Your Questions

My question which period of history do you find easier to set you books in? Is it the Sharpe era where the movements of the armies and the development of the battle are well known and hence give structure to the storey. Or is the Uhtred time where the details are less well, or even unknown to allow you more freedom to develop the plot lines as you wish?

Bob Wood

Mr Cornwell,

having recently been reminded of your friendly chat with Mr GRR Martin (now some years in the past, yet I still keep wondering what sort of havoc your characters might wreck, handed actual dragons - the image of Lord Uhtred with his very own living flamethrower is one to make any peaceable soul shiver), I was then somehow moved to wonder:

What sort of person would you be most interested in writing about, were you to write a story set in the Middle Ages that did not follow the Men of War? (This question might more elegantly be phrased as "What aspects of Medieval society outside wartime do you find the most inherently interesting?").

Now that I consider this question, it occurs to me that the connection between your chat with Mr Martin and this particular query might well be the notion of "Mr Bernard Cornwell off the beaten track" (one hopes this is not too insolent a way to phrase things and can only apologise if it is).

Thank You in advance for your consideration and Best Wishes.

E D

I just finished War Lord. I am sorry that we will hear no more from Uhtred but can understand why his time is done.

I was, however, intrigued by the historical events which War Lord covered. The site of Brunanburh battle was of interest as I grew up in the Wirral and have family there. I am just curious why this battle has not received the same attention as others in our history. We hear about Hastings, Bosworth, Culloden but nothing on Brunanburh. I played many rounds of golf at Brackenwood before moving to Australia, without realising that a significant historical event had taken place there. In fact, I was not aware of that event until recently. I feel ashamed that I studied English history to A level at school and am now, at the advanced age of 68, only just finding out about an event that actually happened in the neighbourhood where I grew up. As you say, this event was as significant as the Battle of Yorktown to the history of the USA.

Just as an FYI, I grew up in Prenton and the Roman road mentioned in War Lord I assume is one which runs close by the M53 near to Prenton Golf Course. Am I right?

Chris Stubbs

Hello,

Waterloo your only Non Fiction book was illustrated with prints etc. None of your Fiction, excepting the Cover are illustrated!

Is this your choice or the publisher?

Regards,

Adrian

Bernard,

I read in one of your books that people put their left shoe on first.

I know that I do, do you know the reason for this “tradition”?

Thanks

Bill

Dear Bernard

Have you ever considered doing a Captain Chase Spin off from Sharpe ?

There is the fascinating Battle of Lissa in 1811 that most people have never heard off. Or You could send him to North America and fight in the War of 1812. Cockburn Campaigns at Washington and Baltimore are pretty fascinating and I think its such a shame you neglected the War of 1812. Even Patrick O'brien got Aubrey and Maturin to that conflict why not Bernard Cornwell  ?

If you've not read it, I recommend reading Andrew Lambert The Challenge on the Naval side of the War of 1812

Do you think you will ever return to your Hundred Year war Series. Nick Hook is waiting and  there are many battles post Agincourt to write about. Many British fans of your books and Military History Generally seem to think the War ended with Agincourt when in fact it had really only just begun

What if question, but if Henry the 5th had lived and faced Joan of Arc at The Siege of Orleans who do you think would have won ?

Have you read Jonathon Sumption latest edition Cursed Kings its very good

Regards

Geraint

Bernard,

Love your books and have read almost everything you have written. However, imagine my surprise when in the middle of this book (A Crowning Mercy) my family name occurs. It is one I seldom encounter and I am curious to know how you associated it with Cromwell’s time. Did you come across it in research or was it just a haphazard choice?

Sir Richard Lapthorne

 

Dear Bernard

While Nelson of course is remembered and celebrated fir his victories such as the Nile and Trafalgar, what's less well known is his role at Naples. I wondered what your thoughts were on the subject. By modern standards it would be dubbed a War crime and even at the time he was condemned in Parliament for his actions. What is your opinion on the subject ?

Geraint

Dear Bernard

I wondered if you'd ever consider getting Sharpe to the rather forgotten Battle of Tordesillas 1812 on the retreat from Burgos . Souham had fought and beat Wellington in the small fight at Aldea De Ponte and he seems to have done the same here too. He had a very good record against Wellington  it would seem.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tordesillas_(1812)

 

If you've not read can I recommend Andrew Bamfords book on Grahams final Campaign in Holland as something to read over Christmas. It would of course feature  The Prince of Orange pre Waterloo and tragically for Graham his final Action the Siege of Bergen Op Zoom which would end in bloody defeat.

I wondered if you'd ever been tempted to write a story set in this campaign at all ?

Regards

Geraint

 

I just finished Fools and Mortals, and what a wonderful book it was.  Do you have plans on doing any more similar novels?  Perhaps Chaucer deserves a look?

I also hope all is well with your health, this must come before your writing and we are happy to wait.

Chris Horry