Your Questions

Q

Hi Bernard, I've been reading some snatches of officer diaries from the eighteenth century where they talk of building gun batteries for various cannon&18, 24 pound canon and so forth. One example talks of two hundred men being assigned to set up a battery of nine 24 pound cannon. And the officer mentions it being difficult to get sufficient timbers and planking to make the platform. I dont quite understand this. I had assumed the ground would be leveled and maybe the canon dug in. Why the need for an elaborate timber platform?? And speed apart why so many men? Regards Willie

Submitted December 5, 2009

A

The platform was necessary so that the cannon could be elevated sufficiently to fire across the embrasure, and if the embrasure was low, they would still want a platform - mainly to control the gun's recoil. A 24 pounder is a hell of a big brute and, if the ground is soft after rain, it will dig itself into a hole and be almost impossible to extricate without enormous and expensive effort. A field gun, mounted on a field carriage, is designed to be fired from almost any patch of ground, but a field gun is lighter, has larger wheels and a large team to manage it. They knew what they were doing!

Q

Dear Bernard having read all your books, I started reading Terry Goodkind's sword of truth series, and was wondering if you have had any contact about turning either the Grail Quest or the Saxon stories into a tv series, like the Legend of the Seeker? I think the Grail Quest would be great for tv as everybody already knows the story of Arthur and Merlin. Thanks again for the great stories. Andy from England

Mr. cornwell, I am utterly absorbed by your novels and the attention to detail but most of all I have enjoyed reading and re-reading the Grail Quest, particularly as I am now living in France(Gascony) where much of the action took place. Two questions really, 1) do you have any intention of adding further to the Grail Quest and 2) is there any chance that this series may be turned into a film/tv series? Thanks

Tony

Submitted December 5, 2009

A

Thanks! I'm not sure it will ever happen, but it's a nice thought!

Right now I don't plan to add to the series, but never say never!

Q

Dear Sir Cornwell, Last Christmas, I offered your book "Azincourt" to an English speaker friend of mine. He really enjoyed it, that's why, I wanted to offer it to my dad this year. Unfortunately, I can't find a french version of this book. Do you know if it has been translated in French? We are living 10km from the small village of Azincourt, and know that many French people are interested in this story, especially my dad. Thank you very much for your answer. Regards. Celine

Submitted December 5, 2009

A

It is not yet available in French translation and we do not have a publication date from the publisher - sorry!

Q

Hello Bernard, your book on Agincourt is a MUST by the way you speak of it. Hope your memory can stretch to this obscure question. 'In Sharpe's Battle (TV version) last scene, I can't understand why Wellington said to Sharpe "I made you, I can break you". As I am in love with Wellington now, after only just discovering Sharpe, it is painful to see Wellington being (it appears) unkind to Sharpe, especially as Sharpe had won a great victory. Was this one of their coded conversations for the benefit of Monro (I am not so keen on him!) or was my love Wellington truly being unnecessarily sharp because this does not comply with the ideal man Wellington is. I HAVE TO KNOW or I can't go on watching the rest of the series, as you can tell I am a bit of a novice! Thank you for being so utterly amenable to your followers, this is the mark not only of a top creative artist but a man of kindness. With kind wishes for all success with your future works. You really have changed lives with your heart and mind, plus pen! kiss Paula

Submitted December 4, 2009

A

Wellington has a distinctly ambivalent relationship with Sharpe. I didn't write that line, but I approve of it! The Duke didn't approve of men being promoted from the ranks ('they always take to drink'), so he's suspicious of Sharpe and, at the same time, forced into acknowledging that Sharpe saved his life. They are mutually suspicious, alleviated by the knowledge that they're also two very good soldiers. The relationship really is meant to be arm's length and ambivalent!

Q

Hi, I'm taking an extended qualification at 6th form and I chose to research the Legend of King Arthur and try to see what is fact and what is fiction. I have information from the likes of Nennius and Gildas but I was just wondering if there was anything interesting that you came across while writing the Warlord trilogy that might be of some use. It's quite difficult to get information from an era where documents haven't survived as you probably know! Thankyou for any help you can give me. Amy Vaughan.

Submitted December 4, 2009

A

If there is anything interesting then I'm sure I mentioned it in the historical notes to the novels, so can I suggest you look there? I was fascinated by the early Celtic saints' lives which invariably described Arthur as a villain, so they are worth a look, and there is a book which collects all the earliest sources and prints them - a terrific book which, like an idiot, I lent to someone and haven't seen since, and I can't remember what it was called. But a Google search might throw something up?

Q

who is Bill Moir,please?I've been friend with somebody called Bill Moir in the years '70?Thanks for answering. I am historian and love your books (Arthur and saxons chronicles). Bye

Haytor

Submitted December 4, 2009

A

Bill was a very dear friend who, sadly, died much too young. He came from Nova Scotia, but lived most of his adult life in England.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, Let me first state that I am an avid fan of yours. I have read many of your books (into exhaustion) as I greatly admire your style and the accuracy and research you put into your writing. Recently a friend of mine pointed out a possible discrepancy in your writing. She is also a fan of yours and is from Wales (Cardiff). That being said she told me that the ancient laws of inheritance from Wales are different than what you've portrayed in the Warlord Chronicles. She says that originally when a king would pass away, his children would all take an equal measure of his property and would then begin wars with each other in attempts to steal each others' lands. She pointed out that the order in which the children were born did not matter as they all gained an equal share, and if I remember correctly she stated that women (princesses) were also allowed to inherit land. I was just curious if this was indeed the case as I've tried to do some searching around on my own but have not been able to find anything. Regards, Mike

Submitted December 1, 2009

A

Maybe - but I doubt it. I took most of that material from the Laws of Hywel Dda (which, admittedly, are later), and it just doesn't sound right to me that a monarch would establish a free-for-all after his death. Maybe she's right! But I'm not an expert so I'm applying Occam's razor to this one!

Q

When is the Uhtred television series coming?
Bardus

I finished Sword Song at the beginning of the year and have eagerly been awaiting the release of the Burning Land, i was just wondering, would you ever consider making the saga into movies, they would definitely be a great watch and would make you a 'lot of money my friend ;) cant wait for Burning Land and I hope to hear from you soon

Tom Adams

Submitted December 1, 2009

A

I'd be happy to see it happen, but I won't hold my breath!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I congratulate you on being a writer of rare talent with a sophisticated bend of the word. Now that the compliment are over...I teach both history and English and would like to use pieces of the Sharpe's book and films to help my students better understand the Napoleonic wars. Are there already sites dedicated to the use of your literature in education? One would hate to reinvent the wheel! Thank you and Have a fine large day! Ms. B

Submitted December 1, 2009

A

Not to my knowledge...sorry!

Q

Hi there, Have you ever considered writing a novel around Boudicca? Amazing person and with a history that would seem to suit your style. Would love to see what you could do with a warrior female character! Just a thought. Thanks again for the brilliant books. Matt

Submitted December 1, 2009

A

I probably won't write a book on Boudicca, although it would make for an interesting story.