Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr.Cornwell I think your books are superb and would like to ask you 3 questions 1) Is there any chance of a Warlord series Film or T.V series because these are my favourite books of all time. 2) The Sharpe books that have become extremely valuable what cover do they have? 3)Will you be writing any books on the Roman period as others writers who have turned their hands at this period have written great books without having writing skill that cannot be compared to your own.Keep writing best wishes Richard.

Submitted August 3, 2004

A

1) I don't believe there is much of a chance - too expensive to make.

2) Sharpe's Sword (British first edition with dust jacket) is one. You might find others by checking out used book dealers (such as abebooks or alibris)

3)I've thought about the Roman period, but Conn Iggulden does it much better so I'll leave it to him.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just read on your site that they showed some Sharpe movies on the History Channel in London. Do you know if they will be showing any of the Sharpe movies in the U.S anytime soon? And in many of the other Arthur stories they had him searching for the Holy Grail. Did you leave that out so you could do the Grail Quest series, or did they not know about the Grail in the 5th century? Did you replace the Grail story in the Arthur books with the Cauldron and the other treasures? Thanks Cody Smittle

Submitted August 3, 2004

A

It was not the Sharpe movies, but a four part series called 'Sharpe's War' (see the Diary page for more details). There is a possibility it may be shown on the US History Channel at some point, but that hasn't been confirmed yet.

In all the oldest versions of the Arthur story the quest is always for the cauldron - a very frequent feature of Celtic folk-myth. The cauldrons were replaced by the grail much later, and I merely restored the cauldron to its proper place!

Q

Greetings! Having just finished the last of your books - this will be my first summer vacation without a Bernard Cornwell novel to entertain me. You are without a doubt my favorite author. My favorite character you have ever created is Nathaniel Starbuck - due to the varying shades of gray that you layer him with. He reminds me of a character you might find in non-historical fiction novel. My question is - do you ever read modern American novelists such as Richard Russo, John Irving or T.C. Boyle for fun? Best regards/Craig

Submitted August 3, 2004

A

I do! Thanks for your message.

Q

Dear Mister Cornwell, Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear that you will carry on the Sharpe legend. I am re-reading the Peninsular War books from Rifles to Regiment. I feel they have great detail. Now with the current King Arthur film out, I will collect your Arthur books. I hear they are excellent. The film was shot only ten miles away from me in the Wicklow Mountains. Were you ever in Wicklow while you lived in Ireland? Thanks, Bye. Colum O'Rourke

Submitted August 3, 2004

A

I was indeed, and loved it.

Q

SR. CORNWELL... HI... I SALUTE YOU... I'M FROM BRAZIL (ACTUALLY I AM AT LONDON) AND ONE OF YOUR HUGE LEGION OF FANS... SORRY BY THE INFOMALITY... BUT... YOU RULE... Mr. CORNWELL... I WOULD LIKE TO GET A DEEPER DESCRIPTION OF DERFEL... ARTHUR... CEINWYN... AND OTHERS GREAT CHARACTERS FROM ARTHUR'S CRONICLES... I AM ALSO A HISTORIAN... AND I WANT TO WRITE A BOOK THAT RESUMES THE BRITAIN'S HISTORY AND IT'S STORIES! I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THE CURSE THAT NIMUE CAST AT CEINWYN IT WAS VERY INTERESTING... I ALSO WOULD LIKE IF YOU COULD GIVE ME SOME LINKS OF CELTIC RELIGION... OR A SITE OR BOOK THAT EXPLAINS THE GODS THAT WERE NAMED AT THE STORY... NOW I LEAVE... I HAVE GREAT RESPECT TO YOU... GOODBYE AND KEEP WRITING YOUR FASCINATING BOOKS... THAT STUN ME WITH YOUR WISDOM!! Bruno L.P.

Submitted July 29, 2004

A

A deeper description? There isn't one! He's a very shadowy figure. As for the gods, etc, I'd suggest you use your Library Loan service to get hold of The Celtic World, edited by Miranda Green (Routledge, New York and London, 1995), which has a very good section on Celtic religion.

Q

Dear Mister Cornwell, I saw 'Sharpe's War' on the History Channel today for the first time. It was a bundle of interesting atmospheric information that gives the audience a true insight into the Peninsular War. Will their ever be a book that will reveal Sharpe's paternal roots or take him on another journey after the Napoleonic Wars? Possibly, if you are interested, you could write a book about Sharpe meeting Harper in Dublin where they would visit the quiet and barren rocky Vinegar Hill in Wexford where the well-armed King's forces overwhelmed the Irish rebels under Father John Murphy and his Irish forces in 1798. You could put it that Harper becomes overwhelmed in emotion and Sharpe cheers him up or something like that. You could put a plot about a notorious Dublin Castle spy linking a relation of Harper's to the United Irishmen or some other rebel outfit. It might not have to be the same story line but it could occur before the Famine of 1845 where you could have the Harper family emigrating to the good old USA and give a final parting to the Sharpe-Harper friendship. Well, it's only an idea. You see, Irish fans got well excited when you place a lot of Irishness in your books. Maybe even a few chapters in Ireland to meet Harper would be interesting. By the way, when do you think the next few Sharpe's will be out? Thanks a million Good Luck. Colum O'Rourke p.s Harlequin and the Grail stories have my mother preoccupied for the time being, thank God.

Submitted July 29, 2004

A

There may be a book that will reveal Sharpe's paternal root, but probably not another one that takes him on a journey after the wars - or Sharpe and Harper in Ireland. I suspect I'll begin the next Sharpe book this autumn. Give my best to your Mum!

Q

Dear Bernard After reading on your website that you might not get Sharpe to Albuera, I had to write in,Speaking a fan of your work please please reconsider. Albuera was argubly the toughest, bloodiest (and from a readers perspective dramatic) stand up struggle in the Peninsular war and since it must be admitted that Soult out generalled Beresford it really showed the qualties of "that astonshing infantry" who won the battle and who did not know when they were beaten. It would seem a crime for Sharpe to miss that one in my humble opinion. I would also ask if you had ever given any thought of Sharpe going up against Suchet on the East coast?? On a change of subject In regards to the Starbuck series your books got me interested in the US Civil War and after reading several books I got interested about battles in the west and some of the famous names (on the Southern side) like Bedford Forrest (Real life Cavalry version of Sharpe??) and Patrick Cleburne as well as the more famous Northern opponents (Grant/Sherman/Thomas etc) ever thought of sending Starbuck to some of the Western battles or fight with the Army of Tennesse??? Finally after reading Pierre Bertons Flames Across the Border about the War of 1812. Do you know any good books to reccommend on James Fitzgibbon and the Bloody Boys. They seemed rather like Sharpe and the Choosen Men in some ways. Anyway thanks for your time and I can recommend Stopping Napoleon by Tom Pocock which deals with the war in the Med post Trafalgur and how Italy and not Spain was seen as were the Peninsular war might be. And Shipwreck of our Hopes by Peter Cozzens which is about the battle of Chattanoogga. Tony

Submitted July 29, 2004

A

Nothing's impossible! I've been thinking about Albuhera, and the east coast, so fingers crossed. I have thought of sending Starbuck to some of the Western battles - don't know if it's going to happen though. I have only read about the Bloodly Boys in Pierre Berton's books - perhaps someone else knows of another? Thanks for the recommendations.

Q

Just wanted to ask a two quick questions. 1. Why in second book in the warlord chronicles do the black sheilds not take part in the battle outside of London? 2. When does your new book 'The Last Kingdom' come out in Australia? Gareth Marley

Submitted July 29, 2004

A

Lord knows! They weren't even there, were they? I can't remember, but it's a long way from their haunts. And the Black Shields, if I remember rightly, were never intrinsically involved with Arthur's men - but intervened when it suited them. I understand The Last Kingdom will be released in Australia and New Zealand in October, and in Canada in November.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, since you are kind enough to answer questioins from your fans, here goes. 1) What is the most recent historical period you would consider writing about. 2) I read somewhere that you would not be interested in writing about world war II. Does that represent a general disinterest in the period or just a desire to not write about it? Thanks. Mike

Submitted July 29, 2004

A

Most recent historical period - probably the American Civil War. World War II? No desire to write about it, that's all!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I love your books! So far I've read the Grail Quest, the Warlord Chronicles, Stonehenge, Sharpe's Tiger and I'm now reading Sharpe's Triumph. The Warlord Chronicles are by far my favorites and they have sparked an interest in Arthurian legend and the history of Celtic and Dark Age Britain in me and I thank you for writing such great books. I have a few questions about the Warlord Chronicles and also some about the Sharpe books.

1)What is the sign to avert evil and did the ancient/early Britons do it, touch iron, or spit to avert bad luck like in the books or did you make these up?

2) In the Historical Note at the end of the Winter King you wrote that you used Cadbury Castle as the setting for Camelot but did not think it to be the most likely location, what do you think is the most likely location?

3) How is "Hywelbane" pronounced? (I'm sure it's not the way I have been pronouncing it).

4) I have read that there was a St. Derfel Gadarn and I was wondering why you spelled it Cadarn in your books if the real man was called Gadarn?

5) Why does Derfel call himself (before he converts of course) a pagan? I may be wrong but I thought the word pagan was a derogatory term used by the Christians to mean any non-Christian person and I didn't think the real pagans would have called themselves that, please clear this up for me.

6) Do you plan to write any more books set in Dark Age or in Celtic Britain?

Now some Sharpe questions.

1) I'm confused about the order of the ranks in the British army and was wondering if you could tell me what they are from lowest to highest?

Do you know yet (or will you tell yet?) where and in what year your next Sharpe book will take place?

I apologize for asking you so many questions and I hope you don't mind. Thanks for taking the time out of what must be a very busy schedule to answer these. I can't wait to read the rest of the Sharpe books and The Last Kingdom and I thank you for the many hours of reading enjoyment your books have given me. P.S. Any chance of you coming to Washington D.C. or Virginia anytime soon?Thanks again. James

Submitted July 29, 2004

A

1) The sign seems to have been the horns (i.e. extending your index and little finger), but it's hard to be sure - but there are references to this, and to the spitting and touching iron, in various books that deal with folkways and superstitions - a good summary can be found in the Oxford Dictionary of Superstitions.

2) What I said was that I chose South Cadbury 'not because I think it the likeliest site (though I do not think it the least likely)' which is a bit convoluted, but accurate. I think South Cadbury is very likely, but so are a half dozen other hill fort sites in south-western England, and it would be almost impossible to choose between them.

3) So far as I know - Hugh-ell-bane.

4) My sources have Cadarn, yours have Gadarn, let's sort the whole thing out.

5) Derfel calls himself a pagan because he's writing late in life when he's a Christian, and anyway, lots of pagans probably assumed the label proudly, especially as it only meant 'country-dweller', so isn't a terrible insult.

6) I don't think I'll set any more books in the dark ages, unless you count the 9th century, which I'm busy writing right now.

Private (trooper in the cavalry), corporal (no lance-corporal in the Napoleonic army), sergeant (various types of sergeant, but this reply can't go on forever!). Those are the non-commissioned officers. The commissioned officers were: ensign, lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant-colonel, colonel, brigadier general, lieutenant general, general, field-marshal.

Yes, and I'm not telling. Sorry.

I may be in Washington D.C. in the early part of next year for the American release of The Last Kingdom. Keep an eye on the Diary page as details will be posted there as soon as we receive them.