Your Questions

Q

Dear Bernard

I saw that your next book was postponed because you went into Surgery. Your health will always be more important than a book (which doesn't matter) and I wish you a speedy recovery. Please get well soon

I wondered if you'd ever considered writing about your own story and time in Northern Ireland. Given that it was at the height of the Troubles I'm sure it would be an interesting story to read about.

Geraint

P.S for debate sakes id ask this question, Wellington is often said to have never lost a battle though his battles at Aldea De Ponte and Tordesillas in 1812 could both be classed as defeats but I ask you would you Redinha in 1811 a defeat or a draw ?

Submitted September 22, 2022

A

I never have and probably won’t, though I confess those four years were among the happiest of memories. I fell in love with Belfast and Ireland, and suspect I’ll keep the memories to myself.

I would consider the Siege of Burgos a defeat, though it wasn’t a battle. Redinha? It was certainly a setback, but it didn’t stop the French retreat or the British advance. It certainly slowed Wellington’s pursuit, and Ney did well there. So, a draw?

Q

Hello Bernard

On the Humber estuary and the Ouse and Trent there is a tidal bore named the"Aegir" supposedly after a Viking warlord of that name who rode the tidal bore and sacked York before for.the lookout posted at Spurn Point had chance to warn the city of of the Viking approach.

Do you have any knowledge of this as my mother's maiden name was agar. There is still an Agar today who is lord of the manor of Stockton on forest.

John Webb

Submitted September 22, 2022

A

I thought Aegir was a jötunn – a supernatural being in Norse mythology who was a kind of demigod of the sea. Which doesn’t mean there wasn’t a Viking named that who sailed into the Humber estuary – so maybe your mother is descended from a Viking!

Q

Hi Bernard,

Firstly, I hope you are well!

I've just discovered 'The Last Kingdom' & couldn't contain my excitement at seeing a character called 'Wolland'. It is in fact my surname & I have always tried to research where my name originates from, and where I'm from. So my question is, is the Character 'Wolland' Historically accurate? and if so, how did you discover the name & stuff like that? additionally, if he is not historically accurate, what made you choose the name?

I am intrigued! I'm not sure how accurate the AncestryDNA tests are, but I genuinely have some Danish & Norwegian ancestry which is weird, because my family tree extends over 200 years primarily to Southern England, so have always wondered where my surname Wolland comes from.. albeit lost.

Thank you for reading, hope you can help :)

Regards

Luke

Submitted September 22, 2022

A

I confess I don’t remember Wolland, sorry. I tend to take the names from Old English sources, but alas, can’t place Wolland at all – sorry!

Q

Thoroughly enjoying my read through Sharpe’s world. So many great characters being introduced just as in all your works. I was wondering if it hard to introduce such great secondary characters and leave their world to the reader to imagine themselves. My latest one that that I hated to see sail off was Cornelius Killick. Do you keep them on the back burner for possible further development later? Thank you for reawakening my love of reading over the last few years.

Deborah Starling Hosmer

Submitted September 22, 2022

A

I do keep them on the back burner, but most of them simmer away to nothing. I liked Killick so perhaps he’ll be moved to the front of the stove one day?

Q

Thank you for being so generous in responding to your readers. I'll keep this short. Long time fan. Read a ton of your books. You are undoubtedly my all time favorite author. I don't know how you can be so prolific.

My question is about your sea stories. I saw the picture of your boat. The stories feel so absolutely authentic I find it hard to believe that you yourself have not traveled some rough seas yourself. Please tell me that the stories are not just based on your fantastic research and imagination but also some real life experiences and adventures.

I did search for this answer on your website but could not find the answer. Thanks for considering responding.

Best,

Don McCunn

Submitted September 22, 2022

A

There is some experience there, though most of it was gained in the English Channel rather than in more remote oceans. I did eventually sail with two friends across the Atlantic and encountered some unfriendly seas, but that was long after the sailing books were written so I can only ascribe those books to imagination.

Q

Dear Bernard

The last Campaign of the Napoleonic Wars was not Waterloo but the Invasion of Guadeloupe. It's a fascinating Campaign and I wondered if you were tempted by it at all ?

Regards

Geraint

Submitted September 22, 2022

A

I have never been tempted by the tale, which is chiefly a naval campaign and, as I understand it, took place in 1810, thus five years before Waterloo.

Q

Hi Bernard,

thoroughly enjoying Sharpe's Assassin. I read some others a little while ago - Eagle, Company, Sword, Regiment. It struck me that a lot of these books were published out of chronological order. I was wondering how you're able to keep track of all the events in Sharpe's life while inserting new stories into the canon. Do you keep a timeline chart or something similar?

Thanks,

Aidan

Submitted September 22, 2022

A

I wish I did! I just have to go back and reread the books.

Q

Enjoying Stonehenge. Curious about whatever research or conjecture is behind the personal names of the characters. Thank you.

Charles Pyle

Submitted September 22, 2022

A

I think the names are totally invented - I know of no source that can tell us the nature of names in 2000BC!

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell!

I can't tell you how elated I am to hear that we'll get to see Teresa again in your newest book. She's my absolute favorite character in the series- so much so that Teresa inspired me to get a degree in Spanish and visit Spain to see the places she was once at!

While I know you can't give too much away, can I dare hope that she'll have more than a handful of pages, showing up only at the end or for a brief time? It's a shame that Gold is the only one she's featured prominently in, and that we really don't see her being a partisan leader of her own and working with Sharpe in the others- just popping in and out. Company is a close second but again, she's mostly stuck in Badajoz for that. It would be wonderful to see her relationship fleshed out more with her husband as well for what little time they get together! :) Seeing her be the partisan leader she was meant to be and fighting alongside Sharpe...now that would be wonderful.

I hope it's not too much to ask, but a girl can dream, right?

Kiran

Submitted September 22, 2022

A