Sharpe's Time Team: Bernard Cornwell on The Last Kingdom and more!

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Time Team Teatime: Session 21 - We're joined for tea by bestselling historical novelist, Bernard Cornwell, mastermind behind the Napoleonic Sharpe series and the Saxon Stories. Bernard shares the lowdown on his upcoming novel, War Lord, his family connections to Saxon hero, Uhtred and much more!
Hear about the possible discovery of the location of the monumental Battle of Brunanburh, Bernard's fantasy dig sites, and the return of Richard Sharpe - famously brought to life on screen by Sean Bean.
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[@TermiteUSA]

War Lord was magnificent. Sad to see the end of the Saxon tales. But Sharpe in Paris! Can't wait Better call Sean and tell him he has a "once more into..." , to train for. Best wishes y'all from east USA.

[@rlbarnes1328]

The Arthur trilogy is my favorite. Makes Mallory’s story feel real

[@Ebergerud]

Brother Derfel - definite thumbs up. And a very neat villain in Modred. Merlin is a great character. A great series.

[@bettytyrrell940]

As an author of two historical novels, I can relate to some of Bernard’s comments. As writers, we all work in different ways and inspiration comes from many sources, but, like the crew of Time Team, I always began my writing sessions by picturing myself sitting opposite an audience of one and telling them my story. The biggest compliment I’ve had is when readers tell me they felt as if they were in the room with my characters.

[@Liofa73]

His stories of Arthur are the best books he's written. Love them.

[@treering8228]

Bernard’s books are some of my favorite books. I must admit I have never read his Sharp novels, but I have and have read all the others.

[@peterbrickwood3204]

Archeologists found many Roman sites where Rosemary Sutcliff imagined them, or so I read once many years ago. Time Team and great historical authors, what a treat that would be.

[@EJbtinkerbell]

What a fabulous interview, look forward to Sharpe, 😁 wish I could join a time team dig, I’d be up for an Indian one with Bernard.

[@annwagner5779]

Great talk! I think Time Team should go back to some old sites to follow up - investigate whether old sites have been dug more after you got them started. And then go after new sites! I want to see new geophys and new, young diggers at work alongside old friends. I’m an American fan.

[@PhilipKerry]

Brilliant :) Bernard Cornwell has created some of the most fantastic character driven stories that have made absolutely excellent TV , and I can't wait for another book involving Richard Sharpe :)

[@jimmason1072]

Just read the jew Sharpe one in 2 days....it was good....

[@owentaylor9884]

If you really want to dig Camelot, it's early name was Castell Gamman in North Pembrokeshire.

[@TonyPayneUK]

I read the full Sharpe's series over the last couple of years and thoroughly enjoyed the books. Watched the tv series earlier this year and was rather disappointed by the low budget adaptations and underwhelming battles. Would love to see this updated. The Sharpe's and The Last Kingdom series have kept me occupied for several years.

[@flintflyer575]

i understand buut in 93 when they first came out....plus liz hurleys tits,and sean bean does not die.

[@peterbrickwood3204]

Speaking of underwhelming battles I hope whoever set up The Last Kingdom battles for the last season gets chucked over and the people who set up the earlier seasons battles is brought back. Charging a city wall on horseback, really, talk about losing immersion.

[@williamanderson5437]

PS. Wessex, East Anglia & Mercia had to incorporate Northumberland to create the new united country of 'England'. (the River Mersey was the ancient border with 'The Last Kingdom' - as Northumberland remained under Danelaw (like Cumberland - N.W. Lake District). 'Never Greater Slaughter' by Wirral Archaeology, 2021, covers the Battle of Brunanburh.

[@WesternReloader]

The Last Kingdom, the TVs version was far better produced by BBC than by Netflix.

[@AndrewRoberts11]

Cornwell needs to more than look at pic's of Anglo-Saxon finds, he needs hands on, say compare the weight of an iron pommel vs a lump of amber; mount Icelandic horses or Fell ponies (~13 hands), saddled in the: Roman, Medieval, English and Spanish manner. Then go back and edit his works. The "War Lord" opens with some rather anachronistic, equestrian, terminology. Almost appears as he'd just watched a documentary on the US 7th Cav, before penning the first page.

[@Ebergerud]

Saxon chronicles were great. I assume they're done now - although it would be nice to lay Uthred in his grave. I'm sure naming the series Last Kingdom is worth a bucket of money, but although the series is well acted, the scripts have damaged the story line very badly.

[@windsweptjoe442]

Time Team & Bernard Cornwell....not the crossover I was expecting to see in 2020, but I sure appreciate it!

[@_thejamescurtis]

If we could get Cornwell on a Time Team dig...? Dream episode right there!

[@TheCrusader1000]

I love Sharpe. There is 1 more book and series to do. Sharpes Retirement. Sean Bean is old enough to play a much older Sharpe now.

[@talavera9515]

I'd like to see that too; from what little I know of the new book though, that won't serve, as it's going to be about Sharpe making his way home from the wars via Paris (and visiting the Marquesa in her house on the Seine?). So he's still just about in his 30s in the new story.

[@TermiteUSA]

Read EVERY BOOK. ANOTHER PLEASSSSẞ A last go at Starbuck and Sharpe would be very welcome.

[@mrmarmellow555]

#LESGO 🏵️🏵️ YORKSHIRE BATTLE #L🅰️Y🅱️🅰️Y'🗡️⚔️🗡️

[@nedkeene7588]

How about Starbuck? Plleeeasse?? I'd love him to finish the Civil War series.

[@Conorp77]

He says he's been thinking about Starbuck again lately. Maybe after this next Sharpe book

[@TermiteUSA]

YES Starbuck. We still wait.

[@Ebergerud]

Disagree. That's the one series I couldn't buy. The divided loyalty theme just didn't work with the slave owners.

[@dangray4031]

Love the books, love Time Team ... good interview ..... been following from the so early days ..please come back

[@williamanderson5437]

The 'Great Battle' in 937ad was always known in Wirral folk lore, as being around Storeton Woods, Bebbingtonl. Rest Hill Rd (which runs through Storeton Woods), said to be where the English army rested (before or after the battle is unknown), the Travellers Rest pub stands at the top of it these days. Just a few hundred yards away - Red Hill Road (today leading from Storeton Woods to the M53), is said to have been so named as it ran with blood after the battle of Brunanburh - Brackenwood golf course alongside todays Red Hill Road, was always thought to be the actual site of the battle. No surprise to have it actually confirmed. Any mention of 'War Lord' being released on DVD, as the finale of The Last Kingdom saga.?.

[@bosse641]

Enjoyed that talk. Thanks.

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Good stuff,best wishes from the wirral...E

[@iainhamilton213]

One of my favourite people ever. Met him at an event & loved taking to him. Anticipate his novels every year & hope he writes many more. Just learned that a new Sharpe is coming, already pre ordered it 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃.

[@ujjwalsankhla2302]

I am not able to understand the disliking of Bernard of King Alfred in 12:03 of this video. Can someone care to explain? Especially the 'puritan' part.

[@TermiteUSA]

It's not the author disliking Alfred. Its the character of Uhtred and how they interacted with each other. In the books, it is part of Uhtreds conundrum that he only wanted to rule Bebbanburg, but he had to be humiliated and controlled in order to get there. ( Well, at least I tried to explain lol)

[@richardboddy9359]

Bernard was adopted / brought up by strict christians - did not like them, think that might be part of it.

[@JEPATTERSON07]

Hello? This idea of Cornwellian Time Team segments needs culturing. "The Hunt for Uhtred's Bones!"

[@hardy440]

Who was my friend George McDonald Fraser

[@alicjaverplancken5152]

Lovely! Would be great if there were some episodes suggested by Bernard Cornwell.

[@jonathanbacon916]

I can’t believe I’ve only just seen this! Time Team and Bernard Cornwell both offered me many hours of entertainment! Thanks for this. A great view.