Your Questions

Q

i was just curious what your favorite personal book you have written is. also what you best selling book is. Thanks Shawn

Submitted January 22, 2004

A

My favourite books are the three Arthur stories - The Winter King, The Enemy of God and Excalibur. The best-selling? I've never asked and don't know - that may seem odd, but I tend to block out sales reports - I don't think they're good for the soul.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, My compliments on your very entertaining style of writing. Of all your stories, my favourite series is Sharpe -- each book of which I have read at least 3 times (in 6 months). I have a query about your character of Teresa Moreno. She is based on a true-life character of the time -- please tell me who? And is there any further information about the real partisan? Thanks, and keep up the new Sharpe stories. Jane Russell

Submitted January 22, 2004

A

I don't think she is! I certainly don't remember basing her on any real person. There were women partisans, of course, but none who is the origin of Teresa. Sorry!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a 16 year old who has been enthralled by your books for 3 years and struggle immensely to put one down when I am in the middle of one. I just finished reading Vagabond (having finished all of the currently available Sharpe books) and cannot wait to get my hands on Heretic. My first question is a Sharpe one: was there ever a book about the film that took place between Sharpe's Revenge and Sharpe's Waterloo called Sharpe's Justice (where he finds his brother back in England)? Was that your idea? And my second question is a Grail Quest one: How long was Father Ralph in Hookton from when he was tortured to when Guy Vexille came and could the villagers of Hookton not realize that Ralph was indeed from Astarac based on his accent? Jamie Neugebauer

Submitted January 22, 2004

A

If I remember rightly he was there about eight years? I'd have to reread the first book to check, but it's about that. They wouldn't tell anything from his accent! They couldn't understand people from the next county, let alone realise a French accent! Besides - Father Ralph was essentially English. There is no 'Sharpe's Justice' book - it was a screenplay only and I was not involved in writing it.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Just finished Heretic.....what can I say that hasn't already been said, a great read. I was interested in your thoughts about Dorset, my GG G/father was born in Beaminster Dorset in 1828. He was with the 76th regt. for 22yrs. culminating in Colour Sgt. I visited a book site today that said your real name is Bernard Wiggins, is that true? I hope you don't mind a personal question. Rgds Robert Marsh

Submitted January 22, 2004

A

I was born Bernard Cornwell - and that's the name on my first birth certificate, but then I was adopted into the Wiggins family, so received a substitute birth certificate, and last year I changed my name back to the original (because I prefer it). Complicated? Ah well. I wish it were a Dorset name, but I don't think it is.

Q

I'm confused about "Mission" & "Justice." I'm an historical novel lover and recently discovered your fantastic writings. Right now I'm reading all of the Sharp's books and then watching the DVD versions. However, I can't find the book versions of "Mission" and "Justice." Were they screenplays only? Thanks Joe

Submitted January 22, 2004

A

Yes, 'Mission' and 'Justice' were screenplays only - no books.

Q

to the Honerable Mr. Cornwell. You may remember me inquiring upon Hagmans' death in "Sharpe's Waterloo". I have written to you again to ask you if the first three books "Sharpe's Tiger", "Sharpe's Triumph", and "Sharpe's Fortress" have been considerd for television? I would love to see those three within the Sharpe TV series. Also, while in my local bookshop, I noticed that you have written "The ultimate Sharpe Companion". I also read in "Sharpe's Honour" that you did not get any complaints about Sergeant Hakeswill's death, to be honest, I liked him as Pete Postelthwate played him spectacualy, I also would like to know if you have written anything on the Crimean War? as that would be another Cornwell Masterpiece, in any case, please keep writing yor novels, you are the reason I enjoy literature and you are also the reason I have already written four books of my own Yours very respectfully, Martin Knox

Submitted January 21, 2004

A

I have not written on the Crimean War - no plans for it at the moment. And no plans for any more Sharpe films right now either. I did not write The Ultimate Sharpe Companion, the author of the Sharpe Companion books is Mark Adkin - and they are truly wonderful books.

Q

Hello Mr Cornwall, I started reading Enemy of God when I was 14, and now 6 years later, I have read all three of the Warlord Chronicles at least 12 - 13 times each, no joke. I love them, as well as the Grail Quest and Stonehenge. My room mates always ask me if I will ever tire of reading about Arthur, and I don't think that I ever will. I read Uther by Jack Whyte, and altough I enjoyed it greatly, it simply wasn't like the Warlord Chronicles. I want to know if you ever thought of writing about Derfel after Arthur left? He lived for many years after, and I would like to read about his life. Thank you for creating something that I look forward to everytime I open the cover, no matter how many times I have read it. Veronica

Submitted January 21, 2004

A

Have I thought of it? Yes, but will I do it? Not likely - I feel the story has been told. I'm glad to know how much you enjoy the books. Thanks for writing.

Q

Mr Cornwell, I wanted to write and let you know how much I've enjoyed your books. I've recently read Heretic and An Archer's Tale and am currently working on Vagabond (Long story on why I've read them out of order, but let's just say that the best description would be 'opps'). I've always enjoyed historical Europe, and while my interests lay more in the German history of the 16th century, the English long bow has always fascinated me. Being able to see it from the eyes of one who may of lived (or at least someone like Thomas) has been immensely enjoyable. I do have one question, however. In the stories, you've mentioned different saints, and while I've been aware of some of them, one in particular escapes me- St Gallus, the patron saint of poultry. I've been unable to find a reference for him in my studies and would love to be pointed in the right direction on how to find more about him, if he is actually a holy figure. St Guinefort is a character in a children's story that I've always enjoyed, and his story is familiar to me, but Gallus is completely new to me. I'm in the Society for Creative Anachronisms, which, in case you haven't heard of us, is a historical recreation society, which attempts to recreate the romantic feel of what medieval history could have been. One of the things I love to do is to tell stories, and the story of St Gallus would be a wonderful story to use when entertaining my friends, but I'd like to have some historic information about him. Thank you for the wonderful books, and I hope to begin buying the Sharpe series when I finish the Grail series. Sincerely, Brian Beezley

Submitted January 20, 2004

A

Can't help you very much, I fear. My source (such as it is) was The Book of Days, a two volume curiousity published in 1864, and which bears one subtitle 'oddities of human life and character'. It's full of weird stuff, and I rip it off mercilessly. It was published by Chambers, totals about 1700 pages, doesn't have an index, so it would be almost impossible to find Gallus again - but that's where he came from (and I'm sure he's mythical because he doesn't make the Penguin Dictionary of Saints and, lord knows, they have some strange ones in there). I like the sound of Creative Anachronisms - story of my life, really.

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, After reading a message on the website from someone who suggested changing the sort of titles you choose for Sharpe books (something about "the campaign where nothing went right") may I suggest Sharpe's Misfortune? Also, have you ever come across a female writer who has written anything remotely in the style of Sharpe, Mallnson, other army or navy heroes of the time? I was wondering because the female authors I've come across writing about the Peninsular War are using it as a backdrop for Regency. The closest is Georgette Heyer with Spanish Bride (the real-life story of Harry and Juana Smith) and An Infamous Army (the ending of which takes place at Waterloo) but again they are romantically-based. One last thing - loved the talk you did at my home town of Poole a while back and still proud of my signed copy of Heretic - thought it would be mean to lug any of your other books along when I knew there would be lots of other people waiting! ;) Vive Sharpe! Marie

Submitted January 20, 2004

A