Your Questions

Q

Hi

I was wondering if you might be able to clarify something for me please. I've read through the Sharpe series quite a few times and watched the television series many more times but something I've wondered about is did Sharpe ever actually fully leave the 95th rifles and join the South Essex after Sharpe's Eagle or was he on detachment to them for the remainder of the Peninsular war?

I know he kept his green jacket as did Harper and the men he brought from the 95th. There were quite a few mentions of the fact that though he had a brevet Majority his official army rank was still a Captain so was this his 95th rank and the brevet his temporary South Essex rank?

Thanks and regards

Matthew

Submitted August 16, 2016

A

The quick answer is yes. The brevet was a ‘temporary’ appointment, so even when Sharpe leads the South Essex and can wear the marks of a Lieutenant-Colonel, his ‘real’ rank is still Captain. It was, mostly, a wartime expedient. A lot of rules and regulations were happily ignored during the wars; Wellington never gave a damn about the appearance of his troops so long as they fought like the devil. After the wars, of course, all the tedious regulations were re-imposed.

 

Q

Hi again, Mr. Cornwell.

I get the impression from reading the Uhtred novels that the Vikings never really made any significant inroads into Scotland, certainly not to be compared with their successes in Northumbria, East Anglia and Mercia.  Why was this?  Did they not think that the Scottish countryside was worth the effort?  Or were the Scots so tough that they mostly focused their efforts down south?

Alan Kempner

Submitted August 16, 2016

A

They made inroads where there was good arable land, but that, of course, is a scarcity in much of Scotland. They more or less took all the outlying islands, though those were used more as bases for their ships which were used for fishing and what we’d call piracy. Their real ambition was the best agricultural land that could sustain large settlements and those, as you say, were further south. But certainly they were a huge nuisance to the Scots, but eventually, as in England, married into the indigenous population and so ‘melted’ away.

 

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell!

As a fellow writer, I have a question for you: what makes up a book? Why do you choose some time periods over others? Does one period offer more intrigue/easy research than the other?

Thanks and great work,

Nicolas

 

 

Submitted August 16, 2016

A

I choose time periods that fascinate me! Simple as that! And what makes a book? Story, story, story and then, story (a few good characters help too!)

Q

Hi, i am currently reading 1356 and really enjoy it; most likely going to be my favorite book if it continues the way it is going which i am sure it will. So i was wondering if there will be any more books following Thomas Hooktons story as i believe his plot and story to be extremely intriguing and different from other books. Thank you

Yousaf

Submitted August 16, 2016

A

No plans for more Thomas right now!

Q

I've just watched a documentary about the establishment of the US Marine Corps, and how (much as mentioned in your own writing), the earliest US Marines fought from ship decks, masts and yards with muskets. What caught my attention was they went on to say how, since musket balls were so inaccurate (compounded by the rolling of the ships), the marines often used a form of buckshot rather than regular musket balls, in effect turning their muskets into shotguns. Given Harper's motivation for lugging the gun around, wouldn't he use a similar load in his seven-barreled gun?

Ralph

Submitted August 16, 2016

A

Basically the Nock Volley gun was a ‘one-shot’ weapon. Once it was fired it took far too long to reload, and, in truth, it wasn’t very successful because of that, but imagine its effect on a crowded deck? That one shot would be devastating. Now, did they use the musket as a ‘shotgun’? It’s perfectly possible, and I don’t doubt that it happened, but there’s no evidence that cartridges were made with scrap metal missiles instead of balls, and now try to imagine being in the rigging of a ship trying to load a musket with metal scraps? I could well be wrong, perhaps there were buckshot cartridges, in which case the difficulty vanishes, but I’ve not heard of them. And the buckshot would need to be fairly heavy . . . musket balls were effective enough – as Nelson discovered.

Q

Dear Bernard

I have just started Warriors of the Storm and was delighted to hear this morning that this marvellous adventure will continue with your next book in the series to be released in October. I have already placed my order in Waterstones in Newry,Ireland. I have thoroughly enjoyed your books and hope that this is not the end of this story.  I couldn't help wondering if the story could continue through the character of Finan or some related character to Finan and the story of why he left Ireland.  The history of the Kingdom of Ossory, (the modern counties of Kilkenny and Laoise) in the 10th century and its interaction with the Dublin Norse Kingdom is a fascinating and very colourful period of history and linked to the Ui Neills.

Colm O Braonain

Submitted August 16, 2016

A

Alas, the Last Kingdom series is about the making of England, and the fascinating (and tortuous) story of Ireland is another matter entirely. Much as I love Finan I suspect he’ll stay in England. Sorry!

 

Q

As an 86-yr-old lady who has just discovered your marvelous medieval books, I'm writing to suggest that some drawings of the various weapons would be as helpful as the maps of locations. Descriptions help, but not enough for those of us not mechanically inclined. Maybe you have already done this and I've missed them.  Can't tell you how impressed I am.  Your use of language is extraordinary. Thank you, thank you!

Margo MacInnes

Submitted August 16, 2016

A

Thank you, thank you! What a good idea – we’ll try to implement it! Lots of horrible weapons! And you’ll be to blame!

 

Q

Try as I might I cannot open your iTunes link to get your summer reading list . Is there another way to obtain it ?

Thank you for all the wonderful work !!

Tom Marino

Submitted August 10, 2016

A

My understanding is you need to download iBooks for it to work.  But here is the list for anyone having trouble accessing it:

Man at the Helm, Nina Stibbe

Feet of Clay, Terry Pratchett

Heartstone, C. J. Sansom

Slow Horses, Mick Herron

Cold Granite, Stuart MacBride

The Road to Little Dribbling, Bill Bryson

House of Suns, Alistair Reynolds

Quartered Safe Out Here, George McDonald Fraser

A World on Fire, Dr. Amanda Foreman

Happy reading!

Q

Hi, Bernard!

I've recently had the pleasure of reading some of your books. I've most recently finished The Fort and will be running out as soon as I have my next paycheck to purchase Redcoat. I was wondering if you have any plans of paying another visit to the American Revolution? There are a number of fascinating episodes that would surely benefit from your style - the siege of Quebec or the Illinois Campaign come to mind.

I've also greatly enjoyed the Uhtred of Bebbanburg series, and I'm eagerly anticipating the next installment of that series. Thanks so much for penning such wonderful stories!

Warmest Regards,

Shane Majszak

Montana

Submitted August 10, 2016

A

I'm not sure I'll revisit the American Revolution - it's possible....we'll have to wait and see!

Q

Dear Mr Bernard Cornwell

I feel so honoured to be writing to you in this forum. This is my first time in writing to you and quite frankly I am having the pinch myself to check that it is true.

I first set eyes on your work in the local charity shop, rummaging for some new books to read. The book that came out at me was one called Agincourt.  I read it avidly on my commute to work; many times prayed that my commute would not come to an end so quickly in order that I could finish the tantalising chapter. Many a time I would leave the train and sit on the platform benches to read more, which did not go down to well with my bosses. Silly I know but I had been transported..

I have read your Warrior Chronicles, the last; Warriors of the Storm took me 3 days to read. Once finished I felt a huge void not knowing what to pick up next to read.

I’ve been reading historical fiction by CJ Sansom based in the Tudor era, a gripping read by a hugely talented writer. Enough said.

I appreciate it takes 6 months for you write the next book in the series. However, do you write any other books in compliment as I would love to read them? What would your next project be after the Warriors Chronicles?

ANDROULLA

 

I know that people have been giving you suggestions about what to write next, but what i am wondering is do you have any idea about what you are going to write? thanks for the books.

Tom

Submitted August 10, 2016

A

I won't know what's next until I start writing it!  And right now I'm occupied with performances at the Monomoy Theatre.  I'll decide once I'm back in Charleston.