Your Questions

Q

I`m currently doing a history course,and I was wondering, because it`s driving both me and my tutor mad, why were americans referred to as jonathons during the napoleonic wars? Matthew Collings

Submitted May 29, 2005

A

The explanation I have is that, during the Revolutionary War, George Washington used to refer to Jonathan Trumbull, a valued adviser and Governor of Connecticut, as 'Brother Jonathan', and this nickname somehow was extended to all New Englanders and then, by extension, to all Americans . . it was certainly the common British nickname for Americans in the early 19th century, before being replaced by 'Yankee'. The Oxford English Dictionary gives its earliest written usage as 1816, but I've found a citation from 1780. Whether the Trumbull explanation is correct, I don't know, but it implies that it was a nickname the Americans used of New Englanders and it spread from there into British usage for all Americans. I hope this prevents madness!

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell, many thanks for the amazing Sharpe series and for suffering your fans' questions. Couple quick questions: who was the other actor originally cast as Sharpe (you mentioned in answer to a question about Sharpe's Gold)? And I'm curious why Sharpe never goes to North America -- he might have fought some interesting frontier battles with the Yankees and got home in time for Waterloo?! -Peter

Submitted May 29, 2005

A

The role was originally to be played by Paul McGann but he couldn't do it due to an accident. And Sharpe makes a promise (in Sharpe's Siege I believe) which explains why he can't go to North America.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell I have now read all the Sharpe series, The Warlord Trilogy, The Thomas of Hookton Trilogy, Stonehenge, Gallows Thief etc. etc..and have thoroughly enjoyed every one. Have you ever thought of writing about modern historical events like WWII or Vietnam or something in living memory? Regards David Fletcher, Tetbury, Glos.

Submitted May 29, 2005

A

Not really - I prefer to stick to the ancient past.

Q

Mr Cornwell, I have been a fan of your books for a fairly long time and have read nearly all of them, from Sharpe to the Last Kingdom. I must salute you for the breadth of your talent and imagination. If I may, I have some questions to ask you: (1) Do you know exactly when the ext Uhtred Uhtredsson book comes out in the U.K? (2) What do you think would happen if that infamous cad Flashman were to meet Richard Sharpe?(I can guess, but I think Richard would have been a little too old to decapitate Harry for his. . .exploits with his daughter or female relatives) and (3) Have you ever read any novels by a gentleman called Wilbur Smith? My regards and lasting literary loyalty, Euan Donald.

Submitted May 29, 2005

A

1) The Pale Horseman will be available in the UK on 1 October 2005.

2) I imagine they'd get on extraordinarily well! Sharpe might lock up his daughters first, but if they were well secured then I'm sure it would all be sweetness, light and liquor.

3) I have, I have indeed, and very entertaining they are too

Q

Bernard, you've told questioners there will be seven or eight books about Uthred - Is he going to become a Saxon-era Sharpe or is your tale a long one with a lot of ground to cover? CP

Submitted May 21, 2005

A

It is a long tale - and it will take Uhtred well into his 60's - which is a very long life for someone in the 9th and 10th centuries, but not impossibly long. I don't really see him as a Saxon Sharpe, but rather someone whose life shadows the reconquest of England and so tells that much larger story. Still, like Sharpe, he is a warrior, but in time he is bound to get muuch more involved in politics than Sharpe ever would.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, When I wrote you last I forgot to ask a question that has been eating away at me, will Sharpe ever get even with Captain Murray? If you know I would be grateful to know. Many thanks Patrick.

Submitted May 21, 2005

A

Sharpe hopes so (and so do I!).

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I was just reading the messages of others and must know this new Sharpe's that's coming out - what is it going to be called? where does it fit in the timeline ex between Rifle and Havoc? and most importantly when will it be avalible in the US? Damn I hate living on the other side of the Atlantic. PLZ I must know thank you. Ian Stratton

I got into your books watching the series of Sharpe, but then I started reading the books and got even more addicted.I love reading of Sharpe in India, but will you be writing any more books with him and the rifles? I drive for a living and love reading about Richard Sharpe & Patrick Harper. What I really enjoy about your stories also is the way you give the enemies of Sharpe a strong character especially people like Major Dodd in India. I love your books and cannot wait for more - it is a shame we were not able to see more of Sharpe's life with Lucille. Duncan Blackwood

Submitted May 21, 2005

A

The next Sharpe will follow on from Sharpe's Escape, and I don't have a title yet, and I'm pretty sure it won't be published until 2007 - which is a long wait, I know, and I wish I could do it sooner, but there's some research that has to be done first and the next Uhtred (after The Pale Horseman) to finish . . .

Q

Hi, just finished The Last Kingdom today and CANNOT wait until The Pale Horseman comes out...just how does one get an advanced reader's copy?? I've looked on ebay and no luck...again, I beg you to never retire!! --Darlene Campbell

Submitted May 21, 2005

A

You don't as far as I know. The advance copies are sent to the trade.

Q

Dear sir, I am very fond of tattoos and have a reasonable collection of dried ones, what I was wondering is, what kind of tatoos did the men of Sharpe's time have? did they tattoo each other while on campaign? If so what kind of ink did they use? Thanks John P.S. They are very old dried tattoos!

Submitted May 21, 2005

A

You have a collection of tattoos? I mean, real ones? Ripped from corpses? Wow. Tattoos were much more common in the navy and all the usual motifs were used - fouled anchors, lovers' names, names of ships, pictures of ships, mermaids, encouraging words like 'Death to the French', and so on. Soldiers, I suspect, would have lovers' names, regimental badges, crossed muskets or the royal crown. The ink? I don't know, but probably a fairly awful mixture of gunpowder and water would have been the basis (and probably blurry) first choice of amateurs.

Q

My wife and I have been devouring your books for years. Our many thanks. Your Sharpe work has caused me to read more widely in the years following the start of the French Revolution and I was struck by the fact that so many historians have theorized about the poisoning of Napolean at St. Helena, but no such hypothesis that theYounger Pitt was similarly finished off. Do you have any views about his demise? I have trouble believing that the news of Austerlitz could kill anyone. Donald Gaffney

Submitted May 21, 2005

A

I'm not an expert on this at all - I haven't even read the new biography on Pitt which is said to be very good - and I recently read that there's new evidence that Napoleon died of a stomach cancer. I suppose that news of Austerlitz is unlikely to kill someone, though doubtless bad news can help the death of someone who's already on the exit road.