Your Questions

Q

Hi Bernard,

I love the artwork from the Sharpe series, obviously there are several different versions. What happens to it, is it decorating your study or perhaps gracing the mess of the Rifles. Talking of which have they entertained you yet?

More Sharpe please.

David

A

The Rifles have entertained us, yes! But no, I don’t hang the artwork, or even collect it.  I have a couple of the posters hanging in my work-room, but that’s all.


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell
It is my belief I have the best job in the world - I am a primary school headteacher.  Although it is the best job, it is not without its stresses.  I would also like to mention that my first career was as a soldier in the Coldstream Guards (seems a lifetime ago and it is a regiment you have referred to in both Sharpe and Starbuck).  So why am I writing?  The historical fiction that you write appeals to me greatly because I was an ex soldier.  With my current job, I distress by reading your work.  For both those reasons, please write another Starbuck book.  I should also add, after a recent stay in the states, I have developed a passion for all United States history.  Hope you write another Starbuck soon!
Jonathan Barber
Wiltshire

 

I think I have read virtually everything you have written and enjoyed all of them.  I am now revisiting the Starbuck chronicles and wondered if you have plans to continue with this saga.  It really is brilliant.

Kind regards

Roy Caller

A

I do hope to return to Starbuck...but I don't think it will be soon, sorry!


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,
I am a reader of most of your books and especially find the Saxon Tales to be wonderfully written. Your descriptive passages and battle scenes are so vivid and the dry humor dialogues are witty and never fail to ring a chuckle as I read them.

In the new book, The Pagan Lord you used a phrase "Wyrd bið ful aræd". This appears to have been used in different cultures with varying meanings and I would like to know the translation you intend in the book.
I do hope it does not signify the end of this wonderful series. Uhtred has become one of my favorite fictional protagonists.
Thank you for your time with this question and for the many hours of good reading.
Best Regards,
Gail Carroll

A

 It comes from an Old English poem, 'The Wanderer', which is very beautiful and rather sad, and is the thoughts of an exile wandering the earth. In the original the phrase would have sounded something like 'Wyrd bith ful arade' which is English, believe it or not, and is usually translated as 'fate is relentless', but I preferred inexorable. If you can find a copy then you'll find the quote at line 5.


Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I am a french reader of your books, from Canada and I would like to know if the last three books(5-6-7) of the Warrior Chronicles/Saxon Stories will be translate in French?

Thank you very much

Stephane

A

I believe my agent is seeking a French publisher, so maybe???


Q

Dear Bernard

After reading Sharpes Havoc and of course the interesting Major Dulong, (who was a great foe for Sharpe incidently as they seemed rather equal in abilities), and reading that Dulong was at Albuera, I wondered and assuming if Sharpe does get to Albuera if he would encounter him again, as Albuera would be the perfect place as a location.

And in regards to Starbuck and again it's an assumption that you go back to him (though you should even it was just once and no more, simply to tie all the lose threads up) I always wondered if you had plans to get Starbuck to Chancellorsville which is considered Lee's masterpiece in terms of his generalship, I wondered if you had read Stephen Sears book on the battle and his much more different and kinder interpretation to Hookers generalship of that battle, whether you agreed with that or not  ?
Yours sincerely
Geraint
P.S I have to ask in terms of anniversary's (as well as Waterloo) it's the Burning of Washington coming up, I wondered if Sharpe would ever meet George Cockburn who was a remarkable character himself. The Americans placed a $1000 dollar bounty for his head (and 500 for each of his ears) while the British Infantry even refered to him as General Cockburn as a mark of respect. He apparently even made his officers carry tired soldiers Infantry packs. Sounds like he and Sharpe would get on like a (White) house on fire.

A

Ah, I might. One day. If I live.

 

Again, I  might, one day, if I live.

 

Cockburn is a splendid man and the story of the attack on Washington would make a great novel – Peter Snow published a good book on it last year (and carried the tale through to the defence of Baltimore) I recommend it!

 

 


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell.

I am a Brazilian fan. I think i'd read all your books published in Portuguese (18) + two in English. I enjoyed all of them and I have great expectations for incoming new books in Brazil. My favorites are Sharpe and Saxon series. But I’m curious about one thing: Do you ever thought writing about Roman Britain?  It is a very rich period in history and would let you compose very interests plots.

Rogerio Carvalho

Curitiba, Brasil

A

I really don't want to write the Roman period...I love it!  I want to read other writers' versions, not my own.

 

 


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell
When i was reading The Last Kingdom, it struck me when Uthred said "There were plenty of English in the Danish armies". Of course, it seems normal that almost every conqueror relies on conquered locals to enlarge his armies, but i was wondering how successful would Danes be without help from conquered English territories? Are there any sources that could help us find out how many Northmen had arrived in England between the begining of 9th century and the arrival of The Great Heathen Army? I know that the exact figures are impossible to know, but any number would be helpful. Thank you so much!

Miroslav Subašić

A

A very good question!  And I don’t have an exact answer, or even an estimation. The number is plainly in the thousands, because they effectively settled the north and east of England before being assimilated into the general population. But how many? I’ll try and find out . . . . .


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,
This morning I was searching for more information about my Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Great Grandfather online, Pierre Villeroy, when your novel, Vagabond crossed my screen. He was known also as Peter the Frenchman and considered a vagabond and possible criminal until he settled in America in the late 1600s. I have no clues as to where in France he came from or about his life before landing in America. I was wondering how you come about your names in your novels and if you do pull them from some historical documents, could you possibly point me in the direction of where you got Pierre Villeroy from. Any information you might be able to give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time. Sincerely,

Tammy Raab

A

Oh dear, I’m sorry. I probably found the name Villeroy in an index, or snatched it from memory, and tacked on the Pierre. I never knew there was a real Pierre Villeroy.


Q

I have just completed the Warrior series and have been completely riveted to them reading all in about a 6 month period.
Having just finished Pagan Lord I noted that the ending suggests another book about Uhtred. Do you have any idea when this might be published.
With kind regards and sincere gratitude for the enjoyment I have had reading this series.
Paul Mohan

 

 

When will the next book after The Pagan Lord come? I can't wait to find out how Lord Uhtred survives. I love these books and I can't wait for the conclusion of Uhtred's amazing life. You have created an awesome and remarkable man in Lord Uhtred. I do hope you, unlike George R.R.Martin, will soon conclude your tale. I used to be a fan of Martn until he never completed his story. After awhile his books just drone on and on and on forever.

Dottie Howell

 

Mr. Cornwell,
I am a huge fan of yours and truly enjoy the stories about Uhtred. Your last book, The Pagan Lord, hinted at Uhtred's death when he envisioned Gisela. But the last sentence in the Historical Note mentioned he would live for the last battle. I would like to know which is true and if you are going to prepare another fascinating story. As a big reader i like to focus on one series before reading another.
Regards,
Jack Erbey

A

I am close to finishing the next book of Uhtred's story.  It's to be called The Empty Throne and will be published in the UK in October and in the US in January.


Q

Hi There

Have you ever considered what some of the major characters in your many novels may have looked like?I have recent read 1356 and Vagabond,have Harlequin  and heretic awaiting on the shelf or do you feel it is only a story from so long ago?
One passage from Vagabond about the encounter with a Dominican priest about Roman Catholic theology,discussing sin and a woman' dead child and christening,seemed quite pedantic,was it like that in real life?
Thanks

Michael Williams

A

I suppose I carry a picture of them in my head, but maybe it’s a little vague because I tend to see the story through their eyes and few of them have a mirror! And, for whatever reason (irrational, I’m sure) I don’t like being too specific about a hero’s appearance.

It was, indeed. I took the argument from a book on mediaeval theology.