Your Questions

Q

Sean Bean has just been on BBC Radio 2 and has said that the New Sharpe, Sharpe's Challenge will be on TV in the UK on 23rd April, concluding on 24th April. Did you have any input into the story or is it all scriptwriter? Richard Pike

Submitted February 9, 2006

A

It is loosely based on Sharpe's Tiger and, I think, Sharpe's Fortress, but loosely is the proper word - they've moved the tales from 1799 to 1817, mainly, I think, because Sean Bean felt uncomfortable playing Sharpe as a twenty year old. So I suspect it's fictitious with a loose basis on Seringapatam and Gawilghur.

Q

Sir: I am reading the grail quest and I am reading the second book at the moment. I was very interested in the battle of Crecy. We have always known that our direct ancestor on my fathers side was Sir Hugh Cressy of whom was in the Prince of Wales retinue at the battle of Crecy. This in addition is how we got our family name. We still live in the Yorkshire(UK) area where we originally came from. As an authority on the battle of Crecy, I am impressed by your research and knowledge of this battle. Our oldest coat of arms (as you know the coat of arms belongs to the man not the family as such) is a ram and a lion with fangs and claws bared on a black and white background with NO MOTTO. I was wondering if the arms and armour of Sir Hugh Cressy still exist today please? Once again I am very impressed with your knowledge of this battle. regards Christopher Cressey (Leeds, England)

Submitted February 9, 2006

A

A great story! I don't know about the coat of arms of Sir Hugh Cressy, but after I'd written about the battle I discovered my real father, and that we had an ancestor who also distinguished himself at the battle - Sir Thomas Oughtred. I wish I'd known six months earlier and I'd have given him a few pages!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, A friend of ours, visiting from Portugal, told us that his son had bought a souvenir "arch and arrow set" while visiting England. We realized he was speaking of a "bow and arrow" and then also realized the derivation of the words "archery" and "archer". I assume you already know this, but thought it interesting and wondered if you know when the word "bow" was introduced and any more about the terms? You and Patrick O'Brien are the only contemporary authors whose books I have snapped up in the hardcover format instead of waiting for the soft cover or remainder table copies. I want to thank you for the hours of enjoyment your books have given me, my husband, and family. Waiting eagerly for your next release. Sincerely, Roberta Parker

Submitted February 9, 2006

A

Arch - archery - it never occurred to me! Interesting. Bow goes back to Old English and the Oxford English Dictionary gives the year 1000 as the first recorded mention of the word in connection to a weapon (in writing), but hints that it's probably much older. It's Germanic in root, so is part of our Saxon language. Arch was a French import, so after the Norman Conquest - first mention of archer is late 13th Century. I suspect the relationship goes back to French, and is purely coincidental in English.

Q

As an avid reader of all your books, but especially Sharpie, I noticed on page 359 of Sharpe's Havoc a reference to the bearskins of the Guards. Unless I am completely off beam I think the Guards only began to wear their distinctive headgear after Waterloo in 1815. Is this so? If it is, then this is an extremely rare Cornwell error. Keep up the good work! Tom Scott

Submitted February 9, 2006

A

You're absolutely right. I did get it wrong - in fact it's already been changed for future editions.

Q

Hi Bernard, Sharpe's War the 4 part documentary is again being shown on The History Channel. When will you/they be releasing this series on DVD as your last update re this series was in 2004 I wondered if you knew any more? Many thanks, Carol

Submitted February 9, 2006

A

I don't and I wish I did. We'll continue to try and find out for you.

Q

hi Bernard, I am just enquiring about the "Starbuck Chronicles" series of book which I have read with great enjoyment several times, are there any plans for more books in this series? I await your reply and any future books in this series with great anticipation, from Mark.

Submitted February 9, 2006

A

I hope to get back to Starbuck once Sharpe lays down his rifle for good.

Q

Dear Bernard. Having read the Sharpe books from end to end, and watched all the DVDs, there is one thing that struck me as odd. In the DVD of Sharpe's Waterloo, our hero gets stuck in with the troops at La Haye Sainte, and we see the famous closing of the gate that Wellington observed was so pivotal to the outcome of the battle. But surely that happened at Hougomont - both in reality and in your book. Artistic licence on the part of the film makers or just lack of attention to detail? Philip Orbell

Submitted February 9, 2006

A

Artistic licence, and probably a certain amount of good sense. It saved building another set, and it also streamlined their storytelling - so it was certainly deliberate.

Q

Thanks for all your Sharpe novels. I have enjoyed reading them. In the course of doing business with the Rifle Shoppe in Jones, Oklahoma I learned that you purchased a Baker rifle from them. I have 2 questions. Have you shot the Baker rifle? How many inches wide was your group at 50 yards? Bob Long

Submitted February 7, 2006

A

There's a severe shortage of the Emperor's soldiers on Cape Cod so it's never been shot, and so far as I know it isn't proofed for firing.

Q

Hello! Just wanted to say I'm 1/2 way through Excalibur and it is as good as the others! I was wondering if you had ever thought about turning that series into a movie. Now I know with "Arthur", "First Knight" (ick!), and "Excalibur" (a great movie), it seems like the topic is covered. But it seems like your take is better than those and would still be original enough to draw attention. I was just curious. Thanks for the great books! Rick Fitzgerald

Submitted February 7, 2006

A

I'd be happy to see it happen, but suspect it would be too expensive to make.

Q

Love your (many) books of course. Last year in the UK a series was shown on TV in which you presented (battlefields I think). I only managed to see half a programme (fustrating or what!). I would very much like to know what the series was called and if it is available on DVD. Regards, Robert M Corich

Submitted February 7, 2006

A

The series is called 'Sharpe's War' and it was shown on the History Channel in the UK. As far as we know, it is still not available on DVD. But the History Channel may repeat the series so be on the lookout for it.