Your Questions

Hi Bernard

 

First off just want to say I'm a massive fan and an even bigger geek when it comes to Sharpe.

 

My question for you. Given the excellent job the BBC has done with the Last Kingdom. Do you have any regrets that The Sharpe series was done when it was? As I said I love Sharpe but I was always very disappointed by the films. I think that if they could be done now (which they can't because Sean Bean is to old, and there's no one else who can play Sharpe) this would be I think an even bigger hit that The Last Kingdom

 

Kind regards

 

Gary

I have been a reader of this series since the beginning (and its spiritual ancestor, the Warlord Chronicles) and have loved them all. But I have to say I've been rather disappointed by the TV series. It lacks the pacing and humour of the books. This is partly the loss of the internal monologue, which makes Uhtred seem like a rather tedious man, almost as "priggish" in his own way as Alfred is in the books. I can't think of any other way to describe it: each time someone (usually Alfred) offends Uhtred's dignity, he pouts and sulks. The great battles seem to have disappeared, with very little "shield wall". And the other problem is that everything has been compressed to the point that it is purely episodic. As I write this, I have just watched the programme where the Saxons attack Lundene. Admittedly I read this a long time ago, but gone is Uhtred's plan and catching the Danes between a rock and a hard place, instead we have just a Danish trap and the capture of Aethelflaed, didn't that come later?

 

I read that the BBC were looking for a Game of Thrones challenger, but I think they've tried to do it on the cheap and have lost the epic sweep. I know the TV company changed lots of things in Sharpe, but it didn't seem to affect the series so badly, perhaps this was because I came to the novels later or because Sean Bean was a better actor. I have never rated him, maybe I owe him an apology.

 

I imagine it is too soon for you to make any public comment on the adaptation, though I would be interested to hear what you think, but I have read so many favourable reports from the critics that I thought I should offer a counter.

 

And, please, whatever happens, don't start to change the later novels to fit better with the TV adaptation!

 

Regards,

Mark

Hello Mr. Bernard,

I am a relatively new fan of your work, having read the both excellent Saxon Tales and Arthur Trilogy. Recently in surfing the internet I've come across the Almogavars, who were originally shepherds and herdsmen of the Pyrenees. During the Moorish invasions they became sort of guerilla fighters, and then became permanent raiders and/or mercenaries, with very unique abilities and attributes, famously led by Roger De Flor. But, I'm not going to teach history to you! I'm going to ask, and please forgive me if you've already written of these guys, if you've ever thought about this story? It seems like a heck of a dramatic tale, kind of right up your alley. Thanks!

Clayton Hinkle

 

I have watched all of the Sharp series and read the books with great pleasure.

There was a reference to the Saxon King Aella, I was curious, because his name is mentioned in the book by Charles Elwell as a possible ancestor of the Elwell clan. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

 

Sincerely,

Dave Elwell

Hello Bernard

 

Just a quick question from me.

Im currently rereading Sharpe's Company (which is as good as ever! I think that and Revenge are the best ones of that first series you did. Not that they aren't all brilliant!) Something always bothers me though...

I know that in Rifles, Sharpe has 50 Rifles and they make up the bulk of the Light Compan of the South Essex, , but in Sharpe's Company, you say there's 11  left of the original 50 from 1809.

What I always wonder about is, as the years go by, does Sharpe get in new Riflemen, as the originals fade away, so the Light Company always has them, or do they not get replaced? Because then, it will be basically just Sharpe, Pat and Dan Hagmen left at the end.

Can you clarify?

Thank you

Kind regards

Matt

Have you ever thought about writing a book about Harper and Sharpe and how they passed from this world in a blaze of glory, or should I say gory.

 

Loved the way you turn history on its head, especially with the Arthur legends. Have you ever thought about toying with Robin Hood?

Rob Cottrell

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/04/17/scans-viking-swords-reveal-slice-norse-culture.html

 

Bernard:

I thought you'd be interested in this article and was not sure if you'd seen it.   Although I can certainly believe these swords may have been more ornamental than battle-worthy, I believe there were also fighting swords in use.  Perhaps, the ornamental swords are the ones that were kept over these many years while the rest were turned into plough-shears and such.  Please keep writing well into your 90s -- so much yet to cover!

As always,

Scott

 

Mr. Cornwell,

 

I’m wondering if you have any combat veterans (specifically any who’ve served in the last few decades) among your friends, family, or acquaintances with whom you discuss battle, war, or fighting in combat?

 

I’ve read dozens of your books (all of the Sharpes, Starbuck, Hookton, & Saxon series). Over the years I’ve often noticed that your writing on being in the heat of battle - the madness, chaos & unbridled violence - effectively transcends historic and cultural barriers. I think that’s quite normal, as the act of fighting in military combat has become about as global and human as partying, sex, music and religion. However, I’ve found that your writing can actually be used to help people today who’re struggling with the process of transitioning from the soldier (or marine) mentality back into civilian life. More specifically, I find that glancing through history at warriors’ accounts (even if fictional) of the violence of battle could provide a feeling of grim but comforting normality to some who, today, I think feel very separated, distant, and misunderstood by a modern, Western culture that’s become (thankfully) so far removed from war.

 

I think exposure to anecdotes from people who’ve felt the terror of combat (regardless of the time in history) can provide a strange comfort base I can only describe as a "warrior ghost support group.” Since WWII or perhaps Vietnam, in the developed world, the population of combat vets walking and working among us has shrunk significantly (which is perhaps a good thing). Although, that’s a cultural shift that may actually make falling back into post-service life quite difficult for those who’ve been exposed to, or acted with, the savagery of battle.

 

So, I’m just curious whether you talk with combat veterans who’ve served in the last few decades, because your writing suggests that you have, even though you’re writing about Agincourt or Badajoz (instead of Ramadi or Marjah). Additionally, have you considered writing a more contemporary war novel, or even a nonfiction piece (perhaps like your excellent accounting of Waterloo) that connects some war / battle-related themes present in all time periods of your writing?

 

I sincerely appreciate your time & consideration in answering these questions, and also for providing some people with a source of empathy, even if unknowingly or unintentionally.

 

Cheers,

 

Q.

 

Post Script: Sorry for being a bit winded, but I thought a little explanation might help make my questions more clear, I’m not much of a writer!.

Hi, Mr. Cornwell,

Did you ever received any complains from Aethelred's descendants for having turned their ancestor into a motherf****ng bastard?

Did you also received same complains coming from the french or from any one of Lancelot's fans, for having turned him into a motherf****ng bastard too?

How did you respond?

I love to hate your bastards, sir! Hakeswill too!

 

Greetings from Brazil

Eilton Ribeiro

I really enjoy reading and re-reading all of you books.  I just finished reading the Starbuck Chronicles series again and noticed that the last line noted that "Starbuck would march again".  I was wondering if you had plans in the near future to add another book to the series?

Tim Maclure

 

When are you going to complete the series?

Jen Walsh

 

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I cannot describe how much fun your books have brought to me these few years that I've been reading them, and I simply cannot thank my friend enough for introducing me to you. Being on Sharpe book no.14 out of 22, I thought I'd try one of your other series, namely the Starbuck Chronicles.

I was really gripped by the story and the characters, which, if I may be absolutely frank, trump Sharpe in every aspect. However I was quite saddened to hear that 'The Bloody Ground' is in fact the last of the Starbuck books.

I know you probably get this question very often, but are there actually any plans to get back to writing Starbuck? And if there are, do you have any date in mind?

With much love from Croatia,

Kristijan