Your Questions

Mr. Cornwell, My name is Vince and I am a senior in college, one of my majors is creative writing. I have read The Sharp Series, The Saxon Stories ( I can not wait for the next one!) and all of the Arthur Books. My favorite series is still the Sharpe series, and for my class, I have elected to spend this semester writing from the other point of view. I have been writing a short story for some time now about a young Frenchman who has joined the ranks, and is now in his artillery training in 1805 ( I want to get him into the battle of Austerlitz). I have been trying to pay attention to detail much the way that you do and I can say that it is No Where as easy to accomplish as you make it seem! My real question is on one aspect of your writing that I seem to have trouble with; that is your ability to make towns, roads, people so gritty. My professor has told me that the flow of my story is fine, the imagery is decent, but with out the grittiness of say the dead dog lying in the street, or the prostitutes calling to the men as they pass that my story feels like a young adult story. How do you consistently get that authentic, dirty, dusty feeling that you are right there, standing in that small Spanish town? Do you go back over each descriptive paragraph and just see little bits that you can add? Any help would be appreciated, I just am having a very tough time getting my minds eye to see these small villages and countrysides in the way that you do. Thank you very much! Vince Kurtz

hello Mr Cornwell, this is not a question about your books, I am a fan I just thought maybe, seen as you must do a lot of research for your books, you can help me find something I'm looking for. My granny used to live in West Bowling, Bradford, and swears that her house was built on the site of a battle in the French Revolution. Her proof for this is that she did the ouija board every night she lived in the house and spoke to a french soldier called Robert Sieres( or something along those lines). Anyway, I looked on the net and can't find out so just wondered if you knew of any good books that may be helpful in tracking down this battle. Looking forward to the next Saxon book, I'd be grateful for any reply. thanx. Mark

Dear Bernard Cornwell, we have been reading Azincourt as a Bernard Cornwell Group, book read and all have been favourable. One question arose though: Why you chose to have a gentler person (Hook) as your protagonist, as it was felt that none of your other heroes would have heard Saints voices. The discussion ranged from you being more mature in your writing to maybe imitating the way the old heroic stories had touches of christianity introduced by the monks who were re-writing them.Therefore I was surprised at your answer in the most frequently asked question section about christianity in your novels. Especially as the novels plot seems to pivot on the Saints Day. We are really interested in learning how you came upon Hook and the reason why he is a gentler natured man. Susan Howard

Dear Mr Cornwell, having read almost all of your books and whilst waiting for October and the next hopefully I have started to collect hardback copies. I have recently purchased a US copy of Battle Flag signed by yourself with an inscription "For my Father who reminds me of Stonewall Jackson with much love Bernard". I wondered if you may remember this copy? Many Thanks, John

I'm presently enjoying the siege of Harfleur. Love all the usual stuff; the good priests, the hypocrite priests, the central character (who I enjoy even more than Thomas of Hookton), and, of course, the VILLAINS. Please keep writing as long as you can. Only one question... will there be any more sailing stories? As a sailor (a Westerly Centaur - useless tub - that I love to sail around Puget Sound) I enjoyed those stories. God Bless, MAA

Greetings Mr. Cornwell My name is Martin Page and I am a avid reader of your Historical novels. I am a member in a living History group and as such I really appreciate your kind of realism and eye for detail. I find it a sad Commentary on our times that many historical stories, admittedly most in Movie format, deviate so far from Historical accuracy. In that your books represent, at least for me, a refreshment. I find my self able to experience past times in full through your descriptive but still captivating writing style. The reason I am writing you is because I was wondering if you might be interested in writing a book about the German Landsknecht of the 16th century. I my self portray such a person in my group and find the Landsknecht to be a Historical anomaly like few others. The word Landsknecht describes a German mercenary of the 16th century. The earliest usage of the word for this specific type of Mercenary was in the late 1480s and described them until their disappearance at the end of the 30 years war. The Landsknecht are the German counterpart to the well known Swiss Guard. What makes the Landsknecht so unusual in their Historical setting is that they by decree of the Holy Roman Emperor where exempt of the sumptuary laws, had immunity of the Church and Secular powers, meaning that they fell under regimental law and justice only and that there Regiments had a very , for there times, democratic and power division set up. I am sure that if you where interested in the subject you would find these people just as fascinating as I. I understand that you probably have many projects that you would like to complete before even considering, if at all, my suggestion. But if you did decide to write a story about Landsknecht you would be assured at least one buyer. Martin Page

Dear Mr Cornwell, I note from a recent post that you went to school near Bath. Did you visit Chippenham during that period and able to draw on your knowledge when writing about that section in the first Uhtred novel? Your Saxon stories are my favourite series. Can't wait for the next one!
Martin Beint

YOUR BOOK " AZINCOURT " WILL IT GO OUT IN FRANCE ? TRANSLATED INTO FRENCH LANGUAGE ? THANKS, I LIKE YOUR BOOKS. WILFRIED

I'm a FAN of yours stories.. I recently ask to your french editor of Sharpe's story to translate more faster in French.. I also like to know, when we will be able to read the French release of Azincourt? Thank's for the stories and dreams. Arnaud Valeix

Mr. Cornwell, Time passes slowly here in the North Dakota winters and your books keep the darkness goblins away. Thank you. I have noticed on a few dust jacket photos that you are wearing a jacket with a patch that looks like a Sharpe's patch. Are they available to the public? If so, where? I would love to have one for my cami birding jacket just to confuse people.
Alice Turner

Hi I have bought your books in the Sharpe series from number 1 to 14 from ereader.com, and love this book series. My problem is I can't buy book number 15 - 20 from ereader.com :-( Will there be more titles available in near future ? I prefer reading the books in an electronic reader. And they are easy to buy in this format, from where I live in Norway !! Dag