Your Questions

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell: I was hoping you could tell me a bit about the Puckle Gun. As I understand it was a weapon that had fired a cylinder with 11 charges, firing seven rounds a minute. Why do think the weapon was not embraced by the navy?

Also, I own a PC game: Empire total war in which it is rolled about the battlefield on a gun carriage and can be used against infantry, was this ever a true use or was made by the gamers?

Have you ever consisted writing a novel of the Easter Rising from the British side? Adam Azzalino

Submitted August 8, 2009

A

I know almost nothing about it except that it was an early 18th Century invention and shot something like 60 rounds a minute . . . . and Wikipedia tells me that it could be supplied with square bullets that did more damage and were designed to be used against Muslims to convince them of the superiority of Christian civilization (way to go). My very strong suspicion is that the gun was way ahead of its time and that it was a technical disaster - I can't imagine a breech-loading machine gun working with the metallurgy and engineering tolerances available in the 1720's!

I honestly don't know - the evidence suggests the Puckle Gun simply was too complicated to work properly

Never, no, not gonna happen. I love Ireland and I really don't want to stir her ghosts.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I very much enjoy your works and particularly liked the last one I read, "Agincourt." Your grasp and style seems to me to be a perfect fit for the era of the Crusades. In that regard, do you have any plans to embark upon something in the Crusades, particularly in the 3rd Crusade with Richard the Lionheart? Best regards, Robert Fletcher Austin,TX

Submitted August 8, 2009

A

No, I've never had much interest in the Crusades, sorry!

Q

Hello Sir, I have read your novels ever since I was a young lad of 15 years old (now I'm 36). Have you ever considered talking to your publishers and seeing if some of your earlier books can be republished in hardcover. Perhaps as a omnibus. Both Alexander Kent and Tom Clancy have used this format. Perhaps a Sharpe omnibus or a general omnibus with a novel from each of the Sharpe, Starbuck and Saxon stories, etc.

I believe you have mentioned of doing another story with the backdrop of the American Revolution (enjoyed Redcoat)? Any plans for this book soon?

Have you ever considered writing about the League of Augsburg and Spanish Succession period? Cheers, Edward Whelan, Canada.

Submitted August 8, 2009

A

I haven't, but I'll mention it!

It is the next book I'll write.

The short answer is 'no'. The long answer is 'I'm sorry, no'.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell. I only just discovered, that a new book about Uhtred of Bebbenburg is on it`s way. I look forward to read it, as it is a fascinating story in every aspect, about my own ancestors the Danes. Such a long time has passed since "Swordsong" that I thought you had given in on writing, which would indeed be a great loss. I went through Azincourt in less than a week. To something completely different: Some time ago I attended a series of lectures about rewriting of history. It might sound trivial to you, but it was actually rather exciting. Questions like, if Gabriel Princip had missed the Austrian crown prince in Sarajevo, If Lee had not lost an important order at Antietam and so on. It actually touches some interesting aspects, for instance, had Varus won at Teutoburgerwald in 9, Denmark might be Catholic today and fanatic supporters of the EU. Not to mention if Bonnie Prince Charlie had overruled his own council and pressed south of Derby in December 1745, The Stuarts might be on the throne of England today? Please answer me soon best regards Preben

Submitted August 8, 2009

A

That can be fascinating . . . . and I confess I play the same game (though not in the books). I remember standing on the battlefield at Saratoga at the place where Benedict Arnold (commemorated there as the greatest soldier of the Revolution) captured the British battery and thus turned Burgoyne's flank and initiated the surrender, and thinking that if Arnold had failed then France would probably not have entered the Revolutionary War, and so would not have bankrupted themselves, and so avoided the French Revolution, and then no Napoleon, no Waterloo - all history changed on that New York field. But the path not taken? It's interesting . . . . but in the end it fades away into nothingness.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I have seen many references to a scene in one of your books where Sharpe saved Wellington from enemy soldiers. I have not read that story. Can you tell me which book that story is in? I have loved to read the stories of Sharpe's adventures and those regarding early English history.

David Nelson

Submitted August 8, 2009

A

The book is Sharpe's Triumph.

Q

Hello from Poland, Will Azincourt be translated into Polish? Has any publisher bought copyrights for Polish market?

Marek

Submitted August 8, 2009

A

Yes, the book will be available in Polish translation is September of this year.

Q

I am in the middle of listening to your book, Agincourt, in audiobook form. It is wonderful! I have a question. Is the character of Sir John Cornwell an ancestor of yours?
Ron Abramson

Submitted August 8, 2009

A

Alas no . . . . . unless it was the wrong side of the blanket. He seems to have sired several bastards, but no legitimate issue.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, While I am living in Belgium I have had the wonderful opportunity to read many of your books, namely the Warlord Trilogy, the stories of Uhtred, and currently The Grail Quest. While reading in the Grail quest, book 2 "Vagabond", the narrator has your main character, Thomas of Hookton, remember hearing stories of an English archer from 200 years previous, named Robin Hood, or Hude, as you state in the book. It got me wondering how you would tell the story of Robin Hood. I no longer want the Hollywood version with Errol Flynn, and definitely not Kevin Costner (Shouldn't Robin Hood have at least a British accent?), that glamorise everything and make everything into a romantic love-fest. I do appreciate that your novels skip most of that and stick to the real, or real as possible, facts of battle and every day life. I would be interested to read your story of Robin Hood. Sincerely, Leland Dixon, a fan

Submitted August 8, 2009

A

I have considered Robin Hood, but it's not likely to happen any time soon.

Q

I heard you were coming to Brazil in September and speak at Rio's Book Biennial (Bienal do Livro). Is it true? If so, when exactly? Can I bring my edition of "The Enemy of God" for you to sign? Thank you for all the wonderful stories you told me - I hope you keep telling me more. Yours sincerely, Vitor.

Submitted August 8, 2009

A

Yes Vitor, I will be at the Bienal from 10 September - 12 September. We should have details for the Diary page of this website soon! And I will be happy to sign your book.

Q