Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, Any plans for a sequel to Sharpe's Devil or even a new story about Sharpe on his return to England? If indeed he does return to England directly. James Butler

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

Maybe, don't know - perhaps. Anything's possible.

Q

I am just curious about all the Druid rituals described in the Warlords Series. Did the real Druids actually dance on one leg, one arm, and with one eye closed? From some other readings I was convinced the Druids were just wisemen, they were just like other Celts. Your description of Merlin is quite barbaric. Are those accounts ficticious or are they based on real historical accounts? Alfonso

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

The only accounts we have of the druids are those written by their enemies, which meant, of course, the Romans, and they certainly mention human sacrifice, and the strange practice of hopping. I doubt they were 'just' wisemen; they were plainly the leaders of a religious cult that struck fear into their enemies, and philosophers don't do that! The account of the Roman invasion of Anglesey is pure horror-story stuff, so I think they were probably fairly gruesome and fearsome.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I have just started reading your works and am very much enjoying my stay in the 14th century with Thomas Hookton and company. You will be happy to know that I just bought Heretic. I'm curious about St. Guinefort though. I can't find any information on a dog saint. Purely your imagination? Best regards, Dale Dunn

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

No! He/she existed. The story comes from Flanders, I think and, curiously, the story is exactly the same as the one about Gelert, the dog that saved a baby, in Wales (buried at Beddgelert now). The tale goes that a baby was left alone in a house, wolf comes, dog kills wolf, blood spatters everything, master comes home, sees blood, suspects dog, kills dog, finds dead wolf under cot, instant remorse, sainthood, tourist attraction. Good stuff.

Q

Just been on Amazon, saw a new book by your good self was available for pre order called "Fallen Angels", what's it about? Mark

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

The French Revolution.

Q

Dear Sir. I'm reading the Sharpe novels in chronological order & I'm up to Sharpe's Company & I was so happy when I discovered my favorite side character, Hakeswill had made a return. One thing is that he seems to have grown over the years as now you describe him as being the same height as Sharpe, but as in Sharpe's Tiger, he was smaller, also he does not seem to banter about the scripturs as much as he used to. My question is when you went back & wrote Tiger, Triumph & Fortress, did you alter his character at all? Even though he is still the same old twitching Hakeswill, he seems a bit different, almost more evil. Thank you for taking the time to read my email. Regards Michael

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

I don't know I consciously changed him, but I was almost certainly influenced by Pete Postlethwaite - who played him in the TV series, and I suspect that accounts for the changes.

Q

Hi, I just wanted to say that for teh last 13 years I have been an avid fan of every one of your books. My favorite was Scoundral. An amazing story, thank you. And of course teh Warlord chronicles. I eargerly await all your books and they certainly are a joy. I just finished reading Crowning Mercy, again another great story. Have you ever read Edward Rutherford? I would be interested if you two are in contact as you are both major British historical Writers. Cheers. Matt Power

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

We've never met, alas, but I like his books.

Q

My great great grandfather, Henry Le Mesurier, lost an arm as a young subaltern carrying the colours of the 48th Foot at the battle of Salamanca. His older brother, Havilland Le Mesurier, was mentioned in despatches and mortally wounded commanding the 12th Portuguese Infantry at the battle of Sorauren. This summer I plan to visit Portugal and Spain and visit some of the battle fields of the Peninsular war, especially Salamanca and Sorauren, and wonder whether you can recommend a helpful guide book or other sources of useful information. Thank you for your help Charles Croll Ps. I have enjoyed the Sharpe books very much.

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

Any relation to the wonderful, lamented John LeMesurier? I hope you enjoy your battlefield tour - Salamanca is wonderful, and the indispensable guide is Wellington's Peninsular War, Battles and Battlefields by Julian Paget (Leo Cooper, London, 1990 - updated since). There's a lot of roadbuilding going on to the north of the Salamanca battlefield and I found the access difficult last year, but if you follow signs to the village of Arapiles you can't go wrong, but Sir Julian Paget's guide gives you every site, details of how to get there, what to see and a useful narrative of every action. If you have trouble finding it try www.abebooks.com

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have thoroughly enjoyed your books and am happy to see a new Sharpe book out. I keep wondering if Sharpe was at Rollica and participated in Wellingtons first Portugal campaign. This seems to be an obvious gap that should get Sharpe to Portugal and then under Sir John Moore which was alluded to in Sharpes Rifles. I've recently been to Waterloo and your description and that of Jac Weller certainly brought the battle alive. Thank you for the many hours of enjoyment reading your novels. Lee Ash

Submitted March 19, 2004

A

I think Sharpe was at both Rolica and Vimeiro, but I'm not sure I'm going to write a book on those. Maybe a couple of short stories?

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Your Warlord trillogy was outstanding. I have rarely enjoyed a story so much. I loved how you wrote Lancelot. I have always thought he was a bore. Your take on the character was anything but. His death gave me satisfaction. I just have a couple questions. Have you ever visited the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester? It's not all that far from Cape Cod. Do you ever give talks or have book signings on Cape Cod? Sincerely, Rich

Submitted March 16, 2004

A

I have not visited the Higgins Armory Museum, but I obviously must, so will. Thank you. No Cape Cod appearances scheduled at the moment, but if something comes up I'll be sure to post it to the Diary page.

Q

Dear Bernard I'm a great fan of your books, and I've just finished the Grail Quest trilogy. Wonderful as ever. One question please if I may. I always enjoy the historical notes and I now have many (probably too many) resolutions to visit some of the battle sites you describe. However I recently had cause to be in the North East and went to Durham for the day. I know I got into the general area of the Neville's Cross field due to the name of that part of town, but I was particularly interested in finding the large dip in the ground on the Scottish right wing. I was with other people unfortunately so I couldn't stay long, but I came across an estate called Archery Rise, which was just a huge bowl in the land. It'll bug me forever if I don't know, so please could you tell me - is the present day Archery Rise the piece of ground you referred to. Thanks Steve Jackson

Submitted March 16, 2004

A

I suppose it could be - but I have to admit that the place was so over-built that it was incredibly hard to get any feel for how the land might have been in the 14th century, and I have to admit that, though I explored the area, I never discovered Archery Rise! Sounds likely, though.