Your Questions

Q

I greatly enjoy your historical ficition. Some of your books I am reading a third time! Concering Agincourt, have you seen the latest TV theories on Agincourt? I believe the show was "Battlefield Detectives" - but I am not sure. The theories are that the longbow was of almost no value because of the recent improvement in plate into true steel and that many of the French actually suffocated in the mud. If you do write about Agincourt, is this the kind of material you would take into consideration? Or would you be inclined to make the longbow more important in your version to make the story more entertaining? Douglas Gilliatt

Submitted February 18, 2005

A

And why were they suffocating in the mud? Not because swords and spears put them down there, but because the arrows did. And while it's true that plate armour was virtually proof against most arrows, how many men could afford it? I'm waiting for a new book - coming this autumn? - by Juliet Barker, which will doubtless be brilliant . . but I have my doubts about TV detectives.

Q

Hello, Mr. Cornwell, and thank you for many happy hours of reading your books! I'm sure you have lots of mail to read, so I'll get on with my nit-picky little question. What year did Sharpe die? I'm pretty sure I read a reference to it somewhere, but can't remember where I saw it. Also, have you ever mentioned when Lucille or either of Sharpe's children died? Just wondering how long these great characters were around. Have a great day and thanks again! Christina

Submitted February 18, 2005

A

I can't remember if I ever said when Sharpe died. Of old age. In bed. Probably not his own.

Q

I would really love to knwo how the soldiers of the British Army were paid before and during the Battle of Waterloo. I have read some of your Shape books, and there have been veiled references to money being stolen from dead (French) bodies. But I am still mystisfied as to how the regular soldier received regular payment.
Leonora Burton

Submitted February 18, 2005

A

They got paid regularly, ho ho. Meaning that if there was cash available, then they would be paid in cash on a regular basis, but there rarely was cash available, so they kept records in pay-books and, when cash was available, they were paid their arrears. I've found some evidence that some men preferred to let their pay be deferred until campaign's end, but that seems to have been up to each individual regiment. But there was a system, and it worked well enough, but they didn't want paper money or promissory notes, and armies can't march around with wagon-loads of cash, so on campaign the men usually waited in the knowledge that the arrears would eventually be paid. And, of course, they stole from the dead, from the enemy injured, from just about anything. And at Vitoria (Sharpe's Honour) they hit the motherlode.

Q

Hello, You recently said you've just finished writing the follow up to The Last Kingdom (which I adored), so I was wondering what is the next book you will start to write? Also concerning the follow up, will this book be set around Uhtred? or based around his son Uhtred Uhtredson? (is that the right name?) I loved how you wrote about Uhtred's transition from boyhood to manhood in The Last Kingdom and could understand how you want to keep that. Also how many more Last Kingdom books will there be? Thank you very much for your time, James Trethowan.

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Two questions. Firstly, do you have an idea of how many books will be in the Viking series and secondly, do you have a name for this series? It seems like all your series have collective names (I.E. The Grail Quest, The Starbuck Chronicles etc.) so I was just wondering if you had a name yet. Thanks for the great books. David Heaton Sydney, Australia

Submitted February 18, 2005

A

I sort of think, meaning I'm not sure, that there will be seven or eight. Or nine? More? Don't know, but probably at least seven. And it's usually the publisher who comes up with a series name (I'm not so keen), and so far that hasn't happened. The Saxon Tales? The follow up to The Last Kingdom starts on the day after that first book ends, and follows Uhtred through the next year of his life. I'm not sure what I'll write next.

Q

Hi Bernard, What is your opinion of the writing of Martin Amis? Do you recommend any fictional authors from Cambridge or your region? I look forward to reading your 2005 text, and hope to hear from you soon. Truly, Kimberley Gilmour

Submitted February 18, 2005

A

I've always enjoyed Martin Amis enormously. Cambridge? I don't know any authors from Cambridge - I live in Cape Cod and the best around here is Dennis Lehane.

Q

I have two questions. How much money is generally made off of Historical fiction(bestsellers such as yours)? Secondly are historical fiction writers allowed poetic lisence as much as others, that is, is the author allowed as much freedom for poetic/ beautiful writing as other genres? thanks, Jeff Doerr

Submitted February 16, 2005

A

How much money? Depends on how well the book sells. You can go broke or be wealthy, or be anywhere in between. Which isn't any help at all, is it? Historical fiction makes as much money as most other kinds of fiction - and the general rule is that the money isn't very good when you start writing, but it gets better as you get better and more people read your books. And yes, you need to write as well as you can, even if it does mean the poetic and beautiful.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I bought The Last Kingdom for myself as an early birthday gift (my birthday's Feb 7th!) and I tried so hard to "save" it - but having devoured the Grail Quest trilogy, Stonehenge and a number of Sharpe books, I simply could not resist starting. I'm trying hard NOT to race through it but I just wanted to say I am loving this book so much - it really brings the period to life. I would very much like to know your opinion on the way history, and in particular British history, is taught in schools today. I think it's a terrible shame that the rich heritage of our nation's history remains unknown to so much of our younger generation. Jan Baxter

Submitted February 16, 2005

A

I have to say that I don't know how history is taught in British schools, so any opinion of mine is firmly based on ignorance. But I suspect that history has become an expression of political correctness, aimed at making us feel guilty for things we had no responsibility for. That's a pity, if true, but you can always read Sharpe as a corrective! He doesn't feel guilty.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell. I am fifteen years old and I have finished reading the Warlord Chronicles, the Grail trilogy, and am now reading the Last Kingdom which has gripped me in the same way as the others. It appeals to me greatly as I am very interested in post roman, Dark Age and medieval history. It interests me so much I would love to take up training with these weapons. How did you manage to get, firstly the information about the shield wall and secondly how did you find out about the 'fury that grips men in battle'? Thank you for giving me increased interest in British history and heritage. Yours Charlie Bowditch, dorset,uk.

Submitted February 16, 2005

A

Information on the Shield Wall? I don't think any one book - but many years of reading. There are books which deal with the shield walls of the Saxons and Danes (Paddy Griffith -The Viking Way of War is one, and almost any book on early mediaeval warfare) - but I can't think of one that deals with the 5th and 6th century so much of that was imagination - which also supplies the 'fury'.

Q

Congratulations and thankyou, you have done it again. I have just finished The Last Kingdom and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Once again I will say that I cannot believe that history can be so entertaining. Can I be so bold as to ask you a few questions? Why Alfred? Is he a person you knew something about or did you decide it might be an interesting tale to tell and then set about researching his life. Have you ever thought about writing a factual history type book? Your knowledge on certain subjects must be very thorough and comprehensive. And have you ever selected a historical figure and started writing about him or her to decide that they were the wrong choice? Thankyou in advance, Barry Evans, Doncaster.

Submitted February 16, 2005

A

Why Alfred? Because, I suppose, he's fascinated me ever since I first read Old English some forty years ago, and because his reign is, to say the least, dramatic. So yes, I knew something about him and have been reading about him for a very long time.

I sometimes think about it, then lie down till the temptation passes. I suspect the skills needed are very different from writing fiction - and the research has to be a lot more thorough!

Not yet, but doubtless it will happen.

Q

Hello Bernard, just to say that I'm currently reading 'The Last Kingdom' and it's so good that I'm almost finished!! I'm trying to ration myself now because I know that I'll have to wait for the next installment. Doh it's not fair! Any news on when the next book will be published?? By the way it was a friend of mine at work that got me hooked on your books with 'The Warlord Trilogy', Derfel is so cool as is Uhtred!! I especially like the relationship that Uhtred has with the Danes and what he thinks of Alfred, very funny!! As to my own book that I said I was writing, well due to my computer throwing a strop a few months back, I've got to start again. Anyway Well Done Sir on such an excellent book!! All the best!! Joseph Durkin

Submitted February 11, 2005

A

The next book is due to be published in the UK in October of this year. No word yet on a US publication date.