Your Questions

Q

Firstly Thank you so much I have read much of you work and am currently working my way through the Tales of Uthred. I have yet to find a book of yours I did not enjoy. One of my favorites was Gallows their and wondered if you had any plans of revive the characters in a sequel? Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Nick Fisher

A

I have given it some thought.....not sure it will happen?


Q

Dear Bernhard,

I bought your full series of Sharpe books when I was in my teens and have recently reread them, start to finish over the past 10 months.

I can only express my sincerest thanks for the outstanding writing which I have thoroughly enjoyed for a second time.

I am just finishing Sharpes Devil and am somewhat sad to be coming to the end of Sharpe and Harpers adventures. I will sincerely miss them.

With that in mind, have you ever considered revisiting the Sharpe series? Does Richard Sharpe have another battle in him? With the unending list of comrades from over the years, surely Sharpe could dust off the rifle and Cavalry sword and ride, walk, sorry (he prefers walking) again.

 

The kindest regards and thankyou again, I cannot express how much I have enjoyed reading the series.

 

Alex Birch

A

Oh I think there's a good chance of another battle for Sharpe...


Q

In quite a number of your books that I have read, Christians, and particularly priests, do not come off looking so good.  As an atheist, I applaud, but wonder if you would share the source of what I, at least, take as antipathy.

Sarah Bourbon

A

The source, I suppose, was my upbringing in a family of fundamentalist, evangelical Christians. It wasn’t fun until I realized the whole shebang was a fairy story, but it gave me a good grounding in unreasonable prejudice, made me appreciate the beauty of good prose (the Authorised Version) and turned me into a confirmed atheist.


Q

Hi Bernard

I was just wondering if you have ever considered writing about the Spanish Armada?

I am amazed that this story has never made it to the screen, in a way that brings across the dramas of the facts of documentaries. Including the impact of Queen Elizabeth 1, William Cecil, and especially the efforts of Sir Walter Raleigh, and of Sir Francis Drake.

These four mentioned above truly were, and are great britains, and would make a brilliant story, especially the tactical ups and downs of the Armada from both sides points of view.

I would think this story would be right up your street, and could make it into a brilliant set of books, and even movies?

>From a selfish point of view I would love to see this happen, what are your thoughts on this?

P.s. you probably get bored of this, but is there likely to be any more sharpe movies?

Thanks

Matt.

A

I’ve thought about it . . . . . will it happen? Honestly, I don’t know.

And I haven't heard any news regarding another Sharpe film.


Q

Hello there,

 

I've recently begun writing about local history in the area (merely as a hobby), and I'm looking into the battle of Benfleet but it seems that there are scant sources to research from. It was some years ago, but I recall the battle having been in one of your novels. I was just wondering if you knew of any sources that might be worth looking into?

 

(It would be great also if you could remind me which of the books it was in, I must say it was your Last Kingdom series which really got me interested in history to begin with.)

 

Thank you, any help would be great!

Jason Rose

A

I grew up there and, like you, found a dearth of sources. I’m afraid I made it all up!

 


Q

I noticed a lack of archery in the battles of the Saxon Chronicles, I know you like the odd arrow storm and although not on the scale of Agincourt, Saxons/Vikings used them so I assume they were left out/reduced for narrative purposes?

Stephen Wright

A

Archery simply wasn’t that important. The short-bow, which was used at the time, did not have the power to pierce mail, and certainly not a shield. There were a handful of men who could wield a longbow, but not nearly enough to make a difference. In the extant battle poems we have archery is hardly ever mentioned, which I think is a clue.

 


Q

When will the next book in the series be released? I LOVE Uthred and his cohorts, by the way. Did you see the face of early man that has been circulating over the Internet? He looks as I imagine Uthred might look. Handsome, yet quite rugged looking. Your descriptions of everything in the him a take me back in time. I feel as if I'm in the 9th century and can see, taste and feel everything described. Thank you for your wonderful writing and stories.

Stella

 

Dear Bernard,

I've recently just finished reading your 10th book in the Last Kingdom series. Each book I find more grasping than the last and as my daughter will tell you I cannot put them down for long until I finish them.

I was wondering when you next book of the series would be out as I simply cannot wait for it.

Karen

A

I haven’t seen it!  I will likely write the next book of Uhtred's tale next year.


Q

Mr. Cornwell,

 

Thank you for your wonderful adventures and stories.  I find myself currently enjoying the Sharpe series again, for the fourth time, and I am curious how much of Sharpe's history you already had in mind when you started Sharpe's Eagle so long ago.  Even though you wrote Sharpe's Rifles later, did you have the framework of that story or Sharpe's Tiger, or Sharpe's Triumph already sketched out in your head?

 

I read once that Patrick O'Brien wished, in hindsight, that he had begun the stories of Jack Aubrey earlier in his career as a midshipman, one of the reasons some of the middle stories occur in a "timeless" part of 1813.  Did you have that fear with Sharpe's Eagle?

 

Thank you again for your time in crafting such wonderfully, readable adventures.  I can't wait to see what comes next, and am excited to see what is in store now that you are turning to the Age of Shakespeare.

 

Thank you,

 

Jack

A

I deliberately began with Talavera thinking that the series would end at Waterloo!  I gave Sharpe a ‘back-story’ in India, but never dreamed I’d write those books which is why some of Sharpe’s recollections about India are contradicted by the (subsequent) Indian adventures. So no, they weren’t planned and it might have been better if they had been, but I have no regrets.


Q

Hi,

 

Following the end of the Sharpe series ( as portrayed on TV ) with Sharpe's Challenge and Sharpe's Peril. I feel that India is the way to go with your future historical adventure books and wondered whether you have ever contemplated taking on a character who works or is soldiering ( for want of a better word ) for the East India Company during the 18th century. As India with its clash of cultures, religion and it's Mughal Emperors would prove a fascinating backdrop for such a series of adventure books - which I'm sure, hasn't ever been done before and of course. If ever these books were to be televised and made into an historical adventure series. India has all the historic buildings, Hindu temples, etc, etc as well as a thriving film industry experienced in such historical epics to call upon.

 

Regards,

John Wise

A

I’ll leave that to someone who is fascinated by the EIC and its shenanigans in India. I’m not being dismissive, it is a good idea, but not for me, sorry!


Q

Hi Bernard,

 

I love all your books and have followed all of the Last Kingdom series as well as reading many of the Sharpe books and the ones set in the hundred years war. I particularly loved the Arthur series. I was wondering if you have any plans of writing any more such books on other legendary characters that are in a world of themselves where history, magic and drama blend in a such a wonderful way.

 

Thanks again for your books. :)

Rakshit Tirumala

A

I don’t have any plans beyond the book I am writing now and the one I will write next year, probablyanother adventure for Uhtred. Beyond that? I have no idea!