Your Questions

Q

Hi. I have just finished Lords of the North. Fantastic!! I felt I was there with Uthred. You make it so real.When can I expect the next saga? I am now in my early seventies and have been a reader of historical novels for about 55 years. Yours are the best.I am also a great fan of Sharpe and collect all the books. I come from Enniskillen Northern Ireland and my ancestors both paternal and maternal fought with the Inniskillings in the Peninsular and at Waterloo under Lord Cole. Thank you for giving me an insight of what it was like for them. Albert John Rogers

I love your work with the historical fiction (the arthuur books and the saxon stories) Can't wait till the third book with Uhtred finally makes it here. I would like to know if you are planning any other books like those in the future. I love the imagery and action you create through the eyes of someone that was there. Can't wait to here more from you in the future. Dave

Mr Cornwell, over the last few months I have had the great pleasure of reading: The Pale Horseman,the last Kingdom and Lords of the North, all excellent reading and I wonder if you have plans {or have already written} for further stories of Uhtred? The Archers Tale is another of your brilliant books and equally I wonder if you have plans for further stories of Thomas? Congratulations Sir, all wonderful books, more, please! Douglas Bragg

Submitted October 14, 2006

A

The fourth book of the Saxon series should be ready for publication in October 2007. No plans for more stories of Thomas of Hookton at the moment.

Q

Sir, I just finished reading Sharpe's Fury. It was a very enjoyable read. The only thing that kept it from being a "quick read" was my work as a corrections officer. I've been a fan since PBS's Masterpiece Theater started showing the Sharpe saga. Is there a current view of returning to the Gallow's Thief? Sincerly, M.J.Matusek, Kingman,Az USA

Submitted October 14, 2006

A

It is possible there will be a sequel to Gallows Thief.

Q

Have you any plans for Patrick Lassan, PERHAPS IN A SERIES OF HIS OWN. Have you ever contemplated doing a prequal to the Winter King. Will Thomas of Hookton be fighting the french again and will he have along life as he drank from the grail.p,s I love your books and please excuse the grammer. Andrew mathison
M

Submitted October 14, 2006

A

Sorry, not plans for any of those.

Q

Just a quick question this time: How come Richard Sharpe never received a knighthood? After all he's done for England, he definitely deserves to be Sir Richard, or at least the Honorable Richard Sharpe.
Jason

Submitted October 14, 2006

A

Knighthood? Don't think so, but the man continues to surprise me.

Q

Dear Bernard, I was just wondering when Sharpe's Fury is coming out in paperback, cheers, Gareth

Submitted October 14, 2006

A

June 2007.

Q

I have been an avid reader of the Sharpe series and also a gamer for years now and have always wondered if it would be possible to make a game based on Sharpe. It has always stuck in the back of my mind that could Sharpe be turned into a 3rd and 1st person shooter?
David Evans

Submitted October 14, 2006

A

There's been some talk of it, but it hasn't seemed to happen. Maybe someday?

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I began reading your Sharp series in 1980 when "Sharpe's Eagle" was released. I am now reading through the series a second time. I just finished rereading "Eagle" and it was just as good the second time around. In "Eagle" you mention the winter retreat from Corunna. Do you have plans to write about this further? Seems it would be a natural to plug in before "Eagle". Please keep the Sharpe's books coming. Marcus Brown

Submitted October 12, 2006

A

Sharpe's Part in it is really described in Sharpe's Rifles - he never went to Corunna, but joined the part of the army that went to Vigo. So if I write about Corunna itself then I'll have to do it with a new character . . . . not an impossibility, but certainly not anytime soon!

Q

Have you considered a book/series on Harold Godwinson? A fellow that becomes king, defeats the final Danish invasion, but then is himself defeated by William the Norman, all within one year, is IMHO worth your attention. Regards, Steven

Submitted October 12, 2006

A

It's on the radar, but a very very long way off . . . so far off that I doubt I'll live that long, but who knows?

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell. When you eventually write your novel on Agincourt (whenever that is, perhaps next year?) are you going to make the hero a descendent of Thomas of Hookton, perhaps his grandson? Sort of making the Hundred Years War a family business? Alan Kempner

Submitted October 11, 2006

A

I honestly don't know . . . .it's a possibility, but till I start on the book I won't know too much about the main characters. My suspicion, at the moment, is that if there was to be such a descendant, he'd be peripheral rather than central.

Q

dear sir, on the cover of S. Fury the sergent on the front cover, the chevrons are upside down. I was wondering if this was an accident or if it symblolised a different position from that of a regular company sergent?

Also, I am confused about how many ranks made up a square. In you descriptions they always use four, but in the painting I've seen of Warterloo they only have two.

Also, in the Crimea the 93rd halted a cavalry charge whilst in line, why did it not work in the peninsular? the 93rd were equipped the same as the S.E. ?thankyou for your time, Chris

Submitted October 11, 2006

A

This is the US version, yes? I think it's a US artist assuming that's the proper way for chevrons which are often reversed from the British position in America.

Four. It should always be four, though doubtless those ranks got thinned out in battle. A square of two ranks is much more likely to be broken.

This really depends as much on terrain as anything else, and I don't have the answer. If the cavalry charge was on smooth and level ground then I'd be surprised, but if it was difficult footing for horses then the charge would be desperately slow and much more likely to be stopped. Anyway - most cavalry, seeing infantry in line, would go for the flanks because that's where there's no firepower. Quite likely that no French cavalry charged a line direct.