Dear Bernard/Mr.Cornwell,

I write to you as a friend, we have never met, but I have read so much of your work and have felt so much joy in reading your work that I feel closer than strangers at least. I did sign-up to meet you at a signing in Jorvik (York) once, but such as Arthur or Lancelot, I was driven to a position in France and was sadly not able to attend.

I am from Ipswich (sadly not mentioned in your series so far from what I have read as I always look for it in the place names in the Uthred books), but have family in Whitley Bay towards Bamburgh. Thus, I have had the pleasure of driving up to Bamburgh, and, if I had my way, you and I would share a pint (or a Jameson Whisky as I understand you enjoy) in a nearby pub and would talk for hours about your books and History.

Alas, as I have found love in France, which keeps me here (happily I should add) such as you ventured to America to be with Judy, so I shall just ask a couple of questions.

You mentioned on a live chat once (and in the Sharpe books) that Harper came from your friend and his son in Ireland, and you were about to mention where Finan came from when all of a sudden you were side-tracked by another question, so, I would like to know what you would have said about Finan’s origins (is it from your love of Ireland etc.)?

Now that the Uhtred series is coming to an end (and he has done spectactularly well), do you think there will be some continuation or ending of the Starbuck Chronicles? (I understand it is probably an annoying question by now, so feel free to ignore it).

To finish, and if you have made it this far I applaud you because damn do I ramble-on, I just wanted to say that it was The Arthur Books that got me reading you. As many a British boy I’m sure, I am in love with the idea of being a hero, Robin Hood, or Arthur or Henry V or indeed Derfel or Thomas of Hookton. Your take on the Arthurian legend really grasped me in the way characters could hold depth in their stories, and what a story to be a part of. Of course when I read I am there, with Sharpe or with Derfel as their right-hand man.

Apologies for the essay and the bad grammar, I do hope you have the time to read it.

In the hopes I will make a reading one day, I leave you a loyal fan, looking forward to reading more and more.

Best regards,

Alex