Your Questions

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I am French and hear your books are very good, I would like to know if you believe the French version is authentic to English. thank you. Lucy Loiselle

Submitted August 21, 2008

A

I wish I knew! I don't speak (or read) French well enough to know. Perhaps all the endings are changed? That would be a fine French joke! Merci!

Q

Mr. Cornwell! Firstly I'd like to say that your books are incredible. You are able to captivate the reader on different levels compared to other authors. I have noticed you have very few criticisms which is always a plus. I have a few questions though, which you don't have to reply to, I was just bored of writing my bloody physiology essay. Firstly is it true that the Saxon invasion of Britain was more of a mass immigration, where the Briton's stood little chance due to their vulnerability after the Romans left?

Secondly, will you be making anymore references to the characters in the warlord trilogy in the Saxon stories? Because I think a point that makes you captivate readers is the way you describe the allies of the main characters as well as occasionally referring to characters such as Sansum and Arthur from the warlord books, making it seem that more epic.

Lastly will you be visiting England anytime soon for book signings? Fusing fiction and fact from the Dark ages is very enthralling as it is an era that is very blurry, I'd just like to give you another congratulation on your success so far. Chris

Submitted August 21, 2008

A

That is true - it was a mass migration by ruthless tribes who took advantage of internecine war among the indigenous British to establish themselves. There was, of course, a great deal of intermarriage . . . a lot of war, a lot of squabbles, and out of it? England.

I doubt it! The two tales are too far apart . . . . but never say never!

I will be in the UK in October. Take a look at the Diary page of this website for the itinerary.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I wanted to tell you I really liked the Sharpe books. I learned many things about the Napoleonic Wars just by reading this series. Will there be any more Sharpe books coming out in the future? I really like the characters Richard Sharpe and Patrick Harper. How did you think up those characters? I work in a library as an adult services librarian. I have access to all your books. I want to begin reading the other series too. I don't want to take up too much of your time. I am sure you are a busy man.. Sincerely, Angela Westphal Zion-Benton Public Library

Submitted August 21, 2008

A

Yes, there will be more Sharpe, but not for a few years.

Q

Mr. Cornwell: I am thoroughly enjoying your books and have lost much sleep as a result. I've especially enjoyed the Saxon and Warlord series. I have a light-hearted, hypothetical question for you: If Derfel and Uhtred, both in their prime, were able to fight a duel, who do you think would win? I have my idea as to the outcome, but would be interested to know "the creator's" opinion.
John Hollis

Submitted August 21, 2008

A

Oh, I just don't know - don't even think about it. What's your idea?

Q

Please can you tell me if you will be doing any book signings in the U.K this Autumn? And if so where? Thank-you!
Stella Noble

Submitted August 19, 2008

A

I will be in the UK this Autumn. Click on the link for Diary at the top of this page for a look at the itinerary. Only two postings right now, but I expect a few more before October comes.

Q

When may we expect the book following Sword Song in the Saxon Chronicles?

We just finished reading The Fury of the Northmen by John Marsden [1993]. It details the history that you incorporated in Saxon series. Was the "blood eagle" commonly used in that era by the Norse? Where are the remains of Saint Cuthbert currently housed, including his original coffin?
Martha Scott

Submitted August 19, 2008

A

I haven't started the next book of the Saxon stories, but it is most likely the next book I will write. If so, we'd hope to see it published in the UK in October 2009 (and possibly in the US in January 2010 ).

I think the Blood Eagle is a bit of a myth . . . but I could be wrong. Not sure about the original coffin, but Saint Cuthbert lies in the glorious cathedral at Durham.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, Just wanted to thank you for the awesome Warlord Chronicles books. I am sad to say I just finished them but I have really enjoyed the last few months of reading. I can't find too many series to capture my interest the way the Arthur books did and I applaud your skill. These would make a great movie trilogy - thinking a little Peter Jackson mixed with Braveheart - but if they ever lock you up don't change too much! What book of yours should I read next? Mike Devine

Submitted August 19, 2008

A

Perhaps you'd like to give the Saxon stories a try? Start with The Last Kingdom.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, where can I go to get back my life you have stolen from me? The reason I ask is that since I stumbled on the Sharpe novels, and consequently the excellent Uhtred adventures and the Grail quest, most of my free time seems to be taken up reading you superb books! I do have a question though (apart from why do you always give Sharpe such a tough time!), what authors do you like? In historical fiction (my favourite genre) apart from yourself, mine are Manfredi, Iggulden, Pressfield and Simon Scarrow, the latter's series on Roman soldiers is very reminiscent of the Sharpe series. Keep up the superb work! Your dedicated fan Steve!

Submitted August 19, 2008

A

Historical fiction authors? C.S. Forester, and, of course, the whole Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser. among others. I read a vast amount of (real) history. I like good mysteries and detective novels - Ian Rankin, John Sandford, PD James, Stuart MacBride, Dennis Lehane. I could go on and on and on, but I won't. But be sure to check out the Reading Club page of this website - I've posted a few of my favourites there.

Q

I just wanted to say that ever since I picked up a copy of the Winter King I have been enthralled by each of your books!! I don't know if it's the style of writing or the attention to detail, or indeed characters that seem to leap from the pages, whatever it is I cannot wait each time I know a new book is due. One question though, I enjoyed the 'Gallows Thief' so much I was wondering when we might see the return of Capt.Rider Sandman? Till then I eagerly await 'Azincourt' many thanks for hours and hours of entertainment!! Simon Howard

Submitted August 19, 2008

A

I had thought of a sequel to Gallows Thief, but I'm not sure when I'd get around to it...

Q

I am a great admirer of yours, Mr Cornwell, and i am thrilled to read Azincourt, when it comes out. I read several Sharpe novels and I liked them all. By the way, I have two questions for you. First, in Sharpe's Honour, in the very beginning, 1500 Frenchmen surrendered to 400 redcoats after their three guns were immobilised by the riflemen. Did that truly happen? I do not wish to insult the French, I'm sure they were no cowards, but it does seem cowardly of them. Perhaps their commanding officer was a coward. I know the value of the gins, but such a large number of french infantry can blast the redcoats with musketry, can they not?

second question, I read the French sack on Soissons in your Excerpt of Azincourt, the English sack of Caen, the French sack of Coimbra, and others. not to mention general behaviour of the 9th century in your Saxon novels. Why were soldiers so brutal? I cannot imagine Sharpe or Thomas behaving that way, and they were good soldiers, and not timid. By the way, any plans of coming to Malta? Yours ever Mat

Submitted August 19, 2008

A

I made it up . . . . . . . but it wasn't as simple as you think . . . . . . Sharpe deceived them, and there are many examples in military history of similar events . . . they didn't surrender because they were cowards, but because they were persuaded (falsely) that their position was hopeless.

There are countless examples of such behaviour . . . . in mediaeval times there was a convention that said any town which did not surrender would be sacked if it was captured (the reason, of course, was to persuade the besieged town to give-up, thus saving the besieger casualties). So, for many years, it was the accepted practice . . . . you force me to fight, and if you lose I'll rip you apart. That isn't the whole story, of course, because such behaviour continued long after that convention fell out of practice. Soldiers are encouraged to brutality . . the normal codes of morality are suspended in wartime, and only strict discipline can restrain soldiers from behaving brutally. A good officer will manage that, many men won't behave brutally, but enough will (think of My Lai). Soldiers besieging a town like Badajoz go through hell, and when the pressure is lifted (ie they win) they lose all restraint and go wild . . . . . some men will try to restrain them, but they feel they're off the leash and they behave abominably. At other times (ie the Russian invasion of Germany in 1945) such behaviour is actually encouraged. Just remember that the moral code of warfare is topsy-turvy, and only discipline will keep it from anarchy.

Sorry, no plans for a visit to Malta at the moment.