Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I love your books, especially the "Grail Quest" series and "1356". I was wondering if you ever considered writing a book about the Battle of Towton, where archers had a major role and it is a stunning battle as far as the number of casualties.
Thanks again for all your books!

Gyula Soos

A

It has occurred to me, yes, but whether I will? I just don't know. It was a ghastly battle, one of the real horrors, and it's very tempting. One day, maybe?


Q

I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and you are the master. The Saxon Chronicles is hands down the best read out there, and I am grateful there are 7 books in the series. Is there any plans to make the series into a movie or tv series like the Sharpe shows?
Thanks for your work,
Troy

Dear Mr. Cornwell,
I am reading the "The Saxon Chronicles" for the second time, while I wait for the german translation (by the way, the translations of your novels are very good) of "The Pagan King" and after I read most of all your other awesome books.
I saw a post on the Internet, saying that there is a movie series of the "Saxon Chronicles" planned. Could you please tell me if these are just rumours, or if is a real information. And if there will be a movie of this uncomparable story, will you be involved in the making of if?
I really hope so, knowing that Hollywood is capable of turning great novels into incredibly bad movies.
With kind regards,
Aziz

Hey Mr. Cornwell
I am a great fan of your Saxon, Sharpe, Arthurian, and Grail Quest books!!!
As you worked for BBC before, have you or they considered adapting the above into TV series?
I always find reading books much better than watching the movies/TV series as the books are so much more descriptive and stimulating (and longer lasting).
Of course I still watched the Sharpe TV series and loved those as well.
What is your view on turning books into movies/TV series?
The tale of Uthred I would particularly very much enjoy to see on screen.
I can't wait to read The Pagan Lord!!!!
Thanks
Maurice

A

Thank you. There's talk now and again of films, but I really don't pay much attention to it. I'll believe when I see it!


Q

Mr. Cornwell,

I have read your books, "The Fort" and " Waterloo" and enjoyed them immensely. Have you written about the battle of New Orleans in a comparable detailed manner? If you have please send me the title. Castine is near my home, and I plan to see Fort George soon. Thank you for your very detailed research and making history come alive.

Holt B. Harrison

A

I have not and it's not in my plans at the moment!


Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I'm from Brazil and a huge fan of yours.

I would like to know if "The Pagan Lord" is the last book in the series. I hope

I have read almost all of your books and hope that you keep doing the wonderful job that you are doing.

Thank you very much,

Ricardo

A

No!  There is more to the story...


Q

Hello Can you tell me if there are going to be any more adventures for Richard Sharpe?He must be the greatest historical character in modern fiction. Hope you can fit a few more adventures during the peninsular wars for him. Having owned  all the books, I am now re buying them all for my lovely kindle, so they are always there even on a plane in mid Atlantic. How good is that.  Thanks for looking

Lois

A

I believe there will be more...


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,
my name is Paolo Cipriani. I live in Italy (Florence) and I'm 47 years old. I and my son Andrea (13 years) have to thank you for the many hours of pleasure reading Richard Sharpe's adventures.
Unfortunately, only the first ten books are already translated in italian (from Sharpe' tiger to Sharpe's Escape) and we are waiting patiently all the others.
My son and I often talk of Richard Sharp because we really love his books.
We would like to watch the movies too and we would like to know: can we find those with italian subtitles?
Thank you very much and LONG LIFE TO RICHARD SHARPE AND HIS AUTHOR!!!

Paolo and Andrea Cipriani

P.S.
Do you think Richard will to fight in Italy? We are expecting him...

A

I do not think the films are available in Italian subtitles - sorry!

Richard in Italy?  Keep waiting!  Who knows?


Q

Dear Bernard,

I've been home sick with a severe throat infection so got some books from my library to read, including Justin Pollard's excellent study of Alfred the Great. As a result, I just had to re-read the Uhtred novels again while I'm recovering - just the tonic I needed.

Just one question: there's so many great stories in history about Alfred's descendants, including Edmund Ironside - have you been tempted to write about this much-troubled period (the reign of Aethelred Unraed?

Also, very much looking forward to reading the Pagan Land when it's published.

All the best and may your writing arm be as strong as Uhtred's in a shield wall!
David Sibley

A

I confess I have not, and that isn’t because the stories aren’t worth telling, but I MUST finish Uhtred’s story first! And I have other books lined up, and I have a suspicion I won’t live forever . . .

Hope you are feeling much better!


Q

Your novels include a varied range of periods throughout history. But have you ever considered writing a story about James Wolfe and the capture of Quebec during the Seven Years War? Would researching yet another period prove a daunting task for you? You mentioned earlier your enjoyment of reading about the roman era, but content leaving it to authors like Simon Scarrow. However, which periods have you considered as a setting to a novel?
Robert Douglas

A

I am tempted by Wolfe, and many other time periods, but whether I'll get to them all or not remains to be seen!


Q

Bernard,

Thanks so much for the books you write. I really enjoy the the Saxon Stories as well as the Grail Quest stories. Looking forward to the new Saxon book coming out here soon. It has been a little while since the last Grail book the Heretic. When could we expect to see a new Grail book?

Best Regards,
Dennis Blair

A

I do not have plans to add more books to the Grail series.  However, if you'd like to read more about Thomas of Hookton, you may be interested in the book 1356.  http://www.bernardcornwell.net/books/1356/


Q

Mr. Cornwell,

I have emailed you questions in the past and I always appreciate your honest and forthright responses. I was reading the Saxon series to completion for my sixth or seventh time, and I just noticed an oddity. Uhtred in his various leadership roles refers to a particular move, the boar's tusk, numerous times. But, as the series progresses you notate that same move with various interchanging names- i.e boars tusk, swine head, etc... Is there any specific reason for the change in vocabulary? Is there some historical significance to that?

Thank you (and I cannot wait for Pagan Lord),

Rich S

A

Both terms are used . . . I don’t think there’s any particular significance and no reason other than carelessness?