Your Questions

Bernard, I read a book 10 - 15 years ago that is very similar to your Agincourt. As I recall, there was a fanatic clergyman who made life very difficult for the hero. I also recall a battle where the English were outnumbered but still won. Is Agincourt a reprint or a brand new novel? Tom Gledhill

I have read almost all of your books including the entire Sharpe's. I'm a real fan of all your books. I just finished the fourth book of the Nathaniel Starbuck series and am wondering why haven't you taken it any further? The last one came out in I believe 1996, so why did you drop it, or is there another one coming?
Gary Kuba

Hello Mr. Cornwell The last time I sent an e-mail, I asked about Sharpe coming to the War of 1812 and parallels between your character and the real life of James Fitzgibbon. You politely explained why that was not possible. However, with the bicentennial of the War of 1812 approaching perhaps you could consider another character, there are plenty of models to work from. Pirates (I think youve had pirates), Shawnee war chiefs, Irish/Welsh/Scot Redcoats, Kentucky Riflemen, warships on the Great Lakes larger than HMS Victory (crazy), pissed off Loyalists, entire regiments of black troops, Cajuns, Quebeckers, Newfies, Yankees, massacres, sieges, division level battles. I am only asking since you are a transplanted Brit and it could be nice for your American and Canadian fans. Although we kicked the Yanks backsides so many times they still feel a little hurt. I am the Superintendent of Heritage for a Canadian park system in Niagara Falls Ontario. We regularly host historic events on our property and many visitors are Sharpe fans. I did not intend to have a life that followed a fictional character but I do find parallels with Sharpes struggles. Not unlike Sharpes relationship with Jane, I rescued my blond, blue-eyed wife from a well established Loyalist family of lunatics only to find out she was related to her family. I was away with the military when I returned to a pregnant wife a historic tradition for many. I am now living with a tough, but lovely, transplanted Portuguese girl. I have also been recently commissioned from the ranks in my reserve army unit. Trying to be a proper gentleman and I havent been in a fight in over a year, so I am not keeping up with Mr. Sharpes record of causing trouble - probably for the best. Thoroughly enjoyed Azincourt! I am sure your critics will say more of the same old Cornwell . Exactly!! Page burners!! Just fantastic stuff! Nice to see you are a grandfather, congratulations! I wish you a long , long career with many more wonderful books and many more grandkids. Thanks again for your great work. Jim Hill

Hi Mr. Cornwell. In the Uhtred books, you often mention warriors wearing a strip of iron on their legs for protection. Would this have been worn externally, like a greave? Or would it have been sewn into the boot itself? Alan Kempner

Hello I was curious about the "curses" in the Arthur books (like the one used against Ceinwyn in Excalibur) , did you get them from old pagan rituals, or were they your own magical invention. Kind Regards. Damien.

Have you written about the Carlist wars in Spain - is there a museum in England for memorabilia from those wars - a sword, for instance, carried by Edward Costello - it needs a home.
M. E. Hawkins

Of course I've enjoyed your books, having read most and just beginning the Saxon series. I'm very proud of my own Saxon ancestors, whom I've traced from their 1636 arrival in Mass Bay Colony back to circa 1425 in Kent. I'm intrigued you can establish a line of ancestors back to Saxon Northumbria (end notes: The Last Kingdom). I'd appreciate your suggestions. Current research has been done during annual trips to Utah (great research place but we're not Mormons)and I know the surname is going to disappear sooner or later - hopefully not before I can learn which ancestor was some bishop's bastard. Of course I enjoyed the Sharpe series. If you can possibly find another bit of history to insert for another novel I'll be thrilled. You're note of appreciation to George MacDonald Fraser was quite a propos. How many readers recognized it? Stay warm on the Cape. I'm even freezing down here in Virginia. Waes hael, Jeb Bishop (Bisceop)

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am really enjoying the Saxon Stories, and look forward to each new installment. One thing bothers me, though, especially since I check the books out of the library, and don't have all the copies available: I cannot always recall key plot points and characters from earlier books! To be honest, in Sword Song, I could not remember how Uhtred had gotten involved with Griselda, his second wife. Part of this grand forgetting is that I'm getting older, and part is that I'm immersed in the plots of lots of other novels in the months between segments of Uhtred's saga. Have you ever considered a 2-3 page summary/outline of the story so far at the start of the next book? Or even a list of key characters with a brief history of the part each has played? I know, this would take a miracle of editing for brevity, but boy, would it help! Thanks so much....Linda G.

Dear Mr Cornwell, My name is John and I am playing a captain from 1415 in a new play pre battle of Agincourt. I know you have written books about this period so I was wondering if you could give me any information on Captains from this era. If you could help me in anyway I would be very grateful

John Patridge

Good evening. I'm writing from Italy to know when the fourth book of saxon chronicles, Sword Song, will be translated to Ialian and edited in Italy. Can you answer? Thanks, Marco Birocchi