Your Questions

Q

Would it be possible to know which Kings will be covered in the second and third volumes in "The Last Kingdom" series (and, indeed, in any other volumes), please? Very many thanks! Roger Trail

Submitted October 22, 2004

A

I plan to cover three reigns - Alfred, his son Edward and grandson Athelstan, and taking in the extraordinary career of Alfred's daughter Athelflaed ('the Lady of Mercia').

Q

Hi there -- I have been a fan of yours since the day I picked up "Waterloo" and read it in about a day, unaware then that it was only one volume of what has proved to be an excellent series. Since then, I have devoured almost all your other books (there are a few gaps yet to fill in in my Cornwell Collection). While I have enjoyed both the style and content of practically every book, there is one which has raised a question in my mind, namely "Sharpe's Battle." Something about the writing of that episode in the series just doesn't seem to ring true to the rest of the books. It almost seems as though it was written by someone trying to do a Bernard Cornwell book, with all the recognizable elements, but somehow lacking the nuances of the master's touch -- kind of like a good forgery of a Rembrant, with all the right colors, but a subtle difference in brushstrokes that leaves an overall effect of something not quite up to the standard. I think I could probably enumerate some details, but this note is probably too long already. Anyway, is there an explanation for this, or am I just perceiving an anomily that isn't really there? In any case, thank you for your writings; I look forward to each new release. Sincerely, Ken Norberg

Submitted October 22, 2004

A

Lord knows! Maybe you're right, but I'm not the person to ask. I did write it though!

Q

Anachronism-re 100 years war as arabic numerals were not really used until 15th century how could Thomas the longbowman quarter the field and multiply by 4 to estimate enemy numbers. I love historical novels but anachronisms destroy my fantasy and enjoyment. Please respond. Do you know something that I don't? especially about mathematics. Meriel Hernandez

Submitted October 22, 2004

A

Forgive me, but I don't quite see the objection. It isn't as if Thomas was doing sums on paper, for which, I agree, he would probably need arabic numerals. But a rough division by four doesn't need paper, does it? The words half and quarter go back well beyond the 15th century, or am I missing something? Alas, I cannot tell you what you know and I don't, but if it's about mathematics then I suspect your knowledge outstrips mine hugely! Mind you, I did once get 11% in Maths O-Level, which is the highest I attained in four tries.

Q

Hi To start with Last Kingdom is great. How long does it take you to research your books? As the detail in Last Kingdom and the Arthur books is great. I know it is your job to make us feel like we are there, the detail really makes it for me. David Seale

Submitted October 22, 2004

A

The amount of research depends on the book. I don't spend too much time researching Sharpe these days, partly because I've spent forty odd years reading and researching the period, so much of it is now second nature. On a new book, in a new period, there might be three or four months concentrated research first, but I'll have spent two or three years reading about the period before that - and I usually keep on researching as I'm writing - as I'm doing now with the second book about Alfred the Great.

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell. I recently finished the Grail Quest, and realized that you probably have to do a lot of your research in languages other than your own - Old English, Celtic, Spanish, Portugese, French, etc. What languages are you able to work in? Do you often have to resort to the services of a translator? Alan Kempner

Submitted October 22, 2004

A

I resort to translations! I can struggle through French and Latin, can make a stab at Spanish, and am fairly at home in Old English - otherwise I depend on translations.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I recently read Gallows Thief and was enjoying the romp until a clutch of description and dialogue in the Newgate scene on pages 367-8 in the HarperCollins paperback rang a distinct bell. Returning to the start, I discovered that whole sections of narrative had been plucked, near enough word for word, from the first Newgate scene on pages 5-6-7. I felt somewhat offended by the apparent assumption that the reader would not notice such a howler. I am sure you are innocent of intentionally treating your devotees in such a cavalier manner. But at the very least it seems to indicate some sloppiness in editing. I would be interested to hear your response. Yours sincerely, Patrick Welland

Submitted October 22, 2004

A

It's called technique. Something writers do. It was deliberate. The idea was to stress the inevitability of the approaching execution by letting you retread a familiar path, and to emphasise the commonplace nature of the horrific event by showing how the participants repeat themselves - i.e. it's become routine for them. I'm sorry you feel cheated, but far from being a howler it was intentional and I'd do it again.

Q

I'm a huge fan of your books, especially the novels set during the middle ages or before. Have you any plans to write a story set in the time of the Crusades? I really think your imagination and wonderful story telling would do that period justice in a novel. Kind regards - A Davison

Submitted October 21, 2004

A

I don't have plans for it, but perhaps that may change?

Q

Hi Bernard, like so many before me I would like to thank you for the Warlord series - fantastic, books I have read and re-read, I find the theme an inspiration. Something has occured to me before now - has anyone ever considered producing a film trilogy of the series? I would imagine something not dissimilar to the opening scenes of Gladiator, or some of the Braveheart scenes, done without the Hollywood glamour of, say, Lord of the Rings or the pretty dreadful 'Arthur'. My personal opinion is that as long as we don't see any shining suits of armour or lances and stick to the hard, uncompromising and raw theme I'm sure many of us have envisaged, a wonderful series could be produced. Any thoughts? Paul Martin

Dear Bernard, I am an actor and playwright but first and foremost a massive fan of your work. I would like to know whether anyone has approached you asking for rights to attempt screenplays of your Arthurian trilogy. If you haven't, I wondered what your feelings on that proposal might be. I personally think that the trilogy is the most exciting and intensely absorbing rendering of the arthurian legend I have ever read and would love to see it commited to film. I hope you are well, Tristan Beint

Submitted October 21, 2004

A

I'd love to see it happen, but suspect the films would be too expensive to make.

Q

Dear Bernard, Firstly may I say how much I'm looking forward to read The Last Kingdom (shame on me I haven't got it yet. But it's on order , Honest!). Will this be a trilogy or a series? Secondly, I have noticed how many people ask if the Warlord Trilogy will be made into films, but for the more popular story for our American cousins wouldn't the Starbuck Chronicles make a more lucrative series? Plus it would give you a few years to write more installments for Nate and co? If Clive Owen doesn't get the roll of the next Bond perhaps he could take the roll of Starbuck? Have a word with Hollywood for a Franchise, lol. I'm sure whatever of your books they decide to do ( and they should) it would be a great success. Anyway, please do not stop writing, and look forward to your next book, whatever it might be, Hint. Fondest Regards Lee

Submitted October 21, 2004

A

I hope a series! The second book, tentatively called The Shadow QueenL is almost finished, and it will certainly be more than a trilogy.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have written to you on previous occasions and I would like complement you on the speed and wholesomeness of your return. Anyway. I would like to ask you this, in "Sharpes Tiger", Major - General Baird and General Harris are very good characters and I would like to ask how they got on. I also have an idea for your next Sharpe book, how about "Sharpes Victory"? I have read all of your Indian Sharpe books and I think that they are some of the best you have written. Is your Sergeant Hakeswill character Based on your Sergeant Scammell (Or the other way around). Are there any clubs in which you could study and learn about the musket or rifle for children.(I'm 14 you see)

James H.

Yours James

Submitted October 21, 2004

A

So far as I know Harris and Baird got on fine. Harris was a good guy, Baird could be tricky and, of course, he developed a hatred of Sir Arthur Wellesley in India that took a long time to dissipate. I'd love to use the title 'Sharpe's Victory', but it was used by Carlton TV for their book about the making of the TV series and, if I used it again, I suspect it would cause endless confusion - so it's best avoided. I think Scammell was based on Hakeswill, if anything! Clubs for muskets? Or Rifles? It depends where you live, but somewhere near you there will be a group of re-enactors, and they could help. If you're in Britain try to find a magazine called Skirmish which will have lots of details, or you could look up Black Powder in Google and follow links until you find a club in your area that specialises in black powder shooting. The Sharpe Appreciation Society may know something about it too, because I know they have black-powder shooting expeditions, so an e-mail to them could well throw up an answer? (www.southessex.co.uk). Good luck!