Your Questions

Q

Dear Bernard, I am reading your Sharpe books in chronological order (am now on Rifles) and I think these books are great. At first I was unsure whether I should read them because I am not fond of the historical period they are set in (I prefer the dark ages) but now I am hooked! I was wondering if you have heard about the new romance that is coming out to cinema called Tristan and Isolde? I believe it is more romanticised than the one in The Enemy of God because Tristan is a knight. This leads upto a few questions: 1. Did you get Culhwch and Olwen the Silver from the poem entitled Culhwch and Olwen? 2. You said in an earlier message that the Kings most probably existed. I cannot find any information on Oengus, Cuneglas, Gundleus, Gorfyddyd and Leodegan. Where did you find about these Kings? 3.When I looked up Tewdric and Meurig, I found that both where said to be born after Mount Badon (which I believe was 500AD) and that Meurig was a great warrior King. May I ask where did you find the information about Tewdric and Meurig? Apologies if any of these questions come off as sounding rude, that is not my intention. I would just like to look at the texts etc. Thanks for the hours of pleasurable reading. Lewis

Submitted August 10, 2004

A

The questions aren't rude at all, they're extremely intelligent, and I probably can't answer them. The trouble is that I wrote those books a decade ago, the notes for them are all in storage (and are a mess anyway), and I frankly can't remember what the sources for individual names were. Some came from genealogies, but most were probably plucked fairly at random. I think it's a mistake to look for exactness in the record - they aren't called the Dark Ages for nothing, and in the end what I was trying to do was tell a story, not recount a history. Sorry about this - but it would take at least half a day to dig out the notes and try to reconstruct what was going through the brain cells when I wrote the books.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Having just visited your website for the first time, I read your explanation for the delay in writing another Starbuck book with interest. I do not want to sound like a starstruck fan, but I have actually read all of your books. I did particularly enjoy the Starbuck series, as I have an interest in the Civil War from my days at University. I have to say that I believe the reason you have not written another one for so long is not because of the conflict with Sharpe, but because the Southern cause is not politically correct and Sharpe is more lucrative.... I wonder if you would care to comment? I have to say that I feel slightly cheated at the termination of Nathaniel Starbuck! Scott Holloway

Submitted August 10, 2004

A

I don't care that it's politically incorrect, indeed I like that aspect of Starbuck, but the poor truth is that Sharpe got in the way - simple as that.

Q

Dear Mr.Cornwell I think your books are superb and would like to ask you 3 questions 1) Is there any chance of a Warlord series Film or T.V series because these are my favourite books of all time. 2) The Sharpe books that have become extremely valuable what cover do they have? 3)Will you be writing any books on the Roman period as others writers who have turned their hands at this period have written great books without having writing skill that cannot be compared to your own.Keep writing best wishes Richard.

Submitted August 3, 2004

A

1) I don't believe there is much of a chance - too expensive to make.

2) Sharpe's Sword (British first edition with dust jacket) is one. You might find others by checking out used book dealers (such as abebooks or alibris)

3)I've thought about the Roman period, but Conn Iggulden does it much better so I'll leave it to him.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just read on your site that they showed some Sharpe movies on the History Channel in London. Do you know if they will be showing any of the Sharpe movies in the U.S anytime soon? And in many of the other Arthur stories they had him searching for the Holy Grail. Did you leave that out so you could do the Grail Quest series, or did they not know about the Grail in the 5th century? Did you replace the Grail story in the Arthur books with the Cauldron and the other treasures? Thanks Cody Smittle

Submitted August 3, 2004

A

It was not the Sharpe movies, but a four part series called 'Sharpe's War' (see the Diary page for more details). There is a possibility it may be shown on the US History Channel at some point, but that hasn't been confirmed yet.

In all the oldest versions of the Arthur story the quest is always for the cauldron - a very frequent feature of Celtic folk-myth. The cauldrons were replaced by the grail much later, and I merely restored the cauldron to its proper place!

Q

Greetings! Having just finished the last of your books - this will be my first summer vacation without a Bernard Cornwell novel to entertain me. You are without a doubt my favorite author. My favorite character you have ever created is Nathaniel Starbuck - due to the varying shades of gray that you layer him with. He reminds me of a character you might find in non-historical fiction novel. My question is - do you ever read modern American novelists such as Richard Russo, John Irving or T.C. Boyle for fun? Best regards/Craig

Submitted August 3, 2004

A

I do! Thanks for your message.

Q

Dear Mister Cornwell, Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear that you will carry on the Sharpe legend. I am re-reading the Peninsular War books from Rifles to Regiment. I feel they have great detail. Now with the current King Arthur film out, I will collect your Arthur books. I hear they are excellent. The film was shot only ten miles away from me in the Wicklow Mountains. Were you ever in Wicklow while you lived in Ireland? Thanks, Bye. Colum O'Rourke

Submitted August 3, 2004

A

I was indeed, and loved it.

Q

Dear Mister Cornwell, I saw 'Sharpe's War' on the History Channel today for the first time. It was a bundle of interesting atmospheric information that gives the audience a true insight into the Peninsular War. Will their ever be a book that will reveal Sharpe's paternal roots or take him on another journey after the Napoleonic Wars? Possibly, if you are interested, you could write a book about Sharpe meeting Harper in Dublin where they would visit the quiet and barren rocky Vinegar Hill in Wexford where the well-armed King's forces overwhelmed the Irish rebels under Father John Murphy and his Irish forces in 1798. You could put it that Harper becomes overwhelmed in emotion and Sharpe cheers him up or something like that. You could put a plot about a notorious Dublin Castle spy linking a relation of Harper's to the United Irishmen or some other rebel outfit. It might not have to be the same story line but it could occur before the Famine of 1845 where you could have the Harper family emigrating to the good old USA and give a final parting to the Sharpe-Harper friendship. Well, it's only an idea. You see, Irish fans got well excited when you place a lot of Irishness in your books. Maybe even a few chapters in Ireland to meet Harper would be interesting. By the way, when do you think the next few Sharpe's will be out? Thanks a million Good Luck. Colum O'Rourke p.s Harlequin and the Grail stories have my mother preoccupied for the time being, thank God.

Submitted July 29, 2004

A

There may be a book that will reveal Sharpe's paternal root, but probably not another one that takes him on a journey after the wars - or Sharpe and Harper in Ireland. I suspect I'll begin the next Sharpe book this autumn. Give my best to your Mum!

Q

Dear Bernard After reading on your website that you might not get Sharpe to Albuera, I had to write in,Speaking a fan of your work please please reconsider. Albuera was argubly the toughest, bloodiest (and from a readers perspective dramatic) stand up struggle in the Peninsular war and since it must be admitted that Soult out generalled Beresford it really showed the qualties of "that astonshing infantry" who won the battle and who did not know when they were beaten. It would seem a crime for Sharpe to miss that one in my humble opinion. I would also ask if you had ever given any thought of Sharpe going up against Suchet on the East coast?? On a change of subject In regards to the Starbuck series your books got me interested in the US Civil War and after reading several books I got interested about battles in the west and some of the famous names (on the Southern side) like Bedford Forrest (Real life Cavalry version of Sharpe??) and Patrick Cleburne as well as the more famous Northern opponents (Grant/Sherman/Thomas etc) ever thought of sending Starbuck to some of the Western battles or fight with the Army of Tennesse??? Finally after reading Pierre Bertons Flames Across the Border about the War of 1812. Do you know any good books to reccommend on James Fitzgibbon and the Bloody Boys. They seemed rather like Sharpe and the Choosen Men in some ways. Anyway thanks for your time and I can recommend Stopping Napoleon by Tom Pocock which deals with the war in the Med post Trafalgur and how Italy and not Spain was seen as were the Peninsular war might be. And Shipwreck of our Hopes by Peter Cozzens which is about the battle of Chattanoogga. Tony

Submitted July 29, 2004

A

Nothing's impossible! I've been thinking about Albuhera, and the east coast, so fingers crossed. I have thought of sending Starbuck to some of the Western battles - don't know if it's going to happen though. I have only read about the Bloodly Boys in Pierre Berton's books - perhaps someone else knows of another? Thanks for the recommendations.

Q

Just wanted to ask a two quick questions. 1. Why in second book in the warlord chronicles do the black sheilds not take part in the battle outside of London? 2. When does your new book 'The Last Kingdom' come out in Australia? Gareth Marley

Submitted July 29, 2004

A

Lord knows! They weren't even there, were they? I can't remember, but it's a long way from their haunts. And the Black Shields, if I remember rightly, were never intrinsically involved with Arthur's men - but intervened when it suited them. I understand The Last Kingdom will be released in Australia and New Zealand in October, and in Canada in November.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, since you are kind enough to answer questioins from your fans, here goes. 1) What is the most recent historical period you would consider writing about. 2) I read somewhere that you would not be interested in writing about world war II. Does that represent a general disinterest in the period or just a desire to not write about it? Thanks. Mike

Submitted July 29, 2004

A

Most recent historical period - probably the American Civil War. World War II? No desire to write about it, that's all!