Your Questions

Sehr geehrter Herr Cornwell, many greetings from Bayern/Bavaria (Germany). I came to your books via the Sharpe Films and Sean Bean. Thanks to the Internet, I learned some 4 or 5 years ago, that there is a whole book-berg of Sharpes to discover, and, as I like it, to read, that was a fine thing. Do you know the feeling with a well written book, that you have absorbed it completely? The German word is actually verschlingen (= devour, swallow, gobble) and that was what I did! Actually in one case so completely, that I couldnt find my copy of Sharpes Sword recently and decided in the end to buy it a second time . As I should also say perhaps, I do a little Fan-Website for Herr Bean and write here at the moment busily about Sharpe, actually using now and then a quotation from your books - with full credentials of course (but without asking properly for permission) Now, with Sharpes Sword, naturally, my thoughts travelled around the importance of swords, and that they actually became names, and that the famous Klingenthal represents in a way also such a sword with a name. And, since Klingenthal is a German word, that actually means Blade Valley, I was curious about the background of it, which I googled and wanted to use on my Sword-Site - and it is a sort of funny coincidence, that the actor, who IS Sharpe has actually a tattoo with 100 % blade on his arm and comes from a town, which could be described as Klingenstadt (Blade City). And no, I wont ask you, if you had an esoterical premonition of that, when you wrote your book. Im unfortunately too down to earth for questions like that. :-) BUT a question arose, when I started rereading your book: Think of my horror, when I found, that in your book the bloody blade is not named Klingenthal - but Kligenthal!!! Now, mein Herr, is this on purpose or is it a simply a wrong spelling?? Well, and, if you do not remember, its actually some time ago, that you wrote it, at least it is my excuse to write in the end to you, to thank you for your so entertaining books. Oh, and actually, the Sword-theme brings me back in the end to more books from you, the Arthurian Series - long live Excalibur and the celts - and - with a detour to Siegfried of the Nibelungen with his sword Balmung, who is so much a German (German like in ancient tribe) hero to your German series, I read the first two books and am looking forward to the third. Will there really be then an end to it? If yes, I would wait a little bit longer, before I read the last book. ... :-) Viele Gruesse from Germany Renate Gorke

Mr. Cornwell, It has been about five years since I first read Sharpe's Eagle and since then I have read every book of yours that I can get my hands on. I am currently reading Sharpe's Fury and am enjoying it as much as all the others. The thing that strikes me most about your books is the historical accuracy of the events, especially in the Sharpe books. I myself am very interested in history especially of the time period of the Grail Quest series and Saxon Stories. I was wondering where you go to get all of your research for these books? Also, I am extremely interested by Irish history, being of Irish descent, and I think that a fantastic book could be written about the Viking or Norman invasions of Ireland. Do you have any plans of writing a book about Ireland or know of any good ones that you would recommend? I'm looking forward to your newest book! Rob Hogan

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a recent fan, having read only two of your books (Sharpe's Rifles and one other Sharpe). I was introduced to your work through the Sharpe TV series which I enjoyed thoroughly, hence causing me to read the books! This question might be answered when I have actually read the whole series, but I can't wait that long! In the TV movie called Sharpe's Justice, when Sharpe was posted to Yorkshire, I was intrigued by the character of George Wickham. Not having read the book which describes this (I'm not even sure which book it would be, as the TV series doesn't necessarily follow the book titles??), I assume there really is a George Wickham in the book? It immediately brought to mind the character of George Wickham in Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, who was rather nefarious, and who was "posted to a _____shire in the north of England." Was this an intentional reference, on your part, to Jane Austen's character, or was it completely unrelated? I have long wished that Jane Austen had finished off Mr. Wickham, but that was not her style, so I'm hoping you took the liberty of doing so! Thank you for your time. A fan from Ohio, in the USa

I have just enjoyed the grail quest novels. May I say how fantastic they are. Just one question the norman knight Sir Guillaume is his name derived from certain a certain French napolonic commander and that chap the abbot Planchard is his surname derived from that fellow Planchard who was involved with the priory of sion. Sorry that these questions are random but I am curious. Thanks, Martin Steele

Dear Bernard, You have kindly replied to me questions before, so here I go again. Penguin are re releasing you sailing books with new covers. The Warlords books had the same treatment, so why not Starbuck? We know we've got to wait for a new book ( and more than one please) so how about some new covers: the originals need a a makeover. As ever, regards Lee Menzies

Hello Sir, how are you, good I hope. I have been reading Sharpe now for about 16 years and always look forward for new adventures. It was the Sharpes that got me interested in the Napoleonic Wars. Is there any chance in the future that some of the earlier novels will be re-release in Hard Cover or a special collectors set? cheers Ed Whelan

Dear Mr Cornwell Until recently I had only ever read Sharpe and Starbuck and had been trying to think of an interesting question to ask you. However, I have now read the Arthur series and would like to know why oh why you did not let Derfel kill that worm Sansum ? Regards Richard Wolk

Dear Bernard Cornwell, On 8 November, Melinda Mucsi from Hungary asked about rules for the Anglo Saxon pronunciations of Y. I had hoped to find my Old English texts from 30 years ago and give an answer of sorts, but unfortunately I can only find the Middle English ones. However, I had a look in David Crystals Cambridge Encyclopaedia of the English Language. On page 18 it gives a brief summary of Anglo Saxon pronunciation. This book should be available in major libraries, especially in a university that teaches Old English and Linguistics. In addition, I would think that a text on linguistics and Old English language would be available in such a library and might give some guidance. I have recently read all three of the Uhtred novels (twice) and loved them. Your repetition of the phrase Wyrd bith ful araed I cant insert the Anglo Saxon letters led me to look up weird in the Oxford English Dictionary. It was a real eye-opener as it means much more than I thought it did. As a noun it still retains the sense of fate or destiny. This made me rethink the meaning of the three witches the weird sisters in Macbeth. Which leads me to the interesting parallel between the Ancient Greek and Norse idea of the three fates, all female and all spinning our destiny. It would be interesting to know whether these developed independently or if there was some common source. Do you happen to know? Elizabeth Smith

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I was just wondering if there were any more movies in the works. Based on Sharpes or any of your other books. I'd be grateful for any information. Sincerely David Paul

Hi again, Mr. Cornwell. How about a Sharpe short story set in India, where he hunts a notorious man-eater, either a tiger, or perhaps a leopard? Alan Kempner