Your Questions

Q

When you started writing Sharpe did you have any idea how big he was going to become? Also, how much of the series had you already planned? Please keep on writing- I love your books. Max

Submitted September 13, 2005

A

I did no forward planning at all, which, in retrospect, was a mistake, but I thought I'd be lucky to have the first book published, let alone twenty. I've been playing catch-up ever since.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I've already read the books the Winter King and Enemy of God ( both great books) and am now halfway through Excalibur (I'm also loving this one). I'm from Portugal (only a few number of your books have been translated to portuguese and I know it's not your fault) and I saw that in the Enemy of God it's said that the Winter King is already being adapted to television. I would like to know if that's alredy done and if I could find a way to wach it here in my country. Could you please give me some help? And I would also like know what you think about the movie King Arthur, with Clive Owen (if you have seen the movie), because in the movie Arthur has a roman father and fights for Rome, the saxons attack from the north and not from the east, the romans only leave britain in the 5th century instead of in the 4th, Derfel isn't even mentioned and there are also woads in the movie (which I think are what remains of britain's habitants from the time before the arrival of the romans, because they have blue tatoo's in their heads like the people of Isc in the book) (most of the film is very different from the books). I would also like to know how the kingdoms of britain which you refer to in the book where formed? I'm sorry I'm asking you so many questions (Although I have even more to ask) and if you do not want to answer all of them you can tell me what books to read in order to know the answers. Congratulations, you are now my favourite writer and try to keep up the good work. Waiting for an answer, João( by the way my name means John in portuguese!)

Submitted September 13, 2005

A

Television adaptation of the Warlord Chronicles? I wish - nothing is happening so far as I know.

I did not see the King Arthur movie so I have no comment there.

They were formed more or less on existing tribal lines - the tribes that were in Britain before the Romans came (the Dumnonians, etc). There really isn't one book I can confidently recommend - the trouble is that post-Roman Britain is the darkest of the dark ages. You could look at John Morris's The Age of Arthur, but much of that is, frankly, speculation.

Q

I understand that there is to be another Sharpe film to be made. Good news. Could you not persuade them to film Sharpe's Devil. It is one of my favourites and it would help explain why the actors that play the key parts are older than when they were last seen in the series of Sharpe films. "Devil" has all the key ingrediemts of the Sharpe stories that have been put on screen. One more question are you doing any more Sharpe books? Thanks for taking the time to read this. Roddy Carter

With the technology avialable today, couldn't the Sharpe books from Tiger forward to Rifles be produced? I know Sean Bean came to be a great Sharpe, but the TV stuff really could not reflect the grittiness and atmosphere painted within the books. I would love to see Tiger produced! Aaron Porter

Hello Mr Cornwell, I have just read in the Radio Times that a new Sharpe Episode is to start filming in India in November, set after Waterloo. Did you write the script? & When will it be released as a Book? David Warren

Hi I just read in the Radio Times that a new Sharpe programme is to be shot in November (in India). They said it was set in the year after Waterloo. Is this something new or did they get it a tad wrong and the new series is based on one of the existing Sharpe novels set in India. If so, which one is it? Maybe it is to be all three, that would be awesome. I was in India last year and drove within 50k of Gawilghur without realising (dammit). Was at Sriringapatnam a few years back (sick as a dog that day). If you are going ( and tell the rest of the no doubt sizeable crew), there is a new cholera vaccine called Dukoral. Its the best for Delhi belly. All the best and looking forward, Phil.

Submitted September 13, 2005

A

So far as I know the story is based on Sharpe's Tiger - but I haven't seen the script (and I'm not involved in writing it), so can't tell you much. It is set after Waterloo, I know, because it was reckoned that Sean Bean would be better playing a slightly older Sharpe - when I know more I'll let you know! Thanks for the tip on Dukoral.

Q

Who do you think would win in a sword duel between Derfel and Uhtred? Matt

Submitted September 13, 2005

A

No idea! A draw.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, It is only in the last few years that I began to read the Sharpe series of books and I am still working my way through the list. Most enjoyable! Although a Canadian, I have visited Scotland many times, and last year I stayed in a castle near Inverness. What is interesting is that the woman of the house whose family comes from a strong militiary background claims to have the Tippo gem from his turban. Is this of any interest to you, or another 'wild goose chase'? Let me know. Thanks Scott Braid

Submitted September 9, 2005

A

Who knows? A terrific amount of the Tippoo's treasures are in Britain, and spread very widely - mainly because the senior officers of the army shared out the loot. I suspect your hostess was telling the truth, but it probably wouldn't have been the turban that the Tippoo was wearing when he died, because all the jewels he was wearing disappeared. But he must have had scores of other turbans. His treasure, which was captured intact, was enormous.

Q

Sir, Thank you. Thank you for bringing the pleasure of reading the exploits of Sharpe and his compatriots to life. Thank you for teaching people some of the history of life in the Infantry. But especially, thank you for portraying life and war as they are, warts and all. I have one question...having read most of the Sharpe novels (and intending to purchase ALL of them, en masse) have you devoted a book to the period of time when Sharpe first joined the Rifles, the "train-up" period? As a former NCO in the United States Army Infantry, training was an important part of my life and I'd love to read how it was done by the men who scared Lord Wellington. I look forward to seeing you at any Atlanta-area book signing you might do and urge you to "carry on". Best wishes, Jeffrey Knotts

Submitted September 9, 2005

A

There isn't a book that deals with Sharpe's 'train-up period' - and I'm not inclined to go back in time again to write it - but who knows? Never say never!

Q

first I have enjoyed many of your books the Arthur trilogy being my favorites. I was wondering if you know of any novels about the scottish jacobites? Mike

Submitted September 7, 2005

A

None that I can think of . . . . anyone else know any?

Q

I read that somewhere Mr. Cornwell bought a Baker rifle and was wondering where he bought it and if he ever shoots it. I love your books, I have read the grail quest series and have just started to read Sharpe's Battle after reading all the other Sharpe books leading up to it. I will be sad when they are over but I will start a different series. Keep it up, Will Mitchell

Submitted September 7, 2005

A

I wish I did have one! I do have one of the replicas made for the filming, but it's not proofed so can't be shot.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, it is a pleasure to write to you. I'm from Brazil and I'm reading the Vagabond and I have a question. David the Bruce is son of the Robert the 17 Bruce right? And Who is the son of Eduard the longshanks of england? And there is any king of England that is son of William Wallace of Scotland like is told in the movie braveheart? The Wiliam Wallace story is trust? Sorry for my bad English and congratulation for your books are the best. thanks Netto.

Submitted September 7, 2005

A

David the Bruce was the son of the great Robert the Bruce. Edward I ('Longshanks') was succeeded by his son, Edward II, whose mother was Eleanor of Castile. No king of England was the son of William Wallace. Eleanor was long dead before he was around and Edward's next wife, Margaret, did not come to England till long after Wallace had been defeated. The film Braveheart is very bad history, and utterly untrustworthy.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell! I have just read the German version of "Scoundrel" and liked it. Very different from your historical novels. I wonder where you got all your information about the world of terrorism. Sounds like a dangerous field! Or did you make it all up? Either way, you did a fine job. But, what I do wonder, was it really you who wrote this book? Because, my edition (ECON Taschenbuch Verlag, 1996, ISBN 3-612-27238-1) calls the writer "Bernh(!!!)hard Cornwell". Curious! :-) How did that happen? As an Englishman I would not think that you were called the German name Bernhard and lost your H somewhere. Or, did you??? Naaaah! Bye, Grisel

Submitted September 7, 2005

A

I wrote it, honest. I have no idea where the 'h' came from - not from me. I assume the German publishers added it out of habit. The information about terrorism? I was a journalist in Belfast during the troubles and picked it all up there.