Your Questions

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I have two quick small questions. I love all your books but I think my favourite just might be the Arthur books, one of the main things I love about the Arthur series is the way you've made all the events and characters believable, the questions are 1. Were you ever tempted to do what everyone else does, and add magic into the story, to make Arthur this magical knight and Merlin a old wizard? Was it hard not to fall onto that? and 2. What made you want to write a story including these characters in the first place? Thank you for your time. Sarah

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

I think I was tempted and yielded to temptation (certainly in Excalibur) - and what tempted me in the first place? I think the centrality of the Arthur stories to the history of Britain - it seems to me they lie at the taproot of our story, and so it was irresistible to attempt a retelling- but one that did try to place the tales in a realistic 5th and 6th century setting.

Q

Mr. Cornwell: I love all your books and I find it so interesting that my two favorite authors share the same last name, i.e., John le Carre's real name is David Cornwell. Any relation there? (P.S. Please keep writing). Val

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

I've no idea! I was born a Cornwell, but was adopted into another family, and I was only reunited with my original family about 5 years ago, and I really haven't trraced all their connections. An interesting thought, though? And what about Patricia and John? Do all Cornwells write?

Q

This is an impertinent question. I should say first - however - that I have enjoyed some of your work, particularly the final novel in the Grail series. The image of the rescued heretic girl dancing amidst the thunder will stay with me for a long time. You seem, unlike many so-called 'historical' writers, to be aware of Christendom as Christendom, i.e. amongst other things, to admit the possibility of religious motivation in the characters you place in that time frame. My question is not to do with that however, but with the propriety of calling yourself 'Britain's Storyteller' whilst almost entirely ignoring the specifically Celtic past. Arthur turns up in a very Anglicised form: a novel series entitled 'Lords of the North' (which I freely admit I have not read) appears to be about Norsemen in the north of England: your obvious fascination with 'outsiders' doesn't seem to extend itself to the real outsiders in Anglo culture - the Highlanders. Yours impertinently.... Hamish Robertson

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

It was someone else who called me that, but I do use it. Arthur Anglicised? Wow, think that and you can think anything. Highlanders? All over the Sharpe books, especially the Indian ones. Still, your point is taken.

Q

Dear Bernard, I have enjoyed your Sharpe novels immensely. They are among the best historical fiction I have ever encountered. As an American, I am personally grateful that Sharpe never made it to our shores. As a reader it would have been a severe case of divided loyalties! In fact, knowing Sharpe as I think I do, he himself would have faced a crisis of loyalties, perhaps even joining the Revolution. What do you think?

By the way, in Sharpe's Company you dedicate the book to the Harper Family (including Patrick). Are they in any way an inspiration for the wonderful Harper character? Thank you, and may Richard Sharpe live on! Raymond

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

He'd have been too young!! I've no doubt that had Sharpe been born in the thirteen colonies he would probably have joined the rebels, but having said that, I'm not really sure! Might have depended on his family. After all a great number of Americans were loyalists, so perhaps he'd have ended up in Canada? Dunno is the answer!

Yes is the short answer. The son was called Patrick, but my Harper is based on his father, Charlie.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell I hope you don't mind me asking this but I'm trying write a book of my own yet when a try to write fight scenes they always seem rather awkward and clumsy to me. Is there any sort of design or format that you use when you write to make fights/battles run smoothly? P.S. Hope this isn't any trouble or you can't say for copyright reasons.
Alex Firman

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

To be honest, no. You have to prepare the ground carefully so the reader knows where everything is, but after that it's purely instinct. This is not a helpful answer, and I apologise.

Q

Dear Bernard First may I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Now for the questions, I know from previuos responses that you have used a great number of sources for your Sharpe series, however, can you tell me if you number Richard Holmes amoungst them and, if you, have read his books Redcoats and Sahib, what you think of them and whether you have actually met Richard and what he thinks of your books?

Have you ever considered writing a factual book based around the Sharpe era? Best wishes Steven

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

I have read everything Richard Holmes has written and will read everything he does write. I've met him a couple of times, we get along just fine, but I've never asked him for an opinion on my books, nor will I!!!

Yes, and when I consider it I generally lie down until the thought has passed. Fiction is MUCH easier!!! And I'd rather leave real history to the real historians.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I was wondering what types of shields the celtic people would have used around the 5th century? Like the Warlord chronicles, what type of shield would Arthur and them have used? Would it have been small and round, or a large oval shaped shield, or rectangular like the romans? John

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

Almost certainly large and round - something large enough to stop a slashing attack with a sword or a thrust by a spear.. Probably made of limewood, and maybe edged with leather.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, My name is Louis Sulek, I'm 25 years old, Canadian, and presently finishing up a degree in education in Cairns Australia. I have discovered a love for historical fiction thanks to your books. Dick and Dervel (my favorites) are pretty much a part of my subconscious; in times of indecision I find myself asking what I would do if I were them! I just wanted to pass along that I dearly love your books and am a big fan. Naturally, I have a request to go along with the flattery. I am seriously considering a trip to Europe sometime around May, once my studies are finished. Naturally, I'd like to do the Sharpe tour, perhaps starting in Flanders or Britain, but I'm flexible of course.. You've suggested many books and publications for the extra keen in your forwards and historical notes and I have noted all of these, but I wanted to ask if you would recommend any specific books/sources above all others? I am viewing this adventure as a historical pilgrimmage of sorts, so what should be my bible? I hope all is well with you and yours. Thanks in advance! Best regards, Louis Sulek

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

I hope you enjoy your tour - Salamanca is wonderful, and the indispensable guide is Wellington's Peninsular War, Battles and Battlefields by Julian Paget (Leo Cooper, London, 1990 - updated since). There's was a lot of roadbuilding going on to the north of the Salamanca battlefield and I found the access difficult a few years ago, but if you follow signs to the village of Arapiles you can't go wrong, and Sir Julian Paget's guide gives you every site, details of how to get there, what to see and a useful narrative of every action.From there go east to Ciudad Rodrigo. Once there you have Almeida and Fuentes d'Onoro to explore. Don't miss Fort Conception (north of the battlefield).

Q

SIR COULD YOU PLEASE CONSIDER FOLLOWING THE HERETIC WITH A BOOK ABOUT JEANNETE AND THOMAS FINDING THEY COULD LIVE TOGETHER. AND SHE PERHAPS MIGHT MARRY HIM TO PREVENT BEING FORCEDTO TO TAKE AN ASSIGNED HUSBAND WHO WOULD TAKE OVER HER RESOURES.
Charles Segler

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

I'll consider it, but I really do think Thomas of Hookton's tale is told, so I suspect the answer, disappointingly (sorry), will be no.

Q

Bernard, I have read the majority of your books and have enjoyed every single one!... But the Grail quest is my favorite series of all time.. Could you please put me out of my misery and write another book with Thomas as the main character, reading has never been the same since the day I put down Heretic. Liam

Dear Mr.Cornwell.I'm from Brasil. I don't speak english very well but I love all your books. I read THE ARTHUR BOOKS, THE GRAIL QUEST and five first books of SHARPE in portuguese and the other in english.

QUESTION 1) Do you plan write other book about Thomas of Hookton?

QUESTION 2)When was Derfel Cadarn dead?

QUESTION 3) The Sharpe's adventures will have a finish? Please answer my questions and sorry for grammatical errors. Fernando Martinelli from Brazil.

Submitted December 20, 2006

A

Thomas of Hookton? Probably not. I like him, and it's tempting, but I think his story is probably finished.

Don't know!!!! Sometime in the middle of the 6th Century? The Dictionary of Saints (for such he became) can only guess 6th Century and I fear I can't help further.

Yes, at some point...