Your Questions

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

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

Dear Mr. Cornwell, In the appendix to Azincourt you deal a bit with the historical question of the longbow, specifically "why then", and let me add "why not there". 1. It required 10 years of training, from small age. 2. The technology was not new. 3. You ruled out Welsh wars. You left it as a "fad", or as "nevermind". I find this point intriguing. A fad is something which has immediate reward, not something you build your body for during a decade. And if indeed this was a British fad, and it only took 10 years to raise such an army of archers, why did France hire hated English archers, and not raise her own? Why did they not even start? Instead, they invested in the crossbow - powerful, but takes a long time to cock. Furthermore - England was not even the place for the best yew wood. The best yew wood came from warmer places such as Italy. I bet that in the south of France you could find the same quality of wood, except it was probably not imported from there to England. The Assize of Arms of 1252 demands that all men of age carry a weapon, at least a bow. This may explain why even peasants knew how to use a bow, but it does not explain why they chose to use a bow so difficult to make (a self bow) and wield. I suggest that the difference between England and other countries is that in other countries, the lord demanded money or crops from the feudals, whereas in militant England, the feudals were required to supply an army. This gave the common English man a chance to change the life circumstances into which he was born. You recorded that several archers became lords. They also became legends to the archers: every country man would know these stories, every one would dream of these stories, with the same charm that America held for people of the old world - the chance for a change. The feudals would wish to do beyond the call of the law, in order to excel and be taken to the army, and by that improve their own status. During the time gap between 1252 and around 1350 the yeomen built their aspirations, especially during the turmoil before the Hundred Years War. Then, at Crécy, the potent expectations finally came to pass. Sincerely yours, Orna.

One of the first books I read that got me hooked on you as an author starts out during training in England. Sharpe escapes and then comes back. I cannot recall the whole story. I have reread most of your books several times but have not found this one again. Any help? I travel often and also developed a fondness for Fredrick Davidson's reading.

Ray Arvin

Hi Mr. Cornwell. I've noticed that the clamour for more Starbuck seems to be increasing. I ask, why not bring Nate back into the mix? You wouldn't have to complete the whole series and write nothing but Starbuck until its done. I would suggest the next three novels, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. That would end with both the war and Nate's career at an important juncture, and a better stopping place than Antietem. Just start alternating in new Starbuck novels along with Sharpe, Uhtred, and your other projects. Your fans will be much happier, and your other series won't suffer, because you'll be switching back and forth. Alan Kempner

Dear Mr Cornwell. Though I know you've been asked it many times before, I was wondering if now at long last you might start thinking of continuing the Starbuck chronicles? I've read and totally understand why you stopped writing them, as they clashed with the Sharpe books being similar in character. The Sharpe books and the tv series were second to none, and I along with millions like me loved them. The tv series has long since finished though, barring the wonderful Sharpe's Challenge and Peril in recent years, and with this in mind have you considered what a wonderful tv adaptation the Starbuck chronicles might make? If so, would it hopefully spur you into continuing the story and writing further episodes of Nate Starbucks adventures? Many like me have been waiting patiently these past years hoping you would pick up the story from where we last left it. I'd love to see another Sharpe like series on the tele, and can think of no other character I'd rather see take to the screen then Nate Starbuck. We just need more novels so we can read and enjoy them before they get to the big screen! I hope you don't think I'm being presumptuous Mr Cornwell, I think your novels are great and would just dearly love to see one of my all time favourite characters brought back to life. As you tantalisingly put at the end of The Bloody Ground, "Starbuck will march again". I hope so. Best regards, Jason

Mr. Cornwell I have enjoyed every book of yours that I have read but I have one question are you making another book in the starbuck chronicles because I have just recently finished the fourth book and found that I really wanted to read more about that story and its characters
Graham Winder

Thanks for all the great books but like many I would like to know when Starbuck will return. You have said in the past that you wont write anymore Starbuck Chronicles until Sharpe is finished. I think you are saying it will be a few years until another Sharpe book so can I assume it will be a few years after that before Starbuck. Looking forward to the new Saxon book thanks, Chris Ridgway

Hello Mr Cornwell, I loved all the 'Sharpe' novels. I picked up Sharpe's Sword in a charity shop about a year ago and it didn't take me long to get through it (on a holiday in Spain as a matter of detail) and was soon hooked on the others, which I read in near-chronological order. I finished Sharpe's Devil a few weeks ago. One thing has been bugging me - what happened to Major Joseph Forrest? I might be wrong but I don't remember how his story ended - perhaps in the final clash at Waterloo? I really loved the novels and I hope to see more of them. I am starting now on the TV series - interesting to see how the programmes represent their respective source novels! Best regards Rob Parker

Bernard.. Needless to say I enjoy all your work immensely. I have two questions: Firstly I've just started to read Sharpe's Sword and noticed that in the copy I have the book isn't dedicated to anybody. Is this an oversight of the publisher or deliberate? Secondly are you planning any trips to Australia, Sydney in particular?

Mark

Your books are fiction i know.. but when checked against the real events [of say Crecy or Azincourt] they stand up as being pretty well accurate. You don't let yourself get too carried away with over exaggeration of what knights and kings might have done and said. That's why I thought it was unlike you to be so inaccurate in your views on Bannockburn on p72 of Vagabond. where you claim that David believed 'the flower of Scotland had ridden down the nobility of England.' and that David wanted to do the same again. I'm sure you know that Bannockburn was won by Scottish foot soldiers in their schiltroms, not by any really decisive cavalry encounter.. the only riding down of the English nobility, if there was any, was when the battle was over and they were running away.. Then, the line earlier where you say 'Robert the Bruce had beaten the English on horseback'.. is only true in a sense of the first day, when he had beaten de Bohun.

Andrew Hunt

Mr. Cornwell, Just want to say how much I have enjoyed the Sharpe series over the years. Having looked at your site I want to read Agincourt, the Authur Books and The Saxon Stories they sound very interesting. I have one comment Redcoat, as a British reenactor for the past 33 years and come up through the ranks that volume was ok, just some of the details were wrong, I believe is I recall correctly you mention stripes on a sergeant? Not in my research and study over the years was there every an mention of stripes used by either side from 1775 to 1783. There's an end to it and my only criticism of the book. I would however like to invite you to a Revolutionary war reenactment as my guest in future if you have the time. I do not live far away from you in Chatham as I live in Middleborough Mass. You may contact me at my email address and should you ever need my services I am at your service. Your Servant Sir, Winston S. Stone Capt. & Lt. Col 1st Foot Guards ret. Aide de Camp H.M. 10th Regiment of Foot

Dear Mr Cornwell,I would love to know if you have any intentions to progress with Gallows Thief? I am sure many others must think alike.Thank you for the many pleasant hours. Regards P.H.

Dear Bernard Cornwell, I enjoy the Saxon series, but I'm not entirely convinced by your portrayal of Alfred as priest-obsessed and an ineffectual military leader. Can I ask what led you to decided to portray him as such, when all the available evidence suggests that he won his own battles rather than relying on the exploits of a fictional character? I appreciate that Uhtred has to be given something to do, but it's not very respectful to Alfred's memory. I see in the preview of the next book that Uhtred is due to win the battle of Farnham as well, so presumably you are going to have him winning all of Edward the Elder's battles as well. Is he going to limp onto the battlefield at Brunanburh, aged 87 or thereabouts, and turn the tide for Athelstan?
David