Your Questions

Q

Sir, I am finding the Saxon stories an excellent read and as enjoyable as the Sharpe books. I would be fascinated by your thoughts on the prowess of the various armies through the ages of the British Isles. Rightly or wrongly I always feel the Romans were a superb fighting army and often wonder atw what stage in our history that there is a comparable army to their prowess. For instance would the Saxon armies be able to cope with a Romand Army or indeed would the armies of the English Civil wars even with gunpowder be able to resist ? Alec Davis

A

God knows! Um, not really qualified for that sort of quiestion! Certainly Roman discipline and logistics were superb and gave them an enormous edge. I wouldn't want to fight them Nor would I fancy opposing Cromwell's Ironsides. I guess the answer is whatever you want it to be!


Q

Bernard, I heard your interview on BBC radio before Christmas and decided to try out the Arthur series. Not sure of what to expect, it was a real eye opener for me! To read a totally different and yet realistic interpretation of the Arthur legend was like a breath of fresh air. Now I'm up to date with the Saxon stories and, like everyone else, I am looking forward to the next installment. What is it that draws you to the dark ages? The brutality of this period in our history or the fact we have so little of the 'real' stories from this period. It would be really interesting to hear if you had any ideas to undertake a similiar project about 11th century England and the Norman conquest. Dean Tams

A

Because so much of our history was forged there, and to understand Britain I think you need to know what preceded 1066! And certainly the Saxon period was enormously formative of England . . . and it seems to be forgotten.

I've thought of the Normans, but it's not likely to happen any time soon.


Q

Dear Mr Cornwall, My names is Jordan Bishop and im 14 years old. I am a huge fan of the Sharpe books and i have just finished reading the entire series start to finish, so far. Sharpe is such a hero to me and since i got Sharpe's Eagle a couple of years ago i havn't put the books down. I have to say my favourite book is Sharpe's Enemy even though it included the death of Hakeswill. I'm sure you get asked this all the time but it would be a great honour if in one of your next Sharpe books you could name a character after me. I look forward to reading your future works. Regards, Jordan Bishop

A

You'll go on the list! But it's a long long one! And no promises, sorry!


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell,I´ve just got two quick questions to ask and would be pleased if you took the time to answer them for me.Firstly do you enjoy bringing characters to life in the newer Sharpe books that were only to been seen in the TV series originaly? i.e Harris and Perkins.

Secondly,what do you think of the TV writers killing of Richard's wife Lucille in such an off handed way in Challenge? I for one enjoy the addition of the TV characters and hope they appear in future books.As for Lucille I will stick to the story line of the books and wish Richard a long and happy life with his family in France after returning there from Chile.Although an adventure or two with patrick and maybe their sons would be a welcome book(although I know that you don´t have any plans in this direction,I can still dream) Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and I wish you all the best. Anthony Lambert,Bielefeld Germany.

A

Yes, and it seems a useful thing to do as so many people have met them through the series.

Lucille is alive! I have no control over the TV scripts - so you can ignore any developments that are not in the books!


Q

Dear Bernard Cornwell I am planning a trip to Portugal and Western Spain using the Sharpe novels as a framework. I have a few questions and comments. It wont be a military history purists analysis of the battlefields, though I will include most of them in my travels not Barossa or Vitoria, and possibly not Burgos, though I hope so. However, most of my travels have been inspired or informed by books I have read, and particularly by the towns and scenery described in your case, very vividly. I am greatly enjoying cross checking your Sharpe novels including your recommendations on places to see, such as Fort Concepcion, my 1:800,000 map of Spain and Portugal, various guidebooks and Julian Pagets Wellingtons Peninsular War (I managed to find a copy here in Canberra, Australia thank you for the reference). So thank you for another source of pleasure from your Sharpe series. Strange that so many of Sharpes battles occurred in places that rate three Michelin stars! At last, with Sharpes Gold, I think I have found the area he travelled through, if Casatejada where Teresa and her family lived, is the one on the road from Plasencia to the E90 near Navalmoral de las Mata. Have I got it right? In Sharpes Rifles, you dont, I think, mention any places by name, including where Sharpe and his remnant Rifles were separated from Sir John Moore. Assuming that they were separated somewhere west of Astorga and as they were heading toward Vigo, but ended up at Santiago, I have deduced that they were struggling though the mountains in the triangle bounded by the Ponferada/la Coruna road and the Benavente /Vigo road. Is this about right, or irrelevant? Did you deliberately name Major Blas Vivar after the town where El Cid originated? I have just checked through Havoc (chronological order no 7, set 1809, published 2003) and Enemy (no 15, 1812, 1994). Your wrote about Marechal Pot au Feu, a former Sergeant Deron, in Enemy (first) and I have just noticed that in Havoc (written later), Marshal Soults chef was also a Sergeant Deron, who reasoned with him about the evening meal and said the breakfast would have been better eaten when just cooked. Are these two intentionally the same person, before and after his desertion, or did you just re-use the name? Many thanks again, Elizabeth, Canberra, Australia

A

Geography? Yes, more or less right, but I did take liberties to make the story work. Blas Vivar - the name was suggested to me by a Spanish friend, and I liked it! And the two derons are very much the same person! Well spotted!


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, just finished reading the three saxon novels and really enjoyed them, especially the insults they used to hurl at eachother! Being a west countryman I also enjoyed the first book in which Some of the action takes place in Devon and North Somerset. My father hails from the fishing village of Appledore in N Devon and on the road into that village there is a corner known to locals as "Bloody Corner". In the wall is mounted a small stone with a grill around, which is known as "The Hubba Stone" and commemorates the death in battle of a viking warrior on a raid. I was wondering whether you had come across this site and whether it ties in with any research you may have done- could Hubba be the "Ubba" of your novel? Looking forward to the next installment , but I have your other series to get into yet! regards Andrew Down

A

He could very well be! But whether he really died there, or farther to the east, no one really knows. There's a good discussion of all this in John Peddie's book on Alfred, Alfred Warrior King, but I'd be pretty sure this is the same man, and it would be interesting to know the stone's provenance. Certainly Ubba died somewhere along that coast . . . . .


Q

Hi Bernard, I started with the grail quest series, and loved it. Picked up the Warlord series, and they were the best books I've ever read...seriously. The depth of your charactors and authentic time period portrayal are what make your writing fantastic. When I'm reading, I feel like I'm there. When I'm not, I wish I were. I was very pleased when I discovered the Saxon series, and eagerly await the next chapter. Please don't stop at 4. Uhtred is the man!! I am going to start the Sharpe series while waiting for the next instalment of Uhtred. I was wondering if I should read them in the order they were published, or chronologically...or does it even matter? Keep writing, and I'll keep reading. Gilbert Carter

A

I generally advise reading them in chronological order starting with Sharpe's Tiger (a chronological listing can be found on the Sharpe books page of this website), although they certainly can be read in any order you choose!


Q

Hello Bernard, I was wondering if you have read Kim Novaks 'Temeraire' series yet? I believe she based her captain Laurence on Russell Crowe playing Jack Aubrey in 'Master and Commander' (I hope that made sense). It's set during the Napoleonic war but with a twist, namely dragons. Also LOTR's Peter Jackson has optioned them for a series of movies. (I wish he'd take a look at your Warlord trilogy!)They help fill the time between your books. Regards, Alex.

A

Would you forgive me if I told you that inserting dragons into the Napoleonic Wars deterred me? I've heard the books are terrific, and I might yet steel myself, but dragons? Ah well, thank God Harry Potter is British.


Q

Sharpe Nut's STUPID QUESTION: Learned about PATRICK Sharpe ("son of") character from the DVD extras! Patrick Sharpe-featured in What BOOK TITLES? Their CHRONOLOGICAL order? Is Patrick in the STARBUCK SERIES or what?? Pat McHugh

A

Patrick Lassan, Sharpe's son, appears in the Starbuck Chronicles. The titles are Rebel, Copperhead, Battle Flag and The Bloody Ground. He also appears, as an infant, in the short story 'Sharpe's Ransom' which can be found in the short story booklet Sharpe's Christmas.


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell I am an avid lover of all your works and was wondering if you were going to write another book following on from A Gallows Thief as there are some books and internet sites that claim that book is the first in a series? I was also wondering if you had any suggestions or advice for a first time writer on how to get started? Yours Gratefullly, Annabel

A

I do have some thoughts on a sequel to Gallows Thief - but probably will not get to it any time soon.

For a bit of writing advice, go to the FAQ page of this website, scroll down to the 10th posting and click on the link for 'writing advice'. Good luck!