Your Questions

Q

Hi, I am an avid reader of your books as are so many who write to you. Unusually, after reading so many books with a masculine hero, I recently read one of your early books, A Crowning Mercy which I thoroughly enjoyed. The thing that coming to my mind was a what a fantastic television drama it would make in conjunction with the masters of drama the BBC - has this ever been a consideration? Thanks.
Nigel Corbin

A

Thanks, but I don't think it has.


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I love your Saxon novels and just finished reading Gallow's Thief. What are the chances of you witing a story about Jack Hood, the Highwayman? Thank you! Wendy

A

The highwaymen are a good subject, but it's not in my plans at the moment.


Q

I have thoroughly enjoyed your writing, for example the Sharpe series, and would like to read a book or two from the author or authors that inspired your writing in order to further enhance my appreciation of your novels. Could you give me some names? Many thanks, Ivor

A

The inspiration for the Sharpe series came from reading C. S. Forester's Hornblower series as a child. If you haven't read them, I recommend you do!


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell. I just finished your third book in the Saxon Tales; I read all three within a week and it's been a while since I've been that drawn to a fictional series and much thanks for the pleasure you provided. One question though; did you ever serve in the military? You seem to be speaking (or writing) from direct experience. Craig M.

A

Never. I tried to get in when I was 17 or 18, but I'm blind as a bat (short-sighted) and they'd only offer me a job in the Pay Corps - which is very honourable, but I wanted to be slaughtering Frogs so I turned it down. Ah well.


Q

Hello, Let me start by saying your Warlord Trilogy is some of the finest reading I've ever encountered!I am currently reading your Saxon Stories and they're shaping up to be another favorite of mine!I was wondering if you could tell me when The Lords Of the North will be released in trade paperback( in the US?) Regards, David Watts

A

HarperCollins, US hasn't set a publication date for the paperback (as far as I know), but generally it comes out one year after the hardback, so I would look for it around Christmas time.


Q

Hi, I live in Utley near Keighley West Yorkshire and I believe that the Sharpe books are based on someone who is buried in the cemetary at Utley. Please could you tell me his name as I would like to go there. Many thanks Paula

A

Sorry, but Sharpe is utterly fictional - and comes only from my imagination.


Q

I love your books!!! I am currently reading the 3rd book of the Saxon stories (after re-reading the 1st 2). I am wondering when you will continue The Grail Quest series!!! Please, don't leave us dangling!!! Also, are you going to write another book about the Revolutionary War, a continuation of Redcoat? What about a continuation of The Starbuck Chronicles? I loved all the books I have read written by you!!! You are an fantastic author, that provides such wonderful reading!!! I do wish you would go further in The Arthur Books series as well! Please let me know when you will be writing another book on The Grail Quest!!! I am almost finished reading The Saxon Stories and really hate the idea that there isn't another book out there waiting for me to read!!! Jane Barry

A

There will be a new Saxon book in the near future. No plans to continue the Arthur books or the Grail Quest series - both are finished. Starbuck will happen, but not for awhile. And there will be another (I think) during the time of the American Revolution, but it won't be a continuation of Redcoat. Thanks for your kind words.


Q

Sir, Just finished reading Lords of the North and enjoyed it very much. I definitely will be looking for the first two books in the series. One question, I was wondering about the warrior armbands. Can you explain about them? What did they look like? Thanks Ed Fisher

A

The arm rings are thick bracelets - you can see them in museums - usually silver - and there's a variety of styles - some are thick and flat, others resemble torques, all kinds! They were used as boasts of wealth as well as for currency. Some, the best, were highly decorated. Any decent book on the Vikings should have some in the illustrations!


Q

I have just finished the last Sharpe book (Sharpe's Christmas) and I was just wondering whatever happened to Rifleman Harris because he just sort of disappeared towards the end. Dan Hagman was there at Waterloo while Harris wasn't. I was just wondering if he ending up living happily ever after?
Tom Owen

A

He was actually invented by the film people and I slipped him into some of the novels written after the TV films were made - so he hadn't been thought of when I wrote Sharpe's Waterloo. In the film he dies at Waterloo, so I suspect that's his fate!


Q

Dear Bernard, In regards to your Viking novels is there any chance of Alfred becoming a bit more likable? He come across as such an ungrateful person (Uthred lost his son because of him and Alfred seems to react as though it was not more than Uthred losing piece of furniture) and seems hard to imagine him ever earning the title "the great".

btw ever any chance of Uhtred ever getting to North America and the Viking settlements there? There was a film out recently of Vikings fighting American Indians (cannot remember name)and it must of happened, any chance Uthred getting involved???

And in regards to Sharpe between the books Sword and Enemy the Siege of Burgos happened which could be called Wellington's (And Sharpe's as well????) one real defeat in Spain, I wondered if you were tempted to get Major Dulong there and give Sharpe some payback for what happened in Havoc??????? Anyway regards Geraint

A

No one earns the title 'the Great' by being nice, but by being effective, and he was. And I'm sure Alfred was extremely nice to those he lied (especially if they shared his religion), but part of the point of the stories is that he and Uhtred don't get along - they're just lumbered with each other.

No chance whatsoever! Sorry! But the underlying story of Uhtred is the making of England as a nation, and sending him off to Vinland is one voyage too far!

Who knows? I haven't got there yet (in the second Sharpe series) so Sharpe might well end up there. I honestly don't know!