Your Questions

Q

Hello.

Why did you choose the use two words in the title of 'War Lord' instead the more commonly-seen one-word 'Warlord'?

Many thanks,

Andrew S

Submitted March 25, 2023

A

I can't remember - I might have chosen Warlord and the publisher might have split it. Not sure????

Q

Hello,

Big fan of both The Last Kingdom as well as the Warlord Chronicles. In the Netflix adaptation of The Last Kingdom Uhtred has a tattoo on his back of Jormungandr. I don't remember him having one in the books but I might be mistaken. I know tattoos were popular amongst the Danes so it would make sense for him to have one. My question is do you think book Uhtred would also have a tattoo like this?

Ameen M Taha

Submitted March 25, 2023

A

I'm quite sure Uhtred would have a tattoo simply because it was a Viking attribute, but I somehow doubt he would have displayed Jormungadr, terrifying though he was, because Jormungandr was a deadly enemy of Thor who Uhtred held in high esteem.

Q

Hi Bernard,

First, I'm a big fan. I've read the entire Sharpe and Saxon Chronicles twice. Thanks so much for that. That said, I’m working on a book project myself. Its subject is the Irish Diaspora in America. If I ever finish, it’ll be part family history, part Irish history, and part travel narrative. Right now I’m deeply immersed in the family history part, and it seems my 3rd great-grandfather, Thomas Farrell, joined the British Army at age 17 in March of 1811. He enlisted for unlimited service in the 29th Worcestershires in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Ultimately, he died in Mauritius in 1830, likely of disease, but not before he had a son while on garrison duty in Waterford in 1826. This child was Godfrey Farrell, my 2nd great grandfather. Godfrey emigrated to Boston during the famine years, and here I am!

So here’s my question. I understand that at least 30% of Wellington’s magnificent Peninsular Army was Irish, mainly Catholic Irish, at least in the ranks. Given the history of British colonization of Ireland, and the festering wound of the United Irishmen of 1798 and 1803, why did so many young Irish Catholic men volunteer for British service? The poverty bit is obvious. Three meals a day vs. starvation is a no-brainer. But studies show that the Irish peasant at the time was far healthier than his continental counterpart because of the potato. When not afflicted with blight, it was a staple teeming with essential nutrients, far more than the grain/vegetable diet of European subsistence farmers. Some sources say that the Irish were heavily recruited by the British because they were so big and healthy. So why did Harper do it? Why did Thomas Farrell join up? Simply for adventure? Is the animosity toward the English narrative overblown? I’d be grateful for any explanations you might have, in addition to source material.

By the way, I grew up in the Boston area and vacationed in Chatham as a kid. I love it there. My mum lives in East Dennis now, and I’m on the Cape a lot. It’s great off-season. The summers are a little too busy for me.

Thanks again.

Dave Farrell

Submitted March 25, 2023

A

I don't know if there's a specific book about the Irish soldiers of Wellington's army (though there should be), but certainly Richard Holmes's Redcoat has some information. I think poverty and hunger drove most to enlist, but once in the army there was undoubtedly an immense pride in the fighting abilities of the Irish soldier. I believe Wellington was speaking of an Irish regiment when he said 'I don't know what they do to the enemy, but by God they terrify me!'

Q

Hello,

I'm puzzled by the book cover for "Sharpe's Assassin". Nowhere in the book is there  mention of "Marshall Messena's Attack" nor "the Lines of Torres Vedras". Is this a mistake on the part of the publisher? Or, am I missing something (would not be the first time)?

Thank you. And thank you for so many, many years of very, very good reads.

Steve Barnier

 

Submitted March 25, 2023

A

I don't think you're missing anything, and as I don't have a copy of Assassin handy I can't even check what looks like an egregious mistake by the publisher. Sorry!

Q

Dear Bernard

This Documentary on the Great Northern War might be of interest for you and other readers to watch. I wonder who do you think was the superior Tactical Soldier Marlborough or Charles the 12th  ? It seems a very a close run choice either way

Regards

Geraint

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDCFxgHDncc

Submitted March 25, 2023

A

Thank you for the suggestion.  I've always been fascinated by Gustavus Adolphus, but he vanishes quite quickly from the video you recommend and, honestly, I don't think I could face the mass of research needed to pluck some stories from the Great Northern War.

Q

At an early age I was told that William beat Harald (1066) because William's folk used stirrups and the Saxons did not. Much later during my fourth reread of the saga of Uhtred Ragnarson this moldy old concept came to mind. So what happened to all the Saxon stirrups between Uhtred and William? Did the Pope ban them as later the crossbows?

PS: I started with Sharpe and currently enjoy Uhtred's books the most. Thank you!

Paul Keller

Submitted March 25, 2023

A

Popes have done many stupid things, but banning stirrups was not one of them. So far as I know they were invented in the 7th Century and were in widespread use in Anglo-Saxon Britain.  What was not in widespread use was the use of cavalry as part of a fighting formation, though there is some evidence that Aethelstan deployed cavalry at Brunanburh in 937.  My suspicion is that William's army at Hastings had cavalry and Harold's didn't. Simple as that?

Q

Which are your favourite and your least favourite books of yours and in both cases why, please?

Andrew S

Submitted March 24, 2023

A

My favourites? Sharpe's Company, Sharpe's Trafalgar, Waterloo (the non-fiction book), Gallow's Thief and the Arthurian trilogy beginning with The Winter King (coming to you as a TV series later this year).  Why do I like them? because they were all a joy to write. My least favourite is Sharpe's Devil, because it never turned out as I would have liked.

Q

Hi Bernard,

Twenty years ago, somebody who knew I enjoyed the BBC series bought me Sharpes Tiger. Since then I have read and re-read the Sharpe, Arthur, Grail, Saxon, Stonehenge and Starbuck stories many times, I am currently again in 1812 with Sharpe and his enemy Hakeswill.

Your books sparked in me a love for learning about history and I always look forward to the historical notes at the end of each story.

I was recently wondering if you have ever thought to publish all the historical notes (and maps etc) together?

Looking forward to Sharpe's Command.

Al

Submitted March 24, 2023

A
I've not thought about it, but I will now - thank you for suggesting it!

 

Q

Hi Bernard,

Many lists of Britain's greatest generals frequently put the Duke of Marlborough at the top and Wellington second. Would you agree or would you be in Wellington's corner? Might you consider a book on Blenheim? After all, it has been argued that the beginnings of Britain as a true world power began about then.

Kind Regards

Willie

Submitted March 24, 2023

A

I'll stick with Wellington, mainly because I know so much more about him than I do about Marlborough.  Which is an unsatisfactory basis for any judgement, but there it is.

I'll consider it, but probably lay down until the temptation passes.

Q

Mr. Cornwell,

Simply thank you for writing The Last Kingdom Series.

I greatly enjoyed it .."Destiny is all"

Why is this said ?, What is your meaning of it?

Thank you

Michelle Massa

Submitted March 24, 2023

A

Fate is inexorable....It comes from an Anglo-Saxon poem called ‘The Wanderer’,

here’s an excerpt with a crude translation.

 

Wyrd bið ful aræd!          Destiny is everything!

Swa cwæð eardstapa,     So spoke the earth-stepper (the wanderer),

earfeþa gemyndig,          mindful of hardships,

wraþra wælsleahta,         of terrible slaughters

winemæga hryre:            and the killing of kinsmen.

 

The poem was probably written in the 800’s or 900’s, and I’ve always liked that one line!