Your Questions

Q

I am researching my family history and my gg grandfather James Knight showed his occupation at "Private Soldier" at the baptism of my g g g aunt on 22/2/1815. He came from north Hampshire. Does this mean he was a "private" as it is known today, or does this refer to a private army?
Geoffrey Knight

Submitted February 23, 2009

A

I'm sure it means he was a private in the army!

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I am newly introduced to your books having read only six thus far. All have been excellent reads and I look forward to readying others. My question concerns Uhtred's take on Christianity. My question is in two parts: first, is Uhtred the "pulpit" you use to express your own views about Christianity (it seems to me that he, in fact, is), and secondly, do you see modern christianity closer to the mark of what it should be then its version in the Dark Ages such as in Uhtred's time?

Scott Meigs

Submitted February 23, 2009

A

Uhtred is the pulpit for expressing his own views, which are probably much more extreme than mine. I'm really not sure about the second answer; I suspect that Christ, if he were to come back (yeah, I know he's overdue) would be utterly astonished by the religion that bears his name and has, probably, almost no connection with his own ambitions which, as far as I can determine, were to reform Judaism.

Q

To Mr Bernard Cornwell, I enjoy reading your Sharpe novels, I would like to ask you - will you be writing any more novels about Mr Richard Sharpe?
John Richardson

Submitted February 23, 2009

A

Yes I will.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, My name is Jed Itzkowitz and I am a senior a Parkway North High School in St. Louis, Missouri USA. I am currently enrolled in an independent study in mythology, more specifically Nordic mythology. As part of my class my teacher asked me to read The Last Kingdom. After reading it I immediately went to my local bookseller and bought the rest of the series! What I would like to know however is how accurately the Danish warriors were depicted. I would also like to know if you know of any decent sources of information on Nordic myth and culture. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, Jed Itzkowitz

Submitted February 23, 2009

A

Well, I hope they were accurately depicted. There are many sources . . . . .where to begin? I'd suggest John Haywood's 'Encyclopedia of the Viking Age' and follow his suggestions for Further Reading.

Q

Dear Bernard, I live in the Somerset town of Somerton and have recently moved in to a former stately home there. Whilst doing some research in to the history of the house I have moved in to I found out that Somerton its self was once the seat of King Alfred the Great. I was there for just wondering if Somerton will feature in any of your further saxon stories. I would love to be able to sit in my living room and read about Uhtred and Alfred's adventures going on out side my front door.

Also I know its been asked a hundred times, but when will there be a new Starbuck book? Thanks Heather

Submitted February 23, 2009

A

I'll do my best! I suspect (but don't know) that Somerton was a royal estate, because his capital was Winchester and that was where he had his main residence, but kings do have second (and third and fifteenth) homes and I'll try to work Somerton in! Thankyou.

I don't have a date for the next Starbuck book yet.

Q

will we ever find out what happened to Gwydre? (don't say no, don't say no, don't say no)
Stephen Marsland

Submitted February 23, 2009

A

I have no idea what happened to Gwydre and, sadly, I'm not going to find out by writing another Arthurian book. That trilogy stands by itself, and to add to it would only spoil it - which I regret because I enjoyed writing them. But alas, no more trips for me to Arthur's Britain!

Q

Hello Bernard, You are my favorite author - followed by no less than Tolkien, Rowling, Forester, and OBrian. I am aware that Im a bit daft, but am trying to determine to what degree. The image and voice of Nathaniel Starbuck pops into my head whenever I read of Thomas of Hookton. When I read of Nicholas Hook, another image pops into my head. Im not quite sure of whom, but it is not Thomas. For some reason, a version of you pops into my head when I read of Lord Slayton. Therefore, I have two questions: (1) When you write, do you attach voices and imagines to your characters when you are creating them? (2) Did you perceive as Thomas and Nick as being two distinctly different characters (despite their similar occupations and adventures), or were they based on each other? Best regards, Steve Rose

Submitted February 23, 2009

A

They're quite distinct in my head! And yes, the characters do have distinctive voices and appearances that I hear and see when I'm writing. Thomas of Hookton and Nick Hook are very different in my apprehensions of them, but there are enough similarities so I do see why they might be conflated . . . and Nick is definitely not based on Thomas (who is, as you say, much more like Starbuck!)

Q

This is not an idea for a book, just an idea -- you might, someday, consider thinking about exploring (enough qualifiers?) whether there is a line of descent from Thomas of HOOKton to Nicholas HOOK.

Joe

Submitted February 23, 2009

A

Probably not! It was purely a coincidence - For Agincourt I wanted the protagonist to have the name of a real archer so combed through the muster rolls till I found one I liked - I found about 20, but Nick Hook worked best. Really there's no connection!

Q

Agatha Christie, the mystery writer, always hated the films made from her books because of all the changes made to her story line and characters. Your books are perfect as written: the character descriptions, story flow, believability, etc. I like most of the Sharpe films but dislike some of the story and name changes made by the film makers. Do you mind this, or do you have no control over what is done with your books once the right are sold for filming?

Jana

Submitted February 23, 2009

A

I have no control, nor do I want it. They know their business, and I don't know their business. If I object to a script then I'm putting an obstacle in the way of the film-maker, and that's not sensible! So - do what they like!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell! Please could you tell if there's a monument of the White Horse now? ("Pale Horseman" near Ethandun and if it was historical event that a white horse helped to win the battle? I didn't understood about it exactly in the Historical Note). Anna

Submitted February 23, 2009

A

One of the famous White Horses is cut into the hillside where the battle of Ethandun was fought, but almost certainly it has nothing to do with the battle - it was cut into the chalk much later. You can find more at http://www.wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk/westbury.html.