Your Questions

Q

Hi Bernard Finished Azincourt - brilliant, Is it just a one off story with Nick Hook? Now waiting for your next book, guess its not a Starbuck, so what can I expect up next? Thank you for your time, Antony

Submitted October 26, 2008

A

Don't know yet if Azincourt will be one only....there's a chance....but no promises!

Next up will be the fifth book of the Saxon stories.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, thank you for all your wonderful books. I am a danish/german guy with great interest in European history. I have read your grail quest and all saxon stories so far. I have 2 questions:

1- When is the next book of the saxon stories coming (after Sword Song)?

2- I have been waiting for Sword Song in german for over a year. It has not come yet. So I have read it in english. Also great. I know that you don't organise the outcoming in the german market but do you know why Sword Song takes so long compared to your other books? I am looking forward to your next books. Kind regards, Boris

Submitted October 26, 2008

A

1. - I've just started the fifth book of the Saxon stories. Hope to have it ready for publication in about a year.

2. - Sword Song will be released in German translation in January. Fraid I don't know why it seems to be taking longer? Publishers all set their own schedules!

Q

First let me say that I thoroughly enjoy reading your books. I enjoy your weaving of fictional story telling into factual events. It is a wonderful way to achieve a more in depth perspective of history. In your copious free time, have you pondered applying the same story telling gift to other historical military campaigns?
Chris Randolph

Submitted October 26, 2008

A

I am. What are they? I'm not saying.

Q

I am just writing to say that I have just finished Azincourt and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Will you be writing any more on Nick Hook or is the book intended to be a 'stand alone'? Cheers, Leigh

Submitted October 25, 2008

A

There is a chance, but only a chance, that there may be more.

Q

Hello. I am a Brazilian fan. Your stories are really amazing, profound and rich. And your battles are beautiful. Of course, I have no adjectives for you that you have not heard before. When will we have a continuation for the Saxon Stories? Don't you think about making stories for a electronic game? I am sure many people would like to make a game about your stories. A medieval story or a Victorian story. With battles, decisions and with A good story". Thanks for reading my mail. Felipe Rezende Crispi

Submitted October 24, 2008

A

Thank you Felipe! I am working on the next Saxon story now and hope to have it ready for publication next year. There has been talk of a Sharpe game, but nothing's come of it....

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell! You've probably heard this suggestion many times, but, I had two suggestions, or pleas rather, for more Sharpe books! The first is a prequel to the India series, it is mentioned often enough that Sharpe served in Flanders, why not base a book on his life leading up to Flanders, then off to India? The other suggestion is anther story about Sharpe and Lucille? Not sure why, but I liked hearing about Lucille, and Sharpe and "bloody cogwheels." Just a suggestion...Keep up the amazing work!

Submitted October 24, 2008

A

I have no plans for Flanders at the moment - having taken Sharpe backwards in time once I'm not inclined to do it again, but who knows? Maybe as a short story? Maybe we'll see more of Lucille too.....

Q

Love your books. A quick question; How do you research your books, by internet or on site across the pond? Bob Nearine

Submitted October 24, 2008

A

No, no, not the Internet. Research is a lifelong occupation, but obviously, for any specific book, you begin dedicated reading and research a few months before. So, I've spent a lifetime reading about mediaeval warfare, but the detailed research for Azincourt, my latest book, probably began about a year before I started writing, reading many books. And yes, I always do visit the places, because it's almost impossible to write a book about a place without walking the ground.

Q

Hello Bernard,I hope you are progressing quickly with your next installment of Uhtred's tale. If it is anywhere near as good as AZINCOURT we readers are in for a rare treat. I have to say I prize your works above all others, and in rare instances it is possible to pick out the gems that stand above the rest(Sharpe's Waterloo, The Lords of the North, Excalibur are but a few for me). AZINCOURT will be joining that list, it is a truly magnificent story and account of the events leading up to and including the battle. Thank you. Your one liner referring to Thomas of Hookton brought a smile to my face, a really nice touch. You also include an episode where Henry visits and talks to his archers on the eve of battle, is this something you included for the sake of Michael Hook, or did Henry really need to assess the mood of his men and hear confirmation that they thought he was doing battle for a just cause? It's a shame you couldn't include the archers 2 fingered salute at the start of the battle, I've been telling my son's it was at this battle it became famous!! Maybe your saving that for the next Nick Hook book?? Go on, you know you can't leave Nick and Melisande at that. Surely there's more from the Lord of Hell and Sir John, and Sir Martin ~ did he really bleed to death?? He could be you next Obadiah, he just can't be killed, says so in the scriptures. Thanks as always, Dean Tams, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria.

Submitted October 24, 2008

A

There is a tradition (obviously used by Shakespeare) that Henry did visit his men anonymously on the eve of battle, and it's simply too good a tale to leave out! The two-fingered salute is there! It's not mentioned at the beginning of the battle because I doubt it was used then, but rather at the end when the archers are astonished they have survived and eager to taunt the French. There's a chance . . . only a chance . . . that I'll use Nick and the others again. Maybe!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am a (very) mature student, studying for an MA in Creative writing. The project for this semester is biography and I have chosen to write about Sir Harry Smith, who was a contemporary of Sharpe, and who I first met through Georgette Heyer's story "The Spanish Bride". I wonder if you would be kind enough to advise me as to where I might start with more objective research other than Harry's own autobiography which I have found on the web. I apologise for my opportunism, but felt you were the best person to approach for help. Many thanks and regards Jan Slade

Submitted October 24, 2008

A

I don't know of a biography of Harry Smith . . . . you can always pick references to him from general books on the Peninsular War . . . I just glanced at the bibliography attached to his entry in Wikipedia and it really isn't much help . . . and I fear I'm not being much help either. Sorry . . . . we need a new biography! You'll find a long and decent entry on him in the Dictionary of National Biography (a good library will have a set) and I'd advise starting there!

Q

Bernard, I am a massive fan of your work and have been since I was 13. I am unsure of what is my favourite series as they are all excellent. I would like to ask your personal opinion of Alfred, as Uhtred can be quite scathing in his assessments of him? Do you think that Alfred deserves to be remembered as the Great? PS I wish that you were born in Scotland so that you could work your magic and do some service to some of our great historical characters. Do you have any plans for any such book/series. William Wallace? Robert the Bruce? The 45? John MacCallum

Submitted October 24, 2008

A

I think Alfred deserves the title . . . . without him Wessex would probably have fallen and there would be no England - Daneland instead? He applied his enormous intelligence to the problem posed by the Danes and, at the same time, did his best to cultivate what he perceived as the best of Saxon culture. He was undoubtedly a good man, a moral king and painstaking in his adherence to God and the law. I honestly think that a Scottish writer should tackle William Wallace and Robert the Bruce!