Have you given any thought to a book about John Hawkwood and the mercenary wars in Italy?
Darren Ivey
Many times, many many times. But will it happen? Maybe, if I live long enough!
Dear Bernard,
Many, many years ago, whilst working in Colombo, friends and I used to play an after-dinner game - our version of "Call My Bluff". One evening, I challenged them with the word "Sawney". I found it during a trawl of a dictionary. As we both know, Sawney means "Scottish simpleton". Needless to say, I totally flummoxed my fellow players (some of whom were Scots and should have known better). Until I read Sharpe's Triumph, I have never seen (or heard) the word in over 30 years. So imagine my delight when I came across it in one of your novels. How the devil did you know it? Incidentally, I am a former Green Jacket (1967/71) so absolutely love the series about Sharpe. Thanks for endless hours of contented reading.
Best wishes,
Clive Burgess
Sawney? I have no idea where it came from . . . except I’ve known the word all my life, or at least since childhood, but I grew up far from Scotland so I can only suspect that a Scottish expat snarled the word at me one time? I’m sure he or she was right to do so!
Dear Bernard,
(We share the same name!) After having read many of your books, I was just wondering what your religious stance was!
I am personally an strong agnostic/ ignostic, but I won't go into the reasons why at the moment. For in your books you seem to be slightly aggressive towards Christians and positive towards the Norse/ Danes. (I hope I had got this right!)
I hope you do not mind answering this questions!!! And do not take offence, for I feel that it could be a too of a 'personal matter'.
I strongly hope I am not bothering you in any way, and you find the time to answer this question.
Many thanksBernard White. :-)
I am a non-believer. But Uhtred is the pulpit for expressing his own views, which are probably much more extreme than mine.
Dear Mr. Cornwell –
I am an avid fun, and constantly delighted by your writing. Thank you kind sir!
Before I became a photographer (my present calling) I worked for Electronic Arts – the computer gaming company, for almost a decade as a computer game designer. Game designers will sometimes place an “Easter Egg” into the game, which is typically some sort of small joke or homage for the players to find. It is often a well hidden Easter Egg, which makes it feel even more rewarding when you find it.
I could not help smiling this morning when I read the last sentence of page 180, in 1356: “And so, in the dusk, Roland to the dark tower came”
I’m wondering if you placed that there for Stephen King fans, or if it is simply a coincidence. If the former, I congratulate you on the well hidden Easter Egg and tip my hat to you.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, then my apologies. Please continue your fine work, be well of health, and stout of heart.
Kind Regards,
Christian DeBaunI had to smile when I read the last sentence of Chapter 6 of 1356.."And so in the dusk, Roland to the dark tower came." Is this a tip of the literary hat to Stephen King, as these are, if I recall, about the exact words he used in the last book of his Dark Tower series as his Roland arrives there?
Thanks for another Thomas of Hookton book...fun reading, and I enjoy all the stuff about constructing the bows and arrows. How did they make the arrow shafts so straight with the technology of the time??Robb Palmer
‘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 and I confess, fool that I am, that I didn’t know Stephen K had used it too
I don’t think they did! I suspect it was pollarded ash and it grew straight? I don’t think there’s time to steam the shafts. I suspect they were very good at encouraging straight growth, but it’s a good question and I confess my answer is a guess!
Hi Bernard,
I've just finished reading 'Death of Kings' - it was a cracking read! Before the seventh Saxon Chronicle is published later this year, I'm looking forward to reading your latest title '1356' (afraid I'm a bit behind with my book-worming as I'm also busy writing).
In regard to the irony of Danes ultimately defeating the Saxons, Uhtred made a casual remark (in DOK) as to what the future held beyond his death: that he was in no doubt the Danes would keep coming, either to emerge triumphant or in the end be completely defeated (or fully Christianised). In other words: eventually, there would be no middle ground. As it turned out the Danes did win, but only after many years of war and strife, and - even more ironically - at that particular time perhaps it was for the best since Cnut proved a monarch respected by his subjects and historians alike. But why do you think King Cnut valued Saxon culture and traditions? Would it have been Christianity that set him apart from the pagan Danes as depicted in the Saxon Chronicles, or was he simply a wise, pragmatic, and honourable man?Robert Douglas
I think he was a wise and pragmatic man. His first wife was Saxon (a Mercian), and some people say he was much influenced by her – he certainly adopted English ways – but that didn’t stop him putting her aside for Emma of Normandy, but she too had strong Saxon connections because she was the widow of the previous King of Wessex. In brief, I think Cnut went native!
Dear Mr Cornwell
I'm sure you've been asked this countless times, but the answer is potentially different as time passes, have you been approached / considered the prospect of turning the Warlord Chronicles into a trilogy of epic movies?
I ask as your work, and these books in particular are the only books in my opinion better than Tolkein's works and I feel a well budgeted 2-3 hour per book movie could with proper direction and crucially strict continuity with the books be an incredible successful venture.
Regards
Michael Hackett
It has been talked about, but will it ever happen? Doesn't seem likely....
Hello Mr. Cornwell!
I recently began the Sharpe series with "Sharpe's Tiger," (I hope that was a good move!) yet I am confused about the Tippoo's name in that you refer to him as THE Tippoo. Knowing very little about Indian history, I initially thought Tippoo Sultan to be a title or honorific, but upon looking it up, I was surprised to learn that it was in fact his name. Is referring to him as the Tippoo a cultural way of expressing grandiosity, effectively turning his name into a title?
Altogether though, cheers, and thanks for writing such a brilliant series that shall no doubt keep me entertained for a good long time while I learn a bit more history to boot!
Jonathan Glasman
It’s how he was referred to in many of the documents and letters of the time, and they may have been wrong to do that, but that’s how it was and I just followed their lead.
Dear Mr Cornwell,
I have read all of your books, and I avidly wait the next one, whatever period it covers. I don't know whether you have picked up on the debate (a polite word for the wrangling going on) over the final resting place of Richard III, now his body has been found. Many people have commented on the fact that the vast bulk of novels about Richard have been written by women. I hope that once you have reached the end of the tales of Thomas of Hookton, you will cast your eyes upon the Wars of the Roses. I would be fascinated to hear your "take" on Richard. Somehow, my mental portrait of him is of a Sharpe-type character. An able soldier, a leader of men, a man of fierce loyalty to his brother & his wife, who did not expect to become king. He was cheated by some he trusted, and ultimately abandoned by people who thought they would be better rewarded by his enemy. I think you would do him justice.
Elizabeth Titley
It’s on the list. Trouble is the list is long and I’m getting old. Maybe?
As you know George Fraser wrote a series of books set in history with the fictional 'Flashman' inserted into real events. Mr. Fraser died recently. As far as I know nobody has followed in his footsteps.
Although I can't think of a writer better suited than you to pick up the Flashman universe and create new stories, I wonder if you have any information whether or not the estate will be allowing other writers to create in that wonderful universe?
I'm looking forward to every Sharpe novel you can pump out!
Thank you and a sincere thanks for the great entertainment you've provided me and my fellows over the years.
Pat Hulse
Newberg, Oregon
I have no idea, and I’m sure I’m not the right person, though I’m most grateful for your faith in me. George had a wryness and wit that is way beyond me!
Dear Mr Cornwell
I enjoy all your books.
They give me relaxation, enjoyment and I learn much about history.
A question?
Sharpe and Thomas of Hookton seem to kill many enemies during each book.
How many enemies would a top class soldier of their eras actually have killed in battle? Is it possible to estimate this?
Kind regards
Robair
I doubt it’s possible. They’re both fictional heroes so probably their tally is unnaturally high, but in hand to hand fighting, such as at Poitiers? I imagine some guys were fearsomely effective. And we do have other accounts, like Sergeant Ewart at Waterloo, and his score must have been high too, you didn’t want to upset him!