Your Questions

Q

British paperback edition of Heretic, page 193 "the goose-feather fledging", surely that should "the goose-feather fletching"?
Old Rappaport

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

Fletching is often used, I know, but fledging is also correct! Promise!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell - I am a great fan of your books and have so many questions and comments that I hardly know where to begin! I have read the Sharpe series, the Arthur books and the Grail Quest and enjoyed them immensely. Indeed they refuelled my passion for history and after each set I always go and research as much as I can about the respective periods in history. May I also say that in your characters of Sharpe, Derfel and Thomas, you created men that modern day small unit leaders should aspire to. Having had military service myself, I recognise the qualities that they project and would have happily served under them. I do have two questions for you... 1. While looking up the history of Arthur, I came across the character or Sir Bedivere and noted that he was the one who was supposed to have cast Excalibur back into the lake upon Arthur's death, the very same job that I noted you had Derfel perform in the end of book 3. I also noted that Bedivere appeared to have been as well travelled as Derfel, among other things, fighting at Mont St Michel (The approximate site of Ynes Trebes). Was the character of Derfel based on Bedivere?

2. You frequently mention in your historical notes that you visit the battlefields that you mention in your novels. Is there one in particular that stands out for you more that the others? Once again thank you - Dan Machulka

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

They're distinct! Bedivere (called Bedwyr in the earliest stories) and Derfel were both named as followers of Arthur in the oldest extant versions of the cycle. I did steal the sword-throwing from Bedwyr, but didn't base Derfel on him.

I've always had a great fondness for the field of Salamanca, which is a beautiful place and remained fairly unchanged until recently. Sadly the Spanish seem intent on driving a road across the battlefield . . . . . .seems little can be done to dissuade them. I have a fondness for Waterloo, a much ravaged battlefield - I see the Chateau of Hougoumont is now up for sale, so there's a huge danger that might become shut off from visitors (as La Haye Sainte already is). Probably the most amazing battlefield I have visited is Assaye, in India, which seemed entirely unchanged and very atmospheric. The USA does a MUCH better job of preserving its battlefields - and I was hugely impressed by Antietam.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a student living in japan, and I wanted to thank you for writing such great pieces. I have all the Saxon stories twice each and I have enjoyed them more everytime. Although the books are not being translated in Japanese, I wish I could have read them in my native tongue. I cannot wait for the next book to come out, can you give me a slight hint of what the book will be about? thank you, Sy

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

The next one? Basically about the capture of London and the struggle for control of the Thames Estuary! Quite a lot of my books are translated into Japanese, so I hope these are too!

Q

Dear Bernard, After recently re-reading Battle Flag in your historical note you say Lee's victory could have been better if Longstreet had attacked sooner. Is that not a bit unfair since reading the book Return to Bull Run which you recommended it seems to show that Longstreet was correct and Jackson did not move or support the attack after only being partially engaged???

Also before Gettysburg there were two other options for the South in either reinforcing Johnston and Pemberton around Vicksburg or joining with Bragg against Roscerans would either of those plans been better do you think or would they have lost anyway????

And in reading in interest that there many non-Virginian southerners that thought the army was pro-Virginian at the expense of themselves I just wondered if you knew how high was that opinion and was it accurate????

btw I have to ask as being half welsh but will you ever consider writing about the rebellion by Owain-Glyn-dr? it came remarkably close to winning and have bow-man to bow-man battle since so far all your books have been against the french and rather one sided since they had no bowmen. yours sincerely Geraint

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

I wrote the book so long ago that I fear I can't remember the details any more! Can I be let off the hook? Thank you.

It's one of those might-have-beens, isn't it? And they're endlessly fascinating, but . . . . in the end, I think, the south was doomed for reasons far above the tactical. Their only hope would have been to make the price the north had to pay so high as to be unthinkable, and they could not do that.

I'm not sure . . . . . I have come across the opinion many many times, but have never seen it quantified. Certainly many in the south thought that the Army of Virginia was favoured over the other forces, but in truth that was the war's main cockpit . . . . which is not to diminish the other theaters, but to point out that you could lose the war in a day in Virginia.

I'll be honest - I think a Welsh writer should tackle the story! And, tragically, I have not a drop of Welsh blood.

Q

Hi, I love your Arthur trilogy and wondered what you thought of other Arthurian writers you have read. For example, Helen Hollick's Pendragon's Banner trilogy was a tremendous read. Have you come across it? Alan Campbell

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

I have, and think it was terrific. My favourite, though, remains TH White, The Sword in the Stone.

Q

I love your books! They make the time periods they are written in come alive. I have a question pertaining to Thomas of Hookton. In 2004 you had stated that you were not going to bring him back at that time. Have you revisited that? He is such a great charater. Thanks for all the hours of enjoyment you have given me with your books. Dennis Pass

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

I'm glad to know you enjoyed Thomas. No plans for him right now, I have too many other things on my plate!

Q

Dear Mr. Bernard Cornwell I am a big fan of your books and have read all the Sharpe's books at least twice. I was wondering if there was going to be another one? I have also read the Grail Quest books and The Saxon Stories Bearing in mind that I am still only thirteen, and still in school, I now excel in my History class. For that I have you to thank. Also my Grandfather found out that I have (and my family) originated from Norway! I can't wait for the next Saxon Stories and my Dad is impatient for another Sharpe's book (so am I!). And finally , if you could, could you tell how to make a yew bow? Charlie

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

Yes Charlie, there will be more Sharpe books.

First find your yew tree! preferably from the Mediterranean! They have denser timbers, and you need a nice straight trunk about six feet long, and you basically shape your bow from that, making sure that the softer (outer) wood is the inside of the bow (it compresses more easily and provides 'push' to spring back) and the denser heartwood is on the outside (it bends reluctantly and springs back straight violently). The nocks that hold the string need to be carved from cow-horn and fitted over the tips. Your string should be twisted from strands of hemp treated with a glue made from hooves. Rub the bow frequently with a mix of rosin, tallow and wax. Then shoot straight! Most modern yew bows are made from trees grown in Oregon, USA, because no one in the Mediterranean gives the trees the treatment they need - the wood has to be knot free, which means inhibiting the growth of branches, but I'm told Oregon timber is very good.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell I used to read your books about sailing adventures while living in Guadeloupe. I have a question completely different. Have you ever heard about a WW2 spy named Edward Jackson. He daughter lives here in Calgary, Vanada, she has quite a story and we are trying to help her find out infos about her father. They moved to Canada on the QT during the war. Thank you so much.

Louise Bonneau

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

All new to me, sorry!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, first of all thank you for revitalising my book shelves. Now I have a problem, like any avid reader I can not bring myself to dispose of books, I enjoy your writing so much and plan to keep on reading your works. To solve my lack of book shelves, I have started to experiment with electronic books and have already read Sharpe's Trafalgar in this format, which I honestly found easier on the eye and actually read faster (due, more to the portability of the book)than I would have if the book was in hardcopy. I must add that none of the thrill and enjoyment that I get from your style of writing was lost, so now to my question. I have noticed not all of your books as of yet, are in electronic format; do you have any control over this or is this purely a publishers decision and do you have your own views on books being published in this format? Derek

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

It's a publisher's decision, though I suppose I could stick my oar in. I'm horribly old fashioned, I like books. I don't want to read a story on the computer, or on an e-book or i-book or whatever they're called. My belief is that books are here to stay - though I daresay the development of the electronic book will eventually push publishers into illustration again, and books will become much more than words. And much more expensive to produce. I dunno, I'll stick with books.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Couldn't figure out the question format, so I'll have a go this way. How soon in the Saxon stories, can we expect gorgeous little Athelflaed, the Lady of the Mercians, to come front and center? I assume (I hope not presumptuously)that she and Uhtred are going to become an item. Charles Hamblen

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

Assume away! She comes front and centre in the next book, Sword Song.