Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

my question is maybe a little bit unusual.

A friend of mine will soon celebrate his 50th anniversary. As a gift he would love to get the lyrics of the war song of Beli Mawr which takes place in your Arthur Books. He is a really big fan of your books. I also read the books an they are one of my favourites.

I know, that Beli Mawr is mentioned in the Historia Brittonum by Geoffrey of Monmouth. But i didn't find any sources for the war song.

My question is, whether the song is a fiction by you, or are there any source that contains the lyrics of the song? I'm studying History, so that would be also very interesting to me.

I hope this question is not too immoral and I hope you can help me.

 

Many thanks and the best wishes from Dortmund, Germany.

Carsten Kraft

Submitted December 29, 2014

A

I'm afraid the war song of Beli Mawr is totally my invention.

Q

Dear Mr. Bernard Cornwell:

 

My name is Keith Marvel I have read all of your books. I know you just wrote a nonfiction book about Waterloo, marking the 200th anniversary of the battle.  I recently found out about the Peninsula War 200 project's goal to show the importance of the peninsula campaign to the general public.  I enjoyed reading the Sharpe series books. Can you suggest any good books on the Peninsula War? Also, on the King's German Legion?

 

I know you have an appreciation for the Duke of Wellington.  I have few more question if you don't mind?  Are there any other great generals or leaders that you hold in such high regard? Some of your characters have tempers that lead them into trouble that they have to fight out.  Do you agree?  Curious, how long is your editing process?  Do you rewrite whole chapters or just bits and pieces?

 

Where do you get your inspiration for writing a book?  Do you always base it on a historical event?  How do you know when a book is complete and ready to be published?  I am looking forward to reading more of your works.

Submitted December 18, 2014

A

Marlborough, Robert Lee, William Slim, Matthew Ridgway – a starter list!

 

I do. They’re not perfect!

 

The editing process? As short as I can make it, but there’s usually a six month gap between delivering a book and its publication . . . so editing? Maybe two or three months, but in truth it’s a very light process. Do I rewrite chapters of bits and pieces? Both. I’m rewriting constantly. The first draft takes 95% of the time, the two subsequent drafts are easy. Yes, almost always on an historical event, and how do you know when it’s complete? You just do.

 

 

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell

 

I've just finished reading your great book on Waterloo, indeed a superb read. After reading it, however, i found myself with a few questions, which I hope won't steel too much of your time: (i figured out anumerating them would be better)

 

1-Given the total numbers and state of affairs in Europe in 1815, it doesn't seem reasonable for Napoleon to face the great power of the time again. Indeed it seemed to me, by your description, that the campaign was doomed even before it started. Was it feesable and I just misread the data, or was Napoleon just to vain to see it and threw his man into death for nothing?

 

2-The Duke of Wellington once named Assaye when asked for his best performance in battle. At Waterloo his objective is overall simple (in theory, I don't want to sound superfluous in this accusation) consisting of holding the ridge until the prussians arrive. Don't get me wrong, I have all the respect for such a great character, but still, it doesn't sound like the deal of maneuvre of battles demanded. Napoleon's army, on the other hand, seems to offer an "all-you-shouldn't-do-in-napoleonic-warfare" bouffet, including charging infantry squares and facing line infantry volley fire in columns. Were both generals not at their best in such a great battle, or it was all they could do? Of course it is easy to discuss a match after it has ended, but the question remains: could (specially Napoleon) have done so much better?

 

3-(the result of merging both 1 and 2) Assuming the Old Guard's charge succeeds in breaking the Dutch British line was it still possible to defeat the prussians after that? From what I read it sounded like the ammount of casualties was just too high. What was Napoleon expecting/planning to do had he won at Waterloo?

 

Thank you very much for your time

João, in (almost a case of believe it or not) Waterloo, Belgium

 

ps-I believe the duke of Malborough would indeed appreciate a book written on his military feats by yourself mr. Cornwell. Keep up the good work

Submitted December 18, 2014

A

It was feasible.  Suppose for an instant that d’Erlon’s Corps had assaulted Wellington at Quatre Bras as he was supposed to, defeating him totally. The British-Dutch army recoil in chaos and the Duke, hearing that Blucher is defeated at Ligny, decides to rescue what’s left of his army  and retreat to the Channel ports. That scenario is not far-fetched. Now suppose that Napoleon detaches a screening force (probably Grouchy’s Corps) to keep the Prussians retreating eastwards and pursues Wellington. A series of rearguard actions follow, most of which the British lose. At some point Napoleon has to return l’Armee du Nord to France to link up  with his other forces who are guarding against the approach of the Austrians and Russians. But meanwhile the British government has fallen and the Whigs come to power, and they seek a peace treaty. The coalition is falling apart. The Russians are farther from the French frontier than the Austrians, so Napoleon attacks them, defeats them as he has so often. Of course, the further you push the possibilities the more tenuous they become, but a military victory by Napoleon in June 1815 would have changed the equation radically, and in truth, he should have won! He had split the allies, he commanded an army of very high quality, and it was only a series of mistakes that led to the defeat at Waterloo.

 

I think Wellington was at his best!  He wanted a head-on clash because he feared an outflanking movement (to his right). That was why he didn’t make earthworks on the ridge, he didn’t want to do anything that would dissuade the French from a head-on attack!  He knew that much of his army was inexperienced and he tried to simplify their task – stand and resist! No fancy manouevres! And yes, his objective is to hold the ridge till the Prussians come and if, for one moment, he had thought they would not come then he would not have made his stand. So he does almost everything right – the failure to strengthen La Haye Sainte is his one big error and almost leads to disaster, Napoleon, on the other hand, makes mistake after mistake, and surely the biggest was to delay the battle’s start on a day when his enemy was praying for time. So yes, Napoleon could have done a lot better, and he knew it.

 

I think there is that possibility.  If the Anglo-Dutch are pushed off the ridge then Napoleon would have pursued them with cavalry to keep them running and turned his forces eastwards to threaten Blucher’s right flank. Nightfall might have stopped the battle from finishing. But it would surely have started again at dawn. What Napoleon was hoping at Waterloo was to start the defeat of the coalition – in detail. Take them out one by one.

Q

I've loved reading all the Sharpe books and shorts stories, several times. I've been trying to fathom out the name of Sharpe's father, and am probably way off, but looking at clues that have been given, would it possibly be John Copinger (Cruel Copinger). Who was a rogue (smuggler), lived in Brittany for a while, would be of an age to have fathered Sharpe? My downfall here is that I have an answer, but am unable to fit it to the riddle, ergo it must be wrong.

 

Thanks again for all the enjoyment, and I too would love to read more of Sharpe et al, and to see Antonia meet him again.

Paul Sumner

Submitted December 18, 2014

A

Must be!

Q

Do you use any unique syntax or diction in your Saxon Stories, more specifically The Lords of the North.

Thanks,

John

Submitted December 18, 2014

A

I try not to! I like the novels to be accessible!

 

Q

Hi,

 

Just finished Waterloo! WOW.I've always found non-fiction a bit dry, even the brilliant Mark Urban feels a bit heavy.

 

Is Sharpe related to Fashman, Flashman's father was wounded at Talevera and he mentions that his Grandfather was a smuggler.

 

Mike

Submitted December 18, 2014

A

I wish!  I’d like that, but so far as we know? No.

Q

Bernard,

 

I have always been a big fan of your writing and I have been inspired by your willingness to help future writers in their pursuits of a completed novel.

 

I love your valuable tips on writing a first novel and I take to heart everything you say. Completing my very first novel has been a labour of love, torturous at times but it's really is a lot of fun.

 

I love every character "even the bad guys" the unfolding adventures flows through the pages as if I am watching a movie on a big screen. I never know what will happen from one chapter to the next, this sometimes can be pretty exhausting, especially  when someone you like gets killed off when you least expect it.  Truly I am amazed at how precise the plots become and the intricate details flow with ease without any pre conceived idea or plot. Each new twist and turn leads me in to another dimension of the story.

 

The problem is, I cant see a physical end to the book. I know in my mind how it will end but, there are so many twists and turns that unfold through each chapter which I feel are important to the story, that I find it impossible to cut anything out..

 

Do you have ideas for a progressive guide to prevent me from elongating the story as its fast becoming a trilogy and this is still a first novel. The original story concept started as a child's book which I used for my daughters bedtime adventures but as she aged so did the story.

 

Thank you for your dedication and for the journey you provide through your art.

 

Sincerely

 

Martin Price

Submitted December 18, 2014

A

Maybe it’s meant to be a trilogy?  So, write the first part and promise an agent/publisher that there’s more brilliant stuff to come!  I do think you have to listen to the book . . . . if it insists on being longer, then why not? That may be bad advice, but in the end you write to satisfy yourself first . . . so it is your decision! But it sounds to me as if the book is asking to spread!

 

 

Q

Hi Bernard.

Just a wild stab in the dark, but is Sharpe's father The Scarlet Pimpernel?

 

Worth a shot.

 

All the best,

Terry

Submitted December 18, 2014

A

No, sorry!

Q

Dear Bernard

Another winner with 'The Pagan Lord'! keep em coming.

From the postscript I assume the future King Athelstan will also have Uhtred assisting him against any nasties that seek to invade 'Angeland', but will he still be around for Brunaburgh or will the younger Uhtred assume his duties. I only ask as Uhtred 'the elder' would be around 80 by then or will that be his swansong? Sources do say that English losses were not light so maybe he dies near the end of the battle, maybe as per Brian Boru at Clontarf, almost as an afterthough by a rather 'pissed off' Dane!

 

Whatever you decide I know it will be right!

 

Regards

 

Russell Newland

Submitted December 18, 2014

A

It’s a proble!  I’ll face it when we get to it, but yes, he will live impossibly long and he will be at Brunanburh (though I doubt he’ll be swinging a sword there)

 

Q

Dear Sir,

I have loved your books for a very long time now. I love all of them, but my favourite has to be the Sharpe series. I recently re-read Sharpe's Regiment and a thought occurred to me. How come Sharpe didn't ask to be made Lt. Colonel of the 1st Bn SE? Of course the idea that he was merely making use of Girdwood as a cover for his real command makes sense, but presumably, given that Lady Camoynes had so much power over Fenner—indeed, given the potential for scandal, also with the Horse Guards—surely it would not have been out of the realm of possibility for Sharpe to have asked for that? Just curious about this.

 

Thanks for your books, they've kept me in good company for a very long time!

Jin

Submitted December 18, 2014

A

He could ask, but the machinations of promotion were extraordinarily complex, and his rank was brevet, and regulations would have stopped the appointment. He was happy enough with the outcome!