Any plans for Sharpe's appearance in Ireland during the 1798 rebellion or the American war of Independence?
Greg Sheppard
Sorry, I don't think so!
Hi Mr. Cornwell, As having a specific main character in a series can sometimes limit where and when they can appear, mostly due to time and geographical constraints, I was just wondering if you planned on any more one-off books that could take us to some of your favourite battles like you did in Azincourt? I was hoping you could possibly drag some poor guy through the battle of Blenheim or Wolfe's taking of Quebec etc? Kind Regards, David Heaton
Yes. But which? There are a number of possibilities, and I'll make a decision soon, but the answer is yes.
Hello Mr Cornwell. A colleague has just returned from the U.S. with a copy of Agincourt for me. What was the inspiration, what sent you to writing this book? I shall try to read this novel slowly. I congratulate on the poem at the end of the book. Beautiful, poignant and a wonderful end to the book. Also taking the names of the archers from the muster rolls. Those men live on and who knows maybe a movie will come of this book and the names of the long dead will be heard again. Thanks for the writing. Nicholas Langrick.
I think the inspiration came from the presence of Agincourt at the heart of English myth - obviously hallowed by Shakespeare. It's one of the few events in English history that persists in common memory and it fascinated me (always has). Very often such events get distorted and I think it's intriguing to try and return to the original circumstances and describe what lies behind the distortion - but really that wasn't necessary with Agincourt. The commonly accepted ideas about the battle are more or less right - though I think the arrows did less damage than most people believe. And thank you for your comments!
Ola Bernard, espero que consiga ler esta mensagem em portugues. Acado de ler o ultimo livro de The Saxon Stories, Sword Song (que aqui é A Canção da Espada), e estou fascinado com as histórias de Uhtred. Gostaria de saber quando sai o próximo livro, e se tem previsão de sair aqui no Brasil. Obrigado.
Felipe Santana Rick
Hi Felipe. I think you are asking about the next book of the Saxon stories? I am currently working on the fifth book of the Saxon stories and hope to have it ready for publication in the UK in October (most likely January 2010 in the US). I believe it will be available in Brasil by the end of this year. Have you seen the link to the Brazilian webssite on the Diary page of this webssite? Obrigado!
Hello, First of all Azincourt was a fantastic read, and although I`m a huge Sharpe fan I must say Azincourt kept me gripped from page 1 and I`ve strongly recommended it to my friends. Secondly, is there any chance of visiting Bath in the near future? I came to see you at Waterstones in 2005 I think it was and we are starting to miss you. Best wishes and keep up the good work. Ben .
Could you please tell me if you have any plans to visit the north west (uk) ie Manchester for any talks or book signings in the near future. Many thanks Robin
It's a little too early to know the book tour schedule (most likely in October); but keep an eye on the Diary page of this website and look for the itinerary to be posted there.
Dear Mr. Cornwell; Thanks so much for your writings. My personal favorites are the Grail Quest series, the Saxon Stories and your most recent Azincourt. Will you be coming out with any more "long bow" characters and novels? Kindest Regards, David Hawkyard
It's certainly possible!
Mr. Cornwell, I'm sorry, but Agincourt was quite perhaps the worst book I have ever read. Don't get me wrong, I worshipped you after reading the Saxon Tales. Never before have I been so fully engrossed in and satisfied by a novel. But I just don't understand where your storytelling skills go when the hero is an archer, because the Grail Quest was pretty bad too. Now, seriously, back to Agincourt. Nothing whatsoever happened in that book. It was entirely bloviation. There were two, maybe three battle scenes. You spend half the book just describing the siege of Harfleur. And then a third of it repeating the lines "The French were going to attack" at Agincourt, but they didn't do anything until the final pages. And how could we possibly believe 24,000 Frenchmen lost that battle? If i hear back from you, I'll comment more on this. I just want an explanation for the atrocity that is Agincourt. I mean, are you the same Bernard Cornwell who created Uhtred, or have you lost your touch? Teja Alapati
Well, you're hearing back from me! How could 24,000 Frenchmen (probably 30,000) lose that battle? But they did. You have a problem with that? So did the French. I guess I can't help you.
Mr. Cornwell I enjoy your books and have just completed the Saxon Stories but I have a question for you. In the Arthur Books you mention England as a single country yet in the Saxon Stories Alfred has yet to create the unification. Am I nit picking? Given that the Arthurian period follows the collapse of Rome perhaps the country was still one identification as a single unit was possible. Whereas in Alfred's time the Viking Invasion had broken the country into little counties and fiefdoms. However your thoughts would be welcome. I look forward to the next Uhtred adventure but I am 65 and cannot wait forever for the series to finish. John Coupe
Well, the series is about the making of England. You can say that what we call England was a political entity under the Romans, but that, of course, was before the English arrived, and besides it was not ruled by the indigenous people. That entity (Brittania) was shattered by the withdrawal of the legions, the arrival of the Angles and Saxons, and by internal rivalry by the British (which is the background to the Arthurian novels). Alfred, towards the end of his reign, adopted the title King of the Angelcynn, which is a statement of his ambition to see all those areas of Britain speaking English united in one country - Englaland, he would have called it - and no, he didn't achieve that ambition, but his grandson did. Therein lies the tale - and it's a process that begins with Alfred.
Hi Bernard, love your books, narrative always compelling, appreciate your care with historicity. One question: as an Anglican priest I detect a strong dislike of Christianity throughout your novels, that goes beyond necessary historical accuracy. Would be interested in your honest response! Thanks. Frank Hinds
Mr. Cornwell, First off I couldn't be a bigger fan! Thank you for your great books! I recently read your short "Growing Up Peculiar" and afterward reflected back on some your books that I have read. It seems like your main characters (I have only had the pleasure of reading about Sharpe, Starbuck and Uhtred so far) all rebel against the church in one way or another. Which may lead one to come to the conclusion that you have a negative look at Christianity, however, you have other positive characters such as McCandless and Don Blas Vivar whom you show in a positive light even though they are of the faith in one form or fashion. Not to mention Alfred who's faith, I gathered from the history in your Saxon series, was the driving force behind England's survival. After reflecting on such things I was wondering what your overall opinion of the church is (The Peculiars aside... after reading your account who could have a positive thing to say of them)? I suppose I am a "fundamentalist" in that I believe the bible to be inerrant, and would just like satisfy my curiosity. Was Reverend Starbuck modeled from your adopted father? I will continue to read everything you write with vigor and thank you again!!
Joe
I think the Reverend Starbuck has some of my adopted father in him . . . . so does my portrait of Stonewall Jackson! But my overall opinion of the church? Wow, that's a wide topic and I'm sure you'd dislike the answer. For a start the church is such a broad thing - stretching from snake-handlers in Tennessee to Mozart's Requiem being sung in a baroque Cathedral. Not sure there's a swift answer, except to say that I have no doubts about the goodness of individual Christians and many doubts about the opportunities for ambition and corruption that the church (and every other institution) provides.
Hello Mr Cornwell, I hope this message finds you well. I'm not normally one for bothering people to tell them I think they are brilliant but for some reason I really felt the need to. I am currently reading 'The Pale Horseman' in the middle of my fourth journey through the saxon books, (my favourite series of all that you have written) and was wondering if you have any plans for the next book as I am desperate to find out what happens!
Also I did read that you are unable to use peoples ideas for a book due to lawyers but does this still apply if you are being asked to document part of a family's history? I only ask because there is a story passed down through my Mothers family that "7 stalwart Fletchers died at a battle near here" The battle this relates to is the battle of Towton in the English Civil War 'when cock beck ran red with blood' and more Englishmen relative to the population at the time died than even during the Somme! The most intriguing part of the family story is that due to where they were living at the time the '7 Stalwart Fletchers' could have had mixed loyalties and been on different sides and yet more Fletchers must have survived or I wouldn't be here! We never have and never will known the full truth but as a family would love the story to be written and feel that no one would be able to do it justice quite like we feel you would be able to. Sorry if I've wasted your time but I had to try, I just wish I had the skill to turn this small gem of information into a masterpiece. Yours Faithfully, Ross Davies
I am working on the next book of the Saxon stories now. Hope to have it ready for publication in the UK in October (January 2010 for the US).
The problem isn't writing about stories such as the 7 stalwart Fletchers, but rather when people send me their unpublished manuscripts and ask me to read and comment - and it has happened (though never to me) that some nasty lawyer later brings a case claiming that the author took ideas from the unpublished story. So it's much easier to say that I won't read such things - and it isn't my job to read them! That job belongs to agents and publishers. So I might well put the magnificent seven in a tale of Towton! It's a battle that has always intrigued me . . . . who knows? One day, perhaps.