Your Questions

Q

Just a short note to thank you for providing such a great selection of historical novels to chose from. Sharpe, The Arthur books and the Saxon Stories are entertaining, well researched and leave everyone wanting more. Would you please consider a novel with Sharpe and Harper in Paris with the Duke of Wellington after Napoleon's first surrender? The thought of them in the guilded halls and tarnished decadence of Bourbon France intrigues me. By the way, I thoroughly enjoyed Hugh Fraser's portrayal of Wellington in the BBC series. Cheers and good health to you. P. Higgins

Submitted March 27, 2006

A

It intrigues me too - and I've always thought Sharpe might somehow be mixed up in the intrigues of the period before Napoleon's return from Elba so it seems a very probably novel!

Q

In your latest series of novels you make great play of the fact that Bebbanburg is Uhtred's ancestral home and that he plans to take it back by force. Given that Uhtred is one of your ancestors should we infer from this that you have designs on Bamburgh Castle yourself? After all your publishing success should be sufficient to fund a moderate army suitable for the purpose of wresting it from the current owners. Andy Payne

Submitted March 27, 2006

A

It's enormously tempting . . . I rather fancy leading a storming party over Bamburgh's walls, but I'm deterred by the thought of the army of lawyers who will pursue me to my grave, so I rather think the present owners can sleep safe in their beds.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, First I would like to thank you for your wonderful novels. They give me a break from my life, and let me get lost in the tales of ancient Britain. Your books surpass any other historical authors' novels, because of the detail and history you provide intertwined with such a great story and its characters. My questions is, will Uthred of Bebbanburg mature as he grows older? Now, in the Pale Horsemen, he is very cocky, and in another words is just a jerk. Despite his amazing ability to wield a sword, he does not win with honor. It is just my opinion, and I trust you will evolve his character. I am only referring back to my favorite character from your books, Derfel. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to your future novels. Michael

Submitted March 27, 2006

A

Most of us change as we get older, don't we? So I assume he will too.

Q

Dear Bernard, Great website. Just had to write a short note to express how much I enjoy your books. Have managed to read almost all of the Sharpe series, all the Grail, Warlord and others but have not yet tackled the Starbuck Chronicles. Born and raised in Northern Ireland, I immigrated to British Columbia in 1957 when I was 17. I spent 44 years in the shipping business out of Vancouver and being connected with the sea I became very interested with historical novels particularily British navel history during the Nepoleonic wars. Seems, however, most of 'my' writers have either retired or passed on as nothing new has come out. I was greatly pleased, therefore, to note that you are several years younger than myself, so can look forward to many more years of great novels. May I be so rude as to suggest a possible 'small' error in The Pale Horseman page 256 second paragraph. Surely the sun did not shine off Saxon stirrup irons in the late 800s. Was not one of the reasons the Saxons lost at Hastings in 1066 due to the fact their horsemen did not use stirrups whereas the Normans did. Correct me if I'm wrong or simple ignore me, you're the historian, I'm merely an amateur. Kindest regards and keep up the good work. Nick

Submitted March 27, 2006

A

So am I! However, my best sources suggest that stirrups came into use in Europe during the 8th Century (i.e. the 700's) - they were certainly in common use by Hastings - and any Saxon horsemen there would certainly have been equipped with them as, I think, would Alfred's army.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, My name is Milena, and I'm from Brazil. I like your books so much that I couldn't wait for "The Last Kingdom" translated into Portuguese, I bought the UK paperback edition about one week ago. What I would like to ask about "The Last Kingdom" is about the times when Uhtred talks about Aethelfled... he mentions that he "didn't notice her", or something similar. Will this be important in the next books of the Saxon Stories? Will her marriage to Aethelred of Mercia be mentioned in "The Pale Horseman"? I know I should read the book before asking, but I'm still waiting for the paperback edition (the hardcover is too expensive for my poor empty pockets!) Thanks in advance, Milena

Submitted March 27, 2006

A

Athelflaed is VERY important. She will grow up to marry Aethelred (poor girl) and, when he dies, she will take over the leadership of the Mercian armies and fight against the Danes. She's one of the forgotten heroines of history and one of the things I want to do in the Saxon books is restore her to her proper place. She was known as the Lady of Mercia, but these days, sadly, is forgotten. I have a suspicion that she'll be very important to Uhtred.

Q

Here's an assortment of questions and comments: I've been reading Bowman's 'Life and Letters on the Roman Frontier', about the written material recovered at Vindolanda. I realized that even if I remembered my Latin well enough to read it, I'd have no idea of the meaning, as I have no context for it. I remember reading here that you are "at home" in Anglo-Saxon, and wondered if you ever have similar difficulties. Maybe the highly ordered Roman society increases the amount of background knowledge that's required?

I finally got around to reading Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror", and was interested in her description of Joanna of Flanders. The similarities between the historical widow of Duke Jean IV and your Countess of Amorica are striking, particularly leading a town's defense in armour. Coincidence? Or was Joanna the inspiration for your Blackbird?

In response to Mike's comments posted 10 March, it isn't true that Ellis Peters was the only author to write fiction based on the civil war. George Shipway, for example, wrote an enjoyable novel (A Knight in Anarchy) based on Geoffrey de Mandeville. His "Paladin" and "Wolf Time" are page-turners about William Rufus and Henry. Unfortunately, Shipway is out of print, but I'm blessed with English in-laws with heavy bookshelves. And anyone who is interested in medieval history and enjoys Ellis Peters should read her 'Brothers of Gwynedd' quartet, writted under her real name. Thanks for reading (and writing)- looking forward to the next Saxon novel. Eric Sivers

Submitted March 27, 2006

A

I'm not familiar with the Vindolanda material, though I seem to remember reading about it - much of the trouble seems to be that when archaeologists dig up troves of ancient writings then, nine times out of ten, they turn out to be laundry lists or cryptic messages between merchants, whereas most of the Anglos Saxon material that survives was intended for publication (or at least for wide reading) and has received years of scholarly attention. Of course there are obscurities in it, but all my editions have notes. Doesn't Bowman offer help?

I read A Distant Mirror many years ago, so long that I'd entirely forgotten Joanna of Flanders. I'm not saying that she didn't inspire me, only that I wasn't conscious of it if she did!

I'm so glad you're encouraging us to read George Shipway! He's a marvellous novelist - I do know that Imperial Governor is in print, because I just re-read it - the publisher is Cassell Military Classics. I'm a huge Shipway fan and wish his other novels (especially Paladin and Wolf Time) were re-issued.

Q

Do you think you could ever get Sharpe to the Alamo? I think a book on it would be brilliant and Sharpe would only be mid 50's. I know he promised Killack but I'm sure you could find a way round that. And have you ever been asked to write any film scripts? I know some authors do. Thanks for taking the time. Max

Submitted March 27, 2006

A

I've never thought of taking Sharpe to the Alamo. But who knows? He constantly does things that surprise me! I'm not sure I'd want to write a film script - think I'll stick to novels.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, first I have to thank you for your books on the Peninsular Wars, which introduced me to the english POV on the aera. I am a historin myself - but since I am Austrian, "our" take on the Napoleonic Wars is quite different (Austria once more seeking her luck in marrying off her daughters to the enemy and all that ...) So here comes the usual humble request: Could you send Mr. Sharpe to Vienna one day? (Wellington went there for the Congress ...) Thank you for the many many hours of great reading you have given me. Leila

Submitted March 27, 2006

A

I'm sure Sharpe would love to go to Austria! I'm not sure he can make the Congress of Vienna, but I'll bear it in mind and do my best to have him visit one day.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I would like to begin by saying that it is kind of you to take time out of your day to answer the questions from your readers. I don't believe there are many best-selling authors willing to do so, and for that I thank you. I'm thrilled to see that you intend to continue the Sharpe series (it is by far my favorite). I do have a question regarding McCandless. He was one of my favorite characters (as short lived as he was) and I'm wondering if Sharpe will ever discover Hakeswill's involvement in McCandless untimely death. I do thank you for your time. Sincerely, Debra Kellar, Mt. Prospect,IL USA

Submitted March 27, 2006

A

I imagine Sharpe suspects it, but I don't think he ever had it confirmed, and now, I suspect, he never will. I liked McCandless too, and was sorry when he died.

Q

Just like to thank you for the many hours I've spent reading your stories, possibly the most pleasurable I have spent (well reading anyway). Also congratulations upon having the best website by an author I have ever seen. My question is which of your more minor characters is your favourite? for me it's Issa from the Warlord chronicles or Helena from the Sharpe series. Steve

Submitted March 27, 2006

A

Minor? I'm very fond of Father Pyrlig in The Pale Horseman, but I think my favourite is probably Major General Nairn.