Your Questions

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted to say how much I love your books. I am a tremendous fan of history as I have been to many fascinating places like Waterloo. I was wondering when will Sharpe and Harper march again? I know it's an ignorant question but I read that Wellington blamed the Prince of Orange's military blunders on his inexperience and not his ability to command and that he was later made a field marshal in the British army, why is he portrayed negatively in your books? Cameron Stewart

Submitted April 20, 2007

A

Because I think he was to blame for the various errors that were committed under his command, and he was certainly not rewarded with the rank of Field Marshal because of his abilities, but because of his royal status. And, yes, the errors might have been committed through inexperience, but so what? Men died! He only was given command because he was a prince - a diplomatic, rather than a military, necessity.

Q

Hi In the Starbuck Chronicles you indicated a regiment formed by a private citizen. I am in an argument questioning if this were true. I would like to know where you researched the idea. Thanks, Marvin J. Little

Submitted April 20, 2007

A

Because it happened! At the beginning of the war several extremely wealthy southern citizens used their own money to equip and raise regiments, which often bore their names.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a student living in japan, and I wanted to thank you for writing such great pieces. I have all the Saxon stories twice each and I have enjoyed them more every time. Although the books are not being translated in Japanese, I wish I could have read them in my native tongue. I cannot wait for the next book to come out, can you give me a slight hint of what the book will be about? thank you, Sy

Submitted April 19, 2007

A

The next one? Basically about the capture of London and the struggle for control of the Thames Estuary! Quite a lot of my books are translated into Japanese, so I hope these are too!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, As someone who has purchased, in hardback, all of your books (I thought) I was surprised to see listed on a website called Fantastic Fiction, which purportedly lists every author and every book (ever?), two books credited to yourself that don't appear on your own website. They are "The Hidden Hand" and "The Snarl of the Beast". Both, evidently were published in 1992 and, my guess would be that they are US editions of books published in UK under another title. Would it be possible for you to confirm either way? On a personal note may I say that I love reading your books and am awaiting the next "Alfred and Uhter" (Sorry, sounds like a vaudeville act!)which I have pre-ordered. The only other important question, to me, is when may we expect another "Sharpe" and possibly (?) another "Starbuck".Sorry - too many questions but as I am as old as you are I just appreciate your gift of a "cracking good yarn". Thank you. David Barnard

Mr. Cornwell - I know that you have been around for a while... however.... I have only recently discovered you!! My gosh, where have you been!? :) I devoured the Grail Quest series in no time flat. After Thomas of Hookton, I did not believe there could be any other character or plot so vivid or engaging. I marched on, directly through Mr. Starbuck's meanderings (I am a U.S. Civil War buff), and now I find that I'm down the list to "Sharpe's Battle"... and I always get the next book when I am half finished with the last. I don't have many to go! My dilemma.... is there life after Dick Sharpe?? What am I going to do? I've become addicted! I even watched one of the Sharpe DVDs, but I had to go right back to the written word. As great as Sean Bean is, I have to keep my version of Dick Sharpe in my mind (pun sort of intended). I looked through your FAQ and the forum but did not see plans for more of either Thomas of Hookton or Richard Sharpe. Can you please, please bring them back??? Thanks for your wonderful books! Roger Hotelling Snohomish, Washington, USA

Submitted April 19, 2007

A

I have never published books titled 'The Snarl of the Beast' or 'The Hidden Hand' - those listings are incorrect.

There will be more Sharpe - and Starbuck - but right now I can't say when, because I don't know! No plans for more Thomas of Hookton.

Q

Just finished "Lords of the North". Loved it as well as the whole trilogy. Will you be continuing the saga? You stated in the last line of the "Historical Notes" that "He will need Serpent-Breath again". I hope this implies we will hear more of Uhtred adventures? Best wishes. Walter Chop

Mr.Cornwell I'm such a fan the Saxon stories. I was just wondering if you could get back to me on when the next book may come out or if you're writing another book to the saxon stories? Those are the best books I've ever read. If you could back to me on the progress and such email me I guess and please give me a update. I love your books so much the characters are stuck in me I've come to know and love them from The Last Kingdom through The Lords of the North please get back to me Mr.Cornwell your biggest, fan Bleu Marceaux

Dear Mr Cornwell, You tantalisingly mentioned in your reply to Charles Hamblen on 13th April that the next book about Uhtred will be entitled 'Sword Song'. Do you have a planned publishing date yet? I can't wait to find out what happens next! Best wishes and keep writing!

Robert Hartley

Hello Mr Cornwell. I'm a very big fan of yours. I've enjoyed the Sharpe books, the Arthur trilogy and most recently the Saxon books. I was just browsing your bulletin board and saw that you plan to publish the Sword Song book in October and I am very pleased about this. I was just wondering if this was going to be your last book about Uthred and his doings or if you had plans to write a little more about him? Thank you Chris

Hello Can I just say how much I have enjoyed reading all your novels. I have just finished the Saxon trilogy and am hoping that it won't be long till the fourth book will be available? Thank you for many hours of enjoyment reading your novels.

Andrea Sanderson

Sir, I just finished reading The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman, and The Lords of the North. I would like to know when the next book is coming out that will continue the adventure of Uhtred? I am really hooked and have fully enjoyed these books. When can I expect to pick up the adventure again?? Thank you for your time....Cal Chilton

Mr Cornwell, I have at present read all your novels, and, due to having a gaping whole in my life where your books once belonged I am compelled to ask you when Sword Song will be published?

dear Bernard Cornwell,I really enjoyed reading the,last kingdom, pale horseman, and lords of the north, please I ask of you to write more on saxon books following the previous ones. I love your books and if your ever in San Diego please let me know. David Scott

I just finished Lords of the North and have read all of the Saxon Stories. Are you writing more books in this series? If so, please hurry up! Thanks. Bob Wehling

hello I started reading your books last year and found them great. I have read the grail quest and the saxon stories which I am currently reading again, which is why I am emailing. I would just like to ask if there will be any more books in this fantastic story line? Please email me back soon because the story is good and as you probably know finishing a good book has both a good feeling and a bad one. thank you. Ewan Caulfield

Hi there, I had never read any of your books untill very recently, when away for business i was grabbed by the cover of The Lords of the North. I bought it and from that moment could not put it down. I went straight out and bought the other two Alfred books. I thoroughly enjoyed them all. I could not stop being whisked off to this other world, made all the better by knowing it was once a real world. I cannot give high enough praise for the series so far. This leads me on to my question which is when will the next Alfred book be published? because i cannot wait. Yours, Dominic Long (New fan) Lincolnshire

Submitted April 19, 2007

A

Sword Song, the fourth book of the Saxon stories, should be available in October of this year. It will NOT be the last book of this series, I expect to write at least two or three more.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a student living in japan, and I wanted to thank you for writing such great pieces. I have all the Saxon stories twice each and I have enjoyed them more everytime. Although the books are not being translated in Japanese, I wish I could have read them in my native tongue. I cannot wait for the next book to come out, can you give me a slight hint of what the book will be about? thank you, Sy

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

The next one? Basically about the capture of London and the struggle for control of the Thames Estuary! Quite a lot of my books are translated into Japanese, so I hope these are too!

Q

Dear Bernard, After recently re-reading Battle Flag in your historical note you say Lee's victory could have been better if Longstreet had attacked sooner. Is that not a bit unfair since reading the book Return to Bull Run which you recommended it seems to show that Longstreet was correct and Jackson did not move or support the attack after only being partially engaged???

Also before Gettysburg there were two other options for the South in either reinforcing Johnston and Pemberton around Vicksburg or joining with Bragg against Roscerans would either of those plans been better do you think or would they have lost anyway????

And in reading in interest that there many non-Virginian southerners that thought the army was pro-Virginian at the expense of themselves I just wondered if you knew how high was that opinion and was it accurate????

btw I have to ask as being half welsh but will you ever consider writing about the rebellion by Owain-Glyn-dr? it came remarkably close to winning and have bow-man to bow-man battle since so far all your books have been against the french and rather one sided since they had no bowmen. yours sincerely Geraint

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

I wrote the book so long ago that I fear I can't remember the details any more! Can I be let off the hook? Thank you.

It's one of those might-have-beens, isn't it? And they're endlessly fascinating, but . . . . in the end, I think, the south was doomed for reasons far above the tactical. Their only hope would have been to make the price the north had to pay so high as to be unthinkable, and they could not do that.

I'm not sure . . . . . I have come across the opinion many many times, but have never seen it quantified. Certainly many in the south thought that the Army of Virginia was favoured over the other forces, but in truth that was the war's main cockpit . . . . which is not to diminish the other theaters, but to point out that you could lose the war in a day in Virginia.

I'll be honest - I think a Welsh writer should tackle the story! And, tragically, I have not a drop of Welsh blood.

Q

Hi, I love your Arthur trilogy and wondered what you thought of other Arthurian writers you have read. For example, Helen Hollick's Pendragon's Banner trilogy was a tremendous read. Have you come across it? Alan Campbell

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

I have, and think it was terrific. My favourite, though, remains TH White, The Sword in the Stone.

Q

I love your books! They make the time periods they are written in come alive. I have a question pertaining to Thomas of Hookton. In 2004 you had stated that you were not going to bring him back at that time. Have you revisited that? He is such a great charater. Thanks for all the hours of enjoyment you have given me with your books. Dennis Pass

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

I'm glad to know you enjoyed Thomas. No plans for him right now, I have too many other things on my plate!

Q

Dear Mr. Bernard Cornwell I am a big fan of your books and have read all the Sharpe's books at least twice. I was wondering if there was going to be another one? I have also read the Grail Quest books and The Saxon Stories Bearing in mind that I am still only thirteen, and still in school, I now excel in my History class. For that I have you to thank. Also my Grandfather found out that I have (and my family) originated from Norway! I can't wait for the next Saxon Stories and my Dad is impatient for another Sharpe's book (so am I!). And finally , if you could, could you tell how to make a yew bow? Charlie

Submitted April 13, 2007

A

Yes Charlie, there will be more Sharpe books.

First find your yew tree! preferably from the Mediterranean! They have denser timbers, and you need a nice straight trunk about six feet long, and you basically shape your bow from that, making sure that the softer (outer) wood is the inside of the bow (it compresses more easily and provides 'push' to spring back) and the denser heartwood is on the outside (it bends reluctantly and springs back straight violently). The nocks that hold the string need to be carved from cow-horn and fitted over the tips. Your string should be twisted from strands of hemp treated with a glue made from hooves. Rub the bow frequently with a mix of rosin, tallow and wax. Then shoot straight! Most modern yew bows are made from trees grown in Oregon, USA, because no one in the Mediterranean gives the trees the treatment they need - the wood has to be knot free, which means inhibiting the growth of branches, but I'm told Oregon timber is very good.