Your Questions

Q

Hi Bernard, I've been reading through your Sharpe books, and have found them thoroughly entertaining (particularly Sharpe's Fortress). I'm currently reading through Sharpe's Prey, however, I'm unsure of how Sharpe gained his rank to Lieutenant? Can you advise me of how he got this promotion? Kind Regards Jack Wells

Submitted March 30, 2011

A

Sharpe gets his promotion to Lieutenant by joining the 95th Rifles who didn't use the rank of Ensign, so the promotion is kind of automatic.

Q

Dear Mr, Cornwell, From the Sharpe films, I remember that you made a distinction between two kinds of officer, the killing kind and the murdering kind. In which of your novels did the quote appear? And was this a commonly drawn distinction among early 19th century soldiers or one you made up for the occasion. The reason I ask is that I am currently working on an article on officer selection and the distinction seems to me to be a very good one. Yours sincerely, Henrik Bering

Submitted March 30, 2011

A

Oh god, did I make that distinction? I really don't remember! And, forgive me, I don't really want to leaf through 21 books to find it. Are you sure it wasn't from one of the TV programmes? It rings a bell, faintly, and I have an idea it was in one of the TV scripts, but perhaps a helpful reader can tell me if I'm wrong?

Q

Love the Grail Quest and the Saxon Chronicles. Have them all. Please write another Saxon on Alfred and Uthred. I have learned more about English, Scottish, French, German, and Italian history from you, Sharon Kay Penman and Ken Follet than in all my years of world history in all the school you go through in the states. Of course there is a different point of view in one or two areas of our mutual history. I do really love your writing. Who were the peculiar people in the bio about you that you escaped from? I was married in 1980 to my wife as well. With sincerest thanks, Ray

Submitted March 30, 2011

A

The Peculiars started in the 1830's and lasted about 130 years before they died out. They only existed in Essex, with three chapels across the Thames Estuary in northern Kent and another half dozen in East London.

Q

Mr.Cornwell, I've read most of your books and especially enjoyed the Grail Quest and Saxon series, "The Burning land" was great and I look forward to the next in the series. I also recently read "The Gallows Thief", just for a change of pace so to speak and enjoyed that very much too. After reading I thought that this book would make a great "period piece" for television. I'd be interested to know if you've ever been asked to do so, knowing that it would surely be shown here in North America on Masterpiece Theatre. Thank you for all your work, long may you continue, Marty

Submitted March 30, 2011

A

No I haven't, but thanks!

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I just recently started reading your books and have really enjoyed them. My question is (if you can tell me) what event will the next Uhtred book be based on? Also me and my wife are planning a trip to England in the near future, what area do you recommend to see medieval attractions. Thanks, James

Submitted March 30, 2011

A

It's based on the death of Alfred and the consequences. I'm writing the last chapter and wish I had a title!

Oh - so many! All of Britain has medieval attractions, ranging from the tourist high spots like the Tower of London and Warwick Castle, to marvellous country houses that appear to have slept for centuries. My advice is to choose one area and explore it thoroughly with the help of a good guide book (I like the Michelin guides, but there are lots of good ones). I'd just suggest three areas, but you could more or less put a pin in the map and just go there. The West Country has lots of fine places, from Salisbury Cathedral, the ruins of Corfe Castle, endless houses, parish churches (always worth a visit). I also love the Welsh border - from Ludlow (a wonderful medieval town with a castle), Stokesay Castle, Dore Abbey, Hereford Cathedral. And, of course, the north-east, which has the magnificently brutal Durham Cathedral and all the castles stretching up to the Scottish border (including Bamburgh). There's so much to choose from, but really, rather than try to do all the great famous sites, choose one area and explore it!

Q

Dear Mister Cornwell I am a fan of you and I appreciate your writing style. I love to set foot in your world of history. As I am very affected of history, I was very happy to discover, that you are not only a very fine author, but also a good friend of world history. For this case, and now we reach the main reason for writing to you, I thought of you, when I began my work on my project paper for my bachelor degree in the University of St. Gall in Switzerland. My aim is it to write about military justice in the British army in the Napoleonic Wars, especially in the Peninsular War. As I began to work on this paper, I knew I must contact you, because the adventures of Sharpe are very close to my subject. Do you have some information about military law in these times? I would be very happy to get some tips, where I have to look for. Now I wish you a good evening and look forward to hear from you. Yours faithfully Michael Heeb

P.S. Excuse my bad English, but I am Swiss and therefore not a native speaker. P.P.S. Is it possible, that your riddle for Sharpe's Father has something to do with Wellington's Horse Diomed? If I take out the "me", and put in a "u" it would give something like "Dioud" or so. Am I far away of the solution?

Submitted March 30, 2011

A

I suspect your best source would be Oman's great book on Wellington's army (specifically looking at the provosts), and, of course, do look at Richard Holmes's wonderful 'Redcoat', which is far more up to date, and the bibliography will point you onwards!

You're way off! But nice try!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, in your book, "The Burning Land," a character relates the story of Saint Werburgh who prayed to God to chase the geese from her cornfield. I assume you are using the term "corn" to mean a general grain since that is what it meant to Europeans of that time. I am sure you are aware that the grain generally called corn these days is a New World crop completely unknown in ancient Europe. I would like to see another term chosen than corn since a huge amount of people these days have no idea what the modern world owes Native Americans--maybe you should write a book...

Donna Delgadillo

Submitted March 30, 2011

A

I'm sure that when the Bible says there was 'corn in Egypt' it did not mean maize and I'm not going to apologize for, or change, the British usage of the word 'corn' which, as you say, means a cereal crop - a general term covering wheat, rye, barley etc. Corn is a good old English word, and I know some Americans are confused by it, but it's too common a word and too useful to abandon just because it has a specific meaning in the US which it lacks elsewhere. No one complains about its use in the Bible, so they can get used to it in my books too!

Q

Have heard through the grapevine that Azincourt is going to be made into a film. Is it true?! And if so are they looking for extras who can handle a warbow? Your bringing to life of that battle was a truly exceptional read. Am looking forward to seeing the results on screen if the rumours are true! Cheers, Ross

Submitted March 30, 2011

A

I have no idea if they are looking for extras; or even if the film will get made. Guess we'll have to wait and see!

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell, could you just tell me if earsling, the insult you use in your Uhtred books, is a true Saxon term? Do you know of any other similar names, so far I have found earming, hinderling and wyrmlic Regards Paula

Submitted March 30, 2011

A

It is original, yes!

Q

Hello Bernard, I must be one of your more unusual fans - a 62 yo Australian female who has been a couturier and academic, now commencing a third career as a poet. However, I feel such a strong rush of joyous familiarity every time I begin one of your Saxon stories that, if reincarnation is a true condition of our existence, then I have lived in that world, been a man much like your Uhtred of Bebbanburg, and certainly, as a woman, would love such a man if he ever passed my way. I am also a fairly stern literary critic, find poor quality prose quite unbearable, even if the story line is good. So, that I revel in your command of the language, find naught to irk in your sentence construction, and devour your tales with much pleasure is as great a compliment I can deliver to any writer. I have yet to read your Arthur books, but will seek them out, as you may gather from my surname, which has been legally assumed, that I have a deep affinity with early Britain, especially the myth of Merlyn, whom I see as the extant representative of our most original peoples. I think, perhaps, the Druids and their earth-based spirituality, may yet have much to teach us in these dire days. Given that you evidently have such a great intellectual, cultural, and even an emotional investment in Britain, I am curious why you choose to live in America? Wherever you live, I am grateful Britain is the place and people you write about. Through those tales, I have come to feel deeply connected to you, and so can say with all honesty you have my fondest regards, Teri

Submitted March 30, 2011

A

Thank you. I came to America because I fell in love with an American. She couldn't move to Britain for family reasons, so I came here!