Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a graduate student in medieval military history, and I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading the Grail Quest books. I resisted reading another book on the Hundred Years War at first, but after much prodding from another graduate student, I bought Harlequin. I was surprised to find that I could not put it down. Thank you for writing these books, I find myself even more interested in my field than before. Would you ever consider making feature films of the Grail Quest books? Sincerely, Victoria Bandt

Submitted February 20, 2005

A

I would consider it, but I'm not a filmmaker so it's up to someone else to do it. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Q

I know you have been asked this before and apologize for asking now, but I must. When will the next book in the Last Kingdom series be published? Thom

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I thoroughly enjoyed "The Last Kingdom" - savoring this yarn as much as the Warlord Trilogy. Now, of course, I am "jonesing" for my next "fix". Any idea as yet when we will be hearing more from Uhtred? Many thanks. Bob Rice

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am 16 years old and I adore your books. I first read Winter King when I was 14. I borrowed it from the school library and as soon as I was finished I begged my mum to buy me more books. I now have The Warlord Chronicles, The Grail Quest, Stonehenge, The Last Kingdom, A Crowning Mercy and just arrived today Fallen Angel. Your plots are amazing and your description of battles and sheild walls is fantastic. I was just wondering when the sequel to The Last Kingdom will be published as I am greatly looking forward to reading it. Yours sincerely, Katie Tildesley, Suffolk, UK.

I enjoyed "The Last Kingdom". Obvously there is more to come. When will you publish the second part of this saga? Thanks for your time and kind regards MP Ritter

Submitted February 20, 2005

A

The next book will be published in the UK in October (we don't know the US publication date yet, but will let you know as soon as we get it).

Q

Just wondering if the Vexilles were fictional or not? Couldn't find any references in the internet other than through your books. Larry

Submitted February 20, 2005

A

Fictional - not a shred of truth in them.

Q

I am trying to read the Sharpe series in order,but think I have missed one. Please tell me in what book Sharpe became Captain. Douglas Henager

Submitted February 20, 2005

A

At the end of Sharpe's Eagle.

Q

Just to say I have recommended your books to everyone I know, I have read my way through many .....Other than Sharpe, have any of your other books been filmed? I have not read Sharpe myself as I am more interested in earlier weaponry and life styles. The Last Kingdom is great but when I have finished that one I know I will suffer withdrawal symptoms until the sequel is published. Thanks for yet another brilliant read.....Betty

Submitted February 20, 2005

A

No other films.

Q

First of all I would like very much to congratulate you on a fine series (Sharpe). My question is one of uniform. I came from a military family. My father was a career Naval officer and I later served also as a line officer in the Navy so am somewhat familiar with military attire. What I have witnessed in the films is a sort of light weight shirt under a rather tight fitted blouse (traditionally known as a jacket, but the Navy refers to them as a 'blouse') which looks quite filmy compared to the shirts we wore. Was the blouse ever taken off, other than for duels, love making, wound tending etc.? I say it with a bit of jest but also with equal sincerity. Also, wondering why the film makers skipped Sharpe's Tiger? Did they consider Sean Bean too old to play Private Sharpe? I would be very interested in knowing what your thoughts were on their choice to portray your character. In my opinion, Sean Bean was magnificent in the role of Richard Sharpe. Rosalee Adams

Submitted February 20, 2005

A

I can't speak for the films, as I wasn't involved outside of a cheerleading role, but my recollection is that every British infantryman was supposed to be issued with two shirts, which I suspect were made of cotton, and they were supposed to do their own laundry - or have one of the battalion wives do it (she was paid for this). On campaign, I'm sure, the shirts didn't last and men wore whatever was available.

Money, money, money. Difficult to shoot Sharpe's Tiger in the Ukraine or Turkey. As you say, Sean Bean was magnificent.

Q

Hi Bernard Have just finished Last Kingdon and i must say bravo! It is almost an unofficial sequel to the Warlord Chronicles, my favorite and in my humble opinion your best work. When you have finished with the Uthred and Alfred have you considered a series encapsulating the Norman conquests? This with the fantastic Grail quest would make up a fantastic history of early Britian. Matt Sydney

Submitted February 20, 2005

A

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

Q

I have just read your Arthur Trilogy and the first book in your Alfred Trilogy. Your writing is brilliant, exciting, and I really enjoy your books. However. There are a couple of things I would like to ask and sincerely hope you do not feel offended by either. The first is your characterisation of Christians. In all the books you have written I find an underlying dislike for them in your writings. On the whole these characters are slimy, power hungy, snide, untrustworthy, and generally not nice, I just wondered why? More disappointing is your depiction of Alfred. I have studied a lot about Alfred and agree that a lot of what was written at or near the time of his life would have been done so to elevate his character. Still, people followed him willingly, they remembered him as 'England's Darling'. He was inventive, decisive, and although a strong Christian, he did not let it take over his life with Bishops telling him what to do, or go to prayer in the middle of an important meeting. He liked to see the best in people, there was never any evidence he coveted the throne, and in fact treated his Nephew very well indeed, bestowing lands and titles on him until he rebelled with Danish backing. Alfred was capable of some brutallity, but it was his magnanimous attitude in victory that helped him win a war that many thought he would lose. At Aescs Hill (Ashdown) it was Alfred's decisiveness that won the day, while his brother was still praying (though he joined the battle later). You seem to make out Alfred as manipulative, uncaring, weak, undecisive and yet ignore the character given to us by history. Perhaps more balance would have been truer. I know of his weaknesses, and he was after all just a man, but like very few other rulers in our history he believed in his country more than his own ambition. Many people will not read the various historical records of Alfred the Great, but they will read you (and quite rightly) but they will believe all that you write, and if you destroy Alfred's reputation in your books, a new generation will grow up thinking he was indeed a weak, militarily lucky, manipulative, power hungry man who does not deserve the title 'Great' and that makes me sad. Despite all this I will be reading your other novls in this series because you characterisation of Utred is brilliant, the scenes vivid and the battles graphic. Thank you very much for your time. Charlie.

Submitted February 20, 2005

A

Christians as 'slimy, untrustworthy, and generally not nice'? me? I think Christians are just people. They probably like to think they're different, but the history of the church suggests they're just as fallible as the rest of mankind. And Alfred not letting his Christianity take over his life? I just read Bishop Asser different to you. Can't help that - it's called interpretation - and the character given to us by history was given primarily by Alfred himself and his spin-doctor.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I just finished the final book in 'The Warlord Chronicles' and in my most humble opinion it is one of the best stories concerning Arthur that I have ever read. I wish that you had given us more at the end, I guess that no matter the book I am always left wanting more, and I undersatnd that sometimes in order to preserve the integrity of the story that the author must leave things unsaid. I have never contacted an author before and I find it very intimidating, finding the right words to use on someone who is a master at wording... Ugh. I guess I just wanted to say, "Thank You." The last few weeks of my life have been well entertained and I owe it all to Derfel and his recount of the legend of Arthur. Danielle

Hi I just finished the Warlord chronicles and I was very pleased. The problem is I want more, the ending of Exalibur wasn't enough I need to know what else happens. what do I do? thanks for your time. Christian

Submitted February 20, 2005

A

I'm glad to know you enjoyed the books. There are no plans to add to the series.

Q

I have contacted you before and told you that I have only read a few of your books. I have read the grail quest trilogy, two sharpe books, I'm in the middle of The Winter King and have just started Sharpe's Eagle (I have a habit of reading up to six books at once). I've noticed one thing common with all of your main male characters. They are appaling at keeping women. I've also watched the Sharpe TV series and can gather from that that his first wife gets shot, the marquesa goes away and his second wife leaves him. Also in the India books he has a woman who runs off with his treasure and another that dies. In Harlequin, Vagabond and Heretic Thomas's first woman runs off and his second is killed. In the Winter King, Derfel is having trouble with his woman as well. Both Thomas and Sharpe only manage to keep a woman at the end of the series. Don't you like women or do you believe in variety? Also, can you recommend any books or websites that someone who wanted to right a book on the battle of the Somme could use for research purposes? If you do then I would be much obliged. P.S. Seargent Harper is the best ever character I have read or seen on TV. In Sharpe's Honour on TV he has a conversation with a major that goes like this. "Where are we going sir?""Over the hills and far away, seargent.""Sir, which hills and how far?""Questions, questions." Is that in the book as well because it is so funny. Robert Eyre

Submitted February 20, 2005

A

I love women. I adore women. Sharpe believes in variety, or has variety thrust upon him, which is, I think, the fate of many fictional heroes. Like Derfel, though, I am true to my one and only.

I'm really not an expert on the First World War - so these are guesses only, but my starting point would probably be Martin Middlebrook's book - can't recall the title offhand, but Somme is prominent, and I think I'd go to the bibliography in Richard Holmes's wonderful book, Tommy, and see what he recommends.