Your Questions

LOVE all your books on all subjects. Are any of them e-books? Or something that can be downloaded into an i-Pod nano, for instance. Want to listen/read every chance I get. Watched one of the videos on your webpage and SOO glad you've maintained your accent. So has my Mum who is from London. Thank you.

Barbara Henry

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have just completed reading "The Fort". As usual I thoroughly enjoyed your writing and the historical notes that followed the novel. You mention the subsequent occupation of Castine in the war of 1812.The book was made even more captivating to me because during that second British occupation a customs post was operated and the revenue raised was used to found Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where I taught at the medical school for the past 40yrs or so. Any further word on a sequel to 'Gallows Thief' ? It would be a pity to let Rider,Eleanor,Berrigan and Sally fade into oblivion. Keep up the outstanding work and many thanks for what you have already given us.

David Imrie

Dear Mr. Cornwell,I first discovered your novels after watching the Sharpe series on television. This is the type of entertainment I thoroughly enjoy. After discovering you as the author I have now found other novels of yours and particularly have enjoyed "Azincourt" and the latest non put downable novel "Gallows Thief" (the front cover is not the same as shown on this site). Being totally immersed in the story line I found myself actually becoming Rider Sandman, can you please tell me when I can next expect to read about myself as I can't wait to see what I get UP to! Ken Martin

Dear Mr Cornwell. I have wondered if you have ever considered writing a book about the battle at Verneuil? you write a lot about English archers, and Verneuil is the first time that their arrows didn't work /

Roland Blok

Hello, in Sharpe's sword at the end of the book Sharpe has two swords; what happened to the sword he took from Leroux?

Bradley

To Mr. Cornwell, I was just looking at the excerpt from the saxon tales book and was just wondering if the character of Weohstan was meant to be the same Weohstan that is in the story of Beowulf, or is it just irony that the 2 characters are named the same. James

It is a shame that the Sharpe series ended without discussing Sharpe's later years, say 1848 (a momentous year in Europe). I envision him contented, grateful for what life has given him, devoted to his family, and living ageing gracefully. And I look forward to a placid closure.

William Pickard

Mr. Cornwell, I would simply like to thank you for the many hours of enjoyment I have had while reading your novels. While I have only read the Sharpe novels, I will definitely be starting on the others soon. Also, thank you very much for the riddle of Sharpe's father; I have been greatly amused during my research into "proving" this theory or that and I learned lots of things along the way - which is something I am quite fond of. So, in the spirit that almost anything can be proven if you dig deep enough and spin it the right way,(just ask UFO believers or politicians), here is my answer: Sharpe's father's name is Guilmore. I arrived at this by first removing the "you/u" resulting in Gilmore. As in Happy Gilmore (the happy person in the riddle.) Then by adding "me/i" we get Gilimore. The "ili" is the horse, from the Ili horse in China (also spelled Yili.) The irony of the name Guilmore can be taken that the name appears to be a *french* variation of Gillemore, something that Sharpe may not be pleased about, especially in his earlier days. The name itself is gaelic and can mean "the henchman or follower of the chief that carried the chief's broadsword," though it can also mean "Armor/Shield Bearer" (or even "Large Lad") and is sort of what Sharpe did for Wellington. Not particularly applicable or ironic, but notable in any case. Amusingly, Ili (or Yili) is a Zhou Dynasty book detailing etiquette and social protocol, which could also be considered ironic in that is exactly what Sharpe was not known for. Plus, as a bonus this works with Guilmore or Gilmoure. Thanks again for the wonderful books and have a nice day. Jon Frideres

Dear Mr. Cornwell I've only more recently discovered your works (after a random airport purchase), but am since hard at work catching up on your entire back catalog. Needless to say, I absolutely love your work. Since you've proven with "A Crowning Mercy" that you are quite familiar with the English Civil War (and I presume Thirty Years War as well), is there any chance you might tackle that era again? Also, how long does it take you on average to write a full book? Do you write one book at a time, or do you work on multiple simultaneously? Thanks a lot! Steffen

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I am often surprised and intrigued by some of the factual historical snippets you include in your books - for instance I knew the welsh word for England is Lloegr but did not know before reading the Arthur novels that it translates as 'lost lands'. I knew the French region Brittany was so named because of the influx of Britons in the post-Roman era but had never made the connection between the name of the adjacent region Normandy and the Norsemen who came to England and France until I read The Burning Land. What, if I may ask, have you discovered which has most intrigued you as you have researched your books?

Chris Davidson

Dear Bernard It occurs to me reading recent your posts that your publisher is becoming a pain in the a*s*! I much preferred Captivate Kill Destroy and Crown of Thorns sounds perfect as the next Uhtred title. Blood Royal? Perhaps you should move back to Penguin! :0) Seriously, how much do you mind this sort of interference? It seems totally unacceptable to me. I mean, who writes the blessed things you or them? Surely you should have the last say. Rob Comber