Your Questions

Q

I have a question regarding the Sharpe series which has been bugging me for ages. I'm sure that when I borrowed one of the series from a library, it detailed Sharpe giving Harper his seven barrelled gun as a present. I now own the entire series and cannot find this anywhere! I'm sure I didn't dream I read it. Am I missing a chapter or pages from one of my books?!!
Paul Seymour

Submitted October 3, 2008

A

Chapter 1 - Sharpe's Gold.

Q

In the future, when the new Sharpe novels come out could your please include some storyline pertaining to Sharpe's children? Thanks
John Nobile

Submitted October 3, 2008

A

I'll see what I can do!

Q

hi I just wanted to ask when the fifth book of the Saxon tales will be released in the U.S. I love your books and I have read at least each one twice great jobs and do you have recommendations on books like the Danes? Eric Goldberger

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Saxon Stories and the Sword Song seemed to end unfinished. I know you are a very busy man, but I was just wondering if and when the next installment would happen. Thank you for your time. Ben Edwards

Do you intend to write a sequel to "Sword Song", wherein Uhtred regains his right to Northumbria? Len Hilder

I love the Saxon stories involving Uthred. It helps as I teach Saxon Britain to my class especially the Vikings. Do you have any news about the next book in the series after Sword Song? Kind Regards, Miss Kate Griswood

Hi. When will the 5th book in the Saxon Stories be out? This is your best work yet! Thanks, JD

Submitted October 2, 2008

A

I've recently started the next book of the Saxon series. Hope to see it published in the UK in October 2009 (and maybe January 2010 in the US?).

Q

Hello, I've read your intro re this section, but I have an idea for a book that I think has merit, but I lack the talent to put it all down on paper. At first I was thinking of sending you a synopsis for your opinion, though obviously I won't now. I was hoping though that you could give me some advice on what I could do? Is there anyway to get ideas to an author for them to write, giving up rights to the idea kind of thing?
Trevor Sinclair

Submitted October 2, 2008

A

I'm really not sure that there is . . . . . I suppose you could suggest it to other authors? I think you'll find that most would much rather work on their own ideas, but who knows? If your idea is brilliant enough then I'm sure someone will jump on it, but short of suggesting that you approach authors individually, I can't be of much help. I have so many projects I want to do that I couldn't dream of taking on another . . . . sorry

Q

The Sharpe dvd collection does not follow the dated, historical logic of your Sharpe titles, including some (titles) you did not create. Can you or someone offer the correct logical order of the dvd titles? I know this is a burden, and maybe someone else can handle it. Also, might you have a series in mind covering William the Conqueror? I just finished a book that tried to describe the Battle of Hastings, and found it rife with speculation and confusion. Is so little known?Peter Lunde

Submitted October 2, 2008

A

Yes the filmmakers did change the order somewhat for the films which does it make a bit confusing!

This is the correct order for the Sharpe films: 'Rifles'; 'Eagles'; 'Company'; 'Enemy'; 'Honour'; 'Gold'; 'Battle'; 'Sword'; 'Regiment'; 'Siege'; 'Mission'; 'Revenge'; 'Justice'; and 'Waterloo', 'Challenge' (and, of course, the film now is production - 'Sharpe's Peril').

The two films 'Justice' and 'Mission' were written by scriptwriters specifically for the tv series and do not correspond to any of my books. The latest two films 'Challenge' and 'Peril' are also from scriptwriters.

For more information about the Sharpe films, please click on this link: http://www.sharpefilm.com/.

I hope this helps!

Sorry, no, I'm not planning a book on Hastings!

Q

Dear Bernard on reading the books of Arthur there where many mentions of the religious roman cult of Mithras. The name rang a bell from a book i read some years ago by Micheal Curtis Ford called the last king.It states in the first century BC. Mithridates the great was the last king of Pontus and Romes greatest ever enemy more so even than Hannibal.Did the cult of Mithras arise from this historical figure as he lived some six centuries before Arthur's time or do i again have my head in the clouds. kind regards Nicholas Horton.

Submitted September 30, 2008

A

I don't think there's any connection between Mithras and Mithridates (though it's tempting). I'm not going to look up ancient notes now, but off the top of my head I seem to think Mithras came from Persia? It was a HUGELY successful religion, it predated Christianity and, for a time, it looked as if it would win the battle of the gods, but it was very male-oriented and, of course, Christianity appealed to women . . . . . . so there you go. Another dead god.

Q

What are those spike things that are shaped sort of like a jack and thrown on the road to trip horses called? I remember you had them in one of your books. I have read all of your books so it would take me awhile to find that word. I googled around and couldn't find the word. I want to thank you for all the enjoyable hours (you have written a lot of books so it's days not hours)I've spent reading your books.

h.a.v.b.

Submitted September 30, 2008

A

Caltrops!

Q

Dear Bernard I am 20 years old and have been reading your books since i was 14, after being introduced to them by my mother whom has been an avid fan for many years. I am not sending a question as such, but to just say I like the fact you love Cats, I have 10 cats and have always been a cat person. I just wanted to write to ask if you knew about king Hywel of Wales (880?950) whom made it illegal to kill cats, just a random thing of interest. Kind Regards, Damien.

Submitted September 30, 2008

A

Ah, the great Hywel Dda - Hywel the Good - no wonder he was called that! I have his law code on my shelf and it was hugely useful when I wrote the Arthurian trilogy. I guess he was campaigning against rats and mice, but I think killing cats should still be a capital offence!

Q

Dear Bernard,I have been a big fan for many years now but I'm not a fan of hardbacks as I like to loll around when reading and find them a tad heavy. Can you say when Azincourt will be in paperback?

Also I've recently reread the Warlord books and find that you state Britons called a child born in November a child of Imbolc. To my knowledge Imbolc began February 1st whilst November 1st was the start of Samhain. kind regards Nick.

Submitted September 30, 2008

A

The paperback generally follows the hardback by one year.

Did I? I honestly can't remember. If I did, sorry.

Q

Mr Cornwell. I have written to you before and greatly admire the way in which you respond to your fan's questions. Maybe you've read a little about the sword recently found in Bamburgh? Very interesting.

Your Saxon books pose a dilemma to me! My family name, Doyle, is said to come from O Dubhgail, later Dubghall, from dark foreigner, apparently used to describe the darker haired Danes who settled in Ireland. (Maybe a name I'll see in your books one day!) This draws me towards supporting the Danes in your books, but being English leads me to support the Saxons. Obviously you create wonderfully heroic, gentle, violent and despicable characters in each 'faction' but my question is, do you secretly have a favourite? Do you have a slight leaning to either Saxon or Dane? Thanks, your fan, C. Doyle

Submitted September 30, 2008

A

A beautiful piece of pattern welding . . . yes, I've read a lot on it, and talked with an archaeologist there about it! Sounds like Serpent-Breath to me!

Now would I confess if if I did? My sympathies are those of Uhtred (a real ancestor, though I'm inventing almost everything about him). I guess Uhtred is English at heart, but prefers the Danish culture (religion?). Does that help?