Your Questions

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I have a quick and probably silly question for you. I have read many of your books including Sharpe and am currently reading Agincourt. It took roughly 20 seconds to load and fire a musket, but it takes a fraction of that to loose an arrow and the arrow seems just as (if not more) accurate. It seems like one could do more damage with a line of archers than a musket line. What is the factor I am overlooking?
Joe

Submitted June 3, 2009

A

Training . . . . you're right - the longbow had a greater range than the Napoleonic-era musket, was far more accurate, and had a hugely superior rate of fire. But - it took at least ten years to train a man to be an effective archer, partly because of the difficulty of aiming a bow drawn to the ear, and mostly because of the huge strength required to repeatedly draw a bowstring with a draw weight of 120 pounds plus. You could train a musketeer inside a week, but an archer? Wellington enquired (during the Peninsular War) about the possibility of raising a corps of longbowmen, but was told that the skill had died away - none were available.

Q

Hi, Cornwell! I'm from Brazil and we love your books.. you have a lot of fans here! I would like to know if have you ever thought about writing a book on second world war. It would be fantastic! What I really like in your books is that the histories happens in real situations.. My English is not so good, I'm sorry.. Thank you Rafael Vinicius

Submitted June 3, 2009

A

I doubt I will write a book on WWII. I prefer to stick to the more distant past. But thanks for your message - your English seems perfect to me!

Q

hi Mr Cornwell just read one of your question about your favourite commanders (great set of choices btw) and it got me think as to what is your favourite battle in history and why
William Woodroofe

Submitted June 3, 2009

A

Never really thought about having a favourite, but I suppose I'd choose Waterloo. It's a very simple battle on the face of it ('they came on in the same old way and we saw them off in the same old way'), but it decided the fate of Europe for 100 years and it's full of drama and horror - and I do have a vast regard for Wellington who, afterwards, fervently hoped he had fought his last battle, which seems an admirable sentiment.

Q

Dear Sir,First and foremost thank you for writing the most enjoyable books I have ever read I have read every book you have published many times and eagerly await each and every new publication.I have noticed that you are giving a talk at Althorp in June.I have got tickets,could I impose and ask that if I can get there would you be kind enough to sign about six books which I have in my collection.I am willing to make a donation to your favorite charity for the privilege.If I cannot make it would it be possible to send the books to you I will pay any costs involved.Many thanks in anticipation Regards William Green

Submitted June 3, 2009

A

I'd be happy to sign six books . . . . it's when folk bring six bags of books that I start to worry! We really don't ask for a charitable contribution except from book-dealers (who like to bring six trunks of books), but don't let me dissuade you, and if you go to this page: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/clarkesisters then that would be great! If you don't make it to Althorp, write back and we'll send you an address to mail the books to for signing. And thank you for your comments!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am currently reading through the Warlord Chronicles (my favourite books of yours or any author!) for the fourth time. I recently found out that our hero and narrator, Derfel Cadarn, is at loosely based on a 6th c. warrior saint by the same name. I was quite excited to find this out, because of my fairly recent conversion to Orthodox Christianity, so I am more attuned to things such as obscure saints. I was wondering, though, why you didn't mention anything about this in the historical notes at the end of the novels?

Also, I was a bit curious about Bishop Sansum, as you mention in the note at the end of The Winter King, he is remembered today as a saint, but I can't find any information on him. Was he really as despicable as you make him out to be? I have read some brief lives of various celtic saints, and it is sometimes surprising to find that their lives contain more bad than good. Though I suppose it is how one ends their life that matters.

One more question, and that is concerning the character of Ceinwyn. What does the name mean? I have looked around online and only found it in two places which unhelpfully happen to disagree with each other. Also, is she based on any one you knew, or is she kind of your idea of an ideal woman? Just wondering, because she does seem pretty ideal. Sorry for the length of the letter, and I do appreciate you taking the time to read it. Keep up the good work! Sincerely, John PS-very much looking forward to The Burning Land this fall!

Submitted May 28, 2009

A

He is very loosely based! Thank you for your kind words - I haven't checked all the Historical Notes, but I do mention the original Derfel in the note to The Winter King . . . maybe I should have made more of that!

I'm fairly certain I made Sansum up - I think (wrote those books a long time ago!) I took the name from some old source, but only the name.

I assume it's cognate with the Welsh ceinion - meaning beauty or gems, or perhaps beautiful jewels? Again it's a name I took from the discarded parts of the Arthurian legend - whatever, it's a gorgeous name!

Thanks again!

Q

Bernard, I recently watched a fairly good docu-drama on 1066 from an ordinary soldier's perspective, which prompted me to wonder if you'd ever considered writing about it? (1066, that is. Not docu-dramas in general!) I know it might be considered a bit (but not hugely) similar to the Saxon Tales, but there is a precedent in 'Azincourt' being quite similar (period wise) to the Grail Quest series. In any case I'm looking forward to the next Uhtred novel, Nick.

Submitted May 28, 2009

A

It's never tweaked my interest - and really something has to start the imagination rolling and, so far, nothing has emerged from that extraordinary year to trigger mine . . . . but never say never . . maybe one day!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my previous questions to you.Your dedication to your fans is very admirable. I hope I´m not repeating any questions that have already been asked on this website with this mail. Being a dedicated Sharpe admirer I am (like many other Sharpe fans I guess) patiently waiting for more adventures featuring good old Richard and filling that void reading a lot of factual books about the 95th(Rifles by Mark urban and The diaries of Rifleman Harris to name but a few)and also other books by your good self of course. I´ve just finished reading Gallows Thief and of course had a big smile on my face at the mention of a group of Riflemen and their Officer helping out Rider Sandman.Was this a direct reference to any Sharpe book ?(if your not sure I guess I´ll have to re-read them all again)

I was also wondering what you thought to the character Barabbas Hakeswill in the newest Shape TV adventure "Sharpe's Peril".Was he interesting enough to snap up for your next journey to the peninsular ?? It´s worth a thought maybe. As always I wish all the best to you and yours and Thank you once again for your time and patience.
Anthony Morgan Lambert

Submitted May 28, 2009

A

Not to a specific book, no.

I hate to say this - I still haven't seen Sharpe's Peril - which isn't because I'm not interested (I am), but because no DVD was available in North American format . . . but the program has been purchased by PBS in the USA so I'm looking forward to seeing it - and after that I might be able to answer your question!

Q

Hi Bernard. Firstly let me congratulate you on writing such fantastic novels that have kept me hooked for years and company on many a dark night. My original question was going to be why you do not mention the capture of an Imperial Eagle at Salamanca by the 2nd battalion 44th (East Essex)regiment in Sharpe's Sword, but i recently discovered (whilst delving into my local regiment's history) that they share the same yellow coat facing's as the South Essex. Please can you tell me if this was intentional what with you being originally from Essex and from the research you may have carried out. Thank-you for your time I hope this does not distract you too much from writing your next (and no doubt fantastic) book. regards Tom Haslett

Submitted May 28, 2009

A

I think the South Essex's facings were coincidental - but honestly I can't remember now - wrote all that half a lifetime ago, but I was certainly aware that the East Essex had yellow facings and turnbacks, so who knows . . and I'm afraid any research I did on Esssex regiments was done so many years ago that it's all merged into the mists of time.

Q

Bernard, looking forward to reading your next book about Uhtred and his battles against the Vikings. Could you name 3 great warriors and explain what made them great? My list would include Grant and Zhukov because neither took counsel of their fears. Might even include General Giap reluctantly as I was close to being involved.

Bob Long

Submitted May 28, 2009

A

The list is huge and hugely malleable - but I'd obviously include Wellington because of his extraordinary common sense and his enviable calmness under stress. Didn't hurt that he knew what he was doing, either. Second I'll offer Sir William Slim who is undeservedly little known and achieved so much with so little, and again he had great calmness under stress. My third I'll let you imagine because if I name three everyone will argue with me, so now they can slot their favourite into my third place.

Q

I have just read you books :The Starbuck Chronicles and was wondering if you were going to add another book on the Gettysburg war? Kathy

Dear Mr.Cornwell, I would like to say how much I am enjoying the Saxon Stories. The late Anglo-Saxon period is much neglected by historical novelists, and you have filled a gap excellently. I hope you are able to find a way to keep the series going long past the death of Uhtred. There a many interesting events right up to the Norman Conquest. Also, I have just reread the Starbuck Chronicles. and wondered if there are going to be more? Yours sincerely, Phil Griffiths

Are there any plans to continue with another book of the Starbuck Chronicles? I so enjoyed the previous ones that I cant wait to follow the exploits of Nat Starbuck. Thank you for writing such fantastic books. Neil W.

Submitted May 28, 2009

A

Yes, I do hope to get back to Starbuck one of these days!