Your Questions

Q

hey, I've read many of your books, but not all of them... yet. I'm not sure if you have one already, but do you or have you thought about getting a myspace account? John Whitcomb

Submitted November 22, 2006

A

I already have my own space - this website.

Q

Mr Cornwell, Just have one quick question. What sort of "time-device" was used in Europe during the middle ages? Did they use expressions such as "see you around 10.30 PM"? I would have guessed that they used the sun during the day and sand-glass-device (sorry dont know the name in English) at night but could that have been accurate? Would appreciate a reply very much because the question has been bugging me for quite some time. Thanks for all the well-written books, Kind regads, Carl-Adam

Submitted November 22, 2006

A

They would never have been as specific as 10.30, indeed for most people the idea that the hours (let alone minutes) were numbered would have seemed strange! So it would be very broad stuff - see you in the morning, late in the morning, midday, dusk, dawn, or reliant on the sun (yes, very much so, even when there are clouds you can tell a fair bit from the light). The church had the set prayers through the day, and those were useful referrants, but only if you lived near enough a monastery to hear the bells summoning monks to nones or prime, or whatever. The monks would have used sand-filled hourglasses, perhaps candle clocks (candles that supposedly burned at a steady rate and were marked with divisions). It's all very hit and miss! But it doubtless worked for them (because they knew no better). Truly, most folk worked around three reference points - sunrise, noon and sunset. You began work at sunrise, went to bed at sunset.

Q

What's your opinion on the Brunswick Troops, especially The Black Duke, inspired leader or crazy kraut ? Do you think the Brunswick Uhlans would have been on a par with the Polish Lancers, had there been more of them ?
Mark Roberts

Submitted November 22, 2006

A

Gawd only knows! Comparisons are odious? They're all good troops! I honestly don't have an opinion on the Brunswickers, sorry!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a great fan of your Sharpe series books, having read them all. Your series stirred within me a passionate interest in the history of the Napoleanic Wars. My only geographic or other connection with some of Wellington's heroes unfortunately is the proximity of my home here in New Orleans to one of their battlefields. I believe that many of the fighting units you reference in your series were involved in what some have referred to as something along the lines of the "Napoleonic Era Gallipoli". i.e., "The Battle of New Orleans." I have always felt that the citizens of the United States have never fully appreciated the international benifits and significance of that one battle for our young nation. Indeed, the battlefield is treated much as a minor footnote by visitors here, if they are aware of it at all. Do you know if any of the units Sharpe would have been involved with fought there? As well, have you ever considered the possiblity of having New Orleans in December, 1804 and January, 1805 as the scene of one of your Sharpe tales, were the timing not to conflict with the existing timeline of the series? The cast of historic characters involved and the drama and tragedy surrounding that surprizing defeat would not only establish a unique connection between your series and so many avid fans in the States, but it might even stir great interest in our oft-forgotten and poorly understood local field of battle... Such interest would all the more be welcome here were it to entice some of your many fans to travel to our fair city in these times of our struggle to recover as a community. Thank you so much for your obvious devotion to your craft and for your passion for your subject. Rick Miller

Submitted November 20, 2006

A

The 95th Rifles were there, indeed they were the only unit to break through the cotton-bale barricade (and got slaughtered for their trouble). I suspect that the bi-centennial will draw a lot of attention to the battle? Deservedly so. I'm still reluctant to let Sharpe cross the Atlantic (again), mainly because I'm convinced he's at his best when he's fighting against the French . . . . and I've plenty of those tales left.

Q

Hi, love your work, i refuse to read any thing else but yours. just a quick question. Lords of the north ended, and although it was a great book,the end seemed a little quick. I hope this is because there is another book on the mill. There is still much to do for our Northumbrian friend. Is there going to be a fourth book? Stuart Noble

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a tremendous fan of your work. Since reading Sharpe's Tiger six months ago I have since devoured almost all of your fine work at a rampant pace. Thanks for all of your amazing and diverse literature, it has been educational and exciting, two qualities that unfortunately seem rarely met. I was curious to know if you planned to write anymore Saxon novels? Uhtred is fantastic, and I'm very curious to hear the rest of his tale. Please take as long as you like to respond, a man only has so much time, my sincerest thanks, praise, and respect, Jesse Rasmussen

I have read all of the saxon series books ie(last kingdom, pale horseman,lords of the north)please can you tell me when the next book in this series will be available. Many thanks Barrie Smith-Wright

Please can you tell me whether there will be a forth book in the saxon series, if so when will this be released? Suzanne Dunn

Submitted November 20, 2006

A

I'm working on the fourth book of the series now. No title yet, but we hope it will be ready for publication in October 2007.

Q

Reading through your questions and answers section you say repeatedly youd like to see your other books made into films but you say youre not a filmmaker so its not down to you. My question is how much did you know about the Sharpe scripts before they were made? I know that before his tragic death, David Gemmell had been approached a few times with scripts of legend but turned them away because they were rubbish and Terry Goodkind has finally decided on a TV series rather than a film. If someone were to say I want to make an Uthred film' would say Id like to see a script and then give it the green light or would you just say go for it? Ben

Submitted November 20, 2006

A

Go for it! They know their business, and I don't know their business. If I object to a script then I'm putting an obstacle in the way of the film-maker, and that's not sensible! So - do what they like!

Q

Hello, just wanted to say that I am very much enjoying reading your books. I have been through the warlord chronicles and am halfway through The Pale Horseman. I just have a quick question - how do you pronounce the name "Aelle" (and also "Uhtred")? Thank you for your time, Kathleen

Submitted November 20, 2006

A

Aelle - Ay (rhyme with bay) - ella
Uhtred - U - tred

Q

I loved your book Stonhenge! The historical references woven into the story did not only animate the characters and the period, but was journey into the origns of religion and societies. The contemplations of you vivid accounts are still streaming through my mind. Thank you for your time in research and creativity. I heard there is a movie based on your novel, what do you think of it? Marge Calhoun

Submitted November 20, 2006

A

I'm sorry, you must have heard wrong - there is no film based on my book Stonghenge.

Q

We were pleased to see the favorable review of "Sharpe's Fury" in the October 15, 2006 Boston Globe Books section liked the observation about your "infectious enthusiasm" in depicting the battle at Barrosa, as well as Sharpe's carrying out his secret mission and flattening fiendish plotters with "great gusto" and pleased, too, to see the interview with you a week later in the same paper (Boston Globe Books section, October 22, 2006). Will you post perhaps adding back the deleted expletive regarding Napoleon? We're having a difference of opinion in our household about what that might be. All good wishes, Nancy Nemon

Submitted November 20, 2006

A

I didn't see either the review or the interview! Indeed, till I read your question, I didn't know there had been a review! So am not sure what expletive they deleted, but usually when I think of Napoleon the immediate word-association is 'shit'. So it was probably that, but if you want a definitive answer then perhaps you'd best send me the context!

Q

Reading "The Last Kingdom". Excellent, BUT... I was disappointed to read on page 9, "...reap all the corn in the world..." Do you know something about corn having reached Europe at THAT TIME? Columbus first mentioned in Europe in 1492. Dennis M. McKean

Submitted November 20, 2006

A

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Corn is a very ancient word that long predates Columbus. Its first recorded usage is the year 871, so I think you're getting confused between British English and American English. The word 'corn' is used in Britain to denote any cereal crop, i.e. wheat, rye, barley etc. The Americans, for their own good reason, decided to apply it only to maize. I'm sorry you were diappointed, but my use of the word (in a British context) was entirely accurate. And yes, I do know when maize reached Europe, and that Dampier was the first man to use the word in print, and that was not till the late 17th Century. But thank you for your history lesson.