Your Questions

Q

Mr. Cornwell,

I love your books, you've ruined me for many other books! I find myself getting bored with other books and the next thing I know, I am re-reading Sharpe again!

In my re-reading, I've just finished the Grail Quest Books again and am now re-reading Agincourt.  A few times I've noticed the characters refer to "shooting" their bows.  I was wondering if that really is the term they used?  I guess I think of the term referring to firearms, but maybe I'm wrong and it began with archery.  I imagine there is a lot of modernizing of language to make it more accessible to modern readers.

Thank you for the wonderful books, I've spent so many hours with them and look forward to many more!

Regards,

Mike Harris in Utah

Submitted May 27, 2016

A

It really is!  Roger Ascham, in his 16th Century book on archery, uses the term, though it is slightly confusing because it also meant the target. They shoot at a shoot! ‘For in a rain and at no mark, a man may shoot a fair shoot’. You’re right, though, to suspect an anachronism, because although the word was consistently used of bows, it doesn’t seem to occur before the 16th Century . . . and you’re also right about using anachronisms to make things accessible!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell

While reading the warrior chronicles I've noticed how sometimes Uhtred reminds me of Derfel, the Arthur's warrior whose best years were behind him and could do nothing but remember the times when he charged shield walls. I found this interesting, specially because (and this is merely a reader's opinion, which is worth next to nothing) I wouldn't think of you as that kind of person but also because Sharpe was much more fortunate, rather spending the rest of his life with his french lover. Was there something in their stories that made Sharpe worthy of it, or am I over thinking it?

 

A second question: the nordic polytheism is generally described as mostly tolerant and its society more open and equal. It has been referred that polytheist religious tended to be less prone to radicalism and more acceptive, but I would like to know if we know for a fact the Dane society really was much more tolerant and developed in a "social" sense than the christian, or we simply have it exaggerated in the books in order to grow fond of the character who is telling the tale (I've noticed some people like to dwell into your relation with religion in your books but I assure you that is not my intention: my question has only to do with it being a writing artifice or not).

Thank you for your time, keep up the good work!

Joao

Surrey, England

Submitted May 27, 2016

A

Uhtred hasn’t reached the end! Not yet! Sharpe’s story was curtailed by history, and Uhtred’s really isn’t. I plan to take the series as far as the Battle of Brunanburh, but in truth the wars went on long after that. Still, I suspect it won’t be all blood and slaughter for Uhtred!

 

There’s a good deal of evidence that polytheistic societies tend to be more tolerant of others’ religions than monotheistic societies, but I’m not sure that really applies to the Norse religion. Yes, they were polytheistic, but their gods all belonged in the same pantheon. It certainly seems true that in societies which hosted numerous religions that folk learned tolerance, until along came a strident sect which insisted that their one god was the only one. That’s when tempers get lost and people start stoking fires. On the whole the Norse religions were fatalistic rather than prescriptive; they don’t tell people how to behave, or define sins. They also didn’t offer eternal life to everyone, which was a clever selling point for Christianity. You might say, being kind, that Christianity was pro-active. You don’t read of missionaries spreading the gospel of Thor. In the end, as we’re learning to our cost now, a religion which claims to have a monopoly of the truth and demonizes all who disagree with it, is a dangerous, murderous and unhappy phenomenon.

Q

Hi Bernard,

Many years ago I had the pleasure of meeting you at a talk by yourself about your latest book at the time Sharpe's Prey. this was in Gloucester.

Having consumed all of the Warrior Chronicles i wonder whether this was where Gloucester first featured in your thoughts and did it create the spark for Uhtred.

I look forward to the launch of the next chapter in October.

I also cherish my Autographed copy of Prey graciously dedicated to myself.

Thank You

Mike

Submitted May 27, 2016

A

I’m afraid not! The spark for Uhtred came from meeting my natural father, something I didn’t achieve until I was in my 50’s. I then discovered that his surname was Oughtred and that the family was descended from, guess who? But I did enjoy Gloucester! Thank you

 

 

Q

Hello Bernard.

I have read many of your books but my favourite is Sharpe' Waterloo. Your book has been quoted as a definitive account of the battle.I read this book while researching my family history. My GGGgrandmother told a news reporter in the late 19th century that her father 'was at Waterloo under Wellington'. Her father's name was James Prior and he was a private in the Cornwall Militia.

My dilemma is  that there are no James Priors in the official lists nor any specific mention of the Cornwall Militia being present. Do you know if this Militia part of the action ?

General Cornelius

 

Submitted May 27, 2016

A

There was a Cornish regiment (the 32nd) at Waterloo, but no militia . . . the Militia were excused service abroad. On the other hand many many members of the militia did join the regular regiments, so it’s more than possible that James Prior joined the 32nd, but if he’s not listed? Maybe GGGgranny had an historical novelist’s imagination?

 

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell,

as always it has been a pleasure to read your latest book. I am currently reading Waterloo as it was one that fell by the wayside for me when it was first released. so far it is, as always, excellent.

My question was regarding women who accompanied the army on campaign, those wives who were 'on the strength'. I have struggled to find an answer and was hopping you would be able to help. When did this practice end come to an end?

Many thanks,

Luke Fieldhouse

Submitted May 27, 2016

A

I don’t know! I’d suggest that Richard Holmes’s wonderful book Redcoat might supply an answer, but I’m sorry – I’ve never researched beyond the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

 

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell.

I've thought of an alternative scenario to Waterloo that I'd like to run by you.  What if, on June 17th, instead of heading north to confront Wellington at Mt. St. Jean, Napoleon had decided to follow up his victory at Ligny by pursuing the Prussians with most of his army, intending to destroy Blucher and take him out of the equation, while leaving Ney with the rest to form a rear-guard to keep Wellington off of his back?  Would this have caused things to turn out differently for him?

Alan Kempner

 

Submitted May 27, 2016

A

It's an interesting question, to which the only real answer is ‘we don’t know’. But we can speculate that if it was possible for Blucher to march two Corps across difficult country to come to Wellington’s assistance, then Wellington could surely have made the same march in the opposite direction! Undoubtedly Wellington would have done so, even if it meant sacrificing a rearguard to Ney’s assaults (as the Prussians left at Wavre were defeated by Grouchy)

Q

Mr. Cornwell,

I’ve read many of your books, seen a few of your speeches, and have come to respect your opinion. This might altogether be an odd correspondence but I honestly can think of no one whom I would rather share it.

If God is good and worthy of being worshiped, why do terrible atrocities and injustices occur? Why do good people suffer? Why would a God who is good and all-knowing and all-powerful allow such a thing?

I believe the Cathars have possibly the best explanation for this stating something like the Old Testament God is not a good or nice God but the New Testament God (Jesus) is and they are equally powerful. I understand you touch on the Cathars in your grail series which I haven’t been able to read yet.

You are my elder; a learned and respected man. I am sure you have asked or been asked a similar question before and I am curious of your conclusion.

Thank you,

Your friend Reece from Texas.

Submitted May 27, 2016

A

I hate to disappoint you, but I don’t believe there is a god, any god, any where, so your question is unanswerable! If there is one then he should be ashamed of himself (or herself). Evil, like goodness, springs from our own nature, and we can’t avoid the responsibility by inventing a god.

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell.

I saw that you was a Edmund Burke admirer, and you are a specialist in middle age and anglo saxon period. Do you already had curiosity to search about ancient families, in your searches to write? Do you discovery something about Burke Family? I'm your fan since ever, Love The Last Kingdom Series, Sharpes's Series and Arthurian Novel. I asked that because my surname is Burke and I know that is a ancient Surname, but I don't know nothing about that. They had Anglo-Saxon origin?

I'm anxious to next Uhtred's Book!

Thanks by attention!

More one time, I'm your fan and love your stories

Lucas Burke

Submitted May 27, 2016

A

Edmund Burke was Irish, but it seems (my only source is Wikipedia) that the family was descended from one of the Normans who settled in Ireland – the name being de Burgh. So no, not Anglo Saxon!

 

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell.

I'm Fan of Saxon Stories!

And I thought in a theory. In some questions you answer that Uhtred has a lot of bastards, and in other was asked if one of them would appear and you said that probably. Well, reading The Empty Throne and Warriors of Storms, I thought: There are some possibility of Berg be Uhtred's Bastard son? I know that it can look ridiculous, but I was thinking in all of these, and in Empty Throne he saying that Berg remember Uhtred (his legitimate son), and in others opportunities the own Uhtred said that wanting trick the enemies.

Well, there are some possibility about this crazy theory?

Your Fan, Lucas

Submitted May 27, 2016

A

Not Berg! His family connections (which have been very lightly sketched) will prove crucial in a future book. But yes, there is a strong possibilities with others!

 

Q

I read  the whole Sharpe series annually but always wonder what you would have had Wellington  say to Sharpe at the after battle debrief (Waterloo).  Would he have been   praised, admonished for  leaving young frog or what. I would love to know your thoughts. Perhaps you could write a short  follow up story  apres Waterloo as it were. I would to read one.  Did Sharpe get to Paris  as a Battalion Commander?

Regards

David Newton

Submitted May 27, 2016

A

It’s a nice thought. Oddly, I wouldn’t know what Wellington might say unless I actually write the story. A short story, perhaps? I keep promising to write another one, or two.