Your Questions

Q

One of your readers this week mentioned the Kenneth Roberts books - which I'm sure you have read. Can we persudae you to write about Robert Rogers of Rogers Rangers. Ther is some great material in his life which Roberts had only time to explore in small part. He's a fascinating character. Hope so Thank you for splendid stories. R. Nash

Bernard: A few years ago I contacted you via letter regarding your Civil War series of books. I thought I tried hard to not sound critical, but mentioned that during the Civil War regiments were more the common useage than the term 'battlaion'. It seems that ever since then there have been no further additions to the series. Please jump back in! Also, why not write a series on the American green jackets? Either Rogers Rangers of the French & Indian Wars or Berdan's 1st & 2nd US Sharpshooters? A lot of people from the UK and the US vacation in Jamaica and many British troops were sent there back in Sharpe's time. I just recently returned from there myself. I am looking forward to SHARPE'S ESCAPE !!!!! Very Best Regards, Roger Norland

Submitted March 3, 2004

A

You can try and persuade me, but I'm so stacked up with projects that I don't know how persuadable I'll be. Another one for the long finger? But thank you for the suggestions.

Q

Dear Bernard, I am very much looking forward to 'Sharpe's Escape'. Having re-read 'Sharpe's Siege' this week it seemed curious that Sharpe reveals he is incapable of hanging people, it is "his weakness" he says. This, of course, was the death awaiting Hakeswill before he was saved by the actions of his good old mum! Is there an intentional link between Sharpe's self - confessed weakness and the fate escaped by his enemy or am I just making things up!!!!?!!! Hope you are well. Best wishes, Berj. P.S. 'A Crowning Mercy' was great!!!

Submitted March 3, 2004

A

I hadn't realised Sharpe was so squeamish - he doesn't seem to mind disembowelling people, so I can't think why he said that! I don't think there's any link. Was he being ironic?

Q

As someone who is an avid reader of ALL your books, I notice that on the cover of "WATERLOO" it states that this is Sharpe's last battle. I now see that "SHARPE'S ESCAPE" is to be published later this year.

Whilst not complaining about his continued exploits, I am somewhat confused.

Can you please tell me if Sharpe has a lot more problems or will he be retired soon

Thank you for the pleasure that your work has given me, long may it do so

M.G. Morris

Submitted March 3, 2004

A

You may be confused if you do not realise that the Sharpe books published in the last few years are written out of chronological order. Sharpe's Waterloo (published in 1990) takes place in 1815 - Sharpe's Escape (to be published in April of this year) takes place in 1810. I don't believe Sharpe will be retiring this year - or next.

Q

I loved the ending of Excalibur, mostly your interpretation of the entrapment of Merlin and the duel between Arthur and Mordred. Is there evidence that voodoo like rituals which Nimue performed to make Ceinwyn ill took place during the Dark Ages? Thanks. Andreas Azzopardi

Submitted March 2, 2004

A

I can't think of any direct evidence, but I think it can be inferred from anthropological studies and, of course, from the prohibitions uttered by Christians.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am just writing to congratulate you on a truly magnificent account of the British history throughout several key periods. During my youth I had never cared for reading aside from magazines and the occasional newspaper. It was per chance that I was taken by the cover of The Winter King, that I discovered your Arthur series. In the years following, my passion for reading has become insatiable, in particular fiction based on history. I am now hooked on your novels and was completely engrossed in the Thomas of Hookton series and now enjoying the more famous Sharpe books. Although English born and bred, I have been living in Sydney, Australia with my partner for the past seven years and your stories are able to pluck distant memories of growing up in the English countryside. I realise you must be exceptionally busy (and happy for it as it means more reading in the future), but I would love to know how much location research you do before a book? Is your research purely academic or have you actually had a go at shooting a Longbow before writing Harlequin for example? Thankyou once again for the huge amount of enjoyment you've given me and the friends I've introduced your novels too. Regards, Jon.

Submitted March 2, 2004

A

I always visit the locations - it's hugely useful. Did I try a longbow? Yes. Was I any good? No. Most of my archery information came from Kevin Hicks who can often be found shooting a longbow at Warwick Castle, and who will be at the Sharpe Convention this Easter - that's at the Royal Armmouries in Leeds on Easter Saturday, details from the Sharpe Appreciation Society website.

Q

Hi, Have recently started reading your books, namely the Sharpe series. I have never really been into the period or setting that they are in but I have recently been working on a project based on a computer game called Medevil Totalwar (you may have heard of it if you play pc games) anyway we are making a Napoleonic Mod of the game and your Sharpe's series was mentioned a few times, so I went out and bought one of them (Sharpe's Trafalgar), and I was very surprised that it had me hooked pretty much from the first chapter. So since then I have been making my way through the series in order. I just wanted to say I as far as I'm concerned you're up there with my favourites David Gemmell and Steven Erikson. Anyway enough babbling I wanted to ask a question, it's just a little thing that has been bugging me for a few of the books, why sometimes do the likes of General Harris (Sharpe's Tiger) and The Colonol from Sharpe's Havoc ( I forget his name) sometimes talk out of character. ie All throughout the books they talk like the gentlemen they are supposed to be then all of a sudden they're using word like "ain't". Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I can't imagine these characters using such slang as this. Anyway just thought I would ask. Sorry for the long winded question. Keep the books coming. Simon Hand

Submitted March 2, 2004

A

But they did! The word was very common in that period, not just among the great unwashed, but especially among the upper classes. An affectation, probably, but not uncommon all the same.

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, Are there any plans to visit England (particularly Oxford) in the near future for any book readings or signings? I would love to have my Arthur books signed as they have given me so much delight after reading them again after a few years. PB

Hi Mr. Cornwell...Are you planning to do a US west coast tour promoting Sharpe's Escape? Dick

Please could you tell me if Bernard Cornwell is doing any book signing tours in the UK in 2004, and if yes the date and venues or the infomation to find these out. Thank you. Matt

Submitted March 2, 2004

A

I will not be touring in the US for the release of Sharpe's Escape, but I will be in the UK in early April for a book tour. The itinerary for this tour has just been posted to the Diary page today so check there for all the details.

Q

This is just a short note to thank you for the many hours I have spent with your fanstatic books. What about a series on one of South African wars? John Buckland

Submitted March 2, 2004

A

I can never get very interested in them, I fear. Someone else can write the series perhaps?

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am just completing Excalibur after the first 2 novels. I was referred to them through my nephew and I must say that I am enthralled. I would say that your works are probably the best fiction I have ever read. I love the style and the way "it grabs ya!" The works are so "earthy" and believable. I did have some questions if they are not too much trouble. Is Briton = Welsh in the Arthur stories? That being the case "u" in Welsh is sort of like "i" so would Gundleus = "Gindleis" while Nimue = "Nimie" in pronunciation? Is your depiction of Lancelot (which was quite entertaining) based at all on the depiction in Le More d'Artur? or pure fantasy? Sagramoor = how? How was he supposed to be in Britain? Obviously you have relied on lots of historical and semi-historical works for inspiration, so how historically accurate would your novel be as compared to other works on Arthur or the Saxon invasions of Britain? I have recommended your Arthur series on a web forum that I frequent and I hope that other people get the chance to enjoy your works as much as I have. Now on to Stonehenge... PS, my nephew agreed that a very interesting variation of the Arthur series would be the same events from the Saxon invaders point of view. It's good to dream. Gregor Shepherd Melbourne Australia

Submitted March 1, 2004

A

Britain does equal Welsh, so your pronunciation advice is well taken. How would Sagramor be there? Because huge numbers of African (mostly North African) soldiers were stationed in Britain under the Romans - and doubtless some stayed and others, like Sagramor, joined the flotsam and jetsam of the empire's collapse and would have served as mercenaries. The Saxon point of view would be interesting - so perhaps you'd like to know that I'm presently writing the first in a series about Alfred and his successors - not the same period, but still Saxon!

Q