Your Questions

Q

Dear Bernard
In regards to your new Waterloo book (you are brave writing a book on the most written about battle in history )will it just be about Mont St Jean or also cover Quatre Bras/Lingy and Wavere fights too?

You mentioned as a clue about the 16th and 17th centuries for a new series I was going to hazard a guess, would it be Drake and the Spanish Armada?

Finally have you ever thought of about the British siege of Charleston in the American Revolution which was considered the greatest British victory of the war at all ??

Yours sincerely
Geraint

A

It has to cover Ligny and Quatre Bras – they’re really all part of the same battle!

I've given it some thought....


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell
I recently read your Saxon Tales series, and have begun researching the Viking Age using contemporary sources. I was just wondering if you have a preferred version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle?

Sincerely,
Andrew Sturtevant

A

Oh I do, but the trouble is I write those books in Charleston, SC, and right now I’m a thousand miles away, and for the life of me I can’t remember what version is on the bookshelf there. I know it’s a variorum, but I do prefer one over the others. Sorry. Ask me in six months time when I’m back there!


Q

Dear Mr Bernard,
I am a huge fan of all your books, especially love the Saxon stories. I am Italian and I apologize for my English.
The Pagan Lord be released in September in UK. When it is due out in Italy? Also you must promise me that the Uthred's story become a trilogy :)
I hope you will write more books about the warriors of the Middle Ages. Thank you very much for your reply and for your books. Bye Great Bernard!!!
Giovanni Scognamiglio

A

Publication in Italy is usually about one year after publication in the UK.


Q

Mr. Cornwell,
I would first want to to thank you for the hours ( and much more ) of enjoyment and education you have given me through the years. Next up,I did read about your rather sedate commencement talk at UHart, seems a couple of the eggheads ( if ya can't can't write, then teach ) were miffed at some of your observations. I wonder if the Courant writer who covered your speech ever found out your last name is spelled Cornwell not Cornwall? Probably a UHart grad.On the lighter side, I was wondering if you were in need of a research assistant to travel and gather pertinent info on future books and if not, how do you feel about adoption? On the serious side, when will we see a new Sharpe book? Again, thank you so much.
David Hyland

A

Thank you! Sharpe is still a few years away I'm afraid.


Q

Dear Bernard Cornwell,
I write again to some questions.
How many words do you understand how amazing that a book should own.
About his future books, you already mentioned that there is the possibility of a new series, and Waterloo. Would be the same thing?, Ie, a series of waterloo, and this book would be unique as Agincourt, Stonehedge, and others?
Not being a series about waterloo, tell us about what it would be?
I'd really like something about Robin Hood or Zulu war.
When do you plan to continue the saga of Uhtred after this new series / waterloo, or were written at the same time, a new series and the end of Uhtred?
Any news about his possible coming to Rio de Janeiro in 1356 to launch here in Brazil?
The Publisher of Brazil mentions only that the book will be released "in the second half of 2013."
On average, out here six months to a year after the launch in England.
Just out of curiosity, in Portuguese, the Sharpe series is following the order of events, and not Mr. wrote, and this is the tenth book.
greetings from Brazil
grateful for the attention.
Marcelo Mendonça

A

The Waterloo book and the first book of my new series will be two different books. The new series is not Robin Hood or the Zulu War, something different. And then, yes, probably another Uhtred after that.

Not sure when I'll in Brazil again, but I would love to come back for another visit!


Q

Hi Bernard,

Thanks for all the stories! I was just wondering whether you find it hard to write about Britain from all the way over in the states. I've been away quite a lot and I'm always shocked by how much I've forgotten while I've been away. Do you visit your locations before writing about them?
Also, will Uhtred be fighting in the battle of Tettenhall alongside Edward and Aethelflaed? Would love to read about Uhtred fighting in my village!

Cheers!
Joseph Stevens

A

I do visit all the places I write about. All sorts of detail emerge from those visits, and I think it's important to see the land as they saw it and to imagine their feelings as they looked on that landscape.

Tettenhall is likely!


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell,

I have been waiting patiently for the next Starbuck Chronicle series, I last heard that were giving him a holiday, surely it's time to bring him back to life. When can I expect the next book, it's been along time in the waiting.

kind regards

Ian Newbold

A

I hope to return to Starbuck one of these days.


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I have listened to the audiobooks for every one of your books and have enjoyed them immensely. I recently finished up the Saxon series and was confused as to why Uhtred of Bebbanburg became Uhtred of Bamburgh in the last two volumes of the series? I don't recall seeing this explained in The Burning Land and was curious as to the reason for the change. Thanks.
Phil Reedy

A

I honestly have no idea - it's Bebbanburg in the books so I can only assume that the reader or the producer preferred Bamburgh?


Q

Sharpe - Can he please retire in comfort surrounded by a loving family and with plenty of money in the bank?
Phillip Livingstone

A

I imagine he would like that....


Q

Bernard
I'm sure I read a quote in one of your historical notes from a French general after a battle along the lines of "they were beaten but did not realise it". It was such a great quote because it sums up one of our great qualities - doggedness. Can you tell me the correct quote and who said it? Many thanks. P.S - still hoping for a son of Sharpe book to take us into a new military era.
Philip Hoy

A

You did! It was Marshal Soult who said it after the (ghastly) battle of Albuhera in 1812 - it was a bloodbath, and Soult failed to lift the siege of Badajoz. The British and Portuguese were commanded by Beresford and they were lucky to survive, but the French also took horrific casualties and afterwards Soult said ‘the enemy was beaten, but did not know it.’