Your Questions

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell, Just a quick question for you. I got my hands on The Sharpe Companion book. Is it better to read this book after I have read all the Sharpe books, between, or before. So far I only read Sharpe's Tiger and currently reading Sharpe's Triumph. Where would the companion fit in. Thanks in advance, your avid reader, Vadim.

A

I'd read it at the same time! It has a chapter more or less on each of the Sharpe books - so why not use it as a companion book?


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I appreciate the Saxon Stories very much and have just finished reading Sword Song. I've seen that the fifth book Burning Land is going to be released this year and can't wait to get it into my hands. My question is, how many parts do you plan for Saxon Stories? greeting Martin

A

I don't know yet - more than six, less than twelve? Just not sure.


Q

I love your books. Arthur series and Saxon stories are amazing. Working on reading your whole library. Will you ever delve into Swedish viking adventures? I'm a swede and keep hoping to see some Svear appearances in the Saxon stories, but none so far. (Yes I know they ventured eastward instead of west, but we can overlook that, can't we?) Thank you for inspiring me to read more history books and pursue my own research. My brain is growing thanks to you.
Cory

A

Not sure I can overlook it too much! The series (however loosely) is based on the real history, and the Svear weren't in England! Maybe a few could lose their way? That would be good - so yes, probably!


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am fourteen years old and have just finished Agincourt and the Grail Quest series ( all spectacular reads, I must say). I noticed you said on your website that you might not be done with Thomas of Hookton as a character, but that statement was in 2004. Then I read in Agincourt that "Archers still remembered Thomas of Hookton" who had "Died as lord of a thousand acres." Does that mean Thomas will return?
Noah Liebmiller

A

I doubt it... I liked writing him, but don't feel any great urge to carry him farther - but never say never! Who knows?


Q

Dear Bernard Collaboration between authors seems to be quite popular currently, e.g. Conn and Hal Iggulden. Would you ever consider working with another author on a book and if so who? My own thoughts would be that you and Simon Scarrow or Conn Iggulden would be a winning combination. Best Wishes and keep up the great work, Steven

A

Well, Conn and Hal are brothers, and the books they do together are non-fiction. Fiction, I think, needs a singular point of view . . . and honestly I can't see any advantage (to me or the other author) in collaborating on a plot. Not likely, I'm afraid!


Q

Hi Bernard, thanks very much for many hours of enjoyment over the years - it doesn't really seem like nearly 30 years since one trip to Wakefield library yielded Sharpe's Sword and Patrick O'Brian's HMS Surprise. I just wanted to ask you have you any plans to write anything set in the Wars of the Roses or the English Civil War? Edward Thorpe

A

I've given it some thought, but neither is likely to happen any time soon.


Q

Do you plan on doing a book tour any time soon? I hope you decide to, and can't wait till the Burning Land comes out, thank you from your new fan, Jerry

A

Maybe in October for the release of The Burning Land? I'm not sure yet, but keep an eye on the Diary page of this website.


Q

Will you ever bring back Obidiah somehow?
Alex

A

I think constantly of bringing Hakeswill back...not sure it can happen tho....


Q

I am a huge fan of your Arthur and Saxon stories, and am avidly awaiting the release of Burning Land, even though it won't come out here until next year. I just have 1 question/suggestion, will there be any more pagan Saxons, or scenes of pagan ritual like in Last Kingdom?

Carey Millhouse

A

I can't think of anything specifically in The Burning Land . . . but yes, in the future? I'm sure there will be!


Q

Mr. Cornwell, many thanks for your wonderful stories. I have a question for you: how would a squire, in his own mind, refer to the knight he served? would it simply be as "Sir Bob"? Or as Master Bob - maybe just Master? Or just plain Bob? I am writing a tale about a squire and think I write Sir Bob in too many lines, and am wondering if there are any other forms of address - other than insults - my squire could use for when he thinks about the knight. He always uses the proper Sir Bob when speaking to the knight of course! Thanks, -Jordan

A

In his own mind? That's for you to decide! I can't tell you what your characters think! He might think of him as 'my master' or 'that ******'. Honestly, it's your decision!