Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell, Like most who visit your site I have enjoyed reading many of your novels. The Sharpe series are my favourite, but I also enjoyed Redcoat, as I have an avid interest in the American Rev war.I wrote as part of a thesis a study of Banastre Tarleton a much maligned but extraordinary cavalry commander on the British side. I am surprised no-one has written a novel about the guy as he led quite some life! My question is, and forgive me if I've missed something, as I have not read quite all the Sharpe novels, but did he fight in the war of 1812 against the USA? I believe elements of the 95th did, and if he hasn't turned up there yet I feel it would make a great story and a change of scenery. Have you, or would you consider it? The Americans may not like it though, if I remember correctly the enemy in the film Master and Commander was changed from the Americans to the French to placate the American audience.. This is a shame but the brits always seem to get a raw deal in many historical films....The Patriot springs to mind, the bad guy in that was based on Tarleton and was a total injustice to his character. Anyway kind regards, and I look forward to your views on Sharpe in America?
N. Pearce

Dear Bernard, Having read most of your books(I'm currently halfway through "Redcoat")and being a Welshman,I was wondering.Will you be attending any of the Rugby World Cup matches in September?I write this having just watched my team the Ospreys,lose in a cracking Anlo-Welsh cup final to Leicester Tigers.Anyway keep up the good work. Nick Grant.

Hi Bernard I have a comment and a question. Firstly, I have always personally felt that your portrayals of early religious figures and religion is one of the most accurate and honest that I've ever read. I never thought of it as anti-christian, just realistic. That being said, I wonder if you've ever had a publisher/editor tone down (or attempt to) any of the ways in which you've dealt with organized religion, or if you ever have to deal with angry or combative religious people? Thanks Mike Seckla

Hi, I love reading your books, you are a true bard when it comes to story telling, and maybe singing too but I wouldn't know. I heard a rumour sometime ago that your Arthur series were to be made in to a film, is that true? If so hurray, we might get an Arthurian film worth watching for a change!!! Are there plans for any of your other books to be made in to films or TV shows? Also, I get a sense from reading your books, of the eternal hero, like a blood line running through your stories. Do you see all your main characters as springing from the same family tree all be it generations apart? Thanks for all your efforts both in writing and research, I'm really looking forward to the next Saxon installment. Gary

Hello, I've just started reading the Sharpe series again and at the moment I'm reading Sharpe's Enemy. At the end of Chapter Five Colonel Dubreton informs Sharpe that he was at the Royal Academy of Equitation in Angers, France, with none other than Sir Arthur Wellesley. Unless I am mistaken, this would mean that Dubreton was an officer in the French army before the Revolution? I'm intrigued by the idea that Dubreton become part of the French officer class through privilege in the days of the Monarchy, yet after the Revolution he attained the rank of Colonel through his merit... if I am correct in thinking that is what happened. It's also interesting how a man like Nicholas Soult, a private in Old France's army, could become a Marshal whilst officers of the old regime could still prosper under a meritocracy. I was reminded of Napoleon Bonaparte, and how he was an Artillery Officer in the pre-revolutionary Royalist army (and a member of the Corsican minor nobility, I think I read somewhere). I then wondered how common it was for the officers of Old France's army to serve (as officers) in the army of New France, considering many of them might have fled the country for practical reasons like saving their necks or ideological reasons such as monarchism, religious convictions etc. etc. Furthermore, would the Republican army have been as welcoming a place as the Napoleonic army for an officer of the old Royalist army? Thank you kindly, Matt.

Wow, I can't believe I'm actually writing to my favorite author... I know you do read many emails from your fans just like this one, and may even be bored by them, but to us is really a big deal. I have a lot of questions, but they have really escaped my mind right now (what is not uncommon at all). I'll try to ask you a few that I do remember: First, are you planning on writing a book about the Renaissance(is that how you spell it? I need to learn French...)? Or maybe a book about the High Middle ages(Crusades and that stuff)? Second: Do you know about any other author of historical fiction that is at least half as good as you are??? Because I couldn't find one. I need something to read while you write the sequels of your books. Third: I'm from Brazil(that's my excuse for the bad english), quite a new country, famous for it's woman and for it's soccer players, but still, I've really enjoyed your books and older history(not contemporary). I'm not alone in this, as your book has become a huge bestseller here everywhere I go. Were you surprised by this? I mean, you were probably expecting your books to sell most in english speaking countries and in the rest of Europe, but not in a portuguese-speaking country where only a very, very small amount of the population has actually read a book in their whole lives. Did you notice this as well??? Do you have any idea of why? Well, this message is way bigger than I thought it would be. I don't want to be annoying(even though that's pretty hard when you are a fan). I just want to say you changed my life and now I love history to the point that now I study it on my own when I have free time. Thank you for that and thank you for your books. Carlos Rodeiro

Dear Bernard, Am I mistaken in assuming that the title of your novel The Pale Horseman is a play on the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse? Death is often referred to as the Pale horseman, and rides upon a Pale horse. If yes, does this mean that Uhtred embodies death in the Saxon stories which would in a way fit his character or am I very much mistaken? Kind Rgds. Phil

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a student living in japan, and I wanted to thank you for writing such great pieces. I have all the Saxon stories twice each and I have enjoyed them more every time. Although the books are not being translated in Japanese, I wish I could have read them in my native tongue. I cannot wait for the next book to come out, can you give me a slight hint of what the book will be about? thank you, Sy

Dear Mr Cornwell, As someone who has purchased, in hardback, all of your books (I thought) I was surprised to see listed on a website called Fantastic Fiction, which purportedly lists every author and every book (ever?), two books credited to yourself that don't appear on your own website. They are "The Hidden Hand" and "The Snarl of the Beast". Both, evidently were published in 1992 and, my guess would be that they are US editions of books published in UK under another title. Would it be possible for you to confirm either way? On a personal note may I say that I love reading your books and am awaiting the next "Alfred and Uhter" (Sorry, sounds like a vaudeville act!)which I have pre-ordered. The only other important question, to me, is when may we expect another "Sharpe" and possibly (?) another "Starbuck".Sorry - too many questions but as I am as old as you are I just appreciate your gift of a "cracking good yarn". Thank you. David Barnard

Mr. Cornwell - I know that you have been around for a while... however.... I have only recently discovered you!! My gosh, where have you been!? :) I devoured the Grail Quest series in no time flat. After Thomas of Hookton, I did not believe there could be any other character or plot so vivid or engaging. I marched on, directly through Mr. Starbuck's meanderings (I am a U.S. Civil War buff), and now I find that I'm down the list to "Sharpe's Battle"... and I always get the next book when I am half finished with the last. I don't have many to go! My dilemma.... is there life after Dick Sharpe?? What am I going to do? I've become addicted! I even watched one of the Sharpe DVDs, but I had to go right back to the written word. As great as Sean Bean is, I have to keep my version of Dick Sharpe in my mind (pun sort of intended). I looked through your FAQ and the forum but did not see plans for more of either Thomas of Hookton or Richard Sharpe. Can you please, please bring them back??? Thanks for your wonderful books! Roger Hotelling Snohomish, Washington, USA

Just finished "Lords of the North". Loved it as well as the whole trilogy. Will you be continuing the saga? You stated in the last line of the "Historical Notes" that "He will need Serpent-Breath again". I hope this implies we will hear more of Uhtred adventures? Best wishes. Walter Chop

Mr.Cornwell I'm such a fan the Saxon stories. I was just wondering if you could get back to me on when the next book may come out or if you're writing another book to the saxon stories? Those are the best books I've ever read. If you could back to me on the progress and such email me I guess and please give me a update. I love your books so much the characters are stuck in me I've come to know and love them from The Last Kingdom through The Lords of the North please get back to me Mr.Cornwell your biggest, fan Bleu Marceaux

Dear Mr Cornwell, You tantalisingly mentioned in your reply to Charles Hamblen on 13th April that the next book about Uhtred will be entitled 'Sword Song'. Do you have a planned publishing date yet? I can't wait to find out what happens next! Best wishes and keep writing!

Robert Hartley

Hello Mr Cornwell. I'm a very big fan of yours. I've enjoyed the Sharpe books, the Arthur trilogy and most recently the Saxon books. I was just browsing your bulletin board and saw that you plan to publish the Sword Song book in October and I am very pleased about this. I was just wondering if this was going to be your last book about Uthred and his doings or if you had plans to write a little more about him? Thank you Chris

Hello Can I just say how much I have enjoyed reading all your novels. I have just finished the Saxon trilogy and am hoping that it won't be long till the fourth book will be available? Thank you for many hours of enjoyment reading your novels.

Andrea Sanderson

Sir, I just finished reading The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman, and The Lords of the North. I would like to know when the next book is coming out that will continue the adventure of Uhtred? I am really hooked and have fully enjoyed these books. When can I expect to pick up the adventure again?? Thank you for your time....Cal Chilton

Mr Cornwell, I have at present read all your novels, and, due to having a gaping whole in my life where your books once belonged I am compelled to ask you when Sword Song will be published?

dear Bernard Cornwell,I really enjoyed reading the,last kingdom, pale horseman, and lords of the north, please I ask of you to write more on saxon books following the previous ones. I love your books and if your ever in San Diego please let me know. David Scott

I just finished Lords of the North and have read all of the Saxon Stories. Are you writing more books in this series? If so, please hurry up! Thanks. Bob Wehling

hello I started reading your books last year and found them great. I have read the grail quest and the saxon stories which I am currently reading again, which is why I am emailing. I would just like to ask if there will be any more books in this fantastic story line? Please email me back soon because the story is good and as you probably know finishing a good book has both a good feeling and a bad one. thank you. Ewan Caulfield

Hi there, I had never read any of your books untill very recently, when away for business i was grabbed by the cover of The Lords of the North. I bought it and from that moment could not put it down. I went straight out and bought the other two Alfred books. I thoroughly enjoyed them all. I could not stop being whisked off to this other world, made all the better by knowing it was once a real world. I cannot give high enough praise for the series so far. This leads me on to my question which is when will the next Alfred book be published? because i cannot wait. Yours, Dominic Long (New fan) Lincolnshire