Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am a bit reticent about doing this, with a man of your proven and well-merited literary eminence, but feel I should. Read with great interest your article on Agincourt in the Daily Mail this week and your frequent use of the word pole-axe. I too believed this was the correct spelling, until I visited the excellent Leeds Armouries. There I witnessed a reconstructed 'duel' between two protagonists - one with a poll-axe! Before the event he described what he was going to do and spoke about the misconception in the meaning and thus the spelling of the word. As with poll tax ( a tax on heads, i.e., polls!)the poll-axe was designed to smite an opponent on the head - the poll. Not because it was on the end of a pole. An easy mistake but he was quite explicit. So...you surely knew this and if so why the wrong spelling? Was it because the public perceived it this way? Please advise. Shaun Ivory

Submitted November 8, 2008

A

Certainly the original spelling is pollax (insofar as mediaeval spelling was consistent). Chaucer gives 'polax'. Poleaxe arrives early and stays . . and is the form preferred by the Oxford English Dictionary, so I'm happy with it. You know what it means!

Q

Dear Bernard, Thank you so much for an entertaining and amusing evening at Ely Cathedral. My husband and I both enjoyed it immensely, and it was nice to talk to you, however briefly, and hear your appreciation of 'our' cathedral...even if you didn't get to visit the Stained Glass Museum! I know this note is a little late, coming almost a fortnight after the event, but we've been very busy at 'end of season' re-enactment gigs - AngloSaxon (and Romano British), rather aptly. I do hope you get the opportunity to bring your wife over to see the cathedral, as you mentioned; it is a memorable experience, whatever ones personal beliefs! By the way, I was going to ask you to sign my longbow, but the weather knocked that idea on the head. If you do any other events, especially for Toppings, would you mind if I brought it along for signing? Oh, and sorry we couldn't provide you with better weather for the evening, but what would The Fens be without water after all...just plain, dull old dry land you can find anywhere... cheers, and thanks again, Mary Hannigan p.s. I'm glad to read that you have another book to follow Gallows Thief. I do love your other books, but some of them are a little like a busman's holiday for me! :-) Mary Hannigan

Submitted November 8, 2008

A

Bring your bow by all means! And yes, I do intend to Take Judy to Ely as soon as we can . . . she'll love it!

Q

There are two questions that I would like to put to you: 1. I have some addictions, viz: cigarettes; women; sometimes booze, and Sharpe. The first three I could almost give up, but Sharpe? Never! What is the antidote? 2. The latest TV film is called Sharpe's Peril, there has been a previous film on TV that had nothing to do with any of your written work either. When are you going to fulfill Richard Sharpe's life, I think he deserves all the blanks to be filled in. You messed about with his life, jumping from 'Sharpe's Eagle' back to India then back to the Peninsula. You, who also wrote "Gallows Thief" could surely meld the story of a foundling and a Hakeswill, Flanders etc. and then let it flow over, ultimately, to the Starbuck Chronicles. Mr. Cornwell, fill in the gaps or give us continuation. Thank you. MICHAEL D LOVELESS

Hi Bernard, I have attended a couple of your West Country events, and must say how enjoyable they have been - your wicked sense of humour appeals, which also comes through in your books. I am probably in the minority here, in that I prefer your dark age and middle age books to Sharpe, although I still find the latter hugely enjoyable. Having read Gallows thief, how about a story with Sandman, Berrigan, Sharpe and Harper all together? - the carnage from the volcanic tempers would be brilliant. Keep up the good work - can you clone yourself to get the books out quicker please?

Andy Green

Submitted November 8, 2008

A

It's an idea . . . . and who knows? I have thought (idly) about it, so it might happen.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I have been an avid fan of your novels for a long time. I absolutely love the Saxon Stories. In fact, I am such a fan of the history of the Viking age, I am now writing a technical paper for one of my classes. The subject of this paper is going to be the naval architecture of Viking longboats. I was wondering, as the author of such a great many well researched novels, if you had any specific sources that I should consult. Thanks for your time, Aidan McAllister

Submitted November 8, 2008

A

Most of my best information came from a visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde - which would mean a visit to Denmark. They have five ships there, all recovered by archaeologists and a wealth of technical knowledge. If you can't visit then I'd suggest you look for their publications online.

Q

Hallo. Hope you are well and still enjoy writing as much as I enjoy reading your works. Some time ago now you were kind enough to recommend an agent that may be interested in medieval militaria novels (Anita Molly) and I sent off my own great work to her. While rejecting the book, she did make the effort to point out the major flaw in it being a lack of sympathy evoked for the hero. Obviously I resolved to work at this and study ways to improve the book but somehow I got married and had a couple of kids instead and time passed etc etc. Anyway to get to the point: I recently have returned to writing and posted my work to one of those internet sites for writers as I saw it as a good way to gather feedback to refine the books. I was wondering how far you regard others opinions of your work when creating a book? Do you show it to as many people as possible or keep it hidden til finished? And should you take all (constructive) criticism into account or try to use judgement? e.g: This probably sounds really generic (and probably sexist), but Ive noticed that a lot of women seem to be more interested in sympathy, empathy and the emotions of the central character, but then the primary market for a medieval military adventure story (I imagine) is probably blokes, who seem more interested in the action. Also (if you are still reading) have you any tips/rules of thumb on the whole Show dont tell side of writing? Given that any historical novel is bound to have a lot of obscure detail that if not explained could leave the reader scratching their head, where is it safe to draw the line? Sorry for going on a bit and thanks for any advice you can give. Regards Tim

Submitted November 8, 2008

A

I'm afraid I show it to no-one till it's finished . . . I won't even talk about the book (except to my long-suffering wife) until it's finished. And yes, women do like different things (on the whole), being far more interested in a character's emotions than their actions . . . . but that's okay! As to the 'don't tell' rule, I try very hard not to, but sometimes it's inevitable. I try, like most writers, to weave the information into dialogue or action, but sometimes it's impossible. Just keep it as brief as you can! And don't use all your research just because you've done it . . . cut out everything that's irrelevant to the story.

Q

Dear Sir: I have begun reading AzinCourt. I know you researched it well, but shouldn't you have made your character Welsh? Didn't they invent the longbow and provide most of the archers for that battle? Thanks, Jim West

Submitted November 8, 2008

A

It's a long-lasting myth . . . sorry. Yes there were considerable numbers of Welsh archers in Henry's army, but they were a minority - most by far came from the English shires. As to the idea that the Welsh invented the longbow, that's very dubious. I think the earliest yew longbows ever found date from Neolithic times and were discovered in a grave at Knaresborough, Yorkshire. It's true that the Welsh specialised in the longbow, but so did the lowland Scots and the English,

Q

As a massive Sharpe fan, I just wondered if you had any thoughts on the Flashman Novels and in particular everyone's favourite cad - Harry Flashman, the antithesis of Sharpe if ever there was one. I notice that Celtic and Palace are developing the Flashman novels for TV. Do you think Flashman can be brought to life in today's PC world and who would you see as Harry Flashman?

Also any plans for any other of your novels to be made into films? Best regards, Steven

Submitted November 8, 2008

A

I've no idea who should portray Flashman! I'm sure the casting director will find someone wonderful. I adore the Flashman novels and counted my friendship with George MacDonald Fraser as a great privilege. I have all the novels and re-read them with great pleasure. I'm not sure he's comparable with Sharpe; George was essentially writing humour, but with a dark foundation that came, I suspect, from his wartime experiences. If you haven't read it then get hold of a copy of his amazing memoir Quartered Safe Out Here, one of the best accounts of service in the Second World War (he fought as a private in the Malayan campaign).

No plans at the moment.

Q

Hi. I read in an interview by the Radio Times of Sean Bean that in the latest film Sharpe's peril there is a hint about his daughter and an adventure in South America. He said he would like to do this but funding could be a problem. I realise that the Sharpe of the films has gone a different route to the Fictional Sharpe but if the it would be possible to combine the above story with the Story of Sharpe's Devil. Instead of seeking Blas Vivar then he could be looking for his daughter. I always thought the the "Devil" story was one of the best adventures and that it would make a great film as have to other story conversions that have been made. Is there a chance that the Devil could be made into a film. Surely they would have to ask you for permission to adapt that story. I realise that you do not control the filming schedules but you might have heard something. I really do think the Devil would make a great film and have always thought that when they made the past films. I might just have to reread that story again if they don't. I might anyway it is one of my personal favourites of the Sharpe series of books.
Roddy Carter

Submitted November 8, 2008

A

They don't need my permission to do anything! I think filming 'Devil' is a possibility, but I honestly don't know what they're thinking of making next, only that there is a project in the planning stage. Their biggest constraint, of course, is budget, and ships are expensive (and troublesome).

Q

Dear Bernard Now you have finished Azincourt which don't get me wrong I loved and would certainly be more than eager for more tales of Nick Hook but I was wondering if we will ever see Nathaniel Starbuck again. I know you have said you will get to Starbuck in the future but The Last Book was in 1995 and its now 2008 and unlike the Sharpe novels there is a lot of storylines left very open ended and would be a shame if you ignored it for much longer. For instance in Bloody Ground it seemed to suggest Lyman might use Adams death by southern bushwackers to subvert Washington Falcouner?? And will Starbuck ever get his hands on Billy Blythe or discover Delenays treachery etc etc ??????. Its more a rather faint request from a long suffering with out hope Starbuck fan (I am willing to bet there is more of us out there who feel the same way) So while more series and more books are fun and will always be read please get back to Starbuck even if it was just 1 short story book about Appomatox and the rest was left for the reader to fill in the blanks.(Though Chancellorsville/Gettysburg/Chickamauga and the epic Grant/Lee Overland campaign would be fascinating to read about Starbuck there. Just some closure so its done because while there are gaps of battles like Albuera or Burgos in Sharpe's campaigns there is a story closure he ends up happy ever after in France with Lucille. Starbuck does not have that. You have said your next book is about Uhtred but please please consider Starbuck Anyway thank you for your time Yours sincerely Geraint

thank you for all the entertainment as well as education you have given me over the years.i thought the book a crowning mercy that you co-wrote with miss Cornwell was top notch.i read all your work,I'm wondering when will Starbuck ride again. again thank-you for the joy and education you have brought me over the years. Brian Falk

Hello Mr.Cornwell - I have only in the recent past discovered Starbuck, I have now read all that have so far been written, please when will Starbuck appear again? I have read all of Sharpe and am looking forward to Sharpe's peril on TV, but please may we have more Starbuck? Regards, Pat Farnsworth

Submitted November 7, 2008

A

I do hope to get back to Starbuck, but I don't know now when that might be...

Q

I'm a big fan of your Saxon books. And I read you're making more but not for a while. I'm looking for more viking books like yours. can you name some? Michael Eudy

I have now read most of your books and have enjoyed then immensely. Can you recommend other authors with your style of writing either in historical fiction or fantasy? Stephen Davis

Submitted November 7, 2008

A

Please be sure to take a look at the Reading Club pages of this website - you'll find many great recommendations there!