Mr. Cornwell -
I have been an avid reader of yours for years now, since The Archer's Tale hit the shelves. So, upon discovering the Thomas was again to be featured in 1356, naturally I picked it up.
I also happen to be a Stephen King fan, or more specifically a Gunslinger/Dark Tower fan.
My question to you is, and this is just to satisfy my own curiosity, in 1356 chapter 6 last line, 'Roland to the dark tower came,' is this a Browning reference, as I assume it is, or might you also happen to be a Dark Tower reader?
Thank you for your time!
Scoti Hahn
‘Roland to the dark tower came’ was a really a homage to Shakespeare who uses the line in King Lear! It was then used by Robert Browning in a poem called Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came (which is the exact Shakespearean quote). So I suspect Stephen King and I both borrowed from one or the other or both.