Your Questions

Q

Hello! i was just wondering why the British army stopped using grenades? i know that the Grenadiers (hence the name) were issued them, but after a while this practice ended. they just seem like a useful weapon, particularly in the storming of a breach. Thanks for your time, Chris G

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

You mean in the Napoleonic period? I don't know. Certainly the navy went on using them, but I suspect they were extremely cumbersome to carry and very uncertain in their effect (and probably as dangerous to the thrower as to the enemy). I should know more, but sorry - it's a blind spot.

Q

I HAVE JUST SEEN ON AMAZON A TITLE THE BURNING LAND FOR PUBLISHING ON THE 1ST OCTOBER.IS THIS THE 5TH SAXON?
JIM EVES

do you have any more books of the saxons (Alfred and Uhtred) in the pipeline ? if so when may we expect them in print ? thank you; Alan Tearle

Hi! I'm Brazilian and I love your books. I read The Arthur Books, The Grail Quest and I finished The Saxon Stories in this week and I would like to ask when the history will be continued because Uhtred have to attach Bebbanburg. Sorry my English. Health and peace. Marcos Carvalho

Hi, I serve in the British army so dont often get time to read, and then i find it hard to keep interested in books in the first place, there's always some kind of sport on the telly to watch etc. However, i gave your books a shot many years ago after watching the sharp series on telly which i loved. The books were also entertaining, i found that i could not put them down. I then moved on to the saxon series which i find fascinating and the character Uhtred is as amazing as my hero Sharpe. So I've read all 4 books and my question is,,,, WHEN is the next one coming out? i NEED it NOW :D. Stuart

I've enjoyed the Saxon stories so far. Is there a fifth near production? Best wishes Pete

Hi Bernard, I'm Fernando, from Brazil. initially, Sorry if I write something wrong. I want to know when the next book of the "Saxon Stories" will be published, because is a exciting story and I can hardly wait to read the continuation. Thanks for your attention. Fernando Di Marco

Thank you very much for the very good moments and trips I did reading your books here in Brazil. So, I´d like to know if The Saxon Stories will have a 5th book and continue? Congratulations.

Wagner Peral

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

The fifth book of the Saxon stories - likely to be called The Burning Land (yes, I see it is on Amazon.co.uk now) - will be published in the UK in October of this year (January 2010 for the US).

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I just finished Sharpe's Fury and had a couple things I was hoping you could clear up. I was wondering why Sharpe let Lord Pumphrey go so easily after finding out about Astrid? I was expecting Sharpe to unleash his fury on Pumphrey and it didn't happen.

Secondly, I'm trying to figure out how the French dominated all of Europe and then got destroyed every time they faced the British. In this battle the British were out numbered 2 to 1 and the French had the better ground. But once again the British won. Up to this point I was under the impression that this was because of Wellesley's leadership, but Wellesley was not at the battle of Barossa. Don't get me wrong you do a great job painting the picture of how it happens. The British are better trained, more ferocious and the two deep line poured more firepower into the 9 deep French columns. What I can't figure out what made the French unbeatable against everyone else. Why didn't they adapt out of their columns? What was the benefit of their formation? Thank you, Joe

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

Because I might need Pumphrey again . . . . that's why!

Because British musketry was famously superior to other nations (Britain actually practiced live-firing, most countries didn't), because Britain alone adopted the two deep line (thus extending their flanks and the ability to enfilade French columns), because very often the French successes were against conscript armies that didn't have the same discipline and training as British professionals, and because the British (on the whole) were fortunate in their commanders. The French used the column because it worked (usually), and because it had great psychological effect against nervous enemies, because theirs was a conscript army and the column was the easiest way to move a mass of half-trained soldiery forward. They did develop tactics to nullify the advantage of the British line, specifically by deploying into line themselves at the last moment, but it never worked because the British musketry stopped the movement dead.

Q

Hi Mr. Cornwell, first, thanks for making wonderful books, I'm reading Saxon Chronicles right now and I think it's great! I was reading one of the most influential newspapers here in Brazil, "O Globo", about the "Bienal do Livro" event, and it said you were one of the guest authors of this year's "Bienal do Livro". I was really excited and so were all of your fans over here! We were wondering if you're going to sign books over here and maybe take a picture or two with us, just so we can prepare for this hehe! We have no additional information at the moment, just that you are coming to Brazil. Another question (and this one is just a personal question, not a community one), I have always been interested in pre-Christ history, do you plan to write something about these (really) Old days in the near future (like you did with Stonehenge)? Or maybe go deep into Fiction and create a whole Fantasy setting (don't know if you enjoy Fantasy like "Lord of the Rings")? I think the way you write your books is simply fantastic and unique, I'd love to read a complete fantasy book by Bernard Cornwell hehe! Thanks a lot for all your hard work (and sorry for mistakes, english is not my first language but I tried my best to make it understandable)!
Marlon Carrero

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

I don't really get inspired by fantasy - I like to read it once in a while, but it somehow doesn't trigger my imagination (at least not yet) so I suspect it's unlikely . . . . . but pre Christian history? I might go back there . . . . but I have nothing planned right now. I am looking forward to my visit to Brasil!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I very much enjoy your Saxon Stories. In particular it's Uhtred's motto that I like. Unfortunately I don't know how it is pronounced properly. (I am German and not familiar with the old English ...). Could you please tell me the pronunciation (as you did it for other words in FAQ 6). Thank you very much in advance and regards. Kathleen Kunze

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

The quotation is from an Old English poem, The Wanderer . . . and I've known of the poem (a bleak thing) for over forty years now! Can't truly remember how I first came across it. I'm no expert on old English pronunciation, but a Helpful Reader will doubtless correct me if I hazard a guess that it's pronounced Weird bith full arraid. That's my guess, corrections welcomed!

Q

Hi! I just can't say how much i love your books! I live in Brazil, and buy the books in portuguese (not that i can't read in english, it's just to avoid having half of the books in english and the other half in portuguese). If possible, I'd want to know if you plan writing books about other countries, or will they will all be about UK? I'll finish here, or I'll write so much you won't be able to read it! So, since i live in Rio, I'm looking very much after seeing you at the Bienal do Livro(the first day is my birthday! I hope i can get your autograph there!)! Guilherme Santos

Mr.Cornwell, I've been a fan of your work for a long time. Imagine my surprise when I heard that you'll be coming to Rio de Janeiro (my hometown) in September for the "Bienal do Livro". Unfortunately I haven't been able to find confirmation about it. Is it true? Thank you in advance for your answer!
Anna Raquel

Hello, I'm from Brazil. The press of our country will notice that Bernard Cornwell will go to Rio de Janeiro in September of 2009 to participate in the Bienal Internacional in Rio de Janeiro. All of us fans of the author would like a confirmation. This news is true? Abraço Webmaster's Bernard Cornwell Brazil http://bernardcornwellbr.vilabol.uol.com.br/.. Moacir Hastenteufel Führ

Mr. Cornwell, I read about you coming to Brazil at Rio de Janeiro. I live near to Porto Alege/Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil, and I'm begging you to come to Porto Alegre. I can't travel to Rio de Janeiro to see you, but my life won't be the same knowing that you came and I couldn't see you. Please come to Porto Alegre! Rui Eron

Dear Bernard, I knew that week that you come to Brazil in September, that is so wonderful! The Bienal of the Book is an interesting event, that it gathers people of all of the ages, religions and social classes, people that appreciate a good book, without doubts yours are in this category. I hope you like and also that reserves a time for their fans that will be there holding "THE Winter King" for an autograph (with certainty I will be among them) That that is to 1st of a lot of trips to Brazil. Until September, Ana

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

Probably mostly about the UK - or about countries with which Britain was involved. It's a fairly good rule to write what you know about!

I will be at the Bienal! I don't have details yet, but we'll be flying down to Rio and I hope to meet you there! Keep an eye on the Diary page of this website and as soon as we get all the details of the visit, they will be posted there.

Q

Dear Sir Just a few questions, How far away is the next Sharpe, and Which 2 books is it going to be set between? How far wrong am i in thinking, one of the sub plots from from the events that follow Sharpe's Revenge is that "what goes around comes around" and also even though Jane has stolen Sharpe's money, it's in fact him that has the real happiness? He ends up with a real home, love and family. On the subject of money, at the end of Sharpe's Devil you give both he and Harper, a chest of money........is it also fair to assume that also financially Sharpe did not die a poor man?

Lee

Mr Cornwell The first time I was introduced to Sharpe was when I was 11. It was the television series "Sharpe's Rifles" with my father. It began a 10 year obsession with historical fiction and of course history. I will keep this brief as I'm sure you have better things to do like perhaps go sailing. I was wondering if you have planned in the near future a novel between between Fortress and Trafalgar as there is a two year gap that has sent me puzzled for a few years now. Also before Sharpe's Prey as there is another 2 years. Kind Regards Sam Kelly Galway, Ireland

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

I'm really not sure when I'll write the next Sharpe, though I hope it won't be too far away. It will follow Sharpe's Prey - so we're a long way from reaching the events in Revenge . . . I think it's fair to assume Sharpe made sufficient loot from his career so that he didn't die in the poorhouse! He stayed with Lucille - in France - something I never foresaw, but he does his own thing!

I'm not going to go backwards in Sharpe's career again, except possibly with the odd short story . . . so I'm afraid the answer is no. But maybe a short story (or two) to fill that gap? That's possible.

Q

Bernard, I've recently discovered your books and have become an avid fan, starting with Agincourt and then quickly going through the Grail series. My current dilemma is what to read next. Knowing that I thoroughly enjoyed the above mentioned books and time period, would you recommend the Saxon or Arthur books as my next read? I understand that your personal favorites are the Arthur books, and I'm leaning toward those. Best Regards, John

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

I hope you'll read both!

Q

Do you know when Sharpe's Peril will be available on DVD in the U.S.?

Ann Stout

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

No, sorry, I don't. We've been trying to find out but haven't been successful just yet. As soon as we hear, we will post the information to this website.

Q

Hello, Do you know when the next book in The Saxon Stories will be release in paperback in the UK? I have tried looking in this website but no mention is made, I have also looked on Play.com to see any mention, it only shows Azincourt.

Shaun Haywood

Submitted April 7, 2009

A

Generally a book comes out in paperback approximately one year after it's published in hardback. The next Saxon book - likely to be called The Burning Land - should be released in hardback in the UK in October of this year. That means a paperback publication would likely be in October 2010 (maybe earlier).If you are looking for a paperback edition of the last Saxon story - Sword Song - that was released in May 2008 and should be available (try the link to Amazon.co.uk on the Sword Song page of this website).