Your Questions

Dear Bernard,is Nick Hook related to Thomas of Hookton? regards Nick.

I was very pleased to see that Sharpe's Peril is set to air this fall. Hopefully we can see it on BBC America here across the pond. Anyway, I noticed that on the Internet Movie Data Base site, one of the characters credited is "Corp. Barabbas Hakeswill". Does he appear in the books and is he related to Obadiah Hakeswell (perhaps a typo on the website?)? I'm just getting started reading the books, after having been introduced to the TV series on BBC America a couple of years ago. Just curious, did the producers or director of the TV series ever ask you which actors you thought would make a good representation of the characters in the books? I think they did an excellent job of casting; I'll picture Sharpe, Harper, Simmerson and Hogan as they actors who played them when I'm working my way through the books. Thank your for sharing Sharpe with us! -JP

"Bernard Cornwell, the Chatham novelist with an international following, is the bumbling Erronius, stirring the audience into giggles simply by walking across the stage." So how are you enjoying being a player? Sounds like you're getting your share of laughs pretty easily.
David McKissack

Hi Mr Cornwell, Although Sharpe is my favourite, I am loving all the other stuff you have produced especially the Saxon stories as I have a fair amount of Norse blood coursing through my system.I have two questions: first, when are we likely to get a new Sharpe?

and second, is there any possibility that Sharpe at some point could find his way to the Nepal Uprising of 1824 ( I think )when the British Army so impressed the Nepalis that the Ghurkas were formed?. I am sure that there could be some mischief there for an old rogue like Sharpe?. Thanks for some cracking tales, David.

Dear Bernard, I have just started Excalibur, and i have been neglecting most other aspects of my life because i have been completely addicted to your Warlord Chronicles! My brothers have lent me your books and the Sharpe series on dvd and I cannot wait to read the rest of your novels. i have one question. I have found most pronunciations of the names like Derfel and Ceinwyn, but I would really like to know if you had any idea how to pronounce Scarach? I think it's an amazing name but nobody seems to know how to pronounce it! (that i can find . . .) but I LOVE your books. Honestly, I think I am in love with Derfel!! Respectfully, Gabriella x

Hi Bernard, I have just started reading your books (Saxon Series) and also 1st in Grail Series. I wondered if you had ever planned to write about the great history of events that surround the years when Robert the Bruce of Scotland was fighting for independence against that awful English King, Edward I? Think you could make a great series out of that. I am enjoying your style of writing immensely. Thanks. Dubhglas Taylor

dear sir I have now finished all of the grail quest and and the first four saxon books....your books totally blow me away, I enjoy them greatly....I can't wait till the new saxon book is finished, if you have even started it. I finished Sword Song in two days...I read your page about not requesting certain things and I truly understand but I do a have a question about something; was Genevieve an early example of Christians that didn't believe they needed a priest to talk to God or some saint, so was she part of the movement that lead to such forms of Baptist or Methodists seeing as how they believe they can speak to God directly? thank you for hearing my question.... Kevin

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I just finished Sword Song. I loved it and I am anciously awaiting the next book in the series. have you thought about writing anything about High King Brian Borou. I read a book about him called "The Lion of Ireland" by Morgan Llywelyn and would love to see your perspective on his life. please do not take this an idea for a story as the idea has already been used but I have fallen in love with your discriptive writing and would love to read something about him through your eyes. Kevin

Hope you are well, my good friend Paul squire is a big fan of yours, having collected all the Sharpe books over the years. He also enjoyed your Arthur Trilogy and was talking about it this morning. I have a question. He mentioned in one of the books a character talking about a religion 2000 years before the bible where someone died, was resurrected and had 12 disciples. This intrigued me, as Paul has told me that you base your books on fact as much as possible. What religion was this? I know that the Bible as we know it was cribbed from many other religions - Egyptian and Pagan stories to name but 2, but this sounded really interesting. All the best, I should really have a read of one of your books (sad Star Wars geek here!) Mark Newbold

Mr. Cornwell, first and foremost I must say that I am a huge fan of your writings and entirely agree with you with regard to my favourite books of yours, the warlord chronicles are, in my opinion, unparalleled for any novel or series of novels that I have read that encompass the murky transition from a Romano-British Society to the faction that you correctly called Englaland. As harsh as this may sound, I am not pleased for you with regards to the success of your Sharpe novels, and that is not a criticism for I have read, fully enjoyed and own all Sharpe novels, however, many people know you only for the exploits of Sean in the television series and I find it disappointing that people trudge through their literary lives without having absorbed The Warlord Chronicles, The Grail Quest and The 'Saxon stories' regarding Uhtred. Incidentally, my A-level history coursework was on the real life Uhtred, betrayed in 1016, one of your ancestors I believe and I have studied him further and the reign of Aethelred the 'Unraidy'. To summarise, I am a huge fan and eagerly await the next book after Sword Song and would dearly like to know some of the background reading you employed to obtain the knowledge of the Arthurian period prior to the writing of the Warlord Chronicles, aside from Roman historians as it is my belief that Gildas' views, while seemingly comtemporary can only be discarded when delving into the lifestyles of the true Britons, such as Derfel. Thank you for writing at a continually high standard and long may it continue. Your fan, Thomas. Ps: If you were to use a name akin to Thomas for a passing character in any possible future novels containing Uhtred, then I would be honoured to meet your ancestor and a man I have studied. To meet Uhtred in between the covers of your books would truly make my year and I eagerly await your reply.