Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I want to congratulate you on the impact of your books and those of your translators. You're known in at least five languages. I have read your Sharp and Saxon stories. I have become fond of both Richard Sharp and Uhtred. I was curious! Are you planning to write follow up to the Saxon stories? Will Edward the Elder play a role? I read long ago Alfred's biography by Asser, and I am acquainted with the Anglo-Saxon chronicle. Your novels really bring out the mood of the period. Osfert is a name of relative of Alfred, who became important late in the reign and under Edward. You make out as being Alfred's bastard. Will he loom larger in the last fifty years of Uhtred? Will it be in one installment or two? You hint that Uhtred's daughter will play a major role. You also hint that Uhtred will regain Bamburgh. Will Edward play a role? On a different note, recent excavations in Wesminster have brought to light Alfred's and Edward's time. In 2008, the city organise a major exposition of artifact of his time. Did you see it? Best regards, Jean-Luc Gauville

Submitted April 1, 2009

A

I didn't see the exhibition - I wish I had. The short answer to the rest is 'yes'. I'm writing the next Saxon novel now and it brings Edward into more prominence, and his sister. Was Osferth Alfred's bastard? We don't know, but there are hints in the surviving documents, and historical novelists do tend to run with the vaguest of hints! I really don't know how many more books there will be - more than two, certainly!

Q

Any plans for a Sharpe graphic novel or toy line?
Trevor Marryatt

Submitted April 1, 2009

A

I hear mutterings about a graphic novel, so maybe it will happen. No toys that I know of.

Q

Dear Bernard After reading your comments about the Puritans winning that war it got me thinking and you could go back to the Peloponnesian war between Sparta and Athens for that sought of thing.Maybe because its a warrior style religion kill or be killed no compromise while being very simple to embrace or understand. But its fair to say the more often lose the peace even if they win the wars. But is there any chance of you writing even just a 1-off story about the arch Anti-puritan Tarleton he seems a tailor made character for you. On another note will the next Sharpe book the long awaited Albuera book a certain Colonel Dulong was at that fight any chance he and Sharpe will have a go again??? Finally You have mentioned 1-off books ever thought Or more) on the war of 1812 (The Puritans didn't win that one) or Wolfe and Montcalm on the plains of Abraham. Yours sincerely Geraint

Submitted April 1, 2009

A

I doubt I'll write about the Greeks! We all write about what interests us and somehow that spark has never started a fire. Banestre Tarleton? Yes, I do like him - a wondrous rogue, so that's always a possibility.

I honestly don't know what the next Sharpe book will be - it's something I'll discover when I start researching him again - maybe Albuhera?? Wolfe? Another possibility!

Q

Dear Bernard, Only two years after your Stonehenge was published, archaeologists discovered 'Amesbury archer's' burial near the site, which was dated around the time Stonehenge was completed. Remarkably, like Camaban, the individual had severe foot deformity and some golden jewelry on him that resembled Sarmennyn's lozenges. What was your thought when you first learned about this striking similarities between archaeological discovery and your book? Would your book's plot be different had you known about the 'archer'? Thanks Konstantin

Submitted April 1, 2009

A

I doubt the book would have been much different! I did read (I think) every single archaeological report that was publicly available . . . and was amused by the excitement last year when the press was reporting new revelations about the Stonehenge complex which, as far as I could see, had been known about for years, though admittedly much of the Durrington Walls material was buried in dry academic reports. The lozenges were found a long time ago - but it was interesting to see them crop up again at Amesbury.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell Many thanks for Azincourt. It was another great read. My question is a little off-topic but it's one I'd be fascinated to know the answer to. As a resident of Cape Cod, did you ever meet Norman Mailer who had a house in Provincetown? I know your two bodies of work are vastly different in genre and tone but I just wondered whether two of my favourite writers ever had the opportunity (or inclination) to meet up and shoot the breeze? Yours sincerely Bill Lyne, West Yorkshire.

Submitted March 31, 2009

A

The breeze wasn't shot, but I did meet him just once and, life being what it is, not in Cape Cod, but in Edinburgh, by which time he was already in bad health, but we exchanged pleasantries.

Q

Have enjoyed the Sharpe films and have now started reading the books. Is it very difficult doing "prequels"? It seems to me that you have to avoid anything too major happening because there will be no mention of it in the sequentially later (but earlier printed) books.

One technical query please. I know that officers could buy and sell their commissions but what happened to the commission of an officer killed in action? Is there a source for this info please? Many thanks for an enjoyable and informative range of historical novels Doug L

Submitted March 31, 2009

A

Oh, it was a daft decision and there are many inconsistencies. In one book I say that Sharpe and Hakeswill were together in the breach at Gawilghur and I knew that perfectly well when I wrote Sharpe's Fortress, but the story simply wouldn't work if they were, so I ignored the earlier book reference and wrote what, to me, was the better story. I suspect this is slightly frustrating for some readers, and it can be very frustrating for me, but there it is.

Unfortunately I'm not at home right now and can't answer the question - I believe the commission died with him? But I could be wrong. I'll try and remember to look it up when I get home.

Q

Dear Sir, I have just finished "An Archer's Tale" and I am now reading "Agincourt." Why do you think the French did not learn from the Battle of Crecy before fighting at Agincourt? Thank you for your thoughts. Jack

Submitted March 31, 2009

A

The French had learned a lot - the main thing was to avoid pitched battles with the English, but like a lot of learned lessons, it was forgotten. The Constable and Marshal knew the dangers well enough, but the young royal dukes were confident they could beat Henry's small army - so they ignored the advice of their experienced commanders and went for it.

Q

Hallo Mr. Cornwell, It's been a while since I read one of your books but I thoroughly enjoined reading and re-reading your books, especially The Arthur Books. Thank you. But, inevitably, I would like to ask if you are planning to write, or should I say, rewrite popular stories like Robin Hood or William Tell or Ivanhoe or stories in their genres? Why my interest in this? Well, ... to be quiet honestly I believe we need a more realistic kind of storytelling on the part of the above mentioned stories. Like you wrote the Arthur Books and the Saxon stories, woow! Superly to these romantised stories of chivalry and knighthood and the good old Middle Ages were better then our times. And now that I'm on it, why not writing a few books or stories about the Crusades? I hope to hear from you soon. Brendy Meurisse

Submitted March 30, 2009

A

For some reason I can never get very excited about the Crusades, though perhaps that will change? Anything's possible!

Q

Hi. Mr. Cornwell, do you have intention to make movies of yours books? (Arthur or The Saxon Chronicles)
Carlos Magno

firstly I just want to do the obligatory blowing smoke as I love your books and they got me away from the goggle box which for so many years had been a close friend. I have always had a huge interest in medievil warfare especially in England and English wars overseas, and wondered if after finishing the Starbuck Chronicles, there would be any more exploits into wars during this period at home and abroad. I also have forced many of my family and friends to read your books without one being disappointed and one thing always crops up, could the grail quest or maybe Uhtred's saga ever reach the Cinema? Although books I love are usually ruined by films, when they are done right they can make so many book exiles enjoy the stories! Thank you Drew

Submitted March 30, 2009

A

I'm not a filmmaker, so it's really up to someone else to do it. I'd be happy to see my books turned into film, but I really don't spend much time thinking about it. I've always thought I make my living by putting words on pages, not pictures on screens.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I'm a big fan of your writing. I've thoroughly enjoyed The Arthur Books, The Grail Quest books and the Saxon Stories and am currently reading my way through the Sharpe Books, which appear to be glued to my hand. I was wondering if you have any other periods in history that you would like to include in your writing that you've yet to explore? Thanks, Graham.

Submitted March 30, 2009

A

I do, but I prefer not to say too much until I'm ready to write them...sorry!