Your Questions

Q

Good Evening Sir, I would firstly like to say that I really enjoyed your Arthur Books & think that you did a really wonderful adaptation of the stories, thank you, they were one of the best Arthurian adaptations I have ever read & was really disapointed & indeed sad when I closed the final page of Excaliber. On that note, I have recently heard from a friend of mine, that he read an article in a magazine ( in a dentist's waiting room ), that the series is to be filmed for a television adaptation. I have so far been unable to either confirm or disprove this, can you help at all please? I really hope this is the case as I think it would be one of the most interesting things to come to the small (or even the big) screen for years. I Live in Britain & am of Celtic descent & was raised on stories of King Arthur, hense my interest. I wish you every success with your future writings & thank you once again. Hope you can be of some help. Yours sincerely, Bill.

Submitted March 1, 2006

A

Sorry, but it's not true.

Q

I have just finished Sharpe's Enemy and thought it was brilliant. Have always enjoyed the TV shows but this was much better.
I am a trainee reporter at the Peterborough Evening Telegraph and was thinking about doing a story about a soldier from our area who served in the 95th Rifles. Can you suggest a good way of tracking down records of these people?
Once again, great book. Jack Grove

Submitted February 25, 2006

A

For the Rifles - the Rifle Brigade's museum at Winchester would be the best place to start - and they're very helpful

Q

hi general, I've been watching war with the french and they qoute a source as being the diary of sgt kWilliam Lawrence of the 40th foot. Could this be the sgt Lawrence whose gravestone photograph I sent you some years ago? If it is, can you tell me where I can get a copy, having taken an interest in this lucky soldier whos life is mirrored by Dick Sharpe? I've already ordered the new book, and am looking forward to it. keep it up sir and God bless. Jim Fenwick

Submitted February 25, 2006

A

I don't know is the honest answer - I could find out, but I'm presently on holiday in Australia so I don't have any of my reference books. I'll be home at the end of March (what a life) and I'll try to look it up then - but have you googled him? You might find the answer that way (I know I could try, but the beach beckons).

Q

As in the end of all your Sharpe books, you write 'Sharpe will march again ', can you let me know how long it will be before he marches again, please? I thoroughly enjoy your work, and look forward to more .
Guy Watt

Submitted February 25, 2006

A

I am working on a Sharpe now - with any luck it will be published in October (at least, in the UK).

Q

Hello, just read The Pale Horseman for the second time. Question .Is birch wine still made in anywhere in Europe? I know the people of Latvia drink the birch juice in the spring before the leafs come out.

Also is there any record of squads of men throwing stones as weapons? One hundred men {or women} each throwing a stone every six seconds would be quite the barrage to walk into. Do look forward to your next book. Nicholas Langrick

Submitted February 25, 2006

A

I don't know, but if it's alcoholic then the answer is almost certainly yes.

I'm sure they threw stones! Right from the beginning - but they're easily stopped by shields. To beat a shield you have to increase the velocity, which is why the Balearic slingers were so feared - like David in the Old Testament they accelerated the stone with a sling. Of course a stone dropped from a castle battlement was a fearful weapon - so yes - lots of records.

Q

1) Just read Sharpe's Escape and loved the character Farragus, did you base him on anyone in particular?

2) Also read Sharpe's Devil, Lord Cochrane certainly was a character and a half, I found it amusing about how they deal with people who had been a member of the order of the bath and how they expel them, do you think Nelson and Cochrane had similar ideas on naval warfare??

3)I was browsing the internet and found a timeline, apparently Britain fought Burma for the control of India which began in 1824 and ended in 1826, perhaps in India since it is where Sharpe started his career, he finally ends it, a full circle what do you think is that possible??? Joshua Selig

Submitted February 25, 2006

A

No - no one. Entirely made up!

Similar inasmuch that both believed that their duty was not just to defeat the enemy, but to annihilate him. I suspect Cochrane didn't have nearly as much strategic sense as Nelson, and certainly didn't inspire affection in the same way.

It's possible - not sure I really want to embark on the resarch, but who knows?

Q

Dear Bernard, I had the great pleasure of attending the Como Writers' Festival in Melbourne today and must say that I enjoyed your talk immensely. Many thanks for signing my copies of your excellent Grail Quest books; I wish I had them in hardback, but they seem to be published only in paperback in Oz. One question I didn't get round to asking you: You mentioned that the Arthur books are your favourites, but I was wondering which book (not series) you consider to be most representative of your work. That is, which book do you think most sums up your style, plotting, etc? I have my own choices (Prey might be it), but I'd like to know your thoughts. Many thanks and enjoy your holiday! Chris, Melbourne

Submitted February 25, 2006

A

I've never really thought about it! Maybe Sharpe's Trafalgar? Or perhaps the book I'm writing now (new Sharpe) which has a most unsatisfactory plot, which somehow works. Don't know!

Q

Mr Cornwell, I have written many times before but not for sometime. Can I first add my congratulations and thankyou for The Pale Horseman. I have some questions for you. When you are writing a novel, particularly when it's the first of a series, do you worry that another author could be working on/bring out a novel on the same subject?

And when writing, let's say the first Alfred novel, do you do research to see if there are any books already out on that subject?

Finally do you think that you will ever write your biography? Once again thankyou in advance, best wishes, Barry Evans, Doncaster, UK

Submitted February 25, 2006

A

I do, but I can't say I worry that much - when I began the Saxon (Alfred) books no one had written anything similar in twenty or more years so it was pretty unlikely that two of us were going for it at the same time.

I check that, yes. It depends on the other book whether it has an effect - if it's a best-seller I'd avoid it, but if the other book isn't well known then it probably wouldn't deter me.

I hope not!

Q

Dear Bernard, I just finished the Pale Horseman. It was a real page turner that I finished in 5 days, It would have been sooner, but I actually have a life that demands my attention. My question and actually it was origainally Uthred's question...Why did Alfred agree to a second truce and exchange of hostages with Guthrum? After all he had been a victim once before of a suprise attack during a truce. I think I am missing something here in regard to Dark Ages culture. Bob Long

Submitted February 25, 2006

A

Almost certainly a fear of too many casualties - that seems to be the over-riding factor. Alfred couldn't afford to lose a lot of men even if he defeated the Danes, because he knows more will be back. The Danes are in the same quandary - they don't have limitless resources of men so must guard those they have. I also suspect Alfred truly believed Guthrum would convert (and in the end he does) - and that would have influenced him.

Q

Hi Bernard. Will you be doing Hay Festival this year? I know nothing is on your diary page, and Hay haven't announced anything yet but I thought I'd ask. Andrew

Submitted February 25, 2006

A

No - it would be nice because it's a terrific event, but we're doing too much travelling already and I need the time to finish the new Sharpe!