Your Questions

Q

First, congratulations on your OBE. Richly deserved. Second, I have managed to read all your books so far published in UK and have placed an order for Sharpe's Fury. Third, have found Thomas of Hookton a most intriguing character whose story has a long way to go yet. Any ideas about producing another series with him as central character? Would love to read about more of his adventures. Thanks for all the enjoyment you have given me.
David Coote

Submitted June 29, 2006

A

It's a possibility - no more. Or maybe slightly more. I did start a book with him, which would have told the tale of Poitiers, and one day I might return to that - in fact, thinking about it, I probably will, so thank you.

Q

Dear mr Cornwell First I have to thank you for the Sharpe series. Can't remember when I read the first book, it was Sharpe's Rifles, but I have been firmly hooked ever since. Being myself a writer, foremost in WWII history, I haven't got time to read much else than what I have to these days, but I always try to bring a Sharpe on every summer vacation. I'm presently writing a book about the Waterloo campaign for the Swedish market. It is to be something between a strict history book and fictional, in as much as there's going to be a certain fictional dialogue between commanders and others to ease up the story for non-history buffs. Bur never mind that. The reason I write to you is that I'm looking for a passage in one of the Sharpe books that I'm unable to find. It was very inspiring, I will recall, and it was from one of Sharpe's adventures in Spain. If I'm not totally mistaken it described Marmont or Massena (or, remotely possible, Soult) deploying the army into battle set. It was not about soldiers forming technically or anything like that, but more described as the movement of a formless entity, with everything ostensibly looking like chaos and then, such as through magic, each component of the line coming into shape and form. I have as yet omitted the French forming to battle before Ligny because I hoped to find the Sharpe passage and, maybe, be inspired by it once more before writing that part of Lignyt. But I can't identify the book or find the part. If you understand what part I'm writing about, maybe you could help me find it. Just knowing which of all the books it is would be of great help; knowing what general part of the book even more so. Of course, I'm not going to copy anything (or those lawyers will get me, surely), have no fear on that point. I only want to see what was the style of writing that made me remember it for so long. Best regards Michael Tamelander

Submitted June 29, 2006

A

I think, and I'm not sure, but I think it might be Salamanca from Sharpe's Sword? Nothing else springs to mind, though maybe it isn't that because Massena was rather taken by surprise. I'm sorry - I can't remember! Maybe someone else can help?

Q

are you any relation to - John Travers Cornwell V.C., Boy Seaman First Class, Royal Navy,16 years of age. Awarded the Victoria Cross on the 31 May 1916, at the Battle of Jutland, off Denmark? Many thanks, PO(M) Hunter, Royal Navy HMS Raleigh Plymouth UK

Submitted June 29, 2006

A

I think so! Which isn't very helpful, but I only discovered my Cornwell relatives five years ago, but my mother, before she died, told me we were related, and it makes sense, because 'Boy' Cornwell came from the same part of London as her family. I haven't done any further research, though I'd love to think he was from our family. Which, anyway, gives me an excuse to reproduce part of the letter which Lawson, Captain of HMS Chester, sent to John Cornwell's mother - I think this is wonderfully written: "The wounds which resulted in his death were received in the first few minutes of the action. He remained steady at his most exposed post . . . all but two of the ten (gun) crew were killed or wounded, and he was the only one who was in such an exposed position. But he felt that he might be needed, and indeed he might have been; so he stayed there, standing and waiting, under heavy fire, with just his own brave heart and God's help to support him."

Q

Hi Bernard, I would like to start off by thanking you for getting me into reading. I've never been one for reading but after 24 years of my Father raving on about it I finally picked up your Harlequin and couldn't put it down. To discover near the end of the book that there were two more books I went straight out and bought them. If I were to try and list all the things I like about the books and your writing I would be here all day but your books have rekindled my love for history and have encouraged me to look into our (English) incredible history. I'm just about to finish with Sharpe's time in India and will be moving onto Arthur, then returning to Sharpe's time in France. I have to say that the Sharpe books are fantastic and I'm hooked. I had sent you an email asking about the order of the Sharpe series, as in the books inside covers it says that 'Eagle' comes before 'Havoc' but on the web site it says other wise. Looking into this I've found that Wellesley arrived in Lisbon on the 22nd March 1809 which would mean that 'Eagle' (which is set in July 1809) would be the latter of the two books. This brings up the question of, how hard is it to bring in a book between two previously written books and do you enjoy writing them as much as a story with a blank canvas? Thank you for being such a fantastic author and for writing such great books. I look forward to starting The last Kingdom after Arthur and Sharpe and when someone has them in stoke. Thank you again, yours faithfully, Greg.

P.S. When did you realise you had an extraordinary gift to captivate people with words and your imagination?

Submitted June 29, 2006

A

It's not hard if you basically ignore the books either side! But there are huge problems which readers are, on the whole, kind enough to overlook. An obvious problem is that every lady Sharpe meets, and he does meet them, has to disappear from the book because she isn't in the next story that was written twelve years earlier. And Sharpe is amazingly reticent about, say, being at Trafalgar - because when I wrote the earlier books I didn't know he had been there - so, as I say, it's a muddle. One day, if I've nothing better to do, I might rewrite the whole series and get the continuity right - but that seems a dim possibility right now.

Do I? How nice of you! I suppose when I realised that the publishers were eager for another story! In truth I write for myself above everyone else; I write what I enjoy, and you can only hope that other folk like the same thing. When you're writing a book you don't really think about the readers, but about the story and your own involvement (which is why it's such a beguiling job) - the rest is a wing and a prayer. Having lots of readers is a terrific reward - the icing on the cake - but I note I haven't even begun to answer your question. I don't know, is the answer, and I still live in daily fear of being found out, which would mean I would have to go and find a proper job.

Q

Hi Mr. Conrwell, Just out of curiosity I have a question which I think you may know the answer to. In your Grail Quest novels the English and Scottish are not on the best of terms (to put it lightly) but in the Sharpe series they are fighting on the same side. I know there are a great many years in between the two series but was there one single event that forced England and Scotland to become grudging allies or was it a slow process that took many years? Thank you for your time. David Heaton

Submitted June 29, 2006

A

What an interesting question!! And the answer could take a book (and has). Broadly - very broadly - there are two events which are important in the devlopment of a relationship that is still uneasy. First was the accession to the English throne of James, King of Scotland, on the death of Elizabeth in 1603. From now on the two countries, though separate, share a monarch. This doesn't make them best friends - during the English Civil War there's a vast amount of fighting between the two countries, and more in the eighteenth century (the Jacobite rebellions). Then there is the union of their parliaments at the beginning of the 18th century - which broadly speaking gives the Scots access to everything English, which they cleverly exploit and become wealthy thereby - and the Scots become very energetic in the expansion of the British empire. This is all very skimpy - it needs a book! The best book is Linda Colley's The Britons - it's terrific. And the Scots felt just as threatened by Napoleon as the English - and joined in that war very enthusiastically.. Nowadays, of course, the relationship is fraying, but England and Scotland were ever uneasy neighbours. It was a long, fraught process. Both countries benefited enormously by making (eventual) peace, but both still quibble over the terms of the 'friendship'.

Q

Dear Sir, It is hard to write such novels as you do, without becoming a historian. Have you as a writing historian any idea when the WWII will be ready in the general public's mind, for Sharpe-like figures to give a proper impression of, for instance, the role of the Polish soldiers at the Arnhem siege? cheers, Angélique

Submitted June 29, 2006

A

I think the Second World War is very present in folks' minds, but as non-fiction (think of the huge success of Antony Beevor's books). Perhaps, because there are so many living survivors, the market isn't quite ready for fiction yet? There is some, of course, and much of it is excellent, but I suspect it'll be a long time before historical novelists begin to use it as a background.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell Im a 17 year old student at Millfield school Somerset and am a keen reader of all of your books. I am planning on going to university next year to read history largely due to your books and their ability to capture my imagination. My father and I are planning to travel part of the route that Sharpe and Wellington took through the Iberian Peninsular. We have about a week and hope to see some of the battle fields and cities featured in your novels. I would very much appreciate you opinion on the best locations to visit on our trip. We are starting from Malaga in the south. I do hope to hear from you. I would mention I am also a huge fan of the Arthurian Books and the Saxon Stories. I live 10 minutes from the foot of Glastonbury Tor. Best Wishes, Harry Thomas

Submitted June 29, 2006

A

You're in the wrong place! The nearest battlefield to Malaga is Barrosa, which isn't that long a drive, but that field has been built over and is hardly worth a visit. Very broadly speaking - think of Spain and Portugal as a square clock face - Madrid is at the centre. The campaigns mostly took place between nine o'clock and two o'clock, and Malaga is six o'clock. That's your problem. Badajoz (eight 'clock) is probably the nearest (LONG drive), and it is worth seeing, though it's also rather a depressing place, If you want to be adventurous then speed north with the utmost celerity to Salamanca. From there go east to Ciudad Rodrigo. Once there you have Almeida and Fuentes d'Onoro to explore. Don't miss Fort Conception (north of the battlefield). That's all wonderful country - you can 'do' Salamanca, Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida in three days. The rest is travel! And take Julian Paget's book, Wellington's Peninsular War, as a guide. Have fun!

Q

I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the Athurian trilogy. Working night shifts may give an enhanced appreciation of fine writing perhaps! It was a delight, some time ago , to be sitting in a cofee shop in Alnwick, and to overhear two ladies at the next table say " So there was Derval, stood on the shore, watching Arthur sail away". How I resisted the impulse to join in, I'll never know! Really enjoying the "Last Kingdom" series. I now live in Seahouses, "just down the road", from Bamburgh,and may I ask a question? There is a photo of you, on the back sleeve of "The Pale Horseman". You look tanned, and fit, (too much so, for an author!!) Was it shot on the Northumbrian coast, as it resembles a place between Beadnall and Newton by the Sea, a perfect place for a Viking landing!! Best Regards, Steve

Submitted June 29, 2006

A

It was taken in the dead of winter (lord knows where the tan came from) and the white stuff in the background is not sea-foam, but ice. The picture was taken on Pleasant Bay in Chatham, which is on Cape Cod, which is in Massachusetts. Every time a publisher wants a new picture they ALWAYS choose the coldest day of the year, and the photographers always want to be outside. It was twenty below freezing, and the tide was taking the ice down to the entrance to Chatham Harbor, and all I wanted to do was get home and warm. But you're right - it is a perfect place for Vikings to land, yet despite reams of scholarship which tries to prove the longships did come to Cape Cod, they didn't. We were never plagued by Vikings, only by tourists.

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, i am 71 years of age and although I read a lot, until I found the Sharpe series I was never able to read any book twice. I now have the series and can read them over and over and enjoy them every time .........strange ? I recently read Thomas of Hookton and being a Dorset man (Blandford Forum) I keep wondering just why you chose that spot in beautiful Dorset for the beginning of your story? I live in far away Australia so was very excited when I found the book.
David Langdown

Submitted June 29, 2006

A

When I die and go to heaven (one of those things is certain) I shall find myself living in Dorset. That's why I picked it for Thomas. Hookton is fictional, of course, but probably somewhere close to White Nothe.

Q

Bernard, I am working through your Sharpe series, currently reading Sharpe's Company, and think they are fantastic. I can't help wodering how you structured the entire timeline, writing books out of chronological order but keeping them back to back when read in the actual historical order of the battles? Thanks. Geraint Roberts

Submitted June 29, 2006

A

I didn't, and that's the problem! I should have worked the whole thing out from the very start - but back when I began writing (when the world was young) I thought there would only ever be ten books, so I began with Talavera (1809) and worked my way through to Waterloo. That was the wrong thing to do, because there are now 21 books, so I'm basically writing a second series on top of the first, and that's awkward and all my fault for not beginning at the beginning (1799) as I should have done way back when. It's all a bit of a muddle, to be honest, but Sharpe survives it.