Dear Bernard Cornwell,
My family and I enjoy your books so much and the ‘Last Kingdom’ TV series – David Dawson in particular seemed excellent casting and acting to me. Same lean, sensitive and intelligent face that’s suggested by the wonderful Alfred Jewel. It’s a source of amusement for my son and me that, having picked up one of your books “just to see what this one’s about, and read it when I’ve got time”, it’s then impossible to put down until finished. Wonderful.
I’m really looking forward to reading your new book about Richard Shakespeare. I have a growing suspicion that when William wrote ‘Richard III’, his Gloucester/King Richard could well be a parody of Robert Cecil, who would pretty much fit the character physically (far more than the historical Richard in fact), and certainly did in his scheming, ruthless ambition, and faithless double dealing. Given Shakespeare’s sense of humour, likely Roman Catholic sympathies, and the English love of taking a ‘pop’ at those in power (‘Spitting Image’ of its day?), his audience could have cheerfully jeered, throw nutshells etc., and generally let off steam at Gloucester, knowing full well who was really being represented, safe however from informers, rerprisals from the dreaded spymaster himself, and the Tudor regime.
Super website and interesting to read all the comments
Kind regards
Jan Thatcher