Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

Is the Rev. William Oughtred, who invented the slide rule and introduced the use of the letter “x” to indicate multiplication, an ancestor of yours?

There is now an Oughtred Society for those who collect slide rules. I wonder what Uhtred might make of this.

Sincerely,

Richard Reich

Greetings Mr Cornwell,

huge fan of your books! I have just reread your Uhtred novels (again) and wondering if you could ever be tempted to drag him and Benedetta on a pilgrimage to Rome? Uhtred’s lamentations on the marvels left behind by the Romans was such a powerful concept in the stories. Having achieved his life aim (and Alfred’s in the process) it would be great for him to walk amongst the ruins Rome itself. Even another short story if you are missing him?

 

Can’t wait to see whatever you are currently working on or thinking about working on!

 

Thank you for everything you have written and for being so approachable despite your workload!

 

Kind regards,

 

Nic

I am currently starting the 3rd book of the trilogy and I’m 99% sure I am reading too much into it but are the injuries sustained by some characters based on Nordic myth? Morgana is half-deformed like Hela, Nimue lost an eye in her quest of knowledge like Odin and Derfel lost a hand like Tyr.

 

Best Regards,

 

Rafael

You have been a cultural fixture for three generations of my family. Back in the 80’s my grandfather read your early Sharpe books and listening to him enthusiastically discuss these amazing books with my parents inspired me to start checking them out of my local library at the age of 11. Richard Sharpe has been a fixture in my life through middle school, high school, college, 15 years of marriage and 20 years of military service. To this day, the Sharpe series is regularly discussed at family dinners despite my grandfather passing 25 years ago - he would be thrilled to know that you are still giving us Sharpe adventures. I am currently revisiting all Sharpe series in chronological order and it’s like revisiting an old friend who will always be there for you no matter what! Have you considered revisiting the world of “Gallow’s Thief”? Something about a whole series of Regency Detective stories really tickles my fancy! Heck, maybe Richard Sharpe could stumble his way into the story! In any case THANK YOU for 35 years of entertainment!

 

- Scott R, BMC USCG (Ret)

Dear Bernard,

Love all of your books but have to say Sharpe is my favourite and the release of Sharpe's Command has prompted me re-read the series in chronological order, something I am thoroughly enjoying! Having said that I do have a soft spot for Nate Starbuck and do hope one day you'll finish his story.

Anyway, my question is on the Sharpe adaptation (which I also love and think Sean Bean is the perfect Sharpe). What were your thoughts on the TV series, did you have any involvement in it? Did you agree with the castings - were there any you thought were totally miscast or in that matter any that were perfectly cast? Did you have any feelings on the changes made (particularly Sharpe's Gold) or the created for TV Sharpe's Mission and justice?  Do you know why Hogan only features in the first 2 episodes when he is quite prominent in most of the books?

Long question, I'm sorry.

Looking forward to your next book - do you know what this might be yet or is that a thought for another day or a secret at the moment.

Kind regards,

Rob

Do you ever look back on any of your books and wished you'd written them differently?  I personally wished you'd planned your Arthur series so it went on for another 10 books or so!  Why did you limit yourself to just three?  And have you ever been tempted to tell us what happened at the end of the last book.  You've imagined it at least, even if you've not written the tale!

Keep up the good work, I'm loving the Last Kingdom books at the moment!

Dave Tuck

Hello, Mr Cornwell.

 

I hope this finds you well.

 

I'm currently reading 1356, and a line caught my attention. It was the chapter where Roland of Verrec is bringing Genevieve to Labrouillade.

 

When Roland's group encounter some soldiers on the road, they run for an abandoned church tower.

The line states: "Roland arrived at the dark tower".

Is this line a reference to Stephen King's The Dark Tower?

 

I'm sorry if the names aren't correct, I'm not reading the original in English.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Carlos

Hi Bernard,

 

Thank you for your stories they have become a big influence on me. I listen to the audio records daily. I listened to all the Saxon Stories, Warlord Chronicles, Grail Quest, Stonehenge and Azincourt.

 

Do you plan on doing a sequel to 1356 or revisiting Thomas of Hookton?

I find the grail quest series fantastic and would love to hear/read more.

 

Regards

 

James

Dear Mr Cornwell,

Firstly thank you for your efforts to entertain me over the years which I have to say have been quite successful.. I am an avid reader and have read all your novels and and enjoyed them immensely with the exception of two (which I'll refrain form naming, you can probably guess). Having recently acquired "Sharpes Command", of course I had to start the series again from book one, which apart from the time involved is no hardship.  I then decided to revisit the Starbuck Novels, having forgotten that series ends in 1862 with many unanswered questions.

What happens Nate after Sharpsburg? What happens to Sally? Why does Lassan leave? (he has to) Do Sally and Truslow reconcile? does Belvedere Delaney get caught? How does Nate find Billy and inflict Rothwells revenge. How does Potter (my favourite) get back to his wife etc..........

I surmise that you have no plans to write another Starbuck, after so long a break.  I would love to know why. Didn't you like the characters? the story? the time period? didn't sell well? Or was it case of Uhtred taking over your life, he does have that effect.

best regards

 

Chris

Dear Bernard, greetings.

I hope this message finds you well.

Firstly I would like to thank you for sending me an autograph. I never believed I had an autograph from someone I admire immensely. I put it on a board next to the your books.

Having said that, I would like to ask you if it ever occurred to you to write a story set in one of the Great World Wars?

I wish you peace and good health. As our great friend Uhtred would say, destiny is all.

Smith Gomes