Your Questions

Q

Two short questions: Are you hosting any battlefield tours to Spain in 2012? If yes can you please provide details. The shapes war tv series (four parts):- is it availiable on DVD yet? If yes can you please provide details. Thank you. Dominic Hoole

Submitted January 25, 2011

A

No plans to host a battlefield tour in Spain as far as I know...

'Sharpe's War' has never become available on DVD to my knowledge.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I'm a HUGE fan of the Sharpe series. I recently went to Seringapatam/Srirangapatna, with a copy of Sharpe's Tiger, having also viewed the picture gallery on your website. You've mentioned that "Colonel Bailey's Dungeon" was actually a magazine. So where were the dungeons? The guides there say that the stone protrusions from the walls were used to chain prisoners, and I took pictures of myself posing how I imagined Lawford and Sharpe were once chained. Could you please clarify the actual location of the Tipu's dungeons? Also, there's an obelisk, with names of those that died in battle. Near this, there is a small... storage area or tunnel? I couldn't explore the "tunnel" as it was filthy and I saw a snake. What is this area? Is that the Bangalore gate? Also, you mention watch towers (16) in the book. Are these the ruined grooves on the way to the obelisk? I counted 18. I've seen three breaches, two of which appear facing the bridge, as in your photograph. Am not sure which breach is the right one, but I took pictures of myself on both, screaming "It's lieutenant Graham now," hoping I got at least one right. Hope to hear from you, so at least I can get the places right on my next visit. Best regards, and hope there's another Sharpe book soon, Renu, Kerala, India.

Submitted January 25, 2011

A

If I remember rightly (and it's a LONG time since I was at Seringapatam, the 'dungeons' face onto the Cauvery? It's just a daft place to put dungeons! And the building that I remember is so ideally suited to be a magazine, and so close to the guns, that it seems obvious that was what it was . . . as for the dungeons, I suspect they were in the centre of the town, wherever the Tippoo lived, in a building that's long disappeared. I'm not sure I remember the tunnel, storage area you describe. The Watergate is still there, and labelled as the place of the Tippoo's death, but that again is wrong. There was a second wall inside the outer wall (and why would you build your 'dungeons' outside the inner wall?). That inner wall was demolished by Sir Arthur Wellesley, but every account makes it clear that the Tippoo was trying to negotiate the tunnel through that inner battlement when he was intercepted and killed, while the tunnel presently labelled as his death-place is the passage through the outer battlements. Again, it's so long since I was at Seringapatam that my memory is a bit hazy. I have a feeling that the right-hand breach (looking across the Little Cauvery) was Graham's breach, but I can't be certain. Watch-towers? They would be long gone and I'm not sure what the grooves are.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have recently discovered Sharpe and you. I just want you to know how much my wife and i enjoy Sharpe and co, Awesome! You are up on a pedestal as an author and i absolutely love the style you write with, the wry humour and especially the historical accuracy. I am a black powder shooter here in NZ and i can tell you that all they guys i shoot with are aware of Sharpe and you and think just the same as me. You are doing Gods work!! I am planning to construct a Baker rifle (Rifled of course)as i build guns as a hobby. I can thank Sharpe for initiating me into the Ezekiel Baker world. This rifle is very important as you know. As it happens we have a mint Baker in our Te Papa Museum in Wellington and there are superb pics of it posted at (google)'Tower Baker'.Bakers were not issued in NZ and i am trying to find out how it got here. I am gathering up the Sharpe dvds and have started reading the books and can't get enough. Thank god for library's!! Anyway i don't want to bother you just to let you know what pleasure you have given us. Please keep it up. You are a World treasure I'm sure. Cheers, Stuart and Claire

Hi again, Just read some of the letters to you. You are very popular!. What would it take to get you to write about the NZ Maori Wars?. There are RICH pickings here for you and you could well either unite or reignite New Zealand!!!!! Just a thought if you want to have a Southern Hemisphere Diversion sometime? A Maori lead character would be stupendous!(i promise not to seek a finders fee for the idea either-honest!) Cheers Stuart.

Submitted January 25, 2011

A

Thousands of Bakers went into service world-wide, it was the AK47 of the early 19th Century, so it isn't surprising that some found their way to NZ! Thanks for your message.

I'd like to read that series, but I think it should be written by someone with a far greater knowledge of NZ and the Maoris! I have visited NZ twice, and like most people fell in love with the place, but two visits aren't enough to make me familiar with the background.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have thoroughly enjoyed your books. I am sad that I have finished the Sharpe series (it feels like ending a friendship!). I am still waiting to get Uhtred back to Bebbanburg! Will you be writing more of the Saxon Series soon? Thanks for the hours of entertainment you have provided me! Many a plane ride has passed with my friends of your imagination! John Schmidt

Looking forward to another enjoyable Saxon story. Any hint on when we can expect another; hopefully this year? Thx JD

Dear Bernard, You are an amazing writer and I wanted to thank you for the Saxon tales. I picked up "The Last Kingdom" around Thanksgiving and will be starting book 5 tonight. I hate to think of it coming to an end. Please tell me there's a 6 in the works!! Thanks again, Brian

Will there ever be another book in the saxon stories??

Mike Jewell

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I only want to know whether there will be a 6th book in the The Saxon Stories? I greatly appreciated the historical background which I find fascinating and would love to read more about what happens to Uhtred as well to the political scene at that time. Thank you very much for your time With kind regards Jenny Knight

Submitted January 25, 2011

A

I am working on the 6th book of the Saxon stories now. Hope to have it ready for publication later this year.

Q

will you ever write about roman legions, greeks, germanic wars, or carthage. was sent first 3 saxon stories and arthur books at marine boot camp when injured. were very popular books. got me out of firewatch for 2 weeks when i loaned them to the scribe (recruit responsible for forms and paperwork including firewatch)thanks.
W.

Submitted January 25, 2011

A

It's not likely, but never say never....

Q

I very much enjoy your series and have read most, will you be doing anything the Starbuck Chronicles and will there be more Saxon Stories I am interested in Uhtred's progress

Newt Newman

Submitted January 25, 2011

A

I am writing Uhtred's next book now. And I do hope to get back to Starbuck before too long.

Q

love your work very much looking forward to the next Saxon story. have you ever thought about a Viking Saxon computer game based on your characters from the series? I think it would sell like hotcakes and get a new generation of fans bringing some history to youngsters who would never think of picking up a book. best regards Erle

Submitted January 21, 2011

A

Thanks! I think it's been mentioned, but seems nothing's come of it.

Q

Dear Bernard, Whilst eagerly awaiting Uhtred's return [? from annual holiday entitlement?], I was thrilled to read `Redcoat'. Your acutely accurate description of the brutal British Army regimen towards the poor who made up the vast bulk of the ranks of British Soldiers [and sailors - I'm from Liverpool] who created an empire for the rich to enjoy can have no detractors or critics. In `Redcoat', Sam escapes his brutal Army bondage with his American love Caroline. 1778 /79 The war for freedom rages on. Surely Sam and Caroline have many further adventures Bernard ? It can't end there surely ? Please reassure. Kind Regards. Paul.

Submitted January 21, 2011

A

Sorry - I don't have plans for a sequel to Redcoat, but I am glad to know you enjoyed the book!

Q

Hi Bernard, will you ever write a book about the legendary knight Sir Henry 'Hotspur' Percy ? Keep up the excellent novels !

Ben Anderson

Submitted January 21, 2011

A

Well I've never thought of that, so probably not? But never say never!

Q

I'd just like to say that i think your Sharpe books are fantastic. have been thinking for a while about who Sharpe's father could be, and I think it's Luke Gardiner, 1st Viscount Mountjoy. David Geraghty

Submitted January 21, 2011

A

Sorry, no!