Your Questions

Q

Hi Bernard Have long been a fan of all of your books, however please take a moment for a spot of wild speculation. When you consider the rate of fire of the muzzle loaded infantry weapons of the Napoleonic era used at say Waterloo and the Longbow used at Agincourt, and the very close range that both of these battles were fought, would the longbow have been more effective? Martin Milton-White

Submitted February 9, 2009

A

It would have been far more effective! So much so that the Duke of Wellington enquired, during the Peninsular Wars, about the possibility of raising a Corps of Longbowmen for service in Spain, but he was told there simple weren't enough trained archers to make it feasible. If you have 1000 muskets then their accuracy is lousy - certainly nothing above 100 paces will be remotely accurate, and their rate of fire will be between three and four shots a minute, so be kind and say four, and you have 4000 missiles a minute which are useless beyond 150 paces. Face them with 300 longbowmen who are wickedly accurate at 150 paces and they're loosing 15 arrows a minute which means they're shooting 4,500 missiles in a minute. There's no contest! Most of the musketeers would be dead or wounded before they even got into effective range, but it took ten years dedication to make an archer . . . . . so the musket triumphed.

Q

Hi Bernard Firstly, though I am sure you are only too aware of this, you continue to be an absolute inspiration both to those of us who are never happier than when immersed in well crafted historical fiction and to the smaller (I imagine) number who harbour aspirations of having work published. Interestingly, whilst I adore your work and that of a number of your contemporaries, my own fledgling storytelling resides in an era much different from the time I like to read about. Two questions, if I may. The first is on the issue of contemporaries. Do you ever have either the time or the inclination to trade writers' joy and woes with some of your fellow historical fictionists? I'm imagining a winter Sunday afternoon in a country pub in Hampshire - you, Simon Scarrow, Julian Rathbone (sad loss), C J Sansom and Martin Stephen exchanging thoughts over a local brew or two.

Secondly, although your writing possibly places you in periods where this is of little concern, how far should a historical author go in determining the support (or otherwise) of the descendants of the real life characters nestled within the story. For example, I have a desperate to escape story set at the turn of the 20th century ... but with one of the pivotal characters being a larger than life 'celebrity' of his time I have been reluctant to make a start. Many thanks for your time... Lee

Submitted February 9, 2009

A

I know this will sound curmudgeonly, but writing is, to me anyway, a solitary vice. I've met a good number of other historical novelists and we're usually very cordial, but I can't say I actively seek them out. There, very curmudgeonly. I'm reading CJ Sansom now and am full of admiration - marvellous books!

Yes, you have a duty of truth to a real person whom you set in your story - but that's just a question of doing the research! And if the truth, as you see it, isn't the received version, well that's tough on his descendants, but go with it all the same. No need to feel constrained - write it!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, a safety demonstration I used to do with archery students may be of interest to you and particularly those who doubt the penetration abilities of arrows. Using a 45lb draw weight recurve bow and field point arrows (arrow weight 1 1/2 oz), arrows shot at 1/16th steel plate from a distance of 15 yards would pass completely through the plate. Field points are mild steel so are soft compared with a properly hardened bodkin point. The steel plate was cold rolled mild steel so fairly tough. A long bow of 120 lbs plus with heavier arrows would have been devastating. I have read all of your books so far and am looking forward impatiently to the next in the Saxon series. Thank you for all the enjoyment you have given me. Colin Hailey

Submitted February 9, 2009

A

Thankyou! I agree with you . . . I suspect the power of the bow is much underestimated today, though undoubtedly it was spoiled by bad metallurgy in the 14th and 15th Centuries - remember that chronicler who bemoaned how English arrows 'crumpled' on hitting the French armour at Poitiers - not that it mattered, we won anyway!

Q

Hi, Was/Has Sharpe's Devil ever considered for the latest TV shows that were shown. Feel it would make an excellent addition! Keep up the good work. Tom

Submitted February 9, 2009

A

Never film with dogs, children or ships. I don't think they have considered it (too many ships? And besides, the ending of the book was filmed, I'm sure by accident, in 'Master and Commander'), but they are hoping to do more, so who knows?

Q

Hello again! I have a question regarding your depiction of christians in your work. I've always noticed an amusing and subtle (sometimes not so subtle) mockery of them in your novels. I wouldn't ask except i've noticed it in almost all your books. My question is why? Rollin Horton

Mr. Cornwell, I noticed a recent question about your religious background (which I was interested in also after having read Stonehenge and all the Saxon books). Mankind's relationship with the Deity (or deities) certainly has produced interesting stories throughout history. Though you may have personally come to doubt Christianity's beliefs... your characters seem fair. They tend to abuse all religions equally. I'm an ex-Southern Baptist in Tennessee myself... and still believe in God...Jesus... and great heaping mounds of Grace. I just got tired of the guys running the show down here... collecting their silver and building bigger and bigger churches. I don't think I can buy into your blame Christianity for all the evil its brought argument though. Bad men abusing religion to get their way has been around a lot longer than Christianity has (see Stonehenge). Following the two basic rules of (1) Love God, (2) Love your neighbor enough to treat him as you would like to be treated... surely can't be to blame for all the world's inhumanity to man for the last 2 millenia can it? Steven Lynch

Submitted February 9, 2009

A

No! Share the blame equally! I don't think any group is guiltless of history's atrocities, it's just that I tend to write books set in a Christian milieu and so, unfairly, describe more of their guilt than, say, that of Islam. And I would never deny the good religion has done, I just don't happen to believe that any one creed has a monopoly of morality.

Q

I just read the comment from Nicolas regarding Nelson skimming his shot to cause more damage. I have no idea if that works with naval cannon, but as a correction officer I was taught to "skip shoot" the shotgun so that rather than receive a direct blast inmates would be hit in the lower extremities as the pellets rose up off the ground. Of course this was only used in serious situations such as a prison riot. I don't know if the same theory would apply to naval engagements. Also, I asked once before if you had given any thought to having Sharpe and Harper's decedents carry on together in conflicts occurring after the Napoleonic Wars? Michael A Clar

Submitted February 9, 2009

A

No - I haven't. Maybe? I have much else I want to write first and I'm not getting younger, alas, so I somehow doubt it.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I thoroughly enjoy your books, keep up the good work. In Sharpe's Waterloo, I remember a comment made to Sharpe, which, if I remember correctly went " A wise man keeps his own counsel, else he embarrass the incompetent who rule over him." A remark that struck a chord and I cannot forget. Is this a real quotation or one of your own? I have found it to be very sound advice. This, together with, "Do unto others as you would be done by." have helped to steer me through uncharted waters. Thanks again. Graham Twyning

Submitted February 9, 2009

A

I honestly cannot remember! It certainly doesn't ring a bell with me, which suggests it isn't a quotation I know, so maybe it's an original! Sounds like good advice. anyway (wish I followed it)

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I want to ask, if Azincourt will be released in German and when it could be? Thanks for your time! Greetings from Germany, Fridolin Mueller

Submitted February 9, 2009

A

Azincourt will be published in German translation in the Autumn of 2009.

Q

I am a disabled Vet and use audible.com to hear your books, but most of your books are abridged and I miss 1/2 of the books can you fix this? Rick Ballou

As with so many others, I love your books. Problems with my eyeight, combined with a reading-intensive job (teaching Greek and Roman history at the University level), make it very difficult for me to read much for pleasure. I have been enjoyed hearing many of your works on audiobook as an alternative. Unfortunately, most are not available, or at least not available in the US in unabridged format. Could you please ask whoever controls the rights to the distribution of your audiobooks to free up the others in unabridged format (and to make more available)?? Right now I can get most Sharpe books, the Starbuck Chronicles, only the third Uhtred book, and none of the Arthur or Grail Quest books. What a disappointment! I have read them all before but, like old friends, I miss them very much. You have a wonderful gift. Vanessa Gorman

Submitted February 9, 2009

A

I understand my agent is working on this so hopefully you will see more unabridged audiobooks available some time soon!

Q

Dear Mr.Cornwell you are my favourite author, I was wondering if you ever intend to write any books based on the War of the Roses or the English Civil war, or a character Like Hereward The Wake? I think you would do a grand job. Lee

Submitted February 9, 2009

A

I'm not planning on a book based on the War of the Roses. I've considered the English Civil War but it would take a few years of research so I'm not sure when that could happen... And Hereward is a good tale so who knows?