Your Questions

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I just finished reading THE PALE HORSEMAN and enjoyed it very much. Am looking forward to the next book of the series. Which leads me to this question; Is there anyway I can get advance notice of when your next book (any book) will be published in the United States? I thoroughly enjoy your writing. If you slip a new "Sharp" book in the series I would like to know when that occurs also. I've read them all. Thank you, Bill Ostic

Submitted January 25, 2006

A

Yes there is a way! Click on the Diary page of this website and you will find a 'Sign up for Author Tracker' form from HarperCollins. Fill it out and notices should start coming your way!

Q

What was the largest Yankee unit surrender and parole in the third war of yankee aggression? And the frequency? Gator Pvt E Co 5th Texas

Submitted January 25, 2006

A

Sorry - don't know! Does someone else?

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.

Q

Hello, Mr. Cornwell, I'd just like to ask a few questions about the Arthur books, send my praise, etc. You've become one of my favorite authors, right up there with Stephen Pressfield and Wilbur Smith. Although of the latter I only read 2 books, when I was 12, and they introduce me to historical fiction which is now all I read, and you pretty much rescued historical fiction for me. The Arthur series is by far my favorite, my library only had Enemy of God so I've started in the middle, dunno how wise it was but I just can't bring myself to stop reading it! Now onto the questions!

One of the most intriguing characters I've come across is Diwrnach and his army of Bloodshields! I'm assuming that this guy is supposed to be your version of the black knight?

And being very interested in historical aspects of things, whats the inspiration behind an Irish king that eats people and his army of blood painted shields? How historically accurate is this guy? At least I'd like to hear the reasoning behind him.

Also what about Sagramor? He's intriguing, a black guy in Arthur's army. What were your sources/inspirations for him?

Merlin, definitely one of my favorite characters by far. I love the doses of magic thrown in, and most of it seems kinda logical but ehh.. a lot of it's far fetched. Do you beleive personally that Druidic sorcery was real at all? I know it's mostly knowledge and tricks, but some of the stuff portrayed in there is kinda odd. I don't blame you if you believe that this stuff is possible in some way, I'm open minded to other ideas about things. I'd just like to know if this is really magic or I'm missing a part that explains it more logically. Out of all your books it would appear the Arthur series is the oddest. Perhaps you could put up a seciton on your site providing your historical reasonings behind characters? Would be nice if you could post some pictures of what Arthur, his knights and the warriors from this period looked like. Although I'm somewhat well versed in arms and armour of most periods and cultures, some of it is still confusing to me and I'm sure a lot of readers are wondering what the hell their intended to look like. Especially since were all brought up thinking Arthur and Lancelot were knights in shining armour with big fancy plate and jousting lances. Thankfully though you dispel most of this in the book.

On the matter of Nimue, I can't exactly picture her that well. Is she supposed to be young and beautiful? Or an old stereotypical witch?

Also I was wondering if you ever considered or would consider writing any books set in ancient Ireland. It's in the British Isles so it would seem right up your alley. Being of part Irish descent it's always been very interesting to me. I think it would make for a perfect book by you, seeing as you took many legendary figures in the Arthur series, it would be absolutely awesome if you did the same with Irish heroes like Cuchulainn , Finn Mac Cool, and others. In fact one book that I can really tihnk of for soemthing like this is an account of The Book of Invasions. A legendary acocunt of ancient Ireland, some sources have put the different races mentioned as being real, possibly taking place in the 1200's B.C., before the Celts during the time of the Trojan War and the last days of the Egyptian pharoahs. In fact there are many traditions that you may or may not know about that link ancient Ireland with ancient Egpyt, Scythia, Mycenean Greece (the culture at the time of Achilles and such). It does seem very possible considering that the person Scotland was named after was Scota, who was said to be the daughter of AN EGYPTIAN PHARAOH. Oddly enough Egyptian mummies with red hair have been found. I think a trilgoy account of the events described in the Book of Invasions that dealt with Prince Niul, Scota, and others would be amazing. Truly epic I mean here's a story set in brozne age Ireland filled with battles, warriors, heroes, and with invaders from all sorts of different ancient nations and a direct link to the pharaohs of Egypt. It would be a true masterpiece if you could take this and put it into logical and historically plausible situations like you did with Arthur. Just an idea but I think your just the man for the job! Considering the Arthur books are your favorites, do you have any plans on writing more? Maybe delving deeper into Merlin's life? A new, but very loyal fan, - Steven

Submitted January 24, 2006

A

I'm not sure I meant the connection - I've always considered the Black Knight to be a very late interpolation in the Arthur tales, but if it fits, why not?

God knows. I wrote the books too long ago, and all my notes are in storage, and I honestly can't remember where I found him. Sorry about that . . . .

It's part of the old legends, and I rather liked it. I assume he's a refugee from some Roman army . . the tale happens, remember, at a time when Roman armies, drawn from all over the empire, were being assailed by barbarians. I like Sagramor - one of my favourite characters.

Magic works if you believe in it, simple as that. And Merlin is a very good magician - meaning he knows how to work the tricks. It's quite hard, I think, to imagine an age when rational people did believe in magic, but even someone as hard-headed and learned as Alfred the Great put great store in the ability of saints to mend broken pots! I think what I was trying to do in the Arthurian books is somehow convey that pre-technological belief in supernatural powers, which dominated their thoughts.

She certainly starts young and attractive, but ends up more haggard and driven . . .

I don't think I am the man for the job! Not unless I spend a few years immersed in the great Irish mythological tales. I think there are splendid books to be written on all this, but suspect that they'd be better done by an Irish writer. Sorry about that!

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, It's me again. First of all I am very happy for you to have answered my questions. I continue reading some Sharpe books (the ones that are published in Portugal, Sharpe's Havoc and eagle,and after that Sharpe's Escape) and it's fantastic the way you describe details and battles of Portuguese and Spanish history and how you create in that terrible, barbaric and wonderful time the Sharpe character. Gallows Thief is already published but for now I prefer to read war stories, especially of Dark and medieval ages. I have some more questions...

At the begining of The Last Kingdom, Northumbria was diveded by civil war between Aella and King Osbert, why does that war happen? That take me to another question...

One of the stories that Ivar the boneless and his brothers are popular (in a morbid way of course) is the eagle's torture to a King, for revenge, speak me of that story, who was that King, is the story true?

I can find many information about Ivar and Halfdan, but very few about the legendary Hubba, where does you find information about him?

You have created an absolutely fantastic world in the Grail quest series,and I have some questions. Are like Jeannete of Armorique,Will Skeat,Sir Guilaumme D'Evecque,William Douglas and Lord Outhwaine real or based in real characters?

I have some curiosity about St Guinefort, the Heraldic Yale and the hellequins.

After Saxon,Sharpe and Starbuck series what will you write? Thanks, have a happy new year, Pedro Oliveira, Portugal

Submitted January 24, 2006

A

Basically because both Aelle and Osberht wanted the throne! Records are very murky - quite why they hated each other so much is uncertain, but I think somewhere there's a mention of Aelle wanting Osberht's woman? I can't find that off the cuff and Justin Pollard, in his very good new biography of Alfred (Alfred the Great, published by John Murray) simply depicts it as rivalry - two noblemen squabbling over a throne.

I honestly don't know! The torture is fairly horrible - it's basically opening up the rib cage - and it's often mentioned in connection with the Vikings, but again, the sources are obscure.

The best current source - just published - is Justin Pollard's biography of Alfred - Alfred the Great, published by John Murray in London - and the bibliography will point you onwards. I used a whole slew of books . . the best are mentioned in the Historical Note of the novels - unfortunately for me Justin Pollard's book was issued too late.

The elder Douglas existed - the rest are made up. Certainly there were guys like Will Skeat. We have this idea that only the nobly born could command armies, but some commoners did rise to high command, mainly because of their abilities.

Guinefort is simply a Flemish legend, not unlike the Welsh stories of Gelert - the dog killed by its master for attacking a baby, then it's discovered the dog was protecting the baby from a wolf. It's obviously an ancient tale that was told across Europe, and Guinefort, bless it, became a saint (never an official one, the vatican wasn't that daft). The yale is simply one of the fantastic beasts used by heralds - a good source is the Oxfrod Book of Heraldry, and Harlequins? They go way back in history and eventually become the carnival figure we know, but their source is much older and much more sinister.

Don't know yet! Long way away!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have just finished reading The Pale Horsemen and I must say it bought a tear to my eye, a truly great story and full of so much emotion. Being someone who is not a huge fiction reader I can honestly say that you have won me over with these last two books. Will there be a third book in the Saxon stories? I would like to think that Iseult's dreams come true . Thanks for making my tedious train rides to work a pleasure. Sincerely, Eddie Hemsworth Amsterdam NL PS. Alfred burning the cakes was very nicely worked in.

Mr. Cornwell, My first book I've read of yours was, The Last Kingdom. I finished it in two days! Then went right back to the front and began again. I started this last week so I was excited to see that, The Pale Horseman, was due out this week. I rushed out and bought it. I am now continuing my journey with Uthred. This is a powerful story and it is very hard to put down. Sir, when will the next Uhtred book be coming out? I have read any Viking books I could find from, Sagas of the Icelanders(5 or 6 times), Beowulf, and now your Uhtred series is in hardback and is in my collection. I'll begin with your other books and read them eagerly. I am happy to have discovered your work.Thank you for writing. Thank you very much Mr. Cornwell........Kameron Mulkey

Thank you for your wonderful books "The Last Kingdom" and "The Pale Horseman". I could put neither of them down which is saying an awful lot when you have a new baby and all you want to do at night is go to bed as you know that you will be up in a few hours time for a feed! I am anxious for your 3rd book in this series.. do you have a rough idea of when you think you may be writing the next one? And once agian, congratulations on such great books! Kate Callahan

Dear Bernard, I know that The Pale Horseman was only released in October 2005, but have you any plans to continue Uhtred's story with a third book? Neil Watson

Submitted January 24, 2006

A

Yes, there will be a third (and a fourth and a fifth...) book in the Saxon series. The next book - Lords of the North is finished and with the publisher. We expect a publication date in the UK of June 2006 - don't know the US publication date just yet.

Q

Hello: I was just wondering if you thought you might be coming back to the Washington DC area for a book tour this year? I have enjoyed seeing you in the past and was pleased to see in my local store today that the new book in the Alfred trilogy is out. Thanks - Glenn

Submitted January 24, 2006

A

No plans for a Washington DC area trip at the moment, but I do hope you'll enjoy The Pale Horseman.