Your Questions

Q

I love your books! I spent half my honeymoon reading the grail series, and just read the Saxon series in about a week (I wish I would've known the series was not complete or I never would've started it, I can't wait until October!) I just purchased all three of the Arthur books. History has always been my favorite subject, and you really make it come alive. Have you ever thought of writing about the crusades?
Marc

Submitted April 10, 2007

A

For some reason I can never get very excited about the Crusades, though perhaps that will change?

Q

Dear Sir, I'm currently making a research on Napoleon's Empire. Do you know where I might buy a map which shows Europe at this time in history? Thanks a lot. Luca Caruana

Submitted April 10, 2007

A

The Times Historical Atlas certainly has one . . . as for a map of Europe at that time? I don't know of one outside an historical atlas - plenty printed in books, of course. Have you tried putting Historic Maps into Google?

Q

Hello Bernard, You won't remember but I wrote on your bulletin board a few years ago, my name is Chris Webster and I am BA War Studies undergraduate War Studies student at King's College London. If my exams go as planned after Easter my summer dissertation will be on the leadership of Alfred the Great. I've been a massive fan of your books since I was eight years old, and I was wondering if my favourite story teller might be able to give me some advice as to research on the topic. It'd be great if you could get back to me.. Yours sincerely, Chris Webster P.S. Hurry up and finish the next Saxon installment, Bebbanburg needs to get the Uthred treatment!

Submitted April 10, 2007

A

Well the obvious source is John Peddie's book, Alfred, Warrior King. John Peddie, I don't think he'd mind me saying this, is more of a soldier than an academic, but his book is full of interest even if, necessarily, much of it is speculative . . . but he brings a soldier's eye to the terrain and strategy. My own feeling is that Alfred was a reluctant warrior, and probably no great fighter (permanently sick, addicted to piety and scholarship, doesn't sort of add up), but he was certainly very intelligent, and he applied his intelligence to the problems of war. In the end his is really a defensive strategy (buy them off, build the burhs) but it worked.

Q

I realize that my previous comment was not a question, ha...Didn't realize I had the chance to ask one, well as for starters I would very much like to say I had made the mistake of reading Lords of the North prior to the first two...Yes I know! Blasphemy! But...What can I do? No one ever said anything about their being a trilogy at the time and it was a gift. But I already have the first two now and am beginning... Now as for some questions, this one pertains to the whole idea of the sword in the stone. I do realize that Excalibur was given to Arthur by Merlin after he passed a series of tests, but where do the whole 'mumbo jumbo' of the sword in the stone pertain? Also I am curious what differs in a 'blood-oath','scar-oath' (what Nimue and Derfel took). and the hundreds of oaths are swore under... It seems they all may result in the same thing, distrust and a new enemy.

Now as for Uhtred, and I know that you are already thinking, well... READ THE OTHER 2! But that may not be the case. You mention Serpent's Breath and Wasp Sting... I know Serpent's Breath was a long sword, but what was Wasp Sting? (This may be answered in the first two) And does he ever dual wield them?

Finally...When did Druids first start appearing? Only some mundane questions, nothing really serious, perhaps if I asked when you believed the fourth book for the Saxon's Tale was going to come out; they maybe something to bicker about... But Those are my questions and hopefully this makes up for the last comment, thank you and please...PLEASE!!! Continue your writing! It is truly wonderful and very enjoyable, I could not express it more on how much I truly take passion in reading your books. -Nick Lepperd, Decsendent from the Norse...

Submitted April 10, 2007

A

I suppose that oaths were a way of attempting to impose order on chaos . . they were certainly of prime importance, and to break an oath was a serious matter. I think I invented the scar-oath, but the blood oath goes back a long way (mingling each other's blood to demonstrate and seal brotherhood). I'm writing now about the Saxon period, and again the oath is an extraordinarily potent thing . . . but did it work? Most of the time, probably yes, especially as an oath was invested with religious significance, but opportunism was always there to make it meaningless.

You will read about Wasp Sting in the first two books

Druids? I have no idea. What a good question. Sometime in the first millennium BC is all I can guess. Sorry.

Q

Dear Mr. Bernard Cornwell, I am a very big fan of your Saxon stories. I am waiting for the 4th one to come out. My father has all your books and has read all your books. My father was the one who introduced me to the Last Kingdom. Once I read that book it was the first time I ever wanted to read. I was hoping you might consider turning them into a screen play like the Sharpe series. I sure you probably get this offer a lot. but you are very well known with the Sharpe series and why not be well known for the Saxon stories? If anyone tried to make a movie out of this they would not be able to. The reason why is that when you were writing these great novels you pictured what the characters would look like and no one could know what you had pictured in your mind. Well anyway I know you can consider it. Jake Cranmer

Submitted April 10, 2007

A

I take the view that my job is to put books on shelves, not pictures on screens so it's up to someone else to do it, but thanks for your message!

Q

I just finished the Winter King and have the two remaining volumes to read. I deeply pleased with your Arthurian story. I have read Ms.Stewart's books and Jack Whyte's multi-volume works plus I have an extensive library of Romano-British materials. My wife Norma is English and thus the interest by an American citizen. My question is this - Have you considered doing a prequel to the Winter King for the years between St Germanus' first visit and 480 probably focused on Merlin? My only other thought is that the Frankish attack came after the elimination of the quasi roman lands around Soissons ~ somewhere after 486 - Is that correct? John Kelly

Submitted April 10, 2007

A

I've never thought of it! Will I? I really doubt it, but you're right that it is a fascinating period. I think the Arthur books, for me, are well and truly over!

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I really love the Richard Sharpe novels and was wondering if you might ever write another book post-Waterloo? I would love to read how Sharpe copes without being at war, his life outside of soldiering, and ultimately how he feels living around the people that he ultimately helped defeat. Also will we ever see Antonia again or find out who Sharpe's father is? Maybe we shouldn't on either one, but still do you have any plans for these? Thanks a lot, I love your stories, whatever you decide, please keep writing.
David DeForest

Submitted April 10, 2007

A

Sharpe could find adventure post-Waterloo, but will he? I don't know. You can read a small glimpse of his life after the wars in the short story 'Sharpe's Ransom' which is found in the short story book Sharpe's Christmas.

I know who Sharpe's father was, but I'm not saying. Maybe one day he'll find out - and find Antonia.

Q

For my English A level coursework i have been asked to do a text transformation. The idea i have come up with is writing Colonel Herny Simmerson's letter back home that is mentioned in Sharpe's Eagle. I was just wondering if you could provide me with any help on how to write this and any attitudes and values that should be conveyed in the letter. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. Matthew Stephens

Submitted April 10, 2007

A

WEll, he's a pompous bastard, a coward, and he hates Sharpe! Not sure what else you need to know! He will be filled with self-righteousness, and, of course, the letter ought, subtly, to betray the truth. If I were doing it I would think my way into Simmerson's head, be on his side, and have fun with it!

Q

I have read approx 15 of your books and enjoyed them all! Any chance you would write a novel about the Falklands War? Ken St. Clair

Submitted April 10, 2007

A

No. Honest, no. Too recent for me!

Q

I don't know if you have been informed but I have noticed that Rifleman Pendleton is a reincarnation as he was killed in Sharpes Eagle in 1809 during the Talavera Campaign but was alive and well in Sharpes Escape in 1811 during the Bussaco Campaign. As I have all 20 of the Sharpes books and am in the process rereading them at the moment that was when I noticed this. John Constable

Submitted April 10, 2007

A

Forgetful authors bring resurrection - isn't he lucky??