Your Questions

Dear Bernard,

I've never sent a fan mail before until now. I've read lots of good books (I work for the English Literature department at a university in the land of the rising sun) but I must say yours have truly moved me... to write my first ever fan mail. I first got into your books rather late... when I was at high school and Sharpe was on TV, a friend told me that the book-Sharpe would kick the crap out of the TV-Sharpe. He told me the books were brilliant and he wasn't a big fan of the show. About 20 years later, I needed a page-turner for a long flight home, and I thought Sharpe might keep me going. It did... and basically since that time (about four years ago and well before COVID) I literally have not read much else except for your books. I'm deep into the Saxon Stories now.

Easily my favourite was your Arthur legend... masterful! How you wrote that so tightly and retold such a familiar tale in such fresh and yet believable was amazing.

So here's my question (apologies for the prior gushing, as I said, first fan mail). My partner doesn't read much but I really want her to be able to enjoy the Arthur stories. I heard a rumour they were also being televised. Is that true?

Hope you are well and looking forward to the next Sharpe book!

Richard

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I just read The Lords of the North. A fascinating evocation of the the history of the era, and a depiction of the relations between Northumbria and King Alfred.  I thoroughly enjoyed it. One question: In several instances a Saxon recognizes someone as a Dane or vice versa.  What physical characteristics would identify someone as a Dane or as a Saxon. Thank you for making the history of that era come alive.

Sincerely,

Roger Gray

Dear Bernard

I saw that your next book was postponed because you went into Surgery. Your health will always be more important than a book (which doesn't matter) and I wish you a speedy recovery. Please get well soon

I wondered if you'd ever considered writing about your own story and time in Northern Ireland. Given that it was at the height of the Troubles I'm sure it would be an interesting story to read about.

Geraint

P.S for debate sakes id ask this question, Wellington is often said to have never lost a battle though his battles at Aldea De Ponte and Tordesillas in 1812 could both be classed as defeats but I ask you would you Redinha in 1811 a defeat or a draw ?

Hello Bernard

On the Humber estuary and the Ouse and Trent there is a tidal bore named the"Aegir" supposedly after a Viking warlord of that name who rode the tidal bore and sacked York before for.the lookout posted at Spurn Point had chance to warn the city of of the Viking approach.

Do you have any knowledge of this as my mother's maiden name was agar. There is still an Agar today who is lord of the manor of Stockton on forest.

John Webb

Hi Bernard,

Firstly, I hope you are well!

I've just discovered 'The Last Kingdom' & couldn't contain my excitement at seeing a character called 'Wolland'. It is in fact my surname & I have always tried to research where my name originates from, and where I'm from. So my question is, is the Character 'Wolland' Historically accurate? and if so, how did you discover the name & stuff like that? additionally, if he is not historically accurate, what made you choose the name?

I am intrigued! I'm not sure how accurate the AncestryDNA tests are, but I genuinely have some Danish & Norwegian ancestry which is weird, because my family tree extends over 200 years primarily to Southern England, so have always wondered where my surname Wolland comes from.. albeit lost.

Thank you for reading, hope you can help :)

Regards

Luke

Thoroughly enjoying my read through Sharpe’s world. So many great characters being introduced just as in all your works.  I was wondering if it hard to introduce such great secondary characters and leave their world to the reader to imagine themselves.  My latest one that that I hated to see sail off was Cornelius Killick.  Do you keep them on the back burner for possible further development later?  Thank you for reawakening my love of reading over the last few years.

Deborah Starling Hosmer

Thank you for being so generous in responding to your readers. I'll keep this short. Long time fan. Read a ton of your books. You are undoubtedly my all time favorite author. I don't know how you can be so prolific.

My question is about your sea stories. I saw the picture of your boat. The stories feel so absolutely authentic I find it hard to believe that you yourself have not traveled some rough seas yourself. Please tell me that the stories are not just based on your fantastic research and imagination but also some real life experiences and adventures.

I did search for this answer on your website but could not find the answer. Thanks for considering responding.

Best,

Don McCunn

Dear Bernard

The last Campaign of the Napoleonic Wars was not Waterloo but the Invasion of Guadeloupe. It's a fascinating Campaign and I wondered if you were tempted by it at all ?

Regards

Geraint

Hi Bernard,

thoroughly enjoying Sharpe's Assassin. I read some others a little while ago - Eagle, Company, Sword, Regiment. It struck me that a lot of these books were published out of chronological order. I was wondering how you're able to keep track of all the events in Sharpe's life while inserting new stories into the canon. Do you keep a timeline chart or something similar?

Thanks,

Aidan

Enjoying Stonehenge. Curious about whatever research or conjecture is behind the personal names of the characters. Thank you.

Charles Pyle