Your Questions

Hello,

 

This time last year, I watched the entire Sharpe  DVD's, over a period of a month. I am watching  some of them, again this December. The best word, I can think of to describe the Sharp TV episodes is Synergy. I thought the cast and technical staff assembled,  brought a  lot of  value for  the  low budget. Most people reading this, would agree, the Sharpe budget was low, and could never be described as being in the James Bond or Hollywood blockbuster region. A good example, I think is Pete Postlewaite being cast as Sergeant Hakeswill.   I recently read Pete Postlewaite's  autobioraphy. Postlewaite memorably brought Sergeant Hakeswill to life. Postlewaite, in his book, discused Hakeswill character  with Sean Bean, they both felt, that the series would benefit with  an expanded role for Hakeswill. Assuming you got this feedback, why didn't you write more about Hakeswill??? It is not a criticism, just an observation. The fact that Hakeswill was killed off, was not an insurmountable obstacle  for you to surmount.

 

Regards and thanks,

 

Adrian.

Hi Bernard,

big fan of your work.

In the Afterword to "The Fort" you mention that Massachusetts guns recovered by the British after the Penobscot Expedition ended up in British Colonies, including here in Australia. Do you know where? Is be fascinated to find them.

Adam Halgren

Dear Bernard:

It's been some years since I wrote.  Never could solve the Sharpe's Father riddle!  The last time I wrote I was in Afghanistan and you kindly sent several books for the troops -- they were greatly appreciated!  I hope they are still being passed around Kandahar Airbase!

I am reading The Flame Bearer and find it another great story!

I read that what you are currently is not Uhtred's next adventure.  Can you give us a hint where you are taking us to next?

 

Merry Christmas

Scott Evans

What happened to the estate Uhtred was given by Alfred? There is no mention of if it in further books. I would have expected an income from it and from Dunholm when he took over it, so I was surprised when in the latest book you said he was short of money again.

Colin Rowland

 

Dear Bernard

 

First of all Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2017. I was fortunate to meet you at the book signing in October in York, where you signed my copy of The Flame Bearer and I gave you a signed photo of Mark Rylance.

 

Now my question if I may, have you had a chance to see the BBC series the Time Commanders where some amature wargamers reenact famous battles using computers and advise from war experts. They re-enacted Waterloo this week, with the same outcome although it was even closer this time around with the French commander using his cavalry in a series of hit and run attacks against the British/Allies and only losing when the Prussians were able to link up.

 

Do you think Napoleon could have won at Waterloo if his cavalry had been used this way?

 

Best wishes

 

Steven

Quite a while ago, when writing the Sharp series, you expressed a wish to write about the foul mouthed(blame Captain Cook) but much maligned Bligh. Is this still a possibility or has it gone from your wish list? Can I just say I devour your books when they come out whatever the topic.

Terry Irwin

Hello,

We are winter neighbors in Charleston, SC.  My 11-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son go to Buist Academy in downtown Charleston where they are members of Warwick house.  The school uses a house system to integrate the grades and the houses are named after European castles.  We took our children to Warwick castle last Christmas and my daughter fell in love with Æthelflæd,  She went as Æthelflæd for Halloween this year.  There has not been much mention of the Warwick burh in the Saxon series to date but I am sure you would be a delight if you are ever interested in talking to the children (and their parents:)) about what you know of their house history.

Thank you for the great books,

Aspen Olmsted

Hi.

Would you be interested in writing a textbook about World history?

Thanks!

Muneeza

Mr. Cornwell,

I am a (relative) neighbor of yours, living in Summerville, SC.  I have LOVED reading your Saxon series!  My ancestors came to America in the 1700's and my surname is of Scottish origin.  Following is a possible lineage.

 

The progenitor of the Irish family of Fordyce, from which descend all the Fordyce's of Washington and Greene Co.'s Pa. was one

 

1527. Hugh Fordyce b. in Drumasole Co. Antrim, Ireland, in 1527. marrying July 3, 1552, Mary Conyngham, of Kilbirnie, Co. Ayr, Scotland, daughter of Patrick Conyngham, of that ilk and this would tend to indicate that Hugh, himself, or his father, had come from Scotland, presumably from Ayrshire. What his father's name was we do not know, as yet. (Conyngham Coll. 69) Children: Mary, Sarah, Martin of whom presently, Hugh, John.

 

Hopefully, you are still reading...  because this is where I would like to make a request.  There still remains a Fordyce Castle near Aberdeen, not too far from your Bebbanburg.  Maybe you can insert a Fordyce into your chronicles (as a hero of course), just sayin', ha.  Maybe Uhtred could have run into some Fordyce's in his travels around the northern parts of Scotland, what do you think???  I don't think this would fall into the category of suggesting plotlines or some other irregularity, so think about it a bit...

 

I hope to start on the Sharpe series soon, as I really enjoy the historical novels and your storytelling is getting to be addictive!!

 

Happy New Year and best to you,

Christopher Fordyce

Hi

I have read and enjoyed the entire Uhtred series (but don't like the series Last Kingdom - doesn't follow the book, or make as much sense). But, in the early books Hrothweard is an enemy of Uhtred, and in Flame Bearer Uhtred has never heard of him. He seems like the same character but now is an archbishop.

 

Thanks for some terrific stories,

Les