Your Questions

Q

I attending a reading you did for The Last Kingdom. Will you be doing another book tour for The Pale Horseman, particularly in the Northern Virginia area? If so, when and where? Mary Longtin

Submitted January 16, 2006

A

No US tour is planned for The Pale Horseman.

Q

Your books make reading a pleasure, thank you. I know you said no book ideas but.... Jacobites? (no one else could do it justice).
James Finnie

Submitted January 16, 2006

A

No plans for it at the moment - but perhaps one day?

Q

I have just started reading The Starbuck Chronicals and having reached the end of Copperhead I am still intrigued as to how, if you intend to add anymore to the series how, you will overcome the fact that the Confederates lose. I understand that you probably won't tell me what happens but I would like to think that Nate sticks it out to the end. Your books reignited my love of History after it had been soundly destroyed by years of history lessons thank you. Nick Hyett

Have read the first two Starbucks and look foreward to reading the rest. I wondered why you made Starbuck a Confederate instead of a Unionist? Thanks in advance and keep up the very good work. Max

Submitted January 11, 2006

A

Because the Confederacy is more interesting. It has Moral Entanglements, and those are good for heroes.

Q

Dear mister Cornwell, I am once again saying thanks for you wonderful works. Currently I am reading Sharpe's Havoc and there is a scene where the French troops burn alive people in a church of a Portugese village. Is this scene based upon an event that really took place in Peninsular war? Happy new Year to you and your family. Respectfully, Alexander D., New York

Submitted January 11, 2006

A

That and worse, much worse. The guerilla war between the French and the Spanish and between the French and the Portuguese was livid with hatred and marked by many, many atrocities.

Q

Hi I've recently read the Pale Horseman and loved it. I was hoping to find out when the third in the triolgy will be released. Chris O'Brien

Bernard, Having just read and enjoyed the 'Pale Horseman' I must ask the inevitable question. When is the sequel going to be published? Regards Denis Whitford

Mr Cornwell I hope you and your family had a great festive season. Could you you tell me when the third in the Saxon series is due? yours, Bern Armer

Hi there I have just read "the Pale Horseman" just great like all the others. When is the next one coming out? Soon I hope! thank you, John

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a big fan. I love your books, having read The Arthur Books, The Grail Quest, and I have just recently finished The Pale Horseman. And I plan to begin reading The Sharpe series as soon as I can. Having read The Pale Horseman and knowing based on Alfred's and Uhtred's plans there must be a third book, and seeing that you like to write in Threes, I was just wondering If you had a name for the book yet, or if you have even begun working on it. Anyways thank you for your time and I can't wait for the third book in The Saxon Stories. John Morrow

Hi Have enjoyed a number of your book series - Sharpe, The Grail Quest in particular - but must say really loved the first two Saxon Stories, as does my 12 year old son. Any news on when the third one is coming out - sorry if its a FAQ. Keep up the good work! Cheers Paul

Hi Bernard, just finished The Last Kingdom and The Pale Horseman ,awesome as usual. Please tell me what's next and when is it due for release. Glenn Chisholm

Hi Bernard Firstly, your books are wonderful I really enjoy them. Have just finished reading the Pale Horseman fantastic! PLease could you settle an argument/bet I have with my mates: There will definitely be a sequel to the Pale Horseman? Brian Connolly

Dear Mr Cornwell I am contacting you in reference to the Saxon stories, my husband and i have just finished reading The Pale Horseman, which we both enjoyed greatly.Can not wait until the next book in the series, therefore I wondered how long it will be before it is available and how many books will be in the series? Please carry on writing books as my husband and I thoroughly enjoy all the books you write. Yours Faithfully, Gaynor Lloyd

Submitted January 11, 2006

A

The third (but not final) book in the series is finished. The title (at least in the UK) is Lords of the North Country and the book is scheduled to be released in the UK in June. We don't have the US publication date yet, but I suspect it will be October - and it may be published in the US under the title The Red Ship.

How many books in the series? I'm not sure - maybe seven or eight? Maybe more?

Q

Hello! I'm a brazilian fan and I would like to ask you one thing. What is the meaning of the word "Caer". I'm not sure if it's an English word, I've tried to look in a dictionary but I did not find it. I just love your books and I will be very happy if you answer my question. Sorry if I write something wrong... As I said I'm brazilian. thanks a lot, bye. Rodolfo Mantovani

Submitted January 11, 2006

A

Caer is Welsh (so predates the English language in Britain) and simply means Fort! Thanks for your message.

Q

Your books are outstanding - have you ever served in the military? Your understanding of military life is perfect. Do you ever intend to write any books about the roman military? Lcpl Richard Nordenbrook

Submitted January 11, 2006

A

Never. I tried to get in when I was 17 or 18, but I'm blind as a bat (short-sighted) and they'd only offer me a job in the Pay Corps - which is very honourable, but I wanted to be slaughtering Frogs so I turned it down. Ah well. The Romans? I like reading novels about Roman times, but for some reason I'm not tempted to write them.

Q

Do you have any new Sharpe books coming soon? I have only just started reading the Sharpe books and would really like to know if there is any new Sharpe books coming soon and also where did the idea for the Sharp chronicles come from? Rob

Are there any more Sharpe books on the way? As I enjoy reading them and if so can you give us stories about his younger years as a child and first joining the army? Have not read all the Sharpe books yet but about a third of the way through.Thank you David King

Dear Sir, first my compliments for your fine books. I think I'm one of the few women in Germany who are reading the "Sharpe" series, all themore so because the books are only published in English. Although I was never before interested in wars nd battles, I'm really enjoying the books. So I'm waiting eagerly for the next adventure of my beloved Richard Sharpe! Wasn't it announced for late 2005 or early 2006? And my second question is: is there any chance that you might come to Germany, especially Hannover, where I live, to read from your books? Please do come, I would so much love that. All the best for you and your family! Andrea

Submitted January 11, 2006

A

The idea for Sharpe came from reading C.S. Forester's Hornblower series when I was young. There will be a new Sharpe book - I'm writing it now and with luck it will be ready for publication next autumn. It will not, however, be about his childhood or joining the army.

No plans for a trip to Germany right now, but hopefully some day! Thanks for your messages.

Q

Have you ever read the Rosemary Sutcliffe book Swords at Sunset? It is quite simaler to the Warlord books and may even have the same character names (exculding names from the legends like Galahed) This made me curious about how much is known about what happened with Arthur and did Mynnod Baddon really happen? Thanks for taken the time. Max

Submitted January 11, 2006

A

Mount Badon did happen - yes - it's mentioned in Gildas's history and in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle (though that was written much later) - it's one of the few events in the Dark Ages that we can be fairly certain about, though of course we don't know where it was, or how it was fought, or even exactly which year it was. I think I read Swords at Sunset many years ago (great title), but I've long forgotten it - there are probably the same characters because we drew on the same sources.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I am a great fan of yours, and have been since I first picked up Enemy of God (I know its out of order, but thats where I started). I have read all of your recent books, as well as few of the Sharpe books, but I have a question for you. Religion has been a major factor in all of your medieval writings, but so often you cast it in an awful light. Is this reflective of your own personal perspectives, or just a matter of your research into the oppressive nature of the medieval church? This is something I've been meaning to ask for some time, just finally got around to it after finishing the Pale Horseman.
James Popham

Submitted January 11, 2006

A

I also cast it in a good light! But the mediaeval church, far far more than today's church, was a place of opportunity for ambitious men - the church could promise wealth, status and enormous privilege for some men, so it's hardly a surprise that it was also a place of venality, nepotism, dishonesty, even downright murder. In fact it was the rottenness of the church, as much as anything, which prompted the reformers. There were a few good men (and women), but any look at the church shows an institution devoted mainly to its own enrichment.