Your Questions

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell,

I'm currently reading (and immensely enjoying) your novel about Nick Hook's exploits in France during the 100 Years' War.  I am a history teacher by trade and am drawn to the 100 Years' War and especially the medieval period.  Here's my question- would you think there would be a connection between the Battle of Agincourt (and the subsequent loss of an inestimable amount of French nobility) and the future French Revolution on some level?

Roger Mueller

Submitted April 3, 2024

A

I really doubt there's a connection.  After all, the French, led by their nobility, finally expelled the English from France, and it's hard to imagine the revolutionaries of the late 18th Century whipping up enthusiasm by reminding audiences of military failures that happened three centuries earlier.  Surely the proximate causes of the revolution are sufficient?  The ridiculous privileges accorded to the nobility and economic hardship.

Q

Mr. Cornwell,

I stumbled upon the Sharpe TV series two years ago and binged most of it in a day while sick. I immediately bought a mass-market paperback copy of Sharpe's Tiger and devoured it. I've since given away the few paperbacks that I initially bought in the series and have (literally) scoured the world finding hardback copies of the books. Some of the early ones proved pretty difficult. All that to say: I'm committed! I'm reading 'Regiment' at the moment, and my wife is even plowing through them herself.

Is there any plan to re-print the entire series in matching hardcover editions? It would go perfectly on my shelf next to Patrick O'Brian.

I would buy it today.

Alex Cothran

Submitted April 1, 2024

A

I am not aware of any plans for it.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell

I am a huge fan of your work and have recently just finished re-reading your magnificent Starbuck Chronicles (I have all of them in first edition hardback!)

My main reason for contacting you is: are you intending on writing any further Starbuck books? I would so love to hear what happens to Nate and Captain Truslow!

In the meantime, do you imagine Nate survives the war and if so, what do you imagine he does afterwards, and does he end up with either Sally or Julia in the end?!

I must say having read most of your work, I do think Sally Truslow is one of your most well crafted characters: I would love to hear what happens to her too!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards

Oliver

Submitted March 25, 2024

A

I'm afraid returning to Starbuck seems unlikely right now.....

Q

Dear Bernard

Many people are unaware that Wellington was part of the 1806 Hanover Expedition. It occurred to me if you ever wanted an excuse to send Sharpe to Germany this would be it. Jena or Auerstadt which would be your pick to send Sharpe too  ?

What would Sharpe make of Davout do you think ?

Regards

Geraint

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanover_Expedition

Submitted March 9, 2024

A

I’ve never considered writing about Davout, and I fear I probably won’t! Sorry!

Q

I, and so many fans would love to hear yuor take on the origins of the Staffordshire Hoard. Was it booty sold by the Mercian King Æthelred I,Reign: 675 – 704, who after his queen was murdered, built Bardney Abbey in her memory and retired there as Abbot. Did he sell all the gold and garnet warchest to some merchants who were waylaid and slaughted by his nobles, not knowing the treasure had been buried shortly before their attack, just off the Watling Way? This is Uhtred period history, and may explain how Mercia as the most powerful kingdom, defeating Kent and Northumbria, was overtaken by Wessex and English history changed for ever!

Stephen Pollock-Hill

Submitted March 9, 2024

A

I have no idea why the hoard was hidden. The usual explanation is that such treasures were buried to hide them from an encroaching enemy in the hope that the loot could be recovered later.  My own explanation on the decline of Mercia is that the kingdom was so ravaged by Danish attacks that it lost its pre-eminence and depended on West Saxon help to regain territory.

 

Q

You covered French Infantry formations when they attack.  What formations did they use in defense?

What were British Infantry attack formations?

Thomas Strode

Submitted March 9, 2024

A

The French defended in line, just like the British, only their infantry had three ranks as against the British two.  The British infantry attacked in line, usually switching from defence to attack, though if a battalion was being moved from one part of the battlefield to another they would use column, only because it was a better formation for keeping the troops together, but would switch back to line as soon as they reached their destination. French battalions were usually larger than British, but the two deep line gave the British an advantage over the three deep line.

 

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I am a high school student who is interested in history. I am a big fan of the Sharpe's Rifles series. Currently I am reading Sharpe's Eagle. In the book you often mention how the Horse Guards need to approve Sharpe's promotion. Why are they in charge of promotions and when did they loose that responsibility?

Thank you,

 

David P

Submitted March 9, 2024

A

Because the Horse Guards were the administrative headquarters of the army, and kept the official records of personnel - and laid down the rules which governed promotions.  There had been some corruption (bribes for promotion) and after that was exposed the rules were tightened and regulations  were more rigorously imposed. 

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell,

 

It has been a while since I have contacted you. Firstly, thank you for Sharpe's Command, great to see him back, it was well written and slotted nicely in the series.

 

I have just finished Young Bloods - 1st in Simon Scarrows's Wellington/Napoleon quartet. Not sure if you read them, but I am finding them enthralling. I however am finding it a bit like a Sharpe companion (without Sharpe). It is possible (although he does not say It, that we witnessed Sharpe's mother die in the Gordon riots - at least that is all I was thinking about whilst reading It!

 

Just read about Boxtel  and the gruelling retreat. I knew little about this,  have you ever considered going back in time and writing about that in a 'first Sharpe book' - just a thought.

 

Keep up the Stirling work

 

Kind regards

 

Dan

Submitted March 9, 2024

A

I confess I haven't read Young Bloods, but your message has persuaded me to add it to the 'must read' pile, so thankyou!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

Is the Rev. William Oughtred, who invented the slide rule and introduced the use of the letter “x” to indicate multiplication, an ancestor of yours?

There is now an Oughtred Society for those who collect slide rules. I wonder what Uhtred might make of this.

Sincerely,

Richard Reich

Submitted March 9, 2024

A

Uhtred would wonder how well The Reverend William could slaughter his enemies. I knew he was credited with the slide-rule (that gene never came near me), but not that he devised the X for multiplication. Nor had I heard of the Oughtred Society.  I had heard that he died of 'joy' on hearing of the King's restoration in 1660, but I suspect that's not true, sadly.  I shall look into the Oughtred Society, but as someone who never understood the function of a slide rule I suspect I'm not qualified to join - but thank you anyway!

 

Q

Greetings Mr Cornwell,

huge fan of your books! I have just reread your Uhtred novels (again) and wondering if you could ever be tempted to drag him and Benedetta on a pilgrimage to Rome? Uhtred’s lamentations on the marvels left behind by the Romans was such a powerful concept in the stories. Having achieved his life aim (and Alfred’s in the process) it would be great for him to walk amongst the ruins Rome itself. Even another short story if you are missing him?

 

Can’t wait to see whatever you are currently working on or thinking about working on!

 

Thank you for everything you have written and for being so approachable despite your workload!

 

Kind regards,

 

Nic

Submitted March 9, 2024

A

I'm very tempted. I've long wanted to take a mediaeval character back to Rome, and am half-thinking about another novel with Uhtred - so maybe your suggestion will be the spur! Thank you!