Your Questions

Q

I discovered your books via George R. R. Martin's website where he discusses what he is currently reading. He seems to be a fan of yours and I figure that he has great taste. And he does. You are amazing. What are your writing plans after the Saxon series? I'm a fan of anything dealing with swords - so lets hope its something of the like. Thank you so much for your work... I have so much to catch up on. Ryan Heinrick

Submitted March 16, 2006

A

I haven't thought about it - mostly because I think the Saxon series will continue for a long time - and I don't see an end to it for quite a few years - so plenty of swords to come!

Q

I often picture Merlin as being played by John Cleese. Is this close to what you had in mind for the character? Buck Rogers

Submitted March 16, 2006

A

Not really - though it's an attractive idea. I'm very bad at matching actors to my characters so I can't say who would be closest to my idea - but Cleese is very flattering, so thankyou!

Q

Dear Bernard Huge fan of the books and have read all the different series, thought that the Arthur series made the arthur legend even more magical, but the Sharpe books are great as well. I was wondering how you chose what to write about, it's a big jump from Sharpe to King Arthur for example. And would you ever think about doing a fiction series of books on the English Civil War? Ian

Submitted March 15, 2006

A

English Civil War? I've considered it, have done some research, think about it, but lord knows where I'll find the time to do it. One day, maybe?

Why King Arthur? I grew up in England and, like any child interested in history, soon encountered the mythical figure of King Arthur and so became interested in him. I chose to write about what interests me, simple as that.

Q

Why will the Lords of the North be released in the UK months before the US release? Just curious and a little jealous. Thanks.
Douglas

Submitted March 14, 2006

A

It is a decision made by the US publisher.

Q

I am an avid student of history, have a degree in history and have been reading history for many years. You have written the finest historical novels I have ever come across. Do you have any plan to do any other novels with Richard Sharpe in the Napoleonic Wars or continue that exceptional novel you wrote - Redcoat? I commend you on such fine work. Keep it up!
Jeffrey Johnson

Submitted March 14, 2006

A

I'm not planning on a sequel to Redcoat, but another book set during the time of the American Revolution is a possibility. And yes, there will be more Sharpe!

Q

Mr Cornwell, thankyou for many delightful hours reading all the Sharpe books. And of course am looking into beginning the other series. Back to the Sharpe stories. As a American I am struck by Sharpe's ,if I may say, "American" attitudes, behaviors and fighting style (for that time). His meritocratic outlook, his less then orthodox fighting techniques, his distain for titles (except his wifes!). And now we find his son in America in the civil war. Ever think of our man Sharpe making an American excursion? Perhaps an adventure with his daughter by Teresa running off to Texas via Louisiana or any number of good reasons. Surely his style of fighting would fit in well and be appreciated. Hmmm...lets see the Alamo is Only about 10 years of so after Sharpe's Devil...and there ARE good cheap horses for Ol'Harper...inquiring minds want to know! Thank you for the great adventures. Enjoy the vacation. Patrick Patriarca

Submitted March 14, 2006

A

Sharpe cannot go to America due to a promise he makes in Sharpe's Siege.

Q

Are you going to continue the Starbuck Chronicles? In the last you said Starbuck would march again! Have read all your series, and loved each and everyone of them! Jason Harrison

Starbuck's vacation has been about 10 years now. I think he has rested long enough. I would like very much to see him continue his adventures. I hope you will consider continuing. Thanks, Richard Goldberg

Submitted March 14, 2006

A

I do plan to continue Starbuck - once the Sharpe series is finished.

Q

Hi Bernard I love your books which I find an absolute joy your contribution to producing stories from the fantastic history of our little group of islands is immense! I'm from an Anglo Irish background myself and note that you have spent some time in Belfast, have you ever considered writing anything about the plantation of Ulster the glorious revolution of 1690 or perhaps Cromwells time in Ireland? Theres so many rumours and counter rumours about this time in history maybe a well researched historical novel might set a few things straight . Jonathan Woodward

Submitted March 14, 2006

A

No plans - I've always taken the view that Irish history is best written by Irish folk.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, thank you for the great novels you have written. You are my favorite author, and I appreciate the hard work and effort you pour into these books. My question is that the shield wall you refer to in your Saxon and Arthur novels, were they directly influenced by the Romans with the short swords, or was it common sense to line up lke that? I ask this because you constantly refer to the great Romans, whom left Britain with all of their skills in building and warfare. Was the shield wall a more medieval form of the phalanx? How did the Britains result to this as their form of fighting, because it seems history took a step back after the Romans left, and the Britons/Saxons had to start from the beginning in short sword warfare. Thomas

Submitted March 10, 2006

A

Directly influenced? I doubt it, but I can't be certain. The Saxons did fight the Romans, of course, but only towards the end of the Roman occupation of Britain. And the Saxons already possessed a short sword, similar to the Roman gladius. There was, I think, a backward step in military technique with the demise of the Romans, but that was the loss of discipline - and the Roman habit of equipping soldiers with adequate armour and weapons. The shield wall is really a low tech solution to the problem of fighting battles with edged weapons and no (or very few) missile weapons. Discipline, training and equipment were Roman traits, and they'll win most of the time (which raises another question - why the Roman Empire declined - but let's not go there now, I'm on vacation)

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell. I'm a big fan - read most of the Sharpe, all the Arthur, Archer-Grail, and various others. I really like the Saxon stories, although I am occasionally appalled at the brazen mindless violence of the protagonist - as in the slaughtered village in Cornwall. Neverhteless, I love all British, Irish and French medieval history, so I'm hoping as you are so prolific, that you might be planning to keep this Saxon thing going, perhaps all the way to 1066. Then, I could only hope that you might find a way to approach the Normans and Plantagenets in a different way. Only Ellis Peters has written fiction based in the civil war (Maude vs. Stephen), and I haven't found anything good dealing with the Strongbow period in Ireland. There are numerous novels out lately dealing with Edward 1st, the crusades, Wales, etc. Mostly pretty unconvincing historically (even soap-opera-ish), and not satisfying in a good old testosterone way, IMHO. AND, since you already touched on the Grail and the Pyrenees, what about something based around the Albignesian Crusades and Cathars, or after, during the Inquisition againt heretics in France, rich pickins, there, etc. Nothing any good has been written about the Waldensians in medieval France or Renaissance Savoy.. I've read the Zoe Oldenbourg novels on the Cathars and medival France, but while good, they are rather tedious and grim. But Simon de Monfort is apt villain, and that Languedoc ground is fertile with ideas and themes....I would think. Especially now, what with the Da Vince Code buzz and the lawsuit with "Holy Blood Holy Grail". That will only focus interest on the Cathars, and maybe the Merovingians (more possibilities). And then there's Alaric and the Ostrogoths. ...and on and on. Sorry to presume upon your processes. Just a fan's wish list. Thanks. Mike

Submitted March 10, 2006

A

On and on and on . . . . No! I'm going to take Uhtred's story up to the Battle of Brunanburh and stop it there - and of course I could keep going, right up to the present if I get enough monkey gland injections, but the background tale to Uhtred is the creation of England, so Brunanburh will be the end! Thanks for the suggestions, anyway.