Your Questions

Dear Mr Cornwell, at the risk of repeating fellow fans, thank you for your wonderful books. Thanks to you my whole family has developed an interest in history (a task that several local schools failed in to do). My favourites are the Grail Quest and the Arthur books, as I have ever been a sucker for heroes and warriors. Before I stumbled upon your books (a delightful accident), I was an avid fan of an author called Morgan Llywelyn whose writing style is very similar to yours. She writes largely concerning Irish mythology, eg Cuchulain, Brian Boru. I was wondering if this is a subject you would be tempted to write about. Also, have you ever read any of her books and what is your opinion of them? Finally I have to add my voice to the many fans who would like to see Arthur on the big screen. Thank you for the hours of entertainment you have given both my family and myself. Keep up the good work. Dominic Kenny

Dear Sir, I have just seen that Sharpe's Eagle is going to be published in the new style cover like that of Havoc and your new book Escape is this correct? If so is the whole series going to be published in this format? Eagerly waiting for Escape to hit the shelves. James

Dear Bernard, your books are great but one thing I noticed is that you normally set the main (fictional) character around a real historical battle. Yet nearly all the real life historical battles are victories for the side they are on. I was wondering if you will get any of your main characters to a real life battle that is a defeat. I mean Alfred suffered some beatings from the Vikings before he won. While even Wellington met, in his words, a very good soldier at Burgos (Could Sharpe also meet that same good soldier)?. BTW Do you know the name of the French commander and did Wellington ever fight him again???? While not to say the South suffered defeats like Malvern Hill/Gettysburg/Bristoe and Rhappahock station and Knoxville (Longstreet)/Harris Farm (Ewell) Earlys defeats against Sheridon and Fort Stedman (Gordorn)before they were overwhelmed at Appomatox. Surely it would be a bit incredible and unfair if Starbuck could not experience some of these defeats. Anyway thank you for your time. Geriant

Mr. Cornwell, I just finish reading Enemy of the God and Winter King, and can't wait to start reading Excalibur. I have read most of your series, and I can say that the Warlord series is on the top of my favorite list. The characters are wonderful! It is a pity that you will not consider to write another of this fine series. And Derfel Cadarn has replaced Richard Sharpe as my Cornwellian hero. I still like Sharpe, but Derfel has the values that distinguish him from the other heroes of yours. I have two questions: 1. All of your heroes came from unhappy family/childhood - Sharpe was a son of a whore, Derfel a son of a slave, Thomas Hookton a son of a crazy monk, and Nate Starbuck was estranged from his violent father. Do you think heroes could not come from a happy family/childhood? It can also be a good story is one of your future heroes do come from a more cheerful upbringing. 2. Have you ever considered writing historical fiction of other nation, other than anglo-saxon/british backgrounds? Atilla the Hun or the gallant Samurai can perfectly fit into your Cornwellian universe of brave warriors and vicious warlords. Thanks, Budi

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Your Warlord trillogy was outstanding. I have rarely enjoyed a story so much. I loved how you wrote Lancelot. I have always thought he was a bore. Your take on the character was anything but. His death gave me satisfaction. I just have a couple questions. Have you ever visited the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester? It's not all that far from Cape Cod. Do you ever give talks or have book signings on Cape Cod? Sincerely, Rich

Dear Bernard I'm a great fan of your books, and I've just finished the Grail Quest trilogy. Wonderful as ever. One question please if I may. I always enjoy the historical notes and I now have many (probably too many) resolutions to visit some of the battle sites you describe. However I recently had cause to be in the North East and went to Durham for the day. I know I got into the general area of the Neville's Cross field due to the name of that part of town, but I was particularly interested in finding the large dip in the ground on the Scottish right wing. I was with other people unfortunately so I couldn't stay long, but I came across an estate called Archery Rise, which was just a huge bowl in the land. It'll bug me forever if I don't know, so please could you tell me - is the present day Archery Rise the piece of ground you referred to. Thanks Steve Jackson

I love your books and eagerly await each new addition. I know that Nate Starbuck is on the shelf for an indefinite time but I, for one, cannot wait for his return. Will a television series / movie be made based on the newer Sharpe novels? Andy Bertorelli

I am doing a charity quiz and one question has me stumped. In which novel, short story or play does Brother Bernard tell Jorge and Alvarez of the advance of a French army from Valladolid? I thought that it might be from one of your Sharpe novels and most likely Sharpe's Havoc - but on getting this from the library I find that this is not the one. Is it from one of your books? Are you able to help identify the answer? Many thanks. Malcolm

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I've been a very big fan of yours for some time now. I became interested in your books when I stumbled across information that you had written a novel about Waterloo. Though I have yet to read said novel (due to the fact that my local bookstores due not have copies), Waterloo, and with it Napoleonic Warfare (all warfare in actuality, as it is my belief that Warfare brings out both the best and worst in humanity.) are subjects that draw me to novels. I hope you can understand that last sentence, lol. I'm from Alabama, and we tend to not speak very clearly. But back to the subject, I began reading you're Sharpe series, not realizing that they were the background for Waterloo. Then I stumbled across your Arthurian books. I am a large believer in Arthur, and your books fit the image I had very well. It showed an Arthur who might really have existed, and the circumstances that led to his rise to legend. I thank you for these three amazing books. I have also read Stonehenge and the first two books in the Grail Quest series, though I'm waiting for the third book to come out in paperback before I purchase it as I can't afford hardback. But of all your books I find the Arthur series the crowning acheivement. It is beautifully written, not only in the storytelling ability but in the writing itself. It is rare to find an author who can pluck you from your seat and transport you to the fifth century, in the black years of Britian. It is beyond words. I was thinking recently that of all books, the Arthur series has the potential to make the greatest movie of all time, surpassing even Lord Of the Rings in power and scope. This ability lies in the books truth: That a man in the fifth century rose to power in Britian and fathered a legend that has endured for over a thousand years. It is a story of Arthur as it probably was, with the only magic being a man's ability to drag himself from his bastardly birth to greatness. If the movie had a directer like Peter Jackson, it would be a breathtaking classic of unimaginable power. It would be all the more potent because of it's believeability. I'm going to wrap this up because I'm sure you are rather tired of my ramblings. What I mean to say is thanks for bringing the Arthur tale even closer to truth, and I dearly wait for the day I am able to go to a cinema and ask for two tickets to see "The Winter King" (I think that, like Lord Of the Rings, if made into a movie the Arthur series should be a trilogy, just like it is in book form.) Also, is the War Song of Beli Mawr an actual song sung by warriors so long ago, or is it an invention of your own? If it is real, where can I find information on it? A loyal reader, Austin

Dear Sir I am a huge fan of your writing and have read every book you have written. The last series I read was the Starbuck Chronicles which I enjoyed immensly, my favorite series is probably the Sharpe series and I was wondering if the Lassan, the French General/Colonel Cavalry officer, was Sharpe's son? and if he will feature in the Sharpe series (or his own) at all? Is Sharpe's Devil definitely the last (in chronological terms) in the series? And will the next Starbuck book be the last one (I assume it will be about the battle of Ghettysburg) or will Starbuck exist as a character outside war? I realise this a lot to answer and so will be appreciative of any answer I get. Thank you very much. Will Hoffman