Your Questions

Q

Ihave just finished The Lords Of The North brilliant , is there anything else in the pipe line soon? Ralph Topp

Dear Mr. Cornwell. Will there be new Sharpe or Saxon titles coming out in 2007? I read "Growing Up Peculiar." Excellent and to the heart. I would like to hear the continuation. Is there an 'official' Bernard Cornwell biography available somewhere? Thank you for your time. Best regards, Leon Nielsen

Submitted February 4, 2007

A

Not a new Sharpe, but the fourth book of the Saxon stories should be out in October 2007. Official biography? No!

Q

I have just discovered your books,much to my delight. Is there another book with the Lazender family? It feels like there is more story to tell. I just finished Stormchild it was great. I want to know what happened to Toby and the years between Crowning Mercy and Fallen Angel. Ollie Staloch

Submitted February 4, 2007

A

There is not a book between A Crowning Mercy and Fallen Angels.

Q

Toured Spain and Portugal in a motorhome last summer. Made a point of visiting the main sites of the Peninsular war that you have so vividly brought to life in some of the Sharpe novels. Many, many thanks for making it a holiday with a difference. Would love to do the same in India!! Have always been facinated by the exploits of Hereward the Wake although there appears to be little information his background and feats. I feel that this would be a natural follow-up to your Saxon series. Your literary magic would bring Hereward back to life. Many thanks for the pleasure your novels have given me. Dave Adams

Submitted February 4, 2007

A

Hereward is a good tale so who knows? Never say never!

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I have thuroughly enjoyed your historical series for years. I was wondering if you would ever do a series on the English Civil War. I often find that your novels clarify events and timelines with more life than a mere history does. I would very much enjoy such treatment of that time period.
Jacob Rundell

Submitted February 4, 2007

A

English Civil War? I've considered it, have done some research, think about it, but lord knows where I'll find the time to do it. One day, maybe?

Q

Dear Bernard Being a big fan of your historical novels,I was wondering if there was anything new historically in the pipline? The start of a new series perhaps? Nick Grant

Hi Mr Cornwell, I was just curious to know if you have any plans for future book series? I know you're releasing the next book in the saxon series, but was just wondering what sort of direction you were thinking of going after that. I know that's probably terribly vague sounding, just interested! Aaron McAvoy

Submitted February 4, 2007

A

I do, but I never tell! Sorry!

Q

Hi. I am very new to your books as I had never watched an episode of Sharpe up untill Christmas. I enjoyed it so much that I visited Amazon and purchased Sharpes Tiger and The Winter King. It was then that I realized I had been missing out on something that has been around for a number of years. Within a week I had read both from cover to cover, have just finished Sharpe's Triumph and am about to embark on Enemy of God. Your books remind me why I enjoyed history as a schoolkid and after looking into the volume of work you have done I am rather glad I discovered your books so late. It means I dont have to go 'cold turkey' waiting for your next book as I have quite a number to get through and I can assure you I will. I am hooked. Excellent stories, vivid imagery and wonderfully researched. However, the wife is none to happy as jobs round the house are being neglected as my nose is constantly buried in a Cornwell novel, but don't let that discourage you from carrying on the good work. Many thanks. Paul (A New Avid Fan) - Wigan, England P.S How long does it take you to research the average Sharpe novel and how long for the Warlord Chronicles?
Paul Cain

Submitted February 4, 2007

A

I've been interested in the story of Arthur my whole life. Research is a life-long occupation, but I probably spent at least two years on dedicated research before writing the Arthur books. I don't spend too much time researching Sharpe these days, partly because I've spent forty odd years reading and researching the period, so much of it is now second nature.

Q

I love all of your books and I can't wait for more. I live in Illinois and as I read the Saxon stories and think back to the Arthur books, I reflect on my own heritage. My family tree traces back to central and southern England and I must assume that I must have Saxon ancestors due to my name alone. My question for you is -What in your opinion was the motivation for the Saxon conquest in England? If it was for land, why not stay in Germany or mainland Europe and fight other kingdoms? I also would appreciate any suggestions for reading on that matter, preferably something that is not too complicated for someone without an advanced degree in history, just a love of historical fiction and fact. Thank you. Brian Oswald

Submitted February 4, 2007

A

It was land, and in turn the Saxons were being pushed eastwards by other tribes coming from the west. And Britain, after the Romans left, was a divided, weak country, and thus easy pickings. Much easier to go east and take land from demoralised, leaderless (not counting Arthur), divided Britons than turn and fight the warrior tribes coming from the west. Be sure to take a look at the 'Suggestions for Further Reading' page for the Saxon stories on this website.

Q

Having just re-read Sharpe's Siege, I was sparked into finding out more about the war between Britain and the United Staes 1821-1815. At the Battle of New Orleans The United States Army defeated a veteran British Army inflicting over 2000 casualties to their own total of approximately 100. This seems such a crushing defeat for troops who had defeted the French Army so convincingly. I was wondering if you had a theory as to why they were so heavily defeated? Do you think it would have been different if Wellington had commanded, and which Regiments that fought in the Peninsula were present at this battle? Jon Arden

Submitted February 4, 2007

A

That's an easy one. they were led by an idiot (Pakenham) who insisted on advancing his troops in close order across a featureless plain into the face of US marksmen who were behind a high barricade of cotton bales. Pakenham was told to wait a day until the navy could get ships upriver to flank the bales and blast them with broadsides, but he was a moron. Wellington would never have attacked! One group of Brits actually got through the bales, and they, tada, were the 95th Rifles.

Q

I am reading all of the Sharpe books, I am up to Enemy. I loved Trafalgar, very different so far from the rest. I would of loved it if they would have made that into an episode. I was wondering why the TV series is so different from the books. In plot,people and many other details. I would of loved to see the series follow the books more closely. I think I prefer the story line in the books. I am very glad that Sean was chosen after Mcgann(sp?)though. Besides the hair color, Sean as Sharpe is about as perfect casting as you could ever get. Did you have any input in the choice of actors for the TV series? I love your books and your talent is brilliant. Looking forward to more books. Thanks Renee

Submitted February 4, 2007

A

I had no input - none at all, which is a good thing because I'd be horrible at casting.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I just have a quick question for you...In a few of your novels characters suffer from toothache, Harper in Sharpe's Siege, Colonel Swynard (sp?) in the Starbuck Novels mentions he wants all his pulled out because he suffers from bad toothaches. Toothaches are also mentioned in the Arthur books. Now my question is basically this: Have you had bad toothaches in the past? Because I recently had it bad (and had to have a tooth extracted) and the way you describe the desperate, unending pain (esp in Sharpe's Enenmy - poor Harper!) And also, do you think someone could really rip their own tooth out? And finally (sorry going on a bit), did people in the 'dark' ages care for their teeth in general do you think? I know you mention Arthur cleans them whenever he can with salt and water, was this a common practice? Did soldiers/poor people in general clean their teeth at all in the 'Sharpe Days'? Or was it just a case of let them rot and have them pulled? with no anistetic at that!!! Thanks, and sorry for the rubbish questions about teeth/toothache, but its something Ive been wondering about... All the best, Nick

Submitted February 4, 2007

A

I have had toothache, yes. Aaaaaaaaargh. People did clean their teeth, but archaological evidence suggests that their teeth were usually in rotten condition. Flour was milled on stone, that broke, so bread had chips of stone that smashed teeth. Trench mouth (stinks) would have been common. And yes, someone could rip their own tooth out - solo sailors do it today! The trick is to press the tooth into the gum, before twisting it and pulling it out. Hurts like hell, I'm told.