Your Questions

Mr. Cornwell,

"That night Thomas sent his old bow to hell."

That paragraph is terrific.  Thanks so much.

May we know whether the ceremony is imagined entirely, or suggested by historical sources?

Grateful regards,
Julie Zdrojewski

Hello
I am a great admirer of your work. I greatly enjoy your writing style and the detail you put in to your work. Azincourt is my favourite of your works. I am a beginning fantasy author with a great concern for authenticity and Azincourt has finally given me a clear idea of the power of the longbow and the strength of plate armour, as well as all the details in how the bow is made, and the making of arrows (namely that scene in Soissons with Hook and the fletcher talking and making arrows at the same time). It's hard to fid consistency on the matter in works of fiction where armour is often either useless or excessively strong. Also surprising is the strength required to use a longbow since most archers in movies are usually thin men. I am curious though, what provided the inspiration for the characters of Nicholas Hook and Sire de Lanferelle? Both are equally interesting (even if Lanferelle seems a bit of a sociopath) and I like them both as well as Sir John Cornewaille (who I believe
is an actual historical character).

Kris Norge

Hi Bernard

I've just finished the warlord chronicles and something is puzzling me; why did Derfel become a monk?

Matt Nichols

Hello my name is Keegan Eatherton and I have a guess to the riddle of Sharpe's Father and I would like to have you confirm or deny the answer. Lucky is the happy mans name. Replace the "u" with "me" and you get Lmecky. Mighty Mecke or Mighty Mecky is an Irish race horse

Hello Mr. Cornwell,
I've recently finished your books about Sharpe and I have much enjoyed it. I usually read fantasy novel, so I was afraid of reading a story without swords clashing one another in battle, but I've learned that standing in line and being slaughtered by enemy bullets is just as much exciting. lol
But I have a few question, in your book we much about Lord Wellington genius in battle and how he defeated every single french marshal in the peninsula war and even Napoleon himself afterwards. But even so Napoleon is the one considered to be the military genius and all, here in Brasil we don't even learn about Wellington in our history classes.
1) Do you think that Napoleon fame of genius has any foundation? Was Wellington actually better than him?

I've also much enjoyed seen Sharpe being a Colonel and commanding his battalion.
2) Do you plan on writing a Sharpe Story after Sharpe Devil in which he actually gets to command?

3) Do you plan writing a story in 20th century in the WW I, for example?

Lucas Vieira

I'm a huge fan of your books about Uhtred! I was wondering, however, because Uhtred is in his eighth decade of life when he narrates his journeys, that would put him as close to death in the 930s/940s. Will there be any books about his son, who wanted only a life of piety and Christianity? There's Danes that need to be fought not shortly after the time Uhtred would die, if memory serves! Not to mention, the preview you've given us - that amazing, wonderful preview - mentions that he is fighting alongside his father in a shieldwall. Will he continue down the warrior path? I suppose this question might well be answered when the book comes out and I get to read it...but I think it would be interesting!
Colin Donovan

This isn't a suggestion (I'm sure you love those) but, rather, a curiosity.
Did you ever consider telling your version of Boudicca and Prasutagus' tale, or even a story of Caratacus and Queen Cartimadua? I would have loved to have read stories of Celtic and/or Roman Britain that you would have imagined.
Do you think Boudicca was really a warrior queen or just something the Romans conjured up?
- Dalton

I have recently had the pleasure of rereading the adventures of Nathaniel Starbucks. I wonder if Mr Cornwell has ever considered bringing back Nathaniel Starbuck from his hiatus for further adventures either set during The American Civil War or adventures which could take place after 1865? Perhaps during the Indian Wars or setting his hero in the backdrop of the American West?
Martyn Barrow

 

Dear Mr Cornwell
I was over in the USA for the Gettysburg 150th anniversary events back in July. As a result I decided to re-read your four Starbuck series of books, after having last read them over 10 years ago. Can we expect another book, as the way 'The Bloody Ground' ended, its quite obvious that Major Starbuck has a great deal of unfinished business?  I
Regards
Geoff

Hello Mr Cornwell.
Much respect.

I must first of all thank you for your reply to my last post.  I was wondering this time if you had ever before considered a historical novel that was non military related. Reason I ask was I read Black Ajax by Macdonald Fraser which is historic and sporting fiction. I wondered if anything like that was on your to do list. If you did a novel about the notorious brand of medieval football it may interest people alot of people and could be popular. You mentioned it in Azincourt on the first page so make a novel and sell it to those who love historical fic and those who read those hooligan biographies. Show your massive Brazilian fanbase where the brutal beginning of their favourite sport began. Do it.

Jack from Buckinghamshire

Hello Mr. Cornwall
I just recently finished reading your book The Fort and while reading through the last chapter which describes the American Fleet 's retreat up the Penobscot river, there was a mention of Odom"s Ledge. Would you tell me were I could find any back ground information the referenced ledge.

Respectfully Yours

Greg P. Odom