Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I think I already know the answer to my question but thought I'd pose it anyway. Having read very little over the past few years, I managed to get through all four Starbuck chronicles remarkable quickly, this included a number of late nights, early mornings over breakfast and the occasional snatched few minutes at work. I cannot imagine how you can leave poor Nate in his current state, he's been shot in the face having fought his way through the bloodiest day of the American civil war - we - your loyal followers, must know what happens next....Please drop everything and and put him, and us, out or our misery!! Best Regards, Pat

Enjoyed the Sharpe series and just finishing Starbuck Chronicles. Your FAQ indicated this series is not dead. Any time frame for the next book? Really a good read.

Dan Markley

Dear Mr Bernard Cornwell I have read all your books I really enjoyed the starbuck chronicles but I am a bit sad because the story is not yet finished when will there be more the book called the bloody ground finished abruptly I would like to know are there any more books about starbuck and friends. Mervyn j.c.Rickard

Hi Bernard, It's that same old question again from me in Bolton UK, whens Starbuck back? I miss your books about him and the Civil War, I spend my time reading about the Civil War and shooting the weapons they used. I cannot start to understand how they did what they did with those weapons as I know the difficulty in loading them in a civilised enviroment never mind on a battlefield. Good luck with your new books and hopefully sometime soon you will get back to Starbuck. Tim

I enjoyed the Starbuck Chronicles so much. Can we look forward to another which should be about the time of Gettesburg I assume?

Richard Botwright

Submitted September 9, 2011

A

I do hope to return to Starbuck one of these days!

Q

Dear Bernard I'm sure you do not get tired of readers writing and telling you how much they have enjoyed your books, being told we are doing thing's right is motivation in itself to continue, and I, like so many others look forward to the next 'read'. One question if I may. I find one of the frustrating parts of 'collecting' a series of books is when the publishers decide to change to front cover, for example, The Warlord Chronicles, 'The Enemy of God' and 'Excalibur', i managed to obtain with the original covers, whereas 'The Winter King' i could not source the original, even your link on the web-site has the old cover, click to amazon and alas its the new cover. This probably sounds like a strange lament, but do you, the Author, have any control over the Cover and spine of the book? I just find the books look so much better as a collection if the Covers remain consistent. Kindest Regards Nick Buckingham Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK

Submitted September 9, 2011

A

I don't, and in truth cover-design is a mystery to me!

Q

Mr Cornwell, please permit me another couple of questions. I have just started Sharpe’s Fury and I am intrigued by the dedication. The book is dedicated to Eric Sykes. Is it ’the’ Eric Sykes and if so why? It must be the most fabulous thing to have a book dedicated to you. How do you decide who each book is going to be dedicated to? Thank you again, Barry Evans, Doncaster, UK

Submitted September 9, 2011

A

It is 'the' Eric Sykes, yes! He's a wonderful man and I'm privileged to know him slightly, and the dedication is a way of thanking him for his friendship and, of course, the laughter he gives all of us!

Q

Sir, I am now retired after 38 years of police/national security service , I am presently thoroughly enjoying the Saxon Stories, I am very pleased that 'England" is being portrayed as the Anglo/Scandinavian/Celtic entity that it was at that time. Given my former Intelligence activities I have often pondered the question, who betrayed Harold Godwinson? Every military movement carried out by this very capable man was obviously faithfully reported to Duke William .Have these same thoughts ever crossed your mind ?

George Davies

Submitted September 9, 2011

A

I don't know enough about the events of 1066 to offer you an answer . . . . did William time his invasion to coincide with Harold's march north to Stamford Bridge? It's possible, and it would obviously have been a clever move, but William was far more dependent on favourable winds to cross the channel, and would probably have crossed whenever he could (regardless of where Harold was). On the other hand we know there was constant contact between England and Normandy, so perhaps there was a traitor? Sorry, I just haven't studied the campaign closely enough.

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell, sorry I didn't understand the first time that this is where I post my question. But as I said I am reading the Winter King and I am really interested to know what inspired you to write your own version of the Arthurian legend, and how much of this book is truly historical and how much is purely legend? Thanks! Josh

Submitted September 9, 2011

A

We know so little of King Arthur (not even whether he existed, and if he did he probably wasn't a king), and the round table, of course, is a mediaeval invention. My inspiration? growing up in England meant you were constantly reminded of its history and, like any child interested in history, soon encountered the mythical figure of King Arthur and so became interested in him.

Q

Hope all is well with you Bernard. I have a simple question. How does the UK editions and the US editions vary? I am itching to get started on Death of Kings, but I am torn whether to seek out a UK edition online, or wait and get the US edition next year.

Robert Long

Submitted September 9, 2011

A

No difference - except in publication dates and book covers (and the occasional spelling of a word or two).

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell. I have written so many times lately that I feel you must be fed up with the likes of me. So quickly this time, is Sharpe's father Gitan the gypsy in Fallen Angels. He fits. He is dark haired, cunning and brave. In 1792 Campion is 24 years old, presuming Gitan is five years older he would be the right age to flirt with the working girls in London(who would have fallen at his feet)for Sharpe to be born in 1777. You do seem to like to interweave characters from different series, i.e. Starbuck-Patrick Lassan, You mention a Green Jacketed officer who saved Rider Sandman in Gallows Thief, it must have been Sharpe. Any how. Love your books. Keep writing them. Best regards Mike Walker. Worcester.UK.

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

Nice try. Wrong, but nice.

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell! I was wondering if you know how long it usually takes for your danish publisher to translate and publish your Saxon Stories books in danish in Denmark. I am asking this since I want to know if I can wait till Death of Kings is translated into danish or if I'll have to order an English book from abroad and read it instead (which I imagine would be somewhat difficult for me). I cannot seem to find the publishing dates from your previous books. Kind regards from Denmark, Frederik

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

As with other translations, it seems at least one year from the English publication is the norm. I don't know about Denmark, but I imagine at least a year before it might be available in Danish translation.

Q

Google book advanced search is my way of checking when words and phrases became into common usage. Background: my husband and I have been rewatching the Sharpe movies. Today, a phrase bothered my husband (he does know his military history and now can put years on the Sharpe episodes.) The phrase shooting blanks bothered him; when I looked it up, it turns out it didn't appear before 1850 and only appeared in the cartridge context four times from 1850-1900. Me? I'm searching for an older reference for the phrase that the Rose is the Queen of Flowers. Forget the attribute to the poetess Sappho; it's not there; the earliest I can find it is in Queen Elizabeth I's order of investiture. I look forward to letting your series take me back in time. Ann Peck

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

That's interesting! I know 'shooting blanks' occurred in one of the Sharpe TV movies, but I'm fairly certain I didn't use it in the books (though I can't swear to it). I don't think I've heard of the rose being the queen of flowers before, but if I come across any references I'll pass it on. Thank you

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell. What made you change your mind about writing another Thomas of Hookton book? You have always replied to enquiries that you thought that his story was done and that there would be no more. (I hope you realise that you will have probably raised the hopes of Starbuck fans now!)Did writing Azincourt stir your interest in Thomas again? Many thanks and I am looking forward to Death of Kings. Many thanks, Tony

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

I think it was a continued fascination with the battle of Poitiers, which occurs shortly after the last of the Thomas of Hookton books - so he's an obvious character to use, but I had problems about finding something for him to do in the new book which (I hope) are solved!