Your Questions

Q

Hello, I'm a huge fan, and I was wondering if there were any plans in the foreseeable future to make movies out of, the grail quest series, Arthur books, or saxon stories. I was also wondering if there was a chance Sharpe would march again? Aneurin Canham Clyne

A

No plans for movies....but there will be more Sharpe books!


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I just love your English history books. Please tell me that you intend to write again about Thomas of Hookton. Also the Saxon stories. I've read every one and just can't get enough of them. For me, you are the most readable author I have come across. Sincerely yours, Margaret Warner

I hardly can't wait for your next book in the Saxon series! How soon will it come? I'm from Denmark, and I do live in to the storie, simply the best!! Bent Hedegaard

A

I'm not sure I'll ever get back to Thomas....but I am writing the next Saxon story now!


Q

Is the Halevy family supposed to be Jewish??

Sara Goldman

A

I honestly can't remember what book they're in, but if they're meant to be Jewish then I'll say so, if I don't say so, they ain't!


Q

I have read all of books set prior to the age of gunpowder, but I travel a lot and love to listen to audiobooks and all of your books are abridged. I know you don't have much of a say in that, but who does? I would like to write them a letter. Warlord has to be my favorite and there is a good full recording of that but it's only on cassette, I can't bring that on my travels. p.s. who the hell wants to listen to an abridged story? Dan

A

A number of my books can be purchased in unabridged formats (Chivers), but I'll be happy to pass your comments along to the publishers.


Q

My daughter and I have different versions on how to pronounce Uhtred's name... please can you tell us? Many thanks jennifer

A

Uhtred? to rhyme with hoot, but with a slight guttural inflection - oot-red.


Q

hi Mr. Cornwell I am an avid fan, and I am reading Exacalibur. I couldn't help but wonder if Sharpe, or Thomas of Hookton are descended from Gwydre and Morwenna?

sorry for all of the questions, but I was wondering if Thomas of Hookton was immortal because he drank from the grail? If so, where would that place him between 1799 and 1821? Aneurin Canham Clyne

A

Not that I know of! But it's a nice idea.

Dead, in his grave, sorry.


Q

Hello, I've been searching your mail looking for any reference to Sharpe's involvement in a particular battle in the Napoleonic wars. It is plain from reading your correspondence that I am only one of many who get enormous pleasure from reading your books. But I guess that your success has reached the point where it is difficult for you to be aware of all that is happening in your organisation. Letter No. 17 in the "Not FAQ" section posted on 20/12/10 enquired about the Sharpe TV series on DVD and you replied that as far as you knew they were not. On 27/12/10 I was taken to the local flea market in Paphos - Cyprus where I found a boxed set of the complete series. The Publisher is Carlton Visual Entertainment Cat. No. 37115 03793. Web site www.carltonvisual.com.

I am searching your website to see if you have involved Sharpe in the battle of Belem which many Spanish regard as the turning point in the war against Napoleon. During the war the Spanish army dumped and abandoned French prisoners on the island of Cabrera off the coast of Mallorca where they largely starved to death. With every winter storm today sand is blown away from the shallow graves exposing their skeletons. A memorial was erected some years ago by French residents but has fallen into disrepair. Present members of the French Association wanted to effect repairs and my late wife who was French got involved in the project. She visited the Military Headquarters in Palma and while waiting to be interviewed was studying the wall decorations. Above the reception desk is a portrait that looked familiar and she realised that the same portrait was on the wall of her bedroom as a child. Who's that? she asked, and was told that he was the Military Governor of Mallorca in 1809. Enquiries among the older members of her family revealed that he was indeed her great great ... great grandfather who was regarded as a black sheep and not spoken of because he had been involved in a foiled plot to assassinate Napoleon and had had to flee to the Court in Spain. We were not able to discover more details of his activities before my wife died but she had discovered reference to him in the Spanish Military Museum in Minorca where they have a large scale mock-up of the battlefield at Belem. It seems that he joined Wellington's army and his knowledge of French military tactics (He was an officer in the French army) was central in the planning before the English/Spanish victory at Belem. It is obvious that you have done vary considerable research into the Napoleonic Wars and I wondered if you had any information on this particular battle. My regards, A.C. Revill

A

Sorry, there's a bit of a confusion here - the writer on 20 Dec 2010 was asking about the show 'Sharpe's War', not the Sharpe films. 'Sharpe's War' was shown on the UK History Channel in 2003 and 2005 (there's a description of it on the Diary page of this website).

I'm sorry - I know almost nothing about Belem, but your fascinating message has piqued my curiosity and I shall have to discover a lot lot more! What a great story. I wish I could respond more helpfully, but I shall try to learn as much as I can over the next few months. Apologies and thanks!


Q

Bernard- I am now reading Sharpe's Devil, and admittedly I feel sad this is the last of the series. I know you have said you will write more, but can you prepare us about what to expect? Maybe a hint? Reason I ask is that you have probably covered the most significant battles of the Napoleonic wars so it's a bit hard for us to imagine what is coming next. Maybe more adventures in south America? Cheers, SN

A

I won't know until I start writing it, but I don't think the setting will be South America.


Q

High praise for your adventuresome history thrillers. I have found the Saxon series particularly enthralling and like how Uhtred and you have developed the story (with now, Uhtred having flashbacks about these war torn periods). I especially love the biology that comes into subtle play. It is just one of the many nice touches that make your stories appear authentic for the times. Uhtred has turned into quite a savvy tactician. The honeybee surprise was just truly ingenious. I can just see those mud/cowpie plastered hives hoisted upon the rival's fighting space. Yowie! My simple question is about Uhtred's quest for Bebbanburg: When do you pick up the threads again and give us the next edition? And how many more books do you anticipate in the Saxon series? I suspect more, as I've not yet read about Aethelfled's Aethelstan and that seems like such an important detail.

Janet Shellman Sherman

I just finished Burning Land .Is there another book coming that will continue the story of Uhtred?I have read the Arthur Stories and the Saxon Stories and I am hooked .I need more Thanks Gary

A

I am working on the next book of the Saxon stories now. How many will there be? I don't know - but at least a few more!


Q

I don't know how often you've been asked this, but is Lord Pumphrey going to get his just desserts for what he did to Astrid? If you ever do stop writing the Sharpe stories (all of which are excellent, save for "Prey" which I found lacked sparkle) can you please first make sure he does, great character though he is.

Guy Blythman

A

Oh, I can't help thinking they'll encounter each other again - - I never know what future books will hold, but I suspect I left Lord P alive for a purpose!