Your Questions

Hi Bernard,

A couple of years ago I heard about the plans to make your book Agincourt into a movie. I love that book and must have read it several times like I do all of your books in the course of a year or two. I think I have all your historical Novels, except Sharp's Story and Sharp's Christmas.

What I'd like to know is, are the plans to shoot this movie still on or are they put on hold indefinitely?

I'm looking forward to your next book of the Saxon Chronicles.

Thanks for bringing the past into life.

Cheers,

Holger

Hi Bernard,

I just wanted to take this opportunity to write to you to let you know that the Sharpe novels are my favourite books of all time. I was only young when the tv series came out and I was basically raised on it. My Grandad and me used to watch these together and it is something that we regularly still do some twenty years later. I firmly believe that our relationship is founded on the love we both share for Sharpe.

I have reread the novels so many times that I am missing pages and the cover has come away from the pages. My books have definitely seen better days but I am so reluctant to let them go. Your books have also inspired me to want to know more about the Napoleonic Wars, I wrote my extended project dissertation on the battle of Waterloo and the way it changed Europe. (I was very upset to find out that two months after I handed my final project in, your non-fiction book on the same topic came out. Having since read and loved it, it would have been a great help to me.)

I just wanted to know if you had plans to write more of these novels. If you do, I will definitely buy them and cherish them with the rest.

Thank you so much for creating the love of my life!

Best wishes,

Rachel

 

Dear Mr Cornwell

There is a error in Harlequin which I expect you already know about, but I’ll mention it anyway. Its not far into the Crécy section, in my paperback version its page 374.

It says :

‘That made sense.  The ford by which the English army had crossed the Seine led only into marshland and forest.’

I believe this should say ‘Somme’ not ‘Seine’.

Also, I wanted to ask you about tempering realism in a novel, and why it is done.  I am thinking about some examples I have seen in Harlequin in particular.  Certainly nobody could complain about the grisly realism in your battles scenes, which are some of the finest I have read.  But in other cases you seem to me to hold back.

For example in the immediate aftermath of the scene in which Jeanette is raped.  You describe her shame and humiliation, but what about the extreme physical pain she must have been suffering ?  It seems strange that it does not get mentioned at all.  Did you not mention it because it was important to the plot that she escaped shortly afterwards, which a woman in agony and barely able to walk would not have been able to do ?  Did you think it is acceptable to your audience to be blunt about the physical realities of battlefield carnage, but they would find a realistic description of the effects of rape too much ?

The other thing I have thought about is the language which the archers and the common soldiers use.  These are coarse, callous, violent dangerous men, and it seems to me that their language would have been peppered with the f-word (or the medieval equivalent).   Yet you don’t do this.  To be honest I’m glad you don’t, but was this a conscious decision on your part ?  Was it because of what you felt would, and would not be, acceptable to your audience ? You mostly limit their adjectives to ‘bloody’ or ‘goddamn’ which seem a bit toned down in the circumstances.

I am trying to write something myself, and judging just how much to ration realism is turning out to be far trickier than I thought. Any advice you have on the subject would be very helpful.

Regards

Kath

Mr. Cornwell -

I haven't been able to find a fictional treatment of John Churchill's campaigns. This is a great opportunity for you.

Best wishes,

Neil S.

 

I just finished re- reading Sharpe's Eagle, a great read  and hope to continue re-reading the series for  the time being. Your writing  is vivid and really leaves a reader feeling as if they are in the midst of battle or marching w either the chosen men or the South Essex. I  was wondering if there is a chance for a director wanting to produce a few Sharpe films as a reboot of the series with different actors beginning with the India Trafalgar adventures. In addition will there be adventures with the previous battles of Vimiero and Rolica?

Jorge  Paez

Mr. Cornwell!

I notice that Uhtred should be around 80 years old by the time the Battle of Brunanburh rolls around? It might seem a bit far-fetched, but i wonder if he'll still be fighting in the front rank when the shield walls meet even then? I wouldn't put it past the stubborn old fool!

In order to make sure he makes in through okay, you'll just have to make sure he takes after another 80 year old fellow i just saw on youtube. He set the world record in his age category with a bench press of 335 lbs! At 80! Maybe even Uhtred can't beat that...

Regardless, i'm sure it'll be a great story like most everything else i've read by you. Thanks for reading!

Vinny S.

I was just getting over the Sharpe's father obsession when somebody suggested John the Painter! I confess I'd never heard of him but when you look him up what a fascinating character.

Anyway here goes...

Lord North, the PM credited with giving the American colonies away must have been under all sorts of pressure at the time and I'm sure he could have taken solace in the brothels around Howick Place?

Please throw us a bone if I'm wrong a tiny clue would be appreciated.

Only three months to go till the new Uhtred book I'M SOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!

Mike Davidson

Dear Mr Cornwell,

Will you be in Ely on behalf of the above to promote your latest book in October? If so, I want to be the first in Cambridgeshire to buy a ticket (and to buy a copy signed by the author).

Yours sincerely,

David H

I have noticed the pattern of Irish sidekicks, Harper, Finan, Keane throughout your novels.  And though I very much enjoy your novels of English heroes and history, I look forward to when an Irishman gets to be center stage.

Michael

Hi Bernard,

I notice in your comments that you confirm Uhtred’s story will end with the Battle of Brunanburh. That has caused me much satisfaction since immediately after “The Last Kingdom” came out I announced to all who would listen that the natural end of this tale would be that epic battle. I reasoned that even though Uhtred would be too old to participate he could still be around to witness it. I even suggested he could have a son who could do that for him.

 

Needless to say I have watched the narrative unroll with Uhtred the Younger immerging as a candidate for a part in the final encounter. No doubt he will also play a key role in helping Uhtred achieve his life’s dream.

 

Talking of off-spring brings me to my question/observation. As the story has unfurled you have introduced us to the next generation of nearly all the key players – both historical and fictional. We have met the sons (& daughters) of Cnut, Sigurd, Ivar, Kjartan, King Constantine , Alfred  & Edward, Aethelflaed, Aelfric & Uhtred’s cousin.

BUT.

What about Finan? He has a wife and an ambition to return home and settle scores of his own. Has he no son who, like Uhtred’s, can follow in his footsteps and help him in his quest?

 

Then there is Stiorra. Although she is fictional I have assumed the Sygtryggr she left with in The Empty Throne is the historical Hiberno-Norse Sygtryggr Caoch [ “One eyed”] whom Uhtred has clearly helped to get his name!  In which case there are sons who become Kings, in particular Sygtryggr Sygtryggrson (Cuaran) who not only becomes King of York but returns to Dublin to set up a dynasty there. With Stiorra as his mother he would inherit some of Uhtred’s genes which would explain his successful career!

 

I really do admire the way you have blended historical and fictional characters to create such plausible and entertaining reading. Thanks !!

 

Paul Stein