Your Questions

Q

Your knowledge of history around Hastings and Romney Marsh is impressive and very extensive. A Royal Charter was decreed(1589) to Hastings Portsmen, following defeat of the Armada. Do you know if the same type of Royal Charter was decreed to New Romney and Hythe, or any of the other Cinque Ports please? Walter JC Murray, in his book, declared that this was the case, however, I have to date only achieved a copy of Hastings Royal Charter and would like to know the whereabouts of the others, or gain copies, if they exist. Would very much appreciate your assistance in this local history matter. Please keep up the excellent writing, I guess I have read Heretic and several others five times over at least, to date. Bernard Cornwell, Jack Higgins and Clive Cussler books line my shelves as compulsory purchase. Thankyou. Best regards, Barry Gilbert.

Submitted December 7, 2010

A

I can honestly say I have no idea, but there has to be a local museum connected to the Cinque Ports? They would know, or a local history group might - that's where I'd start looking.

Q

I was wondering if John Welch the American Marine Captain in your most recent novel, is the Father of Sharpe? I know Patrick the Frenchman in the Starbuck Chronicles is Sharpe's son, or I believe so. I guess this suspicion is based on a feeling and nothing more, however I figured I would ask. I am a devoted fan of Sharpe, Uhtred, and every other character you have written about, and I would like to say thank you for getting me into reading. I have read many books by many authors, and while there are many that I love, I always seem to find my way back to you.
Jared Cedarlund

Submitted December 7, 2010

A

It's a nice thought, but the dates don't work!

Q

Have you read Desmond Seward's account of "The Hundred Years War"? If so, any comments of it? I am reading it now, trying to align it with some of The Grail Quest series. Just curious.
Keith Campbell

Submitted December 7, 2010

A

I haven't read it, sorry - still working on Jonathon Sumption's great (and ongoing) history!

Q

Just finished The Fort; really enjoyed it. Do you have any plans to follow any of the F for fictional characters into a sequel?
Tony Mills

Submitted December 7, 2010

A

No - really not!

Q

Dear Bernard In regards to your recent novel on the AR and writing about Paul Reevere one of the famous mythological heros I wondered if you were tempted to write about one of its mythological villans Tarleton??

Btw you mention the US Marines using green coats as a possible Genisis for the 95th but what about the Queens Rangers which like the 95th were Green coated and like them had a repuatation as being the best of the best unit of either side in the war and they had a rifle company in the unit anyway could they have been the Prequel as it were for the 95th?

Finally I know you have said you may only go back to Sharpes past again in a short story but please please could you go back and tell of his time in Flanders. In Sharpes Tiger you have him recall Boxtel now besides the heavy fighting Wellington did at the Vaal River (not just Boxtel) and as the rearguard commander How on earth did Sharpe get there anyway as the Light Company of the 33rd (had been shipped out to the West Indies) was not with the rest of the regiment in Flanders? Yours sincerely Geraint Geraint

Submitted December 7, 2010

A

I've considered Tarleton, but no promises!

Well, that suggestion was a little capricious - and the only possible justification for it was that Moore would have seen the US Marines' coats - and he had a huge influence on the development of the Rifles. I suspect the green of the rangers was a more direct influence!

It might be a short story . . . . who knows? One day, perhaps.

Q

Hi, Bernard, Just popping in to tell you how thrilled I am to hear that the next book in the Saxon series will be released next summer. I am a big fan of Uhtred, and I wonder if you noticed that his name actually appears as UCHTRYT in the Welsh text of "Culhwch and Olwen" in the Mabinogion? For some reason, the Welsh scribe thought it was a Welsh name! By the way, I have another question: if I were to write a very brief review for your Arthurian books on my website (I have a section on Arthurian novels), I understand that I'm not permitted to use any book cover images from your books. May I have your permission to do so? Many thanks, and hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving weekend! Best Wishes, Karen

Submitted December 7, 2010

A

Sure, use the book-cover images, whoever said you couldn't? I've read the Mabinogion (years ago, for the Arthurian trilogy), but confess I never noticed Uchtryt . . . . which does sound a bit Welsh. Is it the same family? The Uhtreds were way across Britain and never really settled outside the north-west until a branch went to canada in the 19th Century - but interesting, thank you!

Q

I see there is a film on ITV4 this evening [6/12/10] "Sharpe's Peril"? I thought I had the full set of books including the short stories, and even your list on website does not mention this book. Is it a renamed book/episode??
Brian Richardson

Submitted December 7, 2010

A

There is no book - "Sharpe's Peril' (and 'Sharpe's Challenge') were written by scriptwriters for the tv films and are only loosely based on the books.

Q

I have just completed Agincourt, which led me to pick up the Saxon Stories to read again. But I was thinking as I was reading Mr. Hardy's "Longbow" that perhaps you would consider novels involving the battles of Crecy and Poitiers. It would seem to me that you could build an excellent series based on the family continuity of English archers who served on a multi- generational basis. Just a thought, I enjoy your histories enormously.
James Lindsay

Submitted December 7, 2010

A

I am planning a novel on Poitiers, but when? I wish I knew. Multi-generational? Um, no, probably not, it just isn't my style or something I enjoy, though I know others like it. Maybe just Poitiers?

Q

Do you have any reading suggestions for people interested in the Anglo-Mysore Wars, and Tipu Sultan in particular? It seems to me that there is a lack of English-language, non-academic history books on this subject.
Jeff

Submitted December 7, 2010

A

The most accessible books are, of course, the biographies on Wellington which all have interesting chapters on his Indian campaigns - and, of course, the great 'Wellington in India' by Jac Weller (there is a reprint available). I know that doesn't cover the full subject, but you might look at, say, Richard Holmes's book on Wellington and feret about in his bibliography for more. I have some more relevant books, but all out of print. But for the Tippoo? Parallel reading on Wellington will give you almost everything you need.

Q

Hi Bernard, I have been enjoying reading your novels for many years and am looking forward to reading "The Fort" and also the next Uhtred story. What peroid of English history do you find the most interesting and what would be your choice for a new series of stories? Have you ever considered writing about England/Wales/Scotland during the reign of Edward 1st - by all accounts he appears to have been an interesting character! Regards Bob Warburton

Submitted December 7, 2010

A

I've thought about Edward I, but will it happen? I don't know. I have so much other 'stuff' to finish first and, yes, I do have a favourite period which I've never attempted to write about - Elizabeth the Great - undoubtedly the best monarch in English history and a fascinating period . . . .