risk bad fortune by saying just what it is!


Q

What happened to the estate Uhtred was given by Alfred? There is no mention of if it in further books. I would have expected an income from it and from Dunholm when he took over it, so I was surprised when in the latest book you said he was short of money again.

Colin Rowland

 

A

He’ll survive!  I’ll have to think about that estate . . . I have a feeling he lost it (but how and why I’m not yet sure)


Q

Dear Bernard

 

First of all Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2017. I was fortunate to meet you at the book signing in October in York, where you signed my copy of The Flame Bearer and I gave you a signed photo of Mark Rylance.

 

Now my question if I may, have you had a chance to see the BBC series the Time Commanders where some amature wargamers reenact famous battles using computers and advise from war experts. They re-enacted Waterloo this week, with the same outcome although it was even closer this time around with the French commander using his cavalry in a series of hit and run attacks against the British/Allies and only losing when the Prussians were able to link up.

 

Do you think Napoleon could have won at Waterloo if his cavalry had been used this way?

 

Best wishes

 

Steven

A

Probably not!  I think he’d have won if he reinforced Ney after the fall of La Haye Sainte – or if Grouchy had marched to the battle on that Sunday morning – or if he hadn’t waited two hours for the ground to dry out! But it’s all mere speculation.


Q

Quite a while ago, when writing the Sharp series, you expressed a wish to write about the foul mouthed(blame Captain Cook) but much maligned Bligh. Is this still a possibility or has it gone from your wish list? Can I just say I devour your books when they come out whatever the topic.

Terry Irwin

A

It’s gone . . .vanished . . sorry!


Q

Hello,

We are winter neighbors in Charleston, SC.  My 11-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son go to Buist Academy in downtown Charleston where they are members of Warwick house.  The school uses a house system to integrate the grades and the houses are named after European castles.  We took our children to Warwick castle last Christmas and my daughter fell in love with Æthelflæd,  She went as Æthelflæd for Halloween this year.  There has not been much mention of the Warwick burh in the Saxon series to date but I am sure you would be a delight if you are ever interested in talking to the children (and their parents:)) about what you know of their house history.

Thank you for the great books,

Aspen Olmsted

A

I’m delighted your daughter admires Aethelflaed! Tell her well done! I don’t know much about Warwick Castle, like you I’ve only ever been a visitor, so I’m not sure I have much to tell! Still, Charleston being Charleston, I’m sure we’ll meet sooner or later, thank you!


Q

Hi.

Would you be interested in writing a textbook about World history?

Thanks!

Muneeza

A

A short answer? No.

Longer – not in the least. I’m a fiction writer and the shoemaker should stick to his task!

 


Q

Mr. Cornwell,

I am a (relative) neighbor of yours, living in Summerville, SC.  I have LOVED reading your Saxon series!  My ancestors came to America in the 1700's and my surname is of Scottish origin.  Following is a possible lineage.

 

The progenitor of the Irish family of Fordyce, from which descend all the Fordyce's of Washington and Greene Co.'s Pa. was one

 

  1. Hugh Fordyce b. in Drumasole Co. Antrim, Ireland, in 1527. marrying July 3, 1552, Mary Conyngham, of Kilbirnie, Co. Ayr, Scotland, daughter of Patrick Conyngham, of that ilk and this would tend to indicate that Hugh, himself, or his father, had come from Scotland, presumably from Ayrshire. What his father's name was we do not know, as yet. (Conyngham Coll. 69) Children: Mary, Sarah, Martin of whom presently, Hugh, John.

 

Hopefully, you are still reading...  because this is where I would like to make a request.  There still remains a Fordyce Castle near Aberdeen, not too far from your Bebbanburg.  Maybe you can insert a Fordyce into your chronicles (as a hero of course), just sayin', ha.  Maybe Uhtred could have run into some Fordyce's in his travels around the northern parts of Scotland, what do you think???  I don't think this would fall into the category of suggesting plotlines or some other irregularity, so think about it a bit...

 

I hope to start on the Sharpe series soon, as I really enjoy the historical novels and your storytelling is getting to be addictive!!

 

Happy New Year and best to you,

Christopher Fordyce

A

I’ll bear it in mind . . . I suspect the surname emerged long after Uhtred’s time? But I will try to work a Fordyce in somewhere, some place!


Q

Hi

I have read and enjoyed the entire Uhtred series (but don't like the series Last Kingdom - doesn't follow the book, or make as much sense). But, in the early books Hrothweard is an enemy of Uhtred, and in Flame Bearer Uhtred has never heard of him. He seems like the same character but now is an archbishop.

 

Thanks for some terrific stories,

Les

A

They were different characters – the name wasn’t uncommon.


Q

First and foremost I have truly enjoyed this entire series....I read in a few months what took you years to create. I recently finished book 10 and can't wait for Uhtred to continue his journey. I've truly never enjoyed a series or a book as much as this from the first page until the last. Just wanted to say job well done and ask when the next one will be released?

TY Chad

 

Will there be future books of Uhtred?

Linda O'Connell

 

Hi Mr Cornwell,

Having read a lot of books from the Templars era, plus "les rois maudits", Robyn Young's Brethen and Scotland trilogy, I then got my hands on your 1356 book!  I was then hooked.  I got myself all the Last kingdom books of the series at that time (last year) (9 books - one shot).  I am now reading The flame Bearer and I am anxious to know if there will be a 11th book.  Your Uhtred story is marvelous...I had a lot of pleasure reading your work and I thank you for that.

François Beaulieu

 

Just to let you know how much enjoyment your books bring to me whenever I read one as i find them difficult to shut once opened.  I was just wondering how long we will have to wait for your next novel in the series?  Many thanks always a brilliant read.

David Allanson

 

So I finished book 10, The Flame Bearer, just before bed last night.  I was amazed I was able to immediately fall asleep despite my elevated heart rate from the excitement of the book.  One observation - for some reason I almost loathed Uhtred for slaughtering his cousin.  But that feeling didn't last long.

Clearly there will be a book 11 of this series. Any idea when?

Best wishes!

Tom Keyser

A

There will be more to Uhtred's story....stay tuned!


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

finished the "Flame Bearer" a few weeks ago. First time in english, i am not native english speaking. Fantastic was Uhtreds "inner monologue" about warriors. Must read it loud to my son. The peak part of the story, great!

 

Besides: Aethelflead calls someone the "bishop of York"? Never heard of York in that story. Where or what ist it? :-)

: Ulrich Noll

A

That should have been Eoferwic or Jorvik . . . .