Your Questions

Q

I have read most of your books including all of the Sharpe's books. Are you planning another in the Sharpe's series? It seems like at least one is missing just before Sharpe's Rifles. I think he is still an Ensign and never a Quartermaster in Sharpe's Prey, but he is a Lieutenant and Quartermaster in Sharpe's Rifles. Mitch Roemer

Submitted January 30, 2006

A

I am working on a Sharpe now. It will follow Sharpe's Escape - it's not likely that I will go back and fill in one prior to Sharpe's Rifles.

Q

Hello Bernard, I'm a recent fan of yours and can't put your books down. I was wondering when the Pale Horseman would be released in paperback in the UK? Your help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Craig

Submitted January 30, 2006

A

I believe the paperback of The Pale Horseman will be released in the UK in early June - around the same time Lords of the North will be published in hardback.

Q

dear Bernard. First of all thanks for the amazing books you have written. I started on the Warlord chronicles, next came the grail quest and I am halfway through the Starbuck series while I wait for the third book of the Saxon series. The title of the book, Lords of the North kCountry, fills me with hope that the area I live and grew up in features strongly in either this or the fourth book of the series. Can you confirm or deny that the area around Wakefield Yorkshire plays a part in the demise of the vikings? Daniel Kirwan

Submitted January 29, 2006

A

I think they've changed it to Lords of the North now, so that the title can be the same on both sides of the Atlantic. Most of it is set in York, Durham, Catterick and Carlisle, but there's plenty more to come!

Q

I'm a massive fan (cliche but has to be said) having read all the Sharpe series (a few times!), The Arthurian Books, The Grail Quest and I'm about to start on the Saxon Stories having just finished Stonehenge. Where else is there to go in British History? I wait with baited breath!! With regards to Stonehenge what are your thoughts on Geoffrey of Monmouth's link between King/Warlord Arthur and the stones? Were you tempted to make a link between this book and your Arthurian Series? (dis-regarding his absurd notion of Giants carrying them from Africa!!) Duncan Mercer

Submitted January 29, 2006

A

I wasn't tempted - Stonehenge was a decaying ruin by the time of Arthur, and a mystery too.

Q

I am a Yorkshireman living in West Cork in the Republic of Ireland for nearly ten years and one thing I have learnt over here is that the Irish love a good story in which they kick lots of English arse, what do you think? Ireland has lots of sword wielding heroes to play with. I am sure that Sgt Patrick Harper would be forever in your debt. Philip Newton

Submitted January 29, 2006

A

I've always taken the view that Irish history is best written by Irish folk, perhaps because having lived in Ireland (and loved it) I realise the vast gulf of understanding between Irish apprehensions of their story and British ones. I'm incorrigibly British so would find it very hard to strike the right note.

Q

I have read most of your books and have loved them all. My question concerns the Sharpe films. While I understand the need of the producers to scale everything down for financial reasons, and I now understand the film of Sharpes Gold having read the answer in the FAQ section, I am still puzzled to why they changed the books so much? While I greatly enjoyed the films I think the series could have been considerably better had they stuck to the order and storyline you wrote in the books and I was wondering why they changed it?
Tom

Submitted January 29, 2006

A

Why did they change things? Because that is their right. I liked the films - and am glad the script-writers felt free to invent whatever they wanted.

Q

why are you questioning making another grail quest book?I thought it was the best series of books you've ever done.Another question,what was the outcome of the hundered years war? Alex

Submitted January 25, 2006

A

Because he found the grail. How does the next book start? 'Thomas knew he had put it somewhere, but look as he might, he could not find it.' Won't work! I will return to the Hundred Years War, though - it ended with France booting the English out of their country.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have recently discovered your books, and in the last four months have read The Warlord Chronicles, most of the Sharpe books, The Grail Quest series, and most recently the Saxon Stories. My favourite books are the Warlord Chronicles, and I was just wondering why didn't Derfel continue living as a lord after Arthur had sailed away? I know he made an oath to Bishop Sansum, but didn't Derfel break the blood oath he made to Owain in regards to the raid which was conducted when Derfel was a young spearman? It hardly seems logical that he would simply give in and live as a monk for 20, 30 years. I also have another question pertaining to Derfels children, what became of them? Sorry for the petty questions, I just feel as though the story is somewhat incomplete. Johan Hendrikson

Submitted January 25, 2006

A

I frankly don't really know what happens to my characters once they've lived through the book. So I've never told the story of Derfel's life after Arthur's disappearance. We know he ends up as a monk, mainly because the real Derfel did, but other than that, all is darkness. I'm sure his children thrived!

Q

Hello I do hope you enjoyed India, I saw a photo of you on the SAS website. I have just finished reading Sharpe's Regiment, I must admit it was my favourite TV adaptation of Sharpe. One thing that sprang to mind was the possibility of Maj. Sharpe commanding a rifle battalion in the America's I do wonder if Harper would have accompanied him? My question to you is will we see Sharpe back in England in any future novels, I recall he had is first encounter with Miss Gibbons 4 years prior to Regiment has this been wrote about? Regards Tom Sheard

Submitted January 25, 2006

A

I don't think I ever really describe the first meeting with Jane Gibbons, and probably won't. As for America, he ain't going there! Why? Because of the promise he makes in Sharpe's Siege.

Q

Hi, I have read, and enjoyed, many of your books and have just completed Red Coat. Are there any plans for a followup book involving Sam, Carolina, Martha and others? Thanks Simon

Submitted January 25, 2006

A

No plans for a sequel, but I'm glad to know you enjoyed the book.