Your Questions

Q

I just finished "The Flame Bearer" And I had been wondering beforehand about how late in his life he recaptured his home. I would have hoped he was able to enjoy a few years with the spoils. I would have been disappointed if it was on his last day but I guess he would want to die with sword in hand. So thank you for that mercy.

 

Bamburgh castle looks worth fighting for. Are there any artist's impression of what it might have looked like?

And it's less than a century before the Normans invade. Hardly seems fair. Was there a resistance movement against them?

Adrian

Submitted April 5, 2017

A

I don’t know of an artist’s impression . . . . and yes, indeed, there was resistance to the Norman invasion . . . most successfully in East Anglia (Hereward the Wake). The north opposed him too and received savage treatment.

Q

Dear Sir

 

Just as the events of Sharpe's Revenge ended a friendship,  do the events of Sharpe's Regiment also end or damage a friendship?

 

There's obviously no hostility, but i kind of feel that Sir William has taken a massive fall from the high pedestal Sharpe previously had him on.

 

I got the impression that Sharpe would have been weary of Sir William had they met again after that book.

 

As for Simmerson, did you see the very last episode of Sharpe, where he shook Sharpe's hand and wished him safe journey?  I don't know about you, but witnessing that i was thinking.......

 

"nah not in a million years would that happen."

 

Talking of more Sharpe......please PLEASE give us 1 more?!  I just need need one more hard back, 2 paperbacks ( for the plane and poolside, don't want the hardback getting ruined) and 1 unabridged CD of it.

Lee

Submitted April 5, 2017

A

It was a sentimental moment and Simmerson doesn’t strike me as a sentimental man. I think he was trying to put Sharpe off his guard while he planned more devilment. That explanation works?

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell

 

Firstly, thank you for your creative inspiration. My question is in part to be absolutely sure that memory serves me well. Could you clarify with a little added detail, the origin of the story that leads Sharpe to save the life of the future Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley.

Is this linked to a genuine gap in the recorded history of Wellesley or a necessary invented gap which allows you to introduce Sharpe?

 

I thank you once more sir for your creative inspiration as well as any time you might spend answering my enquiry.

 

Kind regards

 

John Barton

 

Submitted April 5, 2017

A

That story is something of a mystery. It happened. During the battle of Assaye the (future) Duke rode into the enemy’s line and his horse, Diomed, was killed with a pike in the chest. The duke was forever reluctant to talk about the incident, but obviously he was unhorsed and he later said it was the one time he drew a sword to protect himself on a battlefield. That much we know, the rest is fiction.

Q

Dear Bernard

With the Sharpe Series it, of course, follows a familiar pattern with Wellington winning the battle and Sharpe winning it for him. However there is one clear exception to Wellingtons success and that is Burgos. As it would make interesting 1 off having Sharpe losing for a change, do you plan to write it ?

Even Batman lost to Bane onetime as well after all ;)

Yours sincerely,

Geraint

Submitted April 5, 2017

A

It would make an interesting story and I have given it some thought....not sure if I'll get to it?

Q

Hello Mister Cornwell.

 

My name is Benoit, I am a french man who is 23 years old. I discovered The Saxon stories four years ago and I really love it. I really like Uhtred and the others characters, the environment... Since I am young, I love vikings stories, I love knights, I love History and when I read yours books, it s all time a pleasure. First, I wrote you to tell you thank you. Secondly, Can your translate yours books in French ? PLEASE. I continue to read them in english but it isn t the same sensation.

 

Your serie is more and more famous. More and more people know you. I really sure that you will make good sells in France ! So Translate them pleaseeee.

 

Have a good day.

Submitted April 5, 2017

A

I think my agent is seeking a French publisher, but so far no news.....

Q

Dear Bernard,

 

how do you mean to the "Brexit"? I think, it is a error. I hope for a true answer of you.

 

Sorry for my bad english.

 

I like you.

 

Best regards

 

Heiko

Submitted April 5, 2017

A

I suspect it’s probably an error, or else it’s the first lifeboat off the Titanic. One or the other.

Q

Mr. Cornwell,

let me start off by saying just how much I love your books!

 

I have finished the Sharpe and Starbuck Series, and am working my way through The Last Kingdom at the moment, but as I was researching my family tree, I had a question that I just had to know the answer to.

 

I understand that you said not to send you any book ideas, so I hope this doesn't count as one, but I was wondering. If you do ever right another Starbuck book(please, please write more!), could you insert my ancestor in as a cameo?! His name is Rufus Watson Wharton, and he served in the 21st North Carolina.

 

Of course this question isn't meant to be taken very seriously, and it's completely up to you, but I have to know, could you?

Samuel W. G.

Submitted April 5, 2017

A

If (and it’s a big if) I ever do resurrect poor Starbuck then I’ll try to include Rufus!

 

Q

I really enjoyed your books on The Last Kingdom series. I just finished The Flame Bearer, I was happy that Uhtred finally came home. I hope as you kind of suggest that this is not the end of the story of Uhtred. My question to you is, since the second season of the show aired this past Thursday. Will it be shown on BBC America in the near future, or will it just on Netflix?

Jim Ellis

 

We LOVE TLK, Season 1, and I have read all ten books ... Cannot wait to see Season 2 and heard it would begin March 16th. When will it be aired in the US?

Rita Coleman

Submitted April 4, 2017

A

I believe it will just be available on Netflix.  We should know the date it will be released soon!

Q

I have been an avid follower of all your books and have really enjoyed the Saxon Chronicles, so I was looking forward to the tv series. Why oh why have they changed his character so that Uhtred has become almost peripheral to the story? Secondly in 9th century Wessex apart from Alfred's daughter , women did not play any great part in the decision making nor in the management of their men. It seems that the 21st century  feminine agenda is taking over. For fans like me spoils it!

Charles Drakeford

Submitted April 4, 2017

A

I really can’t see that Uhtred is peripheral! And whether you like it or not Aethelflaed was an extremely important character in the making of England. She, more than anyone, bound Mercia to Wessex, which was the first stage of unification, and after her husband’s death she led campaigns against the Danes. You may be talking about the second series which I haven’t seen yet, but I suspect Uhtred would agree with me that the more women the merrier!

Q

I am a reader of your books and also a big fan of J.R.R. Tolkien. Here in Brazil  the British literature related to fantasy and medievalism has achieved great success.

I would like to know what do you think about Tolkien's works and whether they have had an influence as a writer. And I wonder when you read Tolkien's books. Sorry if this questions has been asked before or if you are uncomfortable with any comparisons.

Eduardo Oliveira. Ferreira - Minas Gerais - Brasil

Submitted April 3, 2017

A

I love Tolkien! He’s splendid . . . the best of all fantasy writers with his language and characters so solidly based on Anglo Saxon England – and Mordor and the Orcs drawn from his experience in the trenches of the first world war. But is he an influence? No. What he writes is so different, his ambitions so much greater! I admire and do my own thing!